Of his Birth, Minority, and the first Flower of his Youth. Chap. I.

SAINT MALACHY, borne in Hybernia, or as we call it, Ireland, in the Citty of Ardmach, was there through the particular fauour of the Diuine Clemency, bred and brought vp in such sort, as from the Natiue Barbarisme of the pla­ce, he drew no more then Fishes do from the brackish Seas. Whence it comes to be a thing most delightfull, that so vnciuill and rude a Nation, should seeme to yield vs a person of so gentle behauiour, & celestiall manners. He who deriues the hony from Stones, & fetches oyle from the hardest Rockes, hath moreouer wrought this [...]. True it is, the Pa­rents of S. Malachy were both of noble Bloud, and of high Degree; and the Mother no lesse generous of Mynd then Lineage, was ve­ry solicitous to shew to the Child, as yet tender, the true way of [Page 3] Saluation, making a great deale more reckoning thereof, then of the swelling Literature o [...] the world, and yet wanted not the Child a good towardnes for eyther of both professions. In schoole he lear­ned the Grāmer, at home the feare of God; & continually through his profit, did satisfy both Mother and Mayster. Which thing should not seeme to others to be any whit vntrue; he hauing through espe­ciall fauour from heauen, the lot to haue so good a Soule, which made him as well docible, as strangely amiable and gracious.

From Mothers breast, insteed of milke, he sucked the waters of wisedome, and day by day, became more wise. More wise, shall we say, or more Holy? If I say, both the one and other, I should not much repent me, because I should haue sayd but truth. For manners he was graue, a child indeed yeares, but voyd of childish sportfullnes: and howbeit, held in veneration and admiration of all, yet became he not thereby, as generally others do haughty or insolent, but rather quiet and submisse with all meckenes. He was not impatient of go­uernment; not stubborne to discipline; not dull for studies; and fi­nally not delighted with games, the proper and general affect of that age: so as in learning, which was competent for him, he out-stript all his equalls of the same age▪ but in Goodnes of life and purchase of vertues, he excelled as many, as taught him; and that not only through the industry of his Mother, but euen also by the Vnction of the spirit; wherwith being interiourly solicited & pushed on, he was neuer backward in diuine Exercises; as to retire himselfe in solitude; to meditate the holy law of Christ; to make o [...]en prayer; to be tem­perate in dyer; to vanquish sleep. And wheras from publique fre­quenting of Churches he was partly hindred through schoole, and partly kept backe through a certayne respectfull modesty; yet for­bare he not the lesse, to lift vp his Mynd to the supernall Father, & to adore him euen likewise with exteriour gestures, wheresoeuer in secret he could find occasion there vnto: being at such tymes very cautious and circumspect to eschew vayne glory, the most certaine poyson of vertues.

There lyes not farre off from Ardmach, a village whither his Mai­ster went often to walke, without other company, the this beloued Disciple. Now therfore on a tyme, while they were walking both together, Malachy obseruing the Maister in a deep study with himself, making a step (as he related afterwards) remayned somewhat be­hind, and on the suddayne lifting vp his innocent hands from the [Page 4] how of his [...] euer bent▪ [...] forth enflamed Iaculatoryes to the Starrs; & for not to be discouered, very [...]lyly would he be putting himselfe agayne somewhat handsomely on the way: and with so pious a theft, would the blessed youth from tyme to tyme be decei­uing his Guide. It boots not heere to relate all the acts, which made his greener yeares very illustrious and admirable. My penne makes [...]hast to much greater things. And yet neuerthelesse will I not seeme to let passe this one thing by the way, which in that tēdernes of his, gaue matter, not only of a good, but of a soueraigne hope.

Being now arriued at last somwhat towards the end of the first arts, and thirsting after the grauer Sciences, being moued through the fame of a learned Doctour, he went his wayes with great dili­gence; though somewhat farre off, to be acquainted with him. But finding him at his entring into the howse very busy, scoring of the wall very impertinently with an awle, being disgusted with such a leuity, and immediately pulling backe his foote from thence, he had no list to re [...]te him any more; so much (howbeit neuer so greedy of Learning he were) he preferred honesty before knowledge. In this sort then, he passed ouer his childish yeares, and yet in Youth re­teyned he still, as it were, the same tenour of candour & purity; sau [...] only that together with yeares, did Wisedome and grace, both with God and men alike increase in him: with this besides, that continu­ally there beganne more high and sage reflections, and discourses to awake in his breast. For that the prudent youth beholding on the one side the malignity of the world, and on the other the quality of the Spirit which swayed within his mind; came more thē once to speake within himselfe in this sort.

My spirit is no whit secular; for what hath it to do therewith, since there is no more resemblance betweene them, then betweene night and day? Mine seemes, to proceed from God, nor am I igno­rant of the gifts, which he hath vouchsafed me. From him, do I ac­knowledge the stole of innocency I enioy, with the flower of con­tinency in me preserued hitherto. From him, that glory of myne so much securer, as it is more secret, consisting wholy in the testimo­ny of the proper conscience. None of all which possessions can a­bide without much daūger vnder the Prince of this naughty world. Besides, I go carrying so great a treasure in an earthen vessell, and there is good reason to feare, least it come to take a knock, and be brokē, & the Oyle of gladnes within be vnhappily spilt. And how [Page 5] is it possible not to take a knock among so many stones, & amidst so many rocks of this way, & life so full of turnings, windings, & rubs? And shall I seeme in a moment to be loosing of all these blessings of holy sweetenes, wherewith the Eternall Goodnes from the begin­ning hath preuented me? Rather I resolue to secure the same in the hand of him, who hath giuen it me, & my selfe likewise therewith; since also I am his, I will temporally loose my life for not to loose it eternally. And where may the same with my being, & all what I am, be in more safety, then in the right hand of the giuer? For who is more wary then he in keeping? who more potent in deffending, and more faythfull in restoring? He will keepe it safely; he wil re­store it in his tyme. I shal not loose a iot of whatsoeuer I shall seeme to distribute in workes of piety. Perhaps moreouer, I may looke for a good returne. This magnificent Bancher, is wont to redouble with vsury, the things which he hath giuen of courtesy. Such were the thoughts of S. Malachy, and he really went about to execute the same, as knowing most cleerely, that good wils without good effects [...]re of litle, or no profit.

How S. Malachy submits himselfe to the discipline of Imarius, and [...] first. made Deacon, and then Priest. Chap. 2.

THERE was a holy man in Ardmach, Imarius by name, of a very austere life, and a most implacable chastiser of his proper flesh; he dwelt reclused in a Cell, neere the great Church, in perfor­ming there very hard penaūce with continual prayer. To this man went S. Malachy to be instructed, and guided in a spirituall life, by him, though lyuing, yet voluntarily condemned to the graue. And though from a Child (as we said) he had God himselfe for Maister in the art of louing God, yet now more ancient, as a rude disciple, would he needs submit himselfe to the rule of a man. Heere now let those note well this point, who vndertake to teach the same which they haue not learned, and go gathering and multiplying Scholers without euer hauing been at schoole; blind guiders of the blind. And if S. Malachyes example suffice them not, yet let them marke what the Apostle S. Paul practised. For had not he, trow you receiued the Ghospell from Christ himselfe? And yet thought he it not amisse to cōmunicate the same with men, least his way & labors might prooue otherwise in vaine. Where S. Paul holds not himself secure▪ do I hold [Page 6] me lesse. And let him who vnderstands it otherwise, beware his se­curity proue not presumption.

But returne we now to the fact of S. Malachy, whose fame be­ing incontinently spread, all were astonished at such a nouelty; but yet all not discoursed alike thereof. Many through humane affect▪ were bitterly sory, that [...]o delicate [...] a youth, and or so good dispositiō should so of his owne choyce be obliged to so great sharpnes & au­sterity. Others attributing the fame to ficklenes and youthfull he [...] disdaynefully blamed him, for putting himselfe vpōan enterprize, so farre beyond his forces. But they wrongfully layd the blame v­pon him, while he could not be culpable of temerity, who so adhe­red to the counsayle of the Prophet, saying: It is good for him, th [...] shall carry the yoke, from his youth. But such an act in S. Malachy seemed so strait a way, as had not been seene to be trod by others steps; nor vntill that tyme, had any Student of the same Academy euer entred in. So as he was faygne to be exercised a good while with­out a fellow of anyranke, sitting in silence and submission, all the while at the feete of Imarius, and refining his vnderstanding & will with entire Obedience, with perpetnall mortification, and with al those industries and arts, which easily conduct a soule, that is both feruent and meeke, to the top of Euangelicall perfection. It was not long neuertheles, that others being enflamed through his example, began to giue themselues to the selfe same Discipline they seemed to abhor so much the other day: In so much as where he was soli­tary at first, and the only sōne of his Father, very soone he came to be the eldest of many Brothers; but as he was more ancient in Cō ­uersation, so was he more sublime in Contēplation. Whence he see­med to the Archbishop Celsus, as likewise to Imarius, who by this tyme knew him well, to be worthy of Sacred Deaconship, & so they ordayned him.

From that tyme this new Leuit, seemed to buckle himselfe pu­bliquely to all the workes of piety, but especially to those which are ordinarily held in most contempt with others. And with particular diligence would he attend to the Funerals & Exequies of the Poore decea [...]ed, whiles this Office to him seemed to be of no lesse humili­ty, then humanity. And therin our Toby had the temptation of a wi­cked woman, or rather of the ancient Serpent, by her meanes, be­cause a Sister of his▪ esteeming it a dishonour to her, that he should imploy himselfe in such affayres. What dost thou (would she say) [Page 7] thou foole as thou art? Let the dead go, and bury their dead. And with such sayings▪ would she neuer c [...]se to molest him▪ euery day. But the foolish woman had her answere giuen her, very apt ther­unto; O wretch, you seeme to know well▪ the Syllables of the sa­cred Sentence, but not awhit the sense therof. And so in this sort would he be cheerefully pursuing that Exercise, so gratefull to the eyes of the Diuine Goodnes. And for his perseuerance therein, his▪ Superiours holding him moreouer to be worthy, of Priesthood, with­out delay promoted him there to, notwithstanding all the resistance which he could make. S. Malachy▪ was found at that tyme, to be 25▪ yeares of age. In which two Ordinations, if the Decree of the Ca­ [...]ns were not strictly obserued, which prescribes the 25. to the one. & the 30. yeare to the other, it may well be imputed, both to the zeale of the Ordaynant, and merits of the Ordayned. True it is, that as such anticipation of tyme in so eminent a subiect, is no way reprehensible; so for my part I would not seeme to counsaile the same to any other quality of persons. But yet the same was not though to the iudicious Archbishop, who made him moreouer his▪ Vicat in the preaching of the diuine Word, and in the Careohisme of that rude and sauage people. Nor was S. Malachy [...] of his [...]a­uayle, but rather with feruour, accepted the same, as not willing [...] couer▪ the talents▪ he had, but to negotiate with them, according to the will of the Highest.

Thelabours and trauels of S. Malachy in his functions, and how he goeth to Ma [...]i Bi [...]op of Lesmo [...] Chap. 3.

BEhold how S. Malachy anon, with his mystical tooles, p [...]ts him­selfe▪ to del [...] vp stumps to breake vp lands▪ to tread out path­ [...]aies, to louell banks, & with a Gyants hart to be a [...]hād, now heere now there. He seemed to be a flame amidst the Forrests, & a hooke among naughty plants. In lie [...] of barbarous, customes, he inserts Ecclesiasticall rites. All ranke superstitious (which were not few) all diabolicall charmes, & finally whatsoeuer heeretofore he iudged to [...] disordinate, indecent▪ or out of square, endured not long in his fight, but as fruite with the hayle, or as dust with winds. So before the face of this holy Reformer, abuses and vices were quite defeated or dispersed. But as on euery▪ side he endeauoured to set down Lawes & Rules full of iustice and honesty, yet laboured he still with par­ticular care to incroduce the Apostolicall Constitutions, the appro­ued [Page 8] Councells, and aboue all the Traditions and Obseruances of the holy Roman Church. And hence it grew, that whereas at first, no [...] so much as in the principall Cittyes of Ireland, were Diuine Offices celebrated with solemne harmony; now, not only in Cittyes, but in Townes and Villages also, were sung the Masses, and Canonicall howers, no lesse then in the rest of Christianity. Wherto it helped not a little, that S. Malachy from a youth had attended to his part in Musique. But that which more imports, he renewed the vse of the Sacraments, and in particular of Confession, Confirmation, and of Matri­mony, things that eyther out of malice, or ignorance, had bene heere­tofore as it were, wholy forgotten, and dismissed.

Amidst these labours and trauailes, and many others, which for breuity sake are letpasse; we may belieue for certayne, this Seruant of Christ, had receiued great gusts and consolations from heauen: and yet neuerthelesse, being as he was of a most delicate Conscience, & thinking very lowly of himselfe, & for that to him it seemed he had neyther practice nor Learning sufficient for so high employments; those same delights came to be much watered, with a continuall seare which he had, least through his imprudence any opinions or customes might be introduced in some points discordant to the Cu­stome of Catholique Institutes. So as, to get out of these anxietyes, for his better instruction, he was resolued, with the approbation of the Prelats, to transferre himselfe for a tyme to Malcus Bishop of Les­mor, being a famous Citty of Momonia, in the Southerne part of Ireland. Which Malcus, being now surcharged with yeares, as well for profoundnes of wisedome, as for singular sanctity of life, & like­wise for the gift of Myracles which he had; was held in those Regi­ons, as an Oracle of Truth, and a common refuge of the afficted. S. Malachy being courteously receiued by this good oldman, while he carefully ministers to him, and likewise with diligence goes on obseruing the things appertayning to diuine Seruice, & to the cure of Soules, through an vnlook't for accident, was a noble field laid open to him to exercise Charity.

How Cormacus King of Momonia repayres to Malcus; and being put out of his Kingdome, is by friendly saccours restored againe. Chap. 4.

IRELAND in those tymes (as it likewise ought to be at this present) was deuided into certayne little kingdomes, and by [Page 9] consequence subiect to warres, seditions, and tumults. Now there being a great discord risen betweene Cormacus King of Momonia, & a wicked brother of his; the King being vanquished in battayle, and thurst out of his seate, made his recourse in persō to the Bishop Mal­cus, to be succoured by him; not for recouering his scepter, but rather to saue his soule, as being timourous of him, who takes away the spirit of Princes, & as very much alienated from sheding of Chri­stian bloud for temporall interests. At the newes of such a Ghest, did Malcus make preparation to receiue him with due honour: but he would not consent thereto, affirming his intention was to liue with him in a priuate and quiet manner; and laying aside all memory of royall pompes, to betake himselfe to the discipline, and fare of the other Canonists. Malcus, at such a resolution by how much more asto­nished, accepting the offer of a contrite hart, assigned to the King a little howse to lodge in, S. Malachy for his Maister, with bread and water for his sustenance. Nor did the Prince himselfe desire hence forth any cheere or delicates; remayning in a place of all other swee­tenes most satisfied with the incorruptible gusts and celestial viāds ministred him by S. Malachy. Through which, notwithstanding remayning more mollifyed, he rightly bewayled his sinnes, and ex­tinguished the incentiues of the flesh, with baths of the coldest wa­ter, with Dauid, crying to our Lord: Behold my [...]asenes and my misery, & pardon me all my offences. Nor were the Soueraigne Iudges eares found deafe to such a prayer; but rather heard he the supplication made, not only in the sense he vttered it, wholy spirituall and internall; but euen like wise (conformable to his infinite Goodnes) in the ma­teriall and extrin [...]ecall. And as he reserues not all sentences to the Tribunall there, he was pleased to succour likewise in this life, the de­pressed innocency of Cormacus, by exciting the spirit of a certayne King neere vnto Momonia into so great an indignation for the iniu­stice offered, as that cōming in post to the Cell of the poore Peni­tent, he laboured to encourage him to a generous returne, in setting the goodnes of the cause before him, the perfidiousnes of the Rebels, the fauourable right hand of the Highest; & this, for the more efficacy with feruent exhortations, mingled with large promises. With en­gines thus addressed, he sought to stirre vp & prouoke that afflicted Prince, but perceiuing the obiects of Soueraignity, and motiues of selfe-loue, were not of force inough to preuayle with him, he turned himselfe with dexterity, to those of Christian piety, and the publi­que [Page 10] weales most liuely representing to him the miserable oppressiō of his subiects the insolencies and iniuryes of the intruding Tyrant, and the obligation which a lawfull and naturall Lord hath to deli­uer, to his power, his vassals from so great afflictions and miseryes. In which point the friendly King dilated himselfe with greater vehe­mency then before, as hoping sure with such a battery at last to make the mynd of Cormacus to render vp its hold.

But finding him to be firme notwithstanding all this, in his de­terminatiō, & more fixed then euer; at last, as to a sacred Anker, he made his repayre to Malcus the Bishop, and to S. Malachy: who both being voluntarily enclined therto, as to be the greater glory of God, without much difficulty was he won to their opinion. In such sort as Cormacus enforced through the authority and commaund of both the one and other, did finally accept the humanity & prompt­nes of his Neighbour, and with his ayde, and much more through his presence Who can do all, the impious and wicked Intruder was put to flight, and he not without the infinite ioy of the people, was installed agayne into his Royall throne; and from that tyme euer af­ter did he loue and respect S. Malachy. Who after he had for some tyme, not without notable emprouement, enioyed the familiarity and discourses of Malcus, being by Letters and Messages recalled by Celsus, and Imarius. (who could no longer endure his absence) he accordingly made his returne backe into his Countrey.

How S. Malachy had a vision, and deliuers his sisters soule from Purgatory: with the noble resolution of his Vncle, in surrending vp an Abbay to S. Ma­lachy. Chap. 5.

IN the meane tyme his Sister was departed this life, of whome we made some mention aboue. Concerning her, it behooues vs not to passe ouer in silence a Vision, which the Man of God had. Because that although while she liued in flesh, he abhorred her be­hauiour, in such sort, as that after some yeares, he made a vow not to see her any more: yet now she being quit of body, he himselfe remayned discharged of the vow: and beganne to reuisit her in spi­rit, whome he had no will to see euer any more aliue. For so much as on a night, it seemed to him in sleepe, that he was aduertised by a Man in hast, that his Sister attended without, in the Church yard in a browne habit, without hauing tasted any thing for these thirty [Page 11] dayes together. At which voyce, now S. Malachy being a waked, he presently vnderstood, what manner of famine tormented her: and exactly casting vp the tyme, he found it had been iust thirty dayes, since he had said Masse for her. And in regard the Seruant of Christ loued the soule, as much as he hated the imperfections of his Sister, without delay he returned to his suffrages so intermitted. Nor was it long ere the dead Woman appeared to him, vpon the thre shall of the Church (but yet bard from entring in) and apprelled in black. But her Brother perseuering still in assisting her without euer omit­ting any morning, wherein some Sacrifice was not offered vp for her, he espyed her very soon in a grayish gowne, within the Church indeed, but not admitted as yet to the Aultar. In summe, he ceased not to celebrate for such intention, vntill finally she appeared to him, not only within the Church, but euen likewise neare to the Aultar in a white garment, amidst a most happy troupe of blessed Spirits, who in like manner hauing now finished the purgatiue paynes, were noted with the same candour. Whence cleerely appe­ares, how great is the valew and force of the Sacr [...]d Masse, to the can­celling of sinnes, to vanquish the aduerse powers, and to lead into Heauen, the Creatures taken out of the earth, and mire, or rather from the mouth of Hell it selfe. S. Malachy tooke exceeding content­ment at so certayne a Deliuery of his Sister, and felt no lesse ioy in himselfe for the pious and magnanimous resolution of an Vncle of his. The which, to the end it may the better be vnderstoood, & pō ­dered, this it was.

We must vnderstand, that in a place of those parts, called Benchor, was anciently founded a Monastery, by a certayne holy Abbot, called Congellus, with so prosperous increase, as well of meanes, as of subiects, as that from thence, as from a fruitefull Metropolis were sent, as it were, infinite Colonies into diuers regions. And it is a constant rumour, that one child only of that Blessed Congregation, called Siluanus, had planted alone in diuers countryes, full a hun­dred Conuents. From thence came also S. Columbanus into France, and after into Italy, and among other Monasteryes erected that of Laxonium, so numerous, and frequent, as that the Quires succeeding by turnes, there was no intermission had from diuine Offices, per­petually night, or day. But that of Benchor, as the origin and foū ­tayne of all, retayned the chiefe dignity, vntill such tyme, as through the fury of the outragious Free-booters, it was wholy de­stroyed, [Page 12] yet withall enriched with a great number of venerable Reliques [...] since, besids so many other bodyes of Religious Men, who there reposed in peace, there were by the same Free-booters, in one day only, marryred and slayne nyne hundred. With so cruell a de­struction, that most noble Seminary though quite extinct, yet the inhabitants notwithstanding, ceased not successiuely, to create by a certayne forme, a Secular Abbot, who without any thought of Religion, attended only to the gathering vp of rents, and conuer­ting them sacrilegiously to his proper vses.

In this tyme now, S. Malachy had an Vncle (of whome we spake before) who had this rich Abbay in his hands: who eyther prickt with a Synderisis, or sting of conscience, or moued with the Ex­amples and Exhortations of his wise Nephew, determined while he had space for holesome pennance, not only to quit his hands of such administration, but to renounce the world outright, and to apply that huge benefice, together with his person to diuine wor­ship, and to the institutes of S. Malachy; who notwithstanding he were vnder the direction of Imarius had now begunne to haue ma­ny imitatours and followers. The man of God being glad of such a Vocation, did voluntarily accept of the care of his Vncle, and the plot, for some restauration of the building. But as one tenacious of the pouerty of Christ, would by no meanes admit of the possessi­ons, suffering the people to depute another to such affayres. The which afterwards (as we shall see in its place) repayed the benefi­cence of the diuine man, with abominable ingratitude. The renun­tiation being made in this sort, and the possession taken of the holy place, S. Malachy by commission of Imarius went thither with ten brothers, and some Carpenters, and immediately put himselfe to worke. Nor was it long, ere that, in approbation as it were of the enterprize, there happened vpon the fact, a notable wonder.

S. Malachy workes a miracle, and is made Rectour of the forsayd Abbay: with one, or two miracles besids. Chap. 6.

ON a day S. Malachy, for the encouragement of others, was la­bouring with his proper hands, & with great diligence hew­ing of certayne tymber. Now while he stood with the axe suspen­ded in the ayre, as ready to giue the stroke; behold one of the wor­kemen, improuidently putting himselfe betweene the arme of S. [Page 13] Malachy, and the axe, receyued the whole blow vpon the very ridge of the backe, which should haue fallen plumpe vpon the designed [...]biect, whē presently, being depriued of his senses, he fell downe [...]r dead. At the sight whereof euery one came running in with pit­ [...]full cryes. The wound was searched, and the shirt was found to [...] slit from the collar to the reynes, but the flesh wholy entire, and [...]ot hurt, except, that only the vpper skinne was only touched so li­ghtly, as the marke thereof could hardly be discerned; so as the la­bourer arose suddaynely very ioyfull and lusty, with so much the more gladnes of the standers by, as more probably it hence was cō ­ [...]uded, that their trauayles and paynes, as we sayd, were gratefull and acceptable to the Diuine Goodnes. Whereupon with fresh vi­gour they set thēselues to worke agayne. So as in few dayes was the Pratory finished with polished timber, & firme couplings, a worke [...]or those swaynes and people, very gracious. And this was the be­ginning of the miracles of S. Malachy; & from that tyme began they to attend afresh to diuine Offices with like piety, though not with equall number of persons.

There S. Malachy himselfe was Rectour a good while, through commaundent of Imarius. Who as he was of degree aboue others, so likewise in his deportments was he a liuing Rule, & bright glasse, and as a booke layd open to those Clerks, for as much as in all his proceedings, there were true precepts of Religious cōuersation to be read. And he not only, in cōmon obseruance, seemed to go alwaies before that little flocke, in sanctity & iustice in the sight of God; but would moreouer be doing particuler pennances, and other acts of Perfection, which no man was able to equall. Which things the common Aduersary, not being able to brooke, put into the hart of a familiar friend there about, lying sick, (whose name was Malcus) that S. Malachy cōming in to him, as he was wont to visit him, he should suddaynely with a knife giue him his death. The good Father, being aware therof, (the sick man not being able to keep it in silence) be­taking himselfe to the armes of prayer did notwithstanding freely present himselfe before him, and with the Signe of the Crosse, on a sudden banished the malady frō his body, & the diabolicall thought from his mynd. This man was the naturall brother of Christianus, [...]bbot of Mellifont. He was conuerted to our Lord vpon so great a be­nefit, and with the habit tooke vpon him new behauiour: & at this day do both liue a great deale more vnited in spirit then bloud.

[Page 14] In the selfe same place he restored to health, a certayne Cle­arke, named Michael, afflicted with a most grieuous dissentery, and despaired of Phisitiās, with the only sending him frō his table a litle of his portion. This Michael fell afterwards into another dangerous malady, and the seruant of Christ cured him anone, not only in his limmes, but in his mind also; & he in like manner for feare of worse did enter into Religion, and is now (as I vnderstand) abiding in Scotland, Superiour of the Monastery, which S. Malachy foūded lately in those parts.

S. Malachy is made Bishop of Conerthen. His labours there, and the fruit which he wrought in that Diocesse. Chap. 7.

BY such actions as these, the same and family of this great Abbot increased euery day; so as the Church of Conerthen, not farre frō Benchor, hauing beene now a long tyme vacant, those to whome belonged the Election of the Bishop, resolued vpon the person of S. Malachy; nor did any thing hinder the expedition, but the resistāce only of the Elect himselfe. Although afterwards, at last, he was cō ­manded by Celsus and Imarius his lawfull Superiours, to yield & af­foard his Consent, being as then of the age of about some 30. yeares. When after the solemne Consecration, being led into the Citty, he suddaynly applyed himselfe to exercise of his pastorall Office, with such ardour of spirit, as was requisite for so important a cure.

But scarce had he begunne the gouernement, when he saw himself doubtles to be there not destined for the rule of men, but, set­ting Baptisme asyde, very properly of beasts. In no place had he euer yet noted a people of so ill a breeding; of so detestable superstitions of so stiffe a hart to Faith-wards; so vncapable to law; so vntoward to good institutes; nor finally of so soule and dishonest conuersatiō. They were Christians by name, in life Pagans. There was no vse of Tithes, or tendring the first fruites, nor of Confession, or demaun­ding penances; nor likewise who to demaund them of, so rare were Priests in those parts; and those that were to be had, so negligent & careles, as in Churches was no preaching, or diuine Office sung. In this Forrest now of sauadge beasts, what course should this Champion of Christ take? Of force must he eyther shamfully retire himselfe, or els combate with daunger. But he as a good Souldyer & good Pastour withall, determined to stand fast, and not to budge a [Page 15] foote, as ready to giue vp his life, for his flock, when neede should [...]uire the same.

And howbeit, it might wel be fayd, they were not sheepe, but so many wolues; yet stood the couragious Keeper amidst the [...], seeking by all wayes and remedyes, from wolues to render thē [...] Sheepe. So as he ceased not feruently to admonish al in publike & with teares to reprehend euery one in priuate; heere to vse Word [...], there to deale with tharpenes. And such like meanes would [...] continually be vsing, to draw them out of the snares of the deuil, where with they were so fast entangled. And if these his pious en­deauours fayled, he would seeme to recurre to Prayer; and accom­pany his Deuotions with profoūd humility of hart, & propitiatory afflictions of body. How many nights passed he ouer without [...]epe, and in making supplication for them? How often in person, went he in the Citty vp and downe a seeking of the fugitiues, and constrayning them with sweete violence to appeare in the Church? Nor was the faythfull Steward of Christ lesse anxious for the soules, which were scattered through the Countrey, hastning now heere, now there, with that holy troupe of Conuictours, never frō his side. He went, and dealt among those spightfull & thankelesse people, whole measures of corne, which some reaped in such aboundance, that atlast they became fit to be layd vp in Gods barne. And let no man thinke, he vsed to ride in any of these iourneys: for lo, he wal­ [...]d continually a foote; she wing himselfe euen in this poynt, to be [...] Apostolicall Person. Nor is there a tongue able to expresse, what this Father, tender of such cruell and wicked Children, hath suffe­red in so frequent Pilgrimages, and Episcopall visits. The tribulati­ons, affronts, and iniuryes, which he susteyned cannot fully be rela­ted. How often through their faults, was he like to perish for huger, and thirst? How often afflicted with cold, and nakednes? & with a thousand other incommodityes? And yet still, with the Enemyes of peace was he pacificall, and still importuned them in season & [...]ut of season, to amend their wicked liues. For cu [...]es, he afforded blessings: being strookē, he would ward himselfe with the buckler of Patience: being scorned and made a laughing stocke, he prayed more instantly to God for them: and perseuering after this manner so long in knocking at the gate of the Diuine Mercy, at last, it was [...] open to him, & through the power of the Omnipotent, the stones were mollifyed, barbarisme mitigated, and crabbed minds began to [Page 16] mellow, and by little and little to acquaynt themselues with things appertayning to their saluatiō, & to admit of discipline & precepts. And in summe, through diuine Grace, they were snatched out, as it were, frō the clawes of the rauenous and greedy deuourer, in whose hands they had alwayes beene; out of whose diabolicall custody being set free, they made so notable a change, as at this day to those people, these words suite well, which God seemed to vtter by Esay the Prophet: The people which heeretofore were none of mine, are now become my people.

The Citty of Conerthen is destroyed, and S. Malachy with his, repayret [...] Cormacus. The Church of Ardmach fell into Seculars. With the Reso­lution of Celsus therupon. Chap. 8.

AFTER a certayne number of yeares now passed ouer, for better purging of sinnes, succeeded an incursion vpon them, by the barbarous Inhabitants of the North, when a great part of the Citty of Conerthen was destroied: in so much as S. Malachy, with his Religious, who were about an hundred and twenty, was constrayned to go his wayes out of that Citty. But yet his departure frō thence, proued not altogeather vnprofitable, because that repairing himself into the kingdome of Momonia (whereof we haue spoken before) hee erected there a goodly Monastery, at the cost of Cormacus, being very mindfull of the good Offices, and Charity affoarded him, in tyme of his banishment. So as besides his cōming in persō to meete and receaue him, and his conuersing with him afterwards, & with the rest of his Company, with much familiarity & loue, he concur­red moreouer, as we said, very royally to the Fabrick. Whereby in short tyme it was fully accomplished, and wonderfully increased in annuall rents, and moueables; and that which is yet more to be esteemed, in subiects. Who, to the end, they might walke with the better will, by the strait and difficult way, the Blessed Man ceased not, being a Bishop, and a Maister as he was, as if but then he had newly become a Nouice, to be the first in obseruing the Traditions and Rules.

He serued in his turne, now in the Kitchin, now in the Re­fectory. In the Antiphons, Lessons, Ceremonyes, or labours of the Quire, he would haue no manner of priuiledge at all, performing alwayes his part, as one of the least. Heere likewise he shewed him­selfe [Page 17] to be so ardent a louer of voluntary Pouerty, as in courting and [...]uing the same, among all the Riuals there was none could seeme [...] come any whit neare him. And howbeit for the maintenance of [...] place, he iudged it fit to admit of rēts in cōmon; he was yet not­withstanding very vigilant, least the publique, through human fra­ [...]y, might degenerate into priuate. Amidst such cares as these, whi­ [...]st in holy peace he aduaunceth by all meanes, the profit of his, & [...]e glory of God, for his greater probation, there came an assault [...]on him, no lesse slyly, then vnlooked for. Which truly the better [...] vnderstād, it shall be needfull for vs to fetch the narration a prety [...]ay off.

The Church of Ardmach, as it is the Mother of the other Churches [...] Ireland, so is it more illustrious and farre more reuerenced, then [...]. Besides that, heere was the residence of S. Patrick, and the sa­ [...]ed bones heere left of that first Apostle, & first Father of all those Na­tions. Whose fame & esteeme with great reason, is heere so famous, [...]at euen his Successours, be what they will, do come to be feared [...]d obeyed, not only of the inferiour, & the rest of the Clergy, but [...]en likewise of any Baron, Lord, or Peere of the Iland. But as all [...]e affayres of mortal mē, seeme euer to incline to the worse, there [...]d entred in now a good while since, a very execrable abuse; to retayne (forsooth) the Pastorall Chayre in a certayne family: In so much as from one Vsurper passing to another, it had there so endu­ [...]d now for fifteene continuall generations, and vnder a Diaboli­call tytle of imaginary Prescription, they were so rooted in the wicked possession, as that when there were found to be no Clerks in the family, they would be substituting the marryed: and of the [...]me condition, before Celsus, there had beene to the number of [...]ght, men though learned for the most, yet as I sayd, without sa­cred Orders. And hence came the dissolution of the whole Chri­stianity with the spirituall ruine and temporall likewise of all Ire­land, in creating and changing heere & there Bishops, at euery ca­ [...]riccio of the wicked Metropolitan: yea a thing which was neuer [...]eard of, in making in one Bishopricke only, for euery people, as [...] were, an infamous Bishop, with a hellish multiplication of most vnworthy administratours.

Now then to take away so pernicious a scandall, it pleased the Diuine Maiesty, the Miter should lastly light on the head of Celsus; Who though of the same stocke, yet notwithstanding he being [Page 18] prickt with the feare of God, as soone as through a mortall infirmi­ty he perceiued the end of his dayes to approach, he determined to put in execution the designe, which he had a pretty while before; that is, to cut off indeed, that infenall line of inheritance, by freely yielding vp the Archbish opricke into the hands of S. Malachy, whose reputation and credit he knew well to be very sufficient in this case, to purchase to himselfe the fauour of the Citty, and to oppose him­selfe as a firme wall to the ambition and greedines of Tyrants.

To which effect, as it were by way of Testament, he declared his mynd to be, that the Sea being vacant, by all meanes the holy Bishop Malachy should be placed therein, since there was not to be found a person, more deseruing it then he. To which purpose he most earnestly desired that the Primacy might be (after his decease) transferred vpon him. For the better manifestation of his arden [...] desire, he not only declared this intent viua voce, to the standers by, but euen likewise did intimate and recommend the same by letters and precepts, on the behalfe of S. Patricke to such as were absent, and especially to personages of quality; and very particulerly to both the Kings of the vpper and lower Momoni [...]. These through di­uine inspiration were the thoughts of Celsus: and they had a glad successe, though not so easy, nor yet so speedy as he would haue wished.

S. Malachy is elected Bishop. Mauritius holds stillpossession, whilst S. Mala­chy refusing the charge, is enforced by Malcus, and the Popes Leg [...] to accept it. Chap. 9.

THE occasion of the delay, was, for that Celsus departing this life, & the Electours being come to the Diet, the greater & bet­ter number of suffrages, without controuersy elected S. Malachy: and the rest of the voices were for a certaine Cousen of Celsus, called Mauritius. This man through his presence and power ouer-sway­ing quite all iustice and reason, was temerariously planted in the Archiepiscopall Throne, to the infinite griefe of all good men, and especially of Malcus the Bishop (euen now so extolled by vs) and of the Bishop Gilbert, Legate of the Apostolike Sea, for all the Kingdomes of Ireland. These two great Prelates, with many o­thers of ech quality, made great instance, and offered whatsoeuer they were worth [...]o S. Malachy, not to refuse to enter into Ardmach, [Page 19] and to take vpon him the spirituall gouernment thereof, according [...] the determination of Celsus. But the humble seruant of Christ▪ [...]o esteemed euery climing to be his owne precipice; stood very [...]e in refusing the interprize, while he thoght he had a good pre­ [...]t for the same, through the perill of seditions and tumults, that [...]ght happen to arise thereupon. With such delayes were now [...] yeares already passed, when the two zealous Bishops aboue [...]ntioned, being not longer able to endure the adultery of the [...]me Church of Ireland, and the dishonour of Christ, assembling [...]ew the Clergy & Princes, & with common consent made their [...]ourse to S. Malachy, as prest to constrayne him with mayne force, [...]case he should seeme to perseue [...] in the negatiue.

But the Friend of quietnes still shewed himselfe to be more [...]ckward, alleadging the difficulties of the busines▪ the multitude, [...] power, the couetousnes of the Aduersaryes; that he had not [...]rage in ough to stand in contention with the meanest fellow▪ [...]d much lesse with so many, and such as those, and for the space of [...]. yeares so rooted in the Sanctuary, whence how should he [...] be able to [...] them ou [...], they being especially his Ancestours [...] possession? Nor was it worth the while, tha [...] for his occasion [...]ould follow man slaughters, and the earth by dyed with human [...]oud. And he finally obiected the cōiunction he had already made with another lawfull Spouse, from whome he saw no reason how [...]e could disunite himselfe. With such like words and defences, the dexterous Souldiour went skir [...]ishing in the continuall velitati­ [...]ns and assaults of them that loued him so much. But his Friends not with standing all this, now afresh pressed him hard, and much more those that were of greater authority, to accept of the Archie­piscopall gouernment. Which he agayne denying, they threatned him with open Excommunication; for now they would not ad­mit of any excuse. Whereupon he made them this finall Reply: You draw me violently to my [...]uyne (sayd the holy Man) and I will follow, whilst it seemes to me, I shall he [...]rby gayne the glorious Crowne of Martyrdome. But if no persuasions will content you, let vs make a bargayne first, ere I enter into the field? That if it shall please God (according to your desire) to put some order in affayres, and to take out of impious hands the dominion vsurpatiously pos­sest, there may be some other sufficient Rectour immediatly substi­tuted into the dignity, that you now go about to put vpon me: [Page 20] and that I be licenced to returne agayne to my present Spouse, and to my most beloued Pouerty.

This was the last and most resolute answere of S. Malachy, Whereby very cleerely may be seene a great purity conioyned with an equall Fortitude; since on the one side without simulation he fled honour; and for iustice sake on the other, he feared not death.

In summe, by no meanes for prayers or threats, would he seeme to yield his assent thereto, vntill such tyme as promise and firme word was giuen him, vpon the conditions propounded. Assoone as he was in security therof, he finally accommodated himselfe to assume the charge; & so much the rather, as besides the vnanimous, and perseuering instances of such like personages, it seemed to him he had yet some other manifest signes of the diuine will: whereof one is worthy of ponderation, and very considerable. There ap­peared to him (euen about the sicknes of Celsus, while he was then a farre off, and knew nothing thereof) a woman of a tall stature, and of a graue aspect, who being demaunded by him, who she was, made him answere, she was the Wife of Celsus, and without more ado, putting the staffe of gouernment into his hand, she sud­daynely vanished. And within a few dayes after, while Celsus now drew neere to his death, he really sent him indeed in signe of Suc­cession, a rod euen iust of the figure of the same Fantastique one. The memory whereof, and the correspondency of the tymes, was a matter of much moment in the mynd of S. Malachy, and iustly made him feare, least standing out longer, in such an occasion, he might seeme apparently to wrastle with God himselfe. He accep­ted then the charge; but yet without euer entring into the Cit­ty, whiles the intruder liued; and the same he did, for not to giue on his part any manner of perturbation, by which otherwise they might hap to loose their liues, to whome he was rather come to affoard the same. So as for the space of two yeares, (for so long that ambitious man escaped) did S. Malachy attend to exercise the office, abroad through the Prouince.

[...]ritius being dead, Nigrettus succeeded. A Diet is called to install S. [...] Malachy: The opposers are defeated, and stroken by the band of God. [...] Chap. 10.

MAuritius being now dead, another of that danable race, cal­led Nigrettus, or Nigerrimus rather, with the like impudency, [...]s anon to the sterne; while the malicious Predecessour, to adde [...] to sinne, had a prety while before, wrought notable practices, [...]aue him first for heyre in the world, and after his Companion [...] follower into Hell. The rumour and disdayne of this great au­ [...]iousnes being spread through all parts, a new Diet was called, [...]nstall at last the good S. Malachy into the degree, now for so [...]y yeares, and that for so many reasons, due vnto him. But be­ [...]d how the Sinagogue of the malicious Hel-hounds, opposeth a­ [...]st him. One of the Children of Belial, being a notable fauourer [...]igrettus, and very prompt and potent to euill, as he knew the [...]e where the States were to assemble themselues, with a good [...]ber of Russians, layd himselfe in ambush in the next hill, with [...]ll deliberation, when the Councell should be set, by treacheryes [...]ome forth suddaynely, and to rush in vpon them without fayle, [...] aboue all to take away S. Malachyes life; and for the lesse daūger [...]euenge likewise to kil one of the two Kings, who was there also [...]eete. And now stood matters in a readynes, the Conspiratours [...] wayte for effusion of bloud, and the Good men vpon the point [...]oing to the shambles; when through the diuine Benignity, the [...]ocent S. Malachy opportunely had intelligence of the cruell plot [...]ithout making a noise, or putting his people into a hurly-burly [...] no more but enter into the Church, and lifting vp his hands, [...]ue succour of the Omnipotent, whose prayer was easily heard, & [...]ke effect accordingly.

For behold on a sudden the heauens to be couered, the ayre [...] darkened, flashes of lightning to breake forth, cracks of thunder, [...]etuous stormes, and hideous tempests to arise, the day of wrath [...] extreme iudgment to be represented to mortals. And to the end [...]men might discerne how forcible the prayer of S. Malachy was [...]isturbe, and to put the Elements thus in commotion, those were [...]y punished with so sharpe menaces, & with so wonderful, dre­adfull, and cruell a tempest, who more then the rest seemed to thirst [Page 22] to take away the life of the Holy Man. The head of this diuelish fa­ction, with three others of the principall, being stroken with a thē derbolt miserably perished: & the day following were their bodye seene to be blasted & disfigured, one vpon this, another vpon the bough of the trees, whersoeuer through the violence of the thunder ech one was furiously cast. Three others were foūd to be halfe de [...] on the ground. The rest of the baser crew, were dispersed into di­uers parts very confusedly, and with exceeding great horrour, a [...] they went about lyke men distracted. Whereas those of the part [...] S. Malachy so neere to the place amidst so perilous accidents, had no molestation with such prodigyes, nor hurt at all, nay not so much as a hayre of their heads were diminished; Which bred a farre greate admiration in the mynds of the people, wherby they euidently be held that God himselfe tooke S. Malachyes part. The vnhappy Ni­grettus, with his cōplices, through the fury of the people, was th [...] out of the Citty, and with the greatest ioy that might be, the [...] Bishop and Primat of all Ireland introduced into his place, being [...] that tyme of some thirty eight yeares of age. But yet for all this ney­ther within or without, was he wholy free from persecutions an [...] troubles, as shall presently appeare.

Nigrettus his craft, as also the plot of his wicked Complices: & how all turu [...] to a perfect Reconciliation. Chap. 11.

THE Diet being now dissolued, and the aforesaid King, wi [...] the other defenders of the right and equity of S. Malachyes caus [...] departed from Ardmach; that viperous race not able to brooke th [...] priuation of the ancient dominion, began to exclayme bitterly, an [...] complayne for being ouer borne and oppressed by the more poten [...] and with all endeauour and art, gaue themselues within the tow [...] to renew seditions and tumults, against the Seruant of Christ: & th [...] fugitiue Nigrettus without, was not wanting the while with fra [...] and subtilityes to stirre vp seditions abroad, and to put euery thing into garboyle, rebellions, and disorders.

In the Sacristy of Ardmach, among other things of best esteem [...] are two famous Reliques very charily kept. Whereof one is a ce [...] ­taine Text of the Ghospells, which had been heeretofore belonging to the Blessed S. Patrick. The other a Staffe, all couered with gold, & beset with most rich Iewels, which they call Iesus Staffe, as holdi [...] [Page 23] certayne that our Sauiour himselfe had framed it, and vsed it with owne hands. Now these two reliques, as I sayd, are by those [...]le had in so great Veneration, as the Simple, in whose possessiō [...] see them, do hold them to be the true & lawfull Successours of [...]tricke. Which thing Nigrettus knowing very well, flying had [...]ily carryed them away with him; and with these tokens and [...]ges, did carry himselfe as the true Archbishop, and went about withdraw the people, as much as he could, from their Obediēce [...] Malachy.

But a principall man of the same stock, seemed to play the fury [...]e the rest; who not regarding eyther the promise made to King, not to molest the most holy Priestof God, nor yet the [...]ages giuen for that end; with a crew of seruants and kinsfolkes [...]ractize how to murder S. Malachy. And for as much as he could publikely attempt the same without manifest danger, in respect [...]e Deuotion which the people bare to so great a Pastour, he de­fined together with the others, to rid him away by some trea­ [...]ous meanes, in causing him to come improuidently to his house [...]r the pretence of confirming a new amity with him. With this [...]cept in his head, the roomes being furnished in good tyme with [...]ed men, one day while the Archbishop was singing of Vespers the great Church, he sent certayne men in hast, very humbly intreate him (the Office being ended) to vouchsafe to come to [...], as soone as he could, it being so needfull for them to establish accord. Which thing seemed to be very extrauagant to the follo­ [...]rs of S. Malachy; and being aware of the deceipt made answere, [...] more fit it were he should come himselfe to the Prelate; & that [...] Church was a more competent place for acts of that quality. [...]e Messengers replyed, their Lord could not come with safety, [...] durst he aduenture for the multitude, who but yesterday were [...]y to cut him in peeces.

While such manner of contentions passed betweene them, the [...]ine Man, who desired peace, and feared not death: Let me alone [...]ith he) Brothers for Gods sake: let me follow the example of [...] Maister. And shall I be a Christian, if I do not in some sort imi­ [...] Christ? Peraduenture this my submission will mollify the hart [...]ur Aduersary, and in the meane tyme, with this Example I shal [...]e you some Edification. And if this sauage people should teare in peeces, I will willingly yeild my life into their bloudy hāds, [Page 24] to the end I might leaue you a patterne how you should order th [...] course of your life. Besides, by this occasion you shall truly see wh [...] ther your Superiour haue learned of Christ to be affrayd of death [...] Christ, or no. And with this, rysing vp on his feete, he beganne [...] walke on with an vndaunted gesture: howbeyt his freinds & Dis­ciples with teares trickling downe their cheeks, humbly besough [...] him not to be so willfull, as to hazard the sheading of his bloud a­mong those bloud-suckers: because a great multitude of the faithly were like to be left desolate, who in all things wholy depended v­pon him. But he confiding, and fixed in the Diuine protection ( [...] eares being stopt to sighes and laments) went boldly on, accom­panyed which no more, then with three disciples only, being prōp [...] and disposed to lay downe their lyues with him.

In this manner he came to the Enemyes gate, he had no soone put in his feete, but he was seene to be encompassed round with great Troupe of terrible Hacksters, he standing the while, like a [...] innocent Victime, exposed to the strokes of whosoeuer had th [...] will to sacrifice the same. But (O force! O power of Christian con­fidence!) while they were all expecting the signe to set vpon him he with the only cast of an Eye, with one serene looke only, di [...] mitigate them in such sort, as there was none of the most forward est or couragious, durst so much as offer any manner of violent vnto his person, the diuine power did so bridle their fury. Nay, [...] ther the Prince himselfe, and Captayne of them, suddaynely chan­ged his inhumane intention, and insteed of tearing him to peeces, [...] destroying him wholy, arose to do him great Reuerence and ho­nour, shewing an incredible desire of a sincere concord. At whic [...] wordes, S. Malachy exceedingly reioyced, and was no whit slack in a matter sought for by him, with so great daunger of his life. A solemne peace then was ratifyed between them with such sinceri [...] as that he who before was so grieuous and dangerous an Aduersary was not only satisfyed now with the Election made, but shewed himselfe afterwards alwayes louing, and much deuoted to S. Mala­chy. For which successe the good conceiued an incredible ioy, is beholding him to escape so that day, who had no fault, & through his merits so many soules deliuered from the perill of eternal death. This action of his, made not only the name and respect of S. Malachy now to dilate it selfe more then euer; but euen likewise wrought a great dread in all people, who vnderstood that two of his most [Page 25] fierce and potent Persecutours, were with a sudden & diuine pow­ [...] made prostrate, though in a very diuerse manner; the one, be­ [...]g terribly punished in body, the other benignly compunct, and [...]nged in mind.

[...]gretus is constreyned to render vp the pledges to S. Malachy [...] the Iudge­ment of God is seuerely shewed vpon two bitter Raylers against S. Ma­lachy. Chap. 12.

SVCH difficult Encounters, and grieuous disturbances being now passed ouer, the holy Archbishop began very freely to or­ [...]yne and dispose whatsoeuer might seeme in any wise to belong [...] his Ministery, but yet neuer without some eminent daunger of [...] life, while he found no tyme, or place secure from treacheryes. [...]erupon by publique counsayle there was a Guard of select men [...]poynted for his person day and night, although he was resolued [...] we haue said) euer to relye much more vpon diuine protection, [...]n on human guards. And because the banished Nigretus was con­ [...]ually working of no small domage in stirring vp the rude people [...]d causing of separations and discordes in the Church of God; it [...]med conuenient to S. Malachy to vse his best endeauours against a [...]order & scandall of so great importance. And therefore the good [...]chbishop applyed himselfe withall care and industry to wype a­ [...]ay this great scandall; and did vse such effectuall meanes to stop [...]o the wayes to the minister of the Deuill, as the wretched Man [...]as constreyned, in despight of himselfe, to yeild, and restore the [...]lne pledges, and for euer after to rest quiet, and subiect himselfe [...]ithall humility. And thus S. Malachy, though amidst so many diffi­cultyes and Tribulations, notwithstanding with the fauour of God [...]ent prosperously on, procuring the saluation of many Soules, and [...]oceeding successiuely day by day. Nor were the malefactours [...]ly, but euen likewise his detractours chastized by diuine Iustice. [...]herof, among others, vpon a certayne peruerse fellow, was a no­ble demonstration shewed.

This man not content to thinke vnworthyly of the great [...]rchbishop, and to maligne him agaynst all reason: but moreouer [...]deauoured to defame and wound him with bitter speaches, and [...]amefull calumnyes in publique meetings & more eminent places, [...]lping himselfe therein with a certaine pernicious Eloquence, [Page 26] wherwith he was endued, and with the fauour of Princes, & great Ones, purchased through base flatteryes & scurrile iests. And now was he arriued to such enormous insolence, as that wheresouer he met with S. Malachy, & espccially in the more publique assemblies, he would not spare to vse him discourteously both in words and ge­stures. But this manner of audaciousnes did cost the wretch full deare; for the instrument of rayling in him, was so putrifyed, and swoln vp, as that after he had for seauen continuall dayes done no­thing but spit out wormes, which seemed to swarme from his diue­lish tongue; being finally consumed quite, and pined away with abominable corruption issuing from thence, he gaue vp the Ghost, leauing his filthy Carkasse to be meate for wormes of the Earth.

The other was a Woman of that accursed generatiō, so enuious, & alwayes bearing such an implacable hatred towards Blessed Ma­lachy, as she euer abhorred his very sight. Notwithstāding as she wēt to heare him preach to the people, the wretched and shameles crea­ture did not forbeare to lift vp her voyce in that assembly, & call him Hypocrite, and a robber of other mens goods, adioyning be­sides, to so bitter iniuries, outragious taunts, vpon the Baldenes of the man of God: who being wise and meeke, gaue no answere himselfe of any kind; but the great God (who reserues reuenge & glory to himselfe) sufficiently made answere for him: for that the wicked and damnable wreth thereupon lost her wits, became furi­ous and frantique, continually crying out, she was strangled by S. Malachy, nor ceased she from horrible screeches, til she likewise yiel­ded vp her vitall Spirit. Insomuch, as hauing vsurped the ancient Nickname of Elizaeus, through the iust iudgement of God, she found to her cost, another Elizaeus.

In the meane tyme there happened a cruell Plague to rage in Ardmach: by which pestilence an infinite multitude of people con­sumed eueryday away. Whereupon S. Malachy ordayned a solemne procession, and sent vp enflamed darts (both of iaculatory and vo­call prayers) which pierced the skyes, and came to the Throne of his diuine Maiesty; who graunted his humble request, and very speedily caused it to cease.

And this thing bred a wonder in the people, who did obserue the sanctity of the great Archbishop, and euer after caused them to haue a farre more reuerent respect to his sacred person; and likewise it stopped the mouthes of the malignant, and in particular those of [Page 27] the seede of Chanaan, who being by this and other examples terri­ [...]d, and conuinced by such soueraygne wonders, sayd likewise [...]ith the Egyptians: Let vs fly from S. Malachy, because the Lord seemes to [...]ht for him. But to late were they aware of their owne wretched­ [...]es: nor were they able to auert the heauenly Indignation, since [...]ithin a litle while after, that vnfortunate race was quite annihi­ [...]ed and extinguished, not without the terrour, and amazement of [...] many as knew the same.

[...]. Malachy surrenders the Archbishopricke, and returnes to Conerthen: and soone after resolues vpon a iourney to Rome. Chap. 13.

BY these meanes the affayres of Ardmach, being now reduced to good termes, the Clergy reformed, the rumours quieted, & the Enemyes by this tyme taken away; S. Malachy, whose breast was inflamed with the loue of Humility, after he had now brought peace to others, determines to procure the same likewise for him­selfe. And calling a new Diet of Priests & [...]ayks, obteyned in ver­ [...]e of the former Pact (though not without their great sorrow & griefe) to discharge himselfe at last of that cure so burdensome, and in his roome to substitute a person of rare and approued vertues, by [...]ame Gelasius. Whome as soone as he had consecrated, and seriously [...]ecommended to the principall of the kingdome, being loaden with victories and triumphes, he returnes agayne to his first charge of [...]onerthen, which by this time was reasonably well recouered of the [...]osse receiued from the barbarous people. And in this returne see­ [...]ed S. Malachy to giue forth apparent signes now more cleere then euer of Christian Modesty; or to say better, of the greatnes of a sin­gular courage.

The Diocesse of Conerthen of ancient tymes, had two Episcopal Seates; but afterwards through the couetousnes, and ambition of a great Incumbent, they were confounded together, and reduced to one only. Which thing our S. Malachy dislyking, for iust respects, deuided it anew, and renounced that of Conerthen, being the better prouided with Rents, and more noble of the two, for another, much inferi­our to the former for wealth; It is called Dune, a place obscure and little, which our Blessed Man choose rather to reteyne to himselfe. And to that purpose he passed from Con [...]rthen to Dune, accōpanyed with a few disciples; and likewise immediately forsooke the emi­nent [Page 28] Title of Archbishop of Ardmach, to a poore title of Bishop of Du­ne. O pure hart! O eye of the Dou [...]! Let all men be euen rauished at this Example of exceeding great Humility, which shined bright in the course of thy whole transitory life! Where are they now, who so earnestly contend about their lymits and bounds? Who meerely for a base cottage, or a plot of ground, do wage Law, and stirre vp such fearefull tragedyes? But let vs desist from entring into such manner of discourses, and rather proceede to declare the rest of the life of this great Saint. From Metropolitan and Primate of Ireland, being thus made Bishop of Dune, the first thing he endeauours, is to haue (as he was wont) a flourishing Colledge about him of Re­gular Clerks.

And behold now another tyme, how our new Souldyer of Christ, puts himself agayne into spiritual combats; he harnesseth him­selfe with complete armour of Mortification, and perpetuall Medi­tation, although by this his desire, he seemed to obteyne the merit, rather then the effect; it being impossible for him to deny his endea­uour, counsaile, and presence to such a number of persons, as eyther touched with good inspirations, or tempted with sundry temptati­ons, repaired to him as to a fafe refuge & true Oracle. Besides which, the obligation he had of trauayling through the Prouince, to sow the word of God, to visite the parishes, and to ordeyne all things as one of the Apostles, did employ him not a little. And commonly there was none would say vnto him; In whose authority do you this? so great was the opinion and credit he purchased; partly through the life he lead, partly also for the signes & Miracles which he wrought. And yet for all that, while it seemed to him, that he could not with security promote so high affayres, without the ex­presse commission of the holy Apostolike Sea; he determined to tra­uayle in person towards Rome, and that so much the rather, as he had many other occasions besids of no light importance, mouing him to this long and tedious pilgrimage: Whereof one the most vrgent was this which we shall now tell.

Within the costs of Ireland, are two Metropolitan seates, the one of Adrmach, whereof we haue spoken heertofore more ofren, illu­strious, rich, and founded euen from the tyme of S. Patricke: the other (whose name is vnknowne vnto me) of a meane [...] quality, and but newly erected by Celsus, and subordinate to the first, and not confirmed hitherto by the Vicar of Christ. To both these Seas, [Page 29] now, S. Malachy desired for their greater complement of honour & reputation to obtayne the vse of the sacred Pall: and to the second as more late, the consent also of Apostolicall approbation. And to this effect, he went about to prepare for his iourney. But as the same came to be knowne abroad, not only his domestiques, but al others likewise were infinitely sorry thereat: while it seemed to be a very hard matter for them, to remayne so long without him: and fearing withall, in so great and difficult a voyage by Sea and land, some sinister accident, might betyde him.

Their anxiety was increased the more, by reason of the death of Christianus Bishop and Brother of S. Malachy, which happened much about those dayes: a Prelate indeed, though second in glory, yet for zeale and sanctity, peraduenture not much inferiour to him. By reason of this fresh and grieuous a losse, came now the depar­ture of the blessed Father, to be continually more difficult. And they all affirmed with one voyce, they would by no meanes con­sent, their only prop should depart from them; the country in the meane tyme abyding in so manifest danger of a totall ruine, if both such pillars should thence be taken away at one tyme. So as all from the highest to the lowest, with one and the selfe same spirit, ran hastily to him, and hauing in vayne mixed their reasons, coniura­tions, and protestations to moue him; did at last playnely giue him to vnderstand, that when they saw Loue would not preuayle with him, they would detayne him by force: When [...]o, the Seruant of God, with a seuere countenance, threatning them with chasti­sement from Heauen, endeauoured to pacify them: and yet was it not possisible for him to hinder them, but that for a finall conclu­sion, the matter should be remitted to a decision by Lots; and yet notwithstanding all that, so great was the pertinacity of them, as that after the first, & then the second being drawne in fauour of the Bishop; yet they with exclamations and plaints, would needs haue him come to a third Election: when still finding the same to be conformable to the afore passed, and for that they iudged it to be enacted by the supreme Head, and Disposer of all things, a­gaynst their wills they yield to his desire. But before they would let him go, they desired and humbly requested him to ordeyne one to supply the place & Episcopall Seate of his Brother deceased. To which he willingly condescended, and therefore calling into his presence some: three of his Schollers, was much perplexed in mynd [Page 30] and vncertayne which of them were the most sufficient for such a high and eminent Ministery. And when he had taken a carefull and diligent suruey of them all: Do thou Edanus (sayth he, for so was one of thē called) take vpon thee the charge. But the poore Wretch ex­cused himselfe, in the best manner he could, and powred forth a shower of brinish teares. Feare not (replyed he) since thou hast been de­signed to me by our Lord himselfe, and I haue seene thee already with the ring of the mysticall Espousalls on thy finger. Whereupon Edanus assuming more confidence then before, very humbly obeyed.

S. Malachy in his way to Rome goes to Yorke. He visits Clarauallis by the way, and arriues at Rome. Chap. 14.

SAINT Malachy hauing now consecrated Edanus Bishop, puts himselfe on his iourney, and with an easy and short cut passed ouer into Scotland. From thence being come to York, a Citty in En­gland, a certaine Priest, Sicarus by name, hauing the spirit of pro­phecy, beholding S. Malachy in the face, albeyt he neuer saw him be­for, yet did he point at him with the fingar, to the stāders by, saying: Behold him heere whome I told you of, that a holy Bishop should come out of Ire­land, who sees into the thoughts of men. More ouer, the said Sicarus, discoue­red to S. Malachy many hidden things, which were with al punctu­ality found to be most true. And being demaunded by some of the Bishops companions, concerning the successe of that pilgrimage of theirs, among other things he answered, they were not al of thē like to returne backe with him into Ireland agayne. Wherupon they fell into some suspition of their dying by the way, but their prediction came to be verifyed indeed in another sense. For as much, as in the returne which S. Malachy made from Rome, as we shall set downe in its place, he left part of them in the Conuent of Clarauallis. And so much may suffice of the Prophet Sicarus.

In the same Citty of York came to the holy Bishop a Noble mā, whose name was William, being at that tyme Prior of the Canons of Circham, and now Monke, and Father of the Monkes, in our house of Mailros: who after he had very humbly recommended him­selfe to his prayers, did him a noble act of courtesy; which was, that seeing the trayne of the Bishop to be som what great, & his prouisiō of horse but slender (for hauing with him besides Seruants & Cle­arks, some fiue Priests, he had no more then three horses for thē al) [Page 31] he made him a friendly present of a horse of his: which because he was outward for the saddle, & of a naughty pace, William did inge­nuously alleadge for himselfe how sory he was for the defects, and that he would haue more willingly giuen the same, if he had been much better. Whereto S. Malachy made answere: And I like him so much the more, as you seeme to depaynt him worse; and turning himselfe to his followers: Make ready (sayd he) this Beast for me for he is like to proue well inough, and will hold out for along voyage. And so got vp, & though in the beginning he found him to be rude, & of a ve­ry hard trot; notwithstanding shortly through a meruaylous chaūge it appeared he now had a very dexterous Rider on his backe: and for confirmation of whatsoeuer he had prognosticated of him, for nine whole yeares togeather which S. Malachy suruiued, he alwayes serued his turne, becoming really a very excellent & prized horse; & for a later empromement, wheras before he had a coate of a darke gray, he beganne to wax white, in such sort, as within a short space there could hardly be seen a whiter beast.

These and other like Offices of friendship, found S. Malachy, in that pilgrimage: and I my selfe likewise had the hap to know such a Man, and to be fed, and enriched with his spirituall Discourses; and he mutually made shew likewise of some contentment taken in me a Sinner, and loued me deerely, euen to the end of his life. More­ouer he seemed not to thinke much, to lodge in our homely Cotta­ges, giuing also to all the Monks a rare and singular Example of Christian Perfection, and wee receiuing alwayes from his follo­wers some manner of edification. And so hauing taken the place & Inhabitants into those his bowels of Piety, giuing vs all his holy Benediction, he departed from vs, not without sorrow and great la­mentation of the people. Hasting now forward in his iourney, our blessed Pilgrime ariues at the Citty of S. Claude, where he presently cured his Hosts child in the place where it lay in extremity. From thence by the shortest way he passed to Rome, where Pope Innocent the second at that tyme did gouerne the Ship of S. Peter; who gra­ciously receiued him, and tooke much compassion vpon him for the grieuous paines he had sustey ned, and the hard trauayles he had takē in so tedious a iourney.

