a false Bishop of his called Pinâ—… rather through intemperance of tongue then sufficiency of learning would needes be replying I know â—…ot what thereunto giuing heere with occasion to S. Fulgentius to frame another worke therupon to conuince anew the temerity ignorance of the enemyes of Christ. There was likewise moued 〈◊〉 to him a certayne controuersy about the holy Ghost by a Priest called Abrazilla which further gaue a fit occasion to S. Fulgentius to let it appeare with many and cleare demonstrations how the Holy Ghost with the Father the Sonne ought simply to be confessed one God Which things by how much they brought more honour and esteeme to the seruant of God so much the more the Ministers of the Deuill conspired in one to aduise the King not to let the matter proceed any further protesting withall the harbouring of such an aduersary in Carthage would be the ruine of the Arrian religion and that if he remedyed not the fame in tyme he would come shortly to haue so many Followers as that with al the forces of the kingdome they could hardly be resisted The King being terrifyed with these and such like suggestioÌ„s though in a manner against his will commaunded without more delay that S. Fulgentius should returne to his former confines and for auoyding of all popular tumult he should be embarqued in the night Whereto he obediently yielded for his part but the diuine Goodnes being not willing with such a departure the faythfull should seeme to be depriued of the sight comfort of such a Father deteyned the ship so long with contrary winds in the Hauen as well nigh all the Citty had space to salute him and to receiue the most holy Sacrament at his hands When behold a faire gale of wind now comming about and a certaine religious man one Ginliatus by name among others bewayling his departure the holy Bishop being moued to compassion vpon him and full of a propheticall spirit sayd cleerely to him Trouble not your selfe my Son for soone shall this whole persecution cease and we shall returne to you agayne but I pray thee keepe this secret for I could not choose but discouer it to thee being moued so with tendernes and Charity towards thee And this S. Fulgentius added for the great care he had to conceale his gifts and to eschew all human glory contenting himselfe the while with the testimony of a good conscience and with the inward grace affoarded him so as likely he did not nor euer would worke Myracles and if now then perhaps he did any he would still rather attribute the same to the fayth of another then his owne vertue But for the most part whensoeuer he was sought vnto to pray to our Lord for the sick and afflâ—cted he would frame his prayers with these words or the like Thou knowest O Lord what is fit for the health of our soules while thou succourest our corporal necessities in such sort as they hinder not the spirituall profit He was wont to say that the Gift of miracles serued not to make a man more iust but to cause him rather to be renowned in the world A thing truly which auayles but litle to eternall beatitude where vertuous and hood men howbeit obscure and vnknowne are not hindred awhit from getting into Heauen Though if we speake of supernaturall effects those workes which others performe in curing of bodyes seeme vnto me not to be so admirable as those which he wrought in curing of Soules in conuerting with his fayre exhortations and good example so many Heretiques to the Church and so man sinners vnto pennance S. Fulgentius builds him a new Conuent in Calari The persecution ceaseth Prelates are recalled from banishment Chap. 8. VVIth these and other the like exercises which accompanyed S. Fulgentius still in ech tyme and place being now brought backe to the Iland of Sardinia he was agayne no small coÌ„solation to the afflicted Bishops And hauing led with him from Affricke a good number of Monkes with the leaue of Brumasâ—…us Bishop of Calari he built him there a new Conuent without the Citty neare to the Church of S. Saturninus attending with all care and sollicitude to conseue religious discipline most pure hauing principally an eye that none of the Monkes who were about some 50. in number should seeme to haue any thing proper And for to take away all occasion thereof he would himselfe distribute with great discretion the necessary things appertayning to them according to the forces and infirmity of ech one True it is that such as enioyed any particular thing at his hands he would require to be notable in humility protesting vnto them that in Congregations whosoeuer receiues of the publique substance more then others becoms a debtour to each one of them to whome the goods do belong and how he cannot satisfy the debt as iustice requires without shewing himselfe very obedient lowly meeke and tractable to all By these waies the Saint would seeme to remedy the scandals from such inequalityes And as he was exceeding sollicitous in preuenting the suites requests importunityes of the Monkes in giuing them before haÌ„d what reason or necessity required so towards the importunate not resigned he would shew himselfe to be very seuere in denying them sometimes euen that which they had otherwise deserued affirming that they should otherwise incurre the displeasure of the Highest if they should desire things superfluous and that it playnely denoted a weake spirit and of litle vertue Forasmuch as such as they through a former renunciation now seeing themseluâ—… to be shut of all manner of trafficque and gayne of the world with such kind of demaunds do seeme to supply the vse of trading He added moreouer that such only are worthy of the name of religious who mortifying quite their proper wills are ready to will and not to wil that only which is insinuated to them by the Superiour Nor made he any reckoning of those handy workes not well conioyned with interiour acts as wishing that the spirit of deuotion should be the season of ech operation Besids he would shew himselfe to be sweet and affable to all without any arrogancy or imperiousnes a whit though in his tyme he knew also to vse due grauity and the subiect how simple and ignorant he were had full freedome to make any request vnto him and that as often as he would the good Father would likewise heare him with all patience or without shewing himselfe weary with reasons examples vntill such tyme as the party himselfe had freely confessed he was throughly satisfyed and contented In this tyme of banishment he wrote to those of Carthage an Epistle of high Counsails and Aduertisements discouering among other things with great cleerenes the deceipts flatteryes wherwith miserable soules are conducted to Hell And at the instance of one Monimus a religious person he coÌ„posed two bookes Of theremission of sinnes and instructed him besides
difference betweene vs two We will be all one thou shalt euer dispose of my Wardrob seruants and rents with the same security as of thine owne But if perhapps certayne gusts allure thee which these Saints and precise Hypocrites tell thee are found in that solitary and extrauagant life make this accompt as so it is likewise their owne doctrine too that after a little hony shall follow a great deale of gaul The memory of the commodityes and hopes so left shall vex thee vnprofitable repentances shall gaul thee and the rage of persecutions infirmityes of the body and bitternes of mynd shall torment thee and when there is nothing els thou shalt euen cary thy selfe with thee nor with the flying world hast thou layd away thy flesh whence the more continuall the wills are that do spring from thence especially of thinges that are wholy forbidden vs so much more shalt thou find thy selfe to be suspended and strangled as it were amidst the incentiues of thy appetit impossibility to quench them Wherupon of necessity eyther thou must needes dye of sadnes or prolong thy dayes in infinite dolours or abandon thy profession with eternall infamy Remember how the lyllies flourish not alwayes nor the leaues are euer greene Let so many others be a warning and example to thee who eyther in Cloysters being forlorne of al in their greatest necessity haue finished their dayes vpon straw or after many yeares of Religion being vanquished with the labour tediousnes thereof and lastly turned backe from Religion are at this day to their endles reproach now pointed at in the Citty So as now while matters are yet but fresh and entiere doe thou looke to prouide for thy selfe and throwing away in good houre these keyes and raggs of thine come along with me without delay And belieue me from others thou shalt receiue but wordes only but deeds at my hands thou shalt really find who vaunt my selfe that I will be to thee no seigned Fryar but a true friend and louing kinsman to my liues end Therefore deerest Nephew let me preadmonish thee of these future euents and seeke with all thy diligence to preuent them and returne agayne to thy most louing Companions who will exceedingly reioyce at thy presence With these and other such like fiery darts was the fayth and constancy of B. Andrew assayled this day In which conflict he defending himselfe with the signe of the Crosse and resolute silence stood as firme as a tower in such sort as the domesticall enemy being astonished at such fortitude and confounded at his proofes so deluded departed without more ado It is held indeed by many with probable coniectures that some spirit of Hell had appeared in the figure of that Gentleman but whether the Diuell or some Minister of his for euen also among the Children of Adam there want not such it is manifest that with such assaults he wrought no other effect then to affoard to the new Souldier of Christ both matter occasion of a noble fight and of a glorious victory Hence taking more courage and new vigour and after many other experiences B. Andrew being admitted with solemne ceremonyes into the body of Religion he gaue himselfe together with the study of perfection to the purchase also of sciences with particuler caution that the vehemency and assiduity of speculation as happens but too often consume not or quite extinguish the oyle of deuotion and the ardour of spirit Of the zeale of soules which B. Andrew had and how he conuerted a Kinsman of his from a lewd life Chap. 4. B. Andrew had yet reguard to the age he was of to the strength and liuely temperature of his complexion and aboue all things held it a great basenes a barbarous ingratitude to abandon Christ in his passion and to haue no will to tast of the chalice which the heauēly Phisitian so benignly for vs would first be prouing himself So as besides the continuall guard custody of the hart besids the familiarity with God by the meanes of holy prayer besides the frequent interiour acts of humility and of charity he left not also at tymes to macerate the body with abstinences vigils and sharp labours He wore on his bare flesh a cruell cilice he made frequent disciplines he kept most exact and entire silence at due howers he fasted besides other obseruances of the order in bread water for three dayes of the weeke would take euery occasion to serue and obey ech one euen the least of all He would goe forth with a wallet on his back to beg from doore to doore especially In via maggia a Way so called where many of his noble freinds kindred and acquaintance were assembled together reioycing not a litle to labour in so ◅ase an occupation for sustenance of the Monks And much more for hauing by that meanes frequent occasion to be mocked scorned and intured not only by those who call holy mendicity a lazy and Gipsian life but euen also by such that through his appearing so in that habit with a foolish pride reputed themselues to be much disparaged and digraced by him Vnto this loue of purity and contempt of himselfe and of true pennance indeed and voluntary pouerty was added an inflamed desire and zeale of saluation of soules whereto he attended not only with feruent prayers and good examples of life but also as occasion serued with exhortations counsailes and aduises And the Eternall Goodnes also sometymes fayled not to concurre thereto with diuine workes as it happened perticulary in the conuersion of a kinsman of his by name Iohn Corsino Which fel out as followes This man being afflicted with a most trouble some disease of the Wolfe the lesse hope he had to be cured thereof so much sought he out solaces and allurements to diuert the thought thereof and among other thinges gaue place to vnlawfull games with such a number of debauched people as his house at last was become a publique house of mis-rule and was commonly called the Dieinghouse The Blessed Andrew not brooking so hellish an errour to so great an infamy of the name of Corsino and so grieuous a scandall to the whole Citty First calling vpon diuine succour as he was wont he went at a fit hower to visit the sick patient after mutuall salutation and demaunds had between them which in such encounters are vsuall with those of the best breeding with a liuely sayth and a louely face he sayes to him If thou wouldst but doe as I would haue thee Iohn I doe heere promise thee with the grace of God to deliuer thee suddenly of this soare which seemes so incurable and from the snares and deceipts of thine enemyes that so persecute thee To this promise of his the sick man though he could hardly afford any credit yet for the great desire he had to be rid of his paynes did offer himselfe very prompt and ready to any thing that B.
for whatsoeuer he should say vnto them they should take any reuenge vpon him but without any reply at all returne backe againe With such commission those Russians being come to S. Antony and intreating him with the greatest courtesy they could to accept of that small charity which Ezelinus sent him and to remember him only in his deuout prayers by so liuely experience they presently knew what he was since with a seuere looke shew of anger he thus answered to the message God forbid I receaue in signe of liberality the very bloud of the poore of Christ for which shall Ezelinus ere he be aware thereof make an exact accompt to the diuine iustice and get you hence also without delay least through your iniquityes eyther the howse ouerwhelme vs with a sudden ruine or the earth come to swallow vs vp with a horrible rupture Whereat those miserable wretches with bowing downe the head went silently and fearefully away to giue account to their wicked maister of the whole successe who being cleared in this manner of the suspitions falsely conceaued by him touching the seruant of God from that tyme forwards held him in the esteeme he ought and gaue order to his souldiers they should let him say of him what he listed himselfe and though the Tyrant through his inueterate custome in sinning was neuer conuerted from his lewd wayes yet certaine it is that the memory of S. Antony serued him often tymes for a bridle and through feare and reuerence of so great a man he forbare afterwardes to commit many outrages which he had otherwise effected without respect These then and the like assaults the couragious Champion of Christ would not fayle to make at any tyme when need required Though indeed no merueyl it be that for the defence of the truth he should not feare the face of any man how angry soeuer who with so much desire heretofore had sought to drinke of the chalice of the passion The excellent guifts and talents of S. Antony especially necessary to so notable a preacher as he was Chap. 7. LEt no man thinke by the former Chapter that S. Antony shewed himselfe to be so rigorous and terrible to all He wanted not iudgment to discerne the difference of his Auditours nor skill and practize to deale with the rich with the poore with the noble and ignoble according to the capacity and nature and state of ech one And how beyt the principall foundation of his preaching was placed as we haue sayd in frequent prayer and continuall abnegation of himselfe neuerthelesse he tooke light and nourishment of sound and sincere knowledge from the auncient Doctours sacred Councells and diuine Scriptures wherein he was so versed and dexterous as it is affirmed for certaine that when by any misfortune they might hap to be lost he alone from the Cabinet of his memory was sufficient to recouer them agayne as heeretofore Esdras had done and to put them faythfully in writing Wherof among other persons of authority Gregory the Ninth his Holynes gaue truely a most cleere and graue testimony for that S. Antony being come to the Court of Rome for this likewise was a notable exployt of his to oppose the designes and endeuoure of Fryar Elias and of others who sought to wrest the Rule and enlarge the Religious discipline he not only laboured efficaciously in this matter but preached also to the Court and people of Rome in diuers places and tymes with so great abundance of true and profund conceipts with such subtilityes and art in discouering the origens and causes of vices and in appling apt remedyes to each one and with such sharpe and sound interpretations of the Psalmes and the Prophets and of all historyes Oracles and diuine precepts as the Pope himselfe being astonished besides infinite other prayses afforded him with a Pontificall spirit daigned to call him The Arke of the Testament There were added to these so rare guifts of a Christian Oratour a dignity of aspect a grace in his gestures á sweetenes and cleernes of voyce and all in so eminent a degree as he seemed to be an organ for honest delectation and for a holesome mouing of soules framed by the hand of God himselfe And that which more increased the wonder was so great a variety quaintnes and propriety in the Italian tongue in a man trayned vp in Prouinces so remote and come into Italy being of yeares so mature and so late brought forth to the light of the world and to the eminency of Pulpits Whence it is not very easy to explicate the concourse of people of all conditions that assembled together at the sound of that celestiall harmony and diuine Trumpet in shutting vp their shopps leauing their traffikes in the market places and the noyses of the Pallace and taking vp places before day at the sacred audience with such hast and strife withall as many tymes the seruant of God was constreyned to abandon the Churches and Cittyes and goe forth into the spacious playnes and there from the higher bancks to breake the bread of the diuine word vnto the hungry multitude And he howbeyt corpulent by nature and much subiect to sweating and diuers infirmityes left not for all that to expose himselfe with great promptnes and without sparing any labour or trouble where the greatest need was hope of a more certaine copious haruest Now who were able to set downe what fruite followed to the glory of our Lord and saluation of men Who could number the rancours and enmityes deposed the restitutions made the Concubines forsaken the processions disciplines fasts the pious works both common and particuler instituted for behoofe of body soule Many contemning the vanity of the world though rich and potent otherwise eyther dedicated themselues to the diuine seruice in Religion or the better to assure their conscience very freely subiected their whole substance and their life it selfe vnto the dispose of the faythfull seruant of Christ the good and faythfull through his discourses would depart from him very full of consolation of new courage and purpose afresh The sinners chasing away darknes and sleep astonished at the diuine prouidence acknowledging their perilous estate and the greiuousnes of their synnes as wounted Harts to the fountayne so ran they to the tribunall of Confessours with teares and sighs How S. Antony mountes into the Chayre of Theology and was the first of his Order that read in those Schooles Chap. 8. VVE may not seeme to passe ouer in silence how 22. Theeues being accustomed to rob and murder trauaylours in a certaine thick and obscure forest and then after vnknowne in the Citty to appeare in the habit of Honourable persons being lastly moued with the fame which ran euery where of the Angelicall preaching of S. Anthony resolued to goe all at once to heare him And found the report of him to be nothing false but rather remayned so mollifyed and softned at his fyery speaches as the
Church very happily dyed There was moreouer a Woman so afflicted with the spirit of anger and fury as not only her kinsfolkes and neighbours seemed to shun her conuersation but euen her owne children could hardly endure to inhabite with her Wheresoeuer she was there was nothing but scolding rancour and a hideous storme bold fyery audacious gibing light of fingers vntollerable and fastidious to euery one By reason whereof her afflicted Children not finding other way of redresse from so continuall and bitter grieuances resolued to bring her as dexterously they did into the presence of S. Malachy where breaking forth into teares and laments they humbly demaund succour of the seruant of God He taking compassion as well on the danger of the Mother as on the Childrens infelicity tooke her a little asyde and dernaunds of her with great affect and gracious semblance Whether she had euer been confessed in her dayes and she answering No. Do you now then confisse sayd he to her Which the furious woman did through diuine instinct and he hauing enioyned her a conuenient pennance prayed a while ouer her commaunded her on the behalfe of Christ our Lord that from thence forth she should be angry no more A thing incredible there suddenly grew such a meeknes and so great a patience in her that euery one might know there could be nothing therein but meerly a change from Heauen Which was so great a comfort to her children as cannot be expressed She is yet lyuing and is sayd to be of so fayre a condition of so deep a Tranquility as where before she was wont to exasperate and offend euery one she is now not troubled a whit withall the losses iniuries or tribulations that can befall her Now let euery one esteeme of things as he please If with the Apostle it may be lawfull for me to abound in my sense I dare say that greater was the exploit of this amendement then was the recalling of the Gentlewoman spoken aboue from death to life because in the former was the exteriour Man raysed in the later only the interiour But let vs go forward A secular man of good quality came to condole with S. Malachy for the sterility of his soule beseeching him to obteyne for him at the hands of God some plenty of teares With that the holy Man of God with a cheerfull countenance approaching to him in signe as it were of friendship layd his cheeke to his and added withall That grace be giuen thee From that tyme forward had the lay man so great aboundance of water in his eyes as that sentence of the Scripture seemed to be verifyed in him A Fountayne from the gardens A spring of liuing waters This aboundance of teares the Man had to his dying day which made his sould white and pure from the staynes of Mortall sinne And being so washed and cleansed from those spots of Capitall sinnes his innocent Soule ascended on high to him Qui in altis habitat there to giue him laudes and prayses and continually to sing the celestiall Song of Alleluia S. Malachy through his prayers multiplyed Fishes With other Miracles of that kind Chap. 21. SAINT Malachy in trauayling as we haue sayd to preach the word of God did many Miracles whereof this is one The holy Bishop endeauouring withall power to spread the Ghospell of Christ Iesus throughout all the Kingdome of Ireland fell by chance on a certayne Iland in former tymes very famous for fishing 〈…〉 and for the 〈…〉 of the people reduced in so great a sterility as the poore 〈…〉 were brought into very hard strayts for want thereof and ready to be famished It was reuealed through the diuine Clemency to a certain woman that the intercessioÌ„ of S. Malachy were the only remedy to help them to their former aboundance of fishes This was the reason that the people 〈◊〉 about him as soone as he was landed being a great deale more anxious and sollicitous for fish then for preaching or doctrine for they were neuer froÌ„ his sides coÌ„iuning him that laying aside for the present all other care whatsoeuer he would vouchsafe to cast his eyes vpon their foresayd necessity But the true seruant of Christ answered them that he was come thither not to catch fishes but soules yet they not withstanding went still recommending themselues with so much more feruour as at last it seemed good to S. Malachy not to see light by the notable fayth which they shewed Kneeling then downe on the same shore he besought our Lord to affoard the grace to these men though altogether vn worthy thereof His praier no sooner came to the diuine throne then a good quantity of fishes somwhat greater then vsuall asceÌ„ded to the top of the water and euen to this day doth the plenty continue What wonder is it then that the prayer of the Iust which penetrates heauen should likewise diue into the Abysses and call from thence such like and so many squadrons of waterish creatures On a tyme S. Malachy with three other Bishops arriued at the towne of 〈◊〉 where they all lodged at the house of a certayne Priest who finding himselfe but ill prouided for such Ghests as they sayd to S. Malachy How shall I do trow you that haue no manner of fish at all Seeke for some answered he of the Fishermen O replyed the Priest It is now two yeares since that there could none be found in the riuer in so much as these poore men through despaire haue been faigne to abandon the trade Then S. Malachy replyed Do you cause in the name of God the nets to be cast Which was accordingly performed and at the first draught there came vp some twelue Salmons at once as many at the second so as all the company had meate inough to feed on and to celebrate the Eternall Benignity And to the end that â—his thing without all controuersy might be attributed to the Meâ—its of S. Malachy after the feast was consumated the former steriâ—ity did returne and so continued for two yeares From these pleasant aduentures and as it were of sport let vs passe to a graue example of the diuine Seuerity yet euer mixed with his wonted Mercy There was in Lesmor a Clerk of good example for the rest but of Fayth not so orthodoxe This man taking much complacence in his knowledge and for the sharpnes of wit which he tooke himselfe to haue durst impiously affirme that in the Eucharist howbeit the Sacrament were there or Sanctification to say rather yet was there not therefore the Thing of the Sacrament as Deuines vse to say that is the reall Body and Bloud of Christ our Lord. Vpon which so abominable errour of his being often secretly admonished by S. Malachy but euer in vaine at last he was cited to appeare before a certaine CongregatioÌ„ of Ecclesiasticall persons without the accesse of any secular person that with the least shame that were possible he might come to acknowledge
