FRANCIS X A V' I £ R . 3^]EV?' AX.BAIT BUTILEU VOL XII D) IK IIR V, \ THOMAS KU llAHHSD.N A roR IHE G^TMOLIC BOOM SOClCTV. LIVES OF THE FATHERS, MARTYRS, AND OTHER PRINCIPAL SAINTS, COMPILBD FROM ORIGINAL MONUMENTS,'. AND OTHER AUTHENTIC REC0RP9, ILLUSTRATED WITH THE REMARKS OF JUDICIOUS MODERN CRITICS AND HISTORIANS. BY THE REV. ALBAN BUTLER. BY LAWFUL AUTHORITY. DERBY: THOMAS RICHARDSON AND SON, 172, FLEET STREET, LONDON, AND 16, DAWSON STREET, DUBLIN, FOR THE CATHOLIC BOOK SOCIETY- CONTENTS TO VOL. XII. DECEMBER., 1. Page St. Eligius, or Eloy, bishop and confesBor - ,11 2. St. Bibiana, virgin and martyr / - • - •- Wherever he went he was followed by a great \ number of them, and he himself, or one of his 1 Vita 9. Elig. 0. 7. u ST. ELIGIUS, B. C. [dec. 1, servants, distributed victuals and money to them. He daily fed a great number at his own house,., whom he served himself, and he ate what they I left. He gave them wine and flesh, though he '' touched neither himself ; and sometimes he fasted two or three days together. Sometimes, when the usual hour was come, and the table laid, he had nothing to give his poor people, having dis- tributed all before ; but he always relied upon providence, which never failed to supply him, | either by means of the king or of some pious per- f sons. He took care to bury the bodies of male- ' factors, and was particularly zealous to ransom captives. When he knew that a slave was to be sold in any place, he made haste thither, and sometimes ransomed fifty or a hundred at a time, especially Saxons, who were sold in great com-^ panies. After he had set them at liberty he gavei them their choice, either to return to their own y, country, or to continue with him, or to enter into V monasteries; one of these last he took particular 4 care. One of the Saxons slaves whom he brought ( up with him in the practices of piety, became so ( eminent for sanctity, that he is commemorated [ among the saints on the 7th of January under | the name of St. Theau. Several of his domes- f tics sung the canonical office with him day and night. Among these are named Bauderic, his freed-man; Tituan, who waited on him in his chamber was of the nation of the Suevi, and arrived at the crown of martyrdom: Buchin, who had been a pagan, and was afterward abbot of I Ferrieres: Andrew, Martin, and John, who, by his means became clerks. Several relics of saints were fastened to the ceiling of his room, under which he prostrated himself upon a hair cloth to pray; then he began to read, which he often broke ofi", to lift up his eyes to heaven, sighing and weeping bitterly; for he was remarkable for an extraordinary tenderness of heart, and DEC. 1.] ST. ELIGTUS, B. C. 15 easily melted into tears. If the kin^ pressed him ^ to come to him, sending one messenger after v !^ another, he would not go till he had finished his | y devotions. He never went out of doors without j i S praying first, and making the sign of the cross; L- i and the first thing he did after he returned, was \ V to pray. Discretion, mixed with simplicitj^, ap- \ peared in his countenance: he was tall, had a i handsome head, and a ruddy complexion: his I hair was naturally curled. By the innocence ( and regularity of his life he made his court to I his prince without design, more successfully than ; \ others do by flattery and other low arts. Clotaire dying in 628, his son and successor, Dagobert, entertained so just an idea of the saint's virtue and wisdom that he frequently con- ^ suited him preferably to all his council about ' I public affairs, and listened to his directions for ; his own private conduct. Eligius took every > favourable opportunity to inspire him with senti- ') ments of justice, clemency, and religion. The -^^ '■ king was so far from being offended at the J liberty which the saint took in his councils and admonitions, that he treated him with the greater regard; which drew on him the envy \ and jealousy of the whole court, particularly of . j the vicious part of the nobility, who did all in ?T \ their power to blast his character. But their I calumnies were too weak to do him any preju- dice, and served only to give his virtue a fresh lustre, and enhance Dagobert's veneration for ; him, who loaded him with favours; though it , never was in his power to make him rich, because , all that the saint received, was immediately em- ployed in relieving the necessitous, or in raising . .. charitable and religious foundations. The first of these was the abbey of Solignac, which he , V built two leagues from Limoges, on a piece of ^ ground granted him by the king for that purpose. The saint richly endowed it, peopled it with 16 ST. ELIGIUS, B, C. r DEC. 1, monks from Luxeu, and made it subject to the inspection of the abbot of that monastery. This new community increased considerably in a little time, and consisted of a hundred and fifty per- sons^ who worked at several trades, and lived in admirable regularity. Dagobert also gave onvK saint a handsome house at Paris, which he con- 1 verted into a nunnery, and placed in it three hun- 1 dred religious women under the direction of St.l Aurea, whose name occurs in the Roman Marty- ) rology on the 4tli of October. This monastery! has smce been given to the Barnabites, and the t estates which belonged to it are now annexed to f the bishopric of Paris. When the saint had begun ' this building, he found that it exceeded the mea- sure of the land which he had specified to his ma- jesty by one foot; upon which, being struck with great grief, and remorse, he immediately went to the king, and, throwing himself at his feet, begged his pardon with many tears. Dagobert, surprised i at his caution to recompense his piety, doubled his S former donation. When the saint was gone out, / he said to his courtiers: "See how faithful and J careful those who serve Christ are. Myoffic0js/ and governors stick not to rob me of whole ) estates: whereas Eligius trembles at the appre- \ hension of having one inch of ground which is / mine." It not being then allowed to bury within / cities, the saint made a burial-place for these nuns without the walls, and built there a church in honour of St. Paul, which is now a large parish-church. The inhabitants of Brittany hav- ing provoked the king by making frequent in- roads and plunders, he sent JEligius upon an em- bassy to them, who prevailed upon Judicael, their prince, to go in person to Paris, and by his submissions appeased the king's anger. i Dagobert ' 1 Lebeuf (Hist, du Diocese de Paris, 1. 11.) observes from his life of St. ElJgius, that the king's palace was then at Gentilly, at that time the most agreeable spot near Paris* though it is now a watery and dis- •greeabU village. DECv ].] ST. ELIGIUS, B. C. 17 being desirous to employ the saint in his most important commissions, pressed him to take an oath of fidelity, as was usual on such occasions. Eligius having a scruple lest this would be ' swear without sufficient necessity, excused him- self with an obstinacy which for some time dis- pleased the king. Still the saint persisted in his , resolution for fear of incurring the danger of of- 1 fending God, and repeated his excuses with many | tears, as often as the king pressed him on that I score. Dagobert at length perceiving that the I only motive of his reluctance was an extreme j tenderness of conscience, graciously assured liim j that his conscientious delicacy was a more secure U pledge of his fidelity than the strongest oaths of) others could have been. ^ The extraordinary piety, and prudent fear of offending God, which St. Eligius snowed in all his actions, made so strong an impression on the \ mind of St. Owen when he was but twelve yeai-s old, and lived in the court, that the fervent young nobleman resolved to walk in his steps; and, as he grew up, contracted so close a friend- ship with him that they seemed to have but one heart and one soul. Whilst they were laymen, ; and lived at court, they zealously laboured to \ maintain the purity of the faith, and the unity of the Church. St. .Eligius procured a council to be held at Orleans against certain heretics, drove . a company of impious persons out of Paris, and, | with St. Owen employed his endeavours effectu- ally to root out simony, a vice which had griev- ously infected France ever since the unhappy reign of Brunehalt. St. Desiderius, who lived then in the court of Dagobert, and was afterward made bishop of Cahors, was joined in holy friend- ship with these two saints; also St, Sulpicius, after- ward archbishop of Bourges, and these holy men, by their mutual example, were a spur to each Other in the heroic practice of every virtue* The 18 SX\ ELIGIUS, B. C. [dec. U whole kingdom was exceedingly edified by the sanctity of these zealous courtiers, and the bishops took a resolution to procure them to be called into the episcopal Order. The sees of Noyon and Tourney, which had been united ever since St. Medard, in 5] 2, and then comprised upper Picardy , and all the provinces that lie between that coun- : try and the mouth of the Rhine, became vacant