S. Malachy remaynes a while in Rome. He is made Apostolicall Legate: and returnes homeward by Clarauallis. Chap. 15.

ALbeyt S. Malachy were nothing vnmyndfull of his principall busynes: yet before all other things, he began to demaund the fauour to leaue off the Episcopall Office, and to retire himself to liue and dy in our Monastery of Clarauallis. Which how beyt denyed by the Vicar of Christ, because it seemed to him not iust, that a person so helpfull to the world, should so be shut vp in a corner ther of, he had notwithstanding obteined from Christ himself, some part of what he desired; since it was afforded him by the Diuine Goodnes, if not to liue, at least to dye in Clarauallis, as shall be declared in its due place S. Malachy remayned for a whole Moneth in the holy Citty, visi [...]ing with singular deuotion those places which were consecrated with the bloud of Martyrs. And in the meane tyme, the Pope informed himselfe by him, more fully and at large of the estate and customes of the Churches in Ireland. At last vpon mature deliberation with his Cardinals, he declared our Blessed S. Malachy his Vicegerent and A­postolicall Legat, through all that Iland, in the place of the Bishop Gilbert, who being surcharged with yeares, most humbly craued to be discharged. After which did S. Malachy propose his demaunds, which were, for the confirmation of the new Metropolis; and for the Pals both of the one and other. And as for the Confirmation, he ob­teyned it without difficulty. But for the Palls, the Pope answered; It was conuenient, the matter should be treated of more sol [...]mnely. Wherfore as soone as you shall be arriued at home, shall you assemble a generall Synod: & by common Decree, you shall procure for the said Palls that some worthy persons with speed may be sent hither, that the same may benignly be affoarded them. So sayd Innocent, and then taking off the Miter from his head he put it on S. Malachy: and besides he pleased to giue him from his owne vestments of the Masse, a stole and maniple. And then with the lou­ing kisse of peace, and Apostolicall benediction, very courteously licen­ced him to depart.

In his returne homeward, he reuisited Clarauallis, & reuiued vs a new with his most gratefull aspect, he being exceedingly grieued that he could not alwayes make his aboade with vs, and then with deepe sighes he spake to vs, as followeth. Seeing it is not the Di­uine pleasure of Almighty God, that I shal heere remaine with you: [Page 33] yet I beseech you at least, that insteed of my person, you would take some of my Clerks vnto you: Who with you being made good dis­ciples, may serue to supply vs afterwards with Maisters: adding mo­reou [...]r, they shall serue vs for seed, and in their seed shall people be blessed: People (I say) who though by ancient Tradition haue had some kind of knowledge of Monasticall functions; yet hitherto haue neuer seen any Monks amongst them. Leauing then some foure of them behind, he departed from thence, who succeeding very wel in the probation, were admitted into the Order: and within a litle while afterwards were some others sent thither, and those likewise being admitted, and instructed with diligence, were together with the first, sent back into Ireland, vnder the care of the holy Brother Christianus, (being of the same family) with an addition of so many of ours of Clareuallis, as being al together, sufficed for a formall Abbay: which like wise in processe of tyme, conceiued, and brought forth some fiue daughters. From whence with multiplyed seed, the num­ber of Religious euery day increased, according to the prediction and vow of S. Malachy.

S. Malachy arriueth in Scotland, and there cureth King Dauids sonne. He passeth from thence into Ireland, and comes to the Monastery of Benchor. Chap. 16.

THE venerable Ghest being departed from vs, & prosperously landing in Scotland; found there King Dauid, in a certayne ca­stle of his, with his only Sonne, lying sicke of an incurable disease. Where being intreated to stay, and that he would be pleased to af­ford him health, he sprinckled him with water by him blessed, & looking him in the face, said to him: Be of good cheere, my Sonne, since you are not to dye at this present. These were his words; & immediatly the effect followed: For the day after, the Prince recouered his health to the exceeding consolation of the King, and the infinite iubiley, and ioy of all the Court, and finally to the stupour and amazement of al that heard and knew the same. The rumour therof being spread there was nothing euery where but bon [...]yers, ringing of bells, and giuing of thankes, and voyces of prayse, as well for the vnexpected recouery of their Lord, as for the greatnes & nouelty of the Myra­cle it selfe. This Dauid the father, and Henry the sonne, being now valourous, and wise Souldi [...]urs, are yet lyuing to this day: and as [Page 34] at that tyme, they vsed much importunity to retayne S. Malachy their Ghest with them, to make much of him; so while he liued, they alwayes striued to honour him, and to shew themselues, not to be vnmyndfull, and very gratefull for such a benefit, and therefore offered to him many rich Presents.

But the wise Contemner of transitory Rewards, and worldly pompe, by any meanes, on the next Morning would needs depart from thence; and passing by the way of Crugeldus, restored speach to a certaine young Girle.

And in the Iland of S. Michael, he cured, in the presence of all the people, a woman so possessed with Deuils, as her friends were en­forced to hold her very streightly bound with cords, & sometymes in chaynes of Iron.

From thence being come to the hauen of Lapisperius, while he expected commodity to passe ouer into Ireland, he was not ydle, but among other things gaue order, and himselfe likewise put hands to a certayne Oratory of grates or lattuce-worke, & encompassed it round with a fense, leauing in the midst a certayne space for the bu­ryall of the dead; and blessed the same. Which was so efficacious, as that euen to this day, from diuers parts are brought thither many la­guishing persons, and ill affected, and from thence returne with strength, and wished comfort.

That same also was very notable, which happened there to a certayne insolent fellow: who being entred into that inuiolable Cemeter, with soule and impious intents to profane the same; he was seized vpon by an vgly and horrible Toade, which suddenly shewing it selfforth, with a swelling looke fell a spitting of venome vpon him. Whereat the poore wretch being sorely astonished and affrighted, threw himselfe ouer the sacred rayles, euen headlong the shortest way.

But to leaue these degressions, and returne to S. Malachy; after he had embarqued himselfe in the said Port, with a good gale, he very happily arriued at the Monastery of Benchor, to the end that his first Children, perhaps might likewise be the first, to gayne his Benediction. And who were able sufficiently to expresse the ioy they felt in the reuiew and receiuing of such a Father, returned safe and found from parts so remote? Nor the said Congregation only, but euen all those people also thereabout, did shew forth such ioy for his returne, that euen from Cittyes, Castles, and Townes they ran [Page 35] thither in great troupes, to do him Reuerence, & bid him welcome. And he himselfe, not to hold his new Legation in vayne, without delay endeauours to visit all those kingdomes, distributing on euery side very holsome gifts of Apostolicall Facultyes, in such sort, as no Sex, nor Age, nor Condition, or Profession whatsoeuer remayned without feeling of some part of the Comfort.

He celebrated likewise some Nationall Councells, in the more conuenient Cities. Where, for the sound and Catholique Religi­on, were most profitable Canons and Decrees established: carry­ing in the meane while, his eyes continually fixed vpon the neces­sityes of euery one, and applying remedyes all wayes as need requi­red; now with sweetnes, and now with seuerity. Nor was there heere to be found any one that would seeme to contradict his pre­cepts, or proudly contemne his admonishments, but they were ra­ther accepted of all, as holsome medicines, and as constitutions de­riued from Heauen. And how could it be otherwise, while al was confirmed by so many workes aboue nature. In testimony wherof, besides those others we haue touched already, we wil in the Chap­ters following relate some others most to our purpose; since to re­count & vnfold them all, were not possible: and I on the other side am more willing to dilate my self in things conducing to Imitation, then such as may only excite Admiration.

A briefe Description of S. Malachyes manner of life, as an introduction to the ensuing miracles, which he wrought. Chap. 17.

IN my iudgment truly, the first, and most stupendious myracle that S. Malachy wrought, was S. Malachy himselfe. For why; set­ting apart the interiour man, whose beauty, worth, and sincerity sufficiently shined most brightly in his life and actions, what shall we say of the exteriour only; which with conformity of manners, to wit, most modest and decent, he would be alwayes shewing in such sort, as not the least thing could euer be discouered therin, that might any wayes seeme to offend the eyes of the beholders? Let vs come to the tongue: It is surely most certayne, that for a man not to trip in talking is a very great perfection. And yet what man, so curious let him be, was euer knowne, that could euer espye, or note in S. Malachy, I say not a word, but so much as an ill gesture? Who euer saw him to moue eyther hand or foote with vanity? Nay [Page 36] wherin gaue he not Edification to his Neigbhours, in walking in his habit, and semblance? He had so perpetuall a serenity in his cō ­tenance, as neyther with the grauity of Melancholy, or leuity of Laughing, was he euer seen to be distempered. All was discipline in him, all harmony, all Vertue. He was an Enemy to scoffs, but yet not austere, or froward. Remisse would he be sometymes, but dissolute neuer. Careles in nothing, though in many he knew wel how to dissemble, till tyme and place. Quiet oftentymes, but yet not once would seeme to be slouthfull.

From the day of his conuersion, vnto his last breath, he had ne­uer any thing proper, not seruants, nor farmes, nor messuages, nor finally any manner of rents, eyther Ecclesiasticall or secular. For his Episcopall table, he had no assignement made him at all: yea the good Prelate indeed, had not so much as a determinate dwel­ling to put his head in; as he who spent all his life, as it were, in vi­siting of Villages and Parishes; so seruing the Ghospell, and by the Ghospell therefore susteyning himselfe, according to the order and decree of our Lord. It is true, that he and his companions, be­cause they would not be burdensome, or put any to expences, would mainteyne themselues oftentymes with the sweat of their browes, and labours of their proper hands. And when at such ty­mes he had need of some rest, he would vsually be taking it in pious places, dispersed by himselfe heere and there through Ireland: and if he chanced to abyde any where, he would allwayes so conforme himselfe to the customes and obseruances of the house, as neyther at Table, or elswhere, would he seeme to haue any thing in par­ticular: nor euen at first sight could there any the least difference be discouered betweene him, and the rest of the Brothers.

What more can be sayd of him? Euen inough to conteyne ma­ny Volumes, his life was so admirable, & a mirrour to all Mortals. But my scope and intention is only, to demonstrate those thinges which in his life are most imitable, as I said aboue. To proceed then; although our blessed S. Malachy, were now an aged man, and Le­gate of the highest Bishop; yet did he neuer giue ouer his ancient vse to go on foote, to preach himselfe in person, still causing such others as he lead along with him to do the like; a forme very truly Euangeli­call, and so much the more recommendable in S. Malachy, as it is found to be lesse in practice with others. Whereas he, who doth such things, may worthily be called the lawfull heyre, and Succes­sour [Page 37] of the Apostles. What wonder is it then, if the diuine Man, did worke such admirable things, he being so admirable himselfe, though he wrought them not of himselfe, but God in him, since we read; Tu es Deus qui facis mirabilia?

By occasion of the loud acclamations of these his transcendent Vertues, & most notable working of Miracles; his fame beganne to spread it self through out all the neighbouring places, nay euen ouer the whole Country; and there resorted dayly many to be cured by him of all kind of diseases; and among the rest a woman extremely vexed with the deuill, who dwelt in a Citty which is called Culta­fin. Her parents thereupon procured S. Malachy to be sent for: Who comming into the house, presently fell vnto his prayers, and com­maunds the vniust possessour in the name of the highest, to go forth of that body; he obeys, but in stantly leapes into another Woman present. S. Malachy perceiuing this, spake thus to the accursed Ene­my of Making: I haue not so quit thee of her, as that thou shouldst seeme to assaile that other. Therefore I charge thee agayne in the name of the Highest, that thou let her go also. The Fiend being constrained thereto, obeyes, his behest, but yet returnes to his former habitation. When the Bles­sed Seruant of Christ, obseruing the deceypt of our Aduersary, ex­pells him a new from thence, he then flyes agayne into the se­cond. This bobb the peruerse spirit gaue to him for a pretty while, in chopping so alwayes, and flying from one into the other. At last S. Malachy being stirred vp with a holy zeale, and not without iust indignation, to see him so mocked by all vncleane Spirit, recolle­cted himselfe a little, and resuming more in tense forces from Hea­uen, withall violence quite banished him from both: leauing the cruell Serpent (so full of fraude and deceipt) enraged thereat, thin­king perhaps by that policy to make the Holy man desist from further troubling himself. But peraduenture some will admire at this long delay heerein, and resistance of the Aduersary, attributing the same (it may be) to the power of the malignant Spirit. To such persons I answere, that it pleased the Diuine Dispensatour of all things, Qui omnia ben [...] & suauiter disponit, to try the patience of his Seruant S. Malachy, and to the end that by such delay and changes, both the presence of the Enemy, and victory of S. Malachy, more cleerely might appeare. Which thing is yet more illustrated, and made to appeare to be true: therefore attend heere a while to that which els­where this great Seruant of Christ seemed to worke, not in person, [Page 38] as before is declared, but in absence. Which yet surely had been [...] great deale more easy for him to haue done at hand, then so same asunder.

A man is dispossessed of euill spirits, by the power of S. Malachy in his absence. With diuers other miracles besides. Chap. 18

IN the Northern parts of Ireland, in a certayne howse, where S. Malachy before had happened to lodge, lay one afflicted, and ter­ribly tormented with Deuils. Who on a night, ouer heard some dis­courses they had among them; Wherin they sayd to ech other: Beware this wretch do not touch any of the straw there, wherin that Hippocrit had sometymes slept, least perhappes he escape out of our hands. Frō which words, the sick man did gather that those infernall Spirits meant it of S. Malachy; and then taking courage began to approach by creeping thereunto, as well as he could: but being weake in body, he could not get thither by crawling; yet was he very strong in fayth, for he desisted not to go forward, as he was able. Wherupon you might heare in the ayre certayne feareful cryes, and perplexed voyces, Hold, hold him off, or we loose the prey. But he trās­ported with hope and desire, made so much the greater hast, to reach thereunto: & through diuine Mercy, being come to the blessed Lit­ter of straw, fell a stretching himselfe thereon, and wallowing vp & downe therin: While the infernall furyes with howling & la [...] most bitterly exclamed: Alas, alas, we haue bewrayed our selues: we haue deceiued our selues. For loc, he is euen now made sound. And so he was in­deed, being whole in a moment of all his lymnes, and freed of the diabolicall affrights and horrours, which he suffered.

In Lesmor likewise did S. Malachy deliuer a Lunatike person; & made him whole and perfect in all his senses. Moreouer, our great Saint did restore another person to his former wits, who dwelt in Praginia. And in the same Countrey, by causing a frantike woman to wash her selfe with a water which he blessed, she was present­ly released of her chaynes, and disease. Another woman in like sort being enraged, so as she would be a biting, & tearing her flesh with her teeth, was by him through Prayer, & a simple touch only restored to health. There was like wise a Man, who in phrensy could seeme to foretell certayne things to come, and so impetuo [...] and terrible withall, as the greatest cords were hardly able to with [Page 39] hold him. And yet this Man in a moment was freed also through the prayers of S. Malachy, & restored to his wits. I could name the place where this fel out; but because it happened in a place of so barbarous a name, that (as it happens often in many other words of that Na­tion) it may scarce seeme fit to be expressed with the voyce much lesse represented with the pen, I thinke it a thing very conuenient, to let it passe namelesse.

There was in the aforesayd Citty of Lesmor, a certayne young girle very dumbe, whome her Parents hauing humbly put in the presence of S. Malachy, as he passed along, the man of God made a stop, and touching her tongue with a little of his spittle, without more ado, in the sight of all, affoarded her the vse of speach. Ano­ther tyme going forth of the Church, with a great trayne after him, a woman was presented to him at the Porch, by a distressed Man her Husband, wholy depriued likewise of her pronunciation. Whē S. Malachy beheld this miserable woman, he signed her with the most holy Crosse, and commaunded her in the presence of all, to re­cite the prayer of our Lord: which she presently sayd very punctu­ally. The multitude seeing this Myracle, gaue glory to the diuine Goodnes. In a certayne place called Ob [...]reb, a rich man being mor­tally sick, had now for some twelue dayes continually remayned without once being able in any wise to vtter a word, and conse­quently was hindered from making his Confession. But S. Malachy comming to visit him, immediately he recouered his lost speach, & being armed with the Sacraments, with singular Confidence of eter­nall life, gaue vp the Ghost.

A certayne Baron being in S. Malachyes Inne, while he was tre­ating there with him, about some affayres; at one full of faith, stole away but three rushes only from his poore little Couch, and with that pious theft, wrought wonderous things; which we haue not tyme to relate in this place. The Man of God being come to Duenu­ [...]ania, there came in to him a Gentleman of that Citty, as he sat at table, earnestly beseeching him on the behalfe of his wife, who was not without great feare & daunger of her Child-birth, being longer thē the ordinary terme required. The Bishop of Mehome likewise with others that were present at that sitting, did very earnestly re­commend the case vnto him. When S. Malachy heard this, he answe­red: I am not a little sorry for it, in reguard that the is a very good Matron. And without more a doe, reaching to the Husband, a cup by him [Page 40] blessed, added: Go your wayes, and giue her this drinke and bid her not feare any thing. So the Noble man did as he was commaunded, and the next night without any difficulty at all, the woman was safely de­liuered. S. Malachy happening to abide in the Champion countryes, with the Count of Vlidia, behold a woman appeared before him, very great with Child, now at least for fifteen months and twenty dayes gone: and who finding no humane remedy, with piteous teares came seeking for succour from the Seruant of Christ. Malachy being moued with so new and vnexpected an accident, puts himselfe into Prayer, & sudenly there in the place the poore wretch without any trauaile at all, brought forth the creature into the world,

A rehearsall of other myracles of S. Malachy, vpon sundry occasions. Chap. 19.

ANother thing yet of no lesse wonder, though in a diuerse kind happened in the land of Vlidia. A certayne Souldiour of the Count of Vlidia, hauing no regard vnto Gods commaundements, and without hauing any feare of his heauy displeasure, kept the Concubine of his owne Brother. Saint Malachy hauing notice heereof, performed, like another S. Iohn Baptist, the very same of­fice of charity in reprehending the wicked man. But that wretch­lesse creature, representing Herod, not onely disobeyed him, but made him answere moreouer, with swearing, in the hearing of all, that he would neuer abandon his Mistris. S. Malachy, the true ser­uant of Christ, being fraught with the zeale of Iustice, answered, God may then disseuer you, agaynst your will. For which the incestuous wretch as caring but litle, in a most despightfull manner, went his wayes from him. He had scarce gone a mile from that place, and within lesse then a full houre, but God punished him for this his e­normous crime; by being assayled by certayne men, and that so des­peratly, as wounds were the beginning of their fray, and stabbes euen to the heart, were the period. In this bloudy on set, his Soule payed for the transgression of his disobedience. For one of the Ruf­fians sent him on a rufull message to Grand Lucifer. At this newes euery one remayned astonished, especially seeing the speedy execu­tion of the sentence of S. Malachy: and other wicked men being heerby gently admonished, were truly conuerted. In the same coū ­trey, Count Dermitius, through manifest disorders of Gluttony, & and other Sensualityes, had layne now sicke, and vnweildy a long [Page 41] tyme. This man being visited by S. Malachy, & first sharpely rebuked for the scandall, and ill example he had giuen, and after blessed with holy water, was sudenly raysed, & beyond the expectation of him and his, very nimbly mounted on his horse. In the Citty of Cassel, came one to S. Malachy, with a sonne of his, being sick of the palsey crauing pitty at his hands. The holy Bishop thē litting vp his mynd to our Lord, said to the Father of that child: Goe thy wayes, for thy sōne shall recouer. He went then, but returned the next Morning, with the child not yet cured. S. Malachy making his prayer for the Child some what longer then before, cheered him vp, and gaue strict or­der to the Father of the lame child, to dedicate him to the diuine Seruice, which he faithfully promised to do. But yet afterwards kept not his word. Wherupon the youth after some yeares relapsed agayne into the same palsey.

Another Man likewise brought his sonne to the holy Man, frō parts farre distant. This child had withered feete, and was not able to moue a whit. S. Malachy demaunded how the same happened. I thinke (answered the Man) it was the worke of the Deuill, because my sonne, being, on a tyme, childishy disporting himselfe in a cer­tayne meadow, that accursed Fiend (if I be not deceiued) made him to fall a sleepe, & then awaking, I know not how, he was foūd taken in this manner. And speaking thes words, he powred forth a­bundance of teares, and humbly prayed the Diuine Man, to giue his sonne some succour. Who being mollifyed therwith (according to his custome) cōmaunded the lame child, to giue himself to sleepe while he prayed; who did as much: and when S. Malachy had ended his prayer, the child immediately stood vpon his feete, very iocund and lusty. The holy man kept him afterwards with him, a prety while, and iustructed him well in the Rudiments of the Christian Fayth, carrying him along with him, into diuers places with his other Domestiques.

A certaine poore Man, serued in a Mill of the Monastery of Benchor, maynteyning himselfe partly with that labour, partly also with dayly almes. This man had likewise been lame now for these twelue yeares, in such sort, as he was compelled to go with his hāds on the ground, and trayling his dead feete after him. Now S. Mala­chy, beholding him one day before his Cell, to be somewhat sadder then ordinary; with the bowels of Charity, demaunded of him, the reason why he was so pensiue? The disconsolate man answered: You see, [Page 42] alas, how long now it is, that I miserable Caytiuehaue suffered this same: and how the hand of God seemes verily to oppresse me, and for a greater increase therof how I receiue dayly nothing but scornes and reproaches of such, as should rather compassionate my Case. The benigne Father, being wholy mo­ued with these words, with eyes and hands lifted vp towards the Mercy-Seate of God made his prayer to that Soueraigne Iudge; & to the end they should be more efficacious, he retires himselfe into his Cel, where falling prostrate on the ground, he most hūbly beseeched the diuine Mercy, to restore that poore creature to his formen strēgth. His prayer was quickly heard. For the Man arising from the groūd, stood vp firme on his feete. This thing seemed to him a Dreame, for he did nothing but looke about him, to see whether it were true or no. And yet neuerthelesse making some proofe to moue his Legs, & to frame his Steps, he at last acknowledged the diuine Mercy to be shewed vpon him: and then nimbly returned home to the Mill, with much ioy, and with infinite rendring of thankes to God. Wher­upon his Companions, and the others who knew right well who he was, remayned astonished, and amazed, as it were, at the sight of some phantasme; attributing the same to the Goodnes of God, and the Sanctity of their blessed Bishop.

In the same place, was a Man cured of the dropsy, through the only Intercession of S. Malachy. Who afterwards remayned in the seruice of the Monastery.

There was a certayne Gentlewoman of parentage very well descended, but yet farre more illustrious for her vertue, which made her most deere to the blessed Pastour. This woman, was grieuously afflicted with the bloudy flux; & this her disease was so vehement, as she, in processe of tyme, was brought to an extreme debility, & euen, through the aboundant issuing of bloud, was ready to giue and yeild vp her spotlesse Soule into the hands of her mercifull Re­deemer. Her friends seeing her in this lamentable case, sent a messen­ger with all speede to S. Malachy, to entreate him to vouchsafe to come and visit her, and affoard her some Comfort in this her Ex­tremity. When the holy Bishop heard this heauy Newes, he was strooke very sad, for the losse he saw would ensue of a Matron of that great worth and rare Example, as she was of. And sudenly de­termined to go his wayes thither: but afterwards fearing to arriue too late, called to him Malcus a man of a singular integrity of Con­science, (of whome we made mention before) and a very dexte­rous [Page 43] young man. Go your mayes (said he) in hast, it the sickwoman, and carry her these three apples blessed by me; I hope in our Lord, that hauing once tasted of them, she shall not come to tast of Death, before she see me, though I be not otherwise able to come so speedily as I would. The good Malcus obeyed with expedition: and with efficacious meanes exhorted the dying woman to tast of the Present, which was sent her by the Bishop S. Malachy. She being cōforted somewhat with the most gratefull name of her spirituall Father, beekens to her Mayd, (being not otherwise able to speake, or to moue her self) to put vp her pillow a litle. Wher­upon, taking one of the apples, with a trembling hand she beganne to bite the same, and being newly reuiued with the only tast ther­of, brake forth into words and prayses of God. By & by her sleepe, which together with her tast had now for a good while been lost, returned to her agayne, and she reposing with great sweetnes, the bloud in the meane tyme came to make a stop. In so much as being now a wake without more ado, she found her selfe to be altogeather whole although not without some māner of weakenes, the which notwithstanding by the next day did likewise leaue her, at the vn­expected presence of S. Malachy.

A Continuation of the Miracles, which S. Malachy wrought, vpon diuers other Occasions. Chap. 20.

THere dwelt neere to Benchor, an Honourable Knight whose wife being ariued at the article or point of death, S. Malachy was speedily sent for to help her with fit accomodations, and with the Extreme Vnction. Who came thither, and hauing cheered her at first with his only aspect, prepares himself to apply the holy Oyle with­out delay: It seemed notwithstanding to al her friends very behoo­uefull (I know not vpon what occasion) and farre better, to di­ferre the same till the next Morning. The good Father (very loath) yeilds thereunto, and making the signe of the Crosse vpon the sick woman, retyred himself into the other Chambers. He had not been there long, but behold you might easily haue heard, some pittyfull cryes, plaints, and noyses founding through all the howse, that their Mistries was dead. The blessed man of God hearing this tumult, runs with his disciples, and approaching to the bed, certainely found she had giuen vp her last breath. Whereat he was full of sorrow & heauynes, laying the fault on himselfe, for that she had so departed [Page 44] without that Sacrament; and then lifting vp his hands to heauen, with great affect. Lord (said he) I cry thee mercy for I haue playd the foole, and been too negligent heerein. It is I, euen I, that haue sinned, with this pro­longation, & not this poore wretch, who for her part had a very good wil therunto. After he had thus exclaymed, he vowed to take no more Comfort or repose of any sort, till he had rendred to the dead, what he had wrongfully taken from her: and so standing with his face ouer the corps, endeauours to warme and foment those frozen limmes with bitter teares, and burning sighs, supplying to his power, the passed want: and turning towards his Company, from tyme to tyme, would besaying to them: Watch, and pray, So as they with Psalter, and deuout prayers, he with deepe Sighes, passed away the whole night, without a winke of sleep; when as lo the Morning came, it pleased the Diuine Clemency, to listen vnto the vnspeakeable sighes of his most faythfull Seruant. What more? She opens her eyes, who was dead before: She sits vp right, and knowing S. Malachy, with a deuoute bow, saluted him. Whereat as many as beheld the sight, & heard so meruaylous things, were exceedingly amazed; and all the sadnes turned into ioy. Yet S. Malachy, (though there appeared no more danger for the present) very piously would needes annoynt the reuiued, as knowing well, how assuredly in that Mistery sinnes are remitted, and how likewise the body feeles a help. After he had finished this good act, he departed from thence. As for her, she (to the greater glory of God) suruined for some tyme in good health: & hauing performed the Penance imposed her by S. Malachy, sell sicke afterwards agayne, & with the wonted succours of the holy 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 [Page 45] 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 intercessiō 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 frō his sides, cōiuning 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 ascēded 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 [Page 47] 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 [...]his thing▪ without all controuersy, might be attributed to the Me­ [...]its of S. Malachy, after the feast was consumated, the former steri­ [...]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 Congregatiō 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 [Page 48] 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. An [...] 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 i [...] 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 cōstreyned to obey a mad fellow, that would not seeme to consent to so many learned and wise men. I [...] 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 [Page 49] 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 Conuēt 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 cōtrouersy 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 Mā ­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. [Page 50] But the barbarous man, after he had let him a while con­iure & cry, at last turning himselfe to him with a proud countenāce: 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 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 thē ­selues 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.

[Page 51] 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 [Page 52] 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, [Page 53] and denigrate their actions and deportments; but he escaped not free for so great iniustice. He had an only sonne, who through the example of the wicked Father being likewise bent to molest & offend the Man of God, within the terme of a yeare onely, made a miserable End. The matter succeeded in this sort.

It seemed good to S. Malachy, for the increase of diuine wor­ship, to build an Oratory of stone worke, as he had seene done in other countryes, and the foundations now being layd, those bar­barous people, fell a wondering thereat, as at a thing very vnu­suall with them. But that malicious and proud yong man aboue the rest, of whome we spake, shewed not only with the others an admiration thereof, but such rancour withall, as he could not con­teyne himselfe from murmuring heere and there agaynst the same: and after he had with diuers instigations and calumnies endeauou­red to stirre vp those people agaynst the Seruant of Christ; at last comming with a shole of Townsmen, vpon the heate of the bu­sines, and with a scornefull eye, beholding S. Malachy. Hold (sayth he) O you Syr: what cappriccio is now come into your head, to bring such a nouelty into our house? We are in Ireland, not in France: What a le­nity is this? What need is there of such a sump [...]uous and proud worke? Where haue you meanes to finish it, poore thing as you are? Who shall euer see it come to the roofe? It is surely the tricke of a mad man, to set hand to a worke so beyond his compasse. Hold, hold your hand; Desist from, a vanity so great, or otherwise shall we make you giue ouer, nor will we suffer you to go for­ward by any meanes about such a building, impossible to be brought to perfe­ction. In which words, the hayr [...]brayne and rash man came to disco­uer his wicked intention: without once reflecting on his small for­ces. Forasmuch as his followers▪ in whome he confided so much, as soone as they came in sight of the venerable Bishop, being sudden­ly chaunged in hart, returned home to their houses; that impious, seditious and wretched Leader being quite aboandoned, as he de­serued. To whome with Fortitude and Meroy withall, the man of God, answered: Thou miserable wretch, this worke which thou heere seest begunne, and beholdest with an ill countenance; shall be finished without doubt, and many shall see it accomplished. But thou, because thou hast no will thereunto. shalt neuer see it: And looke you to it, least Death surprize you not in your sinne. So S. Malachy sayd, & so fell it out. He dyed, and the worke was finished: but he saw it not, because, as we sayd; he dyed the very same yeare.

[Page 54] Now the Father of that wicked wretch, hauing known of the Saints prediction, he hath kild (sayth he) my sonne, and was so in­censed agaynst him for it, as in the presence of the Captayne and of the Chiefe of the Country there, he had no respect to him a whit, but called him Enuious, hollow-harted, and a meere Cosener; and lastly for a greater spight, termed him a Moncky. To which bitter contumelies, the follower of Christ answered not a word: But yet the great God would not seeme to hold his peace, throgh whose will, on that very day, that impious wretch, being seized on by an infernall spirit, and cast into the fire, was by his friends very hardly taken forth from thence, with his lymmes all burnt, with his wits crackt, with his face awry & foaming as the mouth; sending forth such horrible cryes, & framing such strange gestuures of the body, as put a terrour into euery one, and many togeather had much a do to hold him. Heerupon Saint Malachy was called to the spectacle, and with wonted clemency making his prayer for him, was heard, but not to the full; Because that in chastisement and memory of the offence committed agaynst the holy Father; he had after that, euen to this day, certayne grieuous fits, which at changes of the Mooue, doe most bitterly afflict him.

S. Malachy lights on a treasure to build with, the medell was presented to him in a vision. Together with his gift of Prophesy. Chap. 24.

REturne we now to the building: for which in truth, S. Malachy had no manner of meanes at all, eyther little or much; but yet felt in his hart, a certayne firme confidence in God. Wherof he was not a whit deceiued; since our Lord, perceiuing this Seruant of his not to go founding himselfe in treasures any wayes by him purcha­sed, made him to light vpon one, within the scituation it selfe, ne­uer touched or knowne till that very hower. S. Malachy then seemed to find in the purse of God, what he could not haue found in his ownes and that worthily truly. For what was more reasonable, then for him to haue the coffer in common with God, who had no­thing proper of his owne? While he in fine, that hath a liuely fayth, hath all the riches of the world. And what els is the world, but an inexhanstible Banck of the diuine Clemency? The whole circuit of the world is myne (sayth he) and whatsoeuer is conteyned therin. And hence it is that S. Malachy discouered those moneys, not disposing the or laying [Page 55] them vp, but exposing them indeed; ordeyning so large a donary of the Creatour, should wholy without sparing a whit be spent in the seruice of the Creatour: and so much the rather, as by a passed Reuelation, he knew that Edifice to be acceptable to his diuine Ma­iesty. Because that hauing first before he once set hand vnto it, con­ferred the intent with his Domestiques, and finding them somwhat dubious, by reason of the charges; he gaue himselfe to prayer, to find out by that meanes the will of God therupon.

When returning one day from a certayne Pilgrimage, which he made, being now somewhat neare to the place designed, he lif­ted vp his eyes, and behold, he seemed to discerne a very goodly Oratory of stone, and of excellent workman ship withall, & regar­ding the scite, the former, & cōposition therof, impressed the same in his fantasy with that tenacity, as the thing being cōmunicated with some few of his owne disciples of the more ancient sort of them, he gaue beginning to the building, & finished with such diligence the scite, the modell, and prorportion, with all the circumstances, by de­grees, as the plot came iust to answere the fold; as if he also with Moyses had heard, See you do all according to the plat-forme, which was [...]hewed you in the mountayne. He had afterwards a like vision to this of that other Oratory, which he built in a place called Sabelline; sauing that he saw the fashion not only of the Oratory there, but euē of the whole Monastery like wise.

These said manifestations were of material and sensible things. But that which now we shall set downe, was of an edifice meerely spirituall. S. Malachy passing a long by a certayne Citty, and a great multitude concurring thither to meete with him, by chaunce he dis­couered among the troupes, a yong man very curious to view him, who mounting on the top of a huge stone, was standing there a tip­ [...]oe, for that purpose to behold him, extēding forth his neck as much as he could: and S. Malachy being certifyed from heauen, how that person stood there with the spirit and vertue of Zacheus, yet the friēd of God held his peace for that tyme, making shew as if he had not [...]eeded the same. But after at night in his Lodging, he told some of his how he had not seene him only, but also foreseen what should betyde him. The third day was not passed, when that deuout man [...]ppeared at his Inne, in the company of a Gentleman his Maister: who courteously proposing to S. Malachy, the good defires of the young man, besought his Paternity to accept him, among his chil­dren, [Page 56] and followers. S. Malachy acknowledged him presently, and added: He had no need to be recōmended by men, who already by God had bin so recommended to him. And so taking him Iouingly by the hand con­signed him to other Fathers, & Brothers of his, & liues (if I be not de­ceiued) at this day, a chiefe Lay-Brother in the Monastery of S [...]ria, with an excellent fame of religion and sanctity.

The Blessed Bishop, like wise shewed a great gift of Prophesy, e­uen at the tyme of his saying Masse when being aware of a certayne crime which lay hid in the Deacon, for that tyme did no more but looke vpon him, and fetch a sigh, but after the sacred Mistery was ended, he examined the minister himselfe in secret, as touching his conscience and he ingenuously confessed, that night he had felt an illusion. Wherupon the most chast Priest enioyning him a secret pē ­nance; this day, sayd he, thou oughtest not to appeare at the Aul­tar, but chastly and modestly rather to haue withdrawne thy selfe, and to haue carryed the respect due to the most holy Sacrament: to the end that being purged with such humiliation, thou mightst haue been found more worthy hereafter to so noble an office.

And so another tyme, while he was offering the Host, with accustomed reuerence & purity of hart. There was a glorious doue seen to enter in at the window of the Tēple, which illumining the whole Church, that was somwhat obscure before, after it had flown heere & there, came lastly to rest vpon the Crosse, before the face of the Celebrant. He that serued was astonished at the nouelty as well of the light, as of the Bird itselfe, (which is rarely seen in those coū ­tryes) & as halfe dead, fell groueling on the ground, so as he hard­ly came to himselfe all the tyme of the ministery. When Masse was ended S. Malachy did forbid him vnder mortall sinne, to discouer the thing as long as he liued. He being at Ardmach, in company wi [...] another Bishop his Collegue, they arose by night togeather will others, to visit deuoutly the Sepulchers of the holy Martyrs there layd vp in the Cemeter of the blessed Patrick. And behold how one of those Aultars did seeme to burne into liuely flames. Whence S. Malachy ghessing the great merits of such as reposed there, ran in of a suden, and plunging himselfe into the midst of the flames, with opē armes imbraced the Aultar. Where what he did, or felt in the place there is no mā knowes. This is true, that the Man of God came forth of that fire more enflamed with celestiall Loue, then euer: as all his more dearest friends very easily perceiued.

S. Malachy remembring his purpose, calls a Synod about the Palls. And vnder­takes a second voyage to Rome. Chap. 25.

NOw at last, let vs heere make a stop to the signes and prodi­gyes from the diuine arme, shewed forth in fauour of S. Malachy by an entire catalogue therof. It sufficeth that noting the same with some diligence, which we haue already touched, the Iudicious wil assuredly acknowledge all the species, at least of the anciēt myracles; as Prophesies, Reuelations, Chasticements of the wicked, Healths of body, Conuersions of mynds, Resurrection of the Dead. Besides which, through his so excellent vertues, he was magnifyed of our Lord likewise in the sight of Kings, and the greatest Men: he was full of merits, and after many and grieuous persecutions, surmoun­ted at last, euen Enuy it selfe. From so honorable a Race, what might be expected heere, but a glorious yssue? Let vs now see then in what manner he went forth.

On a day S. Malachy, and the Brethren togeather were in a holy recreation, conferring amongst themselues of the last passage: and euery one being inuited by turnes, discouered where, & when it would like him best to depose his terrene carkas, while some insi­nuating one, and some another solemnity; some this, some that Ce­meter or Churchyard; S. Malachy (when it came to his turne to an­swere) standing first a litle in suspense, for the place distinguished: That if he were to remayne in Ireland, it would be most gratefull to him, to be where he might arise in the company of the holy Apostle S. Patricke: & if in forraine parts, no where more willingly would he repose his bones, then in the church of Clareuallis. As for the tyme he chose the day of All-soules: to the end to be accompanyed then with greatest number of suffrages, that might be. Now if this were S. Malachyes desire, he had the fauour afforded; If an Oracle, it missed not a iot, as we shall see.

The feruent desire, which S. Malachy euer had to adorne the two Metropolitans with the sacred Palls, was not a whit extingui­shed, though for a tyme buryed in the ashes of obliuion. Which now he vnraked, and was wholy enflamed with a desire to put it in pre­sent execution. Which to performe effectually, after he had recom­mended himselfe to our Lord, he gathered a generall Synod in Ire­land: and after the dispatch of other particulars, came to the foresayd [Page 58] point of the Palls. The proposition pleased all for the most; but with condition, that the enterprize should be committed to some other, besides him. Yet notwithstanding S. Malachy made great in­stance to go, in regard Pope Innocent was dead, & Eugenius, a Monke of Clareuallis, was mutually chosen for his Successour: yet had he no cause to feare a repulse, in renewing of his memorial; for he was a Man of that benignity and sanctimony, as the fame therof spread it selfe throughout the world: and likewise in respect, Pope Euge­nius for publique affayres, was then resident in France, which was a short way, and lesse daungerous, then the first he vndertooke. The Prelates perceiuing the great desire he had to vndergoe that paynefull iourney, durst not much oppose themselues agaynst the will of the holy man, but consented to his desire: Which he vn­dertooke as soone as the Councell was dissolued.

Amongst a great number of his friends, which accompanyed him to the Sea syde, one was called by name Catholicus, who was sorely molested with an Epilepsy; in such sort as often tymes in a day he would fall on the ground, to the exceeding great brusing of his whole body, which to preuent he had alwayes 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 [Page 59] 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 [...]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 differēces risen at that tyme betweene the Apostolique Sea, and the King of England about iurisdiction; which were then growne so hoat, as he through aboundāt iealousy permitted no Prelate to go forth of the [Page 60] 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 [...]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 somētations, 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 Whē S. Malachy beholding thē 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 cōmaund 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 [Page 61] sort that my desire shalbe 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 approached full neere the day indeed, when he spake so freely of it: so as not to loose any tyme, he craued for the Extreme vnction. And while the Monks were about to descend into the Church to fetch the holy Oyle with procession thence vnto his chamber, he would not seeme to consent thereunto by any meanes: but would in person be led downe thither, where with the greatest veneration that might be, hauing taken the holy Oyle, as also the heauenly Viatique, he returned to his bed, and recommended himselfe to the prayers of the Brethren, as he likewise mutually recommended thē to our Lord. And it is a meruaylous thing, how from an vpper chā ­ber that was somewhat high, wherin he was lodged, he came forth and descended on his feete, while he affirmed not withstanding, that death had knocked at the doore. And yet, who would belieue it? He was not pale in the face, nor meagre, nor wrinckled in the brow, nor had his eyes funck, nor his nose sharpe, nor his lips cō ­tracted, nor black his teeth, nor leane & slender his neck, nor crūpt in the shoulders, nor finally had he the flesh of the whole body any whit fallen away. Thus far hath my pen gon on its course; now it seemes, as it were, to runne a ground, and loath to passe to that which by all meanes is conuenient to be written, as immediately followes.

The blessed Death of the most venerable Bishop S. Malachy. With a myracle which fell out after. Chap. 27.

THe ioyfull Commemoration of All-Saints, arriued at last; whē we entred into the Quire, but with a dolefull musique, & yet was it necessity for vs to sing in mourning. S. Malachy though he could not sing, yet mourned not, but reioyced rather for his ap­proach so neare to the triumph at hand. His defect of voyce he sup­plied with a iubiley of the mind. He honoured that Blessed Society, wherof he was very soone to make vp one he payed to others that tribute, which within little after was likewise to be payed to him: [Page 62] The sacred Offices being ended, as well as they could be, S. Malachy now approched, not to night, but euen to Aurora, as it were; not was it Aurora indeed, since darknes being now banished, the day was come: so as the feuer renforcing it selfe, the vitall parts begā throgh all the lyms to put forth first a boyling, and then a cold sweat. To the end that euen that blessed soule it selfe like wised might seeme to passe through fire and water, into rest.

And now hope being quite lost on all sides, and ech one resu­ming his owne prognosticat, and acknowledging those of the sicke to be likewise true; we were called on his behalfe to the Cel where he lay, & he casting his eyes towards vs: With a great desire (sayd he) haue I desired to make this present Pascha with your Charities: Thanks be to the supernal piety, that I see not my self defrauded of my hope. If I be able I shall not be vnmindfull of you. Go to, I shall. I haue put my trust in God, and euery thing is possible to the belieuer. I haue loued God, I haue loued you: Loue is without terme. Hereupon looking vp to heauē, he adds, O Lord conserue these in thy name, and not these only, but all those who by meanes of thy word, and my ministery, haue beene dedicated to thy holy seruice. After which imposing hands vpon all, one by one, he makes vs to go rest our selues: alled­ging the extremest article was not yet arriued. We went our wayes then, and about midnight, being newly awaked, we ran to him a­gaine, who was now vpon departure. The chamber, and all the howse was filled; there hauing beene besides our owne family, many Abbots repayred hither from other places. And so with psal­mes, hymnes, and spirituall Canticles accompanyed we our friend in his way homwards.

Thus S. Malachy Bishop of Ireland, & Legate of the Apostolique Sea, assumpted as it were from our hands by the Angels, in the ye­are of our Lord. 1148. and of his age 54. in the day and place by him chosen & prognosticated before, most peaceably slept in our Lord. And may be said to sleepe; Since we all hauing our eyes fixed vpon that venerable face of his, were none of vs aware of his last breath; there not appearing in the dead the least signe to distinguish him a whit from what he was liuing. And such was the freshnes of that whole angelicall countenance of his, as he might seeme to haue re­ceiued rather an ornamet from death, then any iniury at all. And fi­nally himselfe was not changed a whit, but he changed vs rather: Forsomuch as in a moment, our mourning was turned to Iubiley, playnt to song, and the domesticall discipline also, which was som­what [Page 63] troubled before with so grieuous an accident, was now retur­ [...]ed to its frame agayne.

The sacred Body being taken out of the chamber, vpon Ab­ [...]ots shoulders, was carryed (according to his owne designe) into [...]he Chappell of the most blessed Virgin. There were the Exequies [...]erformed with great celebrity; the Masse was solemnely sung, nor was there any want of those diligences, which appertayne to such worke of piety. Nor is it to be silenced the while, how a certaine [...]hild standing in the meane time a pretty way off, with a dead arme [...]f his, not without a grieuous impediment and deformity to him; I my self being aware thereof, becked to him, to come to me, when [...]aking the withered arme, I applyed it to the hand of the glorious Bishop, and he publikely on a sudden, retyred from thence with is arme, and hand made whole and sound. That done, those Or­gans of the holy Ghost, were deposed in the appointed Sepulcher.

In this manner the good S. Malachy, hauing happily runne his [...]ariere, went his wayes to the immortall crownes: leauing vs all [...]o lesse full of solid edification, then of laudable Enuy. It rests now O Sauiour, and our Iesus, that as we being put in trust with this most [...]oble treasure of yours, ready to restore it whensoeuer you shalbe pleased tn require the same: so your Maiesty, would vouchsafe not [...]o take it from hence, without the spoyles of so many companions [...]nd friends; but as we haue had him, as a Ghest, and Conuictour [...]n this transitory life; so may we haue him as a Guide & Conductor [...]nto heauen, for to raigne there with thee, and him, world without [...]nd.

The Genius and disposition of S. Antony: with his Vocation, and Renuntiation of the world. Chap. 1.

SAINT ANTONY of Aegypt, that glo­rious Conquerour of himselfe, and triumpher of the Princes, and powers of darknes, was borne in the confines of Heraclea, in a place cal­led of Sozomenus by the name of Coma, and by Nychephorus Conia; a variety sprung peraduen­ture from the errour of the Copyers: and so it is to be thought, since Coma in the Greeke tongue doth signify a Bourg, and therefore it is a common opinion of some, that eyther of both the Authours had so written. But howsoeuer it be, it ap­peares very well, that S. Anthony from the first beginning was de­stined to high enterprizes; since Nature, Education, and grace haue concurred with so liberall a hand, to fauour and adorne him. He had an able, and liuely temperature of body; an aspect both graue and pleasant; a sacacious iudgement; a memory tenacious; a witt [Page 64] [...] [Page 65] [...] [Page 66] docible, acute, and constant. Besides he was bred of Christian pa­rents, very honourable, with singular care and custody, and with so much the greater facility, as the Child of his owne accord, being much aliened from childish sports, and profane studies, shewed him selfe most amorous of silence, and of Churches; attentiue to the word of God, content with simple fare, and without any delica­cies. To such matters, and addresses as these, the holy Ghost added the forme, and the ornaments, which presently we shall see. For that indeed in the most dangerous passage of his age, which was of 18. or 20. being left an Orphā, with one Sister only, certaine things began to come into his mynd, which formerly he had heard, or read, of the Counsayles of Christ, of the conuersation of his disci­ples, and of the meruailous feruour of the primitiue Church, at such tyme as the faythfull, replenished with charity, selling their hou­ses and liuings, and whatsoeuer els they possessed in the world, went voluntarily, bringing the price thereof, and laying the same at the feete of the Apostles. Considering withall, the inestimable re­wards, wherewith for the same they were to be recompenced in Heauen.

These thoughts, went S. Antony reuoluing in his mind; when as it happened through diuine disposition, being entred into a Tē ­ple, according to custome, he heard in the very same instant, these words of the Ghospell recited; Si vis perfectus esse, vade, & vende om­nia quaecumque habes, & da pauperibus, & veni sequere me, & habebis the­saurum in caelo. The words were not sung to a deafe man: they sud­denly pierced with extraordinary feeling vnto the marrow & [...] Wherupon the Sacrifiec being ended, he returned home from thēc [...] without delay: and gaue liberally the rents of his Patrimony to his kindred, which were 300. acres of very fertill land, as S. Athana­su [...]s affirmes (to whose Greeke text I do particularly adhere, though others haue accompted it for some 300. trees of fruitfull Palmes) and this to auoyd all manner of contention. For the moueables he put them to sale, and taking from thence a summe of money, distri­buted the same to the poore; reseruing to himselfe, but a very small part for necessities occurring, and especially for his Sisters sake. But within litle after, being returned to the Church, and hearing that other aduise of the chiefe Verity; Nolite cogitare de crastino: with a ge­nerous resolution he made an end of selling the rest, and placing the child his Sister, in the company of some noble and deuout Virgins, [Page 67] he distributed the rest that remayned, to the poore. Thence lea­uing his house, and parents, being replenished with singular con­fidence, he made his entry into the sharpe way of perfect Vertue.

At that tyme, there were not on foote so many Monasteryes in Egipt, as were afterwards to be seene: and in the Deserts which were more remote (none can remember) that euer any one inhabi­ted, till that tyme: But, he that would with particular study, giue himselfe to diuine Seruice, and attend to the saluation of his soule, for the most, recollected himselfe into some little Lodging, neare to his country, and there would exercise and apply himselfe with sun­dry meanes to pacify the heauenly wrath, to amend his manners, & to prepare himselfe for death. The holy youth hauing got some no­tice of one of these Exe [...]citants, being now of good yeares, and wel experienced, disposed himselfe to do as much. And likewise seque­string himselfe from the conuersation of seculars, began first to deale with him, and afterwards with others, frō time to tyme, such as dayly he discouered to be addicted to that manner of life: and not for curi­osity to know sundry inclinations of natures, or features of faces, but with diligence only to obserue the industryes, and vertuous quali­tyes of all, and in ech one to imitate whatsoeuer might seeme more admirable in him; and so like a wise Bee, for the framing of his mi­sticall hony, in visiting them at tymes, and shewing himselfe offi­cious, obsequious, and obedient to them, he went on with a great deale of iudgment; collecting abstinence from hence, thence affa­bility, from one dexterity in conuersation, from another vigilancy in praying, from this heere patience and meekenes, from him there sharpe penance and mortification, and from all together a feare of God, and christian charity to his Neighbour. And it is truly a thing worthy of note, that he contending so with euery one to his power in so noble an enterprize, would be doing the same with such cir­cumspection, and with so much sweetnes; as not only he was free from rancour and enuy, but likewise highly beloued and esteemed of euery one. And moreouer now hauing made the renunciation of his goods, and hauing nothing to susteyne himselfe, he would not liue with the sweat of other mens browes, but would giue some tyme to the labour of his hands, & of the price which he purchased with his trauells, reteyning onely to himselfe, so much as might suffice him for a little bread, he would diuide the rest with very great charity, among the poore.

S. Anthony is twice tempted by the euill Spirits: but reiects them both. Chap. 2.

TO so fayre a beginning, and so happy a progresse, the subtile & cruell Enemy of human kind, opposeth himselfe, vsing all art, and framing euery engin, to withdraw the new souldiour from his glorious purposes. First he beginnes on the one side, to reduce into his mynd, his parentall inheritance, the commodity and delights of his home; his nobility of bloud, with the hope of new purposes. On the other, the streight way of vertue, the frailty of flesh, the diffi­culty of pennances, especially in the spatiousnes of a long life, which with apparent reasons, he would seeme to make him promise to himselfe. He added moreouer, the due sollicitude of his kindred, & particularly of the virgin his Sister; who though recommended to others, yet if peraduenture any sad disastre should betide her, she might iustly in the sight of God & men, cōplaine of him. With these suggestions, gaue Sathan the first assaults to S. Antony: and perceiuing himselfe to be so valiantly repelled with words of the diuine scrip­ture, through liuely fayth, and with the memory of the Pouerty, of the dolours, and Passion of Christ; he reenforced the battayle afresh, with a squadron of bestiall & carnall thoughts, enflaming in an in­stant, the naturall incentiues of youthfull age, and representing in his imagination day and night, sundry formes of beautifull and lasciuious women. This new warre, as it was continuall and peri­lous to S. Antony, so was it grieuous and troublesome to him beyond measure, and the Enemyes so much the more audacious and fierce, as their intelligence on earth was greater, and their enflamed darts seemed to penetrate more neere to the Fort of the soule.

Neuertheles, the stout and faythfull Guardian, opposed so many rampiers of vigils, fastings, considerations of infernal paynes and of the last iudgment; and aboue all obteyned with humble and feruent prayer so much succour from heauen, as euen likewise from these battayles, he seemed to carry away alwayes a happy & glo­rious victory. Whereupon the restles Aduersary did tēpt him with arrogancy, and vanity, hoping by that meanes to depriue him of the crowne. Within a little after, the Enuious & diabolicall wretch appeared to the blessed young man, in the shape of a horrid, & yong Blackamore, complayning with a human voyce, & prostrate at his [Page 69] feete, sayd to him: Many, and many, O Antony, haue I deceiued in my tyme, but as by other Saints, so likewise now by thee, and thy valour, am I put to confusion. Being demanded, who he was: I am said he, the friēd of Carnality. I am he that moues debates, & in sun­dry manners, do cause perplexities in youth; & therfore they do call me, the spirit of Fornication. How many, that haue beene disposed to liue in Chastity, haue I made them already to alter their purposes? How many, that haue begun to keepe the same, haue I reduced a­gayne to their obscenes and vncleanes, as before? I am he, through whose occasion, the Prophet so reprehends the lapsed, saying: Spirit [...] fornicationis seducti estis: & surely with reason too, since I, & no other but I, am he that deceiued them. And I finally, am he, who haue tempted thee often, yet hitherto could I neuer ensnare thee.

At these words, S. Anthony acknowledging, all good to come from heauen, sudenly gaue thanks to the diuine Goodnes, & thence taking new confidence, thus answered the Deuill. Thou then for ought I can see, art a very coward, and hast little in thee: and like­wise the age, and hew thou hast taken vpon thee, are right signes of great weakenes and basenes in thee: and added, For this reason alone, (quoth he) I will not care for thee. And concluded with great iubiley of hart: Dominus mihi adiutor, & ego despiciam inimicos ineos. Scarcely had he begun to sing this goodly verse, of the hundred & seauententh psalme, when the infamous seducer vanished quite, ful of rage, and confusion. And it was but iust, that the fierce encoun­ters, and vercrate stratagems of that immortall substance, which had once the impious boldnes, to rise vp against the Highest; should re­mayne thus scorned & reproached by a yong man, encombred with flesh, and encompassed with infirmity.

But yet for all this, S. Antony held not himselfe a whit secure, or out of danger: because he had well vnderstood ere now, how the wicked spirits, haue a thousand inuentions to hurt with. Heerupon taking al wais new courage, at the presence of God, he would neuer lay down the armes of iustice; nor yet discouered he only, from the strongest tower of holy fayth, with high contemplation, the coun­try afarre off, but euen lay also in wayt with particular attention to be alwayes ready agaynst the domesticall enemies, not suffering in the Ports of the hart any thought to haue entrance, not through­ly examined, and well known. He had all his parts subdued and restreyned with seuere lawes, and heasts. He would passe very of­ten [Page 70] whole mights in prayer, and when through extreme necessi­ty it behoued him to rest somewhat, he had no other bedd, then a peece of a mat, or the bare ground. Some two or three dayes to­geather, would he be without eating or drinking awhit, and at last would refresh himselfe with nothing els, but bread, and a l [...]le water, and salt.

And heere it is to be noted, that he slackt not his rigour after he had thus continued a while as if he had done inough: nor mea­sured he the greatnes of his profit by continuance of tyme: But day by day, he would suppose he did but then beginne, remembring that saying of Elias: The Lord liues, in whose sight I do stand to day. In which saying, S. Antony would ponder on that word, to day: be­ing well aduised, that the souldier of Christ, were to make no rec­koning of the trauayles, and yeares now passed ouer; but as if e­uery day, he had but newly entred into the lists, so were he to be alwayes in a readines, to giue forth himselfe, as a glad spectacle to the diuine Maiesty, Men, and Angels. And now since mention i [...] made of Elias, I will not spare to add, how the blessed S. Antony ac­cording to the light he had in raysing vp his thoughts, from tyme to tyme, was purposed at last, with singular study to expresse in himselfe, the lyfe and manners of that louer, not of Prophecy so much, as of retirednes, and solitude.

S. Antony betakes himselfe into a Cell in the Desart; and is therefore ma­ligned by the wicked Spirits. Chap. 3.

NOr farre of from S. Antonyes Cottage, were many ancient rui­nes, not inhabited by any. In one of which causing himselfe to be shut vp, by a certayne friend of his, with order taken with him, to bring him bread within such a space; he heere would treate with none other, then himselfe, and God alone. For which the Prince of darknes, being now anew enflamed with rage, and fearing if he put not remedy to it in tyme, he should soone behold (to his irreparable losse) the desert likewise filled with Monasteries & Monkes: sending presently to the Cell of S. Antony, a great num­ber of cruell Ministers, caused him (through diuine dispensation) to be so sharpely scourged & whipped, as he was left on the ground, deuoyd of speach or breath: and he himselfe likewise related after­wards, that the smart of those stroakes exceeded any tormens, which [Page 71] were humanly supportable.

While then he lay along stretched forth in this man nor; behold through diuine prouidēce) his coadiutour came now to him with [...]is wonted prouision. Who opening the doore, and finding the [...]oore S. Antony in so ill a plight; tooke him vp for dead on his shoul­ [...]ers, & with much cōpassion carryed him so to the Parish Church. Heere now, who were able to explicate the concourse of freinds, Parents, and Neighbours, who came suddenly to behold him, to, [...]ewayle him, and to prepare his obsequyes? Some lamented the [...]red of so heroicall actions should so beyond al opinion be cut off. Others very bitterly deplored the losse of such a Father and Maister, [...]nd perhaps there wanted not those (such is the nature of men) that [...]r lack of consideration, would seeme to re [...]rehend him of immo­ [...]rate feruour, & foolish temerity. The Euening being passed with [...]ch discourses, while they stood about the Corps with many lights [...]fficiously, expecting the Exequyes; by little and little (as it hap­ [...]ens) they fell a sleep. And now it was about midnight, when S. [...]ntony being returned to himselfe, & opening his eyes, was aware, [...]at all the Standers by were oppressed with a profound sleepe, ex­ [...]epting his familiar friend, who through his much sollicitude and [...]harity, was continually in suspence, and vigilant. Which S. Antony [...]rceiuing, coniured him so much, partly with signes, and partly with a low voyce, as in fine he obteyned, without any noyse to be [...]onueighed back into his cell againe. Where being not able, throgh [...]e many soares he had, eyther to kneele, or to stand on his feete, [...]e was feyn first, as he lay, to make his prayer a prety while, & af­ [...]er that with a greater courage thē euer, began he with a lowd tone [...]o defy the infernall squadrons, saying.

Behold me Antony, heere I am, I fly not your shirmishes, how [...]ierce soeuer they be, nor shal euer any thing in the world be able to [...]euer me from Christ; and presently gaue himselfe to singing of Psal­mes, saying: Si consistant aduersumme castr [...], now time bit cor [...]; whē [...]s the Authour of Pri [...] conuerting himselfe to his cursed Crew, See you (saith he) this vntamed beast, how after so many punishments, [...]nd bitter woes, he daies yet to prouok vs thus? Take vp your armes fresh, and assayle him now more sharpely then euer; that he may [...]nce come to learne, whome he hath to deale with Lucifer had yet [...]ow scarcely finished his commaunds, when the foundation being [...]aken with a horrible Earth-quake, and the foure sides of the poore [Page 72] Cell layd open. There entred in a moment by those chincks a h [...] multidue of vncleane spirits, in sundry and dreadfull figures of Ly­ons, Buls, Leopards, Beares, Wolues, Aspes, Scorpions, a [...] Serpents, beating the ayre, and bestirring themselues, ech one, ac­cording to its proper forme, and nature. The greedy Lion roared, ready to deuoure: The Bull lowed, threatning with his cruell hor­nes: The Dragon hissed, with the neck stretched forth, and [...] pestilent breath: The rauenous Wolfe fell a houling, with open mouth, and sharp teeth: and all the sauage beasts, in fine, with eye [...] enflamed, and open iawes, fell a brissling themselues, being ech o [...] power, if not hindred from aboue, to teare S. Antony into a thou­sand peeces. But as they had no power vpon the lyfe of the Saint: so on the person, as farre as they had leaue, they striue now agayne, to worke him what domage and outrage they could.

At which very tyme the inuincible Champion, though other­wise groaning amidst all those terrible blowes, yet fayling not [...] ­whit of his courage, reproachfully rebuked the malignant spirits, saying: If there were any force in you, some one of you alone, were inough (I trow) for so light a conflict, but because God ha [...] taken away your forces from you, therefore you do go thus abo [...] to affright me with multitudes, and with strange figures of beasts▪ being surely an euident token of your misery. And manfully infe [...] ­red moreouer: If you haue any power in you; If God hath giu [...] you any authority ouer me, am I not now heere in your hand [...] Then do you swallow me vp. & glut your appetites vpon me: b [...] if you haue no such lycence, why trouble you your selues in vayn [...] See you not, how the signe of the holy crosse, & the Fayth in Go [...] serues christians, as impregnable walls.

At these words, the wicked fiends, encompassed him round, & euen fretted, and gnashed their teeth at him: When the Seruant of God, in lifting vp his eyes, beheld incontinent, the roofe to open it selfe, and the ayre to appeare with a celestiall ray; wherupon th [...] roome was illuminated at once, the Enemyes vanished, the payn [...] ceased, and the building shaken and disioynted before, came sudday­nely now to be vnited agayne, & reduced to the former estate. And from thence in a moment, S. Antony was informed of the presen [...] of God, and sending forth a deepe sigh, to the vision-wards, exclay­med. Where wast thou, O good Iesu [...], where wast thou? Why w [...] thou not heere from the first beginning to remedy my wounds? [...] [Page 73] answere whereof, was heard this voyce: Antony, I was heere in presece with thee, but stood expecting thee. And since thou hast shewed thy selfe to be thus stoute, & daunted not awhit, I will al­wayes succour thee, and shall make thy name famous through the world. With this Visitation S. Antony rose vp from the ground, with a great deale more vigour, then before he euer receyued. And was euen iust at that tythe; of the age of 35. yeares.

S. Antony retires himselfe into more inhabitable places. He meetes with the illusions of the Diuells: and shuts himself vp. Chap. 4.

SAint Antony being now by this tyme enflamed to greater enter­prizes, determines to penetrate further into the more inhabitable places, and most remote from humane society: [...] yet thought it not meete to conceale this determination of his, from his first and dee­rest Mayster, but rather communicating with him his whole desi­gne, inuited him also to be partaker with him of so illustrious a cō ­quest. But he excusing himselfe, through his oldage, with other difficultyes besides, S. Antony doth put himselfe alone on the way: And while he hauing confidence in God, goes forward, very sud­denly he beheld a great siluer Bason on the ground. At which sight, making a stop, and glauncing his eyes, obseruing the ap­parition, did presently perceyue the subtility of him, that had for­ged the same, and began to discourse with himselfe. Whence might this siluer vessell seeme to come hither? The place is quite out of the way, heere are no steps of any passengers, and when peraduenture one should loose it, yet such is the greatnes thereof, as suddenly he must needs be aware thereof, or at least would he afterwards haue turned backe at leasure to seeke it out: so as this is thy trick, O Satha, nor thinke thou thus to hinder my intention heerby. Go thy waies then with thy mettall with a mischiefe.