his errour Licence was there giuen him freely to propound and argue he endeauoured withall the forces he had to mainteine his falshood But S. Malachy disputing against him and with liuely reasons and found authorityes shewing how farre he was from the truth and besides S. Malachy the rest likewise confuted him yet notwithstanding that arrogant man persisted still in his diabolicall opinion he departed from thence indeed much confounded but not amended shamefully alleadging he was not conuinced through force of learning but meerely ouerborne and oppressed with Episcopall power And thou Malachy he stucke not to say shouldst not haue dealt with me in this manner in speaking thus against the truth and if thou wilt but confesse the matter as it is euen in truth against your owne Conscience The holy Pastor being exceedingly contristated with so pertinacious an impudency as well for the losse of that erring soule as for the loue of the Catholike Fayth causeth the Clerke anew to make his appearance in a more solemne and numerous assembly and heere the fallacyes vanity of that contumacious wretch being afresh layd open and confuted he publikely exhorted him to acknowledge the falshood and depose his pertinacy The same admonition did many other Priests and the grauest Prelats affoard him But being not able to 〈◊〉 moue him an inch at last they declare him a manifest Heretique and by consequence deuided from Christian Society And yet notwithstanding all this that ignorant and proud Wretch perseuering still in esteeming himselfe more wise and learned then all that were present and further vpbrayding them for partiality whereas he only freely but defended the Ghospell S. Malachy at last being preuoked therewith spake out with a lowd voyce Since thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 willingly confesse the Truth let God then make thee to confesse it by force Anâ—… the Heeretike answering Amen the Councell was dismissed that excommunicated person not being able to suffer so great dishonour and infamy determined to runne into some forrain parts now with his fardell was in readynesse for the way when behold him ouertaken on a suddayne with a grieuous infirmity and feeling his strength to fayle him he cast himselfe on the ground very weary and anxious In the meane tyme there happened to passe by a certayne vagabond distracted fellow Who seeing him lye on the ground iâ—… that manner demaunded of him what dost thou heere And the miserable Wretch answered he was not well and therefore not able to go backwards or forwards This malady sayd the mad man is nothing els but death it selfe Get vp then and go home agayne and I will help thee Which words were not vttered by chaunce but through Diuine disposition that he might be coÌ„streyned to obey a mad fellow that would not seeme to consent to so many learned and wise men Iâ—… summe being guided by him he was faygne to returne back into the Citty against his will where hauing now better bethought himselfe at last comes truly to repent his cryme and with a great deale of contrition causeth the Bishop to be sent for to him and as it were in a moment confesseth the fault detests the opinion receiues absolution and giues vp the Ghost In this manner that delict seemed to cost him no lesse then his life and as many as had heard the imprecation were astonished at the efficacy therof Two notable accidents vpon certayne faythles Men for breach of accord with S. Malachy and another Bishop about certaine differences amongst them Chap. 21. GReat doubtles was the trauaile which S. Malachy tooke in the reduction of that man we mentioned aboue But he suffered no lesse paynes nor shewed he lesse vertue in according certayne people now entered into a sharpe contention in matter of Confines At what tyme S. Malachy resided in the ConueÌ„t of Benchor those people happened to be in a great difference to compose which on all sides they accorded to stand to the arbitrement of S. Malachy the true Seruant of Christ Iesus But he was at that tyme very much troubled with many cares which was the reason he gaue the charge to decide that coÌ„trouersy to another Bishop But he also excused himselfe saying that S. Malachy and not he was required for the effect And therfore he desired to be quitted of that toyle for that they would contemne him he take paynes to no purpose Go your wayes sayth he and our Lord shall be with you And the other Bishop replyed I am content to vndertake the charge but if they listen not to me then know for certayne that I will send for you to determine this debate which is rysen amongst them At which words S. Malachy smiling Do so then answered he Wherupon the Bishop condescended to vndertake the taske and so departed Within a short tyme after this Bishop caused the partyes to be assembled together The cause was throughly debated on both sides and for that tyme they were attoned in such sort as they came to the signing of some articles of agreement betweene them agreed vpon with full Consent on all sides and theerupon they went home to their owne howses But scarce were they gone on the way when one of the Company being tempted by the accursed enemy of MaÌ„kind raysed a sedition betweene them hauing a fayre opportunity offered him For the other was turning homwards carelesse on the way supposing they were now out of all daunger and therefore were naked I meane without any manner of defensiue or offensiue weapons about them Wherupon that wicked Company wherof we first spake began to say among themselues What do we stand vpon We haue already the victory in our hands and we may now worke our owne reuenge With this fatall resolution they furiously turning back made hast to ouertake them on the suddayne and vnawares Which the Bishop perceiuing hyed him to the Captayne of that Rout or assembly and began to complayne for so great an iniustice and for so open and vntolerable a treason but his complaynt auayling little he addes protestations he alleadgeth the respect and authority of him that sent him thither he menaceth the wrath of God in fine vsed all possible meanes to diuert him from so great a perfidiousnes But the barbarous man after he had let him a while coniure cry at last turning himselfe to him with a proud countenaÌ„ce Do you think answered he that for your sake we should let the malefactours get out of our Clawes whome God as a prey hath so deliuered to vs Then the poore Bishop remembring himselfe of the admonishment giuen at his departure stretching his eyes and armes towards the Monastery began vehemently to weepe exclayme O man of God where are you now Where are you Did not I presage as much before O Father Wretch that I am vnhappy 〈◊〉 Hither I came to do good and not any hurt And behold beere through my occasion do those there loose their bodyes and these their soules In this
one to attend vpon him This miserable wretch turning himselfe to S. Malachy with a lamentable voyce and full of teares sayd Ay me Father you go now your wayes and know in how great and how many afflictions you leaue me and yet can you help it if you please and though I for my sinnes haue and do deserue all euill yet alas what fault haue these poore Brothers done to whome for my sake is not permitted an houre of rest with this plaint the hart of the Blessed Bishop was as it were now spilt asunder When he deerly imbracing the sick man made the signe of the Crosse on his breast saying Rest secure yet and be confident that you shall not fall into the like fit agayne till my returne That malady the poore man had susteyned for six yeares togeather But now at the only speach of S. Malachy he was recouered in such sort as he neuer fell more thereinto being in a moment deliuered from so grieuous bitter a payne and the assistants themselues from a long and yrksome a custody After which as S. Malachy was taking ship came two of his most inward friends to him for to craue a notable boone at his hands and he demanding what their request was we will not tell you sayd they till you promise vs first to comfort vs he promised so to do then they replyed We will sayd they that you faithfully promise vs another thing which is to make your returne to Ireland agayne very safe and sound the very same did all the others beseech him Whereupon the seruant of Christ retiring a litle as he was wont within himselfe and being sorry first for hauing so engaged his word not knowing how to discharge himselfe being â—…ing on the one syde to come out of debt and sory on the other 〈◊〉 leaue Clareuallis But after the same at last resolued with himselfe to comply with that which pressed him most that is not to fayle in his promise remitting the rest to the diuine pleasure Then though with an euill will he answered yea and his disciples being comforted not a litle heerwith he caused them to hoyse vp sayle But in the midst of the Sea he was driuen backe agayne vpon the cost of Ireland by a sudden contrary wind Where he landed and passed the night in a Church of his acknowledging and thanking the diuine goodnes for that without the preiudice of any he had by that meanes acquit him from all wherein he was bound to his Monkes And in the morning being afresh embarqued he landed very happily on the same day in the Kingdome of Scotland after two dayes more arriued at Verdestagnus where leauing certayne subiects for a Cistercian Abbay which he had founded there he pursued his iourney and being honorably receiued by King Dauid in the confines there staying in that place for some dayes not without a great deale of fruite he passed into England In Gisburne in England S. Malachy cures a woman of a Canker And after arriues at Clareuallis where he fals mortally sick Chap. 26. SAINT Malachy at his entrance into the kingdome of England lodged in the Canonry of Gisburne where he contracted a very streight friendship with those Priests there of singular fame Moreouer in that place a woman was presented to him very much deformed and eaten with a horrible Canker He blessed a little water therewith sprinkled the soares so efficaciously as the paines therof sudenly ceasing the next day they could hardly be seene Departing from thence he went to the Sea side where he met withan vnlookt for impediment caused through certayne differeÌ„ces risen at that tyme betweene the Apostolique Sea and the King of England about iurisdiction which were then growne so hoat as he through aboundaÌ„t iealousy permitted no Prelate to go forth of the Iland and for the same respect was the Bishop Malachy likewise reteyned for some tyme. Who on the one syde though he were sory to be delayed in that sort from his businesses yet was he not aware on the other syde that this very delay seemed to fauour his vowes designes Because if he had presently gon into Fraunce he had been feigne leauing Clareuallis and passing the Alps with diligence to haue measured the greater part of Italy the Pope Eugenius being already gone forth of France approached to Rome Where as now by this delay through a sea-passage his iourney by diuine prouidence came to be disposed in that manner as he arriued at Clareuallis euen at the point himselfe desired Where being receiued by vs as an Angell descended from Paradise what a light seemed to shine vpon this our habitation and what a solemne Feast was it for vs al and I my selfe now trembling and weake as I was being reuiued with the newes ran full of exultation and iubiley to his holy kisses and imbraces and he reciprocally shewed himselfe to vs as he was wont very pleasant and affable and wonderfully gratefull to euery one Now by this tyme were some foure or fiue dayes of our common gladnes passed ouer when behold on the Feast of the glorious S. Luke the Euangelist after he had with extraordinary deuotion celebrated Masse in publique he was taken with a feuer Wherupon falling downe on his bed he fell sick and all our ioy was turned â—…o sadnes though somewhat moderated the while in that the feuer as yet was not very violent nor rigid So as recouering hope you might haue seene what running there was vp and downe in the howse some to prouide medicins some to apply someÌ„tations some to bring him meate some to exhort and intreate him to eate euery one striuing to serue such a Ghest and accompting themselues most happy that could haue most accesse to that holy blessed man WheÌ„ S. Malachy beholding theÌ„ with a benigne countenance All these paynes would he say are too much for you to take but yet for your sakes I refuse them not and willingly do what you coÌ„maund me He knew right well his latest hower approched and to his companions who would seeme to comfort him with saying there appeared in him no mortall signe It is conuenient would he answere by all meanes that Malachy this yeare depart this life The day approches now which I as you very well know haue alwayes wished to be the last of my short dayes I know well in whome I trust and now that I haue part of my intent I am certaine and secure in like sort that my desire shal be graunted in the rest He that brought me through his clemency to this place I desired so much will not deny me the tyme nor terme and for as much as concernes this weary body of myne I will heere repose it for the soule he shall prouide for it who giues saluation to such as put their trust in him Nor haue I any small confidence in the same dya wherin by the lyuing is purchased so great a help to the dead And now
the quantity and brightnes wherof while S. Antony wondered to the end so betwitching an obiect might not penetrate thâ—… mynd starting away from it as it were from fire he passed on his way with his eyes shut flying through the playnes neuer made stop till he had quite lost the sight of the place When taking some breath renewing his holy purposes againe he arriued at a MouÌ„tayne where was a Castle halfe ruined and inhabited with serpâ—… and hurtfull beasts insteed of men Which at the appearing of the Saint as if they had been chased went headlong away in al post he damming vp the gate with stone tymber remayned within with prouision of bread for six months hauing left order with his friends that twice a yeare for which space and more some Egiptians knew especially the Thebans how to bake breake make it last should supply be made him from tyme to tyme with which sustenance and with a little water only to be had in the same place continued he his admirable sobriety and singular abstinence There came many to visit him while he himself not withstaÌ„ding being shut vp saw them not nor would suffer himselfe to be seen of any and the bread I spake of was let downe to him by certayne holes in the roofe In the meane while his friends attending with great desire at the doore and passing that way many tymes by day and night might heare from tyme to tyme a very great noise within the roome with raylings and outcryes which sayd to him Get you hence out of our house What haue you heere to do in this desert You shall neuer be able to endure our persecutions The friends of S. Antony now hearing such quarrels and menaces without did verily belieue some ill disposed persons and enemies of the Saint had byn gotten in with a ladder from the top but afterwards looking in very curiously through a chincke they caused some to get vpon the roofe and by diligent search they could finally discerne no such matter It was presently knowne that those horrible clamours proceeded from none but infernall spirits Whereupon the poore people being now affrighted began suddenly to call vpon S. Antony by name to craue his succour Whâ—… regarding the good of these more then the menaces of those approching to the doore exhorted theÌ„ with fayre speeches to retire from thence and not to feare since the Deuill is commonly wont if you be fearefull to increase your vaine and needles feares Go home then on Gods name and do you make the signe of the holy Crosse. Go your wayes home I say in the name of the Highest leauâ—… them heere in fine to be illude themselues With this conge the visible friends giue backe and departed thence and he alone remayned behind to stand in contest with the inuisible Enemies although from henceforth in all bickerings he had not much to do with them partly in regard that they through so many losses became continually more weary feeble partly also because he felt himselfe euery day more couragious and stoute being very often comforted with diuine Visitations and with often triumphes ouer his now vanquished Enemyes In the meane time new troupes of people ceased not to resort from Cittyes and Villages to S. Antonyes Cell Who making accompt to haue found him allready dead beyond all hope did heare him sing Exurgat Deus dissipentur inimici eius fugiant qui oderunt eum à faciâ—… eius sicut deficit fumus deficiant sicut fluit cera à facie eius sic pereant peccatores a facie Dei And like wise Omnes gentes circumdederunt me in nomine Domini quia vltus sum in eos With such and other like darts the valourous Champion transfixed so the rebels of Christ as in all the encounters they had euer the worst S. Antony remaynes reclused His fame spreads through all parts whereby many come to renounce the world Chap. 5. IN this manner of inclosure the seruant of God remayned for 20. yeares continually without once seeing to yssue forth or euer being seen of any person Whereupon the fame of S. Antony was so spread and was in so great credit of more then humane vertue as day by day there assembled about him a greater concourse of diuers Nations and conditions of persons then euer Some came with desire to be instructed and trayned vp by him others to be deliuered from the Deuill and from sundry infirmities Others in fine desired to behold such an Hermit as he with their proper eyes and so rare and liuely example of perfection and to speake in a word such an Angell on earth Who by how much more through humility retyred so much greater thirst was excited in men of his conuersation And in briefe the matter went so farre as they being able no longer to endure the expectation pulling a way the obstacles by violency and breaking vpon him with boldnes and reuerence alike they intreated him so much as he was able to resist no longer but forth with he came out of a Sanctuary where he had beene as it were annoynted with the diuine hands consecrated and promoted for the gouernement of soules And it may well be conceyued the while what a plenitude of graet he receiued from Heauen since loc the very same redounding like wise to the body after so many yeares of pennance so great fastings and such meditations combats and vigils appeared to be of so good a coÌ„plexion as if in all that tyme he had attended to his health and had entertayned himselfe in pleasant pastimes With this was matched such a manner of composition modesty and grauity as well beseemed a foster-child of the supreme wisedome and Citizen of the supernall country In such wise as to haue met him after so long a retirement in so great a multitude of men applying themselues to him and euen profuse in his prayses renowne yet should you not haue seene any signe of perturbation in him or of vayne contenâ—…meÌ„t but was alwayes found with Reason in the Sterne most firme constant and equall He had so 〈◊〉 refull serene a couÌ„tenance as all men that looked vpon him were comforted therwith But what shall we say of the other Gifts of the holy Ghost The dispossest of euill Spirits may suffice to winne beliefe the infirme also whome he hath restored And the many besides aflicted and disconsolate through diuers occasions which with sweet efficacious words he hath recomforted How many emnityes and how many strifes hath he reduced to peace and concord He would exhort all with great vehemency of spirit noryâ—… lesse with the weight of reason and examples by no meanes to preferre any wordly thing before the loue of our Lord Iesus And he would also discourse of the future goods and of the excessiue charity of God towards miserable mortals since for their Redemption and Saluation he would not seeme to pardon his owne
offence and domage of our soules The blessed S. Antony being come to this passage made a pause for a while and then began more at large to discouer diuers arts and subtilities of Sathan for that tyme as yet very new and vnknown at this day notwithstanding by the obseruation of so many ages God be thanked now very common and vulgar And then began he afresh to declare a certayne remedy agaynst them which was a vigilant and continuall memory of God conioyned with spirituall gladnes with the firme confidence of the fatherly Prouidence and with the care which our Lord taketh of his SeruaÌ„â—…s In which state so long as the Christian stands and the Religious also he hath no need to feare any thing Since as the Diuels withall their fury and rage when he stands in his owne defence cannot endomage him with force so are they not wont to assault him with open warre but with ambushes and snares wherein yet lying in wayte if they note the Citty of the soule to be neglected ill prouided and vnquiet then rushing in on a sudden they will enkindle seditions multiply breaches and put all in confusion and disorder And this in summe sayd the blessed Antony for asmuch as concernes temptations and inuisible traynes But for apparitions and visions to be able well and securely to distinguish them he counsay led the Monkes in such a case not to be dismayed a whit nor to shew any signe of feare at all but be the Spectacle what it will couragiously to speake vnto it and demand who art thou and from whence comst thou For that if it be good it will suddaynely cleare thee in that point through diuine power and will replenish thee together with true gladnes If naught it shall loose its forces in a moment in beholding the mynd so stout and constant since to demaund in that manner is a manifest signe of assurednes tranquillity In this manner we may see Iesus Naâ—…e to be cleered by the Angell of light and others not to be deceyued with that of darknes The Exhortation ended a certayne Probleme is handled among the Fathers of the Desert wherein euery one passeth his verdict Chap. 8. VVHile the holy Abbot spake in this sort it canont be expressed what comfort and consolation the Auditory felt so as the tepid were enflamed with the loue of vertue the pusillanimous seemed to pretend now great hope And some on the contrary being full of vayne persuasion before came now to be humble and to thinke more modestly of themselues and finally all remayned astonished at the discretion of spirits wherewith our Lord had seemed to endue S. Antony Of which so precious a gift since we are now fallen vpon it we cannot so slightly passe ouer in silence that so famous a discourse that to this purpose Iohn Cassian declares with the Morall therupon which was that some of those ancient Fathers on a tyme being come to the blessed S. Antony in Thebais to conferre with him about spirituall matters the conference it selfe grew so hoat betweene them as it lasted from the beginning of â—…he night to the next day morning The Probleme was this What vertue or what obseruance might seeme more efficacions and more secure to preserue a Monke alwayes assured from diabolicall snares and deceipts and to leade him by the stricter way and with greater fredome to the top of Perfection Concerning which doubt ech one according to his capacity produced what he thought best Some there were who placed al in fastings and vigils affirming for proofe therof that the soule being extenuated therby and made pure of hart body comes more easily to be vnited with God Others extolled entire pouerty and the totall contempt of worldly things in reguard the mynd being â—…aked quite stript of all those things without doubt being now â—…light and discharged of all may sudenly mount to the heauenly delights By some others was giuen the palme to the loue of solitude and the deserts for being the true and only way to become familiar with God and to be alwayes vnited with his infinite Goodnes Nor were they wanting who preferred the works of mercy and faternall charity before all other Exercises whatsoeuer alleadging that especially to these is the kingdome of heauen promised in the Ghospell Thus euery one hauing now vnfolded his mind and more spaciously enlarged himselfe in proofe of his proper assertion the greater part of the night as we said being spent already diâ—… the blessed S. Antony beganne to speake in the manner following It cannot be denyed my Reuerend Fathers but that the same propositions by you made are of singular auayle for him that hatâ—… the loue of God in him hath a longing desire to come vnto him Neuerthelesse to place a principall foundation theron in numerablâ—… proofes and seuerall euents occuring to diuers persons wil not aâ—… ford me to do it For as much as I haue seen heeretofore some meâ—… being giuen to wonderous abstinence from meate and sleepe incredibly retired from all human society so addicted to Pouerty aâ—… they would not reserue a penny to themselues or a loafe of breaâ—… for the tyme to come being wholy employed with exceeding dâ—… uotion and with singular feruour in hospitality and in the comfoâ—… and succour of Neighbours to fall at last into such errours illuâ—… ons as their issue proued nothing answerable to their generoâ—… beginnings and magnanimous enterprizes So as we may clerely discerne which way is the better to arriue to God by If wiâ—… diligence we seeke and search into the occasion of the ruine and perdition of those vnhappy ones who most certayne it is had beeâ—… gathering together along tyme a notable treasure of good and holy workes what then was it that made them not perseuere vnâ—… Death Surely the only lacke of Discretion they hauing not sufficiently learned of their Maysters the rules and conditions of this Vertue which shunning eyther extremes continually maintaynes 〈◊〉 vpon the high way and lets vs be carryed away with the rigâ—… hand of spirituall consolations to superfluous vnmeasurable seruours nor yet with the left of temptations and aridities vnder câ—… lour of care of the body to fall into slouth and sensuality This Discretion is that which by the Lord and Sauiour of mâ—… kind is called the Eye and Lampe of our body Which eye being simple the whole body shall be replenished with light but when the Eye is too blame and naught all the body shall be as full oâ—… darkenes the reason is for that to this faculty of the soule it belonges to weigh ballance and discerne all the thoughts and operations of man Whence being corrupted that is not founded in true knowledge or some errour it comes to obscure the whole body in blinding the vnderstanding and folding it vp in the night of vices and of disordinate passions and immediately our Sauiour himselfe â—…dds the cause thereof For that if the light which is