by the death of St. Acarius, in 639, and St* > Eligius was required to take upon him that arduous - charge, and soon after, St. Owen was chosen bishop of Rouen. King Clovis II. who had suc- l ceeded his fathers Dagobert, stood in need of f such ministers ; but the spiritual good of so many : souls took place. St. Eligius trembled at the \ sight of the burden, and obtained a delay of two ' years to prepare himself, during which time he was ordained priest, and practised the clerical duties. St. Owen did the like, having retired for that purpose beyond the Loire. They agreed to meet and receive the episcopal consecration to- gether at Rouen, which they did on Sunday 4^ i before Rogation- week, in 640, or, according to ) some, in 646. The inhabitants of the district of 1 Ghent and Courtray, which then depended on / t the diocess of Noyon, were still pagans, and so / tierce and savage that they would not so much as hear the gospel preached to them. This was the ) chief reason of choosing so zealous a pastor for S them as St. Eligius. From Rouen he only went back to court to take his last leave of it, and thence he repaired straight to Noyon.i 1 Thirteen bishops sat at Augusta Veromanduorum, or Virmandis, long since a village. St. Medard was consecrated the fourteenth bishop in 630, and, that city hiving been destroyed by barbarians, translated Lis see t*) Noyon in 631, and was also made bishop of Tournay in 532. St, Acarius, a monk of Luxeu, was made bishop of Noyon and Tournay about the year 621, is styled saint by Molanus and Miraeus : on his death St. Eligius was promoted to that see. Gall. Chr. Nov. t. 9. p. 981. By a decree of Eugenius III. in 1146, the see of Tournay was again Separated, %ud Uas had Uom (hat time it^ own bishops, who i^oon aftei; DEC. ].] ST. ELIGIUS5 B. C. 19 Our saint in this new dignity increased his fasts ^ and watchings with his labours, and showed the ^ same humility, the same spirit of poverty, pen- ance, and prayer as before: also the same charity toward the poor and the sick, whom he continued frequently to serve with his own hands, regularly entertaining twelve poor persons at his own table on certain days in the Aveek. He always took i I particular delight to be in the company of the ? * poor, and often left his clergy and others to shut himself up with them, and he often clothed them, and washed their faces and hands, and shaved their heads with his own hands. His ^ pastoral solicitude, zeal, and watchfulness were most admirable. The first year he employed entirely in reforming his clergy, and regulating the manners of his Christian flock. After this he turned his thoughts to the conversion of the infi- i j dels among the Flemings about Antwerp, and /-'^ the Frisons and Suevi, as far as the sea-shore, i especially about Ghent and Courtray. St. Aman- dus, born of a Roman family near Nantes, being the son of Serenus and Amantia, and a monk, had been ordained by the Gallican prelates a bishop of nations, in 626, and had begun to plant the faith in the neighbourhood of Ghent,l under the direction of St. Acarius bishop of Noyon; and in 636 St. Omer was ordained bishop of the . Morini. But a great part of Flanders was chiefly indebted to St. Eligius for the happiness of re- ceiving the light of the gospel. He preached in were created counts and ranked among the twelve peers of Franco who officiate at the king's coronation. Tournay and Lille had received the faith in part by the preaching of Bt. Piat, inentioned by St, Gre- gory of Tours ; but few traces of it remained wlien St. Eligius, by )iis zealous labours, entirely banished idolatry out of that flourishing country, and foiinded at Tournay the famous abbey of St. Martin, which, in the twelfth century, adopted the rule of St. Bonnet. 1 The Chronicle of the abbey of lllandinium or St. Peter's at Ghent, says that St. Amand enlarged the buildings and au^'mented the reve- nues of that monastery, built St. Martin's church at Courtray, and th« churches of Bruges, Aldenburg, Eodenburg, aud Oostburg. 3ee Sau* oers, 1, 4, Craudaveusium yenim, p. 2«y, 20 ST. ELIGIUS, B. C. [DEC, L the territories of Antwerp, Ghent, and Coiirtray. The inhabitants, who at first were as fierce as wild beasts, were ready everv day to tear him to pieces; yet he persevered exhorting them, desir- ing nothing more than martyrdom. He instructed, With more than paternal tenderness, those who long refused to hear him, took care of their sick, comforted them in their afiiictions, assisted them in their wants, and employed every means that the most tender and ingenious charity could suggest to overcome their obstinacy. The bar^ barians were at length softened, and considering his disinterestedness, his goodness, meekness, and mortified abstemious manner of living, they began to admire, and even to desire to imitate him. Many were converted, and these induced others to hear the holy prelate's sermons, from which they went in bodies to destroy their temples and idols of their own accord: then re- turned to the holy prelate, and desired baijtism, Eligius usually tried and instructed them for a whole year before he admitted them to the Bacred laver of regeneration. By his discour- ses he raised the minds of the supine and sloth- ful barbarians to an afi'ection for heavenly things, and inspired them with a meek and peaceable temper: he taught them the means of rooting out of their hearts the love of pleasures and riches, and of perfectly subduing the evil habits of lying, enmity, hatred, and revenge, and ceased not to inculcate the precepts of fraternal charity. In his exhortations he joined prayers and tears with reprehensions and threats: for his sweetness and mildness had no mixture of weakness, and his apostolic vigour and severity had nothing in it of bitterness or harshness. Every year at Easter he baptized great numbers both of old andydimg whom he had brought to the knowledge of the true God, in the space of the twelve preceding months; to whom he had Igng before given the DEC. 1.] ST. ELIGIUS, B. C. 21 habit of catechumens, and who had long exer- cised themselves in suitable practices of fervent devotion and penance. The prudence and zeal of our holy pastor were not less remarkable in bringing sinners after baptism to sincere pen- ance. Many, like patients who in a fit of raving fall on the physicians that come to cure them, rose up against their holy bishop, because he i-e- fused to suffer them to live according to tlieir -J- passions and fancy But Eligius considered that a charitable physician or tender father abandons not a sick patient who, in the violence of his fever, forgets the respect and obedience that is due to him, feared no dangers in the discharge of his pastoral duty, and in maintaining the indispen- sable laws of penance, and the rules of ecclesi- astical discipline. Many sinners ran to receive } penance by confessing their sins, and the ^ loly bishop was very earnest in the care of their v- conversion. He exhorted all to frequent the ' churches, give alms, set their slaves at liberty, and jgractice all sorts of good works; and he engaged several of both sexes to embrace a monastic life. Once, not far from Noyon he preached on the feast of St. Peter, against dancing, which the people made a frequent occasion of many sins. Many murmured hereat, and even threatened the holy i , prelate : but he preached the next festival on the I same subject with greater vehemence than ever. 4 Hereupon, the incorrigible sinners ox^enly tlirea- ( tened his life. The servants of the lord of the ( place went about stirring up the whole country I against him: for such men, where they are noti restrained by their master's authority, easily be- l come lawless, and are the bane of a whole parish. J The bishop at length found himself obliged to culi'j off these- sons of Belial from the communion of f the faithful, and to deliver them over to Satan, for the remedy of their souls. Fifty of them were afflicted by God, and made visible spec- 2 ~ 12 22 ST. ELIGIUS5 B. a [dec. 1. tacles of his judgments: but' upon their repen- r tance, were cured by the saint. St. Owen men- p tions many blind, lame, and sick persons who 1^ received the benefit of their health, and use of U. their limbs, by the prayers of St. Eligius. Among other prophecies, his prediction of the . division of the French monarchy amongst the ' three sons of Clovis II. and its reunion under ; Theodoric, the youngest of them, was recorded by St. Owen, before its entire accomplishments This author informs us,'2 that our saint assembled the people every day, and instructed them Avith indefatigable zeal; and he gives us an abstract of several of his discourses united in one; by which ; it appears that his style was plam. simple, and I without many ornaments, but tender and pathe- I tic ; and that he often borrowed whole passages I from the sermons of St. Csesarius, as was custom- ■ ary in France at that time. He often explained the obligation of the solemn vows or promises which Christians make at their baptism^ exhort- ing the faithful to have them always before their eyes, and to be no less careful to practise, than to believe what they profess under the most? sacred engagements. He insisted much on the ^ obligation of almsdeeds, recommended the m- vocation of sainte, and instructed the faithful to j beware of superstitious practices then in vogue; I among which he reckons the observation of un- i lucky days the solemnizing of New-year's day ; with drinking and diversions, and the like. He ^ strongly recommended prayer, the partaking of r the body and blood of Christ, extreme unction in / time of sickness, and the sign of the cross to be always worn on our forehead, the efficacy of which sign he set forth. The seventeen homilies, which "b^ear his name in the library of the fathers, can- , 3s©t be his work: for the author had been a monk 1 Vita S. Elig. 1. £>. e. 31. Fl«iwy, 1. 