This sayd, the Plate immediately vanished like smoke, when S. Antony pursuing his iourney, but a little way off discouered a very great wedge of gold on the ground, and that not counterfayte and phantasticall, as the siluer was: yet could not be discerned, whether it were by diabolicall operation, or els (for the greater proofe of the Seruant of God) by some heauenly power, there put in that fort. But this is well known the gold was not imaginary, but true & per­fect. At the quantity and brightnes wherof, while S. Antony won­dered, [Page 74] to the end so betwitching an obiect, might not penetrate th [...] 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 Moū ­tayne, where was a Castle halfe ruined, and inhabited with serp [...] 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 withstāding 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: Wh [...] regarding the good of these, more then the menaces of those, appro­ching to the doore, exhorted thē 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, & leau [...] [Page 75] 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 faci [...] 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 [Page 76] 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 cō ­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 conten [...]mēt, but was alwayes found with Rea­son in the Sterne most firme, constant, and equall. He had so [...] refull & serene a coūtenance, 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, nory [...] 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 most well­beloued Sonne, but rather in satisfaction of our debts, deliuer him o­uer to so cruell and bitter a death. With which discourses and ad [...] ­nishments, S. Antony went mouing the people in such fort, as many conceauing a like desire of the Eternity, and contempt of the world, determined themselues likewise to be sequestred from the vulgar, & to giue themselues to a solitary life.

From hence so many Monasteryes tooke their beginnings, where with in a very short tyme, were all those craggy mountaynes and champians of Egipt filled. And he, so long as he liued, had the superintendency and sollicitous care ouer them all▪ receauing with [Page 77] singular affect of charity, such as for diuers occurences of good go­ [...]rnement, would be making their repayre vndo him, and he him­selfe also would no lesse be visiting them in person, when tyme re­ [...]ired, without sparing any labour, or respect of manifest perils, ha­ [...]ing alwayes the heauenly custody with him, which miraculously [...]efended him from all disasters.

As it happened once among other tymes, in his visit of the coū ­ [...]y of Arsinoe; whither trauayling with some of his, and being to [...]ade ouer a branch of the riuer of [...] full of Crocadills, & most [...]uell Enemyes & Deuoures of men, hauing made his praier a litle, [...]tred into the water, and passed quite through it, both going and [...]omming, without any manner of hurt at all of himselfe or his Cō ­anions. Being now returned to his Cell, he gaue himselfe to his [...]onted labours and exercises, as before: and aboue all to his pasto­rall care, by inducing alwaies the Monks to greater perfection, with words and deeds, full of holsome incite ments, and holy doctrine. Nor was it hard for him to assemble an Auditory, so great was the [...]unger which euery one had of his words, and so singular the grace [...] his discourse, vouchafed him by our Lord, But especially, one day, [...]ere being [...] together a very great [...]course of people, to heare [...]im, the venerable Abbot with accustomed modesty, & candour of [...]ynd, in the Egyptian tongue, began to deliuer himselfe, as it fol­loweth in the next chapter.

The Exhortation of S. Antony to the Monkes, and people of the Disart Chap. 6.

ALthough the diuine Scriptures (my Children, and most belo­ued Brethren) are sufficient of themselfes for the instruction, and erudition of men: Yet is it a thing notwithstanding very reaso­nable, and iust, that euen Men no lesse knowing themselues, with mutuall incitements, excite one another to the execution of that, which they haue well vnderstood; and with pertaking ech one with the rest, the inspirations and lights he obteynes of God, they may all come to be euery day more wife, and expert in his holy ser­ [...]ce. Wherfore you, my children, whensoeuer you shall haue any good conceipt, to propose, vnto others, & to me your Father; omit [...]not, and I also as more ancient in yeares and most ready for the glory of God, will participate with you, in a much of that kind, as [Page 78] I haue hitherto any wayes, eyther by document of others, or of my owne experience, been able to comprehend.

The first then, and principall aduertisement for all, is [...] that ech one of vs, endeauour two things. The one, not to dimin [...] a whit of our labour or industry, reputing our selues, to haue do [...] inough. The other, not to loose courage, while the affayre seeme too prolix and tedious to vs; but rather, we are to make accompe that euery day is the first beginning, and to be alwayes a conseruing and increasing our holy purposes. Because, that as the whole age of a man, is very short, in comparison of what succeeds: so is al the created tyme, as nothing, being paraleled with Eternity. And truly in this life, things are ordinarily bought at a iust price, & in human traffiques is accompt made of so much, for iust so much: but in [...] case it is not so: while the Eternall Crowne seemes to stand vs [...] deed, but in a very little.

We read in the Psalmes: Dies annorum nostrorum in ipsis, septuag [...] anni: Si autem in potentatibus, octoginta, & amplius eorum labor & [...]. Whence put the case, we do spend the same whole space of eighty, or a hundred yeares, in the diuine seruice, thinke you the rew [...] therof to be equal? The trauaile exceeds not an age, the guerdon en­dures foreuer; the toyles are on earth, the recompence in heauen; the body comes to be rotten and consumed, but recouers a glorious, and vncorruptible one. So as my Children, let vs not go foulding o [...] armes; Let vs not thinke it to be ouer long; or that we haue done already any great matter, since according to the Apostle: The T [...] ­lations of the present life, haue not any proportion with the glory, which is [...] manifest in vs. Nor, casting our Eyes to the world, belieue, that we haue forsaken any great matter. For as much as the whole round [...] of the Earth, is but a point, in respect of the vniuersall fabrique of the world: and yet supposing we were Lords of as much as the S [...] warmes, and should haue quite renounced such a Monarchy, for the Loue of Christ; yet for all that would it be nothing at all, if we re­gard but the Realme of the Heauens, which is proposed to vs. And who is he, that would not willingly seeme to cast away a dramme of yron, to haue for the same a hundred of gold? Euen so a Man, that should abandon for God, all these earthly Signoryes, should afford very little, and receiue a hundred for one.

Now, if all the Earth at once, may not seeme to contest with the worth of Paradise; it is cleere, that for one to depriue himselfe [Page 79] of armes, or houses, or summes of money, he should not yet seeeme take eyther any vayne glory, or foolish sadnes for the same: es­ [...]ially considering, that though we despoyle not our selues of [...]se things for the loue of Christ, yet of force are we very soone to [...]go them, when we come to dye; and to leaue them very often, [...] such, as we thinke least of, as Ecclesiastes well notes. Why then [...] we not make a vertue of necessity? Wherefore exchange we not, [...]sitory patrimony, for an incorruptible inheritance? And if it [...]olly, to be tenacious of that which we possesse, much lesse be­ [...]g once disentangled from the same, should we be turning our [...]ought agayne vpon such a purchase? but alwayes aspire to the ga [...] ­ing of such things, as follow vs after the departure of the Soule [...]m the body: such as are the merits of Prudence, Temperance, lu­ [...]ce, Wisedome, Fortitude, Humanity, Liberality, Fayth in Christ, [...]eekenes, Hospitality, and other such like merchandise: where­ [...] if we make vs prouision in tyme, being once recalled from this [...]nishment, we shall find them to haue gone before vs, as Har­ [...]ngers, to prepare vs a Mansion, in the Citty of the Blessed.

These things, being well considered, should surely shake off, [...]om the mynd all negligence, and weake pufillanimity: but when [...]ey suffice not, at least we ought to be moued, with the strictnes of [...]ligation we haue to God. He truly is our law [...]full Lord, and we [...]s naturall vassayles and slaues. Now then, as a slaue dares ne­ [...]r to matter thus much, and say, I haue laboured yesterday in ough, [...]o day therefore I will do nothing: No, but day by day (as the [...]ospell sayth) still shew forth the selfe-same promptnes, which he [...]d before, presuming not at all vpon his passed toyles, nor thinke [...]ereby to be idle, eyther now, nor heerafter; to the end, he [...]ight conserne himselfe in grace, with his Mayster, and not to be [...]ust out of his seruice: so likewise should we, euery day be encou­ [...]ging ech other to Religious Discipline, assuring ourselues, that [...] we cease from working one day only, we shall not obtayne re­ [...]ission, in vertue of any former seruices done, but shall be punished [...]ther for this dayes demerits. For so sayd the Prophet Ezechiel; That [...]ter death, euery one shall beiudged, according to the state, he shall then be [...]nd in. And Iudas also for his ill carrage (if I might so say) of one [...]ght onely, did loose the fruite of all his yeares for passed.

So as, attend we, my children, to the true Obseruation of our Ru­ [...]s, and not suffer our selues to be vanquished with tediousnes, as [Page 80] knowing, that according to the Apostle, Our Lord is not backward whit to cooperate with him that hath a good will, and endeauours to help [...] selfe. It shall likewse auay le vs not a little, to chase away Slouth carry alwayes, in the memory, that saying of the Apostle himse [...] Quotidie morior. And if we likewise would be alwayes thin [...] with ourselues, that this present day were to be our last, & a wak [...] in the morning we would but suppose not to arriue to the Eueni [...] and agayne being layd downe at night, not promise to our se [...] to liue till morning: If we would regard, how vncertayne the [...] is, and how the diuine Prouidence, seemes to measure, and num [...] our steps, & how it hath continually the Eyes vpon vs; we sho [...] certainely not sinne, nor sufferre our selues to be carryed aw [...] with vnbrideled desires, nor should we be angry with our Nei [...] bour, nor giue our selues to lay vp treasure in earth: but we she [...] hubly yeild to others, in all, & through out, & should abhore all [...] suall pleasures, as a lewd and transitory thing, remayning alway [...] with our wits about vs, & with the Eyes turned towards the T [...] bunall, where we are all to be iudged. And after this manner s [...] the feare of euerlasting torments, be of more power to extingui [...] then the delicatenes of the flesh to enflame the desires of the [...] man. And with such a Stay shall the Soule sustayne it selfe, th [...] enclining already to a miserable precipice.

S. Antony proceeds yet in his Exhortation: And giues them other [...] sides. Chap. 7.

NOw, therefore, beginning a new, as if to day we but en [...] into the way of Perfection; let vs enforce our selues, to ar [...] to the End; and let no man turne his face to looke back, as di [...] wife of Lot especially our Lord hauing said so expressely, Th [...] soeuer hauing once set his band to the plough, should turne his face to heed [...] remaynes behind, were not apt for the heauenly kingdome, And this; [...] back, is nothing els, then for a man to repent himselfe of his go [...] beginning, & to returne yet agayne to wordly thoughts & acti [...] But some peraduenture may be affrighted with the name of ve [...] Go to then, yet let it not seeme strange or impossible, since [...]ey [...] is it farre from vs, or extrinsecall to vs, but rather within vs and [...] matter is easy to him, that truly disposeth himselfe to seeke it [...] Let the Grecians, and other profane Louers of themselues, go th [...] [Page 81] wayes to seeke it out, in forren Prouinces: let them plough the [...]as, crosse mountaynes, runne ouer the playnes & countries: For [...]s, there is no need to make any voyages for it, by sea or land, since [...]at, as the Prime Verity affirmes, The Kingdome of Heauen is with in vs. [...]n so much as to obteyne the same (supposing the diuine Grace, as [...]nclined to all) on our parts there requires no more, thē a meere effi­ [...]acious will. For so much as looke when the superiour part of the [...]oule, should be reduced to its naturall state, it would come to [...]aue in it selfe a solid and formall vertue indeed: since the naturall [...]ate seemes to be nothing els but the great rectitude, & much good­ [...]es, wherein it was framed by the soueraygne Creatour.

And hence it was, that the captayne Iesus Naue sayd to the He­ [...]rew people: Direct your hart to the Lord of Israel: And S. Iohn Baptist; [...]o you rectify your wayes. Because it is proper to the nature of a Soule, [...]o haue no wrinesse or crookednes in it. But whē it goes bending to [...]his or that side, then looseth it the naturall rectitude, & that ben­ [...]ing so, is worthily termed malice. From whence may appeare, [...]hat the enterprise is not so bad, as it seemes. For that if we, with [...]he helpe of our Lord, but conserue ourselues, such as we were fra­ [...]ed by him; we may come without more a do, to possesse Vertue: [...]ut if through election, we adhere to the euill, we do voluntarily [...]ecome wicked. If then the matter be not to be sought for else­where, but only consists in our selues, let vs beware of vncleane cogitations; and since from God we haue receyued our soule, as in [...]posito, let vs so deale that in his time, he may acknowledge his own workemanship in vs, and find the soule to be such, as himselfe had [...]ormed at first.

Let vs fight manfully, that we be not tirannized by wrath, nor yet ouerswayd with concupiscence: While it is written, The anger of [...]a man, workes not the iustice of God: and concupiscence after its conce­ption, doth bring forth sinne: and sinne being put in effect be­ [...]gets death. Let vs then be circumspect, in the gouernement of our selues, and stand we alwayes vpon our ward: and as the sacred Scripture aduiseth vs, let vs guard our hart withal the warynes that may be; because, though our enemyes on the one side, be infeebled, and deiected, notwithstanding on the other, are they very saga­cious, great dissemblers, and most subtle withall; and as the holy A­postle well notes: Non est nobis colluctatio aduersus carmen, & sangui­nem, sed aduersus principatus, potestates, aduersus mundi rectores tenebrarum [Page 82] harum, contra spiritualia nequitiae, in caelestibus. Great is their number, in this lower region of the ayre, nor are they in truth farre off from vs: They are likewise very different from ech other, in nature, and species; of which differences surely might a long discourse be had, but being a matter so litle necessary to our present purpose, & wor­thy of a more sublime vnderstanding, then mine is; It shall suffice me for this tyme, to touch that only which more imports vs; to wit, the fraudes, and stratagemes, which those maligne substances do worke, to the 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 Seruā [...]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 Na [...]e to be cleered by the Angell of light; and others not to be deceyued [Page 83] 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 [...]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 [...]aked, & quite stript of all those things, without doubt, being now [...]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 [Page 84] more spaciously enlarged himselfe, in proofe of his proper assertion the greater part of the night, as we said, being spent already, di [...] 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 hat [...] the loue of God in him, & hath a longing desire to come vnto him Neuerthelesse to place a principall foundation theron, in numerabl [...] proofes and seuerall euents, occuring to diuers persons, wil not a [...] ford me to do it. For as much as I haue seen heeretofore some me [...] being giuen to wonderous abstinence from meate, and sleepe, in­credibly retired from all human society, so addicted to Pouerty, a [...] they would not reserue a penny to themselues, or a loafe of brea [...] for the tyme to come, being wholy employed with exceeding d [...] uotion, and with singular feruour in hospitality, and in the comfo [...] and succour of Neighbours; to fall at last into such errours & illu [...] ons, as their issue proued nothing answerable to their genero [...] beginnings, and magnanimous enterprizes. So as we may clerely discerne, which way is the better, to arriue to God by. If wi [...] diligence we seeke, and search into the occasion of the ruine, and perdition of those vnhappy ones, who most certayne it is, had bee [...] gathering together, along tyme a notable treasure of good, and ho­ly workes; what then was it, that made them not perseuere vn [...] 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 rig [...] hand of spirituall consolations, to superfluous & vnmeasurable ser­uours; nor yet with the left of temptations and aridities, vnder c [...] lour of care of the body, to fall into slouth, and sensuality.

This Discretion is that, which by the Lord and Sauiour of m [...] 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 o [...] 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, [Page 85] and of disordinate passions: and immediately our Sauiour himselfe [...]dds the cause thereof; For that if the light which is in thee, be darkenes, [...]ow great then shall the darknes it selfe be? And in truth, who sees not, [...]hat when the iudgement, through ignorance, remayning in the darke, goes doubtfull and wauering; but needs must the thoughts [...]nd actions, depending thereon, come thence to be entrapped in a greater and thicker myst of sinnes? Of which truth, he doth giue vs [...]ufficient testimony, who by the eternall Maiesty, being chosen the first King of Israel, for not hauing this eye of discretion sound, but [...]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 [...]ffence in the selfe same thing, wherein he made full rekoning to gayne his fauour.

The defect of this knowledge, after that glorious triumph, [...]erswaded Achab, that mercy and clemency were better then seuc­ [...]ity, and the execution of that rigorous and cruell command, as it [...]eemed to him. Through which cōsidering, being mollifyed, whilst [...]e would needs seeme to be contemning with an act of piety, the [...]loudy victory, as he thought, through indiscreet compassion, be­ [...]ng himselfe likewise obscured in his whole person, was without [...]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; [...]et not the sunne seeme to set vpon your anger. This in like manner is called [...]he Gouernment of our life, according to that saying: Such as haue [...]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 [...]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 vnder­stāding 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 [Page 86] sayth: To the perfect belonges a solid foode, who through long experience, let t [...] 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, [...]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 reluctatiō 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 the [...] 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 nemor [...] obrumbrantia, tamquam Paradisus super flumina tamquam tabernacula, qua fix [...] 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 [Page 87] other lights: who neuer ceasing his angelicall customes, did alwaies [...]o his power keepe silence, and augment his pennances: aspiring day and night to the happy mansions of Heauen. Whereupon, as [...]ikewise the imitation of the more glorious Saints, he had so fixed [...]is mynd, that whensoeuer it was needfull for him to eate or sleep, [...]r in any other manner to serue the body, he beheld the noblenes [...]f the Soule, so miserably abased with so vile an exercise. And thus [...]hrough compulsion, he would take his refection, now alone, & [...]ow with others, not omitting through occasion thereof, to remē ­ [...]er his disciples, how much it behoued them very seriously to at­ [...]end to the soule, and to seeke after the profit thereof, in spending as [...]tle tyme, as might be in the care of the body, that the spirit be not [...]ulled downwards by sensuall delights, but the flesh to be reduced [...]ather into the seruitude, and power of the spirit; and this sayd he, [...]as the sense of those wordes of the Ghospell. Nolite soliciti esse animae [...]estrae, quid manducetis, neque corpori, quid induamini: haec enim omnia gen­ [...]s inquirunt: Scit enim Pater vester, quod his omnibus indigetis: Querite au­ [...]m regnum Dei, & haec omnia adijcientur vobis.

At the same tyme, while S. Antony was instructing, and gui­ [...]ing his Monkes in this manner; was raised in Egypt, that cruell per­ [...]cution of Maximinian, agaynst the Church of God. At the newes [...]hereof, the holy Abbot, being desirous to shed his bloud for Christ, [...]ent his way in hast to Alexandria, accompanyed with many, say­ [...]g: let vs be present by all meanes at the glorious combats of [...]e Champions of Christ: for that God will eyther make vs wor­ [...]y of that glorious Fellowship with them, or at least, if our Vo­ [...]ation extend not so high, their fayth and fortitude will affoard [...]s a noble spectacle, and of much edification. In the meane tyme, [...]e puts himselfe in publique to help and encourage them. First in [...]e mines, and in prisons, and afterwards much more, when they [...]rought them to the vniust Tribunall. And heere is the manifest [...]rouidence of God to be noted, that as he had destined him to the [...]ouernment, and example of Religious, (and in truth many be­ [...]g inuited only with the example, aspect, and manners of the man [...]f God, renounced the world) so he neuer suffered the Tyrant to lay [...]ands vpon him.

True it is, that hauing once vnderstood, he was in the Citty, [...]nd succoured the Christians, he made an Edict, that no Monke [...]ould approch to the prisons, and that all should depart from Ale­xandria. [Page 88] But yet the valourous Confessour, was not terrifyed with this, but rather on the day appointed for the wicked Execution, and at the publique Act of Matrtyrdome, while the other Monkes, were a hiding themselues, he alone, accompanyed the combatants to the scaffold, exhorting them alwayes to perseuere inuincible, and cou­ragious. From hence, to the end to be more easily seene, or rather to draw the eyes of the Prefect himselfe vpon him, being clothed with a garment, which was very conspicuous; he gets vp on a place of aduantage, somewhatneere vnto the scaffold, and there stood con­fidēt to the very end of al; with a holy Emulation for the Crownes, which the faithfull of Christ, seemed to purchase by their deaths: de­claring thereby the promptnes and fortitude, which in such occu­rences, they are to haue, who are truly Christians. In so much, as the Prefect descending from the Tribunall, & with all his Guard, pas­sing by S. Antony, remayned astonished at the grauity and fortitude of the Saint. Who since he saw himselfe, not without griefe, to b [...] thus deceiued of the hope, returned afresh to the prisons, and caues to serue, and comfort the Confessours of Christ, as he was wont; vn­till such tyme, as the blessed Bishop Peter being martyred, the rage of the Persecutours, came finally to cease.

Vpon occasion wherof, S. Antony retiring to his Monastery, there gaue himselfe to participate as well as he could, of the Palmes of the Martyrs, with bitter austerityes, abstinence, and voluntary punishments: not wearing any other within, but Cilices, and skins without; and neuer washing his body, nor so much as his feet, but when he chaunced on the way to wade ouer any water. And it is held most certayne, that vntill his buryall, he was neuer seene to be stript, or naked.

S. Antony dispossesseth one of the Deuill: and heares a voyce from hea [...] which directs him what to do. Chap. 10.

NOw S. Antony, being thus recollected, with purpose not to be seene of any, for a tyme; a certayne Captayne called Mar­tinianus, with a daughter of his, very shrewdly tormented by the deuill, and with a great troupe of people, approached to the Cel, & there stood knocking, and beseeching S. Antony with a lowd voyce, to come forth in publique, and to pray to God for the Mayden. To which cryes, hauing now stopped his eares for a pretty while, he [Page 89] came at last of meere compassion, to a litle chinck of the wall, and said. Hola, Who do you call for? I am yet mortall: If you belieue in that Lord [...]home I serue, go your waye [...], and pray to him, and according to your faith, [...]hall the grace be done you. The Captayne shewed not himselfe to be a­ny thing backe-ward to such aduises, but immediately conuerting himselfe from Paganisme, began to inuoke the name of Christ; and on a suddayne, the daughter of that Captayne was found to be safe and sound. After this, many other aswell Lunatique, as infirme per­sons, who could not come to haue any audience of the Saint, lay prostrate at the doore, and there recommended themselues, so long to his intercessions, as they came thence wholy cured.

At which meruayles, and at the concourse of new troupes of people, was S. Antony sore molested: fearing in his mynd, some motion of Pride, or at least, the world might come to frame too high a conceipt of him. Making then, mature deliberation herupon, [...]he determined to leaue that Cell, and to co [...]ueigh himselfe secretly into the vpper Thebais, in some part, where he might not be known of any liuing body.

To this effect, being departed, with some loaues of bread, to the shore of Nilus, while he was sitting there, expecting commodi­ty of passage, he heard a voyce from Heauen, which with a cleare tone pronounced these words: Antony, whither [...] thou going? and wher­fore? And he not being troubled thereat, as being already acquain­ted with such things, made answere: These people will not let my rest, whereupon I am resolued to passe into the vpper Thebais, as well to eschew the sayd disturbances, as principally also for not to be requested in things which exceed my power. The voyce adds: Although thou goest thy wayes hence to Thebais, and endeauourest to hide thy selfe (as thy designe is) among the sheapeards Cottages there: Yet know, thou shalt thence but purchase to thy selfe a double trauayle: Whereas if thou wilt find true rest indeed, thou must go into the hart of the Desert. And S. Antony replying: who shall shew mee the way thither to some place, to the purpose, since I my selfe was neuer there? when presently was shewed him a squadron, or to say rather a company of Saracens, who comming to Egypt for traffique sake, were now in their returne into Arabia, and were bound to trauaile iust that way.

Then S. Anthony approching to them, intreated them fayrely they would be pleased to take him along for a pretty way with thē, and so they did, as if they had had commandment from God: and [Page 90] at the end of three dayes, and three nights, they arriued at a very high mountayne, at the foote whereof, went gliding a fresh, and christall water, and nor farre from thence certayne trees were to be seene of sauage, and wild palmes. At the discouery of such a sight S. Antony did exceedingly reioyce, and sayd within himselfe, that same was surely the seate appointed for him. So as taking his leaue, with a thousand thankes, of the Saracens (who gaue him moreouer some of their bread) he remayned there alone in the Mountayne, & tooke it as his deere habitation, susteyning himselfe with wa [...], and the Dates thereby, and with the now supply, which the S [...] ­cen passengers, from tyme to tyme, admiring so great a vertue, di [...] afterwards affoard him: Vntill such tyme, as the Monkes at last, be­ing come to the knowledge of the place, tooke vpon them, the care to prouide for him; howbeit the holy, man, perceyuing by this [...] casion, they were like to be troubled much, and forced to take a great deale of paynes for his sake, was resolued to spare that labo [...] & causing some plough- [...]ons to be brought vnto him, with a litle seed corne, he beganne to till and sow a plot of ground, so as eue­ry yeare, he reaped sufficient to liue on: being much comforted the while, that he was heerby no whit offensiue or troublesome to any person of the world, being a thing, to his power, which he had e­uer auoyded. But seeing afterwards, for all this, that Ghests for­bore not to resort thither, he sowed there moreouer, some hearbes, for to be able to giue some manner of entertaynement, to passen­gers, we aryed with so long and difficult a iourney. And forasmuch as diuers sauage beasts, being inuited by the water there, came thi­ther to drinke, and did withall some hurt to his corne; he catching one of them, sayd very mildly to it, & the rest: Why do you wrong mee so, that offend nor you? Go your wayes, and come you hither no more, for our Lords sake. A very admirable thing; they being terrifyed, as it were, with such a commandement, durst neuer more seeme to returne thither.

S. Antony is much troubled with the assaults of the Diuell: He heares of S. Paul the great Hermit, and goes to seeke him out. Chap. 11.

A Midst such labours of body & mynd, the seruant of God being now growne old, yet continued his wonted discipline, and neuer left to afflict himselfe. Wherupon the Monks being moued to [Page 91] pitty, did bring him Oliues, with oyle, and pulse, for these were de­ [...]icacyes amongst thē. But in that place so remote, it cannot be told what combats the blessed S. Antony continually susteyned from Sa­ [...]han. Such as went thither, for their deuotion, were afterwards wont to relate, they had heard besides, great tumults, and noyses [...]here, with many cryes and clamours, and clashing of armes, and seene the mountaine all couered ouer with sparkles of fire, and the Saint vpon his knees, making his praier, against the fury of the outra­gious Enemyes. And surely it was an admirable thing, that a soli­tary man, in so great a vastnes of regions, should haue no feare, neyther of infernall spirits, nor of dragons, nor wild beasts: but truly, according to the Psalmist, confiding in our Lord, like to Mount Sion, had alwayes his mind very peaceable, and quiet: so as the deuills had occasion to feare him, and the beasts laying their poyson and cruelty aside, became very meeke and tractable to him.

But yet Lucifer ceased not to tempt him agayne, and to seeke alwayes to worke his annoyance, gnashing and grinding his teeth at him. And one night, among the rest while S. Antony was busy in prayer, he had leaue to set against him as many hurtfull beasts, as were to be found in those desert cliffs; who as forced to come forth of their dennes, were set on to encompasse the Seruant of Christ, making a proffer (as others heeretofore) to swallow and deuout him quite: but the vnderstanding the subtility of the Aduersary, told them, That if they had power from heauen, they might deuoure him, but if otherwise they came as sent by the deuill, without delay they should go their wayes, for he was the seruant of Christ. With which protestations, the brutish troupes, being affrighted & scour­ged, did suddainly fly away.

From thence within few dayes, while he was making baskets, as he was wont, to bestow on them that dealt very charitably with him; he perceiued one of the wickers of his worke to be drawne to the doore-wards, and raysing vp himselfe, sees a monster, from the head to the hips, which appeared like a man, & frō the hips downe wards, was like an Asse. And yet was S. Antony not astonished a whit at so new, and straunge a spectacle; but rather making the signe of the Crosse on himselfe, defyed it boldly, as he was wont: whereupon the beast being scared, togeather with the spirits that guided it, so imperuously ranne from thence as falling downe head­long, it dyed, representing in that fal the vnhappy aduenture of such [Page 92] as would go about to driue away S. Antony from the Desert.

Now after so many toyles of body and mynd, the Seruant of God was become Ninety yeares of age, & could no more without manifest daunger, endure austerites as before. Wherupon, with a pious violence, the Monkes enforced him to accept of two of them, to boare him company, and to haue care of him. The one called Amtli [...], and the other Macarius. About which tyme, the glorious doctour S. Ierom declares, how S. Antony bethinking himselfe, that hitherto neuer had any Monke gone further into the desart then he, it was reuealed to him, on the night following, that he was decei­ued, since there was another yet, more ancient and perfect then he that likewise inhabited therein, and that by all meanes, he should go to seek him. S. Antony was nothing flack to obey. For scarce had the Aurora put forth, when without any other companion, then a little staffe, he puts himselfe into the voyage: and now was it about high Noone, and the parching rayes of the sunne beganne to scorch the head of the holy Old man, and yet neuerthelesse, would he not seeme to desist from going forwards, saying within himselfe: I haue a firme confidence in God, that he will shew me him he hath promised me to see. And standing to muse thereupon, behold a Hippo-centaur appeares before him, to wit, halfe a man, and halfe a horse. At which sight, arming himselfe with the holsome signe, on his forhead: Hola, said he, where abouts I pray you, inhabits a cer­tayne man of God? To which demaund, the beast, with a confused voyce, made offer to answere, and withall stretching form the right hand, seemed to point him the way, and flying vanished, nor could it euer be knowne, whether the same were a feigned appari­tion, or some reall thing.

With such direction, did S. Antony follow on his way, deeply considering with himselfe on that strange figure, which he beheld a little before. He had not passed farre, thus musing with himselfe, but there appeared to him, in a craggy valley, a man of a little sta­ture, with a hawked nose, and horned countenance, who with a gratefull aspect, approaching to him, did offer him Dates, in signe of peace. Whereat S. Antony stood still, and laying hand on his won­ted armes, doubted not to aske him, who he was, and he answered so plainely as S. Antony was much astonished thereat. I am likewise mortall, said he, as you are, and one of the Inhabitants of the wil­dernes, adored by the blind Gentility, vnder the name of Fanus, Sa­tyrs, [Page 93] and Incubi. I come to thee now, as an Embassadour of my Companions, beseeching thee in the name of all, to make intercessiō for vs likewise, to the common God, for we haue now vnderstood he is come, for the saluation of the world. At which words, the holy Abbot beganne to sheed teares for ioy, in beholding how the glory of Christ was dilated, and the power of Sathan annihilated, and smiting the ground with his staffe, addes: Wo be to thee Alexandria who giues the honour due to God, vnto Monsters & Portents: Wo be to thee meretricious Citty, where haue all the superstitions of the world, built their neast now, wilt thou say? The beasts doe seeme to confesse Christ, and yet do you neuertheles, stand adoring of Idols.

S. Antony had not yet ended these wordes, when the Satyr as betaking himselfe to his wings in a moment, was quite vanished away. And to the end, that not any may hold it for a fabulous thing, it is to be vnderstood, that a like Monster to this, was brought a­liue to Alexandria, where after it had been wel seene, and reuiewed, by all the people, it came to dye. Whereupon being opened, and powdred with salt, it was lastly conueighed to Antioch, to satisfy the eyes also, of that Citty there, and of the Emperour himselfe.

S. Antony trauayling on his way, espies a wolfe comming forth of a Caue; where entring in, he finds S. Paul the Theban retired. Chap. 12.

TO returne to S. Antony, the good old man went on his way, and not discouering ought els, then the tract of beasts, and in­finite wasts of sand withall, there remayned now no other su­stenance to him, then a firme confidence of the Protection of Christ. By this tyme, two dayes were spent, and the night following, the seruāt of God did consume in prayer; when in the dawning of the day, he discouers a farre off, a thirsty she-wolfe, which panting and seeking for water, approched to the foote of the Hill. The wary trauayler looke after her, and as soone as she was departed from the denne, he likewise comming thither, began to looke in, though in vayne, because so great was the darknes there, as he could not discerne any thing. It was truly a horrible and dreadfull thing to behold, but Charity banished feare; he taking courage to himselfe, and going very softly and tenderly in, as he could, at last amidst those obscurities going forwards not farre off, there appeared a light [Page 94] wherewith being inuited, while greedily he makes hast thereunto, he stumbles on a stone, and with the noyse thereof, gaue occasion to him, that was within, on a sudden to shut & make fast the door vpon himselfe.

The caue lay open on the one side thereof, but well shadowed the while with a plan-tree, very great and full of leaues, and in the same playne arose a most cleere spring, from whence a litle brooke streaming along for a litle space, went creeping vnder the ground. The same place in tymes past, had beene the receptacle of those wicked Forgers, who in the tyme of Cleopatra, and Mark-Antony, in that place, had been coyning of false money; as do well testify the many anuils, & hammers there scattered vp & downe in those ta­uernes. And lastly for auoyding the persecution of Decius, & Valeri­anus, and to leade a holy lyfe, was the blessed Paul the Theban there shrowded from his youth, and had there perseuered with incredi­ble constancy to the age of 113. yeares. Now S. Antony perceiuing himselfe to be shut forth, in this māner, with exceeding great griefe lying prostrate at the doore, remayned there vntil the sixt hou [...]e, & vpwards, continually intreating to be admitted, & saying: You know well inough, who I am, and whence I come, and though vnworthy (I confesse) of your sight, yet without such a grace, I will not depart hence. Whereas you that affoard harbour to beasts, why banish you a Man? who according to the Ghospell, hauing sought and found already, doth now knock to be let in. Which if I attayne not, I shal dye heere in the very Entry, and when that hap­pens you shall be constrayned to bury mee. Which will be to trou­blesome to you.

The Pilgrime hauing thus continued a prety while, in this mā ­ner of intreaty, at last S. Paul smiling within himselfe, made an­swere: This same is a prety custome indeed, to beseech in brauing thus, to charge so, and calumniate with teares? And is it so straunge to you, that I receiue you not, if you seeme to come hither to leaue your life? In this manner of iesting, did S. Paul open the doore, & the straungers, howbeyt new, and as yet vnacquanted, very lou­ingly embracing ech other, did salute notwithstanding one ano­ther by name, giuing infinite thankes to the diuine Goodnes. And after the holy kisse of peace, being both set downe. S. Paul began to speake in this manner: You see heere, Antony, him, whome you haue sought for thus, with so much trauayle, rude, worne, frayle, & [Page 95] decrepit, & one in briefe, who within a very litle shall become dust. But in the meane while, for Charity sake, tell me, what is done in the world? Who rules? Go they about to reedify the cittyes agayne, already destroyed? And is the Deuill yet worshipped there, as he hath euer (almost generally) beene heere to fore?

Now while they fate thus sweetely discoursing together in lifting vp their eyes, they behold a Crow pearching on the bough of a tree thereby, which descending downe with a moderate flight; let fall betweene them, a whole loafe of bread, and so went its wayes. Wherupon said S. Paul: Go to, our Lord hath sent vs our dynne [...] heere, truly pious, truly mercifull. It is now full sixty yeares, that I haue hitherto receiued my halfe loafe euery day: Whereas now at your comming hither, he hath redoubled the allowance to his Ser­uants. After which, the Benediction giuen, they both sate down, by the side of a cristall fountaine: but yet before they fell to their meate, there was no litle ado betweene them which of the two, should breake the bread, in streyning courtesy the one with the other, with religious modesty, and with diuers reasons, in the point of prehe­minency before ech other. S. Paul did principally ground himselfe in the Lawes of hospitality, wherto S. Antony opposeth the maiority of yeares. The strife seemed to last a good while, and the day in the meane tyme passing away, at last, the duell ceased, vpon agree­ment made to take hold of the loafe between them, and to pull it, so as to ech might remayne his share in his hand; and so it iust fell out, and without more dispute, hauing taken the bread, and final­ly stooping, sipt a litle water, with thankes-giuing, they passed that night in Psalmes and Vigils.

S. Paul discouers to S. Antony his death approching. He dyes in S. Anto­nies absence, and is afterwards buryed by him. Chap. 13.

THe morning being come, S. Paul begins to speake to his Ghest in this so [...]: It is now a good while, my Brother, since I haue knowne that you haue dwelt in these parts, and your presence hath beene promised me heeretofore by our common Lord. But now in fine that I am arriued to my last passage, there remaynes me nought els, but to go my wa [...]es, vnto Christ, as I haue alwaies desired. Know then, you haue been sent hither by God to performe my Exequyes, & to couer myilymmes with Earth. S. Antony hearing this, beganne [Page 96] to weepe, and beseech him, not to leaue him behind, but to ad­mit him for companion on the way. When S. Paul replyed: You are not to reguard your owne cōtent, but the profit of others. He might seeme to fauour you indeed, hauing layd down the burthen of your flesh, to cause you to fly into Heauen; but he should not therby an­swere the expectation of the Brothers, that should remayne behind depriued of your guidance, and example. Wherefore I pray, be i [...] not troublesome to you, for Charityes sake, to returne your wayes home, to fetch hither the Cloke, which was once giuen you by Athanasius the Bishop, to fold vp my carkas in, and so to commit it to the Earth. Which request the Blessed Paul made, not that he cared much to be putrifyed, eyther naked, or clothed, especially not ha­uing for so long tyme, vsed to couer himselfe with other, then with the leaues of Palmes, being wouen together with his owne hands; but he did it, that he might not grieue him, by expiring in his sight.

S. Antony remayned amazed at the thing, which he heard, & particularly for the Cloke, and with veneration, acknowledging our Lord in the person of S. Paul, without reply, kissing the eyes and hands of the Saint, went his wayes in hast to his Hermitage: and at his approach, his two disciples demaunding of him, with great an­xiety, where he had been so long, he answered: Wo be to me Syn­ner, and false Monke: I haue seen Elias, I haue seen Iohn Baptist in the desart, or to say better, I haue seen Paul in Paradise. Then holding his peace, in knocking his breast, he tooke the Cloke of Athanasi [...] out of the Cell; when as his Companions importuned him yet to vouchsafe to speake more cleare, but he differing the same to its time without more delay, or affording any nourishment to his body so lōg fasting & wel nigh spent; went suddainly forth, with his mynd wholy fixed on his sweet Host, fearing (as it fell out) least in his ab­sence, he might giue vp the ghost. And now by this tyme, he had gone in great hast, as it were, half the way, when as lifting vp his eyes aloft, he sees among the happy troupes of elect spirits, the bles­sed soule of S. Paul, very glorious & radiant, to ascend vp to heauen. And suddenly casting himselfe on the ground, beganne to sprinckle his head with sand, and to weepe and lament, saying: Why leaue you me O Paul? Why go you away so before I had taken my leaue of you? So lately knowne; alas so soone parted!

S. Antony himselfe recounted afterwards, that he had passed the [...]est of the way, with the swiftnes of a Bird: and so it was knowne [Page 97] in the proofe, since entring into the Caue, he found the holy corps yet kneeling, and the necke vpright, and hands lifted vp; in­somuch as notwithstanding the triumph, which he had seen before, he was almost of the mind that he was yet aliue: but then not per­ceyuing any breath, or signe of life, he endeauoured with bitter playnts to kisse him; and [...]olding him vp in the sayd garment of S. Athanasius, he brought him forth with Hymnes, and Psalmes. But then not hauing any instrument to digg his graue with, and with great anxiety thinking, & bethinking himself what to do: Behold two Lyons, with their hayre layd open to the wind, to come run­ning at that tyme. Whence he at first being somewhat affrayd, and then taking courage in God, attended their comming, as so many Doues; and they being arriued to the corps, did humbly cast them­selues at the feete thereof, with fanning in their manner, and bit­terly roaring in signe of the sorrow they felt: and presently began with their feete to plough vp the sands, vntill such tyme, as there remayned sufficient roome for a man. Which being done, and as it were for their hire, receiuing the benediction of S. Antony, they quietly went their wayes: and he putting his shoulders to the sacred burthen, did bury it in the trench.

After this, surueying the Heritage of the dead, for not to go thence, altogether empty handed, he tooke hold of the Cassocke of Palmes; and being returned home agayne as long as he liued af­terwards in the solemnities of Easter and Pentecost, he would alwaies reuest himselfe therewith. After these workes of charity were ended he was intreated by a great number of Monkes, now comming in hast to him, where he was, to visit anew, & to recomfort the Cō ­uents. He went then along with them, and while they were on the way, there fell out another notable meruaile. That way was al very craggy and barren, & the heates excessiue, so as it was not long ere prouision of water fayled them, and the Monkes not knowing what to do, letting their Camell go loose, being scortched, and af­flicted, lay downe; When the holy old man, not a litle contristate at so great a perill of theirs, sequestred himselfe a little, and knee­ling on the ground, & lifting his hands to the starres, began to be­seech God, with so much fayth and feruour, as suddenly in the self same place of prayer, sprung forth the desired liquour. Whence all were reuiued, and others being satisfyed, as they anxiously sought for the Camell, did suddenly find him by the cord of the headstall, [Page 98] through a new miracle, entangled in a rocke. Loading him then, to their great contentment, they came very safe, and found to their Cells agayne.

S. Antony is very wellcome to all at his returne: and giues holsome Docu­ments to ech one, vpon good occasions. Chap. 14.

NOw it would be long, and superfluous heere, to explicate the ioy, which the Disciples shewed at the comming of their most sweest Father and Mayster, and he likewise reioyced as much to see them all, to be so seruent, with his presence and renewed in spirit. He had besides no small consolation, to find his Sister so per­seuering in the diuine seruice, being come to be Superiour of a most Noble, and numerous Conuent of Virgins. Now the arri­uall of the Saint being knowne throughout all those Parts, a great multitude of persons of all qualityes resorted thither, to salute him, and to visit him as they were wont, and especially of the Religi­ous: to whome he for entertaynement sake, insteed of presents, and gifts, would be giuing of precious aduertisements and aduises, say­ing: They should alwayes hold firme their fayth, and dilection to God, and the Neighbour: They should guard themselues from vn­cleane thoughts, and delights: They should not not suffer them­selues to be deceyued with Gluttony: and should fly Vayne glory: continue their prayers: lay vp the documents of the holy Scrip­ture in their breast: be allwayes reuoluing the actions, and man­ners of Saints, in mynd; endeauouring to reforme themselues, through the imitation of them.

And principally, he aduised them not to cease to meditate on those words of the Apostle S. Paul: Sol non occidat super iracundiam vestrā, and added therunto, nor yet vpon any other sinne whatsoeuer: it being a thing very fit and necessary, that neyther the Sunne accuse vs of our diurnall malice, nor the Moone of nocturnall sinnes. For which end (said he) shall the preceps of the Prophet himself, help you much: Iudge your selues, and examine your selues well. Let ech one, euery day, take accompt from his proper soule of his actions, words, and thoughts. And hauing erred, let him amend; hauing done wel, not exalt himselfe, but seeke to perseuere, and not become negligen [...] and let him beware, he iudge no man, nor iustify himselfe, (as S. Paul said another tyme) vntill such tyme as our Lord comes, who shal discouer the [Page 99] hidden things; in regard, that we in our actions, many tymes do de­ceaue our selues. But our Lord beholds euery thing very cleerely: and therefore we should seeme to haue the same reguard to others as to our selues, and to compassionate one another. It shall be also very profitable for vs to suruey with our Memory, the motions of our soule, and the workes which we dayly performe, and set them downe in writing, as if we were to giue accompt therof to others. Whence it shall come to passe, that for shame to be manifested to the world, we shall keepe our selues from falling into things which are worthy of reprehension. And with such a discipline refrayning the appetites, and subduing the flesh, we shall be able, very easily to conserue our selues in the grace of our Lord.

These, and such like instructions, he fayled not to giue to his Monks, vpon good occasions. And for as much as among the secular multitude, there was continually a great number of lame, & disea­sed people; he prayed afresh for them, but obteyned not equally forall: our Lord dispencing his graces, according to his good ple­asure. And S. Antony, euen as when he was heard seemed not to vaunt himselfe; so when he suffered repulses, murmured he not, but alwayes gaue thankes to our Lord; & exhorted the afflicted to haue Patience, and to be satisfyed, that their cure depended not on him, nor on men, but on God only, who affoardes health, when he wil, and to whome he lists. Wherupon, the languishing receiuing the words of the Old man, as from the mouth of God, learned to attēd, and suffer, and the cured came to acknowledge themselues bound not so much to S. Antony therefore, as purely to God. But what shall we say, besides al this, of the efficacy, which the Prayers of S. Antony had euen in persons, and places farre remote?

He being in the Monastery, and on this side of the mountayne, the Count Hercolaus came humbly to beseech him to vouchsafe to intercede for the health of Policratia virgin of the Citty of Laodicea, a great seruant of God, who through much abstinence, and macera­tiōs of the body, did feele most bitter dolours of the hips & stomack and was quite fallen away and come to nothing: which the holy Father did with a very good will, and the Count noted the while in a little scrole the very day of the prayer. And being afterwards returned to Laodicea, and finding the virgin to be now on foote, & free from all manner of paynes, to satisfy himselfe more fully, whe­ther it were to be attributed to the prayer of the Saints, or no; he de­maunded [Page 100] of her, on what day she began to feele her selfe well; and hauing heard it, he presently tooke out the scrole, & with the great astonishment of all, they found the Saints prayers, and recouery to haue happened on the selfe same day.

In like manner, a certaine Courtier, called Frontone, that being tormented with a raging infirmity would haue eaten his tongue, & pluckt out his eyes, had recourse to S. Antony. Who without any more ado, sayd to him: Go thy wayes, and thou shalt be healed. But Frō ­tone standing yet still for all that, and not departing thence for some dayes, the seruant of God replyed to him: Thou canst not be cured heere; Go thy wayes then into Egipt, & thou shalt see wonders. And so it fell out, for scarcely was he arriued in those confines there, but his vehement sicknesse quite for sooke him.

Many others likewise, whome it were too long to recount in this place, were by meanes of the Saint, deliuered from sundry, & daungerous maladyes. Though the miracle of Frontone it seemes, ap­perteynes not so much to the gift of Curing, as that of Prophecy. Which in S. Antony how eminent it was, though by diuers things aforesaid, may seeme in some manner to be comprehended: yet shall the same more clearely appeare, by that which we shall presently declare.

S. Antony relieues a Monke in distresse: and sees the soule of Ammon, in a vision, to ascend to Heauen. Chap. 15.

TWO Monkes on a tyme, being trauayling in the desert, came to fayle of water; in so much as the one of them dyed thereof, and the other seemed to lye in extremes. This, being reuealed to S. Antony, he commaunded the two which were in his company, to go their wayes, and runne presently with a vessell of water to the said place, being distant frō the Monastery, a dayes iourney at least, and tels them wherfore. And they diligently performing the same, found the one, as I said, departed, whome they buryed, & brought succour to the other in good tyme, and being so escaped they con­ducted him to the Saint. Now for what cause, the same was not she­wed him before, and why God would conserue the one, and not the other, seemes not to concerne me so curiously to seeke into. It sufficeth, that in so great a distance of place, was manifested to S. Antony what passed.

Another day, he sitting on a hill, in company of others, sees [Page 101] one ascending in the ayre, and many meeting of him, with very great ioy. Whereat S. Antony, remayning in admiration, and excee­dingly desirous to know who it was; it was reuealed to him, to be the soule of Ammon a Monke, who dwelling in the Desart of Nitria, about some 13. dayes iourney from the residence of S. Antony, was wont notwithstanding to come sometymes to visit him. He was a person of rare vertue, and many miracles are likewise reported of him: and this one among others, that being once to passe ouer the riuer Licus, which at that tyme, was very much ouerflowne, he prayed Theodore his companion for his sake, to follow some distance from him, to the end by wading together, they might not be seene to ech other naked. So did the other, and yet for all that was Am­mon afterwards abashed at his owne skinne. And while he stood vpon such points, and bethought him thereof, I know not how, without touching the water, he sees himselfe on the other shore, in the twinckling of an eye: where likewise the other, being after­wards arriued, and seeing Ammon to be all clothed, and without any signe of wet vpon him, demanded the manner how he pas­sed ouer, and seeing he refused to participate the same with him, he tooke hold of his feete, and wrong him, and coniured him so much, as in fine he vnfolded the quality of his passage to him, with this pact notwithstanding, that he should not discouer it to any, till his death.

Now the Monkes, as I sayd, seeing S. Antony with eyes so at­tentiue and suspended, very deerely intreated him, not to con­ceale from them, what he saw: when as he answered, that Ammon was departed from these miseries, and was was gone triumphant to Heauen. Whereupon the disciples noted the day, and after a month some Brothers coming from Nitria, making a diligent comparison of tymes, they found, that Ammon, on that very very day, had pas­sed to a better life.

Another tyme, S. Antony sayling with some Monkes and other Seculars, began to smell a very loath some sauour, and all affirming it to be the smell of salt fish, and of dryed figs, he replyed, he felt another sent. And while he was thus affiming, there was heard a horrible cry to come from a yong man possessed of the deuill, who lay hid vnder the vpper decke of the ship. Then S. Antony rebuked the Deuill, and on the behalfe of Christ constreynes him to depart, as he did, leauing the young man found, and the others astonished [Page 102] not so much at the miracle, as at the purity of a soule, so quicke of sent, as to fauour the neerenes of the vncleane spirit. Besides, he was wont also to perceyue before hand, the comming of such, as came to see him, and the occasion wherefore: and many tymes, would foretell the one, and other, some three or foure dayes, and somty­mes a month before they arriued at him. But that which happened to Eulogius of Alexandria, was a matter of particular edification, and caution to all.

The life of Eulogius briefely set downe, and especially a not able act of Cha­rity of his, concluded happily through S. Antonyes aduise. Chap. 16.

THis Eulogius, was a man, (as Palladius declares) of a good dis­position, and hauing distributed already the greater part of his substance for the loue of God, yet neuerthelesse had not the hart, ey­ther to lead a solitary life, or to liue vnder obedience. Wherupon finding by chaunce a miserable wretch, to lye in the streetes, forsa­ken of all, maymed, without his hands and feete, depriued of the vse of all his lymmes, except his tongue: he made choyce, for his Mortification, and for the Exercise of christian vertue, to take care of that poore wretch, to keep him at home, and to serue him til death: and to the end the worke might become more meritorious, being all in feruour, he made a votiue promise thereof to our Lord. Ha­uing taken him then to him, he attended to the gouernement of him, to prouide him of victuals, and cloathing, bathes, medicines, & phisitians; in fine to serue him, as he had been some good Bene­factour, or Patron of his.

In which ministery hauing now perseuered, at least for fif­teene yeares, with equall sollicitude of his, and gratitude of the o­ther, at last the Cripple was assayled with so strange and diaboli­call temptation, as he now beganne, not to suffer himselfe to be gouerned any longer, making very earnest instance to be exposed forth anew in publique; alleadging that he was now glutted with Eulogius his entertaynement, and could endure no longer so retyred a life, nor so much abstinence. Eulogius wonders at such a manner of mutation in him, and though he had no small occasion of iust indig­nation against him; notwithstanding ouercoming himselfe, he wet about to cherish the Wretch, more now then euer, in giuing him dainty meates, and procuring him some good and pleasant conuersa­tion, [Page 103] but all in vayne: The more he laboured therein, the more did the other perseuer, requiring the good Father with nothing els, but complayn [...]s, grumbling, & iniuryes. At last, the deuill had brought him into that rage, and desperation, as he was euen vpon the point as it were, to kill himselfe.

Now the matter hauing passed thus a prety while, the trouble on the one side was intollerable to Eulogius, and he was now euen ready to acquit himselfe therof: on the other it seemed to him a great folly to loose through impatience, the trauayles and toyles of so lōg a tyme. Moreouer he was stung with the offering, which he had made to our Lord God. Amidst these perplexityes and agitations of mynd, he resolues for a last dispatch to cōmunicate the whole with some neighbour Monks. Of whome he was counsayled, that since the great S. Antony was aliue, he should be contented to repayre to that Oracle, and seeke fit remedy at his hands. Wherupon Eulogius did thinke it best so to do, in regard he had heard much commendatiōs of the great Sanctity of that Holy man, and was glad to haue this opportunity to see him. To which end, Eulogius had prepared, though with great difficulty, a barke to put the Criple into, but not without much ado he got the miserable Wretch to be conueyed thereinto, with him: and so both of them went by water to the Monastery of the Saint, where being once arriued, Eulogius gladly attended his comming from the Hermitage, to visit the Brothers, and Ghests, as he was wont. Nor was it long; for on the night following the seruant of God, came into the publique view, inter­mitting for a tyme his diuine contemplations, and attending now to the good of his Brethren; & causing all the strangers to be assem­bled, according to custome, he suddāynely calls for Eulogius, very often by name, not known to him before: Who thinking there had been some other Eulogius present, held his peace for that tyme: But afterwards hearing himselfe to be called vpon a new, being halfe astonished, made answere; Behold I a [...]re.

S. Antony requires the cause of his voyage, ann Eulogius replyes: There is no need, Father, that I should tell it to you: He that hath so manifested my nam [...] vnto you, may as well like wise discouer my necessity. I know it very well, replyed the Saint; but yet for edifi­cation of the standers b [...], I would haue it declared from your own mouth. Eulogius obeyed: when he had ended the narration, the holy A [...]oot stood vp, and with be [...]ded bro [...]es, looking him in the face: [Page 104] Thou art ready to abandon (sayth he) this poore man, and le [...]st thy [...] selfe to be vanquished with perturbation and tediousnes: Know then, if thou leauest him so, that God will receiue him by the mea­nes of another, that is better then thee. With which words, Eulogius being much terrifyed, durst open his mouth no more. When S. An­tony turning himself to the infirme man, with a seuere countenance, and with a terrible voyce, beyond all expectation, sayd to him: Thou peruerse and abhominable Wretch, vn worthy both of Hea­uen, and earth: Thou neuer leauest fretting, & quarrelling, to the offence of God: knowest thou not, that he who serues thee is Christ? How darst thou then so to mutter agaynst the diuine Maiesty? Is it not cleere, that Eulogius, only for the Loue of Christ, hath vnder­taken to haue care of thee, & to do thee good? This sayd, he atten­ded to giue audience to the others, and after some space of tyme, re­turning to those two againe, with more benignity of speach, aduised them, saying: Beware my Children, you part not from ech other: but laying aside all rancour, & bitternes returne you home againe, where you haue liued together, for so long tyme, because our Lord will soone be calling for you: and know, that so cruell a tempta­tion, hath not befallen you for ought els, then for being now so neere your End, and the reward of your labours: and take heed, you do not otherwise, for that if the Angell find you not so, you are in great daunger of loosing your Crownes.

This manner of reprehension, with both, had the weight it ought to haue, and they departing without delay, by accord, went to their former habitation, and there passed not 24. dayes, but Eu­logius dyed: & after three dayes more the Leaper followed him, very well disposed in the inward man, & exceeding contrite. This suc­cesse was attentiuely obserued, not without a great deale of glory to our Lord, and much profit to soules.

S. Antony enioyeth sundry visions. And fortels diuers things of the Arrian Heretiques. Chap. 17.

TO this kind of visions, and Reuelations, may others be added, no lesse to the purpose of exciting the feare of God, and very worthy to be alwayes conserued in memory. Whereof one was, that S. Antony being one day in prayer, about the hower of Noone, be­fore meate, he felt himselfe sudenly to be rauished in spirit, and it [Page 105] seemed to him that he was carryed to Heauen, by some fauourable spirit. But in ascending some others of a proud and fierce aspect, op­posed themselues against him, who being repulsed by the Guard of S. Antony, beganne to quarrell, and alleadge the power they had frō aboue, to examine whosoeuer passed. With this denunciation, they preuayled to performe their office, but the wicked spirits being wil­ling to demaund an accompt of S. Antony from the day of his Nati­uity, it was not permitted them to do so, but only from the tyme he became a Religious person, in regard that all the transgressions behind, were now cancelled, and remitted by the diuine piety.

Then did the infernall Ministers dilate themselues against the seruant of Christ, in diuers accusations and calumnyes, but not being able to proue any, so ashamed, and confounded, in spight of them­selues they were feigne to let him passe. And at that very instant a­gayne, did S. Antony returne to himselfe, so strooke and astonished withall, as that forgetting his refection, he remayned all the rest of the day, and all the night, a sighing, and considering, with how many Enemyes vnhappy Man hath to deale withall. It came into his mind besides, how the Apostle not without good reason seemes to call the deuils, the Princes and Rulers of this ayre: exhorting the fay­thfull, to betake them to the armour of God, that they may be able to resist him in that dreadfull day, and the spightful accuser may not haue wherewith to conuince them at that houre.

Another tyme, after he had a while talked of the immortality of the Soule, with some that came to visit him; the next night, he heard himselfe called from aboue, with these words: Antony stand vp, go forth, and behold. Being gone out, he seees a foule and horrible Mō ­ster, who with the head seemed to reach to the clouds; and some others besides, with wings, which endeauoured to fly, but he stret­ching forth his vnmeasurable hands, strooke some of them downe to the Earth; others he could not hinder from mounting on high: and as for the one he fretted with rage, and gnashed his teeth; so he reioyced for the other, and made great triumph: When sudden­ly a voyce sayd to S. Antony: Marke well what thou seest: & so cōming a new light vpon him, he perceyued it to be the passage of soules, and that great Giant to be the diuell, who had power & authority vpon his Subiects only; but was wholy impotent against those, who in life had not been obedient to him.

Another day, he seemed to behold infinite snares, gins, and [Page 106] pit-falls, to be spread on the face of the Earth, saying with a lowd [...]igh: And who shall be able to come off safe, [...]midst so many nets, and traps? he heard this answere: Humility only. With these and other such like illustrations of the vnderstanding, came S. Antony continually to be more enflamed to the study of Perfection, and to vanquish him­selfe: and as vpon such accidents, he was euer wont to stand mu­sing, and be extraordinarily recollected; so the Disciples would be easily aware, that some such like extasies or abstractions, or other had happened to him: & they would be comming about him, with so m [...]ny prayers and coniurations, as he could not conceale them, especially considering the fruite they might gather from them.

Another tyme, after these, he approaching now towards the end of his life, and sitting in contemplation, he was rapt in like mā ­ner, & turning himselfe to the standers by, beganne to fetch a deep sig [...], and trembling all ouer, kneeles on the ground, and so remay­ning a good while in prayer, he arose agayne, all bathed in teares. Wherupon the disciples being affrayd, enforced him to manifest to thē, that which happened to him. Then the Saint, with many sobs, and with words interrupted, answered: O children, how much better were it to dye outright, then to behold the things to fall out, which haue now been declared to me. When they yet vrging him agayne, he addes, but with deepe sighs: The wrath of God hangs ouer the holy Church. Forlo, it is to be giuen vp into the power of bestiall persons. I haue seen the table of our Lord encompassed roūd with lasciuious and vnbrideled mules, that with many kicks of the heeles, oppresse the Priests, and turne euery thing vpside downe. At which sight, I sighing amayne, and desirous to know the mistery, this voyce seemed to land in myne eares: My Aultar shall be profaned, and full of abhominations. But yet together with this euill newes, I haue likewise learned, how the storme shall soone passe ouer, and fayre weather agayne shall returne to the Catholiques. Both which Prophesyes, were shortly fulfilled. First in the sacrilegious boldnes and insolency of the Arrians: and then with the demonstration of the diuine iustice, and with the punishments which in part, at least they payd for all.

These Ministers of the deuill, had sacked the Temple of Christ, and within sacred cloysters had violated the Virgins and Matrons there, made hauock of the pious people, and stayned the Yards, & Chappels with innocent bloud, brought in the rabble, and the vilest [Page 107] artizans, the worshippers of Idols, to contaminate the vessels, to trample the Baptisteryes, and Sacraments; and in summe, com­mitted such things, as without horrour and shame cānot be related. But so impious, and licentious prosperity of theirs, lasted notlong. For lo, the rauenous wolues now fallen into hatred with al Natiōs, for such impietyes; and chased away with the fury of the selfe same people, whome they had stirred vp, fled out of the Cittyes, & basely went lurking agayne in their wonted holes. Wherupon the true & ancient Religion, came agayne to dilate it selfe; and the saythfull saw to their great content and consolation, the predictions of S. An­tony to be verifyed. Whereof since we haue now treated sufficiently already; we will conclude this matter, with a notable case, which happened in the tyme of Nestorius the Gouernour of Alexandria, to a certaine man called Balatius, a Captayne in Egypt.

The Iudgement of God shewed vpon Balatius the Heretique: and how S. An­tony opposeth himselfe against the Arrians. Chap. 18.

THis Balatius was a great fauourer of the Arrians, & consequent­ly a most c [...]uell Persecutour of Catholiques, and particularly of the Religious: in so much, as he made the Monkes to be publi­quely whipt starke naked: nor was ashamed likewyse to scourge the sacred Virgins, and the Seruants of Christ. Where with S. Antony, being moued, resolued to write to him a briefe Letter, of the te­nour following. I see the wrath of Heauen to come vpon thee: Do thou cease then to deale with the Christians in this manner, that it may not come and ouertake thee. The Heretique laughed and scof­fed at these menaces of his, and casting the letter to the ground, & spitting vpon it, he bad the bearers thereof (after he had vilely in­treated them) to returne to S. Antony, with this message: Since you seeme to take such thought for the Monkes, it will be now tyme for mee to call you to accompt also. But there passed not ouer a full day, when the diuine vengeance appeared vpon that vnhap­py Wretch. Forasmuch, as he and Nestorius going to a place called Cherius, but a dayes iourney distant from the Citty, vpon two hor­ses, that of Balatius being the gentlest in his stable, the sayd horses began to play together, when as that, wheron Nestorius fate (being they stiller and quieter of the two) giuing suddenly a gripe to Bala­tius, pulled him downe, and leaping vpon him, most cruelly brake [Page 108] his hippe, whence being carryed to Alexandria, he dyed within three dayes, while all remayned astonished to see, how suddenly S. An­tonyes menaces were executed vpon him.

In whose soule, besides so noble a gift of Prophesy, was seene also a rich ornament of Wisedome; not sprung from the curiosity of vnderstanding, but from purity of affect: not founded in meerespe­culation or discourses, but in a sensible knowledge, and diuine Loue: not refined with the chayres, and scholasticall disputes, or written Bookes, but with liuely fayth, deuoute aspirations vpon the meruaylous volume of this great fabrique: Insomuch as the im­mensity, and most swift, and ordinate motions of the heauenly sphears, the generation & corruption of sublunary things, the dis­cording concord of simple bodyes, the formes and differences of the mixt, the variety of inuentions, arts, customes, and accidents of men: but aboue all the sweet disposition, and infallible gouerne­ment of the Eternall Prouidence, were to him, as well a glasse of verity, as an incentiue of Charity. And that which is more to be celebrated with these so great gifts, and treasures of profound know­ledg; he was so farre from being puffed vp with them; or once to thinke but vainely of himselfe, as how much more knowledge he got, so much the more he increased in true Modesty and Hu­mility. And especially he carryed a very singular respect, with an interiour and exteriour reuerence to the Interpreters & Deposita­rians of the diuine Scripture, such as are the Clarks, and Prelates of the holy Church, and as willingly demaunded, & learned of them all, as if he had been the most rude and ignorant of the world: albeit on the other side, when need was, he would not sticke to giue a good account of himself, and of the fayth he imbraced to any person of what quality soeuer.