in thee be darkenes â—…ow great then shall the darknes it selfe be And in truth who sees not â—…hat when the iudgement through ignorance remayning in the darke goes doubtfull and wauering but needs must the thoughts â—…nd actions depending thereon come thence to be entrapped in a greater and thicker myst of sinnes Of which truth he doth giue vs â—…ufficient testimony who by the eternall Maiesty being chosen the first King of Israel for not hauing this eye of discretion sound but â—…ll members ill affected with darknes deserued to loose the Kingdome while he thought to be more seruiceable to God in sacrificing to him then obeying of Samuel incurring thereby the diuine â—…ffence in the selfe same thing wherein he made full rekoning to gayne his fauour The defect of this knowledge after that glorious triumph â—…erswaded Achab that mercy and clemency were better then seucâ—…ity and the execution of that rigorous and cruell command as it â—…eemed to him Through which coÌ„sidering being mollifyed whilst â—…e would needs seeme to be contemning with an act of piety the â—…loudy victory as he thought through indiscreet compassion beâ—…ng himselfe likewise obscured in his whole person was without â—…emission condemned to death This is that Discretion which is not only called by the Apostle a Lampe but a Sunne also where he saith â—…et not the sunne seeme to set vpon your anger This in like manner is called â—…he Gouernment of our life according to that saying Such as haue â—…o gouernment with them do fall like leaues This is worthily termed Counsayle without the which to do any thing is by the holy Scripture so precisely forbidden vs as neyther are we to take otherwise the spirituall wine it selfe which is that Gladnes that cheeres vp the â—…hart of man while Salomon saith Do you euery thing with Counsaile and with Counsaile likewyse do you drinke your wyne And elsewhere Who workes without Counsayle is like to a Citty which is dismantled quite and destroyed as shewing with this similitude how pernicious to the soule is the lack of such a vertue In this knowledge in this the vnderstanding and iudgment consists according to that aduertisement which saith with wisedome is the house built with vnderstaÌ„ding repayred with iudgment is the Cellar replenished withall the best and most precious things This I say is that solid foode that cannot be taken but of strong perfect men Whence the Apostle sayth To the perfect belonges a solid foode who through long experience let tâ—… senses be well exercised in the discretion of good and ill What more It is so profitable and necessary as it comes to be numbred among the other diuine attributes according to the sentence of the same S. pal Quick and liuely is the word of God and very efficacious and more penetrate farre then the sharpest knife arriuing to the diuision of the soule spirit â—…ea euen to the ioynts marrow is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the hart Out of which authorityes it is manifestly shewed that with out the grace of Discretion it is impossible eyther perfectly to purchase or long to conserue any vertue whatsoeuer This then in matter of Perfection was the iudgment this the Doctrine of S. Antony The which being first by that sacred Session of Fathers without reluctatioÌ„ approued after with good reason by Cassian as we said inserted into his Collations hath also seemed good to vs for the publique vtility to transferre into our present discourse The multitude of Monks increaseth The Angelicall life of S. Antony And of the persecution raysed by Maximinian against the Church Chap. 9. IN the meane season the number of Monks did meruaylously increase and throughout all those hills could nothing els be seene but Cells and Monasteryes like to Pauillions applyed to a sacred warfare full of Psalmes Conferences Lessons Prayers Fasts and vigils accompanyed partly with a iubiley of hart through expectation of the future goods partly also with the industry and labour of the hands to purchase almes for the poore Who shall expresse then the chast dilection and streight concord amongst theâ—… In such sort as casting the eyes vpon those countryes a Man verily seemed to behold a Region as wholy dedicated to the worship Iustice of God Heere raigned not eyther open or hidden factions not practices or designes of transitory or terrene things but only a multitude well ordered of men all applyed to the study of the more eminent vertues So as one beholding them the Orders withall might truly breake forth into that exclamation of Numbers the 23. chapter Quam bona domus tuae Iacob tabernacula tua Israel tamquam nemorâ—… obrumbrantia tamquam Paradisus super flumina tamquam tabernacula qua fixâ—… sunt à Domino tamquam cedri Libani circa aquas But yet in so vniuersall a feruour did the Lampe of S. Anteny alwayes seeme farre to exceede both in heate and splendour the other lights who neuer ceasing his angelicall customes did alwaies â—…o his power keepe silence and augment his pennances aspiring day and night to the happy mansions of Heauen Whereupon as â—…ikewise the imitation of the more glorious Saints he had so fixed â—…is mynd that whensoeuer it was needfull for him to eate or sleep â—…r in any other manner to serue the body he beheld the noblenes â—…f the Soule so miserably abased with so vile an exercise And thus â—…hrough compulsion he would take his refection now alone â—…ow with others not omitting through occasion thereof to remeÌ„â—…er his disciples how much it behoued them very seriously to atâ—…end to the soule and to seeke after the profit thereof in spending as â—…tle tyme as might be in the care of the body that the spirit be not â—…ulled downwards by sensuall delights but the flesh to be reduced â—…ather into the seruitude and power of the spirit and this sayd he â—…as the sense of those wordes of the Ghospell Nolite soliciti esse animae â—…estrae quid manducetis neque corpori quid induamini haec enim omnia genâ—…s inquirunt Scit enim Pater vester quod his omnibus indigetis Querite auâ—…m regnum Dei haec omnia adijcientur vobis At the same tyme while S. Antony was instructing and guiâ—…ing his Monkes in this manner was raised in Egypt that cruell perâ—…cution of Maximinian agaynst the Church of God At the newes â—…hereof the holy Abbot being desirous to shed his bloud for Christ â—…ent his way in hast to Alexandria accompanyed with many sayâ—…g let vs be present by all meanes at the glorious combats of â—…e Champions of Christ for that God will eyther make vs worâ—…y of that glorious Fellowship with them or at least if our Voâ—…ation extend not so high their fayth and fortitude will affoard â—…s a noble spectacle and of much edification In the meane tyme â—…e puts himselfe in publique to help and encourage them First in â—…e mines and in prisons and afterwards much
vs returne agayne to S. Pachomius who neuer ceased with words and deeds to enflame and guide his disciples to Perfection exhorting them sometymes and sometyme agayne resoluing their doubts with a great deale of wisedome and no lesse charity He was demanded once among other things by one of hiâ—… Monks What was the cause that while a man is in peace before temptation he discourseth so well of Temperance Humility and other Vertues and when the time of execution comes afterwards 〈◊〉 put that in practise which was in discourse we find our selues so â—…ayle and feeble to performe the same As for example in the tyme 〈◊〉 Anger to shew acts of Patience in bitternes and rancour to be â—…rgetfull of iniuries receyued when we are paysed of others to be â—…ary of vayneglory in these I say and other the like occurrenâ—…es Then the Saint The reason is answered he for that we â—…now not how to prepare ourselues nor to meditate as we ought â—…or to keepe the spirit prompt and vigilant in the tyme of battayle Whence it behoues vs euery day and euery houre with a fresh reâ—…olution to renew our good purposes and to power into the conâ—…eÌ„platiue part of the Soule the oyle of holy feare which may serue â—…s well to re-enforce it to do good as to illumine the same to disâ—…erne and distinguish the Obiects which are represented to it by â—…he wily and subtile Aduersary In such wise as standing coÌ„tinually vpon its guard it suffer not it selfe to be easily moued to disdayne â—…orrancour nor to other disordinate passions and besides that raysing it selfe aloft and thinking of inuisible and eternall things it may come to assume great courage and consequently to contemne all diabolicall suggestions and finally to walke as the Scripture sayth vpon Serpents and Scorpious and aboue all the powers of the Enemy With such aduertisements and counsayles went S. Pachomius opportunely encouraging and instructing his Subiects And howbeit in amending their defects he would more willingly be vsing of sweet remedyes and lenitiues as more conformable to his proper genius and to Christian clemency notwithstanding when it was expedient for him he knew well also how to apply more bitter and biting medicines as by reading this ensuing discourse the iudicious Reader may easily perceiue The life of Siluanus the Monke And what a blessed end he made through the help of S. Pachomius Chap. 11. SAINT Pachomius had in his Conuent a certayne Monke called Siluanus This man in the world had been a Comediant and of a lyfe as commonly such persons are very wild and dissolute Whereupon at his entrance into Religion S. Pachomius had particulerly exhorted him to stand vpon his guard and to mainteyne himselfe sober and vigilant that he might not be carryed away with sensuality and the diuell to vices and leuityes past And so had he promised to do then he tooke the habit and indeed so walked he as long as the feruour of deuotion lasted but afterwards through wearines of combating and subtraction of grace as it happens for one to be tepid without being as it were aware of it so began he by litle and litle to grow looser in his conuersation and to returne to his secular iests and scoffs as before S. Pachomius gaâ—… him many wholesome admonitions which being not inough 〈◊〉 likewise added sundry seuere chastisements and at last while 〈◊〉 seemed to him to be incorrigible some twenty yeares after he had receyued him he ordeyned in the presence of all the Monkes that he should be stript of his habit and thrust our of the Congregation Whereat Siluanus being wholy confounded and contrite did casâ—… himselfe at the feete of the Saint with saying Pardon me Father yeâ—… for this tyme for I hope in our Sauiour that he will graunt me truâ—… Penance and to your Paternity much consolation in my actionâ—… To whome S. Pachomius answered Thou knowest how I haue borne with thee all this while how many chasticemeÌ„ts haue I both against my wil and custome inflicted vpon thee since then neyther with fayre meanes nor yet with foule thou wilt amend thy selfe how can I or how should I permit so contagious and infected a meÌ„ber should go wasting thus and consuming the whole body of Religion To this so bitter an answere Siluanus replyed with new humiliations and promises And yet S. Pachomius stood firme in his purpose till being conuinced with the perseuerant submission of the other he required pledges which might giue security of his chaunge of manners When immediatly a venerable man by name Petronius being moued out of Charity tooke the Obligation vpon him and full of diuine confidence gaue his word that Siluaâ—… should be renewed in spirit and should giue himselfe seriously to the exercise of vertue With this intercession was S. Pachomius content to prolong his tearme Nor was the grace afforded in vayne or the promise any way temerariously made since from that tyme Siluanus began to wage a sharpe warre with himselfe and to go forward in such sort as in a short tyme he became a mirrour of perfection to all the CoÌ„uent hauing got among other things so great a gift of teares as they streamed from his eyes like a perpetual riuer so as neyther in the presence of strangers nor at the Table could he possibly conteyne himselfe from them While that saying of the Psalme agreed with him Cinerem tamquam paâ—… manducabam poâ—… meum cum fletu miscebam He was instanced by some that if he could not absteyne altoâ—…ather yet by all meanes at least he would forbeare in the preâ—…nce of the Ghests When he affirmed he had endeauoured the â—…me many tymes but not by any meanes could he refrayne they â—…swered that a deuout soule may well abide allwayes with inâ—…rnall compunction without breaking into open demonstration â—…erof and in summe they brought him to represse them in tyme 〈◊〉 refection because many being confounded moued with such â—…spectacle refrayned from taking their necessary nourishment wheÌ„ â—…luanus not being angry with any other then himselfe only with â—…reat feeling brake forth into those words Would you haue me to â—…int my teares I pray in seeing so many Saints with whome I 〈◊〉 not worthy to be numbred to attend vpoÌ„ me most vile wretch â—…ith so much diligence hauing been accustomed heeretofore to â—…ayne my liuing on the Stage Whereas rather I deserue not to â—…sse the very place where they set their feet I weepe indeed as â—…aring euery houre least the earth should swallow me vp as once 〈◊〉 happened to the profane Dathan and Abiron since I hauing had â—…om Heauen both light and grace more then inough should haue 〈◊〉 them so ill haue reaped so litle fruit Then am I not through â—…ame to forbeare from discoueting my selfe to be a sinner since for â—…uch indeed do I acknowledge my selfe to be Whereas truly if I â—…hould lay downe my life in doing pennance for the same yet were â—…t nothing in
while laying hold of the Psalter â—…egan to read the first verse as it lay before him being iust that same of the 8. psalme which saith Ex ore infantium lactentium perfecisti â—…udeÌ„ propter inimicos tuos vt destruas inimicum defensoreÌ„ the last word 〈◊〉 that Text being so translated insteed of vltâ—…rem At which word â—…o pronounced was lifted immediately a cry of the people vnto â—…eauen to the extreme confusion shame of the aduersary and S. Martin with out more resistance of any besides himselfe was elected â—…r rather forcibly constrayned to the Bishopricke In which administration it may not easily be explicated how fully or rather suâ—…er aboundantly he gaue correspondency to the full expectation which was had of him forasmuch as being disposed to that degree with the exquisite addresses of a most chast mynd in the sacred Vnâ—…ion besids he receyued so great aboundance of new graces and gifts of Heauen as continually outstripping himselfe he reteyned â—…oth the vertue of a priuate person further added to his singular prayse all the good qualtyes of a publique man S. Martin retires himselfe out of the Towne with his Monkes and their manner of liuing there Chap. 6. SAint Martin in the treating of his owne person would change nothing of his wonted manner his fare and apparell was still the same as before for habitation only he betooke himselfe into a litle Cell hard by the Cathedrall Church but euen likewise from thence through too much importunity of frequent Visits he suddenly retyred himselfe out of the Citty into a maruey lous commodious place to distribute his tymes vnto Martha and Mary since it was about two miles distant from the Towne On the one side it was girt in with a high in accessable rock on the other enuironed with the riuer Loyre in so much as there could be no entrance therinto but by a narrow path Within that enclosure S. Marâ—… had built him a litle Cell of boards a part of his Monkes who were some eighty in number had done the like and some agayne with instruments had digged them in the rocky hill certayne receptacles but narrow and more fit to medicate vpon Death then to coâ—… life withall Heere no man held any thing proper to himselfe all thingâ—… were in common To buy or sel was not there permitted To no manner of art applyed they themselues but to writing and to the only were the yoâ—…ger deputed Those of the more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 attended as it were to nothing els then to things diuine Very râ—…rely went any out of his Cell but when they all assembled togâ—…ther in the Oratory to pacify God besides they did eate all togâ—…ther in the Euening Wine was not affoarded to any except to 〈◊〉 sicke The greaâ—… part would be wearing of cilices clothes whiâ—… had any fineâ—…â—…sse in them were abhorred of â—…ch one 〈◊〉 manifest scandall A thing so much more admirable as many 〈◊〉 them were Noble of bloud and dainetily bred But for the louâ—…d Christ and the Crosse they did all very voluntarily submit themâ—…ues to such a peâ—…ance Of which number afterwards were many of them seen to be Bishops while Ciâ—…ties striued to be gouerned 〈◊〉 spirit by the Children of such a discipline Nor could it be oâ—… wise but needâ—… must succeed very excellent men vnder S. Mâ—… because not only with aduises and words went he alwayes 〈◊〉 them but euen with workes and liuely incitements also of all pâ—…fection and especially sincere humility togeather with an ardent â—…oue of the Neighbour Sulpitius Seueras declared who liued in those tymes knowing the Saint domestically as he did very diligently wrote his life how that going sometimes to visit him from countryes somewhâ—… remote he could neuer hinder him from washing his feet and â—…ing to sit downe at table from reaching him water as well â—…t his hands as for those of his fellowes The same man adds how after he had fed the bodyes of his ghests with moderate victâ—… 〈◊〉 would be afterwards affoarding them a most sweet food of â—…tuall discourses for their soules exhorting them with like modesty and efficacy to nothing more then to fly the sensualityes of the present life and to leaue the perilous trash of the world to be able tâ—… more â—…imbly and free to follow Iesus And to this purpose he would set before them the fresh example of S. Pâ—… Bishop of Nâ—…a who after he had distributed very â—…mple 〈◊〉 â—…or the loue of God and help of the poore did finally with an example of Christian piety neuer heard of before sell himselfe into a most cruell bondage for the ransome of his subiects who were held in Affricke slaues to the Saracens With such manner â—…f comparisons as this and moreouer with precepts taken out of the â—…red Writ went S. Martin exciting in spirit as many as came beâ—…re him Nor was it any great matter for him that he should haue 〈◊〉 much to giue to others who so continually treasured vp for himself remayning euen amidst exteriour actioÌ„s alwayes with the hart 〈◊〉 vnited with God as neyther in words nor deeds he would euer â—…o forth of his presence And as Smithes without other matter to worke on through vse for their pleasure only will sometymes â—…e laying on the anuile so S. Martyn not only in the tymes depuâ—…d to the Sacrifice and diuine worship but likewise at all houres â—…sides would eyther read or write or be dealing with men and â—…hrough the great habit he had gotten he would be continually â—…collected in the interious man conuersing sweetly with the heaâ—…enly Spouse and with the giuer of all Graces He would neuer loose tyme in the day and whole nights he would often passe ouer in labours and watchings To the body â—…e gaue that refection and that repose which extreme necessity reâ—…uired lying on the bare ground couered only with a sharp cilice He tooke heed with all caution from iudging the intentions of oâ—…ers interpreting what he could ech thing to the better part and â—…wayes very highly esteeming the reputation fame of the neighâ—…our the iniuryes detractions the enuyes of Persecutours which 〈◊〉 the whole course of his life were not wanting to him he would â—…compence with weeping bitterly for their offences and also as â—…ccasion serued with affording them benefits seruing them not â—…xcluding any what lay in him from his holy freindship He was â—…euer seen to laugh vainely or to be contristate at any thing conâ—…ruing alwayes the same tranquility of hart and serenity of counteâ—…ance amidst al the varietyes of human accidents eyther prosperous â—…nd cheerefull or how straung and aduerse soeuer they were Wherof those few actions which we shall tell you anon shall giue â—…rth a very euident testimony though in ech one of these preciâ—…s examples do shine withall as often it happens many other verâ—…es besides S. Martyn is much honoured by a miracle from God for a charitable