40. n, 9. 2 Jb. I. 2. c. 14. DEC. 1.] ST. ELIGIUS, B. C. 23 before he was bishop.i The charter of St. Eligiiis for the foundation of the abbey of Solignac is still extaiit.2 The saint having governed his flock nineteen years and a half, was ^ favoured with a foresight of his death, and a f little before he was seized with his last sickness, [ foretold it to his disciples. Seeing them weep, | he said : " Grieve not, my children ; but rather k congratulate with me. I have longed for this i time and sighing under the miseries of this . world, have wished for a releasement." Falling " ill of a fever, he prayed almost without inter- { ruption: and on the sixth day convened his dis- ' ciples, and made them a pathetic exhortation to a virtuous life. They bursting all together into tears, he was not able to refrain from weeping with them; and, on his knees, he commended them all to God, praying him not to abandon them, and to give them a holy pastor. After / this, he continued his private prayers for several j hours; then, reciting the canticle Ahmc dimitiiSf \ Sec. and fervently commending his soul into the { hands of his Redeemer, he happily expired at ) one o'clock the next morning, on the 1st of \ December in 659, or in 665, if he was consecrated ^ bishop in 646, being seventy years and some months old. Upon the news of his sickness, queen Bathildes set out from Paris with her . children, the lords of her court, and a numerous"* train: but arrived only the morning after his^ death. She bathed the cori)se with a flood of ? tears, and caused all preparations to be made for^ carrying it to her monastery at Chelles, Others) were very desirous that it should be conveyed to) Paris: but the people of Noyon so strenuously opposed it, that the precious remains of their holy pastor were left with them, and the greatest pait is kept at Noyon to this day. His body was de- 1 Bibl. Patr. t. 12. p. 30«. Ceilliey,p. 686. Rivet, p. 6C0. 2 Mabill. Act. Eei). t. 2. p. 1091, 10S2. 24 ST. ELIGIUS, B. C. [DEC. 1. posited in the church of St. Lupus of Troyes, out of the walls, soon after called St. Eligius's, as St. Owen testifies. This monastery of St. Eligius is now of the Benedictin Order ofthe reformed con- gregation of St. Maur. The relics of the saint were : afterward translated into the cathedral. Several ' other churches lay claim to small portions. St. Owen relates many miracles which followed ;liis \ death, and informs us, that the holy abbess, St. ? Aurea, who was swept off by a pestilence, with a hundred and sixty of her nuns, in 666, was ad- vertised of her last hour some time before it, by a comfortable vision of St. Eligius. Queen Bathil- des soon after laying aside all ornaments of state, gave them all to the poor, except her gold \ bracelets, of which she caused a cross to be made, which she placed at the head of St. Eligius's monument. She also ordered a sort of canopy called Repa, to be made of gold and silver, -- and set it over his tomb. The noblemen of her court, imitating her example, offered abun- dance of gold and precious stones to adorn the same: and, as it shone very bright, it was i covered in Lent with a linen cloth bordered with silk. A certain liquor which dropped from this linen cloth, cured various distempers.l i Fleury takes notice from this circumstance, that i it was the custom at that time to cover, on peni- i tential days, whatever looked bright or shining \ in churches. . St. Eligius learned to be a saint, living in the £ world and in a court. But for this he studied! J neither to be of the world, nor to be withdrawn! £ by the world from a constant application to! / religious duties. To attend to them, he some-J Y times excused himself even fi om waiting uponi U his prince, when called upon by him: nor would ^ he remain in his service upon other conditions. 1 S. Audoen. vifc. S. Eligii, c. 40„ ^eo Du Cange, 'in Glossar, v. Eepa. DEC. 1.] ST. ELIGIUSj B. C. 25 t In the world, conversation Sis a devoir of civility charity, and friendship: but first it must be sincere; not formality and mere compliment,; j which is frequently the case. Men who are idol-'i^ aters of themselves, are incapable of true, charity 1 ] towards others; jealousy, envy, and resentment, \ ^ being on every occasion easily kindled in their \ ^ hearts. Hence, their protestation of friendship ', 4 are often a base hypocrisy, and a traffic of mutual j (deceit; a disposition diametrically opposite to; i that^crf charity and simplicity. Secondly, con- ¥ /versation with men must not take up a consider- | able part of our time, nor be a source of vain amusement, or unprofitable fooleries. Towardrl^ those Who would overwhelm us with idle visits, , f we are allowed, and, when necessary, ought to 5 ; show some coolness, in order to break off a 7 frivolous and fruitless commerce. Worldly dis- ' course usually tends to promote vanity, pride, V sensuality, and other passions. Men in general are not capable of being spoken to in the ' language of solid truth. Therefore, we ought to j speak it often to ourselves by holy meditation 4 ? and reading; and the of tener our circumstances •. oblige us to listen to the language of the world, *;» (, so much the more diligent are we bound to be in attending to the voice of truth. It is only the ■^ blindness and spirit of vanity that reigns in I the world, which has brought any other dialect : % but that of truth into fashion, St. Eligius and I many other saints found leisure even in courts to I converse mostly with heaven and themselve^^. Who then can plead any excuse? 26 [dec. 2. DECEMBER. IT, ST. BIBIANA, V. M. From her Acts. See Saron. Annot. in Martyr. Eom. BoBias et Arlnghi, Boma Subterr. 1. 3. c. 37, A. D. 363. We are informed by Ammianus Marcellinus, a pagan historian of that age, and an officer in the court of Julian the apostate, that this emperor ^ made Apronianiis governor of Rome in the year | 363, who, while he was on the way to that city, had the misfortune to lose an eye. This acci- dent he superstitiously imputed to the power of magic, through the malice of some who excelled ^ in that art; and, in this foolish persuasion, to^ gratify his spleen and superstition, he resolved | to punish and exterminate the magicians; in I which accusation. Christians were involved above > all others, on account of many wonderful miracles | which were wrought in the primitive ages, f Under this magistrate, St. Bibiana received the ^ crown of martyrdom. This holy virgin was a native of Rome, and daughter to Flavian, a Roman knight, and his wife Dafrosa, who were both zealous Christians. Flavian was apprehend- ed, deprived of a considerable post which he held in the city, burned in the face with a hot iron, and banished to Acquapendente, then called Aquae Tauringe, where he died of his^ wounds a few days after. Dafrosa, by an order^ of Apronianus, who had thus treated her hus-| band for his constancy in his faith, was on the| : same account, confined to her house for some| ' time; and, at length, carried out at the gates of | j the city, and beheaded. Bibiana and her sister > DEC. 2.] ST. BIBIANA, V. M. 27 Demetria, after the death of their holy parents, . were stripped of all they had in the world and > suffered much from poverty for five months, but ; spent that time in their own house in fasting aud \ prayer. Apronianus had flattered himself, that - \ hunger and want would brmg them to a com- : I pliance; but seeing himself mistaken, summoned ; them to appear before him. Demetria, having % made a generous confession of her faith, fell ^ down and expired at the foot of the tribunal, in the presence of the judge. Apronianus gave I / orders that Bibiana should be put into the hands ] I of a wicked woman named Rufina, who was ^ extremely artful, and undertook to bring her to ] ) another way of thinking. That agent of hell em- ; } ployed all the allurements she could invent; j I which were afterward succeeded by blows ; but \ i Bibiana, making prayer her shield, remained in- ] f vincible. Apronianus, enraged at the courage [ I and perseverance of a tender \irgin, at length ' ' passed sentence of death upon her, and ordered her to be tied to a pillar and whipped with ) scourges loaded with leaden plummets till she 1^ ; expired. The saint underwent