The Arrians had spread throughout all Alexandria, with subtile lying, that S. Antony was of their opinion: which the Seruāt of God hearing, admiring so great impudency in them, by the iudgement of the Catholike Bishops, and of the Brothers withall, he descended from the hill, and being in the citty, in the presence of al the people, beganne to detest that peruerse Sect, calling it a pestilent heresy, & the Messenger of Antichrist; teaching, and aduertising all how the Sonne of God is no created thing, nor made of nothing, but is the selfe same substance, and wisedome of the eternall Father. Whence were it a great impiety to say, there was once a tyme, when he was [Page 109] not: for as much as he, the word of the Father, was eternal with him, wherupon he concluded: Wherfore, haue you no communication with those wicked followers of Arius, since the light hath nothing [...]o do with darkenes; and you that obserue the due Worship of God with reason do call your selues, and are truly Christians. But they in [...]earming the Sonne, and the Word of God the Father, a creature, are nothing different from Gentils; nay rather do you hold it most cer­taine, that the creatures themselues, are al incensed against such wi­cked persons, that dare to number and put among things created, the Creatour, and Lord of the Vniuerse, in whome, & through whome hath beene made, and hath being, whatsoeuer is therin.

From such like aduertisements and protestations of the Saint the hearers tooke a great deale of pleasure, in seeing that pestiferous o­pinion so anathematized by such a Man: and all the inhabitants of the Citty, as well the Laicks, as Ecclesiasticall, as well Gentils as Christians, did striue to be the first in the Temple, to see the Man of God, (for so was he called of all) and there likewise, in the sight of them all, would he worke many Miracles, partly in expelling deuils, partly in curing: in so much as the very Pagans themselues, made instance to be touching at least of the garment of S. Antony. Finally, in that short space of tyme, there were made more Christiās, then were in a whole yeare before: and he himself, besides the truth of the doctrin he deliuered, & the vertue of the miracles he wroght, and the Prudence which in his dayly actions he shewed; was of so attractiue, and gracious a countenance, as how beit of stature he were not different from others; neuerthelesse the strangers that ar­riued thither, hauing neuer seen him before, could easely distinguish him from the multitude, and point him out with the fingar to be such a one. To this serenity of countenance, were answerable his behauiours, so iudicious, and complete, as if he had alwayes liued notin Caues, or in the Forrests, but in populous lands, and in con­uersation with the Nobles.

S. Antony sends away two Philosophers well satisfyed, who came to proue, and tempt him; Besides others, that came to iest at him. Chap. 19.

THERE came on a tyme, as S. Antony was on this syde of the Mountayne, two Pagan Philosophers to him, to try him a­while, and to proue what was in him: and he knowing a farre off, [Page 110] what manner of men they were, went forth to meete them, & said to them by meanes of a good Interpreter: Wherfore haue you, being sage, and Philosophers as you are, taken such paynes, so to come to the house of a foole? When they answering, he was no foole, but prudent, and wise; S. Anthony replyed, and pressed them with this dilemma: If you would seeme to visit me, your labour were super­fluous: If you take me to be sensible, and wise, then do yee become Christians as I am, since conuenient it were, we should seeke to imitate the better: and, if I were to repayre to you, I would su­rely endeauour to follow your steps; so do you, that haue procu­red to see and know mee thus, not refuse to do that which I doe. With such like words as these, with some miracles, which they had seene him but lately worke, these eurious men, being amazed thereat, departed hence, not without some amendement in them­selues.

Others came afterwards of purpose to iest at him, as an Idiot, to whome he sayd: What thinke you? Which was the first, eyther wit or learning? Whereto the Philosophers answering, that with­out doubt, Wit was the first; and that by it, learning was found out. S. Antony did reply: if it be so then he that hath his wits sound, hath no need of learning. With this cōclusion, as well the Doctors themselues, as the standers by, with reason were astonished. After whome came in others in like manner to demand of S. Antony, ac­cōpt of the Christian Religion. These men also were very learned, & versed not only in Poets fables, but no lesse in the imaginations of Plato, and Pithagoras. Now then, they beginning to sophisticate with him, and gibe at the Gospell, the blessed S. Antony, stood a­while as it were in a study, and thence with great compassion of their blindnes, discoursed in manner following.

What is more honourable, thinke you Philosophers, eyther to confesse the Crosse, or to adore, as Gods, such as are announced for adulterous, and full of wicked carnality? The thing, which Chri­stians professe, at least, is the signe of Fortitude, and contempt of death: your glories are nothing els, but passions of intemperance, lasciuiousnes, and vnbridled desires: which is better to say, the E­ternall Word, without leauing his Diuinity, for the benefit of the world, hath taken human flesh, to make vs partakers of the diuine nature: or insteed of the great God, to worship (as you do) the bru­tish beasts, and dead men? And with what face then, dare you to [Page 111] scoffe at Christians for affirming Christ, the Sonne of God, for the Redemption of mortalls, without leauing what he was before, to become what he was not, and to be so abased, as the humility dero­gates not a whit from Maiesty; while you others, so vnworthily in­treate a substance so fayre, and noble, as are reasonable soules? For­asmuch, as on the one side, you would haue them to be streames, braunches, and semblances of a supreme Intelligence, [...]gendred of the highest God: & on the other, you do seeme to precipitate them from the top of Heauen, euen downe to Earth beneath: Whereas indeed a lesse euill it were for you, to shut them vp only in human bodyes, but you cloth them, or to say better, put on them, the shapes of Asses, Dogs, Wolues, and Serpents, and that which is worse, with shifting and thrusting them now into one body, now into another, you do make them perpetual erratiques & vagabonds. With which villany notwithstāding you perceiue not awhit, being so blind, how much you do iniure withall that soueraygne mynd whence they are deriued, and whome they seeme to resemble, since looke what the image is, the same by all likely hood, must the archi­type be, & yet that which is worse by this meanes do you come also to diminish the dignity of God himself, the father and origine of that most excellent Intelligence.

But come we to the mistery of the Crosse, which you so much vpbraid. Now tell me then, which of the two were fitter to be chosen, to suffer without default the snares of the wicked, and for defence of Honesty & Truth, to expose ones selfe to all bitternes of punishments: or els to giue credit to fables, and adore the errours of Osiris, & Is [...]s, and the deceipts of Tiphon, & the flight of Saturn, & the deuouring of children, and murdering of Parents, for such are your opinions, and your articles. Besides this, you that flout so, at the reproach of death, why seeme you not to admire the glory of the Re­surrection? And yet those that preach the one, proclayme the other: and how remember you the crosse, & passe ouer in silence, so many dead men raysed, blind restored, palsey men cured, leapers clean­sed, the walking vpon waters, & other infinite miracles? Al which seeme to shew very cleerely, that Christ was not purely Man, but true God and Man together. And surely it cannot be denyed, but you proceed very vniustly with vs, and deale not with our scriptures as you ought; forasmuch, as if you regarded them, with an equall eye, you should find, without doubt, how all the actions of Christ, [Page 112] do manifest and discouer him to be God.

And now produce you awhile your tryumphs against vs. Though indeed frō irrationall substances, what els can you bring forth, but crueltyes and bestialityes? And it forsooth (as I vnder­stand you would seeme to answere) that such things, are but all [...] ­gorically meant by you, and that they haue a good in terpretation with thē, while in Proserpina is vnderstood the earth: in Iuno, the ay [...] in Diana, the Moone; In Neptune, the Sea; and so of the other: y [...] for all that, you can not deny your selues to be seruants and wor­shippers of the creature, to the open disparagement and grieuous di­shon our of the Creatour himselfe. Whereas, if the beauty of the visible things, were it that moued you so much, such a motion were inough indeed to make you to admire them, and no more: but you insteed thereof, fall a deifying them, and the honour which is due to t [...] Artificer, do you giue to the masonry it self, the same of the Archi [...]ed to the house, and that of the Captayne to the Souldiour. What th [...] do you answere to all those things? Do but tell vs. I pray, that w [...] also may learne, if things so worthy of laughter, may seeme to be cō ­teyned in the Crosse.

S. Antony proceeds in his discourse: and what followed therupon. Chap. 20.

THe Philosophers now being brought into streights, & forced to shift heere and there, S. Antony smiling, proceeded forward. The truth of the things, which I haue told you, is euen to be seen with the very eyes; and yet neuerthelesse, whereas you, as Profes­sours of Logick, ground your selues vpon sillogismes, and without such instruments, allow not Religion: tell me first, The know­ledge of God, is it more exactly purchased by dialecticall demon­strations, or by operations of Fayth, occasioned through workes, o [...] demonstration founded in words? And they answering, that Fai [...] proceeding from workes, without doubt, was the more ancient of the two, and brought the greater certainety with it. You haue an­swered well, said S. Antony, because indeed Fayth consists in a cer­tayne interiour disposition of the Mynd; whereas Logique seemes to leane meerly vpon the artificiousnes of those, which put the words and the propositions together; in such wise, as when one, by the me [...]nes of Fayth, hath the vertue to worke, he hath no need of the art of argumentation at all; since the very same which Faith tea­teacheth [Page 113] vs, do you seeke to proue by reasons and discourses, and many tymes are you not able so much, as to expresse with wordes, that which we penetrate with the vnderstanding: and no mer­uayle, beause the Christian law, is not founded in specious & pom­pous reasons, but in that power and Vertue, which by Christ, is sub­ministred to vs, from the Eternall God.

And that this is true, behold vs heere, who neuer hauing lear­ned any letters, do belieue in God, acknowledging in his factu [...]e, the Prouidence, he hath of the Vniuerse. And this our habit of mynd, how operatiue, and efficacious it is, you may gather at least from hence: That whereas, the foolish Inuentions, Sects, Phan­tasyes, and I dols of you Grecians, in effect do vanish, and come to nothing: the Christian Verity extendes it selfe on all sides, [...] you with all your Sophistryes, conuert not the Christians to Gentilisme: but we, not proposing, nor teaching any other then the Fayth in Christ, go daily defacing your vnhappy superstitions, and diaboli­call ceremonyes, in making Christ manifest to all, to be truly God, and the Sonne of God: and you withall your smooth, and elegant speech, are not able to hinder the progresse of the Christian do­ctrine: wheras we only with the name of the Crosse, do suddaynly chase away those very deuils thēselues, which you dread, & adore for Gods. And where, but the signe of the Crosse is made, can no art Magique auayle, nor haue Sorceryes there any force at all. And if not, then tell me, I pray, where now are your Oracles? Where your Egiptian Enchaunters? When ceased, and vanished trow you these infernall arts, but since the coming of the crosse of Christ?

And do you now then thinke the Crosse, to be worthy of scorne; & not rather the things, by it conuinced, annihilated, & destroyed? And that so much the more, as your rites were neuer yet persecuted of any, but haue beene alwayes for the most part receiued, and ho­noured of the world: Whereas the Christian Fayth with al the per­secutions & tribulations, which it hath hitherto suffered frō Kings and Princes, continually flourisheth and multiplyes, now more thē euer. And when was there euer in the world, more light, & greater knowledge of God? When euer attended they so much to Sobriety, Continency, and Virginity? When was death so much euer contē ­ned, as since the holy Crosse hath beene knowne, and adored? & he that belieues it not, may behold so many squadrons of Martyrs, and such a number of Virgins, who for the loue of Christ, haue conser­ued [Page 114] their bodyes immaculate, and vntouched. And howbeyt the things already said, are most sufficient for the cleering of our Fayth: neuerthelesse since you yet stand requiring of demonstrations, be­hold the persons possessed with ill spirits (and by good hap some were present at that tyme,) and causing them to come forth in the midst, he said, as followes. Eyther do you with your sillogismes, or with any other art you, haue of Enchauntments, or inuocations of your I dols, deliuer this people; Or else if you cannot, leaue of to entercounter with vs, & acknowledge the Omnipotency of our Sauiour.

Heereupon S. Antony inuoking the name of Christ, he made two or three signes of the crosse vpon the possessed, who from the crye [...] they gaue, and from prancks they played, and from the torments, and violences they suffered, being suddaynely returned to full and perfect health, became now very still, and gaue infinite thanks to our Lord God. Whereat the Philosophers, with reason, remayning asto­nished, S. Antony spake to them in this sort. Why do you so wonder heereat? These are no workes of ours, but of Christ, by the meanes of such as belieue in him. Do you then belieue in him likewise, and become Christians, and you shall see, that ours are no bablings a­whit, but meerely the effects of a liuely Faith, which if you had, you should not neede, to go begging of arguments. These were the words of S. Antony, and they likewise admiring the same, wēt their wayes, shewing him great Reuerence, and confessing withall how much they had beene helped by him.

How the fame of S. Antony increased: And especially what credit he had with Princes. Chap. 21.

BY these and such like things, may euery one easily imagine, how much daily the fame and renowne of S. Antony, went dilating it selfe: insomuch as at last not only persons afflicted with infirmityes, and euill Spirits, or such as were desirous to be gui­ded in the way of our Lord; came to the mountayne to visit him, and to request help and counsayle at his hands: But euen likewise the very Magistrates, and Iudges of Alexandria themselues. Who for to haue more easy accesse vnto him, sent to entreate the same at his hands, by meanes of prisoners, and guilty persons, who were sub­iect to criminall sentences, as knowing well such cases and neces­sityes, [Page 115] would not be despised of the seruant of Christ. Nor were they deceiued, since being vanquished by their prayers and teares, he went forth of his Hermitage, and came to exhort the Gouernour in passing sentence vpon them, by any meanes to preferre the feare of God before any passion, or human respect: remembring them with­all of that saying in the Ghospell, What measure you affoard to others, shal be likewise giuen to you. And with such manner of aduises as these, ob­teyned he, very many dispatches of suites, and releases of Innocents.

For other personages, he forbare not with admirable modesty to remember them likewise of the vanity of the world, and the fe­licity of a solitary life: nor the same without fruite, for that many hauing left great riches, and honours, as well of warre, as of peace, haue conuerted themselues to a religious life. And in summe, in the person of S. Antony, Christ had affoarded a famous Phisitian to all E­gypt. What hart oppressed with sadnes which parted not cheerfull and content from him? What dolorous soule, for the death of their deerest friends, deposed not on a sudden their heauynes and mur­muring? What wrathfull person, was not presently reduced to con­cord? What beggar or Wretch, with his wordes and examples, that came not to make litle reckoning of money, and willingly to suffer the necessityes of life? What tepid Monke, resumed not againe new feruour? What young man, with the sight and discourses of S. An­tony, was not suddenly enamoured with chastity? What conscience afflicted and tempted of the Enemy, or molested with irksome thoughts, that was not immediately quietted. Because indeed a­mong the vertues of this holy man (as we haue said aboue) one was so acute a discretion of spirits, as in the twinckling of an eye, he would know their inclinations and motions; and would not only suffer himselfe to be deceyued, but likewise giue opportune and excellent remedy to others, according to the necessityes of euery one. Besides, How many Virgins; already destined to matrimony, that with the only beholding of S. Antony a far off, haue been con­secrated to Christ? And finally, as many as repayred to him, haue come their wayes from him much encouraged agaynst the Diuell, instructed against euill cogitations, comforted in tribulations, and full of vertuous, and holy purposes.

True it is, that such manner of conuersation with men, was very cautiously dispensed by him, nor did he so giue himselfe to the care of others, as to be any whit vnmindfull of himselfe, but rather [Page 116] assoone, as could be, in imtation of Christ, leauing the multitude, he would retire himself to prayer and solitude. Nor was the sweet­nes of friends, or power of Princes, able to withdraw him from such manner of obseruance. To which purpose, we are not to passe ouer in silence, how a certayne Captayne, after he had visited him, being willing to entertayne him further in discourse, he gently excused himselfe, with that similitude of Fishes (so renowned af­terwards, and brought into a Prouerbe) that euen as those, remai­ning on the land, giue ouer and dye, so Monkes abiding too much with Seculars, do loose the feruour of the spirit; with which com­parison, the Captayne was well satisfyed, though much grieued the while to be seuered from him. But what great matter may it seeme, that S. Antonyes friendship, should so be desired of Rulers or Prefects of some Prouinces only, since we see it sought for no lesse of very Monarkes themselues, and of the Emperours of the world?

It is a knowne thing, how Constantinus Augustus, and the Prin­ces his sonnes, Constans and Constantius, sent him letters, as to a Fa­ther, intreating him to vouchsafe to send them greeting, and good counsayle: but he was so alienate from worldly fauours, and so abhorred he euery least apparence of vanity, as he was vpon the point, not to accept the Epistles sent, saying to the Monkes, to whome it seemed to be some great honour to be so courteously greeted by the Caesars: Why meruayle you that a King should write to a man? Nay wonder rather, the immortall God, should write so his law to mortals, yea euen speake to them face to face by meanes of his only begotten Sonne. The magnanimous Abbot then (as we haue sayd) within a litle had refused to receiue the letters, at least he was resolued not to answere them at all, if through the prayers of his Monkes, and scruple which would arise of litle Edification, he had not been enforced in a manner to write backe, as he did: first with praysing those Lords, for the sayth they professed, & then exhorting thē to make no great reckoning of their present greatnes but to haue alwayes the future Iudgement in mynd, & to acknow­ledge Christ only, for the true, and eternall King; he concluded lastly in persuading them to be courteous and benigne, and to haue speciall care of the poore, and of Iustice. Which aduises, were re­ceyued of the Emperour and Princes with great ioy and confola­tion.

[Page 117] This was the credit and reputation, whereto the Seruant of Chist, euen in his tyme, was arriued, surmounting the Enuy, and detraction of the world; and the same not so much, through same of great learning, or of extraordinary Eloquence, or of Bookes [...]ut forth to light, or of any of those arts, which are in price with [...]he world, as through a sanctity of manners only, and by the grace of God, who is delighted to exalt the humble, to manifest such as are willing to hide themselues, and withall to giue the world to vnderstand, how the diuine precepts and counsayles, are not im­possible to those, that will disentangle themselus, and walke cou­ragiously in the way of vertues. But be this sufficiently sayd for the present of the glorious acts, and rare parts of S. Antony, rather as inti­mated to the faythfull only, then any wyse explicated as they de­serue. And now remaines it for vs to touch somewhat of his Death, that to him was a sweet, and blessed Birth-day.

S. Antony being now come to the end of his dayes, presageth his death. With his happy departure out of this life. Chap. 22.

THe holy Old man, was now arriued to the age of one hun­dred and fiue yeares old, with a great ability of body. He wā ­ted not a tooth, though his gumms indeed were somwhat fallē: He had his sight very excellent good; hauing his eyes yet sound, and quite without blemish: his feete, and armes he had still very actiue, and that which is more to be merueyled at, was this; that notwith­standing he was so giuen, from his childhood, to Fastings, Vigils, Solitudes, Cloysters, with other of the sharpest penances that are, without shifting (as we sayd aboue) his garments, or euer bathing himself; he had yet, so fresh, and fayre a skynne, as if he had beene alwayes trayned vp in feasts, and banquets, stoues, and baths, and other addresses of human delicacyes. In this state, had he an interi­our feeling in himselfe, of the speedy approach of his last dayes. Wherupon going forth againe from the in most part of the wilder­nes to reuisite and comfort the Conuents abroad, and causing the Brothers to be assembled together as to a Congregation, he cleerly spake to them in this sort.

This is the last visit, and surely is it much, that in this present life, we haue enioyed one another so long. But now it is tyme at last, that I goe my wayes. For I haue liued in the world my part [Page 118] already. The disciples in hearing this, beganne to weep, and to giue very deare imbraces, and holy kisses of peace to their Mayster, Who being now very glad to go forth of this exile, and to passe into his Countrey, in the meane while he went about, to put them in mynd, that they would not suffer the trauayles of Religion to seeme tedious to them, but dayly seeme to expect death: that they endeauour to keep, the soule from vncleane thoughts: that they purpose to imitate the manners of Saints, and wholy fly the cōmerce of Schismatiques, and Heretiques, not suffering themselues to bend this way, or that way; through feare of Magistrates, or Princes, whose forces are but little, and not durable.

With these, and other such like aduises, making an Epilogue as it were of the rest, he tooke leaue of his children, who vsing all violence to reteine him there, that they might be receiuing his last spirit, they could not procure the fauour, as well for many respects which he cōcealed, as principally, to auoyd a certayne abuse, which the Egiptians had, to conserue with some art or other, the bodyes of persons of quality, vpon certaine beds, in performing their wonted Exequies indeed, & en wrapping them after their manner in sheetes, but yet auoyding to put them vnder the ground, as a thing wholy vnworthy of them. Now was this abuse alwayes very much dis­pleasing to S. Antony, and he had been reprehending the people for it at sundry tymes, and intreated the Bishops, often to remedy the same: alleadging that euen from the auncient Prophets themselues, were seen to bee sepulchers extant, yea that the body of Christ our Lord himselfe, had beene put in to a Monument, and was couered with a great stone, who arose the third day With which examples, howbeyt already, he had reduced many persons, to bury their dead; yet neuerthelesse, knowing the custome, and inclination of that people, he would not trust the multitude with his spoyles, but re­tiring himselfe into his Cell, from whence had he departed, within few months after fell sicke: and calling his two disciples to him, who had now some fifteene yeares been present with him, he spake to them in manner following.

I am now (my deerest) vpon walking the way of my Fathers, and I feele my selfe to be called of our Lord. As for you be you wary and vigilant, and take heed, you loose not the labours of so long a tyme: but as if you had but now begunne, do you enforce yoursel­ [...]es to maynteynly out wonted feruour and study. Then know yo [...] [Page 119] the snares, and rages of the inuisible Enemies, and know you like­wise, how through diuine Iudgment, they haue lost their forces. Do you not feare them then, but alwayes aspire to Christ, and fixing a [...]iuely fayth in him, expect euery moment to be cited before him, & so attend to your selues, still remembring the rules, and documents, you haue had from me; especially to fly as fyre, the conuersation of Arrians, and Meletians, and whosoeuer shall haue seuered themsel­ues from the Fayth, and communion of the Catholique Church, since you know, how I no lesse haue alwayes abhorred them. But rather seeke to vnite your selues with Christ, and with his Saints; that after death, they may acknowledge you as Friends, and be re­ceyuing you into the Eternall tabernacles. Be this your opinion then, and this your discourse.

And if you haue any care of me also, as of a Father, doe not suffer my Corps, by any meanes, to be carryed to Egypt, with the hazard of being put vp in some house, according to the peruerse cu­stome of the Country there; but hide me rather in the earth, in a place, where no person of the world, may know besids your sel­ues, because if it be cōsumed for the present, it shall yet be restored agayne very glorious in the Resurrection. You shall distribute my Garments in such sort, as that Athanasius the Bishop may haue one of my Melots (which were only poore sheep skins sowed together) and the Mantle whereupon I was wont to lye. To the Bishop Sera­pion, you shall giue the other Melot: and you, in memory of mee shall keep the Cilice: and with this my Sonnes, remayne in peace, for Antony passeth, and shall be no more abiding with you.

These were his last words, and then with a cheerefull counte­nance, shewing the Angels and Saints to reioyce, who came to meete him, he gaue vp the Ghost. And the disciples, though sad for loosing such a Father on earth, neuerthelesse being recomforted, for hauing purchased such an Intercessour in Heauen, did bury him, according as he had ordyned. And to the Bishops, they gaue the garments, as welcome, and as much esteemed of them, as those who had gotten a very rich inheritance. And the great Athanasius, recounts of him­selfe, how he wore the same afterwards, very willingly: whereby it seemed to him, that he carryed about him, a perfect Memorial of the wholesome aduises, and documents of S. Antony. Such a course, and end, made the great Seruant of Christ: whose life (as we insinuated aboue) Athanasius himselfe first wrote, in the Greeke tongue; who [Page 120] though he were of another vocation, notwithstanding in fayth & will was he most vnited with him. The blessed Euagrius translated the same into latin, who liued very neere those tymes, and was the disciple of both the Macarius, enriching the same with some things receiued, as it is probable, of such as had much familiarity & conuer­sation with the Man of God. Moreouer, as many as haue framed the Ecclesiasticall History, and other most graue Authours besides, haue likewise touched his acts, and made very pious, and honourable mē ­tion of him: God vndoubtedly so disposing the same, not so much in recompence of the labours of S. Antony (who enioying eternall felicity in heauen, should seeme to care very little to be renowned in earth) as for the profit of all man kind. To the end, so perfect, and noble deeds, words, and manners, might not seeme to be shut vp within the termes of one people, or of one age only; but should dilate themselues into all parts, and serue for instruction, glasse, & incitement to all Nations, and to all posterity.

Of the Birth of S. Pachomius, and his miraculous Conuersion to the Christian Fayth. Chap. 1.

IN the same age (some few yeares after) the bles­sed Pachomius did flourish, a great Father likewise and an excellent Mayster of Monkes: whose vertue, and Religion, no doubt was so much the more memorable, as the helpe of Education, which he had was lesse, being borne of Gētiles both Father and Mother, & brought vp in The­bais, without any knowledge of our Sauiour Christ, vntill such tyme, as he arriued vnto military age. Some notable signes did fore­run his Vocation. One was, that when they gaue him to drinke any wine, or other liquour, which had been offered to the Idols, with a certaine hidden auersion of the stomacke, he would sudden­ly be vomiting it forth. And another signe also was there yet of [Page 123] more wonder: for that, he being once conducted to a Sacrifice, which was to be performed, by a riuers side, hard by, there could be nothing done; for that at his presence, the Priest could neyther finish his ceremonies, nor would the Diuels seeme to enter into the Statues, to giue forth answeres, from thence, as they were wont: so as their wicked Minister, hauing finally vnderstood the occasion thereof, with furious brawling, began to controule the Parents of Pachomius, as hauing brought thither, an enemy of the immortall Gods: and commaunded them, suddenly to thrust him forth, as fearing least some heauenly wrath, or vengeance might light on their Sonne.

Amidst so impious superstitions of his house, & the rudiments of Egiptian learning and doctrine, S. Bachomius being arriued to the twentith yeare of his life, was enrolled as a Souldiour in a new leuy of men, which in the name of Constantius, was then made in diuers parts, against the Tyrant Maxentius. And with this occasion, being conducted by water with others, to a certayne Citty, neare vnto Thebes, he fell into great necessity, together with the whole army, through the smal prouision that was made of victuals for thē. Which being vnderstood, by those of the Country there, who by good hap, were of the faythfull people of Christ, and very friendly to the Neighbour, they suddenly prouided for the afflicted Souldiours, what was needfull for them; and that with so great sollicitude and charity, as S. Pachomius was astonished thereat: & demaunding what nation they were of, that was so hospitable, and benigne; answere was made him they were Christians. When demaunding againe, of what manner of life & institute they were, he vnderstood, that they did belieue in Iesus Christ, the only Sonne of God, and did well to all sorts of persons, with firme confidence, to haue some large re­muneration for it, at the hands of the same God.

S. Pachomius, had scarcely heard these words, but that full, as well of interiour consolation, as of an vnusuall light, retyring him­selfe from the company, and being somwhat in a deepe study with himselfe, he lifted vp his hands to the starres, saying: Lord God, who framedst the Heauen and earth, if thou shalt vouchsafe to regard my basenes, and my trauayles, and giue me the knowledge of thy Diui­nity; I promise to serue thee, and obey thy precepts while I breath. With this prayer, and promise, the loue of vertue so increased in him, as he began, from that tyme forwards through the diuine Grace [Page 124] to resist all sensuality, and valiantly to suffer Tribulations; helping himselfe with the memory of his first purposes, vntill such tyme, as the Emperour, hauing gotten a glorious victory vpon the Tyrant, he was cashiered with others: and not seeing opportunity there to become a Christian, he immediately went his wayes to Chemosium, a Towne of the higher Thebais, where remayned some notable and venerable Seruants of God. Of whome, being instructed in the holy Fayth, he was baptized: and the very same night, that he receiued this wholsome Sacrament, he sees in his Sleepe his right hand to be filled with dew, which falling from heauen, did incorporate it selfe in forme of hony, and withall heard a voyce, which said: Open the eyes of thy vnderstanding Pachomius, and know, that this is a signe of the grace, which is affoarded thee by Christ. This vision was not in vayne or vnprofitable a whit, but rather Pachomius felt himselfe so compund therewith, and enflamed with diuine Loue, as he determined, with­out delay, to renounce the world, & to consecrate himselfe to a mo­nasticall life. And hauing heard of a famous Hermit, called Palemon, that dwelt in those desarts, he wēt his wayes to him, to submit him­selfe to his discipline.

S. Pachomius craues of Palemon to be receiued into his discipline, and is admitted: with the manner of their liues togeather. Chap. 2.

THis Palemon for yeares was very graue, seuere of countenance, & so rigid and mortifyed in his cōuersation, as by many he was iudged to be inimitable. So soone as he heard then, one knocking at his cell, opening the doore, he sayd to Pachomius. Who art thou? and what seekes thou? To whome the good young man answering: God sends me to you to be admitted into your estate of life. The old man re­plyed. This is no worke for you, not so easy as you thinke; for some three or foure others, haue come hither likewise that haue not been so well able to stand to it afterwards. Then Pachomius: All men are not made of the same mould. Do you receiue me, and in tyme (I trow) you shall be cleered in that point. I haue told you already (replyed the Hermit) that you cannot brooke the labour. Go your wayes then first to do pennance in some other place: and if you shall then thinke your selfe able to endure it, do you come to me, & then perhaps I shall accept of you. Because indeed my manner of liuing (for to tell it you) is very sharpe, and difficult. I susteyne my [Page 125] selfe (God be thanked) with no other thing, then bread and s [...]lt. Neither wine nor oyle euer enters into my mouth. Halfe of the night, or there abouts, do I spend, part in praier, part in reading, and ruminating the diuine Scripture.

These and the like words, though deliuered. with a harsh voi­ce, and a horride brow, were not sufficient to terrify the constant Pachomius, but rather, as a litle water spurted on a great fyre, en­kindled such a flame in his breast, as with much reuerence, he most cheerfully affirmed, that he felt in his mynd, a firme beliefe, that the diuine Goodnes, by meanes of the intercession of the same Pale­mon (whose life was a mirrour to all Mortalls) would make him a disciple not vnworthy of so noble a Mayster. From such perseue­rance, vnited with like piety, the Anchoret, now easily gathered, that Pachomius had an extraordinary feeling, and a manifest voca­tion of God. Whereupon, hauing now some confidence of a hap­py successe, without more ado, he admits him into his Cell, and giues him his habit. And from thence, they began to liue together, spending the greater part of the tyme in deuotions, and the [...]est, in twisting of Camels hayre, and making of sacks, and that not to pick out money for their owne profit, but to relieue the poore with, as the Apostle counsayles.

At night then, in tyme of prayer, and Psalmes, if Palemon perceiued the disciple to be somewhat pressed with sleep, taking him forth of his Cell, with a basket in hand, he would employ himselfe with him, in carrying of heapes of sand, to and fro, vn­till such tyme, as the superfluous vapours of the body being disper­sed by this meanes, he might come to be prompt, & nimble againe, and haue the spirit now throughly awaked; and would besides be admonishing him, saying: be you sober and attentiue O Pachomius, that you be not ouercaught by the Tempter, and all our labours proue not to be in vayne. But the seruent Nouice, gaue not much occasion vnto spurs and incitements, and the holy Father exulted in himselfe, and glorifyed the Diuine Clemency, to see him become euery day, more obedient then other, to see him more addicted to mortification, and abstinence, he not sparing in the meane while to go alwayes before him, with a liuely, and continuall example.

So as once vpon Easter day, Pachomius to solemnize that Feast, hauing dressed him a litle Oyle, seasoned with salt, when Palemon saw him to reach it to him, suddaynely striking his forhead, & ca­sting [Page 126] forth a deepe sigh, with teares he sayd: My Lord was put on the Crosse, he was loaden with iniuryēs, cuffs, and buffets, in his greatest thirst he was made to drinke both Vinegar and Gaule, and shall I be pampered heere, and be soothing my palate which oyled meates? Nor with all the instance, and intreatyes, that Pachomius could vse by any meanes, he would seeme to breake his Fast, vn [...]ll such tyme, as that seasoned Oyle being taken away, and some o­ther brought him which was pure, and simple (in blessing it first, with the signe of the Crosse, and rendering most humble thankes to the high Creatour for it) he finally fell to. In such like acts Pacho­mius continually beheld himselfe, as in a glasse: and as from the ex­cellency of the Mayster, he was hourely encouraged more to fol­low the good; so from others defects, became he alwayes more cau­tious to beware the euill.

The iudgement of God shewed vpon a Monke. S. Pachomius founds a Mo­nastery, and Palemon dyes. Chap. 3.

AN audacious Monke but ill founded in the knowledge of himselfe, and human frailty, came on a tyme to see Palemon and Pachomius, while they had made by chaunce a very good fyre: & after he had sate downe with them a pretty while, entertayning themselues with spirituall discourses, arising on a sudden, sayd to Palemon: if you, and your disciple haue true Fayth, shew me heere some Euangelicall experience thereof, and make your prayer, heere barefoote, vpon these burning coales. Palemon reprehending him for it, and aduising him, not to suffer himselfe to be deceyued so by the enemy; he puffed vp with greater pride, and presumption, went voluntarily vpon the Coales, and the Diuine Maiesty, per­mitting it so, the Diuell had power to preserue him without hurt at all. Whereupon that miserable Wretch, with malapert insolency, vpbrayding Palemon and Pachomius, with saying: where was their fayth? went his wayes very proud, from thence. But it was not long, ere he payd very soundly for it.

For first, being deluded by the ancient Aduersary with lasci­uious shapes, and therupon very grieuously strooke and afflicted, he repayred agayne, after some dayes to Palemon, with sighes confessing his errour, saying: Know that I am vndon, for not hauing obeyed you, and now I do pray you, to succour me, with your prayers, for [Page 127] that I stand in great daunger, to be slayne of the infernall Enemy. The wretch was yet a speaking, and Palemon and Pachomius a wee­ping for compassion; when lo, on a sudden, the deuill assaults him, takes him out of the Cell, and like a sauage beast, chàsing him a good while through the Crags, and Mountaynes, finally in the Citty, which is called Pun, tooke away his wits, so as he cast him­selfe headlong into a fornace of a bath, where suddaynely he dyed.

S. Pachomius being admonished with these so horrible, & straūge accidents, from thence learned to feare the Iudgment of God, and to re-enforce the guard vpon his hart, by resisting the appetites, bri­deling anger, and the other passions, and endeauouring to found himselfe, by all meanes, in true humility. Besides, when he read or recited any things of the sacred scripture, he posted not in hast, as many are wont, but tasting, and ruminating the sentences, & pre­cepts, one by one, he sought to deriue profit from them, and to serue the Highest with fit attention. Being often sent barfoote, to make wood, in a certayne forrest, very full of sharpe thornes, while he [...]elt his flesh to be torne, and wounded, he would be suffering all the dolours thereof with alacrity, in remembring the Nayles, which pierced the sacred feete and hands of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus, & continually treating with God in those solitary places would he pray for himselfe, and for all human kind, that he might be preserued from the snares of the common Aduersary. In summe, with these manner of Exercises, was he arriued to such a point of perfection, as the Maister himselfe remayned much comforted, and astonished thereat.

It happened to him afterwards, on a tyme, by a certayne oc­casion, to arriue at the Iland, and Towne of Tabenna; where, being in a long, and profound Prayer, he heard a vovce to say to him: Pachomius, stay heere, and set vp a Monastery in this place, because many shall come vnto thee with desire to be saued whome thou shalt guide according to the instruction which I shall giue thee. And with this, an Angell appeared, and gaue him a Table, wherein the same Institute was conteyned, which for many ages afterwards, the Monks of Tabenna obserued. Then Pachomius, with the discretion of spirits which he had pur­chased, very cleerely perceiued, that as well the vision, as the Rule was a heauenly thing: and receiuing the same with great Reuerēce, he went to his Mayster, and communicated the whole with him: beseeching him to be pleased, to put to his helping hand, in the exe­cution [Page 128] of what, had beene ordeyned him, by the Angell. And though Palemon otherwise, would very vnwillingly haue left his auncient Cell, notwithstanding to comfort so good and vertuous a disciple, he was perswaded to go thither, and they both set vp there a poore habitation, in forme of a Monastery. But it was not long, ere Palemon, being now spent, partly with old age, and partly with maceration of the body, arriued to the end of his dayes; and Pa­chomius, as in life he had alwayes obeyed, and serued him, with ex­quisite diligence; so after death, with extraordinary feeling, buryed him, with his owne hands, with a great deale of Lamentation, but not without Canticles and Hymnes.

A Brother of S. Pachomius ioynes himselfe with him in his manner of lyfe; and what followed. Chap. 4.

AFter this, a naturall Brother of S. Pachomius, becomming a Christian, and called by the name of Iohn, being likewise tou­ched with a laudable desire of a perfect life, came to seeke him, and to inhabite with him. They remayned full fifteene yeares together continually exercising themselues, in acts of religion, & pennance. At the end wherof, while now it seemed to Pachomiuhs, it would not be long, ere that came to effect, which had been promised him of the multiplication of Monkes, he began anew, to enlarge the dwelling, to be able to receiue them all. This fact of his, was dis­pleasing to Iohn, and as he, who was the elder in yeares, and perhap­pes, knew not, or not fully belieued, what was signifyed to Pa­chomius from Heauen, esteemed such a building, to be against Po­uerty, and therfore reprehended his Brother, somewhat bitterly for it, saying, he should cease from committing such follyes, so to seeke to enlarge himselfe, more then needed. To which words, though he answered nothing, yet did he in wardly thinke vpon the and after hauing some remorse at such a thought, retyring himselfe at night in the new building, he puts himselfe into bitter Laments and turning himselfe to God, with great dolour cryed out in this manner.

Alas, that the prudence of the world, should be yet continually raigning in me! I am still a carnall man, and after so many yeares of Religious warfarre, doe I yet suffer my selfe to be vanquished by wrath, vnder a colourable pretext of good. Mercy Lord, least I vt­terly [Page 129] perish, because that if thou establish me nor, in thy patience, and that the Enemy come to find somewhat of his in me, I shall be subiect to him, since it is written: That if any one but fayle in one, he is made guilty of all. I belieue thy benignity is exceeding great, help me Lord, & I shall walke in the way of thy Elect; aduauncing my self alwaies forward, & forgetting quite what remaines behind. Euen as they likewise through thy grace, haue done, to their euer­lasting prayse, and crowne, but to the great affliction, and vt­ter confusion of the aduersary: otherwise, how shall I be able to in­struct those, whome thou saydst, thou wouldst giue me in charge, if first I shall not subdue the passions, which by meanes of the flesh, make warre against the spirit, and if I shall not haue learned to ob­serue thy Law inuiolable? But I hope Lord, through the help of thy high and mighty hand, I shall do that, which may like thee best, and thou pardon all my defects.

In such accusations of himselfe as these, ioyned with bitter playnts, with burning prayers, and with solid purposes, spent he all that night, & at the apearing of the day he found on the ground, a certaine durt which was there caused through the continuall tea­res, that streamed from his eyes; as also with the excessiue sweat, which tricked downe from all his body. Nor let any one seeme to attribute this, to an exaggeration of words: for that besides the hu­mour, which contrition wrong from him, and affliction of mynd; it was then likewise the season of Summer, and the place of its na­ture was exceeding hoat: nor was the seruant of God, then making his prayer in a carelesse kind of composition of body, but eyther on his knees, or prostrate, or bolt vpright, with the armes erected & distended in forme of a Crosse, without letting them once to fall, or leaning himselfe to any thing, vntill the tyme he had purposed to himselfe; and this, as well to suffer something with Christ, and for Christ, as by that meanes to keep his mynd more vigilant, and attentiue.

With this sacrifice of an humble and penitent hart, he obtey­ned so much fauour from heauen, as for the tyme to come, he per­seuered with his Brother, in meruaylous Peace, and Patience: and assoone as he passed into a better life, he interred him, with all due piety, & with the wonted Exequyes. Frō hence, remayning quite alone, as he had but then entred into the Wildernes, he gaue him­selfe with a fresh vigour to his accustomed spirituall exercises, not [Page 130] forbearing the while, like another No [...], to be building the Arke for those, that were to be saued therin, according to the Angelicall prediction, which howbeit slow in coming to passe, yet was he certayne, it would not fayle.

S. Pachomius is tempted by Deuils in sundry sorts. He sees a vision; & many repayre vnto him, to be admitted into his Institute. Chap. 5.

IN the meane tyme S. Pachomius was very grieuously molested by Hellish Monsters, being all enflamed with Enuy against him, & desirous to put any obstacle soeuer to so great a good; so as putting in practize whatsoeuer was permitted them, with diuers appariti­ons and strange phantasmes, they sought to affright the seruant of God. Among other on a time, being about to kneele to his Prayers, the earth on a sudden fell a gaping before him, in forme of a deepe Cesterne, to swallow him vp. At other times, returning from the more remote deserts, where sometymes through desire of greater solitude, he was accustomed to retire himselfe; vpon the sudden, the same peruerse spirits were before him, marching as it were in order of battaile, and saying with a loud voyce: Giue place to the Man of God. They endeauoured likewise to shatter the new buil­ding in such sort, as it seemed they would haue turned it topsy­turuy from the very foundations. Besides, sitting on a day at some handy worke, after he had made his prayer, there seemed a Cock to be represented to him of an vnmeasurable greatnes, which re­doubling very fierce, and horrible crowings, aduentured from tyme to tyme to fly in his face, and with the clawes, and spurs most cruelly scratched him.

These, and other affrights and iniuryes S. Pachomius, being full of a high confidence in God, very easely repelled, now with the signe of the most holy crosse, now with some verse of the sacred Psalter. Wherupon the malignant spirits, perceiuing the way of feare, succeeded not with them; turned themselues by agreement to tempt him, with laughter, in shewing themselues very busy & earnest to remoue certayne leaues of a tree therby, tying them with great ropes, and exhorting one another to pull hard, with voyces and vnited forces, much after the manner, as Carpenters are wont to do, when they lift some huge piece of tymber. But this trick of theirs, was not any whit sufficient to moue the grauity, and con­stancy [Page 131] of the Christian Philosopher; but rather sighing, insteed of [...]aughter, and setting his mynd on the Crucifix, he attended to pro­secute the exercise in hand, in such wise, as the powers of darknes, being thus scorned by a mortall man, and put to confusion, went their wayes.

But yet for all this, they ceased not afterwards, to renew the battaile agayne, by taking the habit and forme of beautifull women and endeauouring to sit downe at the Table with the Man of God in tyme of refection, and to be impudently putting their hands into that poore fare, which he had before him; when seeing themselues to be howerly vanquished and despised, chaunging their figures by diuine dispensation to the greater crowne of the Saint, they afflicted him more then once with sundry paynes & cruel torments. Wherin as he, through the help of Christ, remayned alwayes, victorious; so according to the saying of the Scripture, it often happened, that he walked, and that without hurt, vpon venemous beasts; and which is more, being to passe the Riuer of Nilus, when need was, the Cro­codils themselues, insteed of a bark, would securely be wasting him ouer.

With such proofes, and so glorious victoryes, S. Pachomius now being arriued to the highest degree of hope and charity, the Angell appeared to him anew, and sayd to him: God is pleased, O Pachomius, with thy seruice, and would haue thee reconcile the Gentils vnto him. When not many dayes after, some persons, desirous to saue their Soules, and glutted with the world, beganne to repayre vnto him from diuers places, who benignly receiued them all, but yet gaue thē not the Monasticall habit, till first he had proued euery one with a long and exact probation.

The manner he held in the instructing of all together, and ech one in particuler, consisted, in keeping them free, and farre off from all traffique, and transitory cares; and to vnite them, first from the world, then from the hauing of things proper, and lastly from thē ­selues. And forasmuch as to exhort others to the Crosse, examples do moue a great deale more, then words; he was the first in obser­uing of Silence, in Edification, Lessons, Fasts, Vigils, and other labours, and austerityes of the Monastery, to prepare the Table, to cultiuate the garden, to answere at the gate, to be seruing of the Sick both night and day, and hence with louing aduices, and remem­brances withall, would he afterwards very easely conduct others, to [Page 132] liue according to the obligation of such a vocation. It was not long ere the good odour, & same of this new Institute was spread euery where, in such sort as the multitude of Monks, came soone to ariue to the number of a hundred.

S. Pachomius highly regardeth the Clergy; and visits the great Athanasius. Chap. 6.

AMōg these Monkes, was not yet seene to be any Priest: wher­upon when they were to communicate, some Priest was cal­led for, of the neighbour Villages, so rare was Priesthood in those dayes, and held in the esteeme it ought to be. And as for S. Pachomi [...] he suffered not any of his disciples to [...]spire to such a dignity, or any other honours, or degres at all, affirming that from like desire, doe grow emulations, s [...]rifes, and contentions; and added, that as a least sparckle of fyre, falling in a barne, if not speedily oppressed, will vnluckily consume the whole yeares haruest: so Ambition, or the thought of a Clerkship, with what pretext soeuer it enter once int [...] Cloysters, and be not suddenly extinguished, will come to put all the Religion in tumult, or ruine rather and vtter destruction. Not­withstanding afterwards, if any one being a Priest already, should offer himselfe to follow the Rule, Pachomius would not refuse to ac­cept him, and with such quality of persons, so carryed himselfe, as how much more respectfull, he shewed himselfe towards them for the sacred Orders sake which they had taken; so much more hum­ble & meeke would they become through the Vertue, and example they saw in him.

Besides that, he was full of Piety to all, especially towards th [...] aged and infirme persons. To young men likewise, he would vse discretion, dexterity, and longanimity to saue their Soules, wher­of he was meruaylously zealous, & sollicitous. And because not fat from his Conuent, was a certayne Village without a Pastour, and consequently depriued of the word of God, and the holy Commu­nion, he dealt very charitably about the same with Aprion Bishop of Tentiri, in whose Diocesse the sayd place was; and with his con­sent, set vpon the building of a Church, where afterwards a Parish was appointed. And he in the meane time, not fayled to go thither with some companions, to instruct thē in the Christian doctrine, performing that exercise with such deuotiō, & with [...]o much grace, [Page 133] & composition of body and mynd, as to the Seculars it seemed they [...]eard, and saw an Angell, and no mortall man, nor were the [...]aythfull only confirmed, by this meanes, but many Infidels like­wise conuerted to the Fayth. And as S. Pachomius receyued those who belieued in the Ghospell with extraordinary ioy; so for the [...]osse of the obstinate and incredulous persons, he would seele ex­ [...]reme dolour, and for the same be sheding of continuall teares.

At that very tyme, the great Athanasius had taken possession of the Bishoprique of Alexandria; & being gone in progresse, as a good Pastour, in person to visit the Churches of Egipt, & especially of the [...]pper Thebais, and Siena, by that occasion he was likewise to passe by Tabenna, when S. Pachomius knowing some part of the trauailes, and persecutions which the holy Bishop had suffered for the Catho­lique sayth, went forth to meete him, in company of all his Monkes with iubiley and festiuity of Psalmes, of Hymnes, and Canticles. True it is, that hauing vnderstood before hand, how meanes was made by the Bishop of Tentiri to Athanasius, for his promotion to a higher state, for not to be seene nor knowne by him, he hid him­selfe of purpose, in the throng. Whether he spake with him after­wards, or no, is not found written any where. But as this Chan­pion of Christ, was a great friend, and much deuoted to the Catholi­que Prelates; so could he not suffer so much as the name of Arrius and Meletius, and the other Heretiques and Scismatiques to be men­tioned of any by name: and for their writings he could not endure them by any meanes to be had o [...] read of his Monkes. He was like­wise very cautious in forbidding them to murmur at all, especially against the Clerks and Prelates of the church, and if by chance they had fallen into such a default, he would suddenly oppose himselfe against them in ci [...]ing some verses & sentences out of the holy Scrip­ture to that purpose, together with the example of Mary the sister of Moyses, so seuerely punished by God, for hauing murmured against her Brother. And finally by how much more sweete and plyable he was to all, in that which lawfully he might; so much more ri­gid, and inflexible he shewed himselfe, where it stood not with the least point of the honour of God, or the Neighbour.

S. Pachomius is visited by his Sister, who afterwards retires herselfe in [...] Monastery. Chap. 7.

SAint Pachomius kept himselfe wholy from the conuersation & fa­miliarity of his Parents, except when he had good hope to help them in Spirit. And therfore lastly being visited by a Sister of his, [...] sent her answere by the porter in thes words. Behold thou hast heat I am yet aliue: Go thy wayes then, and take it not ill, that I let thee not see me. I will promise thee, that if thou wilt happily imita [...] this manner of life of myne, to obteyne together with me pardon & Mercy of our Lord, some fit dwelling or other shal be assigned thee in a conuenient place to liue in peace and silence, and by that occa­sion peraduenture, it may happen the diuine Goodnes will o [...] some other women likewise to do pennance with thee, since in [...] there is no other consolation on earth, then for one to do well, & to serue God.

With this answere, the good woman was so compunct, as s [...]e brake forth into plaints, and without more ado, determined to obey the counsayle of her Brother; who according to promise, caused cer tayne Lodgings to be built for her, not farre from the Monastery very apt for the end pretended: wherin she exercising her selfe, ac­cording to the directions and orders of S. Pachomius, it was not long ere there came many other women likewise to her for the same pur­pose, who increasing continually in number, she was elected to be the Mother & Abbesse of them. Whence he attended with more sollici­tude then euer to instruct them well, and to conduct them safely to a good Port.

A certayne venerable and discreet Father, called Peter, had the superintendency ouer that Conuent, by commission of S. Pachomius, who at his tymes would visit, and exhort them to Perfection; and if it happened now and then to any Monke, hauing some kinswo­men there to haue occasion to go to any such, he was accompanied thither, by some ancient, and graue person, or other, of approued vertue: nor could he speake with such a one, but in the presence of the Mother, and some of the principall of the Monastery. To giue, or take any thing with them, or els to eate, or drinke in that place, vnder any pretext whatsoeuer, was wholy prohibited. When any of the Sisters came to dye, the others very decently composing the [Page 134] corps, would depose it with Psalmes in a determinate place, neere [...]to the conuent, Whence after the Monkes wold conuey the same [...] manner of procession, and bury it with deuout prayers & accu­ [...]omed Canticles in the hill neer at hand. Through the fame of [...]ese things, a certayne yong youth (among others) of some four­ [...]ene yeares old, by name Theodore, a Christian of noble Bloud, be­ [...]ag moued, gaue himselfe likewise to the discipline of S. Pachomius, [...]y the occasion which I shall presently tell you.

The history of Theodore, and how he and his Mother entred into the discipline of S. Pachomius.

THeodore once on a festiuall day, beholding the riches, the de­lights, and the ornaments of his owne house, felt himselfe sud­ [...]enly to be interiourly moued by the diuine grace, & began to dis­ [...]ourse with himselfe in this manner, saying: What shall all these [...]ases, contentments, and momentary pleasures auayle me (Wretch [...]s I am) if I come to be depriued of the Eternall? Forasmuch as [...]one for the present can attend to these, and in the future enioy the [...]thers: and fetching suddenly a great sigh, retyred himselfe into a [...]ore secret place of the house, where prostrate in teares, he sayd: [...] Lord, who seest the secrets of harts, thou knowest, I prefer not [...]ny thing of this life before thy loue: vouchsafe then to illumine [...]e, so as I may be able to vnderstand thy will; and that perfectly [...]xecuting the same, I may glorify, and prayse thee foreuer.

After this, refusing the commodityes and the cherishments of [...]is Mother, he began to giue himselfe seriously to abstinence, and [...]astings, with other mortifications and asperityes, wherin hauing [...]xercised himself for some two yeares together, he recollected him­ [...]elfe in the company of some Seruants of God. One of which, (the [...]espers being ended) discoursing according to the custome amōgst [...]hem of spirituall things, he entred in, to speake of the Tabernacle, [...]nd of the Saencta Sanctorum, of the ancient Law; interpreting the exteriour Tabernacle (as that which was of the manner of manu­facture) to signify the first people of the Iewes; but that of the Sancta Sanctorum, should figure the vocation of the Gentils, as hauing a more sumptuous and mysticall entry with it; whence in the place of Sacrifices of beasts, and insteed of the Thurible, of the Table, of the Arke, of the Candlesticke, of the Propitiatory, and of all those o­ther [Page 136] ancient symbols, for our saluation, hath succeeded the diuine word it selfe: who assuming our human flesh, hath taken vs from the paynes of our sinnes, through the holy light of the Ghospell, and with the satisfaction of his infinite merits.

This said, he confessed he had heard this interpretation from the great Pachomius himselfe, who had lately gathered togeather good number of Monks in the Iland of Tabenna, and gouerned them with merueilous discipline; and I hope (added he) that the mentiō of this Man of God, now made by me, may impetrate for vs some indulgence of our sinnes. The good Monke had scarce finished his discourse, when Theodore was enflamed with the relation made, with an exceeding desire of knowing S. Pachomius by sight, and to giue himselfe wholy to be gouerned by him. In so much, as a ver­tuous and good Old man, called Pecusius, being come thither from Tabenna, for to visit that Congregation there, was by Theodor intre­ated at his returne, with great affectiō, he would be pleased to con­duct him with him to the blessed Pachomius, as he did with a very good will, and being arriued at the holy place, the youth, not being able to conteyne himselfe from teares of Ioy, was receiued by him with a great deale of charity, and numbred with the others; when in a short tyme, he profited so much in all manner of vertues, as S. Pachomius himselfe, did wonder at it.

There was afterwards an occasion presented to make the con­stancy and feruour of this Nouice more renowned. In reguard the Mother, being now become a widow, and not brooking the ab­sence of her sonne; came to Tabenna in person, bringing letters frō the Bishops with expresse order to haue him restored her agayne. Heere now, she being receiued by the Nuns, as a guest, she speedily sent the letters to S. Pachomius, vrging the execution therof. When the seruant of Christ, hauing called Theodore to him, said to him in this sort: I vnderstand thy Mother is come to see thee, behold the Letters of the Bishops, which she hath brought me, for that end. Go thy wayes then, and comfort her, especially for the Prelates sakes who haue recommended it to me. Theodore answered. Do you giue me security then, Reuerend Father, that this little edification, which I shall giue vnto others, with such an enteruiew, be not imputed to me, at the day of Iudgment? Forasmuch as if in the tymes before grace, the children of Leui, did quite forsake their Parents, howbeyt most deere vnto them, for to serue the Lord God wholy: how much [Page 137] rather should I, that haue receyued so great mercy and light from the [...]ame Lord God, keep my selfe from preferring in any wise the affe­ction to flesh, before the loue, and seruice of his diuine Maiesty? see­ing our Sauiour hath sayd openly to vs: He that loues his Father, or Mo­ther more then me, is not worthy of me. Then S. Pachomius declared him­selfe better vnto him, with saying: If it seeme not expedient to thee my Sonne, I will not vrge thee to it, but rather confesse the other to be of more perfection; because indeed the Monke is to fly al world­ly commerce, and be louing, with an ordinate affection, & without passion, all those who through fayth, are members of Christ. And if any would seeme to oppose, that he may not desist from wishing well to his owne bloud, let him note that saying of the Scripture, That euery one becomes the slaue of him, that vanquitheth him.

By this manner of speach, the good Youth, being now con­firmed more, and more, would by no meanes, shew himselfe to his Mother. And it pleased our Lord, through this austerity of his, that she remained so astonished and moued to deuotion as she deter­mined likewise herselfe to leaue the world, and with the approba­tion of S. Pachomius, was receiued into the number of the Seruants of Christ. Whence may be gathered, that things being done to the greater glory of God, howbeit in the beginning sometymes, they may seeme perilous and bitter: yet neuerthelesse through diuine dis­position, do they produce many tymes most sweet fruites.

The Griefe which S. Pachomius tooke for the lapsed: Togeather with this Discretion, and Patience in all occasions. Chap. 9.

FRom these, and other such like successes, looke how much con­solation S. Pachomius tooke in our Lord; so much griefe and sorrow felt he for the ill proceeding of some, who tyred with la­bour, & to much giuen to carnall prudence, would neuer throughly renounce themselues, nor be desployed of the old man. The holy Man would seeke to help such by all meanes possible, but in vayne. Because they, partly not knowing how to deny their proper will; partly affrighted with the difficulty of vertue, and with the exam­ples of the pennances and Mortifications which they saw in others; finally being vanquished by the spirit of pusillanimity, and vayne feare, did suffer themselues to be caryed from the port, into the dā ­gerous tempests of the world: Yet this departure of theirs was not [Page 138] altogether vnprofitable to others, since the field of our Lord hee [...] ­pon, being purged from weeds and cockle, became continually more pleasant and fruitfull. And besides, from thence might be ga­thered, how that euen as the austerity of the Monasticall life do [...] not hurt Seculars, if they wil but help themselues with it, in some part; so neyther the aduice, good carriage, nor the Prayers of o­thers do benefit Monkes, if they resolue not to shake of quite, very manfully all manner of Slouth and Cowardise.

But to conserue, and to promote Men of good disposition, one of the principall industryes of this great Louer of the Crosse, was, not to permit, that in the treating of his person, should be vsed par­ticularityes with him, of any sort whatsoeuer, as we shall see by the ensuing acts. He being gone on a tyme, in company of some Mon [...] to reaping in an Iland called Threa (where euery one had built him a houell to retyre himselfe to, in due tymes) the good Father, whe­ther it were, through age, or with ouermuch worke, fell sick of a feuer, and Theodore, in his cold fit, being ready to couer him with▪ Shepheards mantle wouen with hayre, S. Pachomius would by n [...] meanes suffer it, but willed him to take it away sudenly, and to co­uer him only with a Mat, as the custome was to do with others; which done, Theodore brings him a handful of dates, exhorting him to refresh himselfe with them: Whereat the good Father, with teares in his eyes, replyed.

Why, Theodore, because we haue power ouer the labours of our Brethren, and to vs the care belonges to prouide and distribute the portions among them; should we therefore at our pleasure, and without any regard be treating of our selues in this sort, or be ta­king of any thing superfluous, or out of tyme, and comon custome? And where should our holy Feare be then, if we should do so? For tell me; Brother, haue you runne through al the houels, & certifyed yourselfe, that there is no other sick body, more necessitous then I▪ deceiue not your self so, Theodore, iniquity is abominable in the sight of God, not only in great, but euen also in smaller matters. If others then, with diuine help, can patiently suffer afflictions, and dis­commodityes; why should not I seeme to suffer the same? And with this answere, he sent the Disciple a way exceedingly edifyed and instructed. S. Pachomius likewise had obteyned of our Lord, together with the discretion of spirits, that same likewise of the Infirmityes, so as he could very well distinguish, which proceeded from natural [Page 139] causes, and which from the operation of the Enemy; who many [...]ymes, for to [...]hinder the diuine seruice, is wont to alter the humours of human bodyes, and to cause indispositions in them. Wherupon S. Pachomius being assayled on a tyme in the Monastery with a most grieuous feuer; it seemed to him very requisit, to cause him thereby increase his abstinence (since by this meanes for fiue [...]ontinuall dayes, he remayned without eating and drinking) but [...]et slackt not a whit to rise in the meane tyme vnto Prayer. Wher­with, being cured, he went with the rest into the Refectory, giuing [...]hankes to the Eternall Goodnes.

But yet with all this rigour, which he vsed with him selfe, let [...]o man thinke, he was hard or mercyles towards others, but rather (as hath been sayd aboue) was he wonderfull tender, and compas­ [...]ionate to all, and afforded all possible succours to relieue their ne­ [...]essityes. Besides that, as farre as reason of gouernement would per­mit, setting all arrogancy a part, he would be shewing himselfe e­quall, or rather inferiour to all. In so much, as being weauing on a [...]yme, and controuled by a child with saying, Father, you worke not [...]ight, for lo, our maister weaues not in that manner; he arose vp sudenly from his seate, and whereas another would eyther haue see­med, as if he had not heard him, or haue chastised his little modesty: The holy Old Man with a cheerefull countenance, approching to the Maister, and quietly taking instruction from him, went sudenly to execute the same, with singular humility, and with the great edi­fication of as many as were present. With these and such like things not only particular and profane men; being now inuited at last, but euen whole congregations likewise of other Monks, came to ioyne, and submit themselues to S. Pachomius, to whome with equall cha­rity, he afforded Rules, and Superiours.

The History of Ionas the Monke in the desart there. And S. Pachomius his solution of a doubt. Chap. 10.

IN one of those Monasteryes, called Muchosa, there was a Reli­gious man whose name was Ionas a man of so great perfection & fame as we cannot choose but step a little from our purpose, to say something of him. This Religious person had continued in the di­uine Seruice, and in the cloyster, some 85. yeares, with very good example: and it is a memorable thing, that he hauing alone had al­wayes [Page 140] care of the garden, and therin had planted diuers trees, ye [...] he neuer had tasted to his death, so much as one fruite of them, being notwithstanding very francke therof to the Brothers, and to the Ghests, and to all the Neighbours about, who at their pleasure we [...] satisfied with them. His clothing as well for sommer, as winter, was of three sheepe skins, sowed together, saue only, to go to the holy Communion, he would put ouer a coate, somewhat more decent, but being then risen from the sacred table, he would presently des­poyle himselfe therof; and so had he conserued it neare and cleane, for all that space of 85. yeares.

He was so great a friend of Labour, as he knew not, as it were what Rest was, nor yet the Infirmary. He neuer eate any boyled thing: he liued vpon hearbs chopt in vinegar: He neuer lay stretcht forth in length, but laboured by day in the garden, & at the setting of the Sunne, taking his refection, he would retire himselfe into his cell, and sitting on a stoole in the midst of the roome, attend to the knitting of bull-rushes, and to make ropes, vntill the ringing to Of­fice; shutting his eyes sometymes, scarcely as much as necessity re­quired. And this his worke he performed, not by the light of a Lampe, or of fire, but through much practice and dexterity, wholy by darke, for to be able in the meane tyme, the better to attend to the Meditation of holy Scripture, wherof he had cōmitted a good part to memory.

We let passe besids, many other meruaylous things of this holy Man, for breuityes sake, but yet we may not seeme to passe ouer in silence, the manner of his last act. Because he was foūd by the Mō [...] starke dead to sit in his Cell, with rushes in his hands (according to his wont) & with his feete and armes stretcht forth, & stiffe withal in such sort, as they would not seeme to change that composition of his, nor to pull off his furrd coate frō his back, but were feigne so to sold him, as in a trusse; and in that manner were they glad to carry him to be buryed.