commended to S. Martyn expecting with a kind of ambition to receiue it afterwards from his hand But the great Prelat hauing tasted therof drank to his Priest giuing to vnderstand therby in that assembly was none more worthy then he to pledge him esteeming he had done ill if eyther the Emperour himselfe or his chiefest Fauourits or neerest to him had beene preferred by him before that poore Seruant of God They receiued all much edification heerat being slighted in that case tooke it so much the better as the most of the other Bishops in Court were subiect to base flattery and with much indignity sought the grace and fauour of the Officers and Ministers of Cesar. True it is that this liberty and confidence of S. Martin had not been so conuenient and fit for all not hauing equal splendour of life nor such diuinity of miracles as he Wherof though we haue mentioned some already notwithstanding of an infinite number of others yet remayning we shall not spare to set downe some few which without preiudice to the Reader and in some manner without iniury of the Saint himselfe may not well be let passed How S. Martin miraculously escaped burning Chap. 18. SAINT Martyn being gone in the midst of winter to visit a place of his diocesse a lodging was prepared him by his Clerks in the precincts of the Church and to ayre the chamber there wâ—… a great fire made vnderneath and insteed of a bed was strewed a good quantity of dry litter and straw whereon S. Martin at night reposing and setling himselfe to sleepe and being accustomed as we haue said to lye on the hard ground could not away with such softnes and as it were displeased therewith immediately putting the straw aside returned to his ordinary manner of lodging but aâ—… the flore was broken and full of cleâ—…s it happened that the force of the fire piercing through them by little and little it came to enkindle the straw and furiously to burne Whereupon S. Martyn awaking and seeing himselfe sudenly in so great a danger without hauing tyme or to say better aduertence to call vpon the diuine ayde with a naturall motion which he had got vp on his feete ran in hast to open the doore but it pleased God he found it so bâ—…red as that while he laboured and toyled himselfe to put back the bolt the fire approaching had now taken hold of his Cassock Then finally S. Martin returning to himselfe and perceiuing that his remedy consisted not in flying away but in crauing ayde from heauen taking hold of the sheild of fayth and prayer 〈◊〉 himselfe on his knees in the midst of the flames which euen heeâ—… likewise sudenly as it were affrighted thereat withdrew themselues while he stood immoueable still pursuing his prayers In the meane tyme the Monks who were companions to the Saint â—…emayning in the next Chamber being awaked with the noyse and terrifyed at the chance by force and not without some delay difficulty brake open the doore and thinking by that tyme to haue found the blessed Father consumed and dead they saw him beyond all hope amidst the flames both aliue and entire and comming boldly vnto him tooke out his body from thence The blessed man confessed afterwards not without sighs his owne fault For that he hauing among other his spirituall employments an ancient custome in awaking alwayes before any other thing to lift vp his mind to God and to sanctify with the perfume of prayer the Aultar of his hart and so to shut vp the Temple of his soule that no vncleane or hurtfull beast of euill thoughts might seeme to put â—…heir foote therinto yet howsoeuer at that tyme eyther out of human feare or subtility of the enemy being quite as it were besides himselfe and wholy vnmindfull of his good custome he had first made his recourse to visible remedyes then to the inuisible affirming for certayne that he was in extreme danger of burning being alone while he laboured with a troubled mind to open the bolt But that after he had betaken himselfe to the armes of the holy Crosse and prayer the flames were on a sudden as he sayd so contracted within themselues as they left him vntouched through diuine power How Euantius was cured of a grieuous sicknes by S. Martin and what other notable things he wrought besides Chap. 19. ABout this tyme a certayne honourable person and a man of much piety by name Euantius fell mortally sicke and being now as it were despaired of by the Phisitians with a great deale of fayth called for S. Martyn who without all delay went his waies thither An admirable thing he was not yet gone halfe way when the sicke man felt the benefit thereof and hauing suddenly receiued health came in person to meete with him and to entertayne him as a Ghest And S. Martin being willing to depart the next day with humble intreatyes and much importunity he was enforced at last to remayne a while with him In that interim a Page of the house was stung with a venemous Serpent so pestiferous indeed as he was now euen ready to giue vp the last breath When lo the same Euantius taking him on his shoulders with great confidence carryed him to the feete of the Saint And now was the euill already spread through all his lymmes when you might haue seene the skinne to swell in euery veyne and the vitall parts to stretch like a bladder till S. Martyn which his blessed hand feeling them heere there at last with his finger touched the wound it selfe At the point whereof might cleerely be seen the poyson retyring it selfe to runne to the fingars end and thence by the narrow mouth of the wound with long spinning to gush forth mingled with bloud like the milke which sprinkles from the teaâ—… being hardly wrung Wherewith the youth arose vp â—…ound and the standers by remayned astonished confessing vnder Heaueâ—… nothing to be any awhit comparable to S. Martin Nor was the worke lesse famous that followes after There was in the Citty of Chartres a young girle of twelue yeare old so dumbe as till that time she could neuer frame a worâ—… Now S. Martin being in the company of other two Bishops Vâ—… tinian and Viâ—…us by name the sayd little girle was presented to him by her sad Father that by his meanes her tongue might be loosed when as S. Martin with much modesty began to put of that office to those two Prelates alledging that to their fayth and vertue nothing would be impossible But they on the other side vniting their intreatyes with the Suppliant began to vrge him much to vouchsafe to comfort him Whereupon S. Martin without more delay shewing no lesse piety in the prompt execution then humility in the first refusall gaue order that the multitude of people should stand off and he remayning only with the Bishops and with the Father of the child according to his custome puts himselfe
himself at least on one side to take some â—…st but he replyed Let me alone Brothers and suffer me rather to â—…oke to heauen-wards then to the earth and to put my soule into â—…to the right way being euen now ready to passe to the Creatour After this seing the Deuil to appeare before him What dost â—…ou heere sayd he thou bloudy beast Thou shalt find nothing 〈◊〉 me O Thiefe Arahams bosome lyes open and ready for me And with these words he yeilded vp his spirit vpon Saturday about â—…idnight in the tyme of Honorius and Arcadius Emperours in the â—…eare of our Lord 397. or as others will haue it 402. hauing his â—…ce so resplendant and all those members and fleâ—…h of his so ill inâ—…eated before and mortifyed now so white fresh and sweete to â—…ehold as they seemed already to be transformed into the state of â—…ory At the very same tyme were heard most sweet haâ—…onyes â—…boue of Angelicall Quires and this not only in those parts but â—…uen likewise in the Citty of Colen where the blessed Seâ—…erinus Biâ—…op together with his Archdeacon was paâ—… of so gratefull acâ—…ents also and the same Bishop had reueâ—… besides how in that â—…und so continued in his eares the seuere ministers of the eternall â—…ustice were at his passage though in vayne withholding and â—…xamining S. Martyn Whence euery one may consider with what â—…gour sinners are there handled since so without respect the very â—…st are so strictly dealt with The newes being spread abroad of his desâ—…e who were â—…le to expresse the mourning of all and the solemnity of the Exeâ—…uyes there made When not only of Towers and all the Countrey â—…ereabous but euen from sundry other neighbour Cittyes likewise all the Inhabitants came forth to honour the body while the coâ—… trary affects at once then combated in their soules both of ioy 〈◊〉 nes notwithstanding the number of those was much greater 〈◊〉 moued with the losse of such a Father Pastour and Maister and 〈◊〉 their only refuge went sighing and lamenting bitterly amidst 〈◊〉 hymnes canticles But especially the assembly of two thoâ—… Monkes all trayned vp by the Sâ—…int and partly a chast and 〈◊〉 Quire of Virgins all eleuated in spirit diuine praises gaue foâ—… pious and noble spectacle to behold With such a trayne then a great deale more glorious thâ—…n 〈◊〉 triumphes of Emperours and of Caesars were the sacred spoyleâ—… 〈◊〉 posed in 〈◊〉 certaine place of that Countrey vntill it was throâ—… determined where it should be placed in a proper and stable 〈◊〉 pulcher Now there being in those dayes a great controuersy 〈◊〉 thereabouts betweene the inhabitants of Towers and those of 〈◊〉 tiers in the one of which places S. Martin had led a good while 〈◊〉 priuate life and in the other had gouerned the Church to his dyiâ—… day And they being not able in so great diuersity of minds by 〈◊〉 mane wayes to come vnto accord therin and both the one and 〈◊〉 ther people coÌ„tending with ech other about the same in strict 〈◊〉 and custody of the sacred treasure It pleased our Lord that 〈◊〉 of Poytiers about midnight should remayne all oppressed with 〈◊〉 profound a sleepe as that their aduersaries being aware therof 〈◊〉 the space to let downe the body quietly by a window into a Baâ—… there ready in the riuer Whereupon looke with how much ioy triumph for so great a purchase they went conducting it home 〈◊〉 the others became as sorowfull perplexed for the losse the next day morning There was afterwards by the Bishops successours to S. Maâ—… built to his honour in Towers a sumptuous magnificent Church where with great veneration was kept that noble instrument 〈◊〉 diuine wisedome vntill this vnhappy age in which the Sunne haâ—… not seen a worse deed then the impious scattering of those blessed Reliques in the riuer of Luâ—…ra by the hands of sacrilegious Heretiques But howbeyt through diuine permission they had the force to disperse the bones and ashes of the Saint Yet were they noâ—… able nor euer shall be to extinguish the memory of his manifold miracles nor the good odour of his excellent Vertues FINIS S. FVLGENTIVS THE ARGVMENT NAture and Art behold conioyn'd in one A Genius void of affectation Most affable Victorious grace to fight Agaynst rebellious sense and appetite The world orecome by â—…lighting it a Crowne Of glory got and by contempt Renowne See how although a thousand crosses band Agaynst the good in spite of all they stand Firme in their godly purpose mou'd no more Then rocks by waters forced on the shore Happy Selfe-will when Will it selfe subdues And for a guide and sternes-man Heauen doth vse THE LIFE OF S. FVLGENTIVS BISHOP OF RVSPA Written by a Disciple of his The Parentage Birth and Education of S. Fulgentius his Vocation to Religion Chap. I. AT such tyme as Hunnericus King of the Vandals tooke Carthage Cordianus Senatour of that Citty with all the others of the same Order being spoyled of his goods and driuen into Italy dyed there leauing Sonnes behind him wherof two of them with hope of recouering their Fathers estate returning into Affrick found their house to be giuen away already to an Arrian Priest so as they had no commodity to recouer the same and to inhabit in Carthage though they had the fauour to enter into some part of their substance with which they got themselues into the Citty of Leste where one of them by name Claudius hauing taken to wife a pious honourable Woman called Mariana by her had the blessed Fulgentius whose life we take in hand to write This woman hauing in her fiâ—… yeares lost her husband tooke â—…o small care to set her sonne to schoole And forasmuch as in those tymes was made great accompt of the Greeke tongue the suffered him not to attend to the Latin vntill such tyme as he had the workes of Homer by hart and was also well versâ—…d in the Poet Meâ—…ander and as the youth was of a noble wit and of a happy memory he so profited in that study as in the Greeke pronunciation and accent he seemed as it were a naturall Grecian After this he gaue himselfe to the Latin wherein likewise he made a happy progresse but as it chanceth in like cases very suddenly he was forced to leaue them both while the gouernement of the whole family fel vpon him but yet so as in that managâ—… of his estate he would neuer subtrâ—…ct himselfe froÌ„ the obedience of his Mother Who in her widdow-hood tooke meruâ—…ilous consolation from the good deportements of her prudent sonne perceyuing how dexterous he was in entertayning friends reasonable in opposing enemies how meeke towards seruants and seuere withal how diligent in the care of his patrimony and discreet in purchasing the grace of Princes whereby he came very soone to such reputation as he was made 〈◊〉 chiefe Magistrate of the Common wealth Now while in this
was The venerable Father had fearce made an end to speake when behold two Mules appeared well loaden with all those nourishments which were fit for the present solemnity and monasticall professioÌ„ Whereat they yeilding endles thankes to the diuine mercy and acknowledging the truth of the promisses and efficacy of the prayers of the Saint the sacrifice being finished the next morning and the prouision disposed in order they all very cheerefully refreshed themselues in eyther kinds And after some tyme that poore family falling into streights agayne and euen ready to murmur â—…hereat not so firme and assured of the former succour as deiected and oppressed with the present necessity S. Theodosius encouraged them the while with saying among other things Who euer trusted in our Lord and hath beene abandoned by him Who hath euer faythfully depended on him hath not beene comforted Let Ieremy the Prophet answere for me he hath replenished 〈◊〉 soule that was a hungry Let Iob and Dauid answere likewise He prepares â—…ood for the crowes and their yong ones So as â—…ence we may learne at last how much the diuine Prouidence excells any human â—…ndustry which euen of set purpose many tymes le ts things be brought to extremes that the remedy may proue more gratefull and be held more worthy of acknowledgement And we plainely 〈◊〉 the while euen in this life also how largely he required all those things which for his sake we haue left in the world In this manner went S. Theodosius comforting those saynt minds when it pleased God that a rich distributer of almes 〈◊〉 along those craggy mountaines to relieue certayne others in necessity as soone as he approached to the side of S. Theodosius his 〈◊〉 perceiued on a sudden his beast first of all to stand still and thâ—… after to bend very violently that way whereat the rider merueyling much who as yet had no notice of the retirement of S. Theodoâ—… after he had a good while beene spurring and kicking the beast onwards in vayne at last resolues to let the reynes go loose and 〈◊〉 see whither the secret instinct would seeme to lead him and the beast therupoÌ„ went directly to the vnknown caue where the good man perceiuing with his owne eyes the distresses of those religious there did blesse the diuine Maiesty for the occasion affoarded him to merit so and redoubling the almes he intended to haue 〈◊〉 vnto others he left those soules though feeble otherwise vnexpert Nouices so prouided and contented withall as they had and occasion to rely euer after on the heauenly protection neâ—… more to make any doubt thereof The number of S. Theodosius his disciples increaseth He builds a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Conuent according to the miraculous direction of God Chap. 4 IN the meane tyme with the â—…ame of S. Theodosius increased the number of his Disciples and Conuictours insomuch as now thâ—… first habitation not sufficing with all the cottages adioyning therunto it was needfull for him to apply himselfe to a formall building that were capable of an extraordinary multitude nor was it any difficult matter for him to take such an enterprize in hand while the wealthy and deuout persons of all those countryes therabout so readily concurred thereunto He stood yet a good while 〈◊〉 suspence abouâ—… the election of the seate therof in which consultation hauing more then once considered many places both 〈◊〉 and further off he finally resolued to be certifyed of the best and more gratefull to God in the manner following He tooke then a Thurible in his hand full of â—…oles and putting incense thereon but without any fire went his wayes through all the desart deuoutly singing of prayers very apt for the purpose as these O God who by the meanes of many and stupendioâ—… proofes perswadedst Moyses to take the gouernment of the Israelâ—… in hand and with them likewise with affects aboue nature proâ—…uredst him credit who changedst the rod into a serpent the sound â—…to a leprous hand and in a moment restoredst the same from leâ—…rous as cleane and sound as euer who conuertedst water into â—…loud and the bloud agayne into water Thou who with shewâ—…ng the fleece madst Gedeon secure of the victory Thou who hast â—…ramed all things and still conseruest the same Thou who declaâ—…edst to Ezechias with Sunne-dyall reuerst the addition of his yeaâ—…es Thou who at the prayer of Elias for the conuersion of Idolaâ—…ours didst send downe fire from Heauen which in a moment â—…onsumed both the victime the moist wood and the water thereâ—…bout togeather with the stones of the Aultar themselues Thou I â—…ay say O Lord who art now the same thou wast then heare â—…e also thy poore Seruant and vouchsafe to intimate to me where it pleaseth thee I should now erect a Temple to thy diuine Maiesty and a dwelling for my children And I shall vnderstand that plot to like thee best where thou shalt cause these coles to enkindle of themselues With these inuocations went he circling about all those mounâ—…aynes noâ—… euer left till he arriued at Cuâ—…illa and the bankes of the â—…ake Assaltite But seeing the coales in the Thurible to be yet cold â—…nd dead laying the default on his demerits he returned against his will when not farre from the Caue he suddenly sees a smoke to â—…ise vp from the coles through diuine power as it were enkindâ—…ed of themselues Wherewith being fully satisfyed of the diuine will while the large contributions of the faythfull fayled him not first of all he began to erect a Church with diuers Chappell 's Quires distinguished in such sort as without hindering one another the sacred Offices might there be sung at the same tyme in â—…undry languages by seuerall nations Whence it was afterwards 〈◊〉 thing of great consolation to heare Psalmes and Hymmes sunge â—…t once with order and sweetnes by Palestines Bessâ—…ans Greeks and â—…rmenians The house of God being finished he passed to that of Men with such distinction and so much scope and amplenes as that the first Cloyster was for the vse of the Monkes with all the Offices requisiâ—…e and with a partition which is called in the Greeke tongue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the commodity of such as being toyled out with â—…abours and worne with yeares were not able to wield themselâ—…es or keep them to the obseruance of the order Next to the same the Ghestory or roomes for secular strangers yet deuided into two parts the one for persons of quality the other for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then followed the Hospitall of the poore and sicke of euery 〈◊〉 and in the last the lodgings of persons possessed with spirits Because that among other workes of mercy S. Theodosius gaue himself with particular diligence most benignly to receiue a number of Herâ—… who without first purging their soule with due remedies through false apparence of good and proud presumption of their owne knowledge hiding themselues some in this some in that caâ—… were
the fruites of human prayses and fly the purâ—…hase of solid vertues could by no meanes endure so much reputaâ—…ion so prosperous successes of S. Benet This vnfortunate wretch â—…eing stirred vp and excited through blind passion began first with â—…uill words to detract from the merits and actions of S. Benet and â—…hen to hinder by all meanes possible the concourse of people that went vnto him After which perceiuing how he trauailed in vayne â—…nd that by how much he endeauoured to vilify and depresse him â—…e was the more exalted by God and reuerenced of men he suffered â—…imselfe at last to be led into the same very deuilish plot whereinto â—…hose former traytours of the Saint had beene caryed True it is that whereas they hid the fraud vnder a cup of wine this vnder a loafe â—…f bread But as that was not able to deceiue the eyes of the Man of God so was this also reuealed vnto him Because Florentius vnder â—…he shew of charity hauing sent him in almes a Loafe of bread coÌ„â—…empered with deadly poyson the holy man stuck not to receiue it with thanks giuing But being soone certifyed through diuine power of the wicked deceipt at the houre of refection he threw it â—…owne to a Crow which at that tyme was wont to come to him â—…o take her meate at his hands said to her On behalfe of our Lord â—…sus Christ take you heere this loafe of bread cary iâ—…to some place where it may not be touched of any person lyuing At which words â—…he Crow spreading her wings and opening the mouth began to â—…oure with croaking and shewing a will and feare alike to touch â—…hat pestilent food but the Man of God vrging her to obey with â—…onfidence tooke it vp with her clawes and flew away with it and â—…hen after some three houres space returned agayne to her wonted â—…eate At such ill demeanours as these S. Benet was exceedingly sory â—…ot so much for his owne sake as for compassion of his aduersary â—…ut Florentius the while being full of gaul and obstinate in malice â—…nce he could not murder the body of the Maister endeuoured to â—…estroy the disciples soules And among other things he had the imâ—…udence to contriue in the very garden of the Monastery and in the â—…ght of the Monkes themselues a lasciuious daunce of naked womeÌ„ â—…t which spectacle the Abbot with reason fearing some notable disorder determined to giue wholy place to the fury of the 〈◊〉 and to abandon the Country and mansion there built vp by hiâ—… selfe with so great expences Setting then the affayres of the Coâ—…uents in order and exhorting the Monks to perseuere in the stâ—… of perfection with some of his companions he puts himselfe 〈◊〉 his iourney and through diuine instinct or rather through a cleâ—… voyce which came to him from heauen he trauayled towardâ—… Castle about some two dayes iourney from thence by name Câ—… with ful purpose to announce the true light of the Ghospel vnto tâ—… Country people that in habited there which miserably lay yet bâ—… in the darknes of Gentilisme and the shadow of death Hardly was the seruant of God departed from Sublacum whâ—… as vengeance from heauen appeared vpon Florentius because 〈◊〉 howse being otherwise safe and sound the roofe only of the rooâ—… where he then remayned falling downe on a sudden with a reâ—…dyles ruine burst all the bones of his body and for his soule 〈◊〉 went to the tribunall of the eternall iustice The accident was 〈◊〉 denly diuulged and one of the Monks ran immediately in hast aâ—… the holy Abbot to carry him the newes as he thought very glâ—… and welcome to him but S. Benet insteed of reioycing thereat sâ—… forth sighes vnto heauen for that soule with seuere words gaâ—… a sharpe rebuke to the Monke who therein had shewed in himselâ—… not so Christian a mynd as he ought From thence proceeding oâ—… his way he arriued at last at the foresaid Castle scituated on the sâ—… of a steepy and high hill in the top wherof was a Temple seene amid the thickest of the woods being dedicated to Apollo Where S. Benet wanted not matter to worke on or what to encounter But before he would enter into battayle he would seeme 〈◊〉 prepare himselfe for that purpose with especiall care by retyring him into some remote place and there for fourty dayes continually together remaynes he in prayer fastings and vigils After whiâ—… with the odour of so good a life and with the efficacy of his preaching being the fittest batteryes to Fayth he sets himselfe through diuine fauour couragiously to destroy paganisme and so brake the Idol demolisheth the Aultar hewes downe the woodes where before was the Oracle of the false God he erects an Oratory to S. Martin and in place of an Aultar builds a Chapell vnto S. Iohn Bâ—…tist through whose intercession obteyning alwayes new graces offering vp most pure and acceptable sacrifices to the Creatour he neuer left labouring to acquit and discharge poore mortalls from the â—…ruell seruitude of the Deuill The Diuell appeares to S. Benet He throwes downe a wall new built vp and kills one of â—…he Monkes in the ruines thereof who is restored to lyfe agayne with other illusions of the Diuell Chap. 6. THe ancient Tyrant no longer able to endure to foresayd enterprises of S. Benet besides the diuers difficultyes and impeâ—…iments which in vayne he stirred against the messenger of Christ â—…egan also to appeare vnto him not through in imagination or â—…reame but with open vision and with dreadfull figures casting â—…rth by the mouth and eyes infernall smoake and flames of sulâ—…hure and with a raging voyce howling and lamenting in such â—…anner as that the disciples though they were not permitted to â—…ehold him yet playnely might heare him to say among other â—…ings Benedicte Benedicte and while the Man of God vouchsafed â—…ot to answere him outragiously he added Maledicte and not Beâ—…dicte what hast thou to do with me Wherefore dost thou persecute me thus â—…nd heere with fell a vomiting of most horrible blaspemies and â—…enaces whereof though the Saint seemed to make but light acâ—…ompt yet the standers by euen the while feared grieuously That which increased his fury was a certayne building begun â—…y the Monkes for their habitation which in processe of tyme â—…om meane beginnings amounted after to the magnificence we â—…e at this present Whereupon being incensed more and more â—…ith anger he appeared one day to S. Benet in his Cell while â—…e Monkes were a labouring and fretting sayd openly to him that â—…e was then going to worke what mischiefe he could both to the â—…bourers to the worke in hand Whereat the holy Father sends â—…ddenly to aduertise his disciples thereof and to admonish them 〈◊〉 retire theÌ„selues without delay but the messenger arriued not so â—…one but that the diuell had already throwne downe to ground a â—…ery high wall which they had built and thereby