this punishment V cheerfully, and died in the hands of the execu-^ i tioners. Her body was left in the open air, that i it maybe a prey to beasts; but, having lain ex- 3 posed two days, was buried in the night, near the ' palace of Licinius, by a holy priest called John. 7 Peace being soon after restored to the Church, a • chapel was erected over her tomb ; and a hundred years after, in 465, pope Simplicius built there a fair church, as Anastasius mentions in his life. This church was called Olympina, from a pious ^ lady of that name, who defrayed the expenses. It was repaired by Honorius III. but being fallen to decay was afterward united to St. Mary Major, 1 till it was sumptuously rebuilt by Urban Vlli. in } 1628, who placed in it the relics of SS. Bibiana, | Demetria, and Dafrosa, which were discovered in, '■ 28 ST. BIBIANA5 v. M. [dec, 2. that place which has been sometimes called St. Bibiana's cemetery. The only affair which a Christian has in this . world, and in which consists all his happiness ^ and joy, is to seek God, to attain to the perfect ^ possession of his grace and love, and in all things, / most perfectly to do his will. By this disposition f of heart he is raised above all created things, and united to the eternal and unchangeable ob- ject of his felicity. He receives the good things ) of this world with gratitude to the Giver, but J always with indifference; leaves them with joy, | if God requires that sacrifice at his hands; and, f in his abundance, fears not so much the flight of I what he possesses as the infection of his own I heart, or lest his affections be entangled by them, f Such attachments are secretly and imperceptibly ' contracted, yet are ties by which the soul is held captive, and enslaved to the world. Only as- siduous prayer and meditation on heavenly ^ ^ things, habitual self-denial, humble distinist and i ' watchfulness, and abundant almsdeeds proper- J ; tioned to a person's circumstances, can preserve " ' a soul from this dangerous snare amidst worldy affluence. To these means is that powerful grace annexed. This disengagement of the heart, how sincere soever, usually acquires a great in- : crease and perfection by the actual sacrifice of \- earthly goods, made with heroic sentiments of ) ' faith and divine love, when God calls for it. J Such an offering is richly compensated by the most abundant spiritual graces and comforts at i present and an immense weight of eternal glory in the next life. DEC. 3.] 29 DECEMBER III. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, CJ APOSTLE OF THE INDIES. A. D. 1552. A CHARGE to go and preach to all nations was given by Christ to his apostles. This commission the pastors of the Church have faithfully exe- cuted down to this present time; and in every ^ age have men been raised by God, and filled with /,*| his Holy Spirit for the discharge of this impor- ' tant function, who, being sent by the authority of Christ and in his name by those who have sue- i>. ceeded the apostles in the government of hisi Church, have brought new nations to the fold of | ' Christ for the advancement of the divine honour, and filling up the number of the saints. This conversion of nations according to the divine commission is the prerogative of the Catholic ; Church, in which it has never had any rival. Among those who in the sixteenth century ' laboured most successfully in this great work, the most illustrious was St. Francis Xavier, the i Thaumaturgus of these latter ages, whom Urban 1 His life was written in Latin by F. Turselin, in six books, first printed at Rome in 1594. The same :anthor translated into Latin, and published in 1,096 the sainfs letters in four books. The life of this saint •was also composed by F. Orlandino in the history of the Society ; in Italian by F. Bartoli ; also by F. IMaffei ; in Portuguese by Luzena, and in Spanish by F. Garcia. See likewise F. Nieremberg's illustrioua men ; the modern histories of India, especially that of Jarrio ; Sola's history of Japan, Lewis de Gusnian's Spanish history of the Mission* to the East Indies, China, and Japan • and Ferdinand Meudez Pinto'g Travels in Portuguese. From these and other sources is the life of St. Francis larier elegantly compiled in French by the judicious and eloquent F. IJouhonrs, published in English by Drvden in 168«, See also Maffei, Histor. Indicar. 1. 15. F. Eibadeneira, F. Charlevoix, Hist, de Japan, Lafiteau, Ddcouvertes et Couquestes des Indes Orientalee par Ics Portuguaiu, 30 ST, FRANCIS XAVIER, C. DEC. 3. VIII. justly styled the apostle of the Indies. This great saint was born in Navarre, at the castle of Xavier, eight leagues from Pampelona, in 1506. His mother was heiress of the twOj^,. illustrious houses of Azpilcueta and Xavier, and 'u I his father, Don John de Jasso, was one of the U J chief counsellors of state to John III. d'Albret, L : king of Navarre. Among their numerous family \ ^ of children, of which Francis was the youngest, ^ I those that were elder bore the surname of | I Azpilcueta, the younger that of Xavier. Francis ?| I was instructed in the Latin tongue, under domes- ^ : tic masters, and grounded in religious principles ; in the bosom of his pious parents. From his *, ^ infancy he was of a complying, winning humour, f ^ and discovered a good genius and a great propen- ) sity to learning, to which of his own motion he ^ turned himself, whilst all his brothers embraced ^ the profession of arms. His inclinations deter- mined his parents to send him to Paris in the X eighteenth year of his age; where he entered the college of St. Barbara, and commencing a course of scholastic philosophy, with incessant pains and incredible ardour, surmounted the first difficulties , f of the crabbed and subtle questions with which ' J the entrance of logic was paved. His faculties , I where hereby opened, and his penetration and I |j judgment exceedingly improved; and the ap- 1 J. plause which he received agreeably flattered \ his vanity, which passion he was not aware of, I persuading himself, that to raise his fortune in I the world was a commendable pursuit. Having^ f. studied philosophy two years he proceeded master 1 of arts; then taught philosophy at Beauvais college, though he still lived in that of St. Barbara. St. Ignatius came to Paris in 1528 with a view to finish his studies, and after some time entered himself pensioner in the college of St. Barbara. This holy man had conceived a desire of forming DEC. 3.] ST. FRi-NCIS XAVIER, C. 31 a society wholly devoted to the salvation of souls; ; X and being taken with the qualifications of Peter \ i Faber, called in French Le Fevre, a Savoyard | > and Francis Xavier, who had been school-fellows, I f and still lived in the same college, endeavoured [ I to gain thoir concurrence in this holy project, p > Faber, who was not enamoured of the world,! ' resigned himself without opposition. But Fran- 4 1 cis, whose head was full of ambitious thoughts, h I made a long and vigorous resistance, and banter- I I ed and rallied Ignatius on all occasions, ridiculing S I the meanness and poverty in which he lived) > - . as a degenerate lowness of soul. Ignatius repaid > < his contempt with meekness and kindness, and^ . continued to repeat sometimes to him: What will % / it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his ^ f own soul. This made no impression on one who ^ l^was dazzled with vain glory, and, under pre- ^ tences, joined false maxims of worldly decency in his idea of Christian virtue. Ignatius assault- ing him on the weaker side often congratulated with him for his talents and learning, applauded his lectures, and made it his business to procure him scholars: also on a certain occasion when he " was in necessity he furnished him with money, \ Francis, having a generous soul, was moved with gratitude and considered that Ignatius was of great birth, and that only the fear of God had in- spired him with the choice of the life which he ^ led. He began therefore to look upon Ignatius ' ' with other eyes, and to hearken to his dicourses. , At that time certain emissaries of the Lutherans ' ' % secretly scattered their errors among the students C at Paris, in so dexterous a manner as to make C them appear plausible, and Xavier, who was I naturally curious, took pleasure in hearing these i ^ novelties, till Ignatius put him upon his guard. ^ Sometime after this, having one day found Xavier ; more than ordinarily attentive, he repeated to him I these words more forcibly than ever: Wiat will it 32 ST. FHANCIS XAVIER, C. [DEC. 3* p7'oJit a 'man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? and remonstrated that so noble a soul ,^ oiiglit not to confine itself to the vain honours of { this world, that celestial glory was the only object i for his aml3ition, and that it was against reason ) not to prefer that which is eternally to last before ) what vanishes like a dream. Xavier then began ^ to see in the emptiness of earthly greatness, and / to find himself powerfully touched with the love: of eap^iiy things. Yet it was not without many serious