But now let 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 hi [...] Monks; What was the cause, that while a man, is in peace before temptation, he discourseth so well of Temperance, Humility, and [Page 141] other Vertues; and when the time of execution comes afterwards [...] put that in practise which was in discourse, we find our selues so [...]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 [...]rgetfull of iniuries receyued; when we are paysed of others, to be [...]ary of vayneglory; in these (I say) and other the like occurren­ [...]es? Then the Saint: The reason is (answered he) for that, we [...]now not how to prepare ourselues, nor to meditate as we ought, [...]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 re­ [...]olution to renew our good purposes, and to power into the con­ [...]ēplatiue part of the Soule, the oyle of holy feare, which may serue [...]s well to re-enforce it to do good, as to illumine the same to dis­ [...]erne, and distinguish the Obiects, which are represented to it by [...]he wily and subtile Aduersary. In such wise, as standing cōtinually vpon its guard, it suffer not it selfe to be easily moued to disdayne, [...]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 [Page 142] 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 ga [...] 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 cas [...] himselfe at the feete of the Saint, with saying: Pardon me, Father, ye [...] for this tyme, for I hope in our Sauiour, that he will graunt me tru [...] Penance, and to your Paternity much consolation in my action [...] To whome S. Pachomius answered: Thou knowest, how I haue borne with thee all this while, how many chasticemēts 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 mē ­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 Silua [...] 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 Cōuent, 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 pa [...] manducabam, & po [...] [Page 143] meum cum fletu miscebam.

He was instanced by some, that if he could not absteyne alto­ [...]ather, yet by all meanes at least, he would forbeare in the pre­ [...]nce of the Ghests. When he affirmed, he had endeauoured the [...]me many tymes, but not by any meanes could he refrayne; they [...]swered, that a deuout soule may well abide allwayes with in­ [...]rnall compunction, without breaking into open demonstration [...]erof; and in summe, they brought him to represse them in tyme [...] refection, because many being confounded, & moued with such [...]spectacle, refrayned from taking their necessary nourishment: whē [...]luanus not being angry with any other then himselfe only, with [...]reat feeling, brake forth into those words; Would you haue me to [...]int my teares (I pray) in seeing so many Saints, with whome I [...] not worthy to be numbred, to attend vpō me, most vile wretch [...]ith so much diligence, hauing been accustomed heeretofore to [...]ayne my liuing on the Stage? Whereas rather, I deserue not to [...]sse the very place, where they set their feet. I weepe indeed, as [...]aring euery houre, least the earth should swallow me vp, as once [...] happened to the profane Dathan and Abiron: since I hauing had [...]om Heauen, both light and grace, more then inough, should haue [...] them so ill, & haue reaped so litle fruit. Then am I not through [...]ame to forbeare from discoueting my selfe to be a sinner, since for [...]uch indeed do I acknowledge my selfe to be. Whereas truly if I [...]hould lay downe my life in doing pennance for the same, yet were [...]t nothing in comparison of my demerits.

With such like answeres, Siluanus stopt the mouths of such, as [...]ealt with him about this matter: nor was it contrition of words [...]nly, as often it happens, but his sayings and workes accorded in [...]uch manner, as S. Pachomius himselfe being full of meruayle there­ [...]t, for true humility preferred him before all in the Monastery; and within eight yeares afterward, was certifyed, how be was nothing deceiued, when he beheld that Soule going forth of the body, to [...]ly vnto Heauen, with a great troupe of glorious Angells in com­pany with it. This then was the fruite, which sprung from the sea­sonable rigour of S. Pachomius: and no lesse worthy of memory li­kewise, was another act of seuerity of his, which we will put down in the Chapter following.

How a Monks was penanced by S. Pachomius for Vayne glory, and anoth [...] for Disobedience. Chap. 12.

IT happened on a tyme, while S. Pachomius was sitting in com­pany with other graue Fathers, that a Brother who had made tha [...] day two mats, with double the labour he was obliged to do by th [...] Rule, being ouercome with vayne glory would by no meanes cō ­teyne himselfe, but needs must he set them forth to view, at his cell, right ouer agaynst the place, where S. Pachomius was, as thinking verily to haue been much praysed and esteemed of him for his dili­gence therein: whereof the wise Pastour being aware, fetching a deep sigh, said to the standers by: behold I pray, this Brother hee [...] who hath been labouring all this while from the Morning hither to, to dedicate afterwards all his sweats to the Diuell, without lea­uing any merit or fruite thereof for his owne soule, since he hat [...] had for end, the satisfaction of men, rather then the pleasure of God.

Heerupon, causing him to come before him, he gaue him a sound reprehension for it; and to the end, he might learne to rectify the intention, in whatsoeuer he should worke heerafter, enioyned him in pennance, that while the Brothers were in prayer, he holding both those mats in his hands, should cry vnto them, with a lowe voyce: I beseech you Brothers, to pray for this miserable soule of myne, which hath preferred two small mats before the Kingdome of Heauen. And in the same manner, caused him to stand in the Refectory, till the Table was ended: and for addition shut him vp in his Cell, for fiue moneths space, with order that no man sho [...] visit him the while, & that he should eate nothing, but bread and salt. Such accompt was made in those dayes of purity of hart, and to fly those sinnes, which in our age, peraduenture, are accompted very veniall and light. And if yet this chastisement, perhaps, shal seeme to any to be too disproportionate to the fault, let him know, that to the Man of God, there wanted no sufficient motiues for the same.

The holy Abbot, made great accompt also of sincere Obedience, which especially consists in simply executing what is commāded, without curiously examining the designes of the Superiours, nor putting into controuersy the quality of the thing commaunded. Now, he hauing committed to some Officers, that while he went [Page 145] on a certayne Pilgrimage they should haue some respect to the ten­der age of certayne Nouices, who were not able to performe so much abstinence, as the other: It happened, the same Officers, perceyuing the Community had not eaten the herbes, and Oliues, which were boyled, had giuen ouer to prouide any more of them, contenting themselues with distributing of dry bread onely, to [...]ll the Refectory. S. Pachomius returned, and all the Monkes, be­ing gone forth to meete with him, and to receyue him; one of the [...]nnocents, began to say with a lowd voyce. Verily Father, since [...]he tyme, that you went from hence, to this day, hath there beene [...]o herbes boyled for vs. To whome the Saint answered, with a cheerfull countenance. Trouble not your selfe (my Sonne) for I will prouide for you. Entring then into the kitchin, and the Cooke being busy in knitting of rushes, he sayd to him, in this manner: Tell me Brother, how long since is it, that you boyled any her­bes? It is now some two Monthes ago (answered he;) and be­ing demaunded the reason, he alleadgeth, that scarce any of them had eate thereof, when they were before him, but only the youths: whereupon, he had a scruple to bestow so in vayne, both the la­bour, and the cost: And to the end, this same might not be impu­ted as Slouth vnto him, he had employed himself in the meane time with his fellowes, to worke the Mats. And how many haue you made of them, demaunded S. Pachomius? Some 500. answered he. Now bring them hither then to me (sayd the Father.) Which be­ing brought, he caused them suddaynely to be all cast into the fi [...]e: giuing cleerly to vnderstand by that act of his, and with the words he spake to that purpose, that as it is the proper office and prayse of the Superiour, to moderate and discerne: so from the subiect, is not required so much prudence, and circumspection, as a prompt exe­cution, and perfect Obedience. To this example, the same also was not much vnlike, which followes in the next Chapter.

How two Stewards of S. Pachomius, were checked by him, for doing against Obedience. Chap. 13.

THere hapned so great a dearth of corne, as scarcely was any to be found, throughout all the Land of Egipt. Which S. Pachomius wel knowing, sent one of the Brothers, to make his prouision therof as much as an hundred peeces of gold, of a certaine coyne, was able [Page 146] to procure him, being taken out of cōmon stock of the Labours of the Monastery. The Procuratour or Steward went his wayes ther with, into diuers forren parts, without finding the desired cōmerce, till lastly arriuing at the citty of Hermothen, it pleased our Lord, that he should meete by chaunce with an honest Gentleman, who had the whole corne of the countrey in his custody. This man, being required of the Monke, so much corne, as might amount to the said summe, answered: Truly Father, I haue not any of myne owne, but if I had, I would take it from my childrens mouthes, to spa [...]e it for you, whose vertue, and holy life, hath now a good while since, beene notifyed to me. But harke you Father, I haue yet now the publique grayne vnder my charge, which hitherto the Magi­strates haue not seemed to require at my hands, nor do I thinke, they will demaund it, till the new be gotten in. If you suppose by that tyme, you can restore it me agayne, do you take therof, as much as you please. When the Monke told him, how he durst not vnder­take to returne it so soone; but if it seemed to him, that he might well dispose thereof, as he had said, he would willingly take a quā ­tity to the valew of the price aforesaid of a hundred peeces.

I shall not only afford you so much (replyed the Commissary) but euen likewise as much more, if it please you to accept the same. Do me but only the fauour the while to pray for me. Whereto the buyer made answere, that for the present, he had no more money to bestow. When the other very courteously affirmed, that it impor­ted nothing, but he might take the grayne with a good will, and yeild him the price therof at his commodity, so liberall an offer see­med now to the Monk, not fit to be refused. Wherefore he suddai­nely freightes a great bark therwith of some thirteen Tun, so great indeed, as one half thereof, was not to be found else where in all those countryes therabout, & with great ioy went his wayes ther­with to the Monastery, as thinking he had done some great peece of seruice to the whole company, and especially to S. Pachomius. But he was very much deceiued in his accompt.

Because the Saint had no sooner vnderstood of the arriuall of the barke, so laden, & knowne the manner how it came to be so freigh­ted, but he sent a man to the wharfè in post, with expresse order, they should not vnlade any whit therof, saying: Let the Steward assuredly know, that not a gayne of that corne of his, shall seeme to enter into our howse; nor shall his person appeare before me, vntill [Page 147] he haue satisfyed the errour committed, in so gouerning himselfe to [...]e led with auarice, in taking the same vpon Credit, and abusing withall the goodnes of him, that sold him the corne. Now there­ [...]re since he hath so exceeded the precepts giuen, let him go suddai­ [...]ely to all these neighbour-places, and sell the same according to [...]he price set him downe by the seller; and hauing carryed him the [...]mme, let him buy according to the price, so much, and no more [...]s he may haue with the money which he receiued of vs, for that [...]ffect. Which being executed, and no more then fiue measures & a [...]alf, conueyed to the house, the Monke was depriued of his Ste­ [...]ard-ship, and restrayned in the Monastery. Nor had the Procura­ [...]ur yet much better successe. Who was appointed to sell some of [...]e labours of the Monkes, at a slinted rate how much he was to [...]ke for them. He went then to the inhabitants with those mer­ [...]handize, and finding them to amount to thrice so much, as he was prescribed to take, it seemed to him a folly to put them away [...]or lesse, and so returned he his wayes home, with his purse fuller, [...]hen was pretended. Which being vnderstood, S. Pachomius made [...]im immediatly to returne into the Market, and to restore to the [...]uyers, all that, which exceeded the rate set downe. Whereupon, [...]e like wise being depriued of his office, was shut vp, and had a good pennance enioyned him. With thes demonstrations the Saint, [...]t seemes, besides the purity which he required in Obedience, would [...]ikewise manifest, how far off they are to be from all manner of [...]ouetousnes, who seeme to manage the temporals affayres in Reli­gion. But as this man of good; was an Enemy of tepidity, and of [...]usillanimity; so on the other side, approued he not immoderate fer­ [...]ours, which ordinarily succeed but ill, and such was the euent we shall presently tell you.

An Example of the indiscreet [...]eale of a Monke of S. Pachomius; and the happy Life he led afterwards. Chap. 14.

A Person there was of a good disposition, rather then of any great reach, who after he had attended a while to a spirituall [...]ife, of himselfe, came at last of his owne accord (as others did) to submit himselfe, to S. Pachomius; nor was it [...]ere being prickt for­ward with excessiue feruour, and youthfull heat, he began very ear­nestly to instance the said holy Father to obteyne him from heauen, [Page 148] some commodity, & occasion to spend his bloud, for the Catholik [...] fayth. The world, at that tyme, was all in peace, and the Church of God enioyed an vnwonted tranquility, through the deuotion, & by the vertue of the most Christiā Emperour Constantine. In so much as the importunity of the Monke, besides his being too bold in [...] certaine manner, came likewise to be vnreasonable, and foolish withall. S. Pachomius then answered him, that forbearing for the present to thinke of Martyrdome, he might do well to conuert his thoughts, to the taming of his Passions, & to combat with himselfe, alleadging that in a sort he was depriued of the glory of Martyrs, who perseuered to the end, in Cloysters, without reprehension.

But that other, not satisfyed heerewith: and renewing oft the same request, S. Pachomius at last said to him. Since you wil not ceas [...] to prouoke me so, I will pray for this thy intention, and I hope I shal be heard. But thou on the other side, beware that cōming after­wards to the Triall, insteed of confessing our Lord Christ, thou cō ­mest not to renounce him quite. Because in truth, thou dost bu [...] delude thy selfe, so to tempt thy God, and thus to seeke, those pe­rils, which our Maister and Sauiour himselfe, hath taught vs to shun. So sayd the expert Captayne: But neyther authority nor reasons, were of power to bridle the confidence, or to say better, the pre­sumption of the Monke.

From hence, within two yeares after, it chaunced to S. Pachom [...], to send certayne Brothers to a place, not far from thence, to prouid [...] some marish rushes for mats and cottages, and a litle after he sent the audacious Wretch thither also: & presaging, as it were, the encoun­ter he was to meete withall on the way, vpon his departure adui­sed him to stand vpon his guard; and in manner of an Enigma, ad­ded those words of S. Paul: Ecce nunc tempus acceptabile, ecce nunc di [...] salutis: nullam in aliquo demus offensionem, vt non vituperetur ministerium nostrum. These marishes where the Monkes were working, were scituate at the feete of certayne mountaynes, inhabited by sauage & barbarous people, and continually drowned in Paganisme: some of which, at that tyme being descended into the playne, to fetch water, found in those deserts, the poore Trauayler alone; when causing him to a light on a sudden, they bind his hands, and lead him together with his Asse into the Mountaine: at whose approch, the other Gentils, who as then were ready to offer their sacrifice, and had killed many beasts for that purpose, began with great [Page 149] laughters to scorne him, saying: Come thy wayes hither, O Monke, and [...]ore our Gods: and leading him before their Aultar, they forced him [...]o do, as they did. At the first, he refused to do it, and shewed them [...]ome resistance thereunto; but when the Pagans being angry, layd [...]ands on their weapons, and that he saw the ponyard at his bosom, [...]nd the swords which glittered round about him, being now for­ [...]etfull, in an instant of al the stout purposes made, the poore wretch [...]elded, and being terrifyed, stuck not to tast of the wyne & flesh dedicated to Diuels, being a thing which (as for the essentiall of I­dolatry) was as much, as if he had offered incense with them.

Heereupon, being licenced to depart by that wicked people while on the way, he had leysure inough, to enter into himself, loo­king back into the fowle enormous and impious cryme commit­ [...]ed, the vnhappy wretch beganne to fill the ayre with laments & [...]ighes, and to lay on most furiously on his cheekes with his fist, & to curse his temerity, which had brought him into those tearmes. With this disaster, & with vncertayne, and wandering paces, being now come home in this piteous plight, and beholding the sayd Pachomius to meet him on the way, who had the reuelation of the whole euent, falling downe prostrate on the Earth, and weeping a mayne, he cryed out alowd: I haue sinned before God, and you, holy Father, with following my owne will, and not obeying your counsayles. Then replyed S. Pachomius: Get vp, poore Wretch, thou hast indeed depriued thy selfe of the chiefest good. Assuredly, the crowne was already prepared for thee. Thou wast euen ready to en­ter into the Catalogue of the glorious Martyrs of Christ, and thou willingly hast made thy selfe vnworthy of that blessed fellowship. Our Lord was prepared with his Angels, to haue enuironed thy head with an immortal Diademe, and thou hast renounced the Di­uine Maiesty for a moment of life. And while thou fearedst the first death (which by no meanes shalt thou euer be able to auoyd) art thou fallen into the second, which shall neuer haue end. Where are the words now which thou vtteredst once? Where the enflamed desire of suffering? Where those so many, and so great promises made?

To this, the Wretch could not answere a word, nor open his mouth, any otherwise, then to detest his crime, and to confesse himselfe, wholy vnworthy of pardon; yea now was his afflicti­on, passed so farre, as he held himselfe altogether vncapable of pen­nance: [Page 150] whereof S. Pachomius being suddaynely aware, least [...] might cast himself head long into the gulfe of dispayre added: tho [...] for thy part, hast not fayled to become the enemy of thy Creatour & Lord; yet neuertheles, so great is that diuine goodnes of his, as it i [...] able to drowne in the Abysses all our sinnes whatsoeuer, so that [...] our part, we dispose our selues with true sorrow, and due con [...] ­tion to be partakers of his mercies: wherefore be thou not dismai [...] for yet is there left thee some hope of saluation, since the tree, though pruned, yet springs agayne. Go thy wayes then into thy Cell, & stay there recluded in watching, and making thy prayer, & bewayling bitterly thy great offence. For a whole day thou shalt eate nothing, after that, shalt thou feed of nought els but bread sal [...] and water: & not to eate of other mens labours, thou shalt mak [...] thy two matts a day; & if thou shalt perseuer in this manner during life, I trust in the merits of Christ, thou shalt not be excluded from the diuine Clemency.

From these words, it cannot be explicated, what comfor [...] this poore soule felt. He shuts vp himself then sudēly, & redoubling the labours, fasts, and macerations of the body, gaue himselfe to satisfy what he ought, with all the power he was able. It is tru [...] indeed, that for his spirituall help, it was permitted him by the holy Abbot, to go forth sometymes to comfort him with Theodore, & with some other Old men of the perfectest. And thus hauing perseue­red for the space of ten yeares, being surprized at last by a most grie­uous infirmity, he chaunged the temporall miseryes for the Eter­nall felicity, as S. Pachomius was afterward certifyed from Heauen. With whome God was wont to communicate things very far off, and hidden, and by his meanes to worke other wonderfull effects: as by the following Examples, we shall see in some part.

A Woman cured of the bloudy Flux, with other Miracles wrought by S. Pa­chomius. Chap. 15.

THere was in Tentiri, a woman that suffered an incurable flux of bloud: She hauing heard the renowne of S. Pachomius his sanctity, and not hauing the audacity to deale with such a Father, she instantly prayed the Bishop Dionysius, that vnder the pretext of some other busines of importance, he would procure him to come into [Page 151] the Citty. Hauing called him then, & after prayer, being set downe [...]n the Church with him, while there they were discoursing with [...]ch other of diuine things, the woman by little and little stealing [...]ehind them, touched his hood, with so much fayth, as she suddenly [...]ecouered, and feeling her selfe to be wholy deliuered, did prostrate [...]er selfe on the ground, giuing thankes to the diuine Mercy. S. Pa­ [...]homius was aware of the practice had with him by the Bishop, & giuing his benediction to the woman without more ado, returned [...]ack agayne to his Connent.

There hath beene already mention made of a certaine Monke, of great fame, whose name was Ionas, being the Gardiner of the Mo­ [...]astery of Muchosa. Now S. Pachomius being gone to visit the same Monastery, at his entry thither, espyed some young Nouices, that [...]ecretly had climbed vp a fig-tree, which was very high, for to ga­ [...]her of the fruit, & to eate them without any leaue. When the Saint [...]pproching nearer, perceiuing a deuil sitting on the top of the tree; [...]he expert Phisitian of soules, knew it presently to be the vncleane [...]pirit of Gluttony, the familiar enemy, & impostour of that greener [...]ge; & calling for Ionas without delay, appointed him to cut downe [...]hat tree, since it stood not well within the cloysters, and did afford [...]ut matter of temptation to those, who were not yet so well roo­ [...]ed in vertue. Ionas was sad thereat, and answered; Noe, for Gods sake Father, since euery yeare it brings vs forth no little fruite.

Then S. Pachomius not to seeme to disgust the good Old man (whose goodnes otherwise he well knew) held his peace. But the day after, behold, how the Tree was withered; so as there was [...]eyther fruite, nor leafe, which was not dead thereupon: a thing so much more admirable, as the fig-tree of its nature, is more humid, [...]nd more repugnant to aridity. Whereupon, Ionas comprehending [...]he vertue, and heauenly grace of the Saint, was very sory, for not hauing obeyed him with all dexterity. On a day, as he was making an exhortation to his Monks, according to custome, he was suddai­nely eleuated in spirit, and being a while in that manner, he after­wards whispered in the eares of the vicar. Go your wayes into that next cell, and see what such a Monke is doing, since insteed of atten­ding to the word of God, he lyes sleeping the while, exposed to the [...]ares of the Enemy, who seekes nothing else, but to draw him into [...]erdition, and the world. The vicar went thither, and found him [...]ery drowzy indeed. And a little after, notwithstanding they adui­ses [Page 152] of the blessed Pachomius, though his negligence, the miser [...] Wretch, forsooke the Religion.

Another, being now brought into the extremity of sicknesse i [...] the Monaf [...]ery of Cheneboscus, and desiring before he closed his ey [...] to comfort himselfe with the sight of S. Pachomius, and to haue [...] holy Benediction; he sent to him, to beseech him that he would [...] pleased to come vnto him. At the newes whereof, the amouro [...] Father, very suddenly puts himselfe on the way thither, with so [...] companions: and while with diligence they went walking toge­ther, some two or three myles before their arriuall to the sayd place, S. Pachomius stopping on a sudden, stood looking vp into the Hea­uens, and beheld the soule of the Brother, enuironed with Angel [...] with a sweet harmony to mount vp into Paradise. In the mean [...] while, the companions, not hearing the Musique, nor seeing [...] triumphe, sayd to the Father, who had his eyes still fixed on the Stars: Why stayes your Paternity thus? let vs make hast to find the Brother aliue. Whereto he answered: Nay rather let vs hast to ar­riue, whither he is now conducted, that is, to eternall beatitude. Whereupon they vnderstood, he had a Vision of the Saluation [...] the Soule, to represent it to them as well as he could. And dilig [...] inquisition being afterwards made, it was found, the sayd sickm [...] expired, euen iust at that houre, wherein S. Pachomius stood still i [...] that manner.

S. Pachomius procures through prayer, the gift of tongues. He falleth si [...]k, & appoints his Successour, and so dieth. Chap. 16.

SAint Pachomius on a tyme, visiting (as he was wont) his subiect [...] to see how they carryed themselues, and to demaund particu­lar accompt of profit, and conscience of euery one, found himsel [...] to be much perplexed with a certaine straung Monke, of great repu­tation: who being come from the parts of Rome, by how much [...] was more skillfull in the Latin and Greeke tongues, so muc [...] more raw and ignorant was he in the Egyptian tongue. In such [...] S. Pachomius, not hauing other language, then his owne, it was im­possible for him to declare himselfe to him, or to vnderstand hi [...] well. To which was added another impediment, that the Rom [...] Monke, being desirous to discouer to the holy Pastour, his ancie [...] miseries, and to confesse his sinnes committed, would not admit [...] [Page 153] other meanes, nor communicate his secrets to a third person. Wher­upon S. Pachomius with great sorrow, seeing himselfe to be exclu­ded from the meanes of being able to help that soule, causing the [...]nterpreter to go his wayes, and hauing beckned to the Roman to expect a while; he retired himselfe into a place apart, and there [...]tretching forth his hands to Heauen, made this deuout prayer.

Almighty Lord, if I through defect of language, be not able to help such men, as come vnto me from countryes so remote, to what purpose were it so send them hither? And if yet thou wouldst haue me to be an instrument of the saluation of others; Graunt, Lord, (to whome nothing is impossible) that I be not ignorant of that, which they would say vnto me. Hauing thus perseuered in this prayer, for full three howers continually together, with ex­traordinary feruour; he espyed a sheete of paper, in a hand writ­ten in forme of an Epistle, to fall from heauen. Which as soone as he read (a wonderfull thing) he suddenly felt within himselfe the gift of all Tongues: for which, giuing thankes to the diuine Good­nes, he returned very cheerefull to the stranger, and began to talke to him in the Greeke and Latin tongues, with so much propriety and variey of words, as to the other, it seemed the Abbot in elo­quence out stript all the learned men of the world. Hauing heard his confession then, and with holsome aduices enioyned him due penance, he proceeded to deale with the rest.

These, and the like demonstrations, which the diuine Maiesty gaue, from tyme to tyme, in fauour of S. Pachomius, especially ioy­ned (as hath beene said) with a perpetual tenour of a most holy life, it cannot easely be explicated, how much reputation and reuerēce they won him, not with Religious only, but euen Seculars also. Through which meanes, this great Gardiner of Christ, after he had sent to the table of his Lord, many fruites very seasonable and ripe, himselfe also being called to the rewards of so great labours, fell sick; when perceiuing the deposition of his Tabernacle to draw neare, causing the Monks to be assembled together, & brought before him, with a louing and gratefull countenance, he said to them, in this sort: I, Brothers, now at last, am entring into the passage, which al the children of Eue are to make, and do feele, how our Lord now cals me to him. Do you then, reteyning in memory, the fatherly aduices, which I haue giuen you, endeauour to stand continually on the guard of your soules. Eschew all things, that may any wayes [Page 154] coole fraternall charity in you, and bring in factions or discords a­mongst you. Attending to the marke, which our Sauiour gaue vs to know his disciples withall, which truly is no other, then a mutu­all loue, & sincere coniunction of mynds. Wherfore, I do exho [...] you, aboue all things, to abhor the commerce, & dealing, not only with Meletius, and Arrius, but euen likewise with any other, who shall but step an inch from the Apostolicall Traditions, and from the holy vniuersall Church. And since I am to depart, as I haue said, endeauour you to choose in my place, a person, that may be a spiri­tuall help vnto you, and conduct you at last, to the end you haue all proposed. To which enterprize I do see none more sufficient, them our most beloued Petronius.

This said, the brothers sent sudenly to the Monastery of Chen [...] ­boscus, to call for him. And S. Pachomius in the meane tyme, compo­sing his body, and recommending himselfe to our Lord with due preparations, very happily expired, betweene the armes, and sighe [...] of his deere Congregation, on the 14. day of the month of May. As for the yeare, and other circumstances of tymes and places, there is no memory to be found. The sacred corps, with much veneration and solemne offices, was committed to the Sepulcher, & the blessed spirit, with singular feasting, receiued into the heauenly countrey, leauing on earth an exact modell of perfect exercitation to al those, who being aware of the false flatteryes of the flesh, of the vayne hopes of the world, and of the pernicious subtilityes of the deuill; aspire to the durable goods, & to the blessed vision of the most holy Trinity. To which be all glory & benediction, and yeilding of thāks for euer and euer.

Amen.

S. Martin being the Sonne of a Gentill, becomes a Christian, and is enrolled a Souldiour of the Emperour. Chap. 1.

SAINT MARTYN a great Seruant of Christ, and an excellent maintayner of the Apostoli­call dignity, and discipline; was borne in Saba­ria, a Citty of Pannonia in Hungary, of Patents in repute of the world, very honourable, and noble, but yet Gentils, and farre from Christ. The Father being enrolled in the Roman war­fare, in processe of tyme, came to be a Tribune of Souldiours, or as we say, a Coronell of a Regiment, by whome S. Martin, being lead into Italy, yet a child, was trayned vp in Pauia, in feates of ar­mes; howbeit, though naturall instinct, he was enclined a great deale more to the acts of peace, or rather to Christian Religion. In so much, as being yet but ten yeares old, agaynst the will of his friends, he went secretly to the Church, and with instance de­manded [Page 157] to be made a Catechumen. Within two yeares after, he de­sired likewise to retire himselfe into the desert: & he had done it in effect, if his tender age had not been an impediment to him. To w ^ch disturbance of his holy designes, was further added a new leuy, which then was made of military men, with expresse order, that all the sonnes of old Souldiers, should be put into the roule, and conducted to the war. Whereupon S. Martin, being now some fif­teene yeares old, being discouered by his owne Father, was against his will, enforced to repayre to the Ensignes of Constantius the Em­perour. He would haue no other in his company, then a slaue only, whome yet he would be seruing rather, then be serued by him, to wit, in often pulling off his shoes, and brushing his clothes, & fur­nishing the table with what was needfull.

With this disposition of mind, being come to the field, some three yeares before his baptisme, he allwayes preserued himselfe wonderous pure, and vntouched of those vices and debauchements, [...]n which Souldiours are for the most part wont to be inuolued. First for his person, he would seeme to content himselfe with fare so moderate and simple, as from that tyme he seemed to be rather a Monke, then a Souldiour: besids he would seeme to content him­selfe with those kind of meates, which others vtterly refused to eate off: moreouer he would shew himself very benigne and courteous, to his Camerades, and to all others, bearing with their defects, and supplying the necessity of euery one, with extraordinary charity, patience, and humility. He would comfort the afflicted with loue and dexterity, and be very helpfull to the sicke: and without thin­king of the morrow, he would feed most liberally the hungry, but with particular tendernes cloth the naked; in which worke of piety, was a certayne act of his very memorable, which we shall tell you in the next Chapter.

The singular Charity of S. Martyn to a poore man. And how he leaues the warres, and betakes him to another Course. Chap. 2.

THe Roman Army, at this tyme, was lodged in France, in ex­ceeding cold places, and in the hart of a winter much more cruell, then vsed to be in that place; in so much as many men, euen dyed frozen in the streetes. Now it happened, in the Gate of Amiens, that a poore man, quaking with his naked body exposed to the shar­penes [Page 158] of the ayre, very pittifully craued some succour of the soul­diours, that passed then along, in the company of S. Martyn; and the wretch being not heeded by any of them, M. Martyn apprehended straight, how that merit by the diuine prouidence, was reserued for him. But what could he do, in such a case? He had not a penny of mony about him, hauing now already spent all, in other Almes: And in fyne, had nothing els but his armes, and a short cloake on his back. What resolution tooke then the Man of God? Taking out his sword, of a sudden, he diuided the same into halfes, and giues the one part therof, to the wretch, and the other keepes to himselfe to couer him the best he could. At the sight of such a strang habit, & remnant of cloath, as some of the more youthfull of them, could hardly conteyne themselues from laughing, so others more stayed then they, were worthily touched ther with, as knowing how wel they might haue cloathed him, without despoyling of themselues.

Now in truth, how much God was pleased with this charity of S. Martyn, he seemed to demonstrate the night following, appea­ring before him, with that piece of garment, on his owne person, and bidding him to looke and marke well, whether it were not the Garment he had giuen to the poore man, the day before. Wherup [...] with a sweet countenance turning himself to a multitude of Angels which attended him, he added with a lowd voyce: Martyn, b [...]g but yet a Catechumen, hath clothed me with this mantle. Words surely well worthy of the bowels of Christ, and agreeable to those other, which he sayd, conuersing with men, and which he will repeate agayne, at the Iudgement day: Quamdiu vni de minimis meis fecistis, mihi [...] cistis.

From this so noble a vision S. Martyn tooke not a whit of vayne glory, but acknowledging and magnifying in all, and through all the heauenly grace; he tooke rather a motiue thence of greater hu­mility and diligence, in the diuine seruice. So as without more de­lay, he hyed him to Baptisme, being then about eighteen yeares of age, and withall to giue himselfe more freely to a perfect life, he was euen ready to bid adieu to the military state, but being constreyned through the importunity of his Tribune (who hauing finished his office, promised to follow him,) he differed yet the execution of his holy purpose, for the space of two yeares: in all which [...], remayning in person in the field, he had his thoughts in the Cell, and Quire, so as well he may be sayd a Souldiour, by name, rather [Page 159] then exercise.

In the meane tyme, a huge Army of Almans, being entred into [...]ance, which did nothing but wast the Roman Empire, Iulianus [...]sar, being sent by Constantius, to that seruice, made the leuy of his [...]en, in the territory of the Vangion, which at this day is called Spire, [...] as others would haue it, to be that of Wormes, where before his cō ­ [...]ing to encounter with the Enemy, he would needs haue giuen a [...]rgesse to the Souldiours. They began then, according to custome [...] be called one by one, before the Maister of the Campe. Where­upon S. Martyn, esteming this, to be a good occasion for him to take [...]is leaue, when it came to his turne, with Christian liberty, said to [...]esar. Hitherto, haue I beene at your pay, now then do but graunt [...]e leaue to become a souldiour of Christ: as for my part of the do­ [...]ation, be it giuen to others, since it is not lawfull for me any more [...] embrew my selfe in bloud.

At these words, the Fyrant being angry, lookt sowrely vpon [...]im, and said, that Martin had craued licence, not so much for deuo­ [...]on sake, as for feare of the battaile, which was to be on the day fol­ [...]owing: Then the seruant of God, so much more bold and vndaun­ed, as the feare was greater they obiected to him: Behold answered [...]e, O Caesar, whether my refusing mony, do seeme rather to spring of feare, then piety. Tomorrow, am I ready, on the point of ioy­ [...]ing battayle, to present my selfe, before the first ranckes, with­out Target, or Helmet, or other armes, but only with the signe of the holy Crosse, and with this confidence alone, to thrust my selfe [...]o the thickest squadrons of those barbarous people. With this so couragious an answere, Iulian being in censed much the more, cau­ [...]d him suddenly to be put in prison, to come to the proofe, and [...]o expose him vnarmed, to the face of the enemy.

This thing gaue much matter of talke to the whole Army, and with diuers affects of mynd, they were all expecting the yssue; when betymes in the morning, behold, beyond all ectpectation, [...]e Embassadour of that fierce Nation, came in with Heralds, and [...]nterpreters, not only to craue peace, but also to submit themsel­ [...]es humbly to the obedience of Caesar. This matter was held of all, [...]o proceed from Heauen, and such as were priuy to the sanctity of S. Martin, in particular, attributed without doubt, so suddayne a [...]utation, and so greet as Victory so easily gotten to nothing els, [...]en to his merits, because there wanted not meanes, to the diuine [Page 160] power, to saue him amidst a thousand swords & launces, and to d [...] comfite, and put to flight, as many as should attempt to offend him: notwithstanding it seemed to be more conformable to th [...] sweet disposition of the eternall prouidence, and more agreable t [...] the peacefull nature, and manners of S. Martin, to free him rather by the way of such an accord, then by the meanes of death, and slaughter.

S. Martyn repayres to S. Hilary Bishop. And departing homewards mee [...] with a Diuell, whome he stoutly foyles; and what followed. Chap. 3.

DVring the common ioy aboue mentioned, S. Martyn being de­liuered, and the warre now wholy concluded, repayred [...] S. Hilary Bishop of Poytiers, a person in those tymes of rare and emi­nent Goodnes. Heere did he giue forth such demonstrations of him­selfe, as S. Hilary to retayne such a labourer in that vineyard, attemp­ted often to make him Deacon, but S. Martyn alwayes resisting, an [...] still affirming, & crying out, that he was not worthy of that degree, the discreet Pastour was aduised, there was no other way to con­streyne this man therto, then to giue him some kind of office, which in a certayne manner might rather be held a disparagement to him, then any dignity at all: nor was he herein deceiued awhit, finc [...] offering him vp the charge of an Exorcist, which was held to be the meanest and lowest of all, S. Martin at last, not to seeme to haue [...] in scorne or disdayne, was persuaded to accept thereof.

Not long after, being admonished by God, in sleepe, to go his wayes to reuisite his countrey, and help his friends, who as yet were not out of their Pagauisme, he demaunded leaue for this end, of the holy Bishop, to go thither: Who graunted it, indeed, though with a very ill will; intreating & coniuring him, not with­out teares, to returne backe againe, as soone as he could. And so likewise S. Martyn (as it is said) departed with no great good will himselfe, foreseeing the difficultyes of the enterprize, and prote­sting to his Brothers, that therein he was like to suffer great [...]auay­les and aduersityes, as it fell out afterwards in effect. For that first, in his passage ouer the Alpes, he fell into the hands of the Bandits, one of which lifting vp his axe now ouer his head, was stayed by the arme of another lesse cruell then he, who notwithstanding binding his hands behind him, gaue him to the custody and spoyle [Page 161] of another who for that end, leading him to a place more remote began to demaund of him, who he was? and S. Martin answered, he was a Christian. Art thou not affrayd, replyed the Thiefe? And he with an incredible constancy affirmed, that he was neuer lesse a­frayd in his life, since he knew very well, the diuine Mercy, to be then most present, with such as trusted therin, when they found themselues in the greatest perils of all: but I am sory for thee (quoth he) that makest thy selfe wholy vncapable, & vnworthy therof, by the life thou leadest. And with this ouerture very dextrously falling into the Ghospell, with holsome and efficacious words, so moued that soule, as he was conuerted to Christ, and with a full deliberatiō of changing his manners, did secretly put the Pilgrime in his way, beseeching his Charity to vouchsafe to recōmend him to our Lord: which he did, and not without fruite, forasmuch as this very Thiefe afterwards came to be a Religious man, who euen told vs this par­ticular himselfe.

S. Martyn then pursuing his voyage, hauing passed Milan, was met by the Deuill, in forme of a man, who would needs know, whither he went: and being told by S. Martyn, that he was going whither God had called him, the Enemy replyed: Go whither thou wilt, or whatsoeuer thou takest in hand, Know, that the Deuil wil be alwayes contrary to thee. Then S. Martyn answered with the Prophet: Dominus mihi adiutor, non timebo quid faciat mihi homo. At which words, the Impostour immediately vanished: and S. Martyn after some dayes, being arriued in his Country, attended the first thing he did, with all endeauour to procure the saluation of his Parents, but not with like successe; since the Mother came to be a Christian while the Father could not be stirred from the impious worship of the Idols. Yet there wanted not in his place many others, who through the example, and with the exhortation of S. Martyn, were brought into the right way of eternall life.

Besides this, there was another occasion for him, to employ wel the talents which he had receiued, and to shew forth the zeale he had of the holy Fayth. Because the Arrian Heresy, at that tyme, with particular successe hauing extended it selfe into the parts of Sclauonia, and all those confines there, S. Martyn with all his might opposed himselfe to the Rebels of Christ, with so much more toyles and difficulty, as the fauour and succour was lesse, which he had from the Catholique Priests. Whence, taking the whole shock, and [Page 162] enuy on himselfe, being iniured and rackt with diuerse to [...]ments, and (among other things) hauing beene publiquely scourged, he was constrayned at last to turne back agayne into France.

S. Martin is banished from Milsan, and after escaping poyson, mee [...] [...] S. Hilary agayne. Chap. 4.

SAint Martin hauing now vnderstood, on the the way as he went to France, that things were there turned vp-side downe, and that euen S. Hilary himselfe was by Heretiques, sent into banish­ment; he determined till better tymes, to entertayne himselfe in Milan, and there to set vp a litle Monastery: but neyther was he suf­fered so to do, by Auxentius the Head of the Arrians, who aftermany outrages, and persecutions, finally expelled him the Citty.

Whereupon S. Martin, being thus molested on euery side, falling into the company of a certayne Priest, a great seruant of God, de­termined for that tyme to hide themselues. To this end, they reti­red into a litle desert Iland, in the Tyrrhen sea, called by the name of Gallinara. Heer while the Man of God, liued in great abstinence of rootes and herbes, it chaunced vnawares, that he eate some Helle­bore, which is a medicinable herbe: yet such notwithstanding, a [...] that if the quantity be not moderate, and the simple well prepared, and corrected, through the great purgatiue it hath with it, it comes to be poysonous, and pestiferous, as de facto it had beene to S. Mar­tyn, if being brought to extreames therewith he had not made his recourse to prayer, and with this remedy had not suddenly expel­led all dolour and daunger.

After this, it was not long ere he knew, how S. Hilary hauing soūd grace with the Emperour Constantius, returned into France. At which newes being exceeding ioyfull, he trauayled towards Rome, to meete with him there, and to accompany him to his Church. But S. Hi­lary being now past by already, he met him neerer, and with great iubiley, being receyued by him, erected, out of the Citty of Poytiers, a poore Monastery for him, and as many as followed him. Among these, there was a certaine Catechumen, who falling sick of a vio­lent feuer, while S. Martin was farre off (for three dayes only) a­bout certaine affayres of the diuine seruice, beyond all expectation, departed this lyfe, and that which was worse, without Baptisme. The Conuent was sensible of this case: and S. Martin at his returne, [Page 163] finding now the Exequies prepared, very sorowful and sad thereat approched his body. Heere now conceiuing in his pure mind new feruour of spirit, he makes them all go forth of the chamber; and the doores being shut stretches himselfe, like another Elizaeus, vpon the cold bones of the deare Brother, and so hauing made a feruent prayer, and very soone perceiuing already, through diuine vertue, how the vitall spirits were vpon returne, standing something vp­right agayne, with his eyes fixed on the face of the dead man, he stood couragiously expecting the effect of his prayers, and of the di­uine clemency. There were not yet two houres of tyme past, when he saw the dead to moue his lymmes, by litle and litle, and panting to open the eyes, and to recouer the vse of his senses. Then S. Martin giuing thankes to our Lord, cryed out so lowd, as they who expected without, being moued with the noise therof, came rushing in, and all perceiued, to their infinite astonishment, the corps to res­pire, and take vigour agayne, which euen now they were ready to carry to buriall.

After so great a benefit had, the Cathecumen delayed not a whit to receiue the holy Baptisme, whereunto he suruiued many yeares after, and was wont sincerly to recount of himselfe, how being de­parted from the body, he was presented before a Tribunall, and by sentence confined to darkesome place, among the baser sort; but how at the same instant, two Angels relating to the Iudge, how it was he for whome S. Martyn had besought, to them was then Cō ­mission giuen, to restore him to life agayne, and to make a present of him to the seruant of God. This was the first wonder S. Martyn shewed forth in those parts; whence it followed, that being now held for holy, he begā afterwards to be esteemed also as a man very powerfull with God, and a person truly Apostolicall. Not long af­ter this, passing through the fields of one Lupicinus an honourable & rich man, there met him a troupe of people all full of laments, and teares, telling him, how one of the seruants of Lupicinus, had hanged himselfe, & so miserably had ended his dayes. S. Martin heere with being moued to compassion, without delay intred into the chāber, where the vnhappy Wretch was deposed, and so from thence also dismissing the people, distending himselfe in like manner on the corps, made he his prayer: which was no lesse efficacious then the other, since that his hart now cold, already resuming the naturall heate, began by litle and little to yield to the arteryes, & their pulse [Page 164] agayne, and motion to the nerues: so as the dead, with stretch [...] forth armes, taking S. Martin by the right hand, arose on his feete▪ and accompanyed him to the gate of the house, in the presence of all that multitude; who replenished both with wonder and ioy, ceased not to glorify in S. Martin, the immense goodnes, and om­nipotency of the Creatour.

S. Martyn not without great contradiction of many, is chosen Bishop of Towers. Chap. 5.

AT the very same tyme, the Church of Towers, being vacant, [...] Martyn, by the vniuersall consent of the people there, was destined to that dignity. But he not being so easily to be taken fort [...] from his Monastery; a certayne Citizen, being called Ruritius, his wife faygning to be grieuously sick, cast himselfe at the feere of the Saint, and coniured him so much, as he made him to come forth, to blesse her. With that pretext, a number of persons being couert­ly set in opportune places, S. Martyn was taken by them, and with a good guard brought into the Citty, where was already assē ­bled togeather, a great concourse of people of all sorts, being met, according to the vse of those tymes, to passe their suffrages, for the election of a new Prelate: nor was there any person, great or li [...]e that desired not to see S. Martyn installed in that seate, esteeming the country happy, vnder the care of such a Pastour.

Some Bishops only of the Neighbour-diocesses being called [...]o the consecration, and some other principall persons stood earnestly against it; alleadging him to be a Person meane, of no Presence▪ with ill clothes, worse put on, and in summe, vnworthy to be nū ­bred among Bishops. With such oppositions, did these men seeke to alienate the people from the deuotion and sauour of S. Mar [...]. But the matter fell out quite contrary with them, because the same obiections, as they were held of the people (who had the sounder iudgment) for the prayse and reputation of the Seruant of Christ; so on the other side, they came with litle edification to discouer the enuy and malignity of the Prelats. Whence they began also, by litle and little, to relent, one only excepted, more blind and obsti [...]e then the rest, who cōtinued in vesistance, till such time, as by diuine prouidence, a notable Iudgement was shewed vpon him, as we shall now declare.

[Page 165] This Prelate, in the Church of Towers, had the tytle of Defender, & [...]y reason of that dignity was known of all. Now he being one day with the people in the Church, at the hower of diuine office; it hap­pened, that the Lectourer, being not able to presse through the great [...]rung of people which was there, to approach the Quire, one of the Standers by, in the meane while, laying hold of the Psalter, [...]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 [...]udē, propter inimicos tuos, vt destruas inimicum, & defensorē, the last word [...] that Text being so translated, insteed of vlt [...]rem. At which word [...]o pronounced was lifted immediately a cry of the people vnto [...]eauen, to the extreme confusion & shame of the aduersary: and S. Martin with out more resistance of any besides himselfe, was elected, [...]r rather forcibly constrayned to the Bishopricke. In which admi­nistration, it may not easily be explicated, how fully, or rather su­ [...]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 Vn­ [...]ion besids, he receyued so great aboundance of new graces, and gifts of Heauen, as continually outstripping himselfe, he reteyned [...]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. Mar [...] 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 [Page 166] instruments had digged them in the rocky hill, certayne receptacles, but narrow, and more fit to medicate vpon Death, then to co [...] life withall.

Heere no man held any thing proper to himselfe, all thing [...] 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 yo [...]ger deputed. Those of the more [...] attended as it were, to nothing els, then to things diuine. Very r [...] ­rely went any out of his Cell, but when they all assembled tog [...] ­ther in the Oratory to pacify God: besides, they did eate all tog [...] ­ther in the Euening. Wine was not affoarded to any, except to [...] sicke. The grea [...] part would be wearing of cilices: clothes whi [...] had any fine [...] [...]sse in them were abhorred of [...]ch one [...] manifest scandall: A thing so much more admirable, as many [...] them were Noble of bloud, and dainetily bred. But for the lou [...]d Christ, and the Crosse they did all very voluntarily, submit them [...] ­ues to such a pe [...]ance. Of which number afterwards were many of them seen to be Bishops; while Ci [...]ties striued to be gouerned [...] spirit by the Children of such a discipline. Nor could it be o [...] wise, but need [...] must succeed very excellent men vnder S. M [...] because not only: with aduises and words, went he alwayes [...] them; but euen with workes and liuely incitements also of all p [...] ­fection, and especially sincere humility, togeather with an ardent [...]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 somewh [...] remote, he could neuer hinder him from washing his feet, and [...] ­ing to sit downe at table, from reaching him water, as well [...]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 vict [...] [...] would be afterwards affoarding them a most sweet food of [...] ­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 t [...] more [...]imbly and free, to follow Iesus.

And to this purpose, he would set before them the fresh exam­ple of S. P [...] Bishop of N [...]a, who after he had distributed very [...]mple [...] [...]or the loue of God, and help of the poore, did final­ly [Page 167] 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 [...]f comparisons as this, and moreouer with precepts taken out of the [...]red Writ, went S. Martin exciting in spirit, as many as came be­ [...]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 actiōs alwayes with the hart [...] vnited with God, as neyther in words nor deeds, he would euer [...]o forth of his presence. And as Smithes, without other matter to worke on, through vse, & for their pleasure only, will sometymes [...]e laying on the anuile: so S. Martyn, not only in the tymes depu­ [...]d to the Sacrifice, and diuine worship, but likewise at all houres [...]sides, would eyther read or write, or be dealing with men: and [...]hrough the great habit he had gotten, he would be continually [...]collected in the interious man, conuersing sweetly with the hea­ [...]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 [...]e gaue that refection, and that repose, which extreme necessity re­ [...]uired, lying on the bare ground, couered only with a sharp cilice. He tooke heed with all caution from iudging the intentions of o­ [...]ers, interpreting what he could ech thing to the better part, and [...]wayes very highly esteeming the reputation & fame of the neigh­ [...]our: the iniuryes, detractions, & the enuyes of Persecutours, which [...] the whole course of his life were not wanting to him, he would [...]compence with weeping bitterly for their offences, and also (as [...]ccasion serued) with affording them benefits, & seruing them; not [...]xcluding any, what lay in him, from his holy freindship. He was [...]euer seen to laugh vainely, or to be contristate at any thing, con­ [...]ruing alwayes the same tranquility of hart, and serenity of counte­ [...]ance, amidst al the varietyes of human accidents, eyther prosperous [...]nd cheerefull, or how straung, and aduerse soeuer they were: Wherof, those few actions, which we shall tell you anon, shall giue [...]rth, a very euident testimony, though in ech one of these preci­ [...]s examples, do shine withall (as often it happens) many other ver­ [...]es besides.

S. Martyn is much honoured by a miracle from God, for a charitable act of [...] Chap. 7.

SAint Martin going one morning to the cathedrall Church, to [...] lebrate in the winter tyme, was on the way demaunded an al­mes of a poore ragged wretch, that was ready to dy for cold. No [...] he, who in compassion, was still the same, calling his Archdeac [...] before him, commaunded him sudenly to be clothed; from the [...] he pursued his way, and hauing adored our Lord, entred into [...] Sacristy to vest himself. There were in those dayes, certaine roo [...] adioyning to the Church, somewhat sequestred from the vulg [...] which were called Oratoryes: In one of these (while the Cha [...] els where, were passing the tyme in Conuersation) S. Martyn ac­cording to vse, was alone in his Pontificalibus, sitting on a play [...] and simple seate, (for he would neuer vse any better) for that [...] the Church, he would neuer be seen, but on his knees, or standi [...] vpright. Now while he was expecting there, amidst his holy me­ditations, at the houre of the Sacrifice, the very same Beggar, w [...] seene agayne to appeare before him, who as it seemed (as necess [...] makes one ingenious) could tel how to cōtriue it so, as the Cle [...] vnwitting therof, finding the Bishop retyred, presses in to him, & with a lamentable voyce, complaynes for that he was not proui­ded by the Archdeacon. Then S. Martyn without more ado, cau­sing him to step aside, tooke off his owne Cassocke, not witho [...] some trouble, from vnder his vestments, and gaue it to the Wretc [...] who as for solliciting his sute had entred in without noyse, so no [...] obteyning what he would, he went quietly away. A litle after, t [...] Archdeacon enters to aduertise the Bishop, that now it was tym [...] for him to come forth, for the people were al expecting his cōming when he answered: It were fit the while the poore (meaning hi [...] selfe) should first be clothed, or otherwise, he could not appe [...] in publique: but the Archdeacon (for that S. Martyn was outward [...] clothed with the vestment, & could not penetrate the Enigma,) [...] ter many excuses finally added, how the poore man could not [...] foūd. Bring hither (said S. Martyn) the Garment prepared, for th [...] shall not want one to put it on. With these words, the vnper [...] man came to be troubled in himself, & being constreyned throug [...] necessity, went his wayes suddenly to a shop at hand, where ha­stily [Page 169] hauing bought a poore coate, for some halfe a Crowne, being course, [...]cant, and illfauourdly made, casts it downe with a disdain­full gesture, at the feete of S. Martyn, saying: behold the garment, but for the beggar now where is he? When the Venerable Bishop, with­out loosing awhit his holy peace, causing the others to stand forth somewhat without the portall, procuring to be secret as much as he could, did reuest himself with it; howbeit at last through the diuers circumstances of the matter, the thing could not be concealed.

And besides that, it pleased the diuine goodnes, to illustrate such a fact, with an euident signe, because the admirable Priest, going forth in that habit, while acording to the vse, he blesseth the Aul­tar; behold a ball of fire to shine from his head, in māner of a comet, which blazing towards Heauen, sent vp a fyery streame. True it is, that howbeit the same fell out on a solemne day, and in a great cō ­course of people, yet did not any other see it, then one of the Vir­gins, one Priest, and three Monkes only: as for the other, why they had not the fauour to behold it, appertaynes not to vs, to exa­mine heere: it suffiseth, that the testimonies, as well for number, as quality, are sufficient to take away all doubt.

S. Martin trauailing alone, was hardly vsed by Souldiours, not knowing who he was. Chap. 8.

THE diuine Man, going in a visit of his Diocesse (which he performed with singular care, and edification of all) his Companions by some accident or other remayned behind, while he going on his wayes, met with a Ca [...]och of Souldiours trauay­ling vpon busines; but the horses starting at the sight of S. Martyn, in a cassocke of hayry cloth, and a darke mantle which hung downe on one side, and affrighted therewith, were troubled in such sort, as the harnesse being on a sudden entangled together, could not easily be freed. Heerupon the cruell Souldiours being enraged alighted, and with stripes, and cudgells set vpon S. Martin: Who as he was very amorous of the Crosse, as holding euery occasion very deere, to be ill intreated, without once opening his mouth, stood to the blowes, vntill such tyme, as being torne and halfe dead, he fell to [...]he ground, when those spightfull fellowes, hauing now atchie­ued so goodly an exploit, returned agayne to their Ca [...]och.

This done, the companions of the Saint, being now arriued, [Page 170] and seeing him in that manner, to [...], all [...], being sad and heauy [...] vp and lay [...] him [...], and with all the hast that might [...] go [...] a way out of that [...]ursed pla­ce. But now, th [...]se impious fellowes (though they had th [...] aduan­tage to [...] the harnesse, & to set them in order agayne) [...] [...]ad they not the power to go forwards one foote further, but rath [...] through diuine iustice; the horses stood still, immoueable like sta­tues, in the [...] same place, nor with [...]yes, threats, [...] strookes, could they be made to go on a step. Finally, [...] they had spent in vayne, their whips; and Cudgells, which they [...] out of the next wood, these wicked fellowes began now to reflect, how this accident could not be human, but by diuine iustice; & ha­uing remorse of conscience, for the grieuous outrage they had cō ­mitted on the poore passenger right now, they went to enquire of some, that passed that way, who he was that went before in such a habit, and with such marks; and hauing vnderstood to be S. Mar­tin (whose name was a great deale mo [...] famous then his person) they acknowledged the Sacriledge committed, and the vengea [...] of God vpon them, and fearing yet worse, they all striued to fol­low the Seruants of God; and hauing ouertaken him, with deep sighes and lamentable voyces, casting themselues prostrate on th [...] ground before him, sprinckling their heads with dust, and knoc­king their breasts, they humbly besought pardon of him, and licen­ce to be gone.

The Saint, by diuine reuelation, had foreseene the successe al­ready, and also acquainted his companions with it. Whence such pennance was not awhit new to them, nor did he vpbrayd any of them, for the iniury done him: but receyued them all, with [...] be­nigne countenance; and with seruent prayers, hauing obteyned their dispatch, he sent them a way confounded, and astonished [...] great a Clemency.

A notable Example of a dissolute Monke, conuerted by S. Martyn to a better life. Chap. 9.

VVE may not seeme to conceale heere the Patience, and Meekenes, which S. Martyn shewed to a Priest of his Church, by name Britius. This man, being trayned vp in a Religi­ous life, with the Obseruance of Pouerty, and Modesty, as he was [Page 171] assumpted to the Clergy and Benefices, so suffered he himselfe to be drawne away, with the concupiscence of the Eyes, as without re­gard, eyther of his Life past, or present Degree, or the speach of people, he began to giue himselfe wholy to pleasures; to maintayne horses, and to buy very costly Slaues. These things now pierced the very hart of the holy Pastour, who after he had prayed to our Lord for him, stuck not with much sweetnes, and grauity, both of words and countenance, to set before him the enormous scandall that fol­lowed of so great a mutation of manners in him, intreating him withall to be thinke himselfe of the ancient purposes, and to con­sider, how the state of the Clergy, did not acquit him at all of the perfection of a Monke, but that rather the name did seeme to oblige him; to haue in horrour and contempt all the delights and pleasures of the world, since thereby was vnderstood, he had left to others their transitory things, and with the Prophet had chosen, for portion and inheritance, God only.

With such aduises, S. Martyn went about, to awake that vn­happy mā from this deadly sleepe: but as he was giuen ouer already in prey to sense, & found himselfe to be but little disposed to admo­nishments, for the present he held his peace; but feeling himselfe afterwards to be gauled with the truth, and with this occasion also more enflamed by the Diuell, he was so incensed therewith as that on the very next day turning the medicine into poyson, with great fury, he came to the Monastery, where the Man of God was sitting neare vnto his litle Cell. Heere Britius, full of anger, or full of phrensy rather, with sparkling eyes, and trembling lips, & chan­ging often colour, vents forth his rage conceyued agaynst S. Martyn in presence of many, loading him with infinite contumlies and in­iuries, and hardly also abstayning from laying violent hands v­pon him. Nor yet was the sacrilegious temerity of this man, any thing new, or sudden, to the Seruant of Christ, hauing first before his arriuall, seen on the top of the hanging cliffe, two wicked Spi­rits, who triumphing, and ioyfull, calling Britius by name, with voyce, and gestures, stood egging him on, to reuenge the affront, and to handle the Bishop in that sort, as he might not dare heerafter to molest him any more.

Whence S. Martin, composing himselfe to all manner of Patience, endeauoured, with admirable dexterity and sweetnes, to mitigate the Wretch, the whilest he, letting wholy the reynes loose to his [Page 172] Tongue ceased not to abuse him with extreme insolency, and [...]. And now hauing suffered his tongue to range a liberty [...] euery side, with the [...] fury he entred in, he went forth [...] when by the prayers, no doubt of S. Martin, the darknes expelled he began to be aware of his grieuous offence, and was so comppunct for the same, as that suddenly turning his steps backe agayne, with blushing and shame; prostrating himselfe at the feete of the holy Man, besought him benignely to remit his fault. No [...] was it any thing hard to obtayne this grace of him, who was sory, not for h [...] owne abasement, but rather for the precipice of the other, yea, and to help him more, playnely expressed to him, how he had seene th [...] two infernall furyes, that set him on.

In summe, with all affection he receiued him into his friend­ship agayne▪ Wherein he was [...]ound so constant▪ that howbe [...] he had afterwards many, and grieuous complaints of him yet not­withstanding, he could neuer be brought to depriue him, of hi [...] Priesthood▪ least vnder the shadow of publique chastisement, the priuate offence might seeme in some māner to be punished by him. And to persons of quality, who seemed to wonder much at him▪ & not to like very well so much indulgence of his▪ S. Marty [...] would answere, among other things: [...] was tollerated by Christ, and shall not I beare with a Briti [...]s? In this manner, went he still [...] seuering in these most intense acts of Charity. But who would say e­uer, that so ob [...]inate, and vnbridled a man as Britius was, should come afterwards▪ to be so gracious in the eyes of God, as to be­come a Bishop, and a Saint?

And yet so fell it out, thankes be [...]o the diuine Goodnes for [...] & to the intercessions of S. Martin: who on a tyme, holding his ey [...] fixed on Heauen for a pretty while, and being therefore of [...] taxed of madnes: Know (sayd he to him) Sonne, that I haue ob­teyned of our Lord, that thou mayst come to be Bishop afte [...] me▪ Though thou must vnderstand, that in the Bishopricque it selfe, thou shalt want no aduersities. Then Britius sayd: Lo you now▪ did not I affirme the truth, how this man was meerely out of his wits? But howsoeuer, in tyme he vnderstood, he was deceyued. Because that S. Martin, being once departed this life, it pleased the diuine prouidence, that Britius, though vayne and proud before, yet notwithstanding being held in high esteeme for Chastity, [...] without opposition, elected by the people▪ and Clergy, to the su­preme [Page 173] gouernement of soules. In which office, acknowledging, [...]d amending the errours of his youth, he most notably demean [...]d [...]mselfe. And to the end, the Prophecy of his Predecessour, might [...] verifyed, with his great glory, he suffered, from the impious, [...]d slaunderers, most grieuous persecutions.

[...]ow a certayne Virgin refused to be visited by S. Martyn: and how patiently he tooke it. Chap. 10.

TO returne now from whence we were digressed; a like forti­tude to this, shewed S. Martin of an equall courage, and serene [...]ind in another case, though light in esteeme perhaps▪ yet very dif­ [...]cult in practise: there was in the Diocesse of Towers, a Virgin, a­ [...]ong others, of excellent fame, and ver [...]uous behauiour; who now [...] these many yeares, of her owne accord, had made her abode in [...]ertayne farme of hers, very streightly reclused, and onely at­ [...]ending to God, did fly the conuersation, & sight of men. S. Martin [...]ow, being inuited with such an odour (who otherwise was ex­ [...]eeding precise from spending any tyme with women) yet chan­ [...]ing to passe by those parts, determined to honour with his presen­ [...] so rare a vertue, being a fauour so much more notable, as known [...]o be more vnusuall with him: but the matter succeeded not accor­dingly, because the Spouse of Christ, would not giue way to remit a­whit of her rigour, so much, as at the request of such a Prelate to be [...]isited at all. So as S. Martin, with many of his company, being [...]ow arriued where she was, not doubting awhit of being admit­ [...]ed to her presence, hauing sent in a messenger to her, and that in [...]ayne, so repulsed he departed thence.

Now what would an ordinary Priest haue done in this case? If [...]ot happily, taken it at least in ill part, and perhaps haue iudged [...]he Virgin to be taynted with heresy, and worthy of excommuni­ [...]ation? But the diuine man, was so farre from being offended ther­ [...], as reioycing at such a repulse receyued; began with magnificall words, to extoll the constancy and chastity of her, who had so re­ [...]yred herselfe from him. Nor with words only shewed he forth, the high opinion he had framed of her, but with facts also: foras­much as she afterward, in the Euening hauing sent him certayne presents of refection, and refreshment, S. Martin, who in his whole visit, till that tyme, had neuer accepted of any thing which was [Page 174] offered him, yet of what the Virgin sent him, he refused i [...] not▪ [...] ledging, it was not [...]itting for a Priest, to refuse the benedict [...] [...] her, who deserued to be preferred before many Priests.

With such like words, and workes, from tyme to tyme, g [...] S. Martin euident signes of a full victory gotten ouer his passions▪ & of the peacefull possession he maintayned in himselfe. But in re­gard, some will say perhaps, how these manner of prayses, are [...] mon also with priuate persons; let vs come, to the proper [...] of a true Prelate, and Apostolicall Guardian. Among which, it see­mes that the zeale of the holy, and orthodoxe fayth, and of [...] sincere worship of God, doth ho [...]d the first place. For whose con­seruation, S. Martyn was alwayes wonderfully sollicitous, and vigilant, keeping himselfe, and all all his flocke, from euery le [...] contagion o [...] Heretiques, or of others seuered from the Roman S [...] Heer with did burne in his breast, an inextinguishable thirst to [...] ­state, and propagate the Christian verity, on euery side, and p [...] ticularly in the neighbour parts; where it seemed to him an in [...] ­lerable thing, that any relique of Paganisme, should yet be exta [...] ▪ He endeauoured then maynly to extinguish the same; and Almig [...] ­ty God most commonly for his part, with a powerfull hand, [...] stupendious workes, concurred thereunto.