from heauen a discretion of spirits so iudicious and subtile withall as he easily diued and penetrated into the customes and inclinations of ech sort of persons and arriued sometymes so far as to know the most hidden secrets of harts and to discouer moreouer with extraordinary light the very origens and seeds and proceedings of all vertues and vices and finally to demonstrate with most cleere precepts and examples in what manner to purchase the one and eschew the other To this so great liberality of God corresponded he with all due thankefullnes and promptnes to serue him with the exact custody of himselfe from all that which might any waies make him vnworthy and vncapable of so high fauours In fasting he had now got such an habit that how long so euer he differred his repasts he neyther felt hunger in expecting nor tooke any delight in the meate he eate And yet did he feed as other men do as knowing he could not otherwise susteyne himselfe but did it sparingly and so without sensuality as he not only abhorred al daintyes and delicacyes and gusts of the palate but seemed as we sayd as if in him the sense of tasting had quite been lost and extinct As for sleep his holy occupations and continuall labours gaue him but a very small tyme answering and assisting euery one that made their recourse to him for counsayle and direction In which things the diuine man would be spending not only the houres of the day but euen those of the night also and by night besides he would attend partly to amend and correct bookes which were dangerously marred and corrupted partly in meditating the life of his Redeemer and contemplating the eternall Beatitude through desire whereof he would shed whole fluds of teares as likewise he would do for his own defects and through compassion of the sins of his neighbour togeather with the miseryes of this lyfe and the eternall losse of soules insomuch as many nights he would often passe ouer without any sleep at all and if perhaps he but chanced to shut his eyes it would be but euen a litle before the houre of mattins when how affectuous he would be in prayers vnited with the diuine goodnes the prayers which he made at the instance of his friends and deuotes set downe in writing declare sufficiently S. Anselme was enuyed much for his promotion to the the Priory especially by one Osborne a Monke who was afterwards reconciled to him and dying appeares S. Anselme and reuealed his estate vnto him Chap. 4. AMong all the vertues and prayses which are recounted of the holy man to me none seeme more worthy of consolation imitation then the dexterity charity which he vsed in the gouernment and instruction of his subiects To which purpose we are to vnderstād thus much that assoone as he ascended to the Priorship he wanted no few enuyers and persecutours to whome it seemed an intollerable thing and very vnworthy to be subiected so to the obedience of one that might well be called a Nouice Agaynst the peruersnes malice of these S. Anselme opposed himselfe with all offices of benignity that might be and particularly vnto one very yong of yeares by name Osborne This man being endowed with a rare wit and of great hability imploying his talents ill and abhorring the interiour discipline seruice had cōceiued an auersion hateful rancour against the holy Pastor stuck not to exercise the same both openly closely when occasion serued Which malignity of his though S. Anselme for himselfe not much regarded yet was he sory so noble a Subiect of whome otherwise so much fruite might well be expected should through diabolicall operation be so lewdly seduced and as it were vtterly lost Now then to reduce him into the righ way first he sought by all meanes possible to gayne his good will and to win him to be confident For which end he began to make exceeding much of him to dissemble with his errours to graunt him whatsoeuer was possible without the manifest domage of the Order and finally to omit nothing that might any wayes seeme to tame and relent that so fierce and vnbridled wit of his The youth tooke complacence at such deportements of S. Anselme towards him and by little and litle being mollifyed and vanquished with so much humanity began to be affected to him and to take his fatherly aduises in good part and euen voluntarily to compose himselfe to all modesty and grauity Which the wise Rectour perceyuing he proceeded to fauour him more then euer to preuent his necessityes not to suffer him to want any thing and withall to prayse that emprouement and fruite which he noted in him and sweetly to exhort pray him withal continually to passe from good to better From hence he went vntying him by litle and litle from his accustomed leuityes and very dexterously reuoked agayne those former indulgences which heertofore he affoarded him and by all meanes endeauoured to reduce him to reason and religious maturity When as afterwards he saw himselfe to be fully possessed of him continually restreyning him more and more he fayled not to cut of quite that childishnes which seemed as yet to remayne in him and if he had noted him to relapse at any tyme into errours he would chastize him not only with words but with pennances also Which new seuerity was supported by Osborne with admirable patience being now assured and most secure of the fatherly bowels of S. Anselme and of the amorous affect whence it seemed to proceed In summe with holsome and fit remedyes that youth who seemed so incorrigible before came now to be amended and reformed in such manner as looke what disquietnes and scandall he had giuen before he now gaue as great example and edification to all When as thus cured in his soule through diuine disposition he fell grieuously sicke Then did the good Pastour shew no lesse diligence in helping the exteriour man then before he had vsed towards the interiour so as he serued him in person in supplying him his meate drinke with his owne hands with extreme sollicitude prouiding him of all things necessary to rid that subiect of his infirmity of whom now a good while since he had promised to himselfe great matters for the diuine seruice and the good of Religion But this pious industry of the Seruant of Christ had not the desired end since it pleased the diuine Maiesty to cut of the threed of Osborns mortal life Whereat S. Anselme grieuing with most tender affect as much as Christian vertue suffered in the houre of his passage deerly intreated him that if it were possible after his death he would giue him some tydings of him The dying man did promise as much and so expired The body according to the vse being socked clothed then layd forth on a beer was carryed into the Church while the Monkes sate singing of the wonted psalmes about the same
S. Anselme in the meane tyme to make his prayer more attentiue and feruent retyred himselfe into a place somewhat a part from the others heer while with teares and sighs he begs of our Lord the saluation of that soule being oppressed with sorrow heauynes and his eyes now shut he fell into a slumber and in that repose beholds in spirit certayne venerable persons dressed vp in white garments to be entred in the chamber of the deceased and there to sit downe to iudge him But not knowing what sentence they had passed vpon him expecting with great anxiety to vnderstand the successe of that iudgmēt behold Osborn appeares on a sudden in face not vnlike to one that returns to himselfe againe after a traunce or fit of fainting Whereat S. Anselme sayd presently to him What is the matter sonne How it is with thee now The other answered The ancient Serpent hath risen vp thrice agaynst mee and thrice hath it fallen vpon his owne head the Bear-heards of God haue deliuered mee after which words S. Anselme opened his eyes and Osborn vanished This answere the dead man gaue and S. Anselme himselfe afterwards interpreted the same in this manner That thrice the ancient Serpent arose agaynst Osborne because first he accused him of sinnes committed after Baptisme before he had been offered vp by his Parents into the Monastery secondly for those which he had committed after his entry into the Monastery and before the making of his vowes in the third place for those whereinto he had incurred after his vowes euen to his death But thrice agayne was the accuser defeated because the errours of the world had been cācelled in vertue of the Fayth and oblation of his Parents when they presented him deuoutly to the diuine seruice those of the Nouiciate were remitted him in the new consecration of himselfe by meanes of his vowes The faults which he had committed after the vowes were pardoned him somwhat neere to his passage by meanes of confession and pennance So as the diuell finding all his quarrels frustrate being wholy confounded was quite defeated since all the instigations and subtilityes he had vsed to make that soule to fall into sinne had redounded to his owne more grieuous torment and greater damnation As for the Bear-heards of God they are said he good Angels for that as they tame the beares so do these restrayne the malignant spirits from the cruelty and impetuosity wherewith they vse to rush on to the destruction of soules After all these things to shew himselfe a true friend and father of his Osborne no lesse after his death then before he sayd euery day a Masse for him though the whole yeare following And if sometymes he were hindred from celebrating at all he would seeke for some other to supply the same promising to do as much for that Priest when he was requested Besides which he did send letters into diuers parts to procure sufrages and sacrifices for the same intention and thereby obtayned a great number of them Whence it followed that not onely the deceased party felt as is verily belieued eyther opportune refreshment or accidentall ioy but euen also the liuing tooke excellent example of so burning and continuall charity of S. Anselme yea euen his very enemyes tempered themselues who before could not looke on him with a good eye at last ouercom touched with the perpetuall tenour of such goodnes tooke so great an affection to the holy man as from murmurers and emulous they became followers and proclaymers of his rare vertues Although indeed to bring things to those termes a certaine strange accident of no small moment happened to one of those enemies of the blessed Pastour that immediately followes A certayne ancient Monke and great Enemy of S. Anselme at his death was tormented with a dreadfull vision which S. Anselme driueth away with the signe of the Crosse. And how he gaue himselfe to the trayning vp of Youth Chap. 5. THere was one very ancient in Religion who with implacable disdayne neuer ceased to bite and molest the good Father and by no meanes could neuer endure him much lesse reuerence acknowledge him in the place of Christ. Now then through the iust iudgment of God it happened this miserable wretch fell sicke to death and one night while all the Monkes were in bed he began to giue forth very dreadfull cryes to seeke as it were to shun the sight of some horrible figures became very pale of visage and full of trembling and great anxiety and would withall be turning his head on this side and that side to hide himselfe At these noyses his neyghbours being now awakened came suddenly in hast to aske what he ayled You behold mee sayd he afflicted and distressed thus within the pawes of two most rauenous wolues which are now euen ready to strangle me and demaund you of mee what I ayle One of them that was present hearing this by name Ricolfus who was the Secretary of Conuent without delay went running to S. Anselme who at that tyme was correcting of a booke and presently informed what passed with the sicke man At which newes the venerable Prior being touched with his accustomed clemency bad Ricolfus returne backe to the sickman and he in the meane tyme recollecting himselfe a litle ouertooke him in the Infirmary and lifting vp his hand made the signe of the Crosse vpon him saying In nomine Patris Filij Spiritus Sancti With which signe the Wretch was suddenly quiet and being somwhat cheerfull in face with most in ward affect of the hart began to giue thankes to the diuine Goodnes and added withall that soueraygne signe he had seene to come forth of his mouth as a fiery lance which being brandished agaynst those wolues had so terrified them as made them suddenly to fly away Then S. Anselme sweetly approching to him dealt with him seriously of matters concerning the saluation of his soule brought him to a great compunction and true confession of all his offences committed agaynst God and after he had giuen him the absolution told him playnely he should render vp his spirit about nine of the clocke and so indeed it fellout to the great astonishment of all From hence forward S. Anselme with a great deale more ease began to administer the office in which as one that sought to promote to perfection all those whome he had vnder his charge so with particular application he laboured especially in the help of youth and alledged this reason for it That euen as wax when it is too hard or too soft takes not very well the impression vpon it but if it be well tempered between the hard and soft it most faythfully receyues the print of the Seale so iust do we see it to happen in the age of a man Take you one who from his infancy to his old age hath been alwayes bred vp in the vanityes of the world and begin to deale
notwithstanding he ceaseth not by a thousand wayes to make the simple and foolish to imagine that he knew not what he did when he tooke then abit in such a place or vnder such Superiours or els in such a community and this to the end that making the wretch by these meanes vngratefull for the benefit of his Vocation through the iust iudgment of God he may not only not go forward but euen also haue much ado to hold his vocation and to conserue himselfe in his good purposes Because the mynd being once distracted into melancholy thoughts eyther of changing the residence or if this cannot be at least of reprehending and blaming the foresayd causes of his determination he hath no power to recollect himselfe nor to aspire to that terme of vertue whereto he ought to extend himselfe with all his forces The cause is for that the foundation being once vngratefull to him he knowes not how to erect any frame of building thereon Whence it followers that euen as a yong tree being often â—…ansplanted or disquieted and shaken with many encounters can not take any deep roote nor commodiously suck in the moysture and nourishment of the earth to giue forth the desired fruit in tyme so the vnhappy Monke if he seeme to remoue himselfe now heer now there of his owne meere appetite and not though any disposition of Superiours or els euen remayning still where he is permits himselfe to fall into tediousnes and disgust he can neuer come to be well grounded in diuine loue consequently being dry and languishing in euery action of religion he shall finally remaine very poore and despoyled of the fruites of good workes he seeing himselfe withall to proceed from euill to worse yf so he note the same shall lay all wayes the fault thereof on others and by this meanes abhorre euery day more and more euen those with whom he liueth and conuerseth For which cause whosoeuer will bee a good Religious man indeed yt behoues him that looke into what Monastery he hath been first admitted and dedicated to the diuine Seruice if in that place be no manifest daunger to offend the diuine goodnes with all study and attention he endeauour to establish himselfe there and there to found himselfe in true Charity and to beware by any meanes from iudging the manners of the place whether they be publique or priuate profitable or vnprofitable so that openly they stand not against the precepts of God But rather reioycing for hauing found where to abide in the seruice of Christ that he put away from himselfe all manner of suggestion to remoue else whither but with the greatest quiet that may bee he seeke to attend vnto pious and deuout exercises And yf peraduenture yt may seeme to him that he hath reguard to greater matters of more euident profit then such as are practized in that Conuent there let him thinke that perhaps he is deceaued in preferring things that are equall before all others or els in presuming or promising too much of himselfe and yf he cannot be brought to leaue of that opinion at least let him belieue he hath not deserued what he desires And if further he note he were deceaued let him giue many thankes to the diuine clemency in defending setting himself free from such an errour and for that he hath not suffered him without gayne or perhaps rather with losse in prouing another habitation and some other manner of gouernement to fall into the blame of leuity or lack of wit or els by imbracing of things too hard in a very short tyme to become wearied and fall into the former state if not a worse But if he truely desireth a thing more perfect indeed and more conformable to him let him make accompt that for his sinnes he hath not deserued the same and let him patiently suffer the diuine iudgment therein which neuer denyes any one any thing vniustly And in summe let him shun the offences of the diuine Maiesty through murmur or muttering but take in good part and endure all with a sweet and holy peace least perseuering otherwise he come to exasperat the iust Iudge and so remaine excluded from that which as yet he hath not receiued and loose perhapps what he holds already or els to possesse it without any profit at all But howsoeuer he do feele vpon himselfe eyther the mercy or iudgment of God in any case let him cheerefully giue him thanks and in all and through all acknowledge that infinite benignity of his And since he hath the grace to retire himselfe into the Port whatsoeuer from the perilous stormes and tempests of the world let him now auoyd to open in the Port it selfe any entry to the impetuous winds of impatience and mutability that the Soule abiding in the Lee or harbour of constancy and meekenes may remayne firme and intentiue ioyntly and wholy to the sollicitude of feare and the gust of diuine Loue the one of which through caution conserues the hart the other with sweetnes euen perfects the Mynd I am not ignorant how this matter would require more commodity of writing or of discourse by word of mouth to giue you to vnderstand with what subtiltyes in this matter of temptation the ancient Serpent is wont to make the ignorant Monke to fall into his sâ—… on the contrary with what reasons and aduises the wise Religious may dissolue and defeate his malicious perswasions But for that I haue exceeded the breuity already which an Epistle requires and that whatsoeuer I haue sayd or can otherwise say consistes wholy to conserue this repose and tranquillity of the Soule it shall suffice me for this tyme to haue proposed for your good what succinctly I haue don already Nor would I haue you for this to imagin that I hold you for vnquiet or malcontent but forasmuch as Don Orsion obliged me to giue you some aduertisements I know not how to affoard you a better and more holsome one then for a man to stand on his guard in this kind of temptation which I know is secretly wont to enter into some Nouices and quite to ouerthrow them So as my friend and most beloued Brother behold how your deerest freind doth counsaye admonish and pray you with the whole bowells of his hart that with all the forces of your mind you attend to the foresaid quiet of the hart without which it is impossible to discerne the snare of the treacherous Enemy nor yet to penetrate with the eyes of the vnderstanding the most strait and narrow way of vertue To which tranquility may no Religious euer arriue without constancy and meeknes which meekenes is the inseparable companion of patience nor lesse shall he euer attayne thereto yf he resolue not to obserue and reuerence all the orders and institutes of his Monastery not repugning to the diuine Law though he see not the foundation of them nor the reason why they were introduced and prescribed Farewell
and the blessed God direct guide you in all your actions with perseuerance so as in the habit of iustice you may one day appeare in his sight and fully be satisfyed when he shall manifest his glory A pretty Dialogue betweene S. Anselme and another Abbot concerning the trayning vp of youth Chap. 9. THe like instructioÌ„s gaue the diuine man in writing according to the occurreÌ„ces that happened Nor were those same lesse replenished with heauenly wisedome which in diuers occasions as we haue touched aboue he deliuered by word of mouth Whereof likewise for fuller satisfaction of the Reader we will not spare to set downe some one example It was the coÌ„mon custome in those tymes for Noblemen as it were throughout all 〈◊〉 â—…ndome to put their children of tender age into the CoÌ„uents or Monkes partly to consecrate them perpetually vnto Religion and partly also to take them forth agayne being piously trayned vp for the benefit of the common wealth Now it chanced that a certayne Abbot in great opinion of Sanctity discoursing with S. Anselme of Monasticall gouernement among other things came to speake of these youths to which purpose he vsed these words Tell me I pray good Father what we shall do with them they are so peruerse and incorrigible we neuer cease day and night from beating them and yet still they grow worse and worse Whereat S. Anselme making a shew of some wonder answered You neuer leaue beating them and when heerafter they come to be elder what proue they then to be Euen dolts sayd the other and very beasts Then S. Anselme O how well then do you bestow the paynes to make beasts of men And what can we do withall replyed the Abbot We seeke by all meanes to constreyn them to their profit it boots nothing Do you forme them or one replyed S. Anselme Do but tell me a little Father Abbot If you set but a plant in your garden and bind it vp presently on euery side so as it can not extend the branches any way if you go after a yeare to take away the binder from it how shall you find it Certaynely with the boughes crooked intricate and inuolued And who then should be in fault thereof but your selfe who so immoderatly restrayned the same Iust so succeeds it with your pupils They are planted by the oblation of their friends in the Garden of the holy Church to grow vp and to giue forth good fruits to God But you with terrours menaces and stripes do euen so strayten them as that the poore wretches haue not a iot of liberty So as being indiscreetly wrung and opprest they produce and cherish in themselues but ill discourses which in manner of wreathed thornes so grow setle in them as there is after no remedy to be found or prop to sustaine and hold them vp to make them grow out straight agayne And for that they find no sparke of loue or pitty in you nor any tendernes or sweetnes towards them they cannot frame any good coÌ„ceipt of you but do rather verily persuade themselues that all your doings spring from hatred and malignity in you And hence very miserably proceeds it that the more they grow in body so much the more increase they in auersion and iealousies being alwayes inclined and ready to fall into all sorts of vices and as in none they find any signes of true charity so can they not reguard any one but with an eye a skew and quite awry But for the loue of God I would feigne haue you tell me what is the cause you are so strange harsh vnto them For are they not I pray men and of the same nature that you are And would you if you were in their place thinke it well to be dealt with in this wise but be it as you say that you haue no other intentioÌ„ with you in such your rigours but only to make them good Did you euer in your life behold a Gold smyth to frame with blowes and beatings only any goodly figure of some masse of gold or siluer I belieue not What then For to shape it with his instruments now beates he it and presseth it gently and then with a discreet relieue rayses he it vp and frames it as he list So if you will seeme to introduce any good forme of manners into youth it behooues you togeather with the depressions of pennance to vse some indulgences and helps withall of a fatherly tendernes and loue To this point the Abbot What indulgences sayd he what helps We continually labour to constreyne them to vertue And S. Anselme It is well and so euen bread and other solid food are good and holsome to such as are able to disgest the same But do you try a while to giue it to a sucking child and you shall see it rather to be choaked then sed therewith Wherefore I need not tell it you it is so cleere But this I do affirme that as sickly and strong bodies haue their difference and proportionable food so the weake and more feeble soules require a food which is agreable to them in measure and quality The strong and able are fed and delighted with the solid and substantiall food that is with Patience in tribulations with breaking of the appetite with exhibiting the left cheeke to him that strikes them on the right praying for ones enemyes with louing their persecutours and with other the like But that Soule which is feeble as yet in the diuine seruice had need of tender milke that is to be intreated with sweetnes with mercy with a cheerefull countenance with patience full of charity with such like carriages If you would but accommodate your selfe in this manner with your feeble and able ones with the grace of God what in you lyes you would gayne all With these words the Abbot being finally conuinced and touched withall began to sigh and said We surely Father haue erred all this while from the right way and to vs hath the Sunne of discretion as yet not risen Heervpon being prostrate on the ground he confessed he had hitherto done ill and with crauing pardon for what was passed promised to amend heerafter Another Dialogue betweene S. Anselme and a certayne Procuratour of a Monastery Chap. 10. VPon a tyme there came to the holy man a Procuratour of the same Order who bewayled as it happens now and then his hard misfortune for that being touched heertofore by heauenly inspiration he had left the world to serue God and now through obedience was constrayned agayne to leaue God to attend vnto the world For as much as the care of conseruing of rents of following suites of reuiewing of accompts and of other such like secular affayres did leaue him no tymeat all to recollect the powers facultyes of his Soule for contemplation of celestiall things but put him rather in continuall danger of offending the diuine Maiesty in diuers manners To which complaint S.