thoughts and grievous struggles that his soul was overcome by the power of those eternal ' tniths, and he took a resolution of squaring his life entirely by the most perfect maxims of the gospel. For this purpose, he gave himself ^ up to the conduct of Ignatius: and the direction y of so enlightened a guide made the paths of per- ^ fection easy to him. From his new master he ; learned that the first step in his conversion was ? to subdue his predominant passion, and that vain^ glory was his most dangerous enemy. His main < endeavours, therefore, were bent from that time i to humble himself, and confound his pride. And, » well knowing that the interior victory over ; our own heart and its passions, is not to be i gained without mortifying the flesh, and bring- | ing the senses into subjection, he undertook this j conquest by hair cloth, fasting, and other aus- t terities. When the time of the vacancy was come, in 1535, he performed St. Ignatius's spiritual exer- cises: in which, such was his fervour, that he<^ passed four days without taking any nourish- 4 ment, and his mind was taken up day and night in the contemplation of heavenly things. By 5 these meditations, which sunk deep into liis soul, % 4ie was wholly changed into another man, in his | desires, affections, and views ; so that afterward ■ lie did not know himself and the humility of the cross appeared to him more amiable than all the DEC. 3.] STj FRANCIS XAVIER5 C. S3 glories of this world. In the most profound sen- . timents of compunction, he made a general con- ^ fession, and formed a design of glorifying God by > all possible means, and of employing his "whole J - life for the salvation of souls. The course of.; philosophy which he read, and which had lasted < ■ three years and a half, according to the custom / of those times, being completed, by the counsel % of Ignatius, he entered on the study of divinity, =| In 1534, on the feast of the Assumption of our? ^ Lady, St. Ignatius and his six companions, of| j li whom Francis was one, made a vow at Mont- j,^ J I martre to visit the Holy Land, and unite their f*" ^ labours for the conversion of the infidels; or, if ^ this should be found not practicable, to cast § themselves at the feet of the pope, and offer their V services wherever he thought fit to employ them. Three others afterward jomed these six, and ; i having ended their studies the year following, \ these nine companions departed from Paris upon ! ^ the 15th of November, in 1536, to go to Venice, f where St. Ignatius had agi-eed to meet them \ from Spain. They travelled all through Ger- l many on foot, loaded with their writings, in the^ \ midst of winter, which that year was very sharp and cold. Xavier, to overcome his i)assious,t and punish himself for the vanity he had formerly taken in leaping, (for he was very active, and- had been fond of such corporal exercises,) in the' fervency of his soul, had tied his arms and thighs with little cords, which, by his travelling, swelled his thighs, and sunk so deep into the flesh as to be hardly visible. The saint bore the pain with incredible patience, till he fainted on the road; and, not being able to go any farther, was obliged "to discover the reason. His com- panions carried him to the next town, where the surgeon declared that no incision could be safely | made deep enough^ and that the evil was incur- j able, in this melancholy situation, Faber, • 34 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [DEC. 8. Laynez, and the rest spent that night in prayer; and the next morning Xavier found the cords broken out of the flesh. The holy company joined in actions of thanksgiving to the Almighty, and cheerfully pursued their journey, in which Xavier served the rest on all occasions, being always beforehand with them in the duties of charity. They arrived at Venice on the 8th of January, 1537, and were much comforted to meet there St. Ignatius, by whose direction they divided themselves to serve the poor in two hospitals in that city, whilst they waited for an opportunity to embark for Palestine. Xavier, who was placed in the hospital of the incurables, employed the day in dressing the sores of the sick, in making their beds, and serv- ing them in meaner offices, and passed whole nights in watching by them. It was his delight chiefly to attend those who were sick of contagi- ous distempers, or infected with loathsome ulcers. Amongst these, one had an ulcer which was horrible to the sight, and the noisomeness of the stench was yet more insupportable. Every one shunned him, and Xavier found a great repugnance in himself when he first approached him. But, reflecting that the occasion of making a great sacrifice was too precious to be lost, he embraced the sick person, applied his mouth to the ulcer, and sucked out the purulent matter. At the same moment his repugnance vanished; and, by this signal victory over himself, he obtain- ed the grace that, from that time, no ulcers, how filthy and fetid soever, caused in him any loath- v ing, but rather a sweet devotion: of so great im-i portance it is to us once to have thoroughly over^^^ come ourselves, and overthrown the proud giant ! of sensuality, or vanity; whilst remiss acts, performed with sloth, unwillingness, and a false. - "ielicacy, rather fortify than vanquish the enemy^ I And it is more the resolution of the will than the DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 35 action itself that subdues it. Two months had passed away in these exercises of chanty, when St. Ignatius, who stayed behind alone at Venice, sent his companions to Rome, to ask the blessing of his holiness Paul III. for their intended voy- age. The pope granted those among them, who , were not. in holy orders, a license to receive { them at the hands of any Catholic bishop. Upon : their return to Venice, Xavier was ordained / priest upon St. John Baptist's day, in 1537, and i they all made vows of chastity and poverty be- fore the pope's nuncio. Xavier retired to a ^ / village, about four miles from Padua, where, to / prepare himself for saying his first mass, he spent 1 forty days in a poor, ruined, abandoned cottage, l exposed to all the injuries of the weather, lay on - i the ground, fasted rigorously, and subsisted on . what scraps of bread he begged from door to doov. St. Ignatius having caused all his company to resort to Vicenza, Xavier, after this retreat, repaired thither, and said there his first mass with tears flowing in such abundance that his audience could not refrain from mixing their own with. his. By order of St. Ignatius, he applied himself to the exercises of charity and devotion at Bologna, to the great edification • of that city. The house in which he there •> dwelt as a poor man, was afterward given to the ? society, and converted into an oratory of great ' devotion. In Lent, in 1538, our saint was called by St. Ignatius to Rome, where the fathers assembled together to deliberate about the foundation of their Order, and their consultations were accom- panied with' fervent prayers, tears, watchings, and penitential austerities, which t-iey practised with a most ardent desire of pleasing our Lord alone, and of seeking in all things his greater glory and the good of souls. After waiting a whole year to find an opportunity of passing into 36 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [dEC. 3. Palestine, and finding the execution of that design impracticable, on account of the war between the Venetians and the Turks, St. Ignatius and his company offered themselves to his holi- ness, to be employed as he should judge most ex- pedient in the service of their neighbour. The pope accepted their offer, and ordered them to preach and instruct in Rome till he should other- wise employ them. St. Francis exercised his functions in the church of St. Laurence, in Da- maso, in which he appeared so active, that no one distmguished himself by a more ardent charity, or a more edifying zeal. Govoa, a Portuguese, formerly president of the college of St. Barbara at Paris, happened to be then at Rome, whither John III. king of Portugal, had sent him on some important business. He had formerly known Ignatius, Xavier, and Baber at Paris, and been a great admirer of their virtue; and he became more so at Rome, insomuch, that he wrote to his master that men so learned, humble, charitable, inflamed with zeal, indefatigable in labour, lovers of the cross, and who aimed at nothing but the honour of God, were fit to be sent to plant the faith in the East Indies. The king wrote there- upon to Don Pedro Mascaregnas, his ambassador at Rome, and ordered him lo obtain six of these apostolic men for this mission. St. Ignatius could grant him only two, and pitched upon Simon Rodriguez, a Portuguese, and Nicholas Bobadilla, a Spaniard. The former went imme- diately by sea to Lisbon: Bobadilla, who waited to accompany the ambassador, fell sick, and, by an overruling supernatural direction, Francis Xavier was substituted in his room, on the day before the ambassador began his journey. Our saint received this order with j