S. Martin restores a Womans sonne from Death to life: with other [...] thinges. Chap. 11.

SAint Martin on a tyme going, by occasion of the diuine ser [...] to the Citty of Cha [...]es, chanced to passe through a Village [...] Gentils, who at the fame of the Saint, going forth of the Tow [...] ▪ put themselues in the high way to behold him; and at the same [...] ­mour, concurred so great a multitude of the neighbour countries, [...] all that playne was seene to be couered with an infinite people. [...] the fight of which sheep, for that the most were led astray, the [...] Bishop sighing, and eleuated in spirit, beginnes to preach to the [...] [...] word of God, and to inuite them to eternall saluation, and that wi [...] such a feeling, and with such a voyce, & action, as doubtles seem [...] to them some what more then humane.

Now while he thus discoursed, it pleased our Lord, that a Wo­man, whose only Sonne was dead at that tyme, comming be [...] him, with hands lifted vp, presented him to the blessed S. [...], [Page 175] saying: we vnderstand, that thou art the friend of God, restore me [...]y Sonne, which is the only Child I haue. To the prayers of the [...]us Mother, were added the fighes, and intercessions of the [...]tanders by. So as S. Martyn perceyuing, how for the conuersion of that people, some miracle were fit, lifting vp his eyes and mind [...]o Heauen, and conceiuing therice an vndoubted certaynty of the [...]iuine ayde, he tooke the body in his armes, and in the presence [...]f all, put himselfe on his knees: and after a little space the party [...]rose vp, and so restored the child reuiued to the Mother, astoni­ [...]hed, and almost besides herselfe for ioy: whereupon a cry was lif­ [...]ed vp to the starres, and all these people confessing Christ for true God, began in troupes with great vehemency to runne after S. Mar­ [...]in, most instantly intreating him to make them Christians. And he [...]ull of iubiley, lifting vp his hands ouer them, made them Cathe­ [...]mens all at once, giuing order besids, that they might be instru­ [...]ted; affirming it, not vnfit to make Cathecumens, in the open [...]ields, since in fields in like manner haue Martyrs beene consecrated.

With this manner of purchase, our S. Martin reioyced much more then with the increase of rents, or tytles: and not onely from manners, and minds of persons, but euen from their memo­ [...]y also, and eyes, endeauoured he to take away all apparence of [...]rofane, & Centill worship: nor were the difficulties of the enter­ [...]rise, nor magnificence of Antiquityes, able to diuert him from it. In the Castle of Ambatia, was a Tower of pollished stones, heerto­ [...]ore dedicated to a false God; which from the solid, and spacious [...]oundations, a [...]sing more and more, came at the top, to finish in [...]me of a Pine-aple, a worke both of art, and cost alike, and not [...]nly curious to behold, but also very firme and durable.

Now the holy Bishop, hauing appointed Marcellu [...] a Priest [...]here dwelling, by all meanes to destroy such an abhomination, & [...]ter some tyme finding the same, as yet on foote, rep [...]ded his [...]cknes. But Marcellu [...], excusing himselfe with the difficulty therof, [...]or that the making was such, as hardly would an Army be able to demolish it, much lesse a small number of Clerks, or feeble Monks which liued with him▪ S. Martin, without more reply, hauing re­ [...]ourse to his wonted tacklings, spent all that night and morning [...]n prayer: When behold on a suden a vehement tempest of winds, [...]ightning, and thunder, impetuously smiting the building, fetcht [...] vp by the ground, and layd it flat on the Earth▪

[Page 176] In another place, stood a pillar of an vnmeasurable great [...], on the top whereof, was an Idoll. And S. Martyn, being not able to endure so great an offence of the true God, determined by [...] meanes to leuell it with the ground, but not finding commodity, eyther of Masons, or instruments to affect it, he craued likewise the diuine succour, with so much ardour, and such efficacy withall, [...] the prayer being ended, the effect very sudenly followed: because that in the sight-of-all the standers by, these appeared from Heauen another Pillar no lesse then that, which descended with such a force vpon it, as reduced it into dust, together with the Idol.

How S. Martyn by the signe of the Crosse, escaped Death: And how the peop [...] were conuerted thereupon, to the Fayth of Christ. Chap. 12.

SAINT Martin, in a certaine Bourge of the Infidels, hauing [...] stroyed their Temple, would needs presently vpon it, cōmaund a tall Pine-tree there, that was consecrated to the Deuill, to be felled to the ground. But the Country-people, who through the diuine will had beene quiet at the one, very tumultuously afterwards op­posed themselues to the other. S. Martin endeauoured to pacify th [...] blind people what he could, & to make them capable of the Tru [...] shewing by diuers reasons, how one sole God was the Maker of euery thing, and that to him was due from the rationall creature, all honour, oblation, and Sacrifice, and not to the Angels thurst o [...] of Paradise, deceiptfull, and proud, whome hitherto they had mi­serably serued; and went prouing withall, how in that Tru [...] could be no matter worthy of veneration at all. Now while he w [...] preaching in this sort with great charity, one of those Pagans, more impudent and more saucy then the rest, lifting vp his voyce, sayd to him: If thou hast such a confidence in this thy God, we ourselues will cut downe this tree for thee, and do thou but set thy shoulders thereunto, and be propping it vp; and if thy Lord stand for thee, [...] thou sayest, thou shalt not suffer a whit. The magnanimous Bishop accepted the Condition, and all that barbarous company accorded likewise, exchanging very willingly the losse of such a plant, with the death of one, that was so great a Persecutour of the Idols.

That Pine, of its nature, was bending in such sort, as it clee [...]ly appeared, in cutting it downe, wherabout of necessity it must light. On that very side, did S. Martin suffer himselfe to be placed, with his [Page 177] legs tyed, by those rude rustiques, where he stood as a statue. And [...]e people presently vpon this, diuided themselues, very glad and [...]oyfull the while at so new a spectable, and some with axes, in hast began to cut downe the Pine-tree. The man of God, from thence [...]ad made his Monks to sequester thēselues, who laboured in vayne [...]o hinder such a proofe, and being pale, and full of sadnes, with tē ­der eyes ech momēt stood expecting the losse of their deere Maister, [...]nd the tree now ready to to [...]er with redoubled stroakes, seemed to threaten the [...]al. And yet stood S. Martin very firme and vndaunted; when finally the ruine, with a terrible noyse, directly bended to­wards him, & now was euē ready to oppresse him, when he with­out being troubled a whit, lifting vp his arme, opposed thereto the signe of the Crosse, and nothing els besides. A thing truly very ad­mirable, that euen at the holsome signe so made, was sudenly that great trunck, as it were beate back with a violent Engine, & went with such a fury to the contrary side, as it almost had crushed the ve­ry Infidels thēselues, who were hewing it downe.

What effect now this so sudden euent might cause in their minds may more easely be imagined, then written. The Monkes behol­ding now beyond all hope, S. Martin to be safe, and sound, with consolation and iubiley giuing thankes to our Lord for it, wept out right, and the rude people being conuinced with so great a mi­racle, holding vp their hands and voyces to Heauen, did finally yield, and acknowledge the errour of their life past, and were wil­lingly conuerred to Christ; insomuch as where before, there were no faythfull, as it were, to be seen thereabouts, within a litle tyme, by meanes of the vertue, and diligence, and the exemplar manner of the holy Bishop, there remayned not a place, that was not very full of Christians, of Churches, and Monasteryes: Because the seruant of God was wont, as soone as he had demolished any house of the Idols, to erect in the same scituation, some deuout Oratory, or Re­ligious Conuent, or other.

S. Martin stayes the flames of fire from doing any harme. With other won­ders which he wrought. Chap. 13.

VVE may not seeme to let passe in silence, a thing, which if it had not happened in publique, might perhaps haue seemed incredibie to some. S. Martin, hauing in those countries ther­about, [Page 178] set [...]ire to a very noble, & most ancient Temple of the Idols, it happened, that a wind arising, did carry the flame to a house hard by, not without manifest danger of dilating it selfe further, and of stirring vp, with the sense of their priuat losses, the tender minds of that Community. S. Martyn then being aware of the danger, with the wonted courage of a liuely fayth, mounted vp speedily to the roofe, & puts himself against the flames; and it is certaine, that at the only appearing of the Man of God, the flames, as timerous to of­fend him, in a moment seemed to fetch about, & to be retorted, and gathered within themselues, & in the sight of all, in striuing against the violence of the wind, to retire in such sort, as the priuate buil­dings remayned very safe; and S. Martyn with his only presence, effected that which al the people, with their instruments, & water, could not so easily haue brought to passe.

In the Leapers Bourge (as they called it) likewise, hauing at­tempted to ruin a temple, very famous, no lesse for the great riche [...] therof, then for the much superstition vsed about it; he was repelled by the Gentils, not without much outrage, and iniuryes d [...] him. Wherupon, retiring himselfe in to some place thereby, he remayned in fasting for three whole dayes togeather, and praying in [...] and ashes: and at last appeared two champions vnto him of the hea­uenly warfare, being armed with speares & shields, saying how they came, as sent from our Lord to succour him, against that multitude of swaynes. That therfore, he might returne bouldly to the enter­prize agayne, and not feare any impediment whatsoeuer. So S. Martin did, and in the presence of all those Pagans, who through diuine power, stood the while immoueable, he ruined the profane bulke from the very foundations, destroyed the Aultars, & reduced the images vnto dust. Whence succeeded another great benefit, that the Gentils, perceiuing themselues so bound and stupifyed, with­out being able to rise against the Bishop, knew the effect to be cau­sed by a supreme power, and they all, as it were, came to belieue in Christ, exclayming with one voyce, and confessing, that the on­ly God of S. Martin, was to be adored, and that, for the Idols, they were to make no reckoning of them, since in such a necessity of theirs, they were not able to helpe themselues.

Two other stupendious things, are recounted in this matter: one was, that in the country of Burgundy, there being a great num­ber of country swaynes risen agaynst S. Martin, in defence of a Tē ­ple, [Page 179] one of them drawing out his sword, set vpon him; when the holy man, suddenly laying his cloake aside, offered him his naked necke, nor was that impious fellow any whit slack, to haue giuen the stroake: but lifting vp his arme, in the presence of all, fell flat backwards himselfe, and cryed for peace, and pardon. The other was, that from a like disdayne, another wicked fellow, being min­ded to kill him, the very sword fell out of his hand, in such wise, as it was neuer seene more. True it is, that he rarely came into such termes, because for the most part, S. Martyn with meekenes, and with preaching, would be tempring and persuading the people, in such sort, as themselues vnderstanding the truth once, would con­demne their owne madnes, & destroying the Idols with their pro­per hands, be conuerted to Christ. To which effect of conuersion of soules, S. Martyn was wont very industriously to make vse of the great gift he had, in curing the sicke, and deliuering possessed per­sons of euill spirits; as among others, he did heere with a person of great quality, by name Tetradius.

This man, being moued to compassion, for a deere seruant of his, very cruelly oppressed and tormented by the infernall enemy, with great instance intreated S. Martyn to vouchsafe so much as to cure him. The holy man then, willed him to be brought before him: but the maligne spirit would not endure, to be led from home resisting the same very obstinately, euer with biting, and scrat­ching. Whereupon Tetradius, repayring to the holy Bishop, puts him­self on his knees to beseech him, he would be pleased to come to the lodging himselfe. And with this occasion, S. Martyn began very dexterously to help this soule, with shewing himselfe somewhat backward therein; and with saying, that it was not lawfull for him to enter into the house of a Gentile, and profane man; & could [...]ell how to discourse so well, as Tetradius promised him to become a Christian, if he could see but his seruant deliuered once of his paine, and malady. Vpon this pact, S. Martin was content to go thither, [...]nd so holding his hand ouer him, on a sudden expelled the Diuell. Nor did Tetradius fayle of his word, being made a Cathecumen [...]ut of hand, and a litle after baptized, and while he liued thence­forth, did alwayes beare very great reuerence, and loue to S. Martin.

The gifts, and naturall talents of S. Martin: with a certayne miracle that he wrought. Chap. 14.

THus did this great Captaine by all meanes continually wage warre against the Prince of this world, and went dispossessing him apace from his ancient tiranny. Nor let any esteeme this zeale of his, to be awhit deuoyd of prudence, or discretion: forasmuch as S. Martin being assisted with diuine grace, and profound humili­ty, could very well distinguish of inspirations, good or euill, as of the Angels themselues, of light or darknes, (which in diuers figu­res, and with sundry intentions, would visit him often.) Moreo­uer howbeyt, through many impediments, he was not able to at­tend to the schooles; yet with a viuacity of wit, and with sobriety and vigilancy, together with such reading, as his businesses would permit, and much more through an excellent purity of hart, and by keeping the mind euer fixed in God; he arriued to so high a de­gree of true science, & of a solid, and masculine eloquence, that he was able to expound very difficult places of diuine Scripture, with incredible cleerenes. And in answering to cases of conscience could alwayes touch the very point of matters; as also in discourses, as well publique, as priuate, teach and moue the Auditours, with so much more fruite, as he sought euer more, the only glory of God, and abhorred his owne.

But aboue all, he would giue a very singular accompt of the Christian fayth, and was sufficient to refute with very pregnan [...] reasons, whomesoeuer should seeme to haue the impious boldnes to assayle the same, He was wont also, to gather very profitable, and spirituall conceipts, from things which dayly would occurre vnto him. As once when he saw a sheep newly shorne, he pleasant­ly sayd to the standers by: This sheep heere, hath already fulfilled the precept of the Ghospell, because of two coates, he hath parted with one, to such as had need; and so should you likewise doe. Be­holding one, that was keeping of swine, very cold, and but halfe couered with a poore, and curtayle coate of skinnes, he sayd: Be­hold Adam, chased out of Paradise; but let vs, leauing the old Adam, cloth our selues with the new.

There was a great and goodly meadow, where in one part the oxen fed; another fouly rooted vp by swyne; the third as yet [Page 181] vntouched, and diapred with pleasant colours, gaue wonderfull de­ [...]ight to human eyes. Now S. Martyn, turning to his cōpanions, said: That peece which you see so fed on, may seeme to demonstrate the [...]tate of Matrimony, because that howbeit, it haue not wholy lost the [...]onour of its greenesse, yet is it depriued of the grace, and ornament [...]f the Howers therof: that other so grubd, and turned vp, as you see [...]y those vncleane beasts, resembles the filthy vice of Fornication: but [...]he remaynder, which hath not hitherto, suffered any manner of [...]iury, represents the glory of Virginity, since being clothed with [...]ery frequent and fresh hearbs, rich of fruites, & distinguished with [...]leasant flowers, in manner of fine pearls, emeralds, and rubyes, [...]hynes aboue all the beauty of art, and workmanship of hand. O [...]lessed semblance, and right worthy of God, forasmuch, as there is [...]othing in the world, that may seeme to compare with the gift of [...]oly Virginity!

In the visit of his diocesse, arriuing once at a certayne riuer, in [...]ompany of many other seruants of God; he saw a great shole of [...]oule, very busy a fishing, and greedily attending to gorge themsel­ [...]es. Then sayd [...]e to such, as were about him: these reuenous birds, [...]esemble much the infernall enemyes, that lye alwayes in wayte, to [...]atch the vnwary soules, to take them on a sudden, and to deuour [...]hem vp, without end of satiating themselues. To these words, he [...]dded, a notable miracle, which was, to commaund the foule, with [...]he powerfull vertue of words, to leaue the waters, wherin they were floating, & to go their wayes to the vplands, & desert places. At which voyce, being suddenly assembled togeather, leauing the waters, they flew to the woods and mountaynes; while the multi­tude of Spectatours with reason remayned astonished to behold, that S. Martin should haue likewise power to commaund the birds.

In this manner then, ech creature serued the purifyed eyes of the Saint, as a liuely glasse of truth, and without labour, or rather with delight, gathering, as I said, the best documents from euery thing, he came alwayes to maynteyne his hart, and of those he dealt with, in chast thoughts, procuring with all possible industryes, that rationall soules, should dispose themselues, to afford a cleane and gratefull lodging to the diuine Goodnes. To which effect, likewise he sought to keep his subiects exercised in prayer, to be prompt in pardoning iniuryes & offences, and lastly to exchange the delights of the Sense, with the pleasures of the Spirit.

S. Martyn through fasts, and prayers to Almighty God, appeaseth the [...] Valentinian the Emperour. Chap. 15.

THe charity of S. Martyn was not conteyned within those [...] high and Noble workes of Mercy alone, but extended it selfe very tenderly also to the Corporall workes, and exterious necessi­tyes, in curing of the sicke, in visiting, and defending of the Or­phans and widowes, succouring the afflicted, and oppressed with vniust power, or by any other human accident, shewing no lesse promptnes in vndertaking such like enterprizes, then greatnes of courage, in susteyning them, and setting them forwards by al mea­nes possible. To which purpose, we may not conceale, how [...] being gone vpon such occasions, to the Court of Valentinian th [...] Emperour, a man very proud, and haughty by nature, and besides by his Arrian Wife, much prouoked against the Catholiques; he had heere a large field likewise, to shew his constancy in. In regard, that the Emperour, hauing heard before hand of the comming of the Man of God, and of the affayres he was to treat of, suddenly gaue order, he should not be admitted into the Pallace. So as S. Martin, af­ter he had once, or twice, endeuoured in vayne to get audience, no [...] loosing awhit of his courage the while, nor yet troubled for the re­pulses had, with his wonted fayth, and fortitude, layd hold of his ancient remedyes. He puts on a course Cilice, sprinckles himselfe with ashes, takes leaue of all sorts of meate, & drinke. From thence entring into sighes, and prayers, he perseuered so long, till on the seauenth day, an Angell from Heauen appeared to him, & bad him boldly go to the Pallace, for the gates, though of purpose shut a­gainst him, should now stand open to him, & the pride of the mer­cylesse Prince, should fall by one meanes, or other.

With this confidence, S. Martyn going thither, found his en­try so easy, as without any impedimēt, he came to the roome, where Valentinian himselfe was, who seeing him a farre off, was exceeding angry therewith at the first, and with frowning lookes, cryed [...]ut vpon his Guards for admitting him in; and thereupon stood im­moueable, without saying any more, or giuing any manner of en­tertaynement to the blessed Bishop: When behold on a sudden, the Royall Throne was enuironed with flames, which approaching to that part of his body, wherewith he sate, enforced him against [Page 183] his will to stand on his feete; and was affrighted therat in such sort [...]s being humbled, with many imbraces, and courtesyes, he now [...]ceiued him, whome a little before he could not endure to see: & [...]mmediately, without expecting supplications from him did fauour [...]im with whatsoeuer he desired. After which, he would inuite him [...]ery often to familiar discours, yea, and to banquets also: & lastly [...]t his parting, offered him diuers rich presents. But the faythfull [...]iend of Pouerty, with much edification of all the Court, without [...]ccepting of any one, repayred to his cure, and diocesse, as soone as [...]ight be. In this manner, the Seruant of Christ, with patience, and [...]ith prayer ouercoming all obstacles, guided his busynesses to a [...]yre port: & as he suffered not himselfe, to be deiected a whit with [...]dignityes, and affronts; so kept he himselfe amidst fauours, and [...]rosperityes, perpetually immu [...]uable.

[...]ow S. Martin was honoured, and esteemed by the Emperour Maximus, t [...] the great honour of the Clergy. Chap 16.

IF euer any Prelate were welcome and made much of, by great Princes, this holy man had as much respect of them as any: for [...] the number of his most rare gifts, shined no lesse Apostolicall Maiesty, then Religious modesty. Whereof Maximus the Emperour [...]mong others, hath giuen vs a very good testimony: who within a [...]hile after the Death of Valentinian, being assumpted by the soul­ [...]iours to the Empire, though on the one side, he were very tenaci­ [...]us, and committed many extorsions; yet on the other, shewed he [...]imselfe, to be desirous of eternall saluation, and a man of time­ [...]ous conscience, being much furthered therein by the Empresse his [...]ife, a woman of great vertue, and no lesse ready to fauour, for her [...]art, the Catholike Prelates, then that Arrian was sollicitous, to [...]inder them.

By these two personages now, it cannot be expressed, how [...]. Martyn was reuerenced, and esteemed. So as going at those times [...]ikewise to the Court, by occasion of deliuering of certayne priso­ [...]ers, releasing of Bandits, and recouering from the Treasury some goods confiscated, and of other such workes of paternall charity; Maximus did receiue him with singular veneration, and after he had [...]ispatched with him the aforesayd businesses, he would call him a­ [...]de, and very willingly heare him discourse, of the vncertaynty of [Page 184] present things, of the Eternity of the future world, of the glory [...] the Blessed, and of the vnspeakable greatnesse of God. At which discourses, the deuout Queene was alwayes present, being his de [...] consort no lesse in Religion, then in the Empire, sitting humbly [...] the ground, still hanging in suspence, with all recollecton, and si­lence, on the words, and gestures of the man of God; wherewith now being warmed, she was soone enflamed with so great a fer­uour, as acknowledging with a liuely, and most chast fayth in th [...] person of her Ghest, the same of Christ, she determined to repre­sent in her selfe both the Sisters of Lazarus: and as in sitting at th [...] feete of the Saint, and hearing of the diuine word, she had imi­tated Mary; so in seruing, and feeding him she would not be a whi [...] inferiour to Martha.

With this purpose, she intreated him, very earnestly to daign [...] to receiue a sober refection particularly from her: which S. Mar [...] precisely denying her, as he, who abhorred all vanity, and such li [...] familiarity with women, yet she very firme in her deliberation had recourse to her husband, and with him togeather, began afresh to importune the Bishop; in so much, as partly not to contristate such Princes, and partly not to preiudice the cause of the poore, which then he handled, at last suffered himselfe to be ouercome. Where [...] ­pon the good Empresse, without other wayters as all, hauing [...] him at the table, began to put before him the meate which she had dressed and seasoned with her owne hands, and likewise presen [...] him his drinke, and in summe, during the dinner, like an humble handmayd, stood attending with her eyes modestly fixed on the Table, & with her whole person attentiue and prompt to the serui­ce. And finally, the cloth being reuerently taken away, and the re­mainder, with the crums, with diligence voyded, she tooke th [...] with her, most triumphant, and glad, with infinite thanks to God, as one laden with many exceeding rich spoyles▪

Surely, not without a great confusion, and shame to some wo­men of our tymes, who not bearing respect, eyther to the Decre [...] of Councells, or euen to the dreadfull Mistery of the Aultar, are won [...] themselues no lesse impious, then impudently, to be serued by the Priests of the Highest, insteed of Wayters, and Pages. Though in­deed the Clerks themselues for their parts, are not wholy witho [...] fault, since they for the vile interests of ambition, or gayne, perm [...] that degree to be trampled on by men, which euen the Angels thē ­selues [Page 185] do reuerence. From which adulation and basenes of theyrs, how far off S. Martyn euer was, and with what decorum, especially in publique, he conserued the Episcopall dignity, may be easily ga­thered by that which we shall set downe in the next Chapter.

How S. Martyn was feasted by the Emperour: & how he bare himselfe therin. Chap. 17.

THe aforesaid Maximus had very oftentymes inuited S. Martin to dyne with him, but alwayes in vayne; yet notwithstanding he so perseuered with intreatyes, as finally he yeilded thereunto, with no lesse gladnes of the Emperour, then if he had conquered a kingdome. There were thither inuited withall, as to a great feast, three principall Lords of the Court, the Consull Euodius, and two Counts, the one the Brother, the other the vncle to the Emperour: be­tween these two, was placed the Priest, who was S. Martins compa­nion. The holy Bishops Chayr, was put besides Maximus himselfe. The Feast was now by this tyme, prety forwards, when according to custome, there was a Cup of wine presented to the Emperour, who commaunded it sudenly to be 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 w [...] 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 a [...] the flore was broken, and full of cle [...]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 b [...] ­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 hee [...] 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, [...]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 [Page 187] vncleane, or hurtfull beast of euill thoughts, might seeme to put [...]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 tea [...], being hardly wrung. Wherewith the youth arose vp [...]ound, and the standers by remay­ned astonished, confessing vnder Heaue [...] nothing to be any a­whit [Page 188] 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 wor [...] Now S. Martin being in the company of other two Bishops, V [...] tinian and Vi [...]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 into prayer: then blessing a litle oyle, with the preface of the Exorcisme, and taking hold of the tongue of the dumbe Creature with his fingar, he dropped a litle of that holy liquour vpon it, not without present effect. Because the Girle, being demaunded what was her Fathers name, suddenly answered thereunto very readily▪ Whereat, the sayd Father, lifting vp his voyce with ioy, & teares at once, very deerly imbraced the knees of the Man of God, affir­ming this to be the first word, that he had euer heard his daughter speake; who afterwards, with the vniuersall wonder of all, retey­ned still the vse of her speach. And this truly was vpon one alone▪ but that which now we shall tell you, concerned many together.

For there being entred into the family of a principall man, by name Licontius, a kind of disease, so grieuous and contagious with­all, as that throughout the whole howse, there was nothing to be seen, heere and there, but the sick to lye, vp and downe, without hope or strength: Licontius for a last refuge, craued succour of S. Mar­tyn, by letters; to whome the blessed man answered, it would be a very difficult thing to do, forseeing in spirit, that the scourge of God, was ouer that howse: and yet notwithstanding for compas­sion, he disposed himself to pacify by all meanes the heauēly wrath, and retiring himselfe, he continued in fasting, and cilices for seauē whole nights and dayes together, with so feruent prayer, as finally he obteined what he would. Wherupon Licontius, being exceeding­ly [Page 189] comforted, went flying in hast, with a thousand thanks, to bring [...]e good newes to S. Martyn. And offered him moreouer, a hundred [...]unds of siluer: Which the holy Bishop, neyther refused, nor alto­ [...]ether accepted, but with a meane betweene both, & not suffering [...]e same to enter into the gates of his Monastery, applied it sudainly [...] the ransome of Captiues; When it being suggested to him by the [...]ōks, to retayne some part therof, for the necessityes of the house, which at that tyme, was in some distresse, he answered, that the or­ [...]nary assignement of his Church, was sufficient for that purpose.

This cure wrought S. Martin, and many others of sundry infir­ [...]ityes, as we [...] in presence, as in absence. But what wonder is it, [...]at he should haue power vpon humane bodyes, who had so much [...]ower ouer spirits? This is certaine, the possessed being brought to [...]e Cathedrall Church to be deliuered by him, assoone as he put but [...]s foote forth of his Cell, to come to the Citty, they would begin to [...]hreech with horrid gestures, and houlings, full of dreadfulnes to [...]ehold: insomuch as the Clerks, with this signe only, were wont to [...]nderstand before hand of the Bishops comming thither. And he be­ [...]des, not as other Exorcists are wont, who through force of threats, [...]nd cryes, vse to cast out Deuils; but being sprinckled with ashes, with wearing sharpe cilices, with prostrating himselfe on the groūd [...]nd with the armes of holy prayer withall, would mayster them. Nor yet let any thinke the while, that among so many graces from Heauen, that S. Martin was wholy without the Gift of Prophecy [...]lso. Forasmuch as diuers accidents being farre remote in tyme, & [...]lace, were manifested to him, partly immediately from God, part­ [...]y also through the ministery (as hath beene sayd) of the Angels. Of which, and of many other meruayles besides (for breuity sake vntouched by vs) whosoeuer would seeme to haue a more distinct [...]otice, let him read Sulpitius Seuerus in his Dialogues: howbeyt, he also, not to be tedious, confesseth, that of purpose, he had concealed [...] great part of them. But now, it is tyme, in fine, for vs to come to the last act of this representation, certainely no lesse notable, or lesse perfect, then the others; but so much more worthy of applause, as it more assures vs of the reward.

The Death of S. Martin, with the Lamentation made by all, & the great [...] for his Body. Chap. 20.

THE blessed Man, was now arriued to the 81. yeare, or as others will haue it, to the 87. of his age, when through di­uine reuelation, he himselfe knew, that his end approached, and cleerely foretold it to his disciples. But yet for all that, continued he his wonted deuotions and abstinences, and diligently attended to his pastorall office. And because, in those dayes, there fell out a scandalous discord, among the Clerks of a certayne place, which is called Candacum, he determined in person to go thither, to quiet them; esteeming he could not more happily end his life, then by leauing all his Churches in good peace and concord. Being gone then thither, and with diuine grace, hauing setled matters, he was now ready to turne backe to his Monastery agayne, when he be­gan to feele in himselfe, some notable defect of forces: and there­fore gathering his disciples togeather, he told them how his Ta­bernacle was now ready to be dissolued, whence of necessity he must needs leaue them.

When lo, amidst very dolefull sighes and teares, there was ray­sed this common voyce amongst them, saying: And why do you leaue vs so, holy Father? To whome do you recommend vs so dis­consolate, and afflicted? The rauenous wolues will assayle your flocke, and the Shepheard being lost, who is he that can defend vs? We know very well, you desire to go to Christ, but your re­wards are safe inough, and guerdons which differred a while, are not lessened a whit: then take you pitty on vs rather, who remayne in such manifest danger. The Seruant of Christ, being mollifyed at these words, could not conteyne himselfe from weeping, but with great affect, turning himselfe to Heauen, sayd: O Lord, if I yet be necessary to this people, I fly no labour, thy most holy will be done. Wherein, being as it were put in ballance, he shewed, [...] knew not, which of the two was deerest to him, eyther to remaine on earth for Christ, or to leaue the earth for Christ. Wherein he gaue example to the faythfull, how in such prayers, they are not to en­cline with desire, eyther to the one, or other side; but a with reall, and simple indifferency, to remit themselues in all, and through all, to the diuine arbitrement.

[Page 191] The good Bishop, for some dayes now, was tormented with a [...]uell feuer, and yet neuerthelesse continued he night and day in [...]editation and vigils, susteyning with the vehemency of his spirit▪ [...]e weakenes of his body, lying so, in that his soft and delicate bed [...] ashes, and hayrecloth; when being with much instance intrea­ [...]d by his Monkes, to suffer at least some vile [...]ackloth to lye vnder [...]im: It is not fit, sayd he, O children, that a Christian should seeme [...] dye otherwise, then vpon ashes: and if I giue you not example [...]ereof, the fault is mine. This sayd, he turned with his face vp­wards, to cast vp his eyes and hands to the starres. In which posi­ [...]on now immoueable, lying as drawing to his end, he was v [...]ry [...]rnestly intreated by the Priests (who in great number were [...]ome to visit him) to turne himself at least on one side, to take some [...]st, but he replyed: Let me alone Brothers, and suffer me rather to [...]oke to heauen-wards, then to the earth, and to put my soule into [...]to the right way, being euen now ready to passe to the Creatour.

After this, seing the Deuil to appeare before him: What dost [...]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 [...]idnight, in the tyme of Honorius, and Arcadius Emperours, in the [...]eare of our Lord 397. or as others will haue it 402. hauing his [...]ce so resplendant, and all those members and fle [...]h of his, so ill in­ [...]eated before, and mortifyed, now so white, fresh, and sweete to [...]ehold, as they seemed already to be transformed into the state of [...]ory. At the very same tyme, were heard most sweet ha [...]onyes [...]boue, of Angelicall Quires; and this not only in those parts, but [...]uen likewise in the Citty of Colen, where the blessed Se [...]erinus Bi­ [...]op, together with his Archdeacon, was pa [...] of so gratefull ac­ [...]ents also: and the same Bishop, had reue [...] besides, how in that [...]und, so continued in his eares, the seuere ministers of the eternall [...]ustice, were, at his passage, though in vayne, withholding and [...]xamining S. Martyn. Whence euery one may consider with what [...]gour, sinners are there handled, since so without respect, the very [...]st are so strictly dealt with.

The newes being spread abroad of his des [...]e, who were [...]le to expresse the mourning of all, and the solemnity of the Exe­ [...]uyes there made? When not only of Towers, and all the Countrey [...]ereabous, but euen from sundry other neighbour Cittyes likewise [Page 192] all the Inhabitants came forth to honour the body, while the co [...] 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 tho [...] Monkes, all trayned vp by the S [...]int; and partly a chast and [...] Quire of Virgins, all eleuated in spirit, & diuine praises, gaue fo [...] pious, and noble spectacle to behold.

With such a trayne then, a great deale more glorious, th [...]n [...] triumphes of Emperours, and of Caesars, were the sacred spoyle [...] [...] posed, in [...] certaine place of that Countrey, vntill it was thro [...] 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 dyi [...] 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 cōtending 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 Ba [...] 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. Ma [...] 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 ha [...] not seen a worse deed, then the impious scattering of those blessed Reliques in the riuer of Lu [...]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 no [...] able, nor euer shall be, to extinguish the memory of his manifold miracles, nor the good odour of his excellent Vertues.

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.

[Page 195] This woman hauing in her fi [...] yeares lost her husband, tooke [...]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 vers [...]d in the Poet Me­ [...]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 manag [...] of his estate he would neuer subtr [...]ct himselfe frō the obedience of his Mother. Who in her widdow-hood, tooke meru [...]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 Office, he endeauours to proceed with all sweetnes, and to gather the Imposts without exaction, o [...] the offēce of any; it was not long, ere the weight of secular businesses appea­red very grieuous, and the vanity of pompe & vayne felicity, came to be tedious to him. Wherwith he began to giue himselfe to prayer more then ordinary, to the vse of d [...]out bookes, and to conuerse with Religious: through whose conuersation he was well aduised that as transitory pleasures and delights, are not there among them, so are neither the disgusts, nor molestations of the world: he perc [...]i­ued them secure, and free from calumnye [...], and with holy l [...]e to be most conioyned within themselues: he considered many yong men amongst them, who with a glorious victory ouer their appetits, cō ­ [...]erued perfect, and perpetu [...]l chastity. With whose examples being moued, he did finally breake forth with himself, into these words.

Alas! we wretches of the world to what end is all [...]his toyling, without hope of eternall goods! What shall the world be euer able [...]o afford vs! If we like [...]oy (though indeed better it were to mourne with safety, then to laugh with danger) how much more [...]cond [...]e these men that haue the [...] setled & quiet in God! Who [Page 196] haue nothing to do with these Sergeants, or Prouost-Marshals! h [...] feare, but of sinne: who attend to nothing but to obserue the diuine Precepts; nor are anxious a whit to loose their possessiōs, in gayning their lyuing with their proper hands, day by day. Let vs imitate so vertuous a people: Let vs likewise vndertake so commendable a a manner of life; and let not the light be in vayne which God hath giuen vs: Change we, our former customes, and alter we our em­ployments, so farre forth, as whereas hither to we haue contended with our friends about points of Nobility, we may now striue no lesse in pouerty with the seruants of God. If heeretofore, we apply­ed our selues to sollicite debtours, we may now attend to conue [...] Synners. Our Lord Christ, is wont to frame holy Doctours, eue [...] of the profan [...]st exactors. Frō Custome-house it selfe was S. Ma [...] called to the Apostle ship: Which is not yet spoken to make compa­rison betweene him and vs, but only that if he hauing left the mini­stery of the Tole-howse, haue receiued the office of preaching, why may it not be lawful for me, laying downe my Procuratour-ship, [...] take penance in hand? Our refuge is God: whence I am not to feare at the age I am of, since he himselfe, who affoarded the gift of con­tinence to so many yong men that liue in the Monastery, may like­wise afford it me a Synner. With such thoughts as these reuolued in mind, at last he resolued to leaue wholy the delights of the world and to giue himselfe to a Monasticall life.

S. Fulgentius presents himselfe to Bishop Faustus, to be his Disciple▪ [...] the difficultyes he had with his Mother Mariana. Chap▪ 2.

TRue it is, that not to passe with hazard from one extrem [...] [...] another, S. Fulgentius began first to [...]ast secretly, then to shu [...] by little and little, his ancient acquaintance, and now more [...] euer to attend to his deuotions. To which effect, being re [...]yred [...] the country, through diuine grace, he went so farre, as that being yet a Layman, he seemed to be a perfect Monke. His familiars in the meane tyme, were astonished therea [...]; nor wanted there some▪ ac­cording to custome, who attributed such abstinence, & retirement of the yong man, vnto basenes of mynd, or to some other sinister ac­cident. But he being enflamed euery day more & more, in the [...] of perfection, while it seemed to him▪ he had made sufficient [...] of himselfe, being touched with a discourse of S. Augustin▪ vpon [...] [Page 197] [...]. Psalme, he determined to put off no longer the change of his ha­ [...]t, to discouer his vocation, and to quit himselfe wholy of the dan­ [...]r of those secular commer [...]es, with further hope besides, to be able [...] helpe others with his example: and not without reason. For [...]hat man how meane a condition soeuer he were of, would once [...] ashamed, or affrayd to become a Monke, in beholding such a one [...] S. Fulgentius was, with so notable a contempt of all sensuality, and [...] greatnes, so to walke by the way of abstinence, and humility? [...]d thus hauing great familiarity with the Bishop Faustus, who for [...] Catholique Fayth, being put forth of his Church, by the wic­ [...]d King, had built him a monastery in those confines, and there [...]ued very holyly with others; where it pleased Fulgentius, to linck [...]imselfe with him, and vnder his obedience to dedicate himselfe to [...]e diuine worship.

But he well vnderstanding the Parentage of the yong man, & [...]w deliciously he had beene bred, began to suspect some manner [...]f fiction in the matter, and said to him: Wherfore, my Sonne, do [...]u iest so with the Seruants of God? For a [...] thou likely to be a [...]onke, and to relinquish so on a sudden all thy delicacyes▪ and ex­ [...]ange thy banquets into grosse fare, and those sumptuous [...] of [...]pparell, into course and abiect clothing? Thou hadst first need to [...]e a lesse dainety Lay-man, and so perhaps we shall belieue thou wilt, and mayst forsake the world. But the yong man, heerewith being more enflamed, taking, and reuerently kissing the hand of [...], with his eyes fixed on the Earth, replyed: He is well able, O Father, to giue me power▪ who hath affoarded [...] the will; do you but only giue me leaue to follow you: Open me the doore, ad­mit me as one of your disciples, and God shall, I trust, find wayes [...]ough to deliuer me from my iniquityes. The blessed old man hea­ [...]ing this, had a scruple to resist the diuin [...] inspiration, and without [...]ore adoe, consented to the yong man, saying: Remayne thē with vs, my Sonne, as thou wilt thy selfe. Let vs try for some dayes, if deeds, will accord: with words, or no: God graunt my feare may proue to be in vayne, and thy desire stable. And thus S. Fulgentius, being receiued into probation, the matter was sudenly diuulged, to the ioy of the good, & confusion of the wicked: no [...] was there wā ­ting some of his deerest companions, that being prickt therewith­al, euen spurned like wise at the world, and no lesse then he, became religious.

[Page 198] But the forlorne Mariana, as soone, as she had vnderstood [...] had passed, as if she had presently lost her Sonne, wholy anxi [...] and troubled, being full of teares and laments, flew immedi [...] to the Conuent: Where being halfe besides her [...], with a [...] of Outrages, she began to exclayme agaynst Faustus, to render [...] Sonne agayne to his Mother, the Maister to his Seruants; and how it was no office of a good Priest; so to ruine the howse of a [...] widow. Such words as these, notwithstanding were not of [...] inough to sting the prudent old mā; but rather with a fayre & se [...] countenance, compassionating the motherly affects, h [...]l so [...] to appease her, as he suffered her not yet to see her sonne. Then [...] riana, as knowing well, how much otherwise that swee [...] Chi [...] [...]ers esteemed and reuerenced her, and how great loue he ba [...]e [...] thought it expedient to plant her selfe at the gate of the Monaste [...] and there to fix herselfe, as [...]he did, lamenting outright, and wi [...] great exclamations exaggerating much her sad misfortune, in [...] ling againe and agayne vpon her deer Fulgentius by name.

This first temptation, gaue a great shake to the good yo [...] man, while the sighes and groa [...]es of his so deere & louing Mo [...] euen pierced him to the hart; but yet neuerthelesse, lifting vp [...] mind vnto heauen, with a pious cruelty enforced himselfe not [...] heare them; vntill such tyme, as being assisted by diuine grace, [...] remayned triumphant ouer flesh and bloud. Wherupon the blessed [...]austus, not without cause framing a great conceipt of such a vo [...] tion, turning himselfe to the Monks, & with a cheerfulnes wi [...] said to them: This yong man heere▪ shall well be able to suffer any paynes of religion whatsoeuer, since for Christ he hath beene ab [...] so to neglect the dolour of a Mother. Who going and comming to and fro more then once, after in vayne she had giuen many mol [...] lestations to the Bishop, and layd many snares before her Sonne being now quite tyred withall, she finally gaue ouer.

S. Fulgentius makes a donation of all to his Mother: and was after [...] terribly persecuted by an Arrian Priest. Chap. 3.

IN the meane while, S. Fulgentius giuing himselfe to the ma [...] tion of the body, among other voluntary afflictions, & [...] tyes, did whol [...] [...], not o [...]ly from wine, but euen from [...] also, being th [...] common cates of those places. Whereupo [...] in short [Page 199] tyme he became to be spent, in such sort, as the withered skinne [...]s [...]left on all sides, and by litle & litle all filled ouer with a [...]. [...]ence truly, whereas some thought he should be faigne to cool [...] [...]anguish in diuine seruice, he endeauoured notwithstāding to go [...]ayes forward, and to attend to the health of his soule, remitting [...]t same of the body, to the prouidence of the Creatour; & was not [...]hit deceiued of his trust the while, since without other help, his [...]alth was very soone restored him agayne to the great consolatiō [...]f all. And now the tyme of renunciation being come, he thought [...]xpedient to make a free donation of all his goods vnto his Mo­ [...]er, as well to solace therewith the sad desolation of the afflicted [...]iddow, and likewise to bridle a certaine obstinate and stiff-neckt [...]nger Brother of his, making accompt, that the [...] at least of [...]osing hi [...] goods, would force him so to be very tractable, and o­ [...]dient to his Mother.

After this, there arising a new persecution agaynst the Catholi­ [...]ue Bishops, Faustus was enforced to fly away, and to hide him­selfe [...]eer and there, to the great domage & preiudice of his Monks. [...]hereupon Fulgentius, with his leaue retyred himselfe into ano­ [...]er Monastery thereby, where a great friend of his, by name Felix [...]as Superiour, who knowing the wo [...] and sanctity of Fulgen­ [...]us, receiued him not only with great content, but further vse [...] all [...]dustry, to substitute him in the gouernement: which being not [...]le to gayne of Fulgentius; after a long contention and stri [...]e be­tweene them about [...] of subiection, he obtayned at last, [...] would accept of part of the [...] [...]nd so was [...] car [...] deuided betwee [...] them both▪ in such [...], a [...] [...] [...], and had the care of the spirituall matters, and Felix of th [...] [...]porall affayres. In which offices they both d [...]meaning them­selues with great concord, and much edification▪ there happened a [...] of the Moor [...]s: whereupon▪ the holy Family was [...]onstrayned with theyr Pastours to forsake that coun [...]y, & to [...]eeke [...]m a securer mansion in p [...]rts more [...].

Now then, after a long voyage, and sundry aduentures had▪ [...]eing arriued at last, at the fruitfull territory of Sic [...]a, they were in­ [...]ed, as well through the quality of the soyle, a [...] the g [...]ntlenes of [...]he inhabitants to remayne there, as they did, attending ech one [...] office, and especially [...], to [...] the Heretiques vn­ [...]o the true fayth, and [...]o help [...]ose soul [...] both with wordes [...] [Page 200] examples in all vertues. There preached at that tyme in the vill [...] of Babardilla, an Arrian priest, very rich in substance, in be [...] barbarous, and a most cruell persecutour of the Catholiques. Th [...] man, vnderstanding of the life, and goodly workes of S. Fulgen [...], and suspecting he was come, vnder the false habit of a Monke [...]o alienate men from Arianisme, laying some wayt and ambu [...] [...] diuers places, caused him, and his Collegue Felix, to be taken [...] brought before him, and with fierce eyes, and a wry countena [...] sayd to them: Wherefore are you come hither from your house [...] peruert the Christians? And without otherwise attending an an­swere, commaunded them to be cruelly beaten.

When the good Felix, being moued with compassion, fo [...] [...] Fulgentius: Be not (sayd he) so cruell against this my Brother, [...] companion heere, being so tender of complexion, as he is like [...] dye in your hands; but do you wreake your selues rather on [...] lone, for all the fault is in me only. With which words, the Minister of the Deuill being astonished, made Fulgentius awhile to sta [...] aside, and more seuerely appoynted Felix to be sm [...]ten then befo [...] who amidst the blowes of the hangmen, tempered his sorrow s [...] what with the ioy he had to behold Fulgentius exempted. But [...] contentment of his, lasted not long: forasmuch as that wicked [...] rian, being pushed thereunto of his natiue fiercenes, after he had [...] ill intreated the one, began to handle the other worse; nor suffi [...] the example of so rare a charity, nor the noble and venerable [...] of S. Fulgentius, to moue his obdurate hart to compassion.

But S. Fulgentius rather amidst the smart of the blowes, ( [...] to him was as it were intolerable,) hauing with humble voy [...] demaunded so much fauour, as to speake some three or foure wor [...] he gaue him truce and respit the while, as thinking him enclined [...] confesse the Arrian opinions, and to renounce the ancient religio [...] but noting him to enter into a formall discourse, about giuing [...] compt of their life and pilgrimage had; being fraught with rage▪ [...] caused him to be more, cruelly intreated then euer; & lastly [...] & stripping them both, bad them be gon: and they reioycing with­in themselues, for hauing suffered for Christ, so dispoyled of th [...] rayments, but inuested with glory, returned home to their Cells [...] gayne.

The [...]ame, and rumour of this accident. S. Fulgentius himse [...] being a person age so illustrious as he was, dilated it selfe to the Ge­nerall [Page 201] discontent of all, euen to the Citty of Carthage. So farre forth as the Bishop of the Arrians himselfe, resented it much, & was ready to make demonstration therof, if the offended had made but any complaint therof, at all. Whereunto many exhorting S. Fulgentius, he suffered not himselfe to be induced; neyther withal their persuasions nor yet with the grieuousnes of the iniury receiued to seeke reuēge, saying, that besides that such things are to be remitted to God, it would be also a scandall to see a religious Catholique man, to re­curre to the tribunall of an Arrian. Howbeit, to mitigate the fury & persecutiō of that peruerse sect, he determined to go into some place where it ruled not. Wherfore withall his Monks, he passed to his former dwelling, as choosing rather, to haue the Moores his Neigh­bours, then the Heretiques.

S. Fulgentius leaues Carthage, and goes to Alexandria, where he met with Eulalius Bishop: and returnes back againe by Rome. Chap. 4.

NOt farre from the Citty of Loda, began S. Fulgentius and Felix to found them a new Monestery: Where while they attended to their accustomed offices of piety, S. Fulgentius lighted on a booke of the Liues and spirituall Conferences o [...] the Monks, and Hermits of Egipt. Through this reading and meditation, he became so en­flamed to the greater study of al perfect vertue, as without more ado he resolued to go his wayes secretly into those parts, as wel to lay off the name, and charge of Abbot; as also to ty [...] himselfe to a more ri­gorous and streight Rule. Which mutation of place, was in those dayes tolerated, in certaine Religious, as then not hauing made any expresse vow of any particular congregation.

So as S. Fulgentius, vnder the pretext of dispatch of some affayres in Carthage, being arriued to the wals of that Citty, with only one companion, by name Redemptus, insteed of entring into the Towne tooke shipping for Alexandria, without other viatique with him, thē a firme confidence in God, through whose disposition being cary­ed by the winds to Siracusa of Sicily, he there met with the holy Bi­shop Eulalius, a person of great sanctity, and much affected to Reli­gious persons, as hauing moreouer a proper Monastery of his owne where he would recollect himselfe sometymes from his other Ec­clesiasticall occupations. S. Fulgentius with other Pilgrims being courteously receiued by this good Prelate, while at table they dis­coursed [Page 202] of spirit and learning, it could not be, but the [...] dent Bishop, must needs be aw [...]re of [...] doctrine and [...] After dynner then calling him aside, he sayd to him: Th [...]u [...] mention at table of certayne Institutes, and Collations of the Fa­thers, I pray thee now, bring me the Booke if thou hast it: which S. Fulgentius did without delay, and withall at the earnest instan [...] of the Bishop, declared the whole argument therof, in a few and very apt words.

The Bishop admiting the yong mans wit and erudition, and so­lacing himselfe, with hauing such a Ghest in his howse, began fa­miliarly to request of him an accompt of his trauayle. And S. Fulgen­tius, to couer with humility his designe, said he went to seeke his [...], whome he vnderstood to liue in the parts o [...] Egipt; & he [...] but truth in saying so, since he held all thē for his parents, that might further him in spirit. The Bishop perceyued the answere was ambi­guous, & easily gathered by discourse from the other cōpanion, who was a man of much simplicity, what passed in effect: When the blessed Fulgentius, now finding hims [...] besides expectation to be be discouered, confessed of himselfe, how the matter stood with him; to wit, that he had left his home, with the mynd to enter in­to the inmost solitude of Thebais, to be able there, being altoge [...] ­ther vnknowne, and dead to the world, to lead his life more per­fectly, with hauing euery day new examples of vertue and pe [...] ­nance from so great a number of the s [...]ruants of God. Thou [...] well answer [...] [...]ulalius, to desire continually a greater perfection but know on the other side, it is impossible for any to pl [...] God▪ without the [...]iue [...]ayth. The land wherto thou [...]endest, is separated now long since from the Sea Apostolique. Al those Monkes, who [...] rigour and abstinence is growne [...]o renowned, will be ware of com­unicating with thee. And then what shall it auayle thee, with fa­stings to afflict the flesh, while the soule shall want its nourish­ment? Wherefore returne my Son▪ whence thou camest, least whi [...] thou desirest a more holy conuersation, thou sufferest shipwrack [...] of a sound Religion. I likewise, for my part in my youth, before vnworthy as I am I was assumpted to this degree, haue had the se [...] same thought, which now thou hast, but the respect which I no [...] told thee of, did quit me of it.

The blessed Fulgentius, yielded to the counsayles of the holy Bi­shop: yet neuerthelesse, for the more perspicuity in that point, [...]d­ged [Page 203] it expedient, to seeke also thereupon the iudgment of the Bishop R [...]nianus; who being fled out of Affricke for the persecution of the Vandals, as hath been sayd, hid himselfe vnder amonasticall life, in a certayne litle I land neer vnto Sicily. From whome hauing like­wise receiued the same answere without seeking any further, he de­termined by all meanes to returne backe agayne; yet so as he fayled not by the way, to repayre, of meere deuotion, to the Citty of Rome. Where after he had liumbly visited those holy places; it chanced besides, beyond expectation, that he was present there, at a spectacle of the greatest pompe & magnificence of that Court; there ariuing at the same tyme. Theodoricke King of the Gathes, where in a place called the Golden Palme, [...]e made a speach to the whole Nobility, distinguished according to the degrees, and the honour of ech one: and where like wise were heard the acclamations and applauses▪ which the people vniuersally gaue.

Through which sight notwithstanding S. Fulgentius being no­thing caught with those transitory things, but lifting rather vp the mind and affect to the celestiall glory, sayd to his Friends: How [...]e [...] you, must the heauenly Hierusalem needs be, since Rome so glitters heere beneath? And if heere in this world, so great a pompe and splendour be affoarded to the friends of vanity; what glory [...]ow you, and triumph, is due in the other to such as con­template the truth? And after he had spoken many things to this purpose, with the profit and consolation of the hearers; taking his iourney againe, with diligence, he passed into Sardinia, and from thence into Affrick▪ where he was receiued with extreme ioy, not only of the Monks, but euen of thelay men also, & strangers there; among which, a wealthy gentleman, noting with how much pe­till and incommodity, the seruants of God there inhabited in those confines; being moued of piety, offered them a good and secure sci­ [...]uation in the Prouince of Bizacco. Which proffer Fulgentius accep­ting, with great thanks, heere founded a new howse, with a notable increase of Monks, and extraordinary helpe of soules in those coun­tryes.

S. Fulgentius to shun the title of Abbot, hides himselfe in vayne: & [...] afterwards a Bishopricke, is made Bishop of Ruspa. Chap. 5.

NOtwithstanding the great pleasure and contentment, which S. Fulgentius tooke on the one side, for the great fruit of soul [...] which was made, yet on the other he felt exceeding sorrow, in p [...] ­ceiuing himselfe by such occupations much hindred from his vnion with God, and sweet contemplation of inuisible things. Besides the which, the tytle of Abbot and charge of commaunding others, was of small contentment to him, while he called to mynd that Christ our Lord himselfe, had sayd, that he came to serue, and not to be serued, and to performe not his proper will, but that of the eter­nall Father. With such kind of thoughts as these, being newly pushed on to abase, and hide himselfe by all meanes; after a long consideration, atlast he tooke the resolution, which we will shew you now.

There washes the banckes of Vinci, and Bennese, an arme of the Sea, full of shelfs and rockes. In the one of which, being so dry [...] day by day, they were fayne to procure fresh water to be brought them with litle boates, was found to be a Conuent of Monks, who vnder the care of two Reuerend Prelats there, perseuered in extre­me pennance, and pouerty. To this Monastery now the blessed Ful­gentius being retired, he began to relish agayne the desired fruits of a priuate life, and of holy humility, mortifying through obedience all proper will, in taming continually the flesh with fastings, pray­ers, and vigils, and diuing at pleasure in to the profound mysteryes of the Eternity: and yet interupting withall, at tymes, his mentall exercises, in copying forth, with his owne hand, [...]ome good booke or other, which he could do very excellently well; or els in weauing, for sundry vses, the leaues of Palmes, wherin likewise he had beene very dexterous heertofore; so as it seemed to him h [...] was now in that state he wished for so much: but yet was it not affoarded him, to remayne therein, as long as he would.

Because that Felix his Collegue, and the other his Monkes, ha­uing notice thereof, first of all, vsed all the meanes possible they could themselues, to haue him agayne: but while their prayers and persuasions, were not of force thereunto, they finally interpo­sed the authority of the Venerable Faustus the Bishop, by whome [Page 205] S. Fulgentius was constrayned at last, to returne backe agayne; and [...] the end, he might be engaged to remayne there with a new obli­ [...]ation, he was forthwith ordayned both Priest and Abbot: with [...]hich chaynes being now tyed, he began to set his hart at rest, and [...] attend with all study and care, to that which God had commen­ [...]ed vnto him: whereupon in short tyme was spread so good an o­ [...]our, as the Abbot: Fulgentius, in all that territory was held to be [...] common Father and Pastour of all, with a vniuersall desire to [...]hoose him, and no other for Bishop, when tyme should serue: of [...]hich conceipt S. Fulgentius was aware, but in regard that as then, [...]y Edicts of King Trasamond, the ordinations of Bishops were pro­ [...]ibited, he was acquit of all doubt thereof, esteeming it in vayne to [...]y the dignities, which could neyther be giuen, or taken.

But after that, the holy Colledge of Bishops yet remayning, [...]rough zeale of the diuine glory, and the common good, with pu­blike Decree had freely defined, that notwithstanding the Kings [...]rohibition, ordination of Bishops should be made in euery Dio­ [...]esse, and heerupon that holy decree was begun to be executed [...]n all sides: & the people, the while striuing to appeare no lesse [...]ious and diligent then others, heere it was, that the blessed Ful­ [...]entius, went about to preuent their designes, and to hide him­ [...]elfe in such wise, as there was no possible meanes to find him out. [...]o as the inhabitants were fayne to resolue to expect till such time, [...]s he might appeare in sight; but fearing in the meane while, some [...]ew inhibition should proceed from Court, they were enforced a­gaynst their wills to make one of their Clerks, a Bishop: and so in [...] very short space, were almost all the Churches furnished with Pastours, and that with so great dislike of the King, as he tooke or­der to banish the Bishops, and caused the Archbishop S. Victor him­selfe to be cast into prison at Carthage, to the great lamentation, and disturbance of the Catholique part.

The which as soone as S. Fulgentius vnderstood, as thinking him­selfe to be now out of all daunger of any such honour, he stayd not [...] whit from returning agayne to the custody of his litle flocke. But it pleased the diuine prouidence, that the humble Seruant of God should be deceyued of this purpose. Forasmuch indeed, as among [...]hose people which as yet now were destitute of a Bishop, was [...]hat of Ruspa, a famous Citty and very full of rich and noble inha­bitants. Which delay of theirs, had sprung from the ambition of a [Page 206] certayne Deacon there, one Felix by name, who the more [...] he pretended to the Chayre, was the more maynely resi [...] by good men: and though himselfe, through fauour of his kindred and friends, had a faction sufficient to hinder others from the di­gnity, yet not inough it seemed to procure it to himselfe.

Among those discords, and ciuill broyls, it was sudainely vn­derstood, that S. Fulgentius, who could neuer be discouered before, at the tyme of the creation past, did now appeare at last. In the me­ane while, the Arch-Bishop, happening to passe by Ruspa, in his conduction to Carthage, the Gentleman of the Citty, with some Ca­tholique Bishops there, had accesse vnto him, and easely obteyned full licence, to create S. Fulgentius the Pastour of Ruspa. Heereupo [...] many Cittizens with great hast presented themselues to the Serua [...] of God, who remayned in his Cell infirme of his eyes, & so [...]king him vp as it were, on their shoulders, with mayne force they [...] him into their countrey, and then consecrating him with d [...]e [...], placed him in the Pontifical seate. But in conducting hi [...] thither, there happened a notable thing which followes.

A Deacon layes an ambush to assayle S. Fulgentius, but missed of his purpose▪ He is confined afterwards with other Prelats into the land of Sardini [...] Chap. 6.

THE foresaid Deacon, hauing taken vp the way with a strong guard, to hinder the passage of S. Fulgentius, his company [...] while through the secret instinct of heauen, tooke another way [...] so was the aduersary illuded, and the new Bishop, with commo [...] iubiley, & with solemne preparation, hauing publiquely said Ma [...] communicated the faythfull with his owne hands; and then after [...] vanquish euill, according to Christian perfection, endeauoured [...] honour his enemy Felix, in making him Priest: the which dignity in those dayes, was esteemed according to the merit and greatnes of the degree. But howbeit S. Fulgentius, so benignly remitted the of­fence; yet so passed not the malice without due punishment: since Felix dyed within a yeare, and the publique Procuratour of Ruspa, who had beene his principall Fautour, being so pot [...]nt as he was, came sudenly to loose his riches, and to fall into great streights, and necessityes. Whence the others, were brought to dread the diui [...] iudgments, and for euer after to haue the blessed Fulgentius in gr [...] ­ater veneration.

[Page 207] Whose vocation, as it [...]ad beene wholy sincere and celestiall, [...]t affoarded a large [...] [...]o the holy man, to manifest himselfe to [...] alike inuincible in prosperity, and aduersity: which he was to [...]efull, while in such a mutation of estate, with so moderate a de­ [...]rum of his personage, he alwayes reteyned, not only the same [...]eekenes and affability, but euen likewise the monasticall habit, & [...]othing as before: nor so much as in his diet he made any alterati­ [...]n at all, saue only for age he was constrayned to vse the seasoning [...]oyle, and when he fell [...]ick, to mingle his water with a little [...]ine, so as qualifying only the rawnes therof, he felt no whit of [...]e sent, or sauour of that precious liquour. In the night, rising al­ [...]ayes before others, he endeauoured to restore vnto study and [...]ayer, those howers, which the occupations of the day, for the [...]ublique necessity; had wrested from him. He was neuer seen to [...]habit in any place, without the company of his Monks. But ra­ [...]er the first fauour, which he demaunded of the Cittizens of Ruspa, [...]as, the commodity of building there, a conuenient Monastery for [...] rule. In which many striuing to haue the merit therof, it plea­ [...]d him to [...]ke vse of the charity of one Posthumianus, a most prin­cipall Gentleman of vertue, and of bloud, from whome hauing a [...]yre scituation affoarded him some what neere to the Church, with [...] pleasant groue of Pynes, which serued likewise very fit for the [...], he conuayed the Abbot Felix thither with almost all his con­gregation, leauing only some few Monkes in the other, vnder the [...]are of one Vitalis; yet in such sort he did it, as both the Conuents [...]id liue with the same discipline, and communicated together, not [...]s guests and strangers, but as Brothers and members of the same [...]ody. And the blessed S. Fulgentius, howbeyt most seriously busyed [...]n his Diocesse, [...]ayled not the while to haue still a paternall care & [...]ouidence of the one and other.

In the meane while the King of the Vandals, hauing already [...]onfined the Catholique Bishops to Sar [...]ia, ordayned likewise [...]hat S. Fulgentius should be carryed thither. Which succeeded to the great comfort of those inn [...]ent Prelates, since they reaped not only [...] notable help from the learning, and conuersation of the holy man, [...] likewise in the publique acts of that sacred Colledge, and in the [...]rticular occurences of their Churches, they did greatly auayle thē ­selues, of the succour and charity of S. Fulgentius, as being very elo­quent in tongue and pen: so as all the letters they had to send, for [Page 208] matters of importance, were dictated by him, and if any were [...] be reprehended, or admonished, or els to be reconciled vnto [...] Church, the charge therof, was most commonly recommended [...] him.

And for asmuch, as according to custome, S. Fulgentius had d [...] ­parted from Affricke exceeding poore, and without prouision, and accompanyed only with a few Monks, he perswaded two of the number of those Bishops, to wit, Illustris and Felix, with their [...] mestiques to lead with him, in the Citty of Calari, a religious and common life: so as they being assembled togeather, and swee [...] lincked with the band of charity, both the Clerks and the Mon [...] had the same table, and the selfe same prayers, lessons, and spiritual exhortations. Whereby not only, those of the Conuent, but [...] also, the others of the Citty were greatly assisted. There was [...] person distressed and afflicted, who in that holy place, found not [...] ­fuge, none desirous of the word of God, who there might not freely heare the same; to the doubts of Scripture, and Cases of conscien [...] continually answere and resolution was giuen; Peace and conc [...] put betweene playntifes, and enemyes; Almes dealt to the needy [...] necessitous. And particularly besides, S. Fulgentius would be euer [...] ­ding them, not only by absoluing them of their sinnes, but also [...] lowing the Counsayles of Christ, in not reguarding therin, the [...] or much substance they had to leaue, but the affect they shewed [...] voluntary and full renunciation.