to be no prouision left for the day following In which cases the Dispensiers the Cellarians and other the Ministers of the Monastery running with all anxiety vnto the holy Abbot he would answere them with a graue serene countenance that if they would but haue confidence in the diuine Goodnes he would not suffer them to want any necessaryes nor were they deceiued awhit of his promise Because euen in that very instant or shortly after you mig◅t haue seen to come from England where many of the possessions of their Conuent lay some ship well freighted with all manner of prouision or els some extraordinary almes to arriue from some deuout person or otherwise some wealthy m◅n to come and enter into Religion amongst them wherby in time what manner of wāt soeuer or disorder in this kind might be easily remedyed And forasmuch as the forsayd possessions in England for the better manage of good gouernment required somtymes the visits and presence of the Abbot himselfe S. Anselme was fayne now and then to go ◅hither being thereunto moue◅ moreouer with desire to go and visit his deere and most venerable Father and Mayster S. Lanfranke who for his most excellent vertues from the Abbot of Cadom was assu◅pted to the Archbishoprike of Canterbury Comming then to England he was receiued with much ioy and honour not only in the sayd Citty of Canterbury but in all other places wheresoeuer he passed And he alwayes according to custome shewed himselfe most sweet and affable to all accommodating himselfe to the genius and fashions of euery one so much as he would many tymes say that he who in euery thing wherein God may not seeme to be offended endeauours to consent to the will of another comes to merit exceedingly with the diuine Goodnes that as he accordes with others in the present life so with him in the future may God and all created things seeme likewise to accord But he that dispising the neighbours contentment will attend but his owne gust only shal deserue often with the iust Iudge that euen as in this world he would not seeme to conforme himselfe to the will of any so in the other shall no man accommodate himselfe to his Since euen it is sayd by our Sauiour himselfe that euery one shall receyue according to the measure he hath proportioned to others The blessed S. Anselme now being moued with such like reasons as we haue sayd did shun by all meanes to be troublesome grieuous to any howbeyt now and then he was constrayned therefore to remit somwhat of the monasticall seuerity discipline that he vsed otherwise reputing it to redound to the greater glory and seruice of God to condescend rather a litle now and then with holy equity to such Soules as he was to help then by standing too much vpon rigour to estrange and alienate them from his speach and conuersation Whence it followed through the great affection that all seemed to beare him they came at last with a very good will to receiue very holesome and spirituall aduertisements from him Which in truth haue neuer yet beene put in print nor alwayes giuen in the same manner but proportionable to the qualityes and estate of the hearers To the Monkes aboue all things he would giue to vnderstand they should not seeme to neglect the least faults and trangressions of the Institute And was wont to confirme the same with a similitude of a Viuary or Fish-trough because that euen as when the holes or chinks are not kept well stopt within them the water by and litle goes running forth the fish doth euen perish the while So in religious houses when there is no heed taken of lighter faults by litle and litle is spirit togeather with obseruance lost He taught the Clearkes how they were to maintayne the profession which euen by name they made of hauing God only for inheritance portion lot and aduised them to stand allwayes vpon their guard least through negligence or tepidity insteed of possessing God they come to inherite the Deuill To the maryed in like sort he would giue aduertisements very full of prudence and sanctity And in this doctrine of his the diuine man proceeded not after the manner of the Maisters and deep Deuines of the world who beleiue they cannot seeme to maintayne their degree and dignity if they do not still propose very high and sublime conceipts and not so easy to be apprehended of the vulgar But S. Anselme quite contrary to such by reducing the highest points to the capacity of the meaner vnderstandings and vnfolding the obscure and intricate passages and declaring them by images and materiall examples being a thing very proper to true and absolute Wisedome indeed and confirming them moreouer with potent and manifest reasons would seeme efficatiously to engrosse them in the breast and heart so as euery one heard him with great cheerefullnes and recurred to him in their doubts with the greatest confidence that might be Nor was there in England a personage at that tyme of importāce that held it not a great misfortune to haue had no occasion to heare honour and serue such a man Yea euen King William himselfe who had conquered that Nation by force of armes and was commonly held to be fierce and cruell shewed himselfe to S. Anselme so human and benigne as they were all astonished at him K. William the Conquerour being dead his Sonne William Rufus succedes And Lanfrancke the Arch-Bishop deceasing S. Anselme is chosen in his place Chap. 13. FRom this tyme forwards S. Anselme was much conuersant in England and according to the occurrences that happened he made frequent iourneys thither And among other tymes that he went into those parts one was after the death of the said King William to whom his Sonne succeeded of the same name being a person very ill enclined and who from a King became a Tyrant and among other iniquityes of his against all Iustice he doubted not to pollute his impions hands with the oppression of the Clergy and Religious with the vsurpation of the goods of the Church Whereupon it seemed good to the Earle of Chester and to other principall Lords of the kingdome to giue him a Christian admonishment by the meanes of one of so great authority as S. Anselme was and with that occasion to comfort themselues with his presence and discourses whom they wished to be the Phisitian and Gouernour of their soules S. Anselme then being so earnestly inuited and intreated by this Man and many others with the greatest instance that might be passed ouer agayne vnto Canterbury where a litle before was deceased S. Lanfrank the Arch-Bishop and where the Clergy and people were in great care and desire to supply the vacancy of that Seate with the election of some worthy and sufficient Prelate So as now at the appearing of S. Anselme began to arise a generall whisper in the whole Citty that a new Arch-Bishop was come
religious liberty but all was in vayne while the Pope esteemed him more worthy of a higher degree And a litle after conducted him with him to the Councell of Bari where S. Anselme by word of mouth conformable to the doctrine he had written already left the Greekish pride and perfidiousnes much abased confounded not without the vniuersall approbation of the Fathers most cleere confirmation of the Catholique Fayth From thence he returned to Rome with the Pope who calling another Councell in that Citty vpon the ensuing Feasts of Easter S. Anselme was there also illustrated not a litle the sayd assembly with his presence and authority where with the consent of all the Prelates and particular consolation of S. Anselme was thundred forth the sentence of Excommunication as well agaynst the Laity that presumed to giue the Inuestitures of Bishoprikes as agaynst the Ecclesiastiques themselues and others who receiued them at their hands or durst consecrate any persons by such wayes intruded into those dignities The Councell being ended S. Anselme hauing obtayned good leaue departed for Lyons with resolution to remaine there with the Archbishop Hugo his most intimate friend hauing now quite lost all hope of euer returning into England agayne whiles K. William liued Newes commeth to S. Anselme how K. William was sl◅yne King Henry had succeeded He returnes welcome into England where after some troubles passed ouer he dyes blessedly in his Sea of Cāterbury Chap. 17. SAint Anselme being arriued now at Lyons while he attended to his wonted exercises of vertue and assisting the Archbishop that Diocesse behold two Monks from England with tydings that K. William vpon the second of August being a hunting was shot through the hart with an arrow and had presently giuen vp the ghost Whereat S. Anselme was very sory most bitterly lamenting affirmed he would willingly haue giuen vp his owne life to haue deliuered his King from so sudden and dreadfull an end And a litle after arriued diuers Posts to S. Anselme with letters from K. Henry his Successour and the Nobility of England both Ecclesiasticall and Secular intreating him to returne backe againe with all possible diligence for that the whole Kingdome expected him with exceeding desire and that all publique businesses were differred and put off vntill his comming Whereupon S. Anselme without delay tooke his iourney towards Normandy and crossing the Seas the first thing he did he declared to the new King in plaine termes what had lately been determined in the sacred Coūcel of Rome in the matter of inuestitures of Bishops Whereat K. Henry being greatly troubled made instance to S. Anselme that for reuocation of such a decree he would returne agayne vnto the Pope called Paschalis being newly elected in place of Vrban thē deceased to which request S. Anselme made answere playnly that it was not to be sued for or possibly procured by any meanes yet notwithstanding K Henry vrging him that at least for his satisfactiō he would leade with him another Embassadour thither whome for that purpose he determined to send to his Holynes S. Anselme obeyed and being receiued by the Pope and the whole Court with great honour his companion the Kings Embassadour after he had laboured in vayne for that which his Lord pretended returned into England without effect and S. Anselme remained in France for that he heard K. Henry was exceedingly displeased for the ill successe of his affayres in the Court of Rome and had impioussy seized vpon the Archbishoprike of Canterbury despoiled S. Anselme of all his goods Howbeit after a while the same K. Henry being touched with the feare of God and true pennance restored S. Anselme into the possession of the sayd Church and very honorably receiued him againe into peace grace Which conuersion of his how gratefull it was to the diuine M◅iesty did soone appeare by a glorious victory which he got agaynst his Brother Duke Robert with other personages who had reuolted from him through which victory K. Henry did remaine absolute Lord of Normandy And in signe of gratitude caused a Parlament to be called at London in which to the extraordinary consolation of S. Anselme there present and of all good men he renounced the custome of his Predecessours concerning the Inuestiture of Churches leauing the free disposition therof to the Pope and his Delegats shewing him selfe heerin particularly to be a true and obedient child of the holy Apostolique Sea Now S. Anselme waxing dayly more and more grieued with old age and diuers infirmityes especially of the stomacke came to such weakenes as that not being able to celebrate Masse made himselfe to he carryed euery day to the Church to heare the same and in short tyme the malady increased so much as it cleerely appeared there was litle hope of his life His benediction then was required by the Bishop of Rochester for all that were present as also for the King and Queene themselues with their children and the whole Kingdome besides and he hauing giuen it with much deuotion most sweetly bowed downe his head and one of his familiars taking the Text of the Ghospell began to recite the Passion of our Lord and comming to those wordes Vos estis qui permansistis mecum in tentationibus meis ego dispono vobis sicut disposuit mihi Pater meus regnum vt edatis bibatis super mensam meam in regno meo the good Archbishop began to fetch his breath more thicke then ordinary Whereupon the standers by being aware of the approach of his last houre after the due rites and Sacraments applyed taking him in their armes they layd him downe according to the manner of those tymes vpon a Cilice and Ashes where he rendred his blessed soule to the Creatour vpon Wednesday in Holy weeke in the morning being the 21. day of Aprill in the yeare 1109. or as others would haue it 1080. and the 13. of his Bishopricke and the 76. of his age Being afterwards sockt and reuested with his Pontificall ornaments he was decently layd forth in the Church and buryed with most solemne Exequies and with the sorrow that behoued for the losse of such and so great a Prelate Many other and great miracles besides those that we haue touched are recounted of him the which notwithstanding altogether with me make him not so venerable worthy of eternall prayse as two only Qualities which he had among others in an excellent degree to wit his Discretion and Assability with all Most noble vertues without doubt and such as we haue sayd that he aboue all other gifts should be adorned withall who desires to haue open and manifest to him the Soules and consciences of his subiects and would seeke by due meanes to lead them to some good point of Perfection and Sanctity FINIS S. OTHO THE ARGVMENT THE Altar deckt with Purple did display The fire that came from heauen which vnder lay As in its mansion
disposed to keep it without exception Then replyed the Abbot on behalfe of the same Lord do I command thee to perseuere to the end vnder the charge of the administration thou hast in hand and couragiously to go forward in the way begun to the glory of God behoofe of the holy Church consolation to the faythfull the support of Widdowes Pupills and Orphans and to continue thy life in good workes in summe to doe what thou dost and to execute the office thou art in to gayne at the Prince of Pastours handes the eternall life and reward a hundred fould Because that if we would but weigh thinges indeed with equall ballances what Monke liues at this day vnder the Sunne of so much abstinence and of so great perfection whose merits and pouerty may seeme to stand in comparison with the care and solicitude thou hast of so many soules and with the sweet dispensation of so great riches So as thou mayst quiet thy selfe with the authority of him whome thou hast taken as guide and consellour in this behalfe And let the diuine honour and publike vtility be preferred before thyne owne particuler gusts and contentments With such reasons S. Otho being lastly conuinced as an enemy of selfe-loue and farre from all pertinacy without more replyes did bow downe his head and putting a fresh the most bitter chalice of gouernement to his mouth with new breath and with redoubled purposes he began to giue himselfe wholy to the spiritual and temporall help of his Neighbours S. Otho was exceedingly giuen to hospitality He dyed blessedly And his body being buryed in the Church of S. Michael was translated afterwardes Chap. 7. FOrasmuch as among Episcopall parts and conditions as hath been sayd S. Otho knew well that Hospitality was one of the cheifest he endeauoured to send before him as much corne victualls cloathes and monyes as he could possibly procure by the hands of the poore but now especially feeling himselfe to be so loaden with yeares and neere to the tearme of his life So as like to an Oliue tree euen stooping as it were with abundance of â—…es he gaue himselfe freely to ech state and condition of mortalls You might haue seene there whole squadrons of Pilgrimes very decently receaued into the chambers and lodgings of S. 〈◊〉 To the desolate Widdowes forlorne Orphans and the needy and necessitous Clerks and Monkes stood his granary open day and night his Purse and Wardrobe neuer shut but like a wise merchant in the short mart of this transitory tyme he attended to barter and exchange terrene for heauenly frayle for eternall and incorruptible ware In summe besides the secret almes of ech day there was not in all those partes a Church Conuent Hospitall or pious place of any sort which he visited not restored and royally prouided of what was necessary for the Maiesty of pure Religion and continuation of Christian verity And it was an admirable thing to see how so much giuen away and so much empting he continually should find no bottome as if the great Lord and his carefull Steward should seeme to striue togeather the one to supply and the other to distribute with a large hand all manner of goodes gold and siluer and what not Amidst such actions as these truly worthy of the lawfull Successour of the Apostles the blessed Man being now arriued to the end of his dayes maturely composed the affaires of his Diocesse and hauing made a pure and deuout confession and after the holy Oyle receauing with great feeling the holy Eucharist being inuironed round with a company of Clerks and Religious most sweet and deare vnto him who in that last passage came all to recommend him to their common Creatour he peaceably yielded vp his soule well fraught and replenished with good workes and full of honours and heauenly graces As for the mourning and great concourse of people wherewith his Exequies were celebrated it importes not much to treate therof while euery one may sufficiently gather how great a desire of his presence might so louing a Father and so vigilant a Rectour seeme to leaue behind him He was praysed then with a solemne Sermon by the Venerable Embrichonus Bishop of Herbipolis and carryed vnto his Sepulcher into the Temple of S. Michael while Barons Counts and Marquesses succeeded by turnes to conueigh the hearse vpon the first day of Iuly in the yeare of our Lord 1139. and of the administration of his Episcopall charge the 37. The translation was made afterwardes vnder Pope Clement the III. on 89. yeare the last of September on which day is celebrated his memory as eternally consecrated vnto immortality euen by the learned penns of the noblest wits Among which Iohn Trithemius affirmes that besides what we haue spoken of aboue this S. Otho was no lesse in his death then life most illustrious and famous for many and most euident miracles FINIS S. BERNARD THE ARGVMENT THE eye that is vnblemished and free From colours their defects can better see Soules not forsaken better can descry The Worlds deceits and note her Vanity He that the world abandons this doth gaine Thinges dark to others are made cleare and plaine To his vnstained soule I well could sound Her deep impostures by experience found And them display to others whome I taught To slight her and to ends more noble brought I triumph'd ore her and her Prince and lead Thousandes most happy to be vanquished Gayning heereby eternall liberty And by their thraldome freed from slauery If thou the world wilt conquer her contemne And this contempt shall gaine a Diademe THE LIFE OF S. BERNARD ABBOT OF CLAREVALL Written by three of his Monkes Of the Family and Parents of S. Bernard with a notable vision his Mother had before his birth which gaue great hope of his future Sanctity Chap. I. IN the partes of Burgundy is a place which is called Fontaine obscure heertofore and vnknowne but deseruedly famous and renowned after it had so affoarded to the world that mirour of vertue and light of Sanctity which now to the glory of God we beginne to describe In that very place was an honourable Knight called Tesselinus who according to the Euangelicall precepts being contented with his paye and farre from all insolency and rapine whatsoeuer so applyed himselfe to Military discipline as he forgot not the profession of Christ. This man had a wife both chast and fruitfull by name Aletta de Monte Barro who amidst the familiar and transitory cares of the world keeping her mind still fixed on eternall goodes did increase so much in deuotion that as many children as she brought forth into the world which were in number some six Sonnes and one Daughter taking them all one by one in her armes she suddenly offered them to Iesus and from that tyme forwardes as thinges made sacred in a certaine manner would she nurse ech one at her owne breasts instilling into them togeather with the milke the feare of
her Countenance and with the motion of her pale lips vntil such tyme as being now abandoned of all naturall heate when rehearsing the Litanyes they came to those wordes Per crucem passionem tuam lifting vp her hand and making the signe of the Crosse she happily expired A Matrone surely most noble truly pious and worthy to be imitated of all those who in coniugall state hauing the body in power of the husband with the soule do seeke to serue and please Christ only S. Bernard being thus depriued of such a guide began now on all sides to be continually more cruelly assaulted then euer The flower of his age proposed to him sensuall delights exhorting him mainely not to leaue things certayne for perillous and the present for those to come and that heereafter when he would doe pennance he should want no tyme in his elder age exaggerating withal the diuine clemency which knowes very well our human frailty and putting him in mind moreouer of the merits of Christs passion whreupon very safely he might build himselfe On the other side his freinds and companions who being affrighted with the difficultyes of vertue had entred into the spacious way inuited him no lesse thereunto with diuers persuasions and examples Nor was the world behind to offer him riches possessions pallaces Besides which the very qualityes themselues wherewith he was endowed of wit of learning and of a gratefull presence suggested to him sundry hopes of honours dignityes withal an immortal name And all these fantasyes as so much fuell on the fire the auncient aduersarie alwayes enkindled in him and that so much the liuelyer as he was of a quicker discourse and of a sharper apprehension Who perceiuing himselfe so enuironed on all sides with such subtle nets precipices and snares and iustly fearing the treasure which he bare about him as shut vp in his breast very suddenly determined to secure the same and that by no other meanes then by the counsayls of the eternall Wisedome S. Bernard after many difficultyes resolues vpon Religion and drawes as Vncle and two younger Brothers to the same course Chap. 3. THere remayned now to S. Bernard only to find out how and in what māner he might put his good purpose in effect Wherof while he went discoursing with himselfe the religion of the Cistercians came into his mind being founded heeretofore by the venerable Abbot Robert vnder the rule of S. Benet with addition of some constitutions and confirmed by the Pope in the yeare of our Lord 1098. This Congregation now as is wont to happen in beginnings was at that tyme but of small renowne and had but one only Monastery within a certaine remote wood whereunto very few had entered through the straitnesse of the Enclosure and asperity of life But the feruent young man and freind of the lowlynes and pouertie of Christ iudged it straight very apt for his designes which were to suffer and to be hidden and farre off from all occasions of vaine glory In such thoughts was S. Bernard much perplexed and in great suspence and gaue besides diuers other signes of inclination to retire himselfe while his more domestique and neerest freinds which in such occasions are wont to be the greatest enemyes endeauour to disswade him from it and thereby gaue him very shrewd encounters They alleadged to him the delicatenes of his complexion that could not frame to the austerity and labours of cloysters they proposed to him manie other wayes of seruing God and of helping soules without going so to submit himselfe to a perpetuall seruitude and stuck not to put scruples into his head with burying such such talents in a desart which to the glory of God and light of human kind were cōmitted to him and how much better were it that following the course begun of learning and of higher sciences in a quiet life he should become a famous Doctour honour to his parents a glorie to his Countrey and a succour to the world With these and other such like reasons his deerest freinds went about to recall him from his purpose Of all which as the Saint manifested afterwardes there was none made so great impression with him as the desire and commoditie to prosecute his studyes This only respect did giue him a shrewd blow and had euen almost quite ouercome him Whence they may take faire warning who haue had a vocation of God and learne with what caution and custody they are to keep it and not to communicate the same but to some person who is very spirituall and chosen of a thousand following heerein that wary Merchant of the Ghospell who hauing discouered a treasure in a field hides the same and sells whatseuer he possesseth to purchase that field which aduertisement not so fully obserued by S. Bernard had well nigh depriued him of so great a felicity But besides the diuine Clemency and his good nature he was helped not a little also by the memory of his blessed Mother who had alwayes with so many aduises and motiues incited him to perfection and not to fall into tepidity to the seruice of God and not to vanity of the world to the verity and humility of Christ and not to the pride and swelling of secular wisedome With these thoughts and holesome aduises sustayned he the battayle yet so as the good youth went still wauering with himselfe vntill one day taking his iourney to visite his Brothers encamped with the Duke of Burgundy at the siege of Grancium he felt himselfe so afflicted and tormented with the foresayd assaults of the spirit and sense as that finding no rest he retyred himselfe into a Church by the streetes side and there with a shower of teares and with deep sighes vnfolding his afflicted hart in the fight of him that created it he perseuered so long in praying and imploring help and light from heauen as that finally all doubt and perplexity being taken away he felt himselfe fortifyed in the course of perfect vertue as being now without feare of euer seuering any more he resolued with himselfe to reduce thereunto as many as he could Nor was his enterprize in vaine awhit while the Highest most powerfully cooperated withall The first assault he gaue being arriued to the Campe was to his Brothers and an Vncle of his by the Mothers side by name Vi◅ricus a famous souldier and very wealthy in worldly substance and Lord of a Castle which is called Iuiglio This man meeting with S. Bernard and being conuinced with the spirit that spake in him lead the way to his Nephewes For that immediatly after him Bartholomew was taken being not able to resist the inflamed exhortations of the Saint and in the meane while Andrew shewed himselfe to be somewhat difficult but in that very instant the Mother appeared to him S. Bernard sees her also who with a cheerefull countenance seemed to reioyce at those happy beginninges At which aspect Andrew yielded himselfe crying out