oy and when he went to ask the benediction of Paul III. there shone, through a profound humility, such a magnanimity of soul, that his holiness took from thence a DEC. 3.J ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 37 certain presage of the wonderful events which followed. The saint left Rome with the ambassa- dor on the 15th of March, 1540, and on the road, found perpetual occasions for the most heroic actions of humility, mortification, charity, zeal, and piety, and was always ready to serve his fellow-travellers in the meanest offices, as if he had been every body's servant. The journey was performed all the way by land, over the Alps and Pyreneans, and took up more than three months. At Pampelona, the ambassador pressed the saint to go to the castle of Xavier, which was but a 'l little distant from the road, to take leave of his mother, who was yet living, and of his other friends, whom he would probably never more see in this world. But the saint would by no means turn out of the road, saying, that he deferred the sight of his relations till he should visit them in heaven ; that this transient view would be accom- panied with melancholy and sadness, the products of last farewells; whereas, their meeting in heaven would be for eternity, and without the least alloy of sorrow. This wonderful disengage- ment from the world exceedingly affected Mas- caregnas, who, by the saintly example and instructions of the holy man, was converted to a new course of life. They arrived at Lisbon about the end of June, and Francis went immediately to F. Rodriguez, who was lodged in an hospital, in order to attend and instruct the sick. They made this place their ordinary abode, but catechised and instruct- ed in most parts of the town, and were taken up all Sundays and holidays in hearing confessions at court; for the king and a great number of the courtiers were engaged by their discourses to confess and communicate every week; which they chose to do at their hands. F. Rodriguez was retained by the king at Lisbon; and St. 3Francis was obliged to stay there eight months, 3 12 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER5 C. fDEC. 3. while the fleet was getting ready to sail in spring. Dr. Martin d'Azpilcueta, commonly called the doctor of Navarre, who was \mcle to Xavier by the mother's side, was then chief professor of divinity at Coimbra, and wrote several letters to our saint, but could not engage him to go to Coimbra. St. Francis, when he left Rome, put a memorial in the hands of F. Laynez, m which he declared that he approved the lules which should be drawn up by Ignatius, and consecrated him- self to God, by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, in the society of Jesus, when it should be confirmed as a religious Order by the aposto- lic see. At Lisbon, before he went on board, the king delivered to him four briefs from the pope; in two of which his holiness constituted Xavier apostolic nimcio, with ample power and authori- ty; in the third, he recommended him to David, emperor of Ethiopia; and, in the fourth, to other princes in the East. No importunities of the king or his officers could prevail on the saint to accept of any provisions or necessaries, except a few boohs for the use of converts. Nor would he consent to have a servant, saying, that as long as he had the use of his two hands, he never would take one. When he was told that it would be unbecoming to see an apostolic legate dressing his own victuals, and washing his own linen on the deck, he said he could give no scandal so long as he did no ill. The saint had two companions to the Indies, F. Paul de Camarino, an Italian Jesuit, and Francis Mansilla, a Portuguese, who was not yet in priest's orders. F. Simon, Rod- rig-uez, bore them company to the lieet: and then it was that Si. Francis, embracing him, said, that at Rome, in the hcspital, he once beheld, whether sleeping or waking he knew not, all thdt be was to s.iffer for the glory of Jesus Christ: and that heth^ -^ce conceived so great a delight in suherings, that he cried out aloud, " Yet more^ DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIEE, C. 39 O Lord, yet more." Which words this F» Rodriguez, who was then in the same chamber* heard ; and had often pressed him to explain the meaning of. This the saint did upon his taking leave, adding, " 1 hope the divine goodness will grant me in India what he has foreshown to me in Italy." The saint set sail on the 7th of April, in the year 1541, the thirty-sixth of his age, on board the admiral's vessel, which carried Don Martin Alfonso de Sousa, general-governor of the Indies, who went with five ships to take possession of his government. The admiral's vessel contained at least a thousand persons, whom Francis con- sidered as committed to his care. He catechized the sailors, preached every Sunday before the main-mast, took care of the sick, converted his cabin into an infirmary, lay on the deck, and lived on charity during the whole voyage, though the governor was very urgent with him to eat at his table, or accept of a regular supply of food from his kitchen; but he always answered, that he was a poor religious man, and that, having made avow of poverty, he was resolved to keep^ it. He, indeed, received the dishes which the^ governor sent him from his table; but divided^ the meat amongst those who had most need.' He composed differences, quelled murmuring, | checked swearing and gaming, and took the utmost care to remove all disorders. Bad actions he reproved with so much authority that nobody resisted him, and with so much sweetness and^ tender love that no one was offended at him. | The insufferable colds of Cape Verb, the heats of ^ Guinea, the stench of the fresh waters, and the putrefaction of their flesh provisions under the ? line, produced i)estilential fevers and violent _ scurvies. After five months of perpetual naviga- tion, and doubling tie Cape of Good Hope, tliey arrived at ]\Iozambique, on the eastern coast of t 40 ST. FRANCIS XAVIEE, C. [dEC. S. Africa, about the end of August, and there they wintered. The inhabitants are mostly Mahome- tans, and trade with the Arabs and Ethiopians; but the Portuguese have settlements amongst i them. The air is very unwholesome, and Xavier himself fell sick there: but was almost recovered when the admiral again put to sea in a fresh vessel which made better sail, on the 15th of 1 March, in 1542. In three days they arrived at Melinda, a town of the Saracens, in Africa, where one of the principal inhabitants complained to Xavier, that so little sense of religion was left among them, that of seventeen mosques which they had, fourteen were quite forsaken, and the three that remained were little fre- quented. Leaving this place, after a few days' sail they touched at the isle of Socotora, over- against the strait of Mecca. Thence, crossing the sea of Arabia and India, they landed at Goa on the sixth of May, in 1542, in the thirteenth month since their setting out from Lisbon. After St. Francis was landed, he went imme- diately to the hospital, and there took his lodging: but would not enter upon his missionary func- tions till he had paid his respects to the bishop of Goa, I whose name was John d' Albuquerque, and 1 The Portuguese, in 1418, under the direction of prince Henry, fifth son to John I. kin^ of Portugal, began the dis- covery of Madeira, and several other islands which lie on , the western coast of Africa, and made some small settlements in Guinea. Immanuel the Great, who succeeded his father, John II. in the throne in 1495, and died in 1521, nominated | "Vasco de Gama his admiral, to find a passage to the East \ Indies by sea, with which no commerce was then open but ^. through Egypt or Persia. By his encouragement Americus ( Vespusius discovered Brazil in America, in 1497, where | Columbo had first fallen upon Guanahani, one of the Lucay - islands, in 1492. Gama doubled the Cape of Good Hope in 1498, discovered the coast of Mozambique, and the city of Melinda, upon the coast of Zanquebar in Africa, and thence sailed to Calicut in the East Indies. He made an alliance with the king of Calicut, who afterward became a Chris* p^Ok 3.1 3T. FRANGIS XAVIER, C. 41 who was a most virtuous prelate. The saint presented to him the briefs of Paul III. declared that he pretended not to use them without his approbation, and, casting himself at his feet, |j^ti^.» GamamaclefurtU£r discoveries, and great acquisitions and conquests, la ; 1^7,' Almeyda was appointed the first Portuguese viceroy in those parts. Alfonso d'Albuquerque his most successful and prudent general succeeded him in 1509, and governed the Indies till his death in 1515. Ilaviug taken Goain 15J0, he enlarged and fortified it, and made it the Portuguese capital in the Indies. John III. surnamed the Pious, succeeded his father Immanuel in the throne of Portugal, in 1521, and inherited all his virtues, especialljr his piety and zeal for religion; but was a stranger to many injustices committed by several of his governors and generals in the Indies. The first