King Trasamond seeks to entrappe S. Fulgentius with curious questi [...] and the Arrian Ministers do exasperate him agaynst him. Chap. 7.

AT the same tyme, King Trasamond had found out another more subtile way to subuert the faythfull in Affricke, in preten­ding openly that he sought nothing els, but truth in all things, and sometymes proposing sundry demaunds and questions to simple Catholikes: and howbeyt, now and then neuerthelesse, there w [...] ­ted not men sufficient inough, to cōuince their heresies; yet would the King seeme to make but light accompt of them, still vaunting himselfe to haue had the vpper hand in the disputes, and con [...] ­uersies of fayth. Wherin, while he labored now with this man, now with that, he was put in mind of the blessed Fulgentius, as of a per­son of rare learning, and very able to solue all the knots and diffi­cultyes [Page 209] occurring in such matters. So as sending a Messenger with diligence for him, he was conducted to Carthage: where in a poore lodging, the first thing he attended to (and not without fruite) was to confirme the Catholikes, and to informe the Heretiques of their blindnes, in prouing with liuely and pregnant reasons, that one only substance in persons distinct, was truly to be adored in the most holy Trinity. There being afterwards a writing presented vnto him, on the behalfe of the King, full of [...]allacyes, & cunning quircks and demands; he, inserting there withall the words of the scripture it selfe, answered from point to point, with so much acu­men, perspicuity, and breuity, as the King himself, though obstinate in his perfidiousnes, remayned astonished at the doctrine: and the people of Carthage, diuulging the said answere, continued more and more, well affected to the Catholique faith.

After this, the King not contented with the former demaunds, proposed yet some others a new, but without giuing leaue, or scope to S. Fulgentius, to answere with commodity, that he might not quote his words, as formerly he did, and giue the world to vnder­stand the impertinency of them; but constreyned him rather, hauing read the paper, to help himselfe, what he might, with his memory, and to answere out of hand without more adoe. The which con­dition, seeming, as in truth it was, full of iniustice, the holy man for a while, differred to make his reply: but the King imperiously pressing him to it, and attributing the caution to diffidence, least the Arrian Ministers might likewise seeme to do the same, & diuulge with their accustomed vanity, they had stopped his mouth; Fulgen­tius disposeth himselfe to answere vnto it the best he could, reducing to his mynd, what was but once permitted him to read, & in three little admirable Treatises of the Incarnation of our Lord (for the que­stion of the King, was of that subiect) he apparantly shewed, how the same Sonne of God, equall in all and throughout, to the eter­nall Father, in clothing himselfe with our mortality, tooke truly and really a reasonable soule.

With which wisedome and subtility of his, King Trasamond be­ing much astonished, durst question him no more; howbeyt a false Bishop of his, called Pin [...], rather through intemperance of tongue, then sufficiency of learning, would needes be replying, I know [...]ot what thereunto, giuing heere with occasion to S. Fulgentius, to frame another worke therupon, to conuince anew the temerity▪ & [Page 210] 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 suggestiōs, 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 affl [...]cted; he would frame his prayers, with these words, or the like: Thou knowest, O Lord, what is fit for the [Page 211] 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 cō ­solation, to the afflicted Bishops. And hauing led with him from Af­fricke, a good number of Monkes, with the leaue of Brumas [...]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 hād [Page 212] 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 themselu [...] 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 cōposed two bookes, Of there­mission of sinnes, and instructed him besides, in the matter of Predesti [...] ­tion, and of the differences of Grace. Moreouer, he sent often lette [...] of edification into diuers places of Sardinia, and Affrick, & likewise to Rome, especially to the principall Senatours there, vnto Ladyes, & Widowes of good name. To Proba, the Virgin of Christ, he wrote two little bookes of Fasting, and Prayer. Furthermore with seaues bookes, he partly interpreted the doctrine of Faustus, a Frēch Bishop in the best sense, and partly also openly con [...]uted some opinions of the same man, inclining to the Arrian sect. Which worke of his, well appeares, how gratefull it was vnto God, since scarcely had he [...]nished the same, but the whole persecution ceased, by the death [Page 213] King Trasamond, and the succession of Hilderick, a person of mer­ueilous goodnes, by whome the Catholike Religion was sudenly [...]tored, and the Bishops recalled from banishment, according to [...]e prophesy of the blessed S. Fulgentius.

That glorious troupe then of Confessours returned back agayne [...] Affrick to the great consolation of the people there, being desolate [...]d disconsolate so long, and was met with, and receiued, euen at [...]e very sea side, by an infinite multitude of people, most especi­ally for the loue of S. Fulgentius; at whose appearing in fight, were [...]finite cryes and shouts lifted vp to heauen, while euery one made [...]ast to behold and salute him, and to receiue his benediction, and [...]uen to touch at least, but the hemne of his garments. And so great was the concourse and presse of people, in conducting him with the [...]thers, to the Church of S. Agileus, that some Deuotes of his were [...]ayne to make a ring, or circle about him, for to passe without perill.

S. Fulgentius at his arriuall puts himselfe into a Monastery agayne: and af­ter reconciles himselfe to Bishop Quod-vult-deus. And so makes ablessed End. Chap. 19.

THere happened likewise another notable thing in the same procession, which was, that the heauens being darkened on a suddayne, and a great shower of rayne powring downe, there was yet not a Man to be seen, that left the company, to retire himselfe to some shelter: but many rather, as in imitation of Christ our Lord in Hierusalem, in taking off their proper [...]oakes, made very ready­ly a Pent-house therof, for to shelter the Blessed E [...]lgentius. Who were able to explicate the welcomes, with the honours, and festiui­ [...]yes, which were made him, fir [...] in the Citty of Carthage, and after in all the countryes, and lands where he happened to passe through in returning to his Diocesse? With all which things notwithstan­ding, that noble Follower of Christ, was not only not proud a­whit, but euē as soone as he arriued at his Church, put himself a new into his Monastery, very freely deposing all superiority of the Con­uent; in so much as the publique gouernment of the Church, depen­ding wholy on him, yet in the domesticall and dayly discipline, he would humbly depend on the Abbot Felix.

In the rule of the Clergy moreouer, he had a singular care, to prohibite all wanton and costly apparell, and to prouide, that for [Page 214] secular busynesses, none should be absent from home, or exempt [...] the Quire; for which cause he would haue all to inhabite close [...] the Church, and for the tyme they had to spare, they should spend partly in cultiuating some litle garden, with their hands, partly [...] exercising themselues in singing of psalmes, and pronouncing the words very wel. He ordeyned besides, that all the Clerks, and all the widdowes, and likewise all the other Laymen, who had no [...] impediment, should fast on the Wednesdayes & frydayes through­out the yeare, and that all should be present euery day at the diui­ne Offices. He would chastize the vnquiet, as need required, now with priuate and publike reprehensions, now with pennanc [...], & scourges, to the end, that with the penalty of one, all the other might take example. Through which proceeding, and perpet [...]all innocency of his manners, he was now in such veneration, as not only his subiects, but euen very strangers also that were well dispo­sed, would remit their contentions and strifes, though neuer so spleenfull and inueterated, to the arbitrement and decision of the Saint: and among others, the people of Massimiana who by no mea­nes would accept the Bishop that was ordayned them, were final­ly with the authority and admonishments of S. Fulgentius, well pa­cifyed with him, putting an end to that so contumacious, and se [...] ­dalous a contention between them.

Notwithstanding all this, the Saint wanted not his contradi­ctours, and emulous, as is wont to happen; whome he striued to ouercome which patience, and submission. Among others, a cer­taine Bishop by name Quod-vule-deus seemed to take it very grieuou­sly, to haue S. Fulgentius preferred before him, in the Councell [...] Vinci. Whereof the Seruant of God being aware, expected the occa­sion of the Suffetan Councel: And at the commencing therof, sought and obteyned with an excellent example, there to haue the lower place of the aforesayd Bishop; endeauouring with such an act of humility to reconcile vnto him, and to gayne that soule, though without any fault of his so disgusted and alienated from him. Now heere what will they say, who are euery foote striuing for prece­dence? Let them learne heere of the blessed Fulgentius, to execute the precepts of Christ, and to seeke alwayes the lowest place.

In Sermons moreouer (wherof he made, and wrote many) he was wont to haue reguard not to the applause a whit, but rather to the motion and compunction of the people. Wheerin he had so [Page 215] great a grace, as that (among other [...]ymes) preaching once two [...]yes together one after the other, at the dedication of the Church Burni, euen Boniface himselfe Bishop of Carthage being there present, [...]uld by no meanes hold from weeping out-right, in giuing God [...]anks, for that of his infinite mercy, there were alwayes found very [...]cellent Doctours in the Catholique Church. After his returne frō [...]nishment, besides the Sermons and Bookes already written, he [...]rote a new ten others, against the lyes and falshods of Fabianus; & [...]ree of Predestination, and Grace. Amidst such manner of exercises as [...]ese, S. Fulgentius approaching to the end of his life, as presaging what was shortly to follow, with a few Brothers for a yeare before [...]tyred himselfe a fresh, to do pennance, and bewayle himselfe, in [...]ittle rock of the Iland of Cercinna, vntill such tyme, as through th [...] [...]ayers and lamentations of such, as he had left behind him, he was [...]nstreyned to returne to his Diocesse againe, and to resume the [...]ouerment.

But long it was not, ere he fell into a grieuous infirmity, which for 70. dayes afflicted him sorely, with most bitter paynes; wherein looking vp to heauen, he was wont to vtter no other words, then these: Lord, do thou giue me now patience, and afterwards in­ [...]ulgence. Finally feeling the houre of his passage to approach, and [...]alling all the Clerks and Monks vnto him, he humbly besought [...]ardon of them, if perhaps he had disgusted any, praying withall [...]ur Lord God, to prouide them a good Pastour. After this he dispo­ [...]ed of the monyes, which as yet were left him, as a most faythfull Steward, as he had alwayes beene of the Ecclesiasticall rents: and [...]ecounting by name, all the widowes, Orphans, Pilgrims, & other [...]f the poore, as well of the Lay, as Clerks, one by one, he orday­ [...]ed what he had to be giuen by poul, without leauing so much a [...] [...] farthing vnbequeathed.

Heereupon, turning himselfe to prayer, and tenderly blessing [...]s many as entred vnto him, he remayned in his senses and iudg­ [...]ent vnto the last breath, which he rendered vp to our Lord, to­wards the Euening, in the yeare of our Lord 461. on the first day of Ianuary, in the 65. yeare of his age, which was the 25. of his Bishoprike. In the meane space, while the prouince of Bizac [...]na, was [...]acked, and harrowed with fires and assaults of Moores, the country [...]nd Citty of Ruspa (through the merits doubtles of the holy Pastour) [...]ad alwayes enioyed a secure and quiet peace. His body was wat­ched [Page 216] all the night, with psalmes, and spirituall Canticles. Th [...]n [...] morning being come, with an infinite concourse of people, [...] carryed, and layd by the hands of Priests, in the Church which [...] called Secunda: where himselfe had deuoutly placed the ve [...] Reliques of the Apostles; and where for the reuerence of the pla [...] till that tyme, no man had beene buryed.

The Parents, Country; and Education of S. Theodosi [...]: His Vocation, and how he met with Stelites. With his a [...] [...] af­terwards at Hierusalem. Chap. I.

THE great Father and Maister of Monks S. [...] ­dosius, was one of the number of those, who not receiuing from their Natiue Countrey, eyther splendour or renowne, haue yet through [...] proper actions, and eminent vertues, enobled the same. The blessed Mān, was borne in M [...] ­assus of Cappadocia, a place obscure, and vnknown before, but after by so happy a pla [...]t, deseruedly famous and illustri­ous. His Parents were [...] & [...]gia, both Christians, & accor­ding to the quality of the land there, very honourable, & wealthy. By these, the Child being nurtured with great care, both in the feare of God, and in some knowledge of good literature; assoone as he arriued to yeares of discretion, (as he was among other his gifts, of a prompt and ready wit, and of a cleare voyce, and distinct pro [...] ­ciation) he was [...] to recite the [...]ine scriptures to the people as­sembled in the Temple, on determinate dayes. In which exercise, [Page 219] while many examples, & precepts of sanc [...]y, were presented [...] him; and while he notes in the old Testa [...]nt, [...] obedien [...] of Abraham, in going forth of his Country; and [...]ing h [...] only begotten sonne; and in the sacred Ghospell considers the rewards proposed to such as leaue their Parēets, or goods for the loue of God; [...]his doctrine anon [...]unck very deepe into the hart of the pr [...]dent youth: so as now generously contemning the delights of that age, & reiecting with a sterne brow, the [...] flatteryes of the Sens [...], he determined to walke by the narrow, and vnbeaten way, vnto the glorious confines of the true Beatitude.

To which effect, knowing what need there was of the celesti­all grace, to obtayne it more easily, and in greater aboundance; the first thing he did, was, that recommending himselfe to God, he ap­plyed his thoughts, vnto the pilgrimage [...] Palestine, to see & ador [...] the Land, so dyed with the bloud, and printed with the steps of our Sauiour; and through the liuely memory of his cruell torments, to gather from thence aboundant fruite of spirit, and perseuerance. Such in summe, was the Vocation of S. Thedosius, while the Coun­cell of Calcedon was then assembling. And forasmuch, as at that time, the same of Simeon Stelites the Greater, was very illustrious, who [...]eare vnto Antioch; standing day and night on the top of a pilla [...], wholy exposed to the iniury of the elements, to the great admira­tion of the world, performed very sha [...]pe pennance; it seemed good to the deuout Pilgrime to go that way, to take thereby the bene­diction and spirituall precepts of so worthy, and admirable a perso­nage. T [...]yling th [...] towards the same: Countrey, he no sooner approched to that strange habitation, but that before he opened his mouth, he heard himselfe with a lowd voyce to be called vpon, and saluted by the holy old man, by his proper name; who hauing [...]otice from Heauen of the quality and intention of this new. Tra­ [...]aylour, th [...] began to cry out a [...] the first sight of him: Thou art well­come, Thou man of God, O Theodosius. At which very sound, the fresh Disciple of the eternall Wisedome, being stooke with [...], as it were, and prostrating himselfe on the ground, most humbly saluted him agayne, and then recollecting himselfe from the feare he was in, and with a set ladder getting vp the Pillar; he was not only most deerely imbraced by Simeon but also fully certifyed of all his foture euents and aduentures, of the numerous ra [...]nall stocke, which in processe of tyme, he was to assemble togeather, and to [Page 220] seed, and of the great multitude of soules, which he through [...] help, was in time to take forth of the iawes of the internall [...]; & as much also in summe, as in the whole course of his present [...], through diuine disposition, were like to betyde him.

To this prophesy were adioyned counsayles, and exhortation [...] full of wisedome and truth; where with S. Theodosius being much comforted, very cheerfully proceeded in his way, and safely [...] at Hierusalem, while the Blessed Inuenall did gouerne that Me [...] Heere hauing visited with great cōsolation those most holy place, he began to thinke with himselfe, what manner of life, he might choose to discharge himselfe of all terrene affects, and to be vnited more easily with the eternall goodnes. A consultation by how much more necessary, so much the more dubious and perplexed it was vnto him, as appeares in the Chapter following.

The conflict S. Theodosius had in himselfe about his vocation; with his resolution thereupon. And how searing Prelacy, he flyes into a Caue. Chap. 2.

THeodosius heereupon, on the one side, felt himselfe to be [...] with a vehement desire vnto solitude; while to him it [...] that therein, without al impediment, he might giue himselfe wholy to Prayer; and on the other he was not ignorant, how dangero [...] it was, with a mind not fully purged, to depriue ones selfe of all human direction, and succour: since that in the desart, the di [...] ­nate passions, like fire raked vp in the ashes, or as wild beasts in the woods, do lurke, & awayt occasion, to wreake their natiue cruel­ty: Whereas amidst human Society, they being discouered through dayly encounters, and thrust out of their dens, are more ea [...]ly de­stroyed; insomuch, as the Soule victorious of it selfe, and dissolued from the bands of corrupt nature, mounts vp very lightly [...] high thoughts, and to the free contemplation of celestiall things. The [...] and other such like reasons, on the one and other side, this new Phi­losopher puts into the ballance, and hauing poysed them ma [...] ­rely, in the diuine sight, at last takes himselfe to the securer side, with resolution to become, not a Doctour before a Scholler, & [...] enter on the stage, before he had learned the art of fencing. So as being [...], that in Dauids Tower (a place so called in th [...] parts) was an old souldiour of Christliuing, by name Longinus, grow­ing [Page 221] into friendship with him, he easily obteyned to be admitted [...]to his howse, to be guided and instructed by him, in all, and [...]oughout. Whereunto he disposed himselfe, with so great submis­ [...]n of the vnderstanding, and with so much seruour of the will, as [...]at through meanes of the dayly exercise of vertues, and diligent [...]struction of the Maister, with the noble strife of his fellow-pupils, [...] became very sudenly perfect in the rules of profitably taming the [...]esh, of knowing and readily discerning of spirits, of restrayning with a hard hand the motions of pride; and finally to walke in the [...]resence of God, with perpetuall recollection of the bodily senses, [...]nd of the powers of the soule.

S. Theodosius in this wise, hauing made, in monasticall profession, [...] notable a conquest of himselfe, as in the iudgement of all, he [...]ight well be a Guide, and Maister to others; notwithstanding see­ [...]ed to himselfe only, to be still, but as it were, in the beginning. He had perseuered yet more yeares in the same schoole, if an impe­ [...]iment had not happened, which heere we shall speake of. A cer­ [...]ine pious, and honourable Matron, by name Iulia, hauing at her [...]ost built a magnificent Temple, to the honour of the Queene of An­gels, not farre off from the habitatiō of Longinus, obtayned with great [...]stance of him, that he would appoint Theodosius by name, to the [...]ustody of that sacred place, while things were preparing about the [...]ll exercise of Religion, with the choyce of Quiristers, & Clerks, & of all things els belonging to the splendour of diuine seruice ther­ [...]. Theodosius was but vnwillingly drawne from his deere conuer­ [...]tion, and going thereupon to the said Church, remayned there vn­till such tyme, as he thought he might well stay there without [...]rill; but in processe of tyme, being aware how busines went, a­ [...]out preferring him to the formall Rectorship of that Colledge, he [...]ayed not till the matter might be concluded, when he could not [...]e able to make resistance; but in imitation of the Sauiour of the World, who in the like occasion, preuented before hand the in­clinatiō of the people, he fled away secretly vnto the top of a moū ­ [...]ayne, and got himselfe into a great caue, where by ancient Tra­dition, it is held the three Magi had lodged, when as they, hauing [...]dored the King of Heauen, and illuded that King of the Earth, they returned from Iudea, into their country by stealth.

Heere now, S. Theodosius being quite rid of all disturbance, be­gan that manner of life, which a good while since he had designed; [Page 222] where Prayer, and Psalmes, with order and deuotion seemed [...] hold their turns; the vigils often endured throughout the [...] night, and the eyes were become aperpetuall fountaine of [...] the habit, which was a grosse, and course Cassocke, his food [...] very well, as being the rootes of hearbes, windfall acorns, the [...] of palmes, some pulse; or when these fayled, the shells of [...] soaked in water. In this manner, the seruant of God, spent [...] dayes, with so much the more consolation, as he was further [...] ued from al testimony of men, that might put him into vayne glory and consequently diminish a good part of the merit. With this [...] rinesse, concealed he himselfe to his power. But the diuine clem [...] enclining alwayes to the vniuersall good, could not brooke so great a light, should be shut vp, & enclosed so in that horrid rock. Where assoone as some ray had appeared in those countryes thereabo [...] there wanted not Louers of the chiefest good, & contemners of the world to shew themselues; who to be guided securely to the [...] proposed, with all affection, craued to be admitted, and to [...] the instruction of S. Theodosius. To whome, though he to mainta [...] himselfe in his secret intention, would willingly haue giuen a con­stant repulse; yet remembring himselfe, of the prophesy of [...] Stelites, & weighing the great seruice, which is done to the highest wisedome, in cooperating with it, to the saluation of soules; after [...] had excused himselfe, to those suiters some while, at last he per [...] ­ted himselfe to be vanquished, & won, to accept them for his disci­pline, with reteyning alwayes in himselfe the interiour humility [...] before, and a vigilant care of himselfe.

Two notable signes of the Prouidence of God, towards his Seruants in their [...] ter necessities, through the prayers and merits of Saint Theodosius, Chap. 4.

IT followed hence, that S. Theodosius, shewing himselfe such a [...] ­uely mirrour of all laudable actions, increased day by day the co­ceipt was had of the sanctity of the Superiour, being a thing of ine­stimable moment for the quietnes, cheerfullnes, and incitement of the subiects. And God cherished this opinion of others with [...] ­uaylous signes now and then. Among which was one, that the Feast of Easter being come, & the Monkes hauing a desire to keep that day sacred, and also very festiuall, with some recreation of the [Page 223] body and spirit; there was in that Hermitage, no [...]yle or bread, or [...]ny manner of food, to be had, for the purpose of such a Solem­nity. Whereupon being sad and disconsolate, they stood, as it were, [...]eflecting thereon and exaggerating their great misfortune. Theo­dosius heerwith, notes their countenances to be changed, and vnder­standing the occasion of their sadnes, commaunds on the Saturday ouer night, that an Aultar should be set vp, and some forme of a Re­ [...]ectory be put in order for the next day. Which thing, seeming ve­ry absurd to those, who knew the want there was of all manner of [...]ictuals: Do you make ready notwithstanding, sayd Theodosius, what I bid to be done, and for the rest, take you no care. He that flourished so many thousands of Israelites in the desart, and after sa­tisfyed fiue thousand persons, with fiue loaues of bread, will surely likewise haue compassion of vs, being now no lesse prouident, nor [...]whit lesse potent, then he 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 professiō. 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 [...]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 [...]ood for the crowes, and their yong ones. So as [...]ence we may le­arne at last, how much the diuine Prouidence, excells any human [...]ndustry, which euen of set purpose many tymes, lets 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 [Page 224] 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 th [...] after to bend very violently that way; whereat the rider merueyling much, who as yet had no notice of the retirement of S. Theodo [...], 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 therupō 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, & ne [...] 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 [...]ame of S. Theodosius increased the number of his Disciples, and Conuictours; insomuch as now th [...] 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, abou [...] 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 [...]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 stupendio [...] proofes, perswadedst Moyses, to take the gouernment of the Israel [...] in hand, and with them likewise, with affects aboue nature, pro­ [...]uredst [Page 225] him credit, who changedst the rod into a serpent, the sound [...]to a leprous hand▪ and in a moment restoredst the same from le­ [...]rous, as cleane and sound as euer; who conuertedst water into [...]loud, and the bloud agayne into water. Thou who with shew­ [...]ng the fleece, madst Gedeon secure of the victory. Thou who hast [...]ramed all things, and still conseruest the same. Thou who decla­ [...]edst to Ezechias, with Sunne-dyall reuerst, the addition of his yea­ [...]es. Thou who at the prayer of Elias, for the conuersion of Idola­ [...]ours, didst send downe fire from Heauen, which in a moment, [...]onsumed both the victime, the moist wood, and the water there­ [...]bout, togeather with the stones of the Aultar themselues. Thou I [...]ay say, O Lord, who art now the same thou wast then; heare [...]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 moun­ [...]aynes, no [...] euer left, till he arriued at Cu [...]illa, and the bankes of the [...]ake Assaltite. But seeing the coales in the Thurible to be yet cold, [...]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 [...]ise vp from the coles, through diuine power, as it were, enkind­ [...]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 Chappells, & Quires, distinguished in such sort, as without hindering one ano­ther, the sacred Offices, might there be sung at the same tyme, in [...]undry languages, by seuerall nations. Whence it was afterwards, [...] thing of great consolation to heare Psalmes, and Hymmes sunge [...]t once with order, and sweetnes, by Palestines, Bess [...]ans, Greeks, and [...]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 re­quisi [...]e, and with a partition, which is called in the Greeke tongue, [...], for the commodity of such, as being toyled out with [...]abours, and worne with yeares, were not able, to wield themsel­ [...]es, or keep them to the obseruance of the order. Next to the same, [Page 226] 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 Her [...] 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 ca [...]; were thereby, through the iust iudgement of God, most miserably abused and oppressed by the Diuell. To these, besids corporall su [...] ­stenance, he would also giue wholesome aduises, and seeke to take away the false opinions from their mynds: and a good part of th [...] tyme, which they had free from torments, he would cause them to spend in prayers, and psalmes. He would enter moreouer by day & night into the sickmens chambers; and with particular tendernes, comfort the lame, the wounded, and leaprous, feeding them with his owne hands, washing the stincking and noysome vlcers now of this, and then of that man, and lastly with frequent kisses, and amourous armes, be deerly imbracing them.

The great Hospitality of S. Theodosius in the tyme of a Dearth, and [...] God concurred therwithall: with his great zeale for the Catholike Church▪ Chap. 5.

AT the same of so great charity of S. Theodosius, were a great [...] of persons of all qualityes, assembled together at the said place, to all which, with much patience, and with very good or­der, was both diet, and lodging affoarded: and it would fall out now, and then, especially at some principall Feasts of the Mot [...] of God, that at diuers houres of the day, they were fayne to furnish [...] hundred tables. And there happening afterwards an vniuersal dea [...] almost through all the prouinces of the East, there came such a mul­titude to that noble Monastery, as that the Officers, fearing some disorder, resolued to keep them out of the Cloysters, and with exist measure to deale them victuals by weight. The which, as soone [...]t S. Theodosius once vnderstood; confiding now more then euer in the diuine Goodnes causing the gates to be set open, in the sight of all most cheerefully admitted the presse of people; and in vertue of his [Page 227] firme fayth, and enflamed prayers, the prou [...]on in creased of it selfe in the Cellars and Pantryes, in such sort, as that all being satisfied at table, there was plenty inough yet left for such as wayted.

Among which occupations of theirs, by how much fuller of distractions, they are of themselues, so much the more vigilantly watched the good Pastour for the spirituall conseruation, and the [...] piety of his Monks, endeauouring by all meanes, that at certaine houres, they might be recollected in necessary meditation of vertues, and of the [...] acknowledgment of their owne defects; and to the end, the ordinary meanes vnto purity of hart, might not turne into ceremonyes, and their frequent victoryes oc­ [...]asion security, (to which perils, religious are commonly exposed) [...]esides his owne example, as we sayd, with workes, he would likewise excite the Family frō tyme to tyme, with enflamed words, [...] thus: I beseech you, would he say, my brothers, by that Lord who [...]ath giuen himselfe for our sinnes, let vs once apply our selues in earnest, and truly indeed, to the care of our soules. Let vs bitterly bewayle our dayes vnprofitably spent, and endeauour not to loose those same which remayne. Let vs not suffer our selues to be slou­ [...]full in sensuality; nor the occasions of this present day escape out of our hands, through the foolish hopes of the morrow, least death surprizing vs voyd of merits with the foolish virgins, we come to [...]e excluded from the blessed nuptials, whence we shall afterwards bewayle, when it will be too late to repent. Behold now is the [...]cceptable tyme, behold the day of saluation. This is the course of [...]abours, that same shall be the ioy of rewards. This the sowing of teares, and that the fruite of consolation. For the present, God is very fauourable to such as conuert themselues to him: then shall [...]e be a terrible Iudge, and a strict examiner of ech worke, word, & [...]hought of ours. We now do enioy his Longanimity, then shall we experience his Iustice, when we come to arise agayne, some to e­ [...]ernall felicity, and others to the qualityes, and deme [...]nours of ech one. How long then shal it be, ere were fully obey the counsayls of Christ, who with so especiall a vocation inuites vs to the hea­uenly kingdome? Shall we not awake from the sleepe of slouthful­nes? Shall we not rayse our selues from base [...] thoughts, to Euangeli­ [...]all perfection? And yet, forsooth, we professe to aspire to the coū ­ [...]ry of the blessed, and on the other side, we [...] the meanes that [...]ades vs to it. And surely this is a great vanity of ours, that flying [Page 228] the labours of the warfare, we should promise to our selues [...] crownes of the victory.

With such like reasons, S. Theodosius awaked his subiects, and confirmed them, as need required, not only with ancient and mo­derne examples, but also with diuers authorityes of the sacred w [...] explayning the difficult places thereof, with such clarity, and im­pressing them strongly with such an energy withal, as the Audi [...] remayned therewith much illumined in the vnderstanding, & en­flamed in the will. He was more ouer exceedingly versed in the a [...] ­cient Traditions, and in the Orthodox, and sincere doctrine of the Fathers, and especially of the Great Basil, whose writings, & princi­pally those of monastical constitutions, he held in great veneration▪ Nor was this great zeale of his, restrained a whit within the boun [...] of that house, or among the inhabitants of that Prouince only; b [...] nobly dilated it selfe vnto the common benefit of the Catholique Church, and to the conseruation of the right fayth, against the sub­tilityes, and lewd machinations of perfidious people, ambitious, & friends of nouelty, as appeares in the chapter following.

The ancient Heresies arising, are maynly resisted by S. Theodosius; [...] that cause he is banished by the Emperour: who dying shortly after, [...] Church flourished agayne. Chap. 6.

THere arose agayne in those dayes, through the secret iudge [...] of God, reuiued by diuers Sectaries, worthily called [...] the pestiferous opinions of Nestorius, Eutiches, Dioscoru [...], and Seu [...] already condemned by foure Generall Councels, the Nicen, [...] Cōstantinople, & Calcedon; and among the other multitude, was [...] Emperour Anastasius very miserably seduced by them, insomuch as [...] laboured to amplify his Sect, by all meanes possible. But the pr [...] ­cipall assault he vsed, was to gayne the holyer Prelates to him, o [...] to take them away, by disquietting, and assayling now this, now that, by himselfe and his Ministers; now with prayers, and th [...] with perswasions, now with monyes and titles, and then wi [...] menaces, depressions, and banishments.

In this manner, hauing tempted, and preuayled with diuers, he finally resolued to s [...]t vpon S. Theodosius, as seeming to himselfe▪ that he should make a great conquest, if he could but reduce an [...] of so great a [...]ame, and reputation vnto his part. To this in [...] [Page 229] by men for the purpose, he sent him letters, full of feygned friend­ship, peruerse counsayles, and deep malice, and for the greater ef­ficacy, vnder the shew of piety, adioyned therunto a rich present, of thirty pounds of gold, for the holy man to bestow at his pleasure in workes of mercy. With this deuise the Emperour thought to bat­ter the fortresse of S. Theodosius; but he found himself to be much de­ceyued of his presumption. For the Seruant of Christ indeed, accep­ted the gift, and faythfully shared it amongst the poore; but for the particular of Religion, most freely answered the Emperour, and his Messengers, that he would please not to enter into such practise with him, since he was fully resolued to loose not one life only, but a hundred liues, rather then once to mooue an inch from the do­ctrine of the vniuersall Church, and from the articles, and Decrees of the Sacred Councells.

To this effect was the answere of the glorious Abbot: which made such impression in the Emperour at first, as he being touched therewith, and acknowledging the errour, returned him fresh letters agayne, protesting those motions and troubles, wherein the Christians were then embroyled, were not caused, or occasioned by him, but through the pride, and vnquiet nature of some Priests, from whome particularly he should rather haue expected all care, to maintayne the people of God in peace, and concord. Wherefore now the more earnestly, he exhorted the Blessed Father, to continue still in his good purposes, and to renforce, togeather with the o­ther Monks, the vsuall prayers for the quiet of the common wealth. Such demonstrations as these, for that time Anastasius shewed being of a better mynd; but (as he was of a nature exceeding vnconstant and mutable) it was not long ere that suffering himselfe [...]o be [...]r­ned agayne, and deceyued through perfdious Couns [...]ilours, he en­tred into rage more then euer. And besides the placing in diuers Coūtryes of false ministers of the Ghospell; he sent withall, a great company of Souldiours, to hinder by force and Preachings, Con­sults, and assemblies of the maintayners, and fauourers of the truth. Which commaund was immediately put into execution.

But S. Theodosius for all this, ceased not to prosecute his generous actions: but rather with redoubled feruour hauing made choyce of exemplar, learned, and zealous labourers, began with them to [...]it and make his progresse through the villages, astles, and Cit­tyes thereabout, and to present with fit antidotes, and holsome me­decins, [Page 230] the hellish poyson of heresy; in catechi [...]ing the [...] reclayming the strayed, encouraging the wauering, confirming [...] stable: and in summe, not [...] slowing any meanes, which [...] to the help of [...]; and to the glory of Christ, wherby [...] he came to promote things so farre, as that notwithstanding [...] frownes of [...] souldiours, and subtilityes of the aduersary, moun­ting the pulpit, with a most extraordinary concourse of people, [...] publiquely declared, all those to be excommunicated, who depar­ted from the authority, and constitution [...] of the foresayd [...] nerall Councels. Which as soone as Anastasius the E [...]perour hea [...] [...] forgetting quite the veneration he had shewed before to the persō [...] S. Theodosius, and together without conscience, hauing wholy [...] all shame, without [...]spect disgracefully [...] stery, and condemned him, with opprobrious and ini [...] [...], to perpetuall banishment. Which notwithstanding, through diuine Goodnes, continued not long. For that the Emperour, within a [...] months, being with a heauenly mace sommoned before that [...] bunall which cannot erre, [...]ad for his Successour the famous [...] through whose valour [...]nd prudence [...]he clouds of [...] dispe [...]d, the furi [...]s [...] o [...] [...]cutions ceased, and [...] tranquility returned to the [...] of Christ againe.

S. Theodosius being returned agayne to his Charge, cured a woman of [...] Canker. And works other myracles besides. Chap. 7.

NOw S. Theodosi [...]s, with the i [...]y and [...]ubiley of al the [...]ay [...], being remitted agayne into his former) ch [...]rge, be tooke him­selfe with fresh courage to his wonted exercises; the which [...] acceptable and gratefull they were to the diuine Maiesty, besi [...] [...] aforesaid signes, may likewise appeare by the merueilous th [...] that follow. The [...] of the holy Crosse, was kept [...] there, in a [...]ayne Temple built by Constan [...] for that purpose, i [...] those countryes. And to this Solemnity went S. Theodosiu [...] wi [...] many of his Monks. Wherof a certaine woman hauing got some [...] ­tice, that had beene cruelly tormented a long while with a ho [...]i­ble canker in one of her breasts, and who had proued diuers med [...] ­cins in vayne; resolued at last vpon diuine remedyes, and [...] bring her selfe of the generous resolution of that famous▪ [...] with like [...]ayth & greatnes of courage, [...] entered into the Church [Page 231] while the Office was celebrated. And being she [...] the Man of [...]od (whome she knew not by [...]ace) with [...]ealing paces, & with­ [...] noyse, approached behind him, and dexterously applying the [...]greiued part, to the [...]ood of the Saint, most certayne i [...] is at the first [...]uch of the sacred cloth, all payne on a sudden abādoned the breast [...]nd left no scarre of the vlcer.

This sudden, and so perfect a cur [...], to the great glory of God, [...]as proclamed through the East. Besides which, that other which [...]cceeded in his returne from Bethle [...], gaue great matter of ac­ [...]nowledging, and praysing the diuine power in the person of S. [...]eodosius; when as he being lodged in the Conuent of the Abbot [...]artian, caused through this benediction, from one sole grayne of [...]orne, in a few houres, so great a quātity to be multiplied, as that [...]e granary being not able to hold the same, in the sight of all men, [...]e corne brake forth at the doore.

Elswhere agayne, a child being fallen into a deep well, through [...]he same intercession, being held past all human succour, in the [...]sence of many, to the inestimable ioy of the afflicted and [...] Mother, came forth agayne, very safe and [...]ound. Through [...] [...]me of these, and other such like meruaylous things, a certaine [...] of the East, whose name was [...], being to pass [...] with his [...], agaynst the Persians, first visiting the holy Citty of Hierusalem; [...]payred also to the Monastery of S. Thedosius, by whome being ex­ [...]ted, with liuely reasons, not to place his hopes of the Victory, [...] the multitude, or fo [...]ce of his souldio [...]s, but in the ayde of him▪ who as well can worke won [...]rs with [...], as with infinite [...], he became so enflamed with the admonitions, & māner of [...]he [...]lessed Man; as that to enter into battaile, he esteemed he could not [...]ake vse of armour of better proofe, then of the Cilice that S. Theo­ [...]s was wont to weare on his naked ski [...]. Wherewith, being ar­med, together with the benediction of the sayd Father, going his wayes, with his army, towards the enemy, he came very sudden­ [...]y to handy blowes, and that with so much the greater confidence; [...]s he had besides the foresayd coate of male, the person of S. Theo­ [...]osius also euer in his eyes; who in the heate of the battayle, with [...]ointing, and signes of the hand, went sh [...]wing him still, what [...] to enforce, what aduantages to take, where the ensignes should [...] aduanced, and where couragiously he should spur his horse. By which apparition, the deu [...] Champion, being greatly encoura­ged [Page 232] on euery side where he seemed but to cast his eyes, as that [...] the Pagans to flight, and terrour; it was not long, [...] [...]e re­turned backefull of ioy and glory, to giue S. Theodosius a distinct ac­compt of all that dayes worke, with immortall thankes.

Many other apparitions, are recompted of this diuine Man, [...] heertofore of S. Nicolas. By meanes wherof, heere one at sea very happily escapes out of cruell tempe [...]s; and heere another in the land from sauage beasts; and some from this perill, and some from that: There are likewise told diuers predictions of his▪ whence [...] appeares, how eminent he was in the spirit of Prophesy. But setting apart such like graces, being common with men, sometymes [...] no good life, my pen more willingly conuerts it selfe, to the [...] discourse of his religious Vertue.

The Humility, and Patience of the Man of God, especially in his extremity [...] sicknes. And how sweetly he gaue vp the Ghost. Chap. 8.

AMong the vertues of this Venerable man, the sollicitude [...] had of manteyning continuall peace, and true concord be­tween his Subiects, not deserued the least place. And this [...]are [...] his, so boyled in his breast, as that when any of them, by so [...] accident had broken any friendship betweene them, if by no other meanes, he could not peece, and reunite them agayne, he would not stick to cast himselfe downe at their fee [...]e, and to pray and con­iure ech part so long, as that being mollifyed with tendernes, and confounded with shame, deposing all rancour, they became recon­ciled to ech other. From whence, may likewise be gathered, how great was the humility of the holy man, most worthy of admiratiō, were it only for this, that by such acts he lost no reputation, but rather how much greater contempt he shewed of himselfe, he wa [...] so much the more esteemed, and reuerenced by othes.

With this submission of his, was the vertue of Patience seene [...] march hand in hand with him, being a safe buckler, and secure [...] of the souldiours of Christ, against the hoat and furious assaul [...] of the ancient aduersary. Of which kind of aimes, how [...] the Man of God would be helping himselfe, he notably [...] in his extreme age. Because, that being oppressed, through [...] most grieuous infirmity, which made him more then a yeare to keep his bed, with most sharpe dolours; yet for all that, he fayled not of [Page 233] his in ward peace, nor yet for s [...]ew his accustomed prayer, and fami­liarity with God. And they affirmed who assisted him day & night, [...]hat in the greatest extremity of all, and fury of his fits, he did no­thing, or sayd any word vn worthy of Christian magnanimity, or of his former behauiour.

But euen rather the said assistants auerre: That a certaine vene­rable old man, being come to visit him, and through compassion, bidding him pray to God, to deliuer him of so great affliction, and he should easily be heard; with no pleasing countenance, contrary [...]o custome, he answered thus: Of charity, Father, speake not to me [...]ny more in this manner, for as often as such thoughts haue come [...]nto my mind, I euer held them, as suggestions of the enemy, & with all endeauour haue expelled them from me, discoursing in this manner with my selfe; that to abate the pride that may arise in me from the credit, which God hath plesed to giue me on earth, these [...]gonyes, and humiliations are to very good purpose. And what share, trow you, are we like to haue in the consolations of the E­ [...]ernity, if in this short space, or rather moment of tyme, we suffer [...]ot some manner of affliction? In truth, Father, we needs must re­solue to suffer at this present, if we would not worthily be vp­ [...]rayded with these words herafter, Recepisti bona tua in vita tua. Thus S. Theodosius spake: and the Monke admiring, and touched withal, went his wayes.

In the meane tyme, the Man of God, feeling himselfe to decay more and more, & calling at last his sad disciples to his Cell, with his owne and their great feeling, he exhorted them to perseuere in their vocation, and stoutly to resist all temptations; and aboue all, to maynteyne faythfull and prompt Obedience, to whome soeuer with lawful election should come to succed him in the gouerment. Moreouer, very humbly calling for three of the Bishops of those countryes, and communicating with them, some things of impor­tance for the publique seruice; in the presence of them, and of all the Monkes in teares, he alone being ioyfull, and glad, hauing with diligence procured already all things necessary for such a presage, did lift vp his eyes and hands to heauen, and then decently [...]sting them on his breast, without any difficulty, yeilded vp his spirit, being now of 105. yeares old.

And it pleased our Lord, that a man possessed of an ill spirit, who till that tyme could neuer be deliuered from so great a calami­ty; [Page 234] now finally casting himselfe downe, with many teares, and bitter sighes, on the couch of the Saint, at the first touch of the vene­rable Reliques (but yet more tormented then euer) in the presence of as many as were there, was freed, and secure from that [...] tyranny.

The blessed Pope Hormisda, had the care of the Vniuersall Church at that tyme (though others according to S. Cyrill, would haue him to haue arriued to the tymes of Pope Agapitus, that is, to the yeare 536▪) and in particular of Hierusalem, in the tyme of the Pa­triarch Peter; who at the first aduertisement of the departure of S. Theodosius, came in hast to the Monastery, while an infinite num­ber of people, of all parts, came likewise in to obtayne some sh [...]ed of the Garment, or Capuch of the blessed man, or at least to com [...] neare him, and contemplate more freely on those chast lymmes of his, which had beene such efficacious instruments of the high Cr [...] ­tour. Whereupon to satisfy the pious desire of the multitude, the sa­cred corps of force remayned vnburyed, vntill such tyme, as the throng being somewhat ceased, he was, by his deerest, & most de­noted friends, with teares and sighes, deposed in the bosome of the cōmon Mother, from thence to arise agayne, at the sound of the last trumpet, with the other Elect, most glorious, and resplendant for all Eternity.

The Infancy, and more tender yeares of S. Benet; with his incli­nation to piety and religion: And how Romanus a Monke assisted him therein. Chap. 1.

SAINT Benet, Founder of the most noble Con­gregation of Mount Casin; gaue with his birth, no litle glory to Nursia, though otherwise, a notable and famous Citty, in the Confines of Marca, and Vmbria, It was in the yeare of our Lord 482. when Gelasius the first, gouerned the Catholique Church, and Anastasius the Empire. The Father of S, Benet was called Proprius, the Mother Abundantia, of the family of Riguardati, at that tyme, not only Honourable, but potent and Illustrious. The Child of a rare to wardnes, in wit fa [...]re outstripping his yeares, in shewing himselfe to be aliened from all manner of pleasures and sports, was sent to Rome, to study, vnder the tutelage of one, that had a good care of him. Heere now be­ing entred into profane schooles, he was soone aware of the perils, [Page 237] that hung ouer him, through vayne sciences, ill companyes, and [...]he snares and intrications of the world. So as, fearing some preci­pice, he made hast to pluck out his foote betymes; with firme deli­ [...]eration to repayre vnto the desart, and with all endeauour to at­ [...]end to the diuine worship, and to the saluation of his Soule.

With this deliberation, the Saint and Elect of God first retyred himselfe from the concourse of Rome, into the castle of Offida, with­out other company, then only of his Nurse, that deerely loued him, from whome (as yet) he could not conueniently quit himselfe. Nor was it long, erre the Diuine Goodnes with euident signes, began to shew forth how gratefully he accepted the religious purposes of S. Benet. For that a Scry wherwith they winnow corne, being bro­ken by chance in two peeces, which the Nurse had borrowed of her neighbours, and she poore woman most pittifully lamenting for it, the pious youth could by no meanes endure to see her so distressed. Whereupon putting himselfe into prayer, with the two peeces thereof by his side, as soone as he had ended the same, he found thē suddenly vnited, and the Vessell as whole, and sound, as if it had neuer beene broken or hurt at all. The miracle was great, & could not be concealed, whence all the inhabitants there-about, came running in to behold the same, blessing our Lord, and magnifying the Child, with the words that had been spoken heertofore of the holy Precursour of Christ: and further for memory of the fact, they did hang vp the sayd Scry publikely, at the entrance of the Church, where it remayed, till such tyme, as the Country was sackt by the Lombards.

These fauours & acclamations were a great spur vnto S. Benet, to fly away thence, and to hide himselfe, as soone as he could. So that abandoning his Nurse, and as many as knew him; he secretly got him to the Mountaynes of Sublacum, about some 40. miles di­stant from Rome; a territory but obscure in those dayes, though illu­strious afterwards, through the abode and long conuersation of S. Benet. And it pleased God, that before his arriuall thither, he should hap to meete which a certayne Monke, by name Romanus, who courteously examining him of his life, and vnderstanding his hea­uenly Vocation, gaue him besids good counsayls, the habit more­ouer of an Hermit, with promise withall to keep it secret, and to be assisting vnto him, in what he might. With such direction, the new Champion of Christ being come to Sublacum, puts himselfe into a most [Page 238] strayt ca [...]e, and therein remayned shut vp, for three yea [...] co [...] ­nually together, without the knowledge of any person, in the world, except Romanus; who liuing not farre off, in a monastery vnder the Obedience of S. Theodosius Abbot, fayled not to steale some part of his leasure, and reserue also some pittance of the food allo­wed him, to visit from tyme to tyme, and to susteyne his deere dis­ciple. And forasmuch as from the Conuent to the caue, no path way was to be found, there hanging a very high cliff iust ouer the same; Romanus was wont to tye to a long cord, that little bread he could get, with a bell vnto it, by sound wherof S. Benet might conuenien­tly vnderstand, when his refection was brought him.

Our Lord appeares to a Priest, and sends him with victuals to S. Benet. He [...] assayled with a cruell temptation, which he strangely puts away. And after­wards escapes poysoning. Chap. 2.

NOw the auncient Aduersary, not brooking well the charity of Romanus, and the life of S. Benet; in letting downe the cord a­bouesayd, threw downe a stone vpon the bell, & burst it to peeces, which notwithstanding Romanus fayled not to supply, and still to perseuer in that worke of mercy, vntill such tyme, as our Lord, be­ing willing to giue him rest of such labours, and to others the ex­ample of so high and sublime vertue, appeared in vision to a cer­tayne Priest of those countryes, who to feast himselfe on the day of Pascha, had made ready a good dynner to that end, and sayd to him; Thou standst heere preparing thee banquets, when loe, my Seruant the [...], lyes staruing yonder for hunger. At which admonishment the good Pri [...] arising sudenly, on the same day of Easter, with his victuals, pu [...] himselfe on the way, and after he had fetcht some compasse about those mountaynes and valleyes, a prety while, he found S. Be [...] at last, in the Caue. When saluting him fayrely, and making so [...] prayer together with him: Let vs now, sayd he, afford some little nourishment to the body, & reioyce in our Lord, for this is the Feast of the Pascha. It is truly a Pasch to me, answered S. Benet (who in so great a solitude, vntill this tyme, haue not knowne the course of the yeare) and you haue afforded me a Feast sufficient already with your presence. Nay truly, not so (replyed the Priest) to day is celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord, not is it any wayes fit for you to fast on this day, and that especially so much the rather, as I [Page 239] am sent hither of purpose, to communicate in charity with you on this day.

Then without more strife or contention they both blessing our [...]rd, fell to eating, and after a sweete, and spirituall discourse had betweene them, the Priest went his wayes. And now, as it were, at the same tyme, some shepheards also lighted on the said place: Who beholding amidst those brakes, the holy yōg man to be clothed with [...]kyns, at first they tooke him for a beast that might lurke there, but after approching neere vnto him, and illumined with his admirable aduises, & christian doctrine; they knew anone themselues, who till that tyme, had beene but as brute beasts. Wherupon being tou­ched with true Contrition, they gaue themselues from thenceforth [...]o a more reasonable life. From whence, the fame of S. Benet began to spread it selfe, & the poore Caue to be frequented of many; who bringing him corporall food, returned from thence, well refreshed with spirituall nourishment.

On those dayes, he being once all alone, was assayled by the Deuill, in forme of a blacke Bird, being called a Moore-hen, which for a good space, did neuer giue ouer from flying in his face, with such importunity, and so neare withall, as he might easely haue ta­ken her in his hand, if he had listed. But he chose rather to defend himselfe, with the signe of the holy crosse. Wherupon the bird flew away, leauing notwithstanding a cruell temptation with an into­lerable passion, enkindled in the members of the yong man. In such wise, as the souldiour of Christ, stood now vpon staggering, & de­liberating, as it were, to returne back into the world agayne; when being sudenly fortifyed with diuine Grace, he reentred into himself agayne, and beholding a bush of sharpe thornes, and stinging net [...]les at hand, with a generous force pulling off his clothes, on a sudden casts he himselfe therinto, & so long rouled his naked body theron, as that being full of wounds, and bloud all ouer, with the external heate he extinguished the internall, and through such a noble act remayned so victorious ouer the rebellions flesh, as that from thence forth (as himselfe reported to his Disciples) he neuer felt any more trouble therof.

After this, it pleased God, that diuers persons of sundry places should repayre to S. Benet, desirous not only of saluation, but euen likewise of perfection. And it was but iust, that he now possessing so peacefully the kingdome of his proper mynd, should be applyed [Page 240] to the care & gouerment of others. For that we see also in the wri [...] ­ten Law, how the Leuits, in the seruour of their youth, were tyed to labour, & to serue in the Temple; nor before they were [...]ull 50. yeares old (at which tyme, it is supposed their passions, are in quiet, and the heart at rest) were they made the Guardians, and Sacristans of the holy Vessels, which are interpreted the reasonable soules. But among others, who approched to S. Benet the seruant of God for his help, were some religious of a neighbour Monaste­ry thereby, who in those dayes being destitute of an Abbot, besought him to take the charge vpon him.

These men, were accustomed to a large, and more liberall life, and litle disposed to conforme themselues with the manners of [...]. Benet. And he being aware thereof, for a while made a strong resi­stance to their request. But being constrayned through the praye [...] and coniurations of the whole Family, he accepted the gouerment at last; and first with example, and after with words, endeauou­red he to take away the abuses, and then to bring in a forme of li­uing, worthy of the profession they made. But soone it appeared, how the good inspirations and desires they had, had taken but litle roote in their soules; because that shortly they were all aggrieued with the Rule, and reformation made; and the diabolicall insti­gations had gotten such power in some, as that not being able to endure in their sight, such a liuely and continuall example of ex­treme abstinence, & perfect manners, they determined to take him away, out of hand, with poyson. But the diuine iustice, suffered not their wicked designe to take affect: because that at the tyme of the refection, while one of them, was presenting the holy Father with a cup of poysoned wine, it pleased God, with the signe of the Crosse which S. Benet, according to custome, vsed to make thereu­pon, the glasse, as with the blow of a stone, fell suddenly into peeces, and the wine from the brothers hand, dropt downe to the ground. Whence the Man of God, knew presently, that drinke without doubt to be the potion of Death which could not endu [...] the signe of life. And thereupon with a mind composed, and a fa [...] serene. turning himselfe to the Monkes; God forgiue you (sayd he) what a plot was this amongst you? Did I not tell you at first, my manners would neuer seeme to agree with yours? Then rest you in peace, and seeke you out some other, that may gouerne you bet­ter, And heerwith, leauing them quite confounded and astonished [Page 241] he retired to his desired Caue agayne, and there attended seriously to himselfe.

How two principall Senatours of Rome offer vp, and dedicate their children to S. Benet: and how a Monke was led away by a Deuill, which S. Be­net discouers, and remedies. Chap. 3.

TRue it is, that S. Benet was not suffered to enioy that estate any tyme, because that the odour of such a sanctity, continually spreading it selfe more and more; there repayred to him a new cō ­curse of people, much touched with the holy Ghost, and cloyed with the world. With which multitude after a sufficient instruction had, he founded in those countryes, about a dozen Monasteryes, appoin­ting Lawes, offices, and an Abbot to ech. So as diuers personages, and Senatours of Rome, began now to hold it a great felicity to haue any Children at such a tyme, to send to S. Benet, and to dedicate thē vnder the care of such a Father, to the seruice of the diuine Maiesty. Among which, were two principall, Eutitius and Tertullus. Wher­of one offered Maurus, a yong man of so rare a wit and of such a spi­rit withall, as in short tyme, he became an assistant of the Maister himselfe. The other greatly addicted to the same discipline, with much veneration, offered in person his eldest sonne Placidus to him yet a Child, & then after made likewise, a free donation of a great masse of riches, farmes, manners, and Castles to the Saint, with cit­tyes both maritime, and in land, wherof the Catalogue would be heere too long: surely to the great confusion of our tymes, in which as the entring into Religion is ordinarily held desperatiō, shame & madnes; so the taking away of subiects reputation and goods frō them, is reputed, and that euen of those who call themselues Chri­stians, to be good prudence, valour, and Iustice.

But to returne to S. Benet, vnto whome as well in the begin­ning, as in the progresse of his administration, there happened ma­ny notable things. The vigilant Pastour, with the greatest sollici­tude that might be, was wont to apply his subiects to the study of prayer, as knowing well, how necessary the succour of Heauen must needs be, for the cutting off of disordinate affects, and repres­sing of passions withall, which euen from the mould whereof we are framed, do continually spring, For which cause, besids the par­ticular deuotions of ech one, at certayne houres, he would assem­ble [Page 242] them all togeather, in a certayne place deputed for holy exerci­ses. Now it happened, that in one of those assemblies, while di­uine office being ended the Monks were meditating, & conuersing with God; one of them, being vanquished with rediousnes, we [...] forth of the Quire, and partly went idly vp and downe heere and there, and partly busyed himselfe in some temporall matter of litle moment. Which being known to his Abbot Pompeanus, after he had admonished him thereof diuers tymes, but all in vayne, he brought him at last to S. Benet himselfe, who with a good reprehension sent him backe againe.

But yet this auayled not much, because after two dayes, the Monke returned to his old custome: and Pompeanus anew had re­course to the Saint, who being moued with compassiō for the sheep nigh lost, determined immediately to go in person himselfe to ap­ply by all possible meanes, some present remedy thereunto. Taking then Maurus, for his companion, and Pompeanus withall, he went his wayes thither: and setting himselfe to espy, in a fit place, what happened in tyme of prayer, he saw how a litle blacke boy, tooke the Monke by the hemme of his Cassocke, and went leading him forth of the Oratory. Then the vigilant Prelate sayd secrely to Mau­rus and Pompeanus. Do you not see therewho it is, that leades him thus away? and they answering, no: Let vs pray then, sayd he, that you may be li­kewise made partakers of the spectacle. And so they did all for two daies togeather, at the end whereof, Maurus did deserue to see the reuela­tion, while the other found not the grace. Which done, yet S. Be­net expected another day, and suddenly after prayer agayne, fin­ding the Monke to be yet gadding as before, he gaue him a blow, which had so much efficacy with it, as that the diuell, as it himselfe had been lashed, had not the hart to returne any more to the same a­gayne. This acccident surely, was very memorable, but yet this other which followes, is no lesse glorious then it, though in a diffe­rent kind.

S. Benet causeth a spring to arise out on the top of a mountayne: With other accidents besides. Chap. 4.

AMong the Monasteryes, whereof we haue made some menti­on aboue, three were seated on a high and craggy rocke, and so dry with all, as the Monkes were enforced, through those cliffs & steepy places, to fetch their water from the Lake, which as then the [Page 243] riuer of Teneron caused, and that not only with extraordinary tra­uayle and paynes, but euen also with the manifest danger, & con­tinuall feare of precipices. Whereupon the Monkes certifyed S. Be­net of the greatnes of the difficulty they felt, and besought him hū ­bly, that he would be pleased to place them somewhere els. The benigne Father, was touched with tendernes at the request, and gi­uing them good hope, dismissed them anone, bidding them to re­turne to him on the next day. In the meane while, the night being come, without taking any other then the innocent Placidus with him, he went secretly to the top of those cliffs, where he made his prayer, and in the very fame place, putting downe three stones, as a signe, with like secrecy as before, he returned home to his Cell a­gaine. When day was come, behold the Monkes returne; to whome S. Benet, without more ado: Go your wayes, sayd he, towards such a place, & where you shall find three stones layd one vpon another, there dig, for God is able to produce water on the tops of moun­taines to ease you of the paines of so tedious a iourney. And they go­ing with great confidēce to the sayd place, found it already to wax moyst, & to spring vp water, increasing at last in so great abōdance, as vnto this present day, without diminishing awhit, it stil runs from that top, to the foote of the hill. With this remedy the Saint refre­shed and eased his disciples of their trauayle and thirst: & with this other that followes gaue peace to a timorous, and anxious soule.

A certayne poore man in those dayes, was conuerted to the fayth, a Goth by nation, who putting himselfe into the hands of S. Benet, by whome being exercised in his tyme, as well in spirit as in bodyly labour, he was appointed after prayer, to fell downe a peece of wood, vpon the banck of the Lake there, to make a garden plot of. Now it happened, while the prompt Neophit attended with all his forces, to cut downe the bushes and bryers, that the head of his axe, flying off suddenly from the helue, f [...]ll into the deepe wa­ter, without hope of euer recouering it agayne. Whereupon, being afflicted for the losse, which it seemed to him, he had caused to the Conuent, he went trembling to accuse himselfe vnto Maurus, and to do penance for the same, in case he had committed any fault therin. Maurus was much edified at so tender a conscience; nor was he slack the while to acquaint the common Parent, & Maister therwith. Thē S. Benet being moued to compassion, went his wayes to the Lake, and taking the helue of the hatchet out of the Gothes hand, threw it [Page 244] into the water, and the head of the hatchet of it selfe immediately floating, tooke hold of the helue agayne, and came to the land: at which sight, the Goth being astonished, and quite as it were, besids himselfe, S. Benet puts the hatchet into his hand, saying: My sonne, Goe to worke agayne, and trouble not your selfe any further in the matter. There followes yet another act, no lesse admirable then this, and perhaps from the tyme of S. Peter the Apostle hitherto, not heard of before.

Placidus on a tyme, being gone to the said Lake for water, while he stoopes with his vessell, fell vnfortunately thereinto, and being snatcht by the streame, in a moment was caryed away, the distance for space of a bowes shot from the land. This in spirit S. Benet did behold, being shut vp in his Cell, and calling Maurus very sud­denly vnto him: Go thy wayes, said he, in all hast, for the Child is drow­ned. The good subiect, was accustomed to hold the Superiours becks as Oracles. Wherfore, without other reply, he demaunds only his benediction of him: and hauing taken the same, ranne violently to the danger, and that with so much speed, as that going on the wa­ters dry foote, he tooke Placidus by the hayre of his head, not being aware the while of the nature of the way he went on, vntill such tyme, as he had pulled him safe to the land. When returning into himselfe, and reflecting on what was past, his hayre stood an end, and giuing thankes to the highest God, led Placidus to the presence of S. Benet. Heere arose a noble contention of profound humility betweene the Mayster and disciple; while S. Benet ascribes the gre­atnes of such a miracle vnto the fayth and promptnes of Maurus, and Maurus attributes all to the merits and intercession of S. Benet. The youth himselfe, in part decides the controuersy, affirming, that in arising aloft, it seemed to him, that he saw the habit of Father Abbot ouer him; whereby, he tooke it that he was deliuered by him. But howsoeuer it passed, it is euident, the obedience of Maurus was wor­thy of eternall memory.

Florentius a Priest, seekes to poyson S. Benet, but is preuented. He practi­seth also to corrupt his Disciples; and is lastly punished by the hand of God. Chap. 5.

IN the meane tyme, the Followers and Deuotes of S. Benet, do continually multiply and increase, esteeming themselues amidst [Page 254] the snares of this pilgrimage, very happy and secure, vnder the gui­ [...]ing of such a Leader. But as Enuy alwayes spurnes at vertue; a [...]ertaine Priest of that countrey, called Florentius, being of the number [...]f those who couet the fruites of human prayses, and fly the pur­ [...]hase of solid vertues, could by no meanes endure so much reputa­ [...]ion, & so prosperous successes of S. Benet. This vnfortunate wretch [...]eing stirred vp and excited through blind passion, began first, with [...]uill words to detract from the merits, and actions of S. Benet, and [...]hen to hinder by all meanes possible, the concourse of people that went vnto him. After which perceiuing how he trauailed in vayne, [...]nd that, by how much he endeauoured to vilify, and depresse him, [...]e was the more exalted by God, and reuerenced of men; he suffered [...]imselfe at last to be led into the same very deuilish plot, whereinto [...]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 [...]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 [...]he shew of charity hauing sent him in almes, a Loafe of bread cō ­ [...]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 [...]owne to a Crow, which at that tyme was wont to come to him [...]o take her meate at his hands, & said to her: On behalfe of our Lord [...]sus Christ, take you heere this loafe of bread, & cary i [...]to some place where it may not be touched of any person lyuing. At which words [...]he Crow spreading her wings, and opening the mouth, began to [...]oure, with croaking, and shewing a will and feare alike to touch [...]hat pestilent food: but the Man of God vrging her to obey, with [...]onfidence tooke it vp with her clawes, and flew away with it, and [...]hen after some three houres space, returned agayne to her wonted [...]eate.

At such ill demeanours as these, S. Benet was exceedingly sory, [...]ot so much for his owne sake, as for compassion of his aduersary. [...]ut Florentius the while, being full of gaul and obstinate in malice [...]nce he could not murder the body of the Maister, endeuoured to [...]estroy the disciples soules. And among other things, he had the im­ [...]udence to contriue in the very garden of the Monastery, and in the [...]ght of the Monkes themselues, a lasciuious daunce of naked womē. [...]t which spectacle, the Abbot, with reason fearing some notable [Page 246] disorder, determined to giue wholy place to the fury of the [...] and to abandon the Country and mansion there built vp by hi [...] selfe, with so great expences. Setting then the affayres of the Co [...] ­uents in order, and exhorting the Monks to perseuere in the st [...] of perfection, with some of his companions, he puts himselfe [...] his iourney, and through diuine instinct, or rather through a cle [...] voyce which came to him from heauen, he trauayled toward [...] Castle, about some two dayes iourney from thence, by name C [...] with ful purpose to announce the true light of the Ghospel vnto t [...] Country people that in habited there, which miserably lay yet b [...] in the darknes of Gentilisme, and the shadow of death.