as many as were in it But these brauado's and stiffnes of his lasted that day only for being arriued to his lodging at night he was so inwardly gauled with such stinges as that being not able to resist any longer without attending so much as till day he leapt from his bed and speedily returned backe to Clareuallis agayne where deposing the old man with his wonted manners and fiercenes he put on the new to the great consolation and wonder of all Certaine noble Gentlemen yielded vp themselues to S. Bernard wherof one hauing a temptation afterwards was happily by him quit therof Chap. 9 IN those dayes certaine Flemings sped very well who besides they were of a Noble bloud and well learned had likewise a great desire to attend to perfection but could not well determine what schoole was fittest for their purpose and in this suspense of mind stood wauering vntill S. Bernard about some publique affaires happened to goe into those partes of Flanders And as his Name was now famous already at the appearing of such a man sprung a notable light in the mindes of those disconsolate louers of wisedome so as without more delay they made choice of the Abbot of Clareuallis for Maister and Superiour supposing he was destined thither by the diuine Prouidence for their saluation selling and dispatching then ech one their busines and laying aside the vayne designes and deceiptfull hopes of the world they went ioyfull with S. Bernard towardes Burgundy who then likewise had finished his affaires In which iourney there happened an accident not fit to be let passe It is an ordinary thing likely in all beginners in the diuine seruice and not yet experienced inough in desolation or substraction of grace and spirituall vicissitudes when that gust of sensible deuotion comes once to faile them and that pleasant light which puts them hastily on to loose on a sudden all courage quite and to fall into pusillanimity of spirit and sadnes of hart The occasion therof do Wisemen say to be this the Rationall substance cannot endure to be straitned and some delight eyther heauenly or terren must be Now the soules as being raysed aboue themselues with some tast of supernall pleasures do easily renounce the visible obiects so when through diuine dispensation that ioy is taken away from them finding themselues depriued of this also and not accustomed to expect with patience the returnes of the new Sunne it seemes to them they are neither in heauen nor earth and are as buryed in a perpetuall night so as like babes hauing lost the breasts they languish and sigh and become tedious and irkesome chiefly to themselues The same happened on they way to one of that company called Gaufrid This man being suddenly growne arid and full of interiour darknes began to bethinke himselfe of his freinds parents and goods which he had left behind and thereby was assayled with so strong a temptation as being not able to dissemble it in his countenance one of his more confident and intimate freinds was aware thereof and dexterously approaching to him with sweete and benigne speach in secret sayd to him What is the matter Gaufrid How happens this I pray you go to tell me for it seemes to me you goe pensiue and sad more then ordinary Then Gaufrid answered with a deep sigh Alas brother I shall neuer be merry more in all my life The other being with that word moued to pitty went suddenly with fraternall zeale to acquaint their common Father what passed who vnderstanding the daunger began to pray for him in a Church thereby and Gaufrid in the meane while being ouercome with sadnes reposed his head on a stone and there fell a sleep but long it was not ere both arose the one from prayer with the grace obteyned and the other from his sleep with a face so cheerefull and serene as his freind much admiring at so sudayne and great a change could not hold but freindly vpbrayd him with what he had answered him a little before Then Gaufrid sayd if I told thee before I should neuer be merry agayne I now affirme 〈◊〉 thee I shall neuer be sad more And this same Gaufrid afterwards in the Nouiceship being desirous of the eternall saluation of his owne Father recommended him to the Saint with much affect and confidence And he sayd doubt not sonne but thy Father shall be a good Religious man and I my selfe after his death shall bury him with these armes and so it fell out that old man being entred into Religion and growne very perfect in vertues fell greiuously sick at such tyme as S. Bernard was farre from Clareuallis in which infirmity of his he grew dayly more sicke then other lying in extremity for some fiue monthes continually togeather vntill the Abbot returning with his assistance he sweetly rendred vp his spirit in his armes and with his owne handes buryed his body with his wonted Charity and performing of due exequies Another tyme being gone to Chalon in Champayne to deale with the Bishop of that Citty he thence lead with him at his returne a good number of excellent subiects and such manner of purchaseâ—… with the help of the diuine hand he made happily from tyme to tyme. Besides which there wanted not daily many that being allured by his Name and glutted with the deceipts of the world came voluntary of their owne accord to submit themselues to the obedience of so great a guide Whence no wonder is it that from the garrison of Clareuallis should be sent after as we haue sayd so fit supplyes as there did to so many partes of Europe S. Bernard deuinely admonished changes his stricter hand vpon his Nouices to a milder way with the good fruit that came thereof Chap. 10. IT remaynes now to see what manner the diuine man tooke in guiding and gouerning the Soules recommended and committed to his care by the Prince of Pastours It is then to be vnderstood that in the first yeares of his Prelacy in measuring others feruour by his owne he was something more rigid and seuere then good and moderate gouernement would seeme to beare For that in receiuing of Nouices into the Conuent he was wont to bid them among other things by way of Enigma to leaue the body without and to enter only with the spirit Through which saying of his some of the simpler of them remayned so astonished and terrified therewith as they were after not able to vnderstand the sense and meaning of those wordes though the Saint himselfe explayned the same In the confessions which he heard of his Monks with a bitter countenance he abhorred any manner of defect esteeming euery light fault in Religious as a mortall sinne In his Sermons or as we say Homilyes rather in the speculatiue he often soared so high as the hearers vnderstanding would loose the sight of him and insteed of being fed and refreshed would come to be dry and arid And for the morall he required
one morning as he was celebrating Masse in the Church of S. Ambrose with an exceeding great concourse of people there was presented to him by her parents a little Girle of tender age in whome the Diuell most tyrannically raigned and he was prayed with great instance to take pitty of that vnhappy Wretch and deliuer her from so cruell torments which appeared by the shreekes and cryes she gaue and in her coūtenance and in all the partes of her body with the exceeding horrour of the standers by The tender hart of the good Priest was moued with these prayers and such a spectacle who sitting neere to the Altar while the Quire was singing called for the Patten whereon he was to make the Offertory and with his fingar distilling some droppes of water thereon he gaue it to the possessed person to drinke and immediatly the Diuell not able to suffer that sacred Antidote and that blessed effusion by meanes of a foule and nauseous vomit very hastily departed and the Girle with infinit applause and admiration of the people was restored to her Parents safe and secure After this vpon another day in the selfe same place houre was a gentlewoman of mature age brought thither by many with mayne strength in whose breast now for many yeares Sathan had remayned and so disfigured and deformed her as that being depriued of hearing sight and speach in putting forth the tongue like an Elephants truncke seemed rather a Monster then a woman besides which the face all soyled and vgly to see with a stincking breath withal shewed well the quality of the Ghest that kept possession Being brought then into the presence of the Saint he knew at first sight through diuine permission that enemy was of an euill and cruell race and so inueterate and settled in her as he would not easily be got forth of so gratefull and so ancient a dominion Then the seruant of Christ turning to the people which were there in great number bad them all to pray very attentiuely commanded the Clerkes to hold the Woman there as firme and immoueable as they could but she with diuellish force resisting and kicking withall with her foot came to strike the Priest himselfe who not regarding the same entred into the consecration in such manner as looke how many signes of the Crosse he made vpon the hoast so many in turning himselfe he made vpon the possessed person with the incredible rage and dolour of that fiend as by the gnashing of teeth and sundry and those strange gestures and roaringes and struglinges she made most manifestly appeared After which the Pater noster being sayd the Priest began againe to giue a more shrewd assault to the aduersary with likewise holding the Paten with the body it selfe of our Lord ouer the Matrons head and sayng Behold heere O wicked spirit thy iudge behold the supreme power now resist if thou canst behold him who being to suffer for our saluation affirmed that then the Prince of this world was to be banished hence heere is that sacred body which being taken from the body of a holy Virgin extended on the Crosse put into a Sepulcher and risen from death ascended triumphant into heauen So then in the power of this Maiesty O malignant spirit I do commaund thee to leaue this his seruant not dare to molest her more That sayd and the hoast according to the vse being deuided into three partes he gaue the Pax to the Monster which peace and health diffused by him through all the congregatiō with particuler influence did euen penetrate into the soule and body of the possessed because the vniust and pertinacious possessour went forth immediatly from her declaring thereby of what efficacy and value the Sacrament of the Altar is especially being handled with the purity and fayth it deserues And it may be well belieued with good reason that this Diuell with whome so much tampering was vsed was one of the cheifest of the Hellish squadrons since others of a lower rancke not only vsed to fly away very fearefully from the coniurations vsed and presence of the seruant of Christ but euen also from his Stole though he himselfe had by◅ distant farre off as from an obiect intollerable to him and a most grieuous punishment Such and so great was the sanctity of S. Bernard S. Bernard with prayers deliuers a soule from paynes with other notable Visions besides that happened to him Chap. 23. IT followes now that we touch something of the Visions i◅ which either he appeared to others or others appeared to him And be that the first which himselfe afterwards was wont to tell vnto others A certaine Monke of a good intention but of harsh conuersation and lesse compassionate to his neighbours then he oughe to haue beene in the Monastery of Clareuallis came to the end of his dayes and a little after appeared to the holy Abbot with sad countenance and a miserable habit signifying that matters went not very well with him Being asked the particuler he added with dolourous accents that he was giuen vp into the power of huge and cruel Elfes he had scarcely sayd so much when being pushed with a fury and chased away from the face of the seruant of God he suddenly vanished Then the Saint with a sigh and compassion as behoued sayd calling after him with a loud voice I command thee in the name of the Highest to returne to me againe within few dayes to tell me how thou farest From hence applying himselfe to help that soule with prayers and sacrifices he neuer gaue ouer vntill such tyme as the dead himselfe appearing once more according to the precept giuen him did comfort him with the happy newes of his deliuery S. Bernard found himselfe on a certaine tyme in a strange manner to be grieued and oppressed with an excesse of cold humors so as a gush of fleame continually running from him soone brought that body nigh worne and spent already to a manifest point of death His children and other Deuotes doe gather about him as it were to prepare the exequyes and he being in excesse of mind seemes to himselfe to be brought vnto the Tribunall of Christ where the ancient aduersary was likwise present most outragiously accusing him The accusation ended and space giuen to the seruant of Christ to plead defend himselfe not shewing the while any signe of perturbation at all thus answered I do confesse I am not worthy of eternall glory nor of the heauenly kingdome but my Lord who possesseth the same by a double title that is by paternall inheritance and painefull purchase contenting himselfe with the one of the two titles of the other makes a liberall guift to me and in vertue of this deuotion I doe with reason aspire thereunto At which answere the enemy was confounded that forme of iudgement and tribunall vanished and the man of God without any more returned to himselfe againe Another tyme he beheld himselfe at the Sea
of no experience at all And yet when necessity shall require it I shall be ready to succour it with my life and bloud But where are the flames where the fires you exaggerate so much For my part I do see none present nor do I know whence they are like to come And if indeed as I sayd they were to be feared so for our owne sinnes it rests not in my power but in Gods only to exempt vs from them And when you would rely on human succours haue you not other Sonnes as more auncient in yeares so of much more prudence and worth then I Are they not continually with the person of the Emperour Who supposing he haue some suspition of our bloud yet will it be no hard matter for them with their seruice and loyalty which is wont to soften relent euen Beares and Lyons to pacify him so that his ill conceipt may turne to a good opinion agayne and his hatred be conuerted into grace and protection Nor would I haue you say heere Madame that I am quite depriued of affection and of common sense and that from the Seruants of God I haue learned to be in human sauage these are but fables meerly I contemne not your sighes I take no pleasure as you please to say in your tribulations and afflictions God calls me another way him must I needs obey rather then men and you consider not the great danger the while you put me into through your so obstinately opposing his holy will And since you tearme me hard and sauage for sequestring my selfe from the snares of the world what manner of loue shall I call yours how pious how benigne how motherly so to pull me from the midst of the hauen of tranquility to expose me to the raging winds and furious tempests of the world But in summe you deceiue your selfe Madame if you thinke with your artificiousnes to draw a soule into basenes and mire that hauing through the grace of God already tasted some fruite of the spirit and true vertues hath now at last in scorne and loathing what pleasures soeuer the sense and flesh can promise And well may you with violence retayne this body of mine with you and make it consume in prison but that euer the mind should be aliened from Religion and should lay aside this poore habit and courser garments while I breath you shall neuer obtayne the same The perswasions vsed by S. Thomas his sisters His answere to them and what followed thereof Chap. 5. VVIth this so free discourse of S. Thomas the Mother now satisfyed that by way of perswasions or prayers she should profit but little so as being much exasperated thera◅ with an angry contenance she betakes her selfe to protestations threats but finding him continually more constant and impregnable very sad and heauy she parts from him leauing him still shut vp in the Rock with a good guard A litle after to ◅ee if the enterprise would succeed better with others she commaund two daughters of hers of sharp wits and of excellent speach to goe vnto him and to try by all meanes to bow that obdurate hart Nor stayd they a whit as the human Nature is more prompt to the execution of euill then good to make tryall with all industry that might be Apparelled then very sumptuously and with the most gorgeous ornaments they had they went both of purpose to see him shewing themselues with amourous lookes and premeditated words to meruayle much how he could once let such a folly enter into his head and by whom he had been so deceiued and induced as to forget his greatnes so much and the splendour of his so illustrious and ancient a Family of so many and so famous Predecessours of his He should consider a litle if the habits and habitation◅ of the meane base and obscure people become persons of so noble bloud if it were sufferable that a yonge man elected by God for high enterprises and affayres to gouerne states to rule vassalls with so much dishonour of him and his freinds and parents should goe hide and bury himselfe in cloisters And therefore by all meanes he should chaunge his mind and turne the same to take to himselfe some noble and bewtifull Spouse to liue as men of iudgment doe according to decorum and to procure by all meanes the greatnes glory of the house of Aquinas for these were atcheiuements worthy of him At which suggestions of theirs S. Thomas fetching a deep sigh Cease answered he from such vanityes for you are not to deale heere with a Reed to be shaken with euery wind but with a Religious man and seruant of Christ. The noble bloud you so much vaunt of if not accompanyed with solid vertues and diuine grace is no more then a foolish fantasy And where the goodnes friendship of God is found what need is there of nobility of birth As for the exteriour habit I haue a great deale more occasion to see you or rather to bewayle you to behold you so braue and gallant as you be And know you no◅ how this quaint workeman-ship of yours springs but from the diuell serues for nothing else but to put the honesty of body and soule in hazard And much better is it vnder a poore and course mantle to couer a can did and pure spirit then with superfluous ornaments of the body to shew a mind not so Christian or modest as it ought And it appeares Sisters you regard not so much the eyes of Christ as those of men And this perhapps were a lesse euill if together with humane arts heere were not mingled also the diabolicall You see not the spots which by this māner you put vpon the soule thinke belike you wretches as you are with your silks gold and iewells to deceiue the ◅ight of the most holy Trinity and of all the heauenly Court And what suppose you at last to deriue from terrene loue but a perpetuall succession of sorowes and troubles Looke vpon our Mother in what torments she is now how vnhappy a life she confesseth she leades Let her goe on forsooth gathering the sweete fruites of the world and do you follow her likewise if you will hauing still before your eyes the continuall punishments she hath and the infinit dolours she feeles These are the gaynes your worldly industryes procure you To this finally doe those dressings of the body point to those proud thoughts of vayne glory of vayne nobility of vayne honour I would to God he would so open your eyes a litle as that transcending the heauens and starres they might penetrate into the inmost bowers of the blessed spirits where you should behold very liuely tragedyes of your perdition and folly most perfectly represented And if in that fortunate number were some of our Auncestours to be found whose ◅ame you seeme to extol so much whence thinke you would they receiue a more gratefull and sweete spectacle eyther of me that
Castle of his Sister where he was for three dayes abstract as it were from his body and returning on the last to himselfe agayne he confessed to the aforesayd Reginald but vnder the seale of a secret vntill his death that he had notice of ◅ore things and of more excellent misteryes in that space only then euer he had in all the labours watches he had endured till that tyme. And surely is it not to be past ouer in silence that he being adorned with so great guifts by nature and besides that so great a friend to labour yet to make new profit euery day in sciences he depended so much on God as that before his entring vnto study he would allwayes recommend himselfe very ardently to the eternall wisedome as if he had expected all successe from heauen only and by no other wayes An industry truly very worthy to be imitated of ech Student Because that such as without hauing recourse to God more then so do confide in their proper guifts by how much they goe forward and proceed in learning so much are they puffed vp in their soules in such wise as being thence blinded whence they might haue had light they stumble themselues and draw others withall into their miserable errours and pepestiferous opinions But the Angelicall Doctour as I sayd did quite the contrary nor was he deceiued awhit of his hope since many conclusions being otherwise doubtfull and obscure by this only way he drew forth from the deep abysse as they say of truth as we shall cleerely make appeare by the example following The Saint explicated the oracles of Esay and being come vnto a passage whence by human help he could no wayes acquit himselfe according to his vse he recurred to diuine and gaue himselfe to fast and pray for that intention so many dayes taking besides S. Peter and S. Paul for intercessours as that those glorious Apostles at last one night appeared to him in his Cell and there sweetly conferring with him a prety while put light into him and so quit him of al perplexity In the meane tyme Fryar Reginald was in the ante-chāber as he was wont and though he heard the voyces yet nothing vnderstood what they sayd The vision then being vanished S. Thomas called him in to write and dictated the whole declaration to him so largely and without stop as if he had been taking it forth of another booke in order The dictates being ended Reginald who had heard confusedly the murmure aforesaid did most ardently thirst to haue a distinct notice thereof and therefore lying prostrate on the earth besought him not to hide or conceale it from him and that with so much affect and with so great instance withall as the seruant of God vnder the condition and seale as before ingenuously discouered it to him Besides that this so frequent prayer anailed him much to maintayne his spirit alwayes very cheerefull and fresh which of its nature with much speculation is wont to be arid and dry Howbeit the holy man togeather with the assiduity of prayer would vse also other potent and generous remedyes Whereof the principall was to approach to the foūtaine of all graces the sacred Eucharist wherto he was so deuout that besides his saying euery day Masse he would afterwards humbly serue another And as in preparing himselfe to that banket of the Angells he would add particuler study and attention so after in rendring of thankes he would suddenly be ◅pt into ex◅sies and being liquefyed in celestial sweetnesses ere he were once aware thereof would be wholy bathed in teares He was exceeding sollicious moreouer in procuring the protection and fauour of the Saints and especially of the glorious Virgin and Martyr Ag◅s whose reliques he had alwayes hanging at his breast with so much fayth as that one day touching Fryar Reginald therewith being dangerously sicke he recouered him straight He was wont also at tymes to help himselfe with the reading affectuous morall bookes especially the Collations of Cassian wherein he knew likewise the Patriarke S. Dominicke to be exceedingly versed and to haue gathered thence incomparable helps for discretion of spirits and solid vertues By which meanes in so great an abundance of heauenly guifts how he kept himselfe humble and magnanimous both through his whole life being qualities not so disioyned from themselues a◅ some thinke but deere companions rather and indiuiduall Sisters may be easily gathered by the acts that immediately follow Some notable Acts of Humility of S. Thomas with the like and particularly his deuotion for the soules in Purgatory Chap. 9. SAint Thamas now ripe for glory and age by this tyme passed to the Cloysters of Bologna addicting himselfe to most deep consisiderations when a certaine Fryar new come from forren parts hauing leaue of the Priour to goe forth into the Citty for some businesse with the first Companion he could meete with by chaunce lighted on S. Thomas not knowing him by sight and willed him in behalfe of the Superiour to goe a long with him at which voyce the Imitatour of Christ as sent from an Oracle not only obeyed without delay but also being after not able to go so fast as the other through a lame legge which he had with incredible patience he suffered some rebukes for the same vntill such tyme as being aduised by Seculars of the person whome he intreated so ill being wholy confounded thereat and excusing himselfe of his ignorance very humbly craued pardon of him for it Whereupon S. Thomas being demaunded of the same Gentlemen wherefore he had so abased himselfe he made answere with a graue countenance Religion forsooth consists in Obedience and obedience for one man to submit himselfe to another for God since God himselfe for our sake would subiect himselfe to Man From another thing we may likewise gather the loue which the Saint had of his owne proper subiection Which is that he not only in his owne Order abstayned alwayes from Prelacy and gouernement but euen likewise abroad being called by Pope Clement the IV. to the Archbishopricke of Naples he so refused the same as he supplicated withall and as much as he durst tooke hold of the chiefe Bishop beseeching him not to offer him any dignityes What shall we say then of the regard and caution he had not to attribute any good to himselfe In so much as to the honour of Christ and for the help of soules vpon good occasion he confessed sincerely being then of good yeares amidst so much celebrity and humane prayses so many Magistrall Chayres so many Preachinges lessons disputes and so many publique Acts maintayned and so great variety of compositions and labours he had neuer felt in his soule the least gust or complacence of Vaine-glory From this so chast a loue and feare of God and from this care which the Seruant of Christ had of himself sprung the fruit which he wrought with others and from his conuersation in Heauen
his death he afterwards was chaunged agayne more then once while the same fragrancy continued still as before as well to make he sepulcher more magnificent as also to affoard others some part of the holy Reliques One of his hands was graunted to his Sister in whose Oratory remayning a while it was carryed to Salerno The head was giuen to the Fryars Preachers of Pipern It being after vnderstood that a wicked man went about to rob and to sell away the rest the Count of Fondi preuented it by taking it into his owne custody after that at the instance of his wife who was therefore in sleepe very greiuously reprehended by the Saint he consigned it to the conuent of Preachers in the same Citty of Fondi The Monkes of Fossa-noua resented the iniury and for the same hauing made many tymes complaints to the Sea Apostolike Pope Vrban the V. at last to put an end to so great quarells and contentions caused it to be transported from Fondi to Thoulouse in France to the end that Vniuersity there newly founded by the Pope might continually prosper vnder the shaddow of such a Protectour And this last Translation was the most noble and solemne of all as well for that now after a full and exact information he was canonized by Pope Iohn the XXII as also for the great number of miracles which in that Translation there followed anew The greater part of the Bishops there and Lewis Duke of Angiou being the Brother of the King of France with an infinite number of people came to meet with and receaue the sacred Pledge by all which with great preparation and exquisite pompe it was decently reposed at Thoulouse in the yeare of our Lord 1370. It hath preserued that Citty euen to these dayes from many perills of body and soule FINIS B. ANDREW B. THE ARGVMENT THE very Starre that 's placed neere the Line That parts vs from the other Hemisphere Through interposed vapours cleare doth shine When in our Zenith dimme it doth appeare Blinded we slight heau'ns ioyes which we might gaine As well as earth and with an equall paine I this perceyu'd and learn't to rayse my hart And farre aboue such fain'd contents to soare I with the World and with the Wolfe did part And tooke the Lambe whome I contem'd before And borne by zealous loue ascend the skies In fiery Carre to my Elias flyes THE LIFE OF B. ANDREVV BISHOP OF FESVLA Written by Francis his Successour and others Of the Parents of B. Andrew with the miraculous presage of his Birth and first beginnings Chap. 1. AMONG the noble families of the renowned Citty of Florence is Corsina worthily named for one spread as we find in other parts of Italy Of this bloud Nicolas and Peregrina being conioyned togeather with the holy band of Matrimony as they were both timorous and fearing God and much frequenting Churches the sacred offices had a great desire to offer vp to the high Creatour and the most B. Virgin the first-borne of their Progeny to imitate in this point also the piety of the ancient Patriarks so much celebrated in sacred Scriptures Nor did any thing hinder them from fullfilling their vow then sterility or want of fruit to present from which being deliuered through the intercession of the same Virgin they at last had a sonne in Baptisme called by the name of Andrew for being borne on the feast of that glorious Apostle But the day before his natiuity for a cleare presage as it were of thinges to come it seemed to the Mother in sleep that she was deliuered of a Wolfe which turning into the Church was by little and little transformed into a Lambe At which apparition though Peregrina remayned in some feare yet made she no kind of demonstration thereof but kept it secret vntill the tyme we shall speake of anone In the meane tyme the faythfull parents trayned vp the child in learning and much more in manners with that care as was fit for the yssue now dedicated already to the seruice of the Queene of Angells But soone might be gathered in him without doubt how prone to ech vice is human kind without the particular ayde and stay of celestiall grace Scarcely was he arriued to the vse of reason when being enflamed within by the ardours of concupiscence and by the incentiues of the false Angell and outwardly allured by sensible obiects and lewd companyes he began from the straight and direct way of saluation to bend to the spacious and large way of perdition to abhorre vertue to fly his studyes to serue the belly and dishonest pleasures to follow the dissolute to giue himselfe to pompes to handle partly cards and dice partly also his sword and armes prohibited to moue often quarells and to challenge now this man and now that into the field to wast the goods of his family and to put himselfe continually into dangers both of body and soule These manners of his euen pierced the Parents to the hart seeming very vnfit for one so conceiued through prayers brought vp for the seruice of the Mother of God In the meane while they sought now with allurements and now with menaces and agayne with reasons to pull him back from the precipices he ran into without stay but all in vayne The fierce youth had now shaken off the yoke he champed the bridle he scorned the rod finally became euery day more rebellious and refractary then other Yet for all this the diuine Clemency would not suffer so ill a bud of so good rootes should eternally perish but through meanes vnexpected reformed him on a sudden in the height of his debaâ—…shments Because hauing once among other tymes answered not only with contempt and contumacy to the holsome aduises of them that loued him so deerely but euen also with iniuryes and outrages very impiously turning his back towardes them Peregrina remembring her ancient dreame Thou art surely sayd she to him that infamous wolfe which in vision I seemed to bring forth into the world when thou wast borne At the sound of which words B. Andrew as awaked through diuine operation as it were from a deepe letargy and returning to himselfe stood still and with voyce and countenance altered turning himselfe to Peregrina I beseech you sweet Mother replyed he not to hide from me longer that monstruous prodigy which you now intimated to me whence how beyt on the one side I find my selfe terrifyed astonished as stroke with a thunderbolt yet me thinkes on the other I doe feele my selfe to burne with so ardent desire to know the full truth as I shall neuer be at rest vntill you giue me a faythfull and distinct notice thereof Then the disconsolate Matron being moued from the bottome of her hart and now brought into some hope of amendment in her Sonne Know thou sayd she my beloued Sonne that after my espousals I liued many yeares without yssue but with so great desire