missionaries or chaplains who attended the Portuguese in the Indies were Franciscans, with a bishop, who was an apostolic-vicar. The governor Alfonso d'Albuquerque procured an episcopal see to be erected at Goa; and John d'Albuquerque, a Franciscan, was the first bishop. The see of Goa was afterward raised to metropolitical dignity, when other bishoprics were erected in those parts; viz. those of Cochin and Malacca, in 1592, that of Meliapor) in 1607, &c. A zealous oflicer in the army, named Antony Galvan, founded a seminary in the Molucca islands, which was a model of another soon after erected at Goa, in 1540. The old Christians of St. Thomas, or of Malabar, in those parts were chiefly Nestorians, obeyed the patriarch of Babylon, and used the Syriac language in their liturgy. They inhabited a hundred and forty villages, had a hundred and twenty-seven churches, and ?imounted to the number of about twenty-two thousand souls. Vincent Gouvea, % Franciscan, who went to the Indies with John d'Albuquer- que, first bishop of Goa, had many conferences with the Christians of St. Thomas, and many of them came over to the Catholic communion; others continued obstinate, and, since the Dutch are masters of Cochin, live under their pro- tection. See Gouvea Jornada do arcobispo de Goa, &c. p. 6. Raulinus, Hist. Malabar, Jos. Assemani, Diss, de Syrit Nestorianis. Lettres Editicant. Recu, 1. 12, p.;383. Serri's Relation to the Congr. de Propaganda. The Malabar rites, which some have been desirous to connive at, out of conde- scension to certain Gentiles on the coast of Malabar, con- sisted in the omission of some of the ceremonies of baptism; 42 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [dec. 3. begged his blessing. The bishop was struck with the venerable air of sanctity that ap- peared in his countenance and deportment, raised him up, kissed the briefs and promised to the deferring baptism of infants; women keeping the tally, on which was an image of an idol called Pyllajar, and using a cord of a hundred and eight strings; the refusing to afford certain less essential spiritual succours to the Parei (a despicable servile rank of men) at their own houses; Chris- tian musicians playing in the temples of idols, or at their feasts; forbidding women the use of the sacraments under certain infirmities, &c. Which connivance and toleration was condemned by cardinal Tournon, under Clement XI. by Benedict XIIl. in 1727, Clement XIl, in 1739, and most severely by Benedict XIV. in 1744, who yet allow particu- lar priests to be deputed to attend the Parei alone, and others to serve the nobility. The infidels on this coast were in our apostle's time partly Mahometans, partly Indian sects, and partly a remnant of the Persian idolaters. The Pattan Arabs, who were Ma- hometans, conquered Indostan, but, many years after, were vanquished by Gingischan, a Tartar, about the year 1200. That prince professed the religion which is followed by the great ones and the learned men of China, worshipping Tien as the sovereign being: but his posterity embraced the established Mahometanism of the country'. One of these made great conquests in Persia, took Bagdat, and slew Motazen, the last Saracen caliph or vicar of Mahomet, in whom that religious dignity was extinguished. Tamerlane, \a Mahometan Tartar, extended his conquests towards I India in 1402, and one of his sons, with an army of Mogul Tartars, conquered Indostan in 1420; whence the name of Mogul. These took up the Mahometan religion. One of( these Moguls, descendants of Tamerlane, named Aureng-^ zeb, who died in 1707, conquered Decan, Visapour, Golcond,<, and almost all the peninsula on this side the Ganges.* See Bernier's History of Aureng-zeb, and Catrou's His-j toire du Mogol. Since Kouli Khan, the Persian, almosti ruined the Mogul by his conquests, the original ■ Indians, called Marattas, have shook off the yoke of the ^ Great Mogul. The Marattas are so called from the title of Mar-Rajah, which is given to the king of the most powerful tribe among them. 7'he kings of smaller tribes are called Rajahs. Among this people the Mahometan remains of the Pattan- DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 43 support him by his episcopal authority: which 1 he failed not to do. To call down the blessing of I heaven on his labours, St. Francis consecrated I most of the night to prayer. The situation in which religion then was in those parts, was such ; Arabs, &c, live unmolested; but chiefly occupy the moun- tains and fastnesses into which they retired from the con- querors. The same is the condition of the Parsees in these parts, or those Persians who left their country upon the coming of the Arabs, and some of them still retain in India the Magian reliction, though much adulterated. The Marattasare the original Indian inhabitants, and are all of the Gentoo religion, so called from gentio^ the Portu- guese name for Gentiles or idolaters. Most of these Indian Gentiles believe a transmigration of souls; which doctrine Pythagoras is supposed to have learned from them. Their idols are of various kinds. Their Bramins are thought to be the successors of the Brachmans : they are called Butts, from their idols, of which that is the name. They touch no animal foop : are very healthy, but not strong bodied : their taste and other senses are much quicker than in men who eat much flesh. Several Indian tribes live almost altogether on rice and vegetables. The wisdom of the Bramins is famed: their skill admirable in secret remedies of many diseases. They have many fine moral precepts : but adopt many monstrous absurdities, as the thousand forms under which the god Wistnow is pretended to have appeared, (their pagods or idols being in as many fantastical shapes,) the wars of the god Ram, the virtues of the cow Camdoga, &c. It is a mistake that the Bramins are the gymnosophists of the ancients: these are the Gioghi, who still pray almost naked, torture themselves out of vanity ard superstition, and wander in forests, pretending to assiduous contemplation. (See Grose's Travels.) Some of the Gentoos in Hither India ^ worship cows, and annex sanctity to whatever comes from ' , that animal, purify themselves with its urine, burn its excre- ments into a powder, with which they sprinkle their fore- heads and breasts, and besmear their houses with its dung. It is said they would sooner kill their parents or children than a cow. The Banians feed birds, insects, serpents, and f other living creatures with the utmost care, tenderness, and superstition. In this variety of whimsical religions we cannot but deplore the blindness of the human understand- ing, destitute of the light of divine faith, whilst we remark jn them not the cure, but the bent and gratification of the most violent and subtle passions, and, at the same time, sq 44 ST. I*RANCIS XAVIER, C. [DEC. 3. as called forth his zeal and his tears. Among the Portuguese, revenge, ambition, avarice, usury, and debauchery, seemed to have extin- guished in many the sentiments of their holy religion; the sacraments were neglected; there were not four preachers m all the Indies: nor any priests without the walls of Goa. The bishop's exhortations and threats were despised, and no dam was sufi&cient to stem such a deluge. The infidels resembled rather beasts than men, and the few who were come over to the faith, not being supported by competent instructions, nor edified by example, relapsed into their ancient manners and superstitions. Such was the de- plorable situation of those countries when St. Francis Xavier appeared among them as a new star to enlighten so many infidel nations. So powei'ful was the word of God in his mouth, and such the fruit of his zeal, that in the space of ten years he established the empire of Jesus Christ in a new world. Nothing more sensibly afflicted him at his arrival at Goa, than the scandalous deportment of the Christians, who lived in direct opposition to the gospel which they professed, and, by their manners, alienated the infidels from the faith: he therefore thought it would be best to open his mission with them. In order to com- pass a general reformation, he began by in- structing them in the principles of religion, and forming the youth to the practice of sincere strong an inborn sentiment of religion that the mind of men rather embraces the most absurd and false religion than none at all. See Lafiteau's Histoire des Conque tes des Portu- gais dans les Indes, &c. in two volumes 4to. (a work which falls much short of the author's reputation.) The truly Ciceronian Latin History of India by the bishop Jerom Osovio : that of the Jesuit Maffei, almost equal to the former in elegance of style, in point of facts are little more than abstracts of the accurate Portuguese history of John de Barros on the same subject. See also the Portuguese Asia m four tomes, by Manueide Fariay Soursa, DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS X A VIEB, C. 46 piety. Having spent the morning in assisting and comforting the distressed in the hospitals and prisons, he walked through all the streets of Goa, with a bell in his hand, summoning all mas- . ters, for the love of God, to send their children ) and slaves to catechism. The little children! gathered together in crowds about him, and heS led them to the church, and taught them the| creed and practices of devotion, and impressed on t their tender minds strong sentiments of piety I and religion. By the modesty and devotion 7 of the youth, the whole town began to change its face, and the most abandoned sinners began to blush at vice. After some tirii'e, the saint preached in public, and made his visits to private jj houses: and the sweetness of his behaviour and : words, and his charitable concern for the souls of his neighbours were irresistible. Sinners were struck with the horror of their crimes, and, throw- ing themselves at his feet, confessed them with bit- ter compunction of heart; and the fruits of peni-. tence which accompanied their tears, were the> certain proofs of the sincerity of their conversions.