Hardly was the seruant of God, departed from Sublacum, wh [...] as vengeance from heauen, appeared vpon Florentius: because [...] howse, being otherwise safe and sound, the roofe only of the roo [...] where he then remayned, falling downe on a sudden, with a re [...] ­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 a [...] the holy Abbot, to carry him the newes, as he thought, very gl [...] and welcome to him: but S. Benet, insteed of reioycing thereat s [...] forth sighes vnto heauen for that soule, & with seuere words ga [...] a sharpe rebuke to the Monke, who therein had shewed in himsel [...] not so Christian a mynd, as he ought. From thence, proceeding o [...] his way, he arriued at last at the foresaid Castle, scituated on the s [...] 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 whi [...] 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 B [...] ­tist, through whose intercession, obteyning alwayes new graces, & offering vp most pure and acceptable sacrifices to the Creatour, he ne­uer [Page 247] left labouring to acquit, and discharge poore mortalls from the [...]ruell seruitude of the Deuill.

The Diuell appeares to S. Benet; He throwes downe a wall new built vp, and kills one of [...]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 impe­ [...]iments which in vayne he stirred against the messenger of Christ; [...]egan also to appeare vnto him, not through in imagination, or [...]reame, but with open vision, and with dreadfull figures, casting [...]rth, by the mouth and eyes, infernall smoake, and flames of sul­ [...]hure, and with a raging voyce, howling, and lamenting in such [...]anner, as that the disciples, though they were not permitted to [...]ehold him, yet playnely might heare him to say, among other [...]ings; Benedicte, Benedicte: and while the Man of God, vouchsafed [...]ot to answere him, outragiously he added: Maledicte, and not Be­ [...]dicte, what hast thou to do with me? Wherefore dost thou persecute me thus? [...]nd heere with, fell a vomiting of most horrible blaspemies, and [...]enaces; whereof, though the Saint seemed to make but light ac­ [...]ompt, yet the standers by euen the while feared grieuously.

That which increased his fury, was a certayne building begun [...]y the Monkes for their habitation, which in processe of tyme, [...]om meane beginnings, amounted after to the magnificence we [...]e at this present. Whereupon being incensed more and more [...]ith anger, he appeared one day to S. Benet, in his Cell, while [...]e Monkes were a labouring, and fretting sayd openly to him, that [...]e was then going to worke what mischiefe he could, both to the [...]bourers, & to the worke in hand. Whereat the holy Father, sends [...]ddenly to aduertise his disciples thereof, and to admonish them, [...] retire thēselues without delay: but the messenger arriued not so [...]one, but that the diuell had already throwne downe to ground, a [...]ery high wall, which they had built, and thereby crushed to pee­ [...]a Monke vnderneath the ruines: in so much, as to shew him to [...] Benet, it was needfull to gather the peeces, and to put them vp [...] a sacke together: When the man of God, causing them to be layd [...]rth, where he was wont to make his prayer, and dismissing the [...]onkes, shut himselfe in the Cell, & prayed with such feruour [Page 248] vnto God, as euen at that houre he restored the yong man all whole and sound agayne, and as able as the rest, to continue and go for­ward with the worke interrupted.

Nor did the malignant spirit only in weighty matters, th [...] vent his choler; but euen sometymes also in things, that were halfe ridiculous in themselues: as was that of a stone, of no great bignes, which being to be placed in the wall, he sets himselfe vpon it, in­somuch, as they did but labour in vayne, to place it aright, being not able to stirre it awhit, vntill such tyme, as the Man of God, in person, had giuen his benediction thereon. Whereat the deuill, a [...] he is wont, goes his wayes, and the stone was suddenly lifted, & lightned, as it had beene of wax only. After which, it seemed good vnto all, to dig somwhat deep, & they found out an Idoll of brasse, which after some houres casting by chāce into the kitchin, it seemed to send forth fire on all sides, as it would doubtlesse haue burned vp the roome. This sight, put the Conuent into a hurly-burly, all stri­uing to runne in with their buckets of water, and calling for help. At which noyse of theirs, the admirable Abbot arriuing, with one only cast of the eye, was presently aware of the illusion; and th [...] bowing the head prayes awhile, and bids the Monkes, to make the signe of the Crosse vpon their eyes: which done, the flames im­mediatly vanished, and so euery one vnderstood it to haue been on­ly a fantasticall flame, and not true fire.

Through these persecutions, and troubles, Lucifer did in fine ef­fect no more, then to affoard new occasions to S. Benet, to illustr [...] the name of Christ, and to purchase to himselfe credit continually more and more, as well with the faythfull, as Gentills; and that so much the more, as to this so rare a grace of miracles, was added an extraordinary Gift of Prophesy, as by the following examples, may cleerely be gathered.

A secular man, but exceeding pious withall, was wont euery yeare, to go from home, a good way off, to the Monastery; as w [...] to take the benediction of the holy Father, as also to visit a Brother of his, whome there he had in religion. And to the end the voyage might be the more meritorious, he would make it on foote, and re­mayne fasting, vntill his arriuall vnto the presence of S. B [...]. Now it hapened on a tyme, that another trauayler kept him cōpany on the way, who had brought along with him, good prouision of victuals; and after they had gone thus a pretty way togeather [Page 249] while it grew somwhat late, the trauayler inuited him very frien­dly to eate a bit with him, and to refresh themselues, as well as they might. God forbid, Brother, said he, since my custome is, for to ar­riue fasting vnto Father Abbot. With this answere as then, the inui­ter was quiet, but yet after a space agayne, he vrged him afresh, that now it was ful tyme of dynner. But the Man being resolued to keep abstinence, still denyed him againe a second tyme; so as the other was feigne to comply with him.

But not long after, behold a goodly meadow, with a limpid spring, presents it selfe to them, which opportunely inuited them to recreate themselues; when he that caryed the victuals, sayd: O what water! O what a pasture is this! O what a place to repose in awhile, and to take some repast, rest, and breath of our trauaile! The sunne by this tyme was growne very forward on its way, the mē ­bers weary, the sound of the Byrds very sweete to the Eares, the flowers and hearbs, as seeming to flatter the eyes; besides which many fayre pretences fayled not the sensuality, to excuse withall. What more? The deuout pilgrim at last was ouercome. But then at the euening, being come into the presence of the Man of God, & crauing his benediction, as he was wont, the Saint stucke not very dexterously to vpbrayd him, with what had passed with him on the way, saying. How goes the matter brother? The wicked enemy who spake to thee so, by the meanes of that Trauayler there on the way, neyther at the first, nor second tyme could moue thee away whit, till at last, at the third he brought thee to his bent. The poore man hearing this, and acknowledging his great vnconstancy, casts himselfe at his feere, full of teares, and confusion. A fayre reuelation surely: but yet is this that followes, no lesse prety, and admirable, then it.

The Gift of Prophecy, which S. Benet discouers by occasion of Totila, endea­uouring to abuse him by a tricke. And how he discouers, and chastizeth his Monkes, through the same Gift. Chap. 7.

TOtila the King of the Gotes, hauing heard of the wonders of S. Benet, and measuring others manners by his owne perfidi­ous mynd; determined with a subtile inuention to informe himselfe better of the truth thereof. Trauayling therefore to Mount Cassin, he stayd a little way off, & sent to certify the worthy Abbet, that he was [Page 250] now come to visit him: and being answered, he might come when he pleased, he caused a Fauourite of his, by name Rigone, to be deck­ed vp with his Princely robes, and commaunded him to be accom­panyed by his whole Court, and attended by three principall Ba­rons, vnto the presence of S. Benet, as if it had beene the person of Totila himselfe; and gaue good order besides, that no inckling of the fiction, might come to the conuent. Rigone trauayling with such Maiesty, and so great a pompe, was hardly arriued at the Cell, but the Saint, began a farre off to call vnto him, with a lowd voyce: Lay away, my sonne, put off those things thou wearest so, for they are none of thyne. At which words, the Barbarian, as strucken with thunder, fell suddenly downe to the ground, and feared worse, for his great presumption, in abusing and mocking so great a Man. At which terrour likewise, all fell humbly prostrate before him, & not daring to approach neerer, returned to the King, with pale counte­nances, and with faltering speech, related vnto him how sodainely the deceipt was discouered by the Man of God.

Then Totila himselfe, went thither in person, with so much submission, and reuerence withall, as that being come in the sight of S. Benet, who was sitting a farre off, he casts himselfe presently on the ground; and howbeyt the Man of God, some twice, or thrice, said to him, Get vp I pray; yet durst he not do it, vntill such tyme as S. Benet, with his owne hands, went and lifted him vp. And after this, in few words in priuate, he reprehended him shrewdly of his euill manners, and acquainted him besides, with what was like to succeed with him, saying: Thou dost much mischiefe, & many euil [...] thou hast hitherto wrought, but now refrayne frō thy iniquityes at last, & know thou shalt enter heereafter into Rome, thou shalt crosse the Seas, nine yeares thou shalt raigne, and dye on the tenth. With these newes, Totila being exceedingly terrifyed, most humbly cra­uing the intercession of the Seruant of Christ, departed thence: and from that tyme afterwards, began to be lesse cru [...]l and fierce. Not long after the same, he entred into Rome: from thence he sayled into Sicily, and being arriued vnto the tenth yeare of his raigne, through diuine Iustice, came to loose both life and kingdome at once.

The foresayd reuelations of the Saint, and other the like, which for breuity sake we let passe, haue happened with strangers only: While these others haue succeeded, partly for amendement, & part [...] for the consolation of his Monkes.

[Page 251] Two whereof, being once goneforth, about some worke of Charity, the businesse held them so long, as the poore Monkes were persuaded to eate in the house of a certayne deuout woman. Wher­upon returning late to the Monastery, and crauing the wonted be­nediction of the Venerable Father; he suddaynely demaunded, where they had dyned, and they answering confidently, in no place; he replyed, why tell you me a lye in this manner? For you did enter into the house of such a woman; and did you not eate of such and such meates? And haue not ech of you drunke so often? They be­ing conuinced with these circumstances, and with ech particular thereof, being full of confusion withall, cast themselues at his feet confessing the fault, and demaunding pardon at his hands. And the good Father shewed mercy to them, as knowing they would run no more into the like default.

There was not farre from the Monastery, a village inhabited by many, conuerted by S. Benet, among whome; were found some Women, consecrated to the diuine worship, and the sollicitous Pa­stour, being carefull to conserue that flocke, was wont often to send some one of his disciples thither, to make some spirituall exhorta­tions to them. One of which, hauing ended his discourse with them, was persuaded through the intreaty of those deuout Women, to ac­cept a small present of lynnen cloth, at their hands, and so he puts it vp in his bosome; but the Gift cost him full deare, because returning to the Monastery, he had of S. Benet a most bitter reprehension for it: for among other things, it was demaunded of him, how crept that iniquity into his breast? when as he halfe besides himselfe, had quite forgot his fault, nor could well tell, wherfore he was so ac­cused; when lo, the holy Abbot replyes: Belike then, I was present with thee, when thou receiuedst so that lynnen cloth of the Ser­uants of God, and didst put in thy bosome? With this, at last the Monke came to acknowledge his fault, and with a great deale of contrition, taking it forth of his Cassocke, threw it away to the ground.

S. Benet discouers a temptation of Pride in the hart of one of his Monks: with a briefe Relation of the life of S. Scholastica his Sister. Chap. 8.

ON a tyme, in the euening, the man of God taking some litle repast, a certayne Monke stood holding him a candle, who [Page 252] in the world had beene the Sonne of a certaine Protectour, which in those dayes was an Office of great dignity. Now while he way­ted in that manner vpon him, he was halfe vanquished with a grie­uous temptation of Pride, saying within himselfe: Who is this heere, that sitting at the Table, I should not only not sit besides him, but stand holding him the candle, and serue him as a Page? He had hardly giuen place in his soule to these suggestions, but that the Saint, with great vehemency of spirit, began to rouse him vp, saying; Make the signe of the Crosse on thy hart, Brother: what is that thou thinkst on? Make the signe of the Crosse I say: and sudenly calling in others, he made them to take the candle out of his hand, and willed him to sit downe at the table himselfe. He being afterwards demaunded of the Monks apart, what was that which he was thin­king of at that tyme, he ingenuously confessed, the assault of pride which he then had, and the formall words, he was then framing in himselfe. They all wondered the while, and were much astoni­shed thereat. Nor can it easily be expressed, what a spurre to per­fection were these kind of discoueryes, and fatherly admonitions of his, vnto them. And thus S. Benet of purpose, vsed some acerbi­ty with them, as knowing that medicines for the most, are the more holsome, as they haue more bitternes in them: whereupon the disciples of necessity must needs stand the more on their guard, & become more vigilant vpon their defects, in beholding the may­sters eyes still so vpon them, and alwayes intentiue, not onely to what they did, but euen likewise to what they thought.

But as the diuine Prelate, with such oracles as these, vsed to cause a great feare and sollicitude in his subiects: so with others in its turn he would deale as sweetly, and giue as much security and comfort. At such tyme then as Mount Cassin, and all the arable Land there­about was oppressed with a great and extraordinary dearth, that sa­cred Conuent also, what with the nourishments of those of the howse, as with the almes which were distributed to strangers, was brought to such straits, as there remayned no more, then fiue loa­ues of bread in the Monastery, & the Granary quite empty. Wheru­pon the Monkes, but litle acquainted with such manner of extre­mityes, were now so sad and constristate with it, as they could not choose but in words, & countenance, bewray their pusillanimity. The man of God then being aware therof, very modestly reprehē ­ded such diffidence in them; & after that afforded them great hopes [Page 253] notwithstāding, affirming that though they had but small prouisi­ [...]n for that day, yet should they haue the next day following a great [...]oundance. Nor fayled he in his promises, since on the very next day were found at the Gate 100. bushells of meale in sacks, without knowing euer by what way or meanes Almighty God had sent them thither: whereby, the Seruant of Christ, besides the help and consolation they felt therein, had likewise occasion to di­ [...]ate their harts, and to trust in the diuine Goodnesse, and in their greater scarcity not to doubt of reliefe any more.

The newes also of the happy passage of S. Scholastica out of this [...]yfe, gaue them extraordinary contentment. This same was the na­ [...]ural Sister of S. Benet, & wholy dedicated to the diuine seruice from [...] child. Who being of riper age was wont euery yeare to visit her Brother, and to receiue spirituall instructions from him, who in cō ­ [...]any of some disciples of his, would go forth to meete with her som­ [...]ymes, at a certayne Grange of the Conuent. Now in their last vi­ [...]it, there happened a thing of great astonishment; which was this, [...]hat they hauing passed ouer a whole day togeather in sweet and deuout discourses, and then after, in the euening, hauing giuen [...]ome refection to their body, S. Benet being about to take his leaue of [...]er to returne to his Cell agayne; the holy Virgin, being then more taken with his sweet conceypts, and discourses then euer; be­gan to intreate him, with the greatest instance that might be, he would please to stay with her, and there passe away that night in such discourses, and particularly in treating of the future life, and of the glory of Paradise. At which request, S. Benet being angry, as it were, seuerely answered: What say you Sister? And know you not, that by no meanes, it is lawfull for me to lye out of the Mo­nastery? And thereupon being ready to arise, and go his wayes, Scholastica obtayning yet some delay, and grasping her hands vpon the table, put her head thereon, & powring forth a floud of teares, made secretly her prayer to God. A strange thing! the Heauens be­fore being so cleere, as no cloud appeared in the skies, on the sud­den, in the lifting vp of her head, there followed such thunder, & hideous noyse thereupon in the ayre, & such a floud of rayne with­all, as it was impossible for S. Benet, and his companions, to put forth of doores that night.

Then the venerable Abbot, perceiuing himselfe to be thus layd vp as it were, being ful of sorrow for it: God forgiue thee Sister (said [Page 254] he) what hast thou done? When she answered; I intreated you, Syr, and you would not heare me, and I prayed to my God, and he hath vouchsafed to heare me: now then go forth if you can, and leauing me, returne to your Cell. In the meane while, the storme s [...] increased, as the holy old man was enforced to remayne there, a­gainst his will, for to satisfy the desire of the thirsty virgin to hea [...] the word of God. The morning being come, she vrged no more, but taking her leaue of S. Benet, he returned to the Conuent, & aft [...] three dayes, remayning in a closet of his chamber, and lifting vp [...] eyes, beholds the blessed spirit of his said Sister, to go forth of her body, in forme of a doue, & thence to fly vnto heauen. For which, he first gaue due thankes to God, with psalmes, and hymnes, and thē like wise acquainted the Monks therwith, to their extreme ioy, & so sent them without delay to fetch the sacred corps, & to carry i [...] into the Church, where he caused it to be layd in the Sepulcher, which already he had prepared for himselfe, to the end that as their mynds had beene alwayes vnited in life; so their spoyles after death might not seeme to be seuered and disioyned. This same was surely a notable vision, and full both of iubily and wonder. But yet w [...] that other, more straunge and admirable, which he had in the Mo­nastery of the Abbot Seruandus, not farre from Mount Cassin.

A Notable vision of S. Benet, together with Seruandus Abbot: with di [...] other admirable things. Chap. 9.

SEruandus was a person of a great spirit, and very learned withal, and as he often visited S. Benet, to conferre with him about mat­ters of the diuine seruice; so S. Benet mutually, from tyme to tyme, would repayre to him: & one day among others, after they had tal­ked a prety while together of God, thirsting after the heauenly coū ­trey, whither as yet they could not arriue; the houre of rest being come, S. Benet retires himselfe vnto the vpper Chambers in a tower where he then lodged, and Seruandus rested in another beneath; & right ouer against the said tower the Monkes lodged in a great howse. Now S. Benet arising by night, according to his manner, some while before the others to contemplate, and treate with God, standing at the window, and looking vp to Heauen-wards, espyes a sudden light to illuminate the ayre, with so great a splendour, [...] it farre surpassed the brightnes of the day it selfe. In which specula­tion [Page 255] of his, happened an incredible thing, if the Saint himsellfe had [...]ot reported the same, which was this: That the whole world was [...]epresented to his sight, as gathered together through, diuine power, [...]der a beame, as it were of the Sunne, And while he fixeth his eyes [...] the purest light; he sees also, by an inexplicable way, the soule [...]f the blessed Germanus Bishop of Capua, to be conueyed to Hea­ [...]en, by the Angels, in a Globe of fire.

Then S. Benet, that he might haue some companion of so glo­ [...]ous, and adnirable a spectacle, with a voyce, as lowd as he could [...]alled the Abbot Seruandus to him, some twice or thrice: who being waked, and troubled with the noyse, made extraordinary hast to [...]et vp to him; but yet came but to a peece only of that great light. Howsoeuer, he was much astonished thereat, & so much the more [...]hen he vnderstood, what first his holy Ghest had seen. And how­ [...]eyt, the matter was such, as there could be no doubt made of any [...]se imagination therein, yet for the greater euidence, it seemed not [...]isse to send that night, a graue and pious Monke, by name The­ [...]dosius, vnto the Citty of Capua it selfe, to vnderstand what was be­ [...]ome of the holy Bishop. And in effect it was found, that he was [...]ead indeed; and informing himselfe more punctually of the matter [...]e was certifyed, his passage was iust at that houre, or rather in [...]at very moment, wherein the man of God, had seene him to as­ [...]end to eternall glory.

The blessed Gregory the Great, relates other visions, and pro­ [...]hesyes of him; which to declare at length, would seeme a super­ [...]uous thing, and farre from our purpose: and much longer would [...] be, to vnfold one by one, all the other merueylous works, which [...] diuers subiects are recounted of him. While once he lamented & [...]oretold a long tyme before, the destruction of Mount Cassin, which [...]llowed through the incursion of the Lombards, and agayne of the [...]ine of Rome, not by the hand of the armed Barbarians, but through Earthquakes, winds, thunders, & horrible tempests from Heauen; [...] appeared to some Monks in sleepe, who were sent to Terracina, [...]o set vp a Conuent there, and gaue them the whole modell, and [...]rder of the building. He threatned excommunication to two Re­ [...]igious women of a naughty and slaunderous tongue, if they amen­ [...]ed not the same, and after the menace giuen, without more adoe [...]e effect followed, since dying in that vice, and buryed in the Church, they were seene to go forth, as often as Masse was celebra­ted [Page 256] there: nor euer found any rest vntill such tyme, as the Man of God, with his owne hand, had giuen an host to the Priest to of­fer for them.

A certayne yong Monke, going forth of the Monastery, witho [...] leaue, to see his Father and Mother, was suddenly at his arriuall thither fallen dead in the house; and there was no meanes to keep the body in the Sepulcher, vntill such tyme, as S. Benet, had cau­sed a consecrated host, to be put on his breast; when the earth be­ing so pacifyed, as it were, with the same, reteyned him still still, With another Monke being fickle and vnconstant, and who with great importunity had obtayned leaue to go forth of Religion, [...]e so wrought with his prayers, as that going forth of the Monastery, he was assayled by a dragon with open mouth; with which ter­rour he calling for help, had the grace to returne into his Cell agay­ne, where gathering his wits togeather, he persisted allwayes af­ter very found in his Vocation.

A child being couered all ouer with leprosy, insomuch as the hayre fell off his head, and his skinne all swolne and puffed vp, be­ing brought into the presence of the Saint, was suddenly cured. Through prayer he got likewise a good summe of money for a ma [...] that was shrewedly vexed by his Creditour; and that inough, not only to satisfy and defray the debt, but euen also to liue, and ma [...] ­tayne himselfe withall afterwad.

In the tyme of the dearth aforesayd, he ordayned that a litle oyle which remayned in the Dispense, should bee giuen to Agapitus, [...] subdeacon, who had demaunded some of him: and knowing the Dispensier had not executed his order, he comaunded the vessell which was of glasse, should be throwne out of the window, which was done; and howbeyt the place beneath was all very rugged, and full of the sharpest stones, yet remayned the vessell as entire, as it had fallen vpon soft feathers. When causing it to be presently giuen to Agapitus, he puts himselfe with the Monks in to prayer ouer another vessell which was empty, & couered; and it was not long ere it was full of oyle, insomuch as it heaued vp the couer withal, & tan ouer on the ground. Heere with the Saint made an end of his prayer, and the flowing liquor ceased. Whereby the disobedience, & infidelity of that Monke, became iustly reprehended.

Another old Monke, in whome the deuill was entred, and whome he cruelly tormented; a secular man being poysoned by his [Page 257] enemy; a Country swayn, being miserably beaten, and tyed with cords by a Souldiour of Totila, were all quite deliuered. The first, with a light stroke; the second with a simple touch, the third only with a glaunce of S. Benets eye.

Another country man, with much fayth, and a great deale of teares, laying his dead child at the gates of the Monastery, had him agayne restored by the Saint aliue and lusty. The like effects aboue nature wrought, through diuine power, by meanes of S. Benet, are worthily celebrated by Writers. But I for my part, do make a farre greater reckoning of the burning zeale, which he had of the glory of God, and of the eternall saluation of Men, then of all these: in reguard that the vertue of miracles, and other such like gifts of Hea­uen, are seene also sometymes to be found in the reprobate; while Charity is it that makes vs gratefull, and acceptacle to the diuine Maiesty.

S. Benet hauing founded many Conuents, and giuen a Rule to his Monk [...], knowing the tyme of his death before hand, made a most blessed End. Chap. 10.

SAint Benet, as we haue said aboue, was no sooner taken out of the caue, through diuine prouidence (where for three yeares con­tinually together, so exposed to the iniuryes of the ayre, incom­modityes of the body, and temptations of the enemy, he had exer­cised a very sharp and strict penance) but that with all his power he attended to the reducing of mortals, according to the capacity of ech one, partly to the precepts, and partly to the counsayles of Christ. Nor being content with the founding of many howses of Monks well ordered in the same Country, he went in person, with a few souldiours of his, to assayle the Idolatry of Mount Cassin, and to chase away the deuill from those old lodgings & ancient holds of his. Nor there only by himselfe, and others, did he fortify & esta­blish whatsoeuer he had gayned to God: but likewise sent very choyce Captaynes into diuers and remote prouinces, to promote & conserue the Catholique Faith. Moreouer, though he left good or­ders & rules of life to the Conuents there which from tyme to tyme he had founded: yet neuerthelesse he wrote afterwards of purpose rules full of wisedome and equity for the whole vniuersal Religiō, which being published to the world, were, and are continually of [...]

Ghiesa Prince of Hungary, endeauouring the conuersion of that Country, sees a comfortable vision to that purpose; and enter­taynes S. Adalbert comming thither to that end. Chap. 1.

OF all all the barbarous nations, which at diuers tymes, haue through diuine iustice, concurred to the ruine of the Roman greatnes, were (as it is well knowne) the Huns: who hauing left the in most parts of Scythia, or Tartary rather; haue more then once, gone forth, and finally entred into Pannonia, and thence driuing out the Lom­bards (for what occasion, it is not certaynly knowne) haue been called by the new name of Hungars. From which tyme, with a na­tiue fiercenes and rapacity, they haue not ceased, to molest the Church of God; being giuen wholy to the impure worship of I­dols, and rather guiding themselues, with vnbridled wills, then with lawes or decrees, vnder the heads which sucessiuely they made choyce of. Of these heads, Gheisa was the fourth, who though cruel and seuere by nature; yet neuer the lesse, eyther by instinct of rea­son, or through the noyse which ran euery where of Christian Re­ligion, [Page 261] becomming more temperate, & [...] ou [...] to haue a distinctes knowledge of the same Religion; prooured of purpose to make peace with all the neighbour Prouinces about him, and with pu­blique Proclamation, gaue not onely, secu [...]e passage to as many Christians, as would enter into Hungary, but ordeyned further that they might all euery where be cheerfully receyued, and benignely intreated: & particularly extending humanity towards the Clerks. and Religious, he began to admit them into his sight without dif­ficulty, & with attention to listen to what they seemed to propose. In so much as what with the example of their life, and the effica­cy of the diuine word, and the power of the heauenly rayes, and the excellent disposition of Gheisa himselfe; came the holesome seed of the ghospell, by litle and litle to take roote, and to bud in his breast. And in short tyme, the matter went so faire, as that he, not only with a good part of hi [...] familiars, tooke the water of holy Ba­ptisme, but likewise made a full purpose, to bring as many as were vnder his gouernment, to the same fayth.

To which effect, according to the instructions of the feruants of God; he designed missions of preachers, building of Churches, foundations of Parishes and Bishoprickes: when on a night, there appeared to him sleep, a yong man of more then human beauty who sayd to him: God saue thee, O elect of Christ; Leaue of these plots of thine, for they are not to be perfected by thee, who hast thy hands too much embrued in bloud; but thou shalt haue a Son, who through the diuine will, shall put the things in execution which now thou proiectst in mynd; and he shall be a King, and be of the number of those, whome God hath predestinated, first to a temporall crowne, and then likewise to an eternall. In the meane while, shall come to thee a perfonage, with spirituall embassies. See thou receiue him honourably, and haue him in much veneration, and giue thou full credit, and perfect obedience to his aduises, and exhortations.

Gheisa, being astonished at this vision, and considering the same with himselfe, made his Domestiques acquainted therewith, and being humbly prostrate, with infinite thankes, and abondan­ce of teares, recommended himselfe and his states, togeather with the sonne he was to haue, to the care and protection of him, that neuer sleeps, nor shuts his eyes. After which, remayning in much suspense of mynd, about the aforesayd Embassadour; behold the [Page 262] newes, that S. Adalbert, Bishop as then of Prage (which came after­wards to be the Metropolis of Bohemia) was coming to him, to proc [...] the conuersion, & saluation of soules. This newes was of great con­solation to those Neophites; when without delay, the Prince, with all the Court, went to meete with the Man of God, and receyuing him with al honour, shewed himselfe most prompt and ready to an entire and fillall obedience.

This Prelate, was of great fame, & of the illustrious bloud of Bohe­mia, & of science no lesse then zeale, & as one who hauing twice in person, visited the Mother of all Churches, and humbly adored the Bishop of Rome, had among other emprouements from thence suckt sorth the pure milke of Apostolicall doctrine, and further obteyned a most ample leaue, in case his Bohemians should obstinately resist the Ghospell, to passe into any country of the Infidels, to announce the kingdome of Heauen. It cannot be then explicated, while he saw through the goodnes of God, so great a gate set open to him, vnto the Hungars, with how much feruour, and with what industry, he suddenly applyed himselfe to all the ordinary meanes, requisite to the eternall saluation of his Neighbours; the secular Power for in part, concurring likewise to the same, as hath beene sayd; the which euery one sees, of what moment it is, for the happy progresse of the Ecclesiasticall.

S. Stephen appeares in sleepe to Saroltha the Princesse, deliuered afterwards of a Sonne, by name Stephen; to whome his Father in his life ty [...] surrenders his Kingdome. Chap. 2.

IN those dayes, Saroltha the wife of Geisa, being now somewhat neere to her childbirth, for the greater confirmation of the hea­uenly promises; there appeared to her in sleepe, euen he, who had the glory to be the first that shed his bloud for Iesus Christ, in the habit of a Leuit, & called to her with a sweet countenance, saying: Be of good cheere, Saroltha, and know for certaine, thou shalt haue a Sonne, who shall bring into thy howse, the title and crowne of a King, and as soone as he is borne, see thou impose my name vpon him at the sacred Font. At these words, full of wonder and conso­lation, the Woman demaunds of the Saint, who he was, and how he was called? whereto hauing answered, that he was S. Step [...] the Protomartyr, without any more, he vanished away. This happe­ned [Page 263] about the yeare of our Lord 969. in the Citty of Strigonium, where within a few dayes after, the child was very happily borne: & being baptized, with due rites in the lauer of water, by the hands of S. Adalbert, according to the precept of the vision & Crowne that attē ­ded him, had the glorious name of Stephen imposed on him.

There liued as then, in those parts, an Italian Knight, thurst out of his Coūtrey by Ciuil warres, by name Theodatus San-seuerinus, who by nobility of bloud, and much more, through his valour, & dexterity, was risen to a high degree, both of reputation, & fauour with Geisa. This was a wise, & discreet Baron, and the Princes God­father at his entrance into the Christian warfare, and then after, his Mayster and Tutour in behauiour: and therefore after the Italian manner, with a childish simplicity holding him to be his Father, he would salute him by the name of Tara; & Theodatus in memory of so pleasant a word, founded a towne & Monastery of Religious men hard by Danubius, which being afterwards increased by the great Matthias Coruinus, with stately buildings, gardens, lakes, & fishpōds, euen to this present day, is called still by the name of Tara.

And as the pious child, was very diligently brought vp by San­ [...]euerinus in princely manners; so in the elements of the Christiā faith and in those vertues, which are most gratefull to the eyes of God, he was instructed, with great care by S. Adalbert, in such sort, as that hardly was he weaned frō the beast, but he brought forth the name of Iesus before that of bread; and in his childhood, together with the Grāmar, he became very expert in the Catechisme; and being now entred into his adolescency, with his acts, gaue not only a noble example of Christian piery, but euen also in publique meetings, he would euer speake with merueilous efficacy, of the deformity of vice, of the beauty of vertue, of the feare of God, of humility, of charity, and of all iustice: seeking by all meanes possible, to mollify the natiue fiercenes of the Hungars, and to reduce them, through di­ [...]ine assistance, vnto a feeling of humanity; and to the vse of right reason. And was so enflamed with the loue of equity, and amend­ment of the people, that as occasions happened, he would not stick [...]o accuse, and sometymes also to reprehend, in conuenient manner his very Father himselfe, yea and to supply now and then at his re­quest, with the singular approbation of al, the principall cares, in gi­ [...]ing audience, dispatching of publique and priuate businesses, in [...]dmitting of the Embassadours of Princes, & giuing them answers, [Page 264] with all satisfaction, that might be.

So that Geisa, being now weary with trauailes, and worne out with yeares, acknowledging, with his infinit contentment, very able & sufficient qualityes in the yong man, for an ample gouerne­mēt, wished nothing more, then to discharge himself of the weight and to lay the burden on his shoulders, and forth with to behold him with his eyes, inuested in the throne, which he well deserued. And to that end hauing called a generall diet, he had no great diffi­culty, to perswade the States, to dispose themselues to honour his sonne before hand, by substituting him in his place, being now al­ready spent, and wholy vnable, admitting him to be their lawfull Prince and Lord, and affording him all prompt subiection, and as­sured oath of fidelity. At so earnest exhortations, and iust request of Geisa, the mind of the multitude, remayned so enflamed, as that without delay, in the eyes of the old man (which euen for joy were powring forth teares) Stephen was with great applause, pro­claymed not Duke, or Vayuod, but lawfull King & on the shoulders of the great men, lifted vp to the highest throne, and thence con­ueighed, with the same applause, to the Souldiours tents.

Heere had he likewise, the title of King afforded him, with the greatest veneration, and consent of all, that possible might be. For which benefit, Geisa shewing himself to be no whit vngratful, with ample donaryes, with taking away the old aggreeuances, with seat­tering of mony to the people, and words of much courtesy, conti­nually obliged to him, & his sonne more & more the harts of men, and (that which more imports) was not behind to acknowledge the diuine goodnes, with solemne sacrifice, & extraordinary yiel­ding of thankes. Through which, in the space of a few dayes being oppressed with age, & with a great Catarh, he dyed in the yeare of our Lord 997. and the new King, as he had alwayes borne due re­uerence in life to so worthy & well deseruing a Father, so ceased he not to performe the same, after his death, with deuout prayers, and most sumptuous exequyes.

King Stephen makes peace with his Neighbours, and seeks to pacify all at home, but is resisted by one Cupa a Rebell, whome he labours to suppresse. Chap. 3.

IN the meane tyme, Saint Stephen applying himselfe with more liberty, and exacter diligence to the gouerment, the first thing he sought for, was to haue the glory of God for his finall end, in all his actions, esteeming him euer to be no lesse a Censour and seuere Iudge, then a benigne Father, and bountifull rewarder. And that by so much the more, as he vnderstood of what importance, the Ex­ample of a Prince was, as well to the good direction, as the ill go­uerment, and totall ruyne of his people. And not to be at the same tyme distracted with internall and external cares and molestations, and with the thoughts both of peace & warre at once, he earnestly laboured in the reestablishing of friendship, and the Capitulations already concluded by his Father with his neighbours, as well by Embassies, as letters, cutting off by this meanes likewise all hope of forraine succours to any male-content with the present State, or who should othe [...]ise be any wayes desirous of nouelty. And for­asmuch, as he well vnderstood, how the nerues, and sinewes of em­pire and rule do principally consist in iustice, as well towards God as to mortalls, he trusting but litle in his owne knowledge, would ordinarily recurre partly to the documēts of diuine scriptures, wher­in day and night, he made himselfe very conuersant, and partly to the counsayle of prudent and learned men, & such as feared God, but especially of S. Adalbert; who now perceiuing, through diuine clemency, and the valour of S. Stephen, how well matters had pro­ceeded in Hungary, determined to passe ouer into other countryes more remote, and which seemed to stand in more need of the light.

Taking then his leaue of the King, though giuen with a very ill will; he went his wayes with two choyce companions, and no more, towards Prussia, where till that tyme had arriued no know­ledge of the Ghospell. Heere while he trauayles, to deliuer the Pa­gans from the seruitude of the diuell, & from their ancient warlique exercises, fierce customes of Barriers, Tourneaments, and the like, vnto the knowledge of the true God, and loue of Christian mee­kenes; being taken by that wicked nation, and tyed to a stake on the top of a high and steepy hill, & so transfixed with seauen laun­ces, [Page 266] was added to the merit of his preaching, the palme of a glori­ous martyrdome. In this interim, S. Stephen ceased not also to how downe the woods, and to cultiuate the deserts of that Gentility; being resolued, eyther to reduce all his subiects, vnto the know­ledge of the Creatour, or in the enterprize, to part with his King­dome, and life at once.

And for that a good part of that people being brought to be Christians, rather to please the Prince, and for terren ends and de­signes of theirs, then through any deliberate consent, & stable will; and many others, by no meanes would seeme to admit of such mā ­ner of doctrine, S. Stephen was enforced against his will, to vse now & then, somewhat bitter, and biting remedyes, wherby he came to exasperate some Nobles in such sort, as that shaking off the yo [...]e of subiection, partly despising the simplicity, and partly hating the se­uerity of the Euangelicall discipline, they rose vp in armes agaynst him, and in the lower Hungary began to wast, rob, and destroy the deuout places, and persons there, and such as were found to be most obedient to the name of Christ, and of S. Stephen.

The Baron of Singia, by name Cupa, was the head and Captay­ne of the Seditious; a man of exceeding power, and greatly fol­lowed of many, who a good while since, hauing by indirect waies, aspired to the Kingdome, now taking occasion from these no­ueltyes, went raysing vp the people in such sort, as that what with large promises, what with subtile calumnyes agaynst the persons of S. Stephen, and Gheisa the Father, and with horrible blasphemies agaynst the Religion brought in of new, as enemy to the Gods, and of their auncient ceremonies and institutes, as also of the glory of the Hungarian name, so alwayes mayntayned and augmented, not by the way of bookes, or of slouthlull ease, but with hardy enter­prises, and expeditions of armes, being not content with harrying the Champ̄enys, boroughs, and villages; with in a few dayes he lifts vp his thorns, to the assaulting euen of the walled townes, nor doubts he awhit to the greater despite, and contempt of the holy King, to besiege the towne of Vesprinio it selfe, being a Citty very especially beloued, and fauoured of him. Who at the first tydings of the rebellion, hauing tryed with all possible meanes, to tem­per the mynd of Cupa, to winne the people, and to quiet the tu­mults, at last after many, and earnest intreatyes, gathering a full and competent army, vnder the ensig [...]es of S. Martin, the glory of [Page 267] the Hungars, and of S. George that renowned Martyr, and marching along towards his Enemy, he entrenches himselfe in Cupa his sight, along the riuer of Gara.

Saint Stephen makes Vencellinus his Lieutenant Generall, and giues battell to Cupa, who is stayne. And the Rebells being defeated, the King ordaynes Bishoprickes, Parishes, and Monasteryes. Chap. 4.

SAint Stephen, among other personages of quality, had three no­ble Alman Lords with him, very zealous Christians, and excee­ding expert in feates of Armes, who from the first newes of the pi­ous inclination of Ghiesa, had volunta [...]ily put themselues into his seruice, to help and promote the holy Ghospell, to their vtmost po­wer. One of these, by name Vencellinus, was by S. Stephen declared Lieutenant Generall of his forces; & between the other two Hun [...]e and Pasna, was the Cauallery, or horse deuided; while the charge of the Fantery, or foote, were distributed to excellent Collonells and Captaynes: and as soone as the Souldiours had taken a little breath, and repose, S. Stephen was not slacke, with great courage, and good order, to offer battayle to the perfidious Enemy. Nor was Cupa himselfe awhit behind to go forth to meete him, with great vehemency, and with equall hope of victory. The encoun­ter endured many houres, not without a great slaughter betweene them, & still with vncertayne and doubtfull euent: the King him­selfe went heer and there very manfully vp and downe the troups, encouraging the doubtfull, inciting the valiant, hartening the co­wards, and very readily sending still succour where greater neces­sity appeared; and aboue all, neuer ceased he to inuoke the diuine a [...]nce, in a cause [...] iust: and his prayers were not cast into the winds, because, that Vencellinus, who had the right wing in charge, perceiuing himselfe to be secretly renforced, as it were, with new breath; after he had [...]ought a good while, with his eye vpon the disloyall Capa, finally knew him, and went suddenly to meete him, & while they both were buckling together, hand to hand, the King perceyuing the encounter, with a good number of choyce horse made [...]ast to succour him, whē approching neerer, he sees Vencellinus hauing now vnho [...]sed his enemy, to be cutting of his head with his owne hands; the which to the great ioy of the Christians, was put on the point of a speare, and being carryed heer and there, did giue [Page 268] great terrour to the Rebels, for without more adoe, they fell into route, and direct flight: while our men pursued them with hoat e­xecutions, and with the same violence entring into the enemies trenches, neuer gaue ouer from cutting in peeces, as many as they found therein, vntill S. Stephen, who grieued at the effusion of so much bloud, caused the retrayt to be founded.

The Captiues as guilty of high treason, escaped not without cō ­uenient punishmēt: one quarter of Capas body, in terrour of the rest, was affixed on the gate of Vesprinio; another of Strigonium; the third at Gauerino; and the fourth, at Alba Iulia, the principall Citty of Transiluania. And if S. Stephē in chastizing had vsed iustice, he shewed it no lesse, in largely rewarding his Captaynes, and souldiours, according to the dignity and deportement of ech one: but his prin­cipall study was, amidst such prosperous euents, to shun vayne­glory, and to shew forth that piety and gratitude, which he owed to the Authour of all good, and the Court of Heauen. And to that end, deuout processions being made, with solemne masses, he be­gan from the very foundations a magnificent Temple to S. Martyn his Protectour, in a scite, which is called the holy Hill; where is sayd, the great Seruant of God, was wont to remayne in contem­plation, for the litle tyme he abode in that Country: and besides the applying of the third part of the spoyles to the fabricque, he assi­gned for all the Priests that should inhabite there, the whole Ti­thes of corne, wine, & of cattell; and moreouer of the children themselues of the inhabitants of the Citty and territory of Simigia. And the rest of the goods which he might well haue put into the Fiscall, he deputed part to the maintenance of the poore, & part to the increase of the diuine worship. And being inflamed with new feruour of charity, he neuer left crauing of the Highest, at all houres, & somtymes in sackcloth & ashes, the grace to see before his death, all Hungary conuerted vnto the fayth, as forseing for certayne, that being so, it should come to be (as it fell out afterwards) a perpetu­all, and strong bul warke for the Church of Christ, agaynst the vio­lence of the Barbarians.

Many difficultyes seemed to crosse this pious desire of his, but none greater, then the want of sufficient Cathechists, & Preachers; while the number of them who had come to those parts, in the tyme of Geisa, through diuers accidents, was much diminished. Whereupon in imitation of his Father, with ample patents, and ve­ry [Page 269] liberall offers, he sent to al the religious Orders of Christendom, to inuite the good, and learned vnto him: In somuch, as many Monkes, and Priests repayred thither, partly moued at so honest a request, and partly also of their proper will. Among which, was one Astricus a Benedictin Abbot, called Anastasius by another name, with some disciples of his, who in the lower Hungary, receyued some wounds for Christ. From Polony, resorted two famous Her­mits, Andrew and Benet; whereof the one was famous for miracles, the other honoured with sacred martyrdome. By meanes of these, & others, who came to that worke; the King attended to instruct the Gentils in the principles, and manners truly Christian; alluring them with sweetnes of words and workes, and likewise when need required, constrayning thē by mayne force, to forsake the impious worship of the Idols. Nor euer ceased he from the worke vntill such tyme, as he had purged all those lands of their profane rites, and ab­hominable filth of the Diuells. And to the end, that all might pro­ceed with due forme, and that the fruit of these labours, might be durable, he takes in hand, with mature consideration, & with the counsayle of the wise, to ordayne in fit places, with sufficient rents, Parochiall, and Collegiate Churches, & diuers Conuents of Mon­kes; and diuided the Kingdome it selfe into ten Bishoprickes, de­claring the Citty of Strigonium the Mother of them all, & choosing Prelates of honourable fame for ech one, and such as were apt, with the word to feed the flocke, and to lead them with good workes.

King Stephen sends to Rome an Embassadour, to submit himselfe, and his Kingdome to the Sea Apostolique: & marryes with Gis [...]a, of the house of Bauary. Chap. 5.

THe rumour and applause of these so heroicall actions of S. Ste­phen, immediately ran through all Europe; and there was none who vnderstood the noble proceedings, and spirituall conquests of the new King, that deemed him not worthy of eternall prayse, and royall Maiesty. Yet he alone could not satisfy himselfe, nor euer repute that Hierarchy Canonicall, or the Title acceptable to God vnles the free assent, and full confirmation of the Pope were added thereunto, who in those dayes was Benedictus VIII. Some foure yeares then, after the death of Geisa, the Rebels for the most being suppressed, the publique affayres put in good order, and the faith [Page 270] dilated now as farre as Danubius, he sent Embassadour to the Citty of Rome, with a goodly and decent pompe the aforesaid Anastasius, by him named already Bishop of Co [...]otz: who after kissing of the feet, and tender of obedience, and a full relation of what had happened in Hungary in these latter yeares, was humbly to beseech his Holy [...] for three things. First, that he would daigne to blesse, and admit that new Christianity into the my sticall body of the faythfull. The second, to ratify, with his supreme power, what S. Stephen had al ready disposed, about the Bishopriques, & Metropolis. The third, to approue, and declare valid the name of King, wherewith he had beene voluntarily honoured by his subiects; to the end, that the iudgment of the vicar of Christ concurring thereunto, he might, with so much the greater authority, seeme to promote the diuine seruice; whereto only had all his industryes, thoughts, and designes their whole scope.

The Pope at so noble an Embassage, and ioyfull tydings, felt extraordinary consolation in himselfe, nor euer ceased frō praysing God for the happy increase of the Catholique Church, especially there hauing beene that yeare likewise, Polony vnited thereto, vnder the Duke Mischa, and thither come from thence in like manner an Embassage, to acknowledge the chiefe Sea, and to yeild due obedi­ence to his Holynes: wherefore very freely with the generall consent of the sacred Colledge, it pleased his Holynesse to giue full satisfactiō to the petitions of S. Stephen, & to accept the Hungars into the flock of Christ. And for royall Ensignes (being a thing that seemed most iust to all) he made him a gift of a Crowne of gold, of great price, and of excellent workmanship: and more ouer sent him a Crosse, to be caryed before him in publique, in signe of the Apostleship, and a­dorning the presents, with these very words: I am, said he, an A­postolique man, but he may worthily be called the Apostle of God, since through his meanes, Christ hath gayned so great a multitude: and therefore, do we remit also to this good King, the care of redu­cing those Churches to better for me, with Parishes and Diocesses.

In this manner, Anastasius with a happy expedition, hauing now obtayned what he would, returned agayne very glad into Hungary. In whose approch to Strigonium he was met by S. Stephen forth of the territory there, with a great multitude of the Clergy, & Nobility. Then were the Apostolicall Briefs read, and the Crowne and Crosse presented; which things S. Stephen receiued, not only [Page 271] with extreme ioy, but also with much veneration, kneeling him­selfe, among other things, in publique, at ech mention which was made of the holy Father, to excite, with his example his subiects to a great esteeme and reuerence due to the Roman Sea. Then being anoynted, consecrated, and crowned, with solemne ceremonyes & triumphes, by the Arch-Bishop, he attended with more seriousnes thē euer, to take away the impediments quite from the course of the Ghospell, maynteyning the external peace with a good neighbour­hood, and louing offices, and the internall, with Edicts, & Lawes full of iustice, and equity.

And forasmuch, as to conserue the state, and life of the Prince, and to restrayne the pride and animosity of the more stubborne sub­iects, it is of no light regard besides the good intelligence of neigh­bour, Potentats, to haue like wise some number of Children, he de­termined, with the iudgement of his more trusty and wise Coun­saylours, not to differre his mariage any longer, especially there of­fering it self, the most noble cōdition of Gisla, of the illustrious bloud Bauary and Sister of Henry the second being he that comming into Italy and crowned by the Pope, to his immortal prayse had cha­sed away the Saracens, and their fauourits from Gapua; and those neighbour countryes. The Spquse then, was decently conducted to the Husband and as that Sacrament was celebrated with all the cir­cumstances, and respects due vnto Christian Princes so is it no wō ­der, the match succeeded to be one of the most blessed, which for ma­ny yeares haue flourished since in the world. Into that royall house neuer entered any vayne pompes, no importune iealousyes, no false suspitions, nor bitter contentions; while the happy couple stri­ued not between themselues but in charity vn [...]aigned, & in the con­tinuall study of the diuine glory. For which end hauing obteyned (as we haue said) confirmation from Rome, of the Strigonian Ma­tropolis, and of the Seas subordinat thereunto to eschew all occasion of strifes, he cleerly determined and lymited the confines of ech; & the same did he also, to diuerse Abbacyes, founded by him.

Saint Stephen and his Queene build many Monasteryes. His piety [...] to all; and the marueilous eleuation of his in prayer. Chap. 6.

IT cannot easily be expressed what sollicitude, and magnificēce Saint Stephen alwayes shewed in sacred buildings. He built a mar­ueilous [Page 272] goodly Temple in Alba-regalis, to the most Blessed Virgin (to whome he was singularly deuoted, and so would he likewise haue all those vnder him, and to keep the vigils of all her Feasts, and especially of the Assumption) prouiding it with most ample priuiled­ges, of large rents, and sumptuous furnitures, of vessels both of siluer, and gold, beset with iewels, and so finely wrought, as the metall though of exceeding price, was the least part of the valew therof. In the ancient Buda, called Sicambria of old, he erected a most noble Temple to the glorious Apostles S. Peter & S. Paul, hauing for that end, with great rewards, caused certaine Architects to come from Greece, and as many artificers, as he could procure to come thi­ther. And to the end, the Hungars might conuerse more freely in Rome, and continue alwayes firme in deuotion to the chief Bishop; he dedicated that gallant Temple of Mont Celius there, to S. Stephen the Protomartyr, without sparing any cost, which for the figure is com­monly called the Rotundo, and there richly founded withal a Col­ledge of twelue Priests: and built in the Vatican, & sufficiently pro­uided an Inne, for a welcome receptacle of those of his nation, who should go to visit the Princes of the Apostles. And extending his libe­rality also into Thraci [...], and Soria, he erected in Constantinople, a holy place very statly and goodly to behold; and a conuent of Religious in Hierusalem, that ech day at the holy Sepulcher, sacrifices might be offered for the publique good.

These, and other very pious places, are recounted to be built by that holy King. And the Queene Gi [...]a also, besides the participation she had with his merits, in applauding her husband in all things, & concurring therto as much as she might, would needs build like­wise at her proper assignements, and adorn at all points, the Church of Vesprinio, and there maynteyne at her owne costs, a good number of Priests to say diuine seruice. And if such were the greatnes of mind of these two happy Princes, and continuall profusion of expē ­ces, in materiall wals, and other dumbe works; euery one may easily ghesse, how much their benignity was, and how great their tender­nes to men, created for the heauenly country, and oppressed and afflicted in this banishment of theirs, through various necessityes & miseryes. It is reported of S. Stephen, that there neuer came any pil­grime to him, whome he lodged not, and after dismissed with a viatique. He had an extraordinary care of the sicke, he would send them, besides dayly relief, now and then some louing present or o­ther, [Page 273] and immediately cured some of those, whome he but com­maunded to arise in the name of God. By night, with a pleasing, and cheerfull countenance, he would put himselfe, to wash the feet of most abiect people, and then at last bestow mony vpon them. He would further in the night go alone vnknowne, to visit the Hospitalls of the poore with his full purse.

And it happened on a tyme, that some of them, eyther through greedines of the present obiect, or for some other vniust occasion, meeting with the pious benefactour, most furious and vngrateful as they were, fell a pulling of his beard; with which fact of theirs notwithstanding he was nothing moued, but passing from thence, to the Church of the Mother of God, gaue her thankes, with all his hart, for that through her intercession, our Lord had vouchsafed him, in some manner, to make him partaker of the most vnworthy outrages, villanyes, and iniuries done vnto him. And from thence­forth, more earnestly pursued he to giue large almes, to all sorts of miserable, and calamitous people as well in publique, as in secret, with his owne hands, and by meanes of his familiars, and espe­cially of the blessed Gunther of Bohemia, an Hermit.

And as often, as this Gunther the man of God, did come from his Country, to visit him; King Stephen would put all the prouisiōs & store of the pallace into his hands; when the Hermit distributing what he found, vnto widdowes, Orphans, strangers, and beg­gars, would soone leaue the Royall Pallace voyd and destitute of all things. Whereat Saint Stephen would take very great content­ment; feeling himselfe by such acts of charity, towards his neigh­bour continually enflamed, more and more in the loue of Christ, and to the sweet contemplation of inuisible things. And now and then was so highly rauished withall; as that praying once, on a ty­me, in his Pauillion, in the open fields, he was playnely seene with the pauillion it selfe, quite raysed a pretty way from the earth.

The Bessians of Bulgary do forrage Hungary, but are defeated by S. Ste­phen: and Conrade the Emperour with great forces being ready to giue him battell, is miraculosly preuented. Chap. 7.

KIng Stephen had likewise through the great familiarity, which he had with God, some reuelations of no small importance: as then when the Bessians (being a people of Bulgaria, with whome af­terwards [Page 274] they confounded their proper name) and Pagans at that tyme accustomed to rapine, and most bitter enemyes of the Hungars, were euen ready to forrage and destroy Transiluania; whereof S. Ste­phen in the night being aduertised from Heauen, dispatched imme­diatly with all care and diligence, a Post vnto Alba-Iulia, who ar­riued so early thither, as that all the country people of those parts, had space sufficient, to retire themselues, with their most precious commodityes, into walled townes: and there remayned exposed to fire and sword, and pillage of the Enemies, the houses only with the beasts, and such like Cattell. With which notwithstanding that rauenons people went not long away so triumphant and proud: Because S. Stephen, being prouoked with new iniuries, made in­cursions into their Confines, with a flourishing army, and com­ming to encounter with Cea, the head of the Bessians, slew him, and taking his baggage, made a most rich booty of him, and without cō ­uerting it to priuate vses, applyed it to pious workes, and to the or­nament of Churches.

Heerupon the fame of S. Stephen now continually increasing, and spreading it selfe through the world; it fell out, that whereas at first, for the instruction and conuersion of Hungary there had come thither from diuers parts, very learned and pious men; now for to learne good lawes and laudable customes, began thither to resort many rude and ignorant people, with desire of instruction, & light. As among others some sixty of the principall Bessians themselues, though not without great perill and danger, through default of the garrisons appointed there by S. Stephen in those frontiers, who at the appearing of such a troupe (which besides the rich furnitures of their personages, brought with them a good number of carriages) eyther allured by the greatnes of the booty, or moued of hatred, or iealou­sy towards them, without more ado, set vpon them, & not satisfyed with the vniust spoiles they tooke, some they killed, & others they left halfe dead, & wounded. The King receiuing the complaint of so haynous a fact, caused without tumult and delay the malefactors to be brought into his presence; & after a shrewd reprehensiō giuen, setting vp gibbets in all the principall passages of the Kingdome, he made them publikely to be hanged vp by two and two. Through which seuerity, besides the punishing of the insolence and presum­ption past, he so wrought, that while he liued afterwards there was no more any violence offered to any stranger. To this zeale of [Page 275] Iustice, and care of strangers, may be attributed a great part of the continuall protection, which the diuine Maiesty had of him, in his greatest daungers: whereof besides the euents declared aboue, the aduentures which now we shall speake of, doe giue ample testi­mony.

His Cousen Henry being dead, Conrardus Suenus entred into the Empire. Agaynst this man, while for diuers respects he differred his going to Rome, the Dukes & Communaltyes of Italy making a conspicacy, to set themselues at liberty, fell flatly into rebellion; and the better to stand agaynst the power of Caesar, besides the cō ­bining of themselues togeather, they further demaunded ayde of strangers, and especially of King Stephen, and the Sclauonian nations which extend themselues from the vtmost bancks of the Adriatique Sea, through Dalmatia, Bohemia, Seruia, Bulgaria and Polonia, euen to the Artique pole, by the meanes of commerce of a common langua­ge amongst them. With all which preparation notwithstanding, I­taly was not of power sufficient to resist the forces of Conrad; who at the fame of such comotions, descended with a dreadfull army vn­to Millan, and so strayghtly besieged that Citty, as all the rest being terrifyed therwith, laying aside all stubbornes of hart admitted him, with all humble homage and obsequiousnes that might be. Whence applying himselfe to find out the origen and trace of the whole cō ­spiracy; he found that among other stayes and vpholders, it was foūded particularly on the succours promised by the Hungars, as wel for the naturall auersion they had from the name of the Dutch, as for the especiall deuotion they bare, from the tyme they receyued the Holy fayth, to the Italian name, & to the Bishop of Rome.

Conrad, being exasperated with these informations, and mo­ued to a bitter desire of reuenge, was no sooner returned into Ger­many agayne, but he tooke vp armes a new to reuenge himselfe of his aduersaryes, and after he had wasted Bohemia, and the neigh­bour countryes, and seuerely chastized Boleslaus the new Duke of Po­lony, and chased away his Sonne Mestou thence, he sets forth a great Army agaynst Hungary: at which newes S. Stephen, though a great deale inferiour in forces, endeauours notwithstanding to gather vp an army, and to prepare for his defence, confiding yet aboue all things in the diuine succours. Of which his confidence at this tyme neyther, was he a whit deceyued. Because the High-dutch very fier­cely entring into those parts, and being now encamped in a place [Page 278] commodious, S. Stephen was not slacke to meete them with his squa­drons, and now were matters disposed on both sides, for a cruell and bloudy battell; when besids all opinion, appeares in the field, an Imperial Herald, who running through all the tents of the Cap­taynes and souldiours, gaue expresse order, to take vp the pauilli­ons, and bagage, and to returne agayne into Almany. There could not happen to Conrad, a thing more strange, and new at that tyme, who examining his officers with great diligence, and not finding he had giuen any such commaundement at all; was satisfied at last, how that Herald could be no other, then an Angell sent from Hea­uen, in fauour of S. Stephen; and being touched with religion, not only for the present renewed a firme peace with the Hungars, but holily resolued withall, perpetually to beware of molesting such a­ny more, whome he manifestly saw to be so safe, and secure vnder the diuine protection.

Gynla the vncle of S. Stephen rayseth a rebellion, and is ouerthrowne: & af­ter that receiueth Baptisme. With another notable conspiracy against him discouered, and punis [...]ad. Chap. 8.

THe good King, being thus deliuered from so great a daūger, had soone after, a new occasion, to acknowledge the eyes of the diuine clemency to be cast vpon him. Among the remaynder of the rebellious and contumations people, against the yoke of Christ, & obedience of the Prince; was an vncle of his, by name Gynla, who had the mountaynes of Transiluania in his gouerment. This man, af­ter he had often sought to recall to the anciēt profane rites, not only the people but euen his Nephew himselfe; takes vpon him through diabolicall instinct, to endomage with inrodes and incursions the Lower. Transiluania, & the Cityes of Hungary it selfe. While S. Stephen, on the other side, hauing tryed all wayes to quiet Gynla, and to put him in the way of saluation; being finally enforced to recurre to armes, had so much furtherance from him that can do all things, as that passing into his Vncles gouerment, in a few monthes, he subdued him quite, and conuerting the neighbour people to the Fayth, led Gynla with him prisoner into Hungary, with his wife, and children: and lastly also hauing induced them to Baptisme, he set them at liberty and treated them alwayes very honourably. To this persecution, there succeeded afterwards another, so much more daungerous, as it [Page 279] was more secret.

Foure of the principall Palatynes of his Kingdome, with many familiars of the Court, being but ill founded in human and diuine fayth, and not able to endure the present tranquility & peace, and throwly resolued ere Christian religion tooke deeper roote, to reduce Hungary agayne to the ancient fiercenes; determined first of al to take away S. Stephens life, and thences afterwards to put all into hurly-burly, and to stirre vp heere and there, reuolutions and tu­mults: With this purpose, one of the conspiratours, being the most temerarious of the rest, hiding his Scimetre vnder his coate, and en­tring one Euening into the Pallace, in the shutting of the night, be­fore that candles were lighted (it being then [...]) m [...] [...] went priuily insinuating himselfe into the Kings lodging; where while he goes feeling the wals vp and downe into the darke, with dubious hands; behold his Fauchon vnawars fals from him: at the noyse whereof the King crying out, the Palatyne being wholy terrifyed and confounded, found no better euasion then to present himselfe vnto his presence, & humbly to craue pardon at his hands: [...] was the same denyed by the Kings who making neuerthelesse most dili­gent inquisition of the cōplices, for publique example, would haue them by no meanes to be let without due punishments.

The Sanctity, and vertues of B. Emericus, sumne to S. Stephen: bis special gift of discerning the merits of others. And how Maurus a Monke was es­pecially honoured by the said King. Chap. 9.

SAint Stephen, in the meane tyme, had many Children, & among them, one Emericus, who being adorned with more then human vertues, was by posterity afterwards, with the authority of the Pope Beatif [...]. It cannot easily be explicated, what consolation tooke, not only the Parents from the bud, but euen likewise all those, who being neere him had any knowledge of him. For first, being pre­uented from heauen, with plenty of benedictions, and alwayes af­terwards brought vp with exact tendance of Nurses, Tutours, and very excellent choyce Maisters, and principally assisted by the liuely examples, and holsome documents and admonishments of the Fa­ther, (who not content with his present aduices to help him, did write himselfe also a Booke of that matter) he came in short tyme to worke those fruits which from so rare a towardnes, & diligent edu­cation, [Page 278] the world might well expect.

And among other notable things, recounted of him, this was one, that euen from his tender age, through his great moderation of dyet, restrayning himselfe, with much watching; he would rise at midnight, to recite deuoutly the diuine the office, and pausing be­tween psalme and psalme, examine the distractions suffered therin, and with hart contrite, craue pardon of God for them; and would endeauour besides with heauenly grace, to reduce his actuall inten­tion to a most perfect habit. S. Stephen sometymes beholds the same through a certaine chincke of the wall, and keeps it secret, reioycing in himselfe, at so new and pleasing a spectacle. Now the holy King was wont (according to his commissions and facultyes, receiued from R [...],) to obserue the customes, and behauiours of Ecclefiasti­call persons, and to go in person to visit the Churches and Conuents of his Kingdome: and among others, going once to S. Martyns hill, where (as hath beene said) many Monks of the Order of S. Benet did liue very orderly & regularly togeather; it pleased him once, to cary his beloued Emericus thither with him, & at his coming neere to the place, perceiuing the venerable family to come in processiō towards him, he sudenly sen this Sonne before to meete them, & entertayne them the while, who being receiued with great honour by the Ser­uants of God, began in the sight of his Father, to kisse him one by one, but yet not all alike, since that knowing by diuine reuelation the merits of ech one, to some he gaue two kisses, to others three or foure, and fiue to many, saue only to Maurus he gaue seauen. Whe­reat the King merueyling much, and thinking it likely not to happē by chance, would needs be satisfyed therof; when Masse was ended he familiarly demaunded of Emericus, what was the reason, that to one, and the selfe same habit of Religous, with the same manner of salutation of kissing, he had obserued so great diuersity in the num­ber: whereto the Youth very promptly answered, that in such distri­bution he had had regard to the purity and continency of ech one, & that with the number of seauen so perfect, it pleased him to ho­nour him so, who from a child to that tyme, had kept his virginity entire.