Andrews care diligence of the corporall necessityes of his flocke and vpon these foundations of well knowne goodnes did after securely arise the celestiall building of soules because he had gotten so much credit and authority with those carriages of his as to reclayme and pull away ill liuers from their lewd life one word or becke of his had more moment with it then the longe and premeditated disswasions of others How B. Andrew reconciled most deadly emnityes and debates and how his death was mir aculously foretould him Chap. 9. THough B. Andrew had great efficacy with him in ech kind of spirituall remedyes yet shewed he to haue a particuler talent in contracting honest friendships in taking vp quarells in composing controuersies and so much the more willingly laboured he in these thinges as the Holy Ghost had giuen him to vnderstand that in mutuall fraternall loue consists the whole summe of the Christian Law The honourable fame now of all these noble actions dilating it selfe through all parts Pope Vrban the V. tooke particuler contentment therat and for some dayes gaue a large field vnto so eminent vertue to exercise it selfe in The Citty of Bologna in those dayes was enflamed with perilous tumults and discordes nor was there any remedy of that euill to be found through the inueterated hatreds disordinate passions and obstinate pertinacity of the partyes The common Pastour being worthily anxious and sollicitous for it after many cares and diligences in vayne vsed about the same resolued with himselfe to make vse of the person of the Bishop of Fesulae for that busines and with an ample power sent him as his Nuntius to the Bolognians nor was he awhit deceaued in his opinion because B. Andrew being arriued thither began immediatly to mitigate the exasperated woundes of their mindes and with the didiuine help had so lucky and dexterous a hand as he shortly recouered them reducing the nobility and people without new noyse to a desired peace and tranquility And some few more stiff and obstinate then the rest by diuine iudgment being strook with a greiuous and sudden infirmity and agayne through the merits of the Saint deliuered thereof did willingly yield themselues likewise and he with the like contentment of Citizens and Pope Vrban also and with the vniuersall applause of all Italy returned home agayne to his residence Where besides the mayntayning and nourishing as we haue sayd with great charity the bodyes and soules committed to him he tooke likewise particuler accompt of the sacred buildinges and among other restaurations sumptuously repayred the Cathedral Church which was euen threatning ruine With these passages being arriued to the 71. yeare of his age while he was celebrating solemne Masse on the most happy night THE LIFE OF B. LAVRENCE IVSTINIAN THE FIRST PATRIARKE OF VENICE Written by the Honourable Leonard Iustinian Of the parentage infancy minority of B. Laurence and what a strange vocation he had Chap. I. BLESSED LAVRENCE was borne in the Citty of Venice of the Magnifico Bernardâ—… 〈◊〉 and of Quirina his wife both of a high and noble linage in the yeare of our Lord 1380. He was left a child with other Brothers of his by his Father who dyed very soone His heauy and disconsolate Mother being yet but yong macâ—…rating her body as well with fastings and vigils as with a sharp cilice and a brazen girdle kept viduall state not without a prosperous and perpetuall same of purity nor attended she with lesse sollicitude in the meane tyme in bringing vp her children in learning and that which more imports in Christian manners and though they all gaue much â—…ope not to degenerate awhit from their Ancestours notwithstaÌ„â—…ing a particuler towardnes of a great spirit and generous thoughts went discouering itselfe in the B. Laurence since that in those his first yeares scorning and loathing the sports and other leuityes which are permitted to that age with a certaine sage maturity he conuersed with men of stedder iudgments and of thinges indeed not childish in so much as this manner of proceeding of his was attribured by some to an ouermuch desire of greatnes of glory Yea his owne Mother fearing he would giue vp himselfe as a prey to Ambition as most commonly the nobler wits are wont of purpose sayd to him on a tyme Goe to Laurence leaue this manner of thyne this thy pride euen sauours of Hell Where to he smiling metâ—…y made answere Doubt not Madame you shall yet see me a great seruant of God Nor was the prediction awhit in vayne because he being now come to nineteen years of age when as man commonly stands vpon the point of taking the good or ill bent in vision there appeared to him a woman more bright then the Sunne who with a pleasing and gratefull countenance spake to him in this sort My beloued youth why distracts thou thy hart into diuers parts and seekest rest forth of thy selfe now in this thing and now in that Looke what thou wishest for is in my handes and I promise to affoard it thee if thou wilt take me to thy Spouse At which wordes B. Laurence being at first astonished and taking after more courage to demand her name and what her condition was the Virgin replyed I am the Wisedome of God who for reforming the world heeretofore haue taken mortall flesh Which the happy Louer hearing soone yielded his assent and she reaching him a chast kisse of peace very suddenly vanished At this vision now B. Laurence being stirred vp to new cares feeling vnwonted flames of fire to burne within his breast yet could not fully interprete the inuitation made him nor to which to betake himselfe aboue others It is true that inwardly he found himselfe to be much enclined to a religious and perfect life but as yet not â—…ing to his owne iudgment he went for counsaile to a certaine Cousin of his Mother called Marinus who leading a monasticall life in S. Georges of Alga of the Congregation of Celestines was held in great opinion of learning and sanctity He now vnderstanding the inspiration and motiues of the yong man more maturely to examine the whole exhorted him first ere he entred into Religion or changed the habit he would secretly make some experience what he were able to suffer in a strict life To which aduice B. Laurence did very promptly obey and among other industryes began insteed of a soft and downy bedde to ly in the night vpon crabby and knotry wood And with all to make his accompts the better he endeauours of purpose one day to contemplate on the one side Magistracyes Honours Wiues Children riches sundry sorts of pastimes and sports and all the pleasure besides which the world may afford and on the other abstinencyes fasts vigills pouerty incommodityes heat cold the abnegation of himselfe with perpetuall seruitude and other difficultyes besides which present themselues in the narrow way of more perfect vertue and diuine seruice Heereupon as
an Arbitour placed betweene two troupes of obiectes demanded he accompt of himselfe saying Now consider well Laurence what thou hast to do Dost thou thinke thou canst endure these austerityes and despise those commodityes Whereupon standing in suspense and contention within himselfe at last casting his eyes vpon a Crosse of Christ Thou art sayd he my hope O Lord in this tree is found comfort and strength for all a secure safe refuge for all And without doubting any more he determined by all meanes to follow the internall voyce and counsayles of the Chiefe Pastour Of the singular vertues of B. Laurence and particulerly of his Fortitude in suffering the paynes of the body Chap. 2. IT cannot easily be explicated how much seruour and spirit was augmented in that blessed soule from that so free and well grounded resolution which B. Laurence made Which howbeyt he laboured to hide by all meanes possible yet could he not so do but those of the howse especially his Mother must needes find it out Whereupon she though vertuous and deuout yet tender and anxious for her deer sonne fearing least through violence of nature he might come to be transported vnto some hardy enterprize beyond his forces she determined vpon agreement with others to ty him as soone as might be with the bands of Matrimony So at hauing practically proceeded therein without delay she soone found out and offered him a beautyfull noble and rich spouse But the holy youth being aware of the temptation and conspiracy of his freinds would deferre no longer to rid himselfe of the danger and to conuey himselfe as secretly as he could vnto S. Georges where taking the habit of Religion he manfully began to enter into the battayle against the inuisible Enemy The first assault then he gaue to Sensuality depriuing himselfe of all wantonnes and disports To hungar he gaue but that only which euen the vtmost necessity required Thirst he did tolerate in such sort as that neyther for the vehemency of heates nor wearines of the iourneys he made or other labours whatsoeuer nor for any indisposition of body would he euer call for drinke But rather if sometymes he were inuited therunto he was wont to answere how then Brothers shal we be able to endure the fire of Purgatory if we cannot suffer this litle thirst At the vigils at night and mattyns he was the first in coming thither the last to depart from thence for that it being the custome of others to returne to bed againe vntill the rising of the Sunne the B. Laurence would neuer goe out of the Church vntill the hower of prime He would neuer approch to the fire not so much as in the hart of winter a thing so much the more to be admired in so delicate a complexion A certaine Father one day inuited him to warme himselfe at the lyre and not being able to be brought vnto it he felt his hand and finding it to be benumm'd through cold he cryed out Great is the ardour O Sonne thou hast within thee since thou feelest not the extremity of cold without But what great wonder is it that he approached not to the fyre who neuer went as it were into the garden likewise being the only recreation and ordinary disport of the Monks At diuine offices he would stand bolt vpright without leaning awhit eyther on the right or left hand He would secretly make most cruell disciplines as testifyed the many stripes all black and blew through his whole body with the frequent staynes of bloud thereon appearing In the dolours of infirmityes he would shew incredible patience Being yet a Nouice his neck was full of swelling of the Kings euill The Phisitians for a last and only remedy threatned him first cuppings then launcings and lastly searing with fire And the Fryats doubting he would faynt vnder the cure he couragiously answered what feare you Brothers Let come the rasor bring in the burning irons can not he happily giue me constancy in this daunger who affoarded it to the three children in the furnace So as he was cut and burned without fetching the left groane or sigh or sending forth other voyce then Iesus for once only Howbeit indeed it is no great matter he should shew such fortitude in the greener who gaue such an example thereof in his latter age and perhapps more memorable then it Because that being vnmeasurably sweld at that tyme in the throate and being not able to resolue the corrupt humour thereof without incision of the knife the Father being desirous to be rid of the trouble to attend more freely to the care of soules stood still at that launcing as quiet and vnmoueable as a stock speaking to the timourous Chirurgeon Cut on couragiously for thy rasour can not exceed the burning hot irons of the Martyrs In this sort the flesh being vanquished quite and subdued and the noble Warrier with full perfect renunciation quitting himselfe to his power of al terrene charge endeauours to conquer the other impietyes one by one so much more powerfull and daungerous as more inward and spirituall they be But the principall fight which he tooke in hand was against that horrible monster of Pride taming it as well in the interiour as exteriour with contrary frequent and intense actes The garmentes that he wore were all torne the more abiect offices and more noysome of the Monastery most manfully therein subduing his stomack for the loue of Christ he would take to himselfe Besides he stucke not to go forth a begging of almes with a Wallet on his backe And wholy to trample vnder foot the foolish reputation and vayne pride of the world he would put himselfe of purpose into the thickest nobility and where the greater concourse of the inhabitants was He would come also sometimes to the very house where he was borne and remayning in the streets be crying aloud for Gods sake At which words and voyce of his the motherly bowells being mooued to cut off at least the walke or circuit of her deere blotid she suddenly commanded the seruants to fill vp his wallet with victualls But he contenting himselfe with two leauer of bread and wishing peace to such as had done him the charity would depart from thence as altogeather vnknowne and so com◅ nuing his round from doore to doore being tyred at last with the burden and sometymes ouer loaden with reproaches he would returne to S. Georges agayne Being further prouoked though altogeather vniustly truly with other occasions or reprehended for some thing he would force himselfe in biting his tounge sometymes to represse the naturall vehemency which the Children of Adam haue to iustify and defend themselues Through which exercise by little and little he got such a power ouer himselfe as that being once accused in the open Cōgregation by a peruerse man for hauing committed in gouernment something against the rule though he knew the malignity of him could haue yielded a good accompt of
himselfe notwithstanding without opening his mouth or changing his countenance arising from his seate with eyes cast downe to the earth and with a moderate pace he went into the midest of the Chapter and there falling downe on his knees craued humbly pennance and pardon of all those Fathers so as the accuser himselfe being quite confounded at so great a patience of his could not hold from casting himselfe at the feet of that innocent and in the presence of all to condemne his owne malignity And as in publike acts so likewise in priuate conuersation would D. Laurence most willingly yield to the iudgement and wills of others and as much as he might without affectation alwayes seeke the lowest place He bare all respect and veneration to Superiours he held their becks insteed of Oracles Nor only in things at large and indifferent by cutting off all sensuall appetite he purely followed their will but euen also in things other wise very lawfull and vertuous captiuing his owne vnderstanding would not dissent a whit from their rules and dictamens Whence it happened as all vertues are with a wonderfull harmony conioyned together that the seruant of God very perfectly acquiring a habit of Religion became rich and adorned with many others at the same tyme. Whereby preparing in his hart a cleane gratefull chamber for the holy Ghost in short tyme he obtayned so high a guift of teares and so much familiarity with his Creatour and Lord as that remayning with his body on earth with his soule he conuersed in Heauen and dealing with men by diuerse occurrences he departed not at all from the presence of God chasing away from himselfe with great dexterity all importune and superfluous phantasmes From this purity of conscience soone after ensued such a light as far surmonted all learning purchased otherwayes and in the will so great an ardour as all the waters of the world had not beene able to extinguish it But rather he sought allwayes to aduance forwardes according to the obligation of profession and so much abhorred to turne himselfe and looke back being as they say at the plough or to reedify that which he had destroyed or to resume agayne any thing which he had left and renounced in the world as he could neuer be brought once to put his foot in his Fathers howse allthough he liued so neere vnto them and his dearest freinds were of the best reputation and of rare example of Christian vertue Saue only at the death of his Mother and Brothers was he present to assist them with due piety in their last passage How B. Laurence conuerted a kinsman of his from his euill purpose And of the goodly saying he was wont to vse Chap. 3. B. Laurence had not beene yet many yeares in Religion when a deere companion of his in the world who for this meane while had beene in the East and but newly returned to Venice so powerfull the instigation of the Diuell is went presently to S. Georges accompanyed with musique loud and soft to allure the new Monke to his former life partly also with a band of men to vse some violence with the Conuent if need were This Gentleman was a man of great employments and of much respect so as he obtayned very easily to speake with Blessed Laurence but yet with farre different successe from his designes Because at the first fight of the new Souldiour of Christ beholding the modesty of his countenance the grauity of his gestures and composition of the whole person he remayned astonished thereat And notwithstanding vsing some violence with himselfe and taking courage withall he began the enterprise for which he came thither but the seruant of God permitting that breast full of passion and youthfull errour to vent it selfe forth with a cheerefull countenance and mild speaches began first very dexterously to feele him then with the memory of Death of Hell and of the last Iudgement and with liuely representing vnto him the vanity and deceipts of the world pressed him so hard as the good man being now compunct vpon a sudden yielded himselfe so yielded as cutting of with the force of spirit all transitory designes whatsoeuer resolued to adhere to that Rule which he had thought to haue vioted and from henceforth offering himselfe to the diuine worship he perseuered â—…n the holy Cloyster with like profit of his owne and amazement of the whole Citty In this manner the ancient aduersary departed and he who had thought to haue had a prey was himselfe caught in the net Nor with the seculars only being free and dissolute were the perswasions of the B. Laurence efficacious especially his good example and seruent prayers to our Lord concurring with all but euen also a thing to my iudgement yet more hard with the tepid and negligent Religious Since he awaked some of them more then once from the deadly sleep of slouthfullnes and withdrew them from a foolish and vnwary presumption to a sollicitous and wise feare of Christ others being now weary with the spirituall warfare or rather basely already put to flight he caused on a sudden to turne head agayne and beyond all hope to stand stoutly in the front of the battayle For the eminent Pulpit and popular preachings he wanted strength of body but yet in priuate assemblyes he would make sweet homilyes and deuout discourses to the great profit and consolation of the hearers And also in his dayly speach would often proceed very notable sentences from his mouth whereof for example sake we shall put downe some He would say It was not the part of a Religious man to fly only the greater synnes since that behoued euery one to doe but euen also to keepe himselfe from the lesse least Charity should wax cold He was wont also to note concerning fastings that they are not to be remitted wholy as soone as the body waxeth leane for as much as the wished extenuation thereof is conserued with that which procures it Three things he iudged to be necessary for a Monke to wit feruour discretion and heauenly grace because where any of these are fayling there can be no perseuerance He compared the vertue of Humility to a riuer that swells with rayne for that euen as a torrent is very low and stil in the sommer and runs outragious and boystrous in winter so the humble man being slack and remisse in prosperity in aduersity agayne appeares to be high and magnanimous He added that no man well comprehends what the guift of Humility is but he that hath receiued it from God and that there is nothing wherein men are more deceiued then in discerning this vertue and how true science consists in knowing two things that God is all and man nothing In the greater troubles of his Country which at that tyme was much infested with warrs he stuck not to admonish the principall Senatours that if they would obtayne mercy of God they should hold for certaine they were
manner the good Prelate went vp and downe afflicting himselfe and calling vpon his S. Malachy When on a suddaine amōg the wicked Persecutours was heard a terribly voyce nor could it euer be knowne from whence it came as if certayne other of their Neighbours with armed troupes had made some incursiō into their country and put all to fire and sword leading their wiues and children captiues without mercy At which rumour though vayne their boldnes immediately being repressed euery one betooke him to his heeles leauing the rest to shift for themselues and as it chaunceth in like tumults the confusion was so great as the hind most not hauing once heard the said voyce nor knowing wherefore let thēselues be led by the formost vntill such tyme as comming into their countrey and fynding there no such matter as they stood in feare of remayned ashamed and came to know how in recompence of the malice and pride which they had shewed to the messenger of S. Malachy they had through diuine Iudgment been giuen into the power of the Spirit of Lying Wherat the Bishop reioycing he speedily returned back to carry the newes to S. Malachy Who seeing things notwithstanding as yet very broken and still fearing new disorders determined to go thither in person to establish betweene those s◅uage Nations a sound and sincere concord indeed But yet neyther could he for the present seeme to bring his designe to passe in regard the Conditions being freshly renewed not without much adoe particular oathes hauing been takē of such as the busines concerned those who had been abused being mindful of the iniury done them before did impiously agree among themselues to cry quit◅ance with the periurious and perfidious people And so they went after them as sure to ouertake them embroyled with domestique cares wherby they might handle them as they list But it fell out through diuine dispensation that hauing easily passed ouer a certaine great Riuer which lay in the way they were yet stayed with a little brooke not farre off in despight of thēselues were constreined to make a stop For now to them it seemed to be more then the wonted brooke yea a very huge water which on euery side denyed them passage in so much as being al in admiratiō they said Whence comes this inundation the weather is fayre the moūtaines without snow there hath fallen no rayne of late and though it should chaūce to haue rayned yet which of vs can remember this little torrent with any waters euer to haue been swolne in this sort as to come thus to couer the land and to ouer flow the champaines The hand of God without doubt is heere He hath cut off our way for loue of this Saint whose pacts we haue not obserued and haue likewise violated his precepts So as these also without satisfying their greedy desires full of shame dread now turned their backs The fame whereof was spread all about and euery one blessed the Diuine Maiesty that knowes so well to catch the crafty in their owne snares to pull downe the crests of the proud and to exalt such as humbly and faythfully serue him Which is likewise made more manifest in the case we shall presently tell you Two other terrible examples of the iudgement of God shewed vpon the contemners of S. Malachy yet mingled with mercy for his sake Chap. 23. A Principall Gentleman of Ireland falling out with one of those Kings though he dealt about reconciliation yet by no meanes would he seeme to trust him vnlesse such a one as S. Malachy at least would seeme to interpose himselfe as surety between them And certaynely not without cause as the sequell will make apparent For asmuch as that Gentleman assuring himselfe not so much vpon the word of the King as on the authority and promise of the mediatour who was euen S. Malachy himselfe while appearing in publique he walked without feare at all behold vnawares is cast into prison by the King who could not subdue the inueterated passion in him nor Christianly forget that ancient hatred The friends kinsfolkes of the poore knight beholding him with their infinite sorrow in manifest perill of death recurre to S. Malachy vnder whose surety that other had put himselfe into the power of the King The Seruant of Christ being stroken heerwith and affronted withall at so iust a quarrell what he intends to do in this case we will declare Hauing so sure a foundation as the past promise of the King he quickly reares vp a strong Bull warke agaynst ensuing assaults and endeauours withall power to suppresse this enormous treason to effect which he musters vp a braue army to wit a good company of his disciples and with them presenting himselfe before the king demaunds the prisoner at his hands and being shamefully denyed You wrong saith he at once the diuine Maiesty your selfe me in violating the pact And if you haue no care therof yet haue I truly This good man was perswaded by me he founded himself vpon my word If he chaūce to dye I am he that haue betrayed him and am by consequence guilty of his bloud to what purpose would you seeme to make me a Traytour and you disloyall Then know for certayne that neyther I nor these of myne are resolued to tast any food vntill such tyme as the innocent be put into liberty as be ought That sayd he entred with them into the Temple where all that day with the next night they perseuered together in Fasting and Prayer But the King who dwelt hard by fearing least their prayers he being so neere might seeme to haue too much force vphim with a foolish caution and aduise tooke the resolution to absent himselfe from thence But he no sooner was departed but God who reserues reuenge vnto himselfe stroke him blind and hauing lost wholy his sight was glad to restore the prisoner and to be as an other Saul to Ananias so he to the holy Bishop being led vnto him where humbly crauing pardon and mercy through the benigne feruent intercession of him that could not be mindfull of iniuries with a double miracle he had presently his sight And in fine the Gentleman being deliuered an inuiolable friendship was accorded on This surely was a great demonstration of the diuine Iudgement but perhaps this other which God assisting vs we intend to declare will by the wise arbitratours be held no lesse We haue related aboue that S. Malachy accepting the Abbay of Benchor being content with the Church and Seate had voluntarily yielded the rents and demeanes to a certayne lay man This mā paying as commonly is wont so great a benefit with great discourtesy and ingratitude from the tyme he entred into the administration of those goods beganne to vse many insolencies agaynst the holy Abbot and agaynst his Religious annoying them in euery thing persecuting them on euery side and endeauouring alwayes to vilify and denigrate their actions and