^ Usurious bonds were cancelled, restitution wass made of unjust gains, slaves who had been un- ( justly acquired were set at liberty, concubines £ dismissed, or lawfully mariied, and families were i well regulated. ^ The reformation of the whole city of Goa was accomplished in half a year, when the saint was informed, that on the coast of La Pescaria, or the Pearl Fishery, which is extended from Cape Comorin to the isle of Manar, on the eastern side of ' the peninsula, there were certain people called Paravas, that is. Fishers, who some time ago, in order to please the Portuguese who had succoured them against the Moors, had caused themselves to be baptized, but, for want of instructions, retained their superstitions and vices. Xavier had by this time got a little acquaintance with 46 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [DEC. 3. the Malabar language, which is spoke on that coast, and, taking with him two young ecclesias- tics who understood it competently well, em- barked in October, in 1542, and sailed to Cape Comorin, which faces the isle of Ceylon, and is about six hundred miles from Goa. Here St. Francis went into a village full of idolaters, and preached Jesus Christ to them: but the inhabi- tants told him they could not change their religion without the leave of their lord. Their obstinacy, however, yielded to the force of J miracles by which God was pleased to manifest his truth to them. A woman who had been three days in the pains of childbirth, without be- ing eased by any remedies or prayers of the Brachmans, was immediately delivered, and recovered upon being instructed in the faith, and baptized by St, Francis, as he himself relates in a letter to St. Ignatius.l Upon this miracle, not only that family, but most of the chief persons of the country, listened to his doctrine, and heartily embraced the faith, having obtained the leave of their prince. The servant of God pro- ceeded to the Pearl Coast, set himself first to in- struct and confirm those who had been formerly baptized; and to succeed in his undertaking, he was at some pains to make himself more per- fectly master of the Malabar tongue. Then he preached to those Paravas to whom the name of ' \ Christ was till that time unknown ; and so great were the multitudes which he baptized, that , sometimes, by the bare fatigue of administering that sacrament, he was scarce able to move his arm, according to the account which he gave to ; his brethren in Europe. To make the children comprehend and retain the catechism, he taught them to recite with him some little prayer upon each question or article. Every lesson or instruc- ■ tion he began with the Our Father, and ended with IS, Fr. Xavier, 1. 1. ep. 4. p. 51, DEC. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 4/ the Hail Mary. Diseases seem to have been never so frequent on that coast as at that time; which happened as if it had been to drive the most obstinate, in spite of their reluctance, into the folds of the Church: for the people had almost all recourse to St. Francis for their cure, or that of some friend; and great numbers recovered their health, either by being baptized, or by invoking the name of Jesus. The saint frequently sent some young neophite with his crucifix, beads, or reliquary, to touch the sick, after having recited with them the Lord's Prayer, Creed, and commandments; and the sick by declaring unfeignedly that they believed in Christ, and desired to be baptized, recovered their health. This great number of miracles, and the admirable innocence, zeal, and sanctity of the preacher, recommended him to the veneration of the Bramins themselves, who were the philoso- phers, divines, and priests of the idolaters. These, nevertheless, upon motives of interest, opposed his doctrine: and neither his conferences nor his miracles could gain them. The process of the saint's canonization makes mention of four dead persons, to whom God restored life at this time, by the ministry of his servant. The first was a catechist who had been stung by a serpent of that kind whose stings are always mortal. The second was a child who was drowned in a pit. The third and fourth a young man and maid whom a pestilential fever had carried off. Incredible were the labours of the saint. His food was the same with that of the poorest people, rice and water. His sleep was but three hours a-night at most, and that in a fisher's cabin on the ground: for he soon made away with a mattress and coverlet which the governor had sent him from Goa. The remainder of the night he passed with God or with his neighbour. In the midst of the hurry of his external employments, he ceased not 48 ST. FRANCIS XA.VIER, C. [DEC. 3. to converse interiorly with God, who bestowed on him such an excess of interior spiritual delights, that he was often obliged to desire the divine goodness to moderate them ; as he testified in a letter to St. Ignatius, and his brethren at Rome, J though written in general terms, and in the third Eerson. I am accustomed," says he,i " often to ear one labouring in this vineyard, cry out to God: 0 my Lord, give me not so much joy and comfort in this life: or, if by an excess of mercy thou wilt heap it upon me, take me to thyself, and make me partaker of thy glory. For he who has once in his interior feeling tasted thy sweet- ness, must necessarily find life too bitter so long as he is deprived of the sight of Thee." He had laboured about fifteen months in the conversion of the Paravas, when, toward the close of the year 1543, he w^as obliged to return to Goa to procm^e assistants. The seminary of the faith which had been founded there for the education of young Indians, was committed to his care, and put into the hands of the society. The saint enlarged it, and made prudent regula- tions for the government and direction of the . youth; and, from this time, it was called the seminary of St. Paul. The following year he returned to the Paravas with a supply of evan- gelical labourers, as well Indians as Europeans, whom he stationed in different towns ; and some I he carried with him into the kingdom of Travan- cor, where, as he testifies in one of his letters, he baptized ten thousand Indians with his own - hand in one month; and sometimes a whole village received the sacrament of regeneration in one day. When the holy man first penetrated into the inland provinces of the Indians, being wholly ignorant of the language of the people, he could only baptize children, and serve the sick, who, by signs, could signify what they wanted, ^ I Ep. 5. p.'80. Societati Romam. DEC. 3.J ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 49 as he wrote to F. Mansilla. Whilst he exercised his zeal in Travancor, God first communicated to him the gift of tongnes, according to the relation of a young Portuguese of Coimbra, named Vaz, who attended him in many of his journeys. He spoke very well the language of those barbarians without having learned it, and had no need of an interpreter when he instructed them. He some- times preached to five or six thousand persons together, in some spacious plain. The saint nar- rowly escaped the snares which were sometimes laid by Bramins and others to take away his life; , and, when the Badages, a tribe of savages and< public robbers, having plundered many other ^ places, made inroad into Travancor, he marched up to the enemy, with a crucifix in his hand, at the head of a small troop of fervent Christians, and, with a commanding air, bade them, in the < name of the living God, not to pass further, but ^ to return the way they came. His words cast such a terror into the minds of the leaders who ( were at the head of the barbarians, that they , stood some time confounded, and without motion; ' ■then retired in disorder, and quitted the country. This action procured St. Francis the protection of the king of Travancor, and the surname of the Great Father. As the saint was preaching one day at Coulon, a village in Travancor, near Cape Comorin, perceiving that few were converted by his discourse, he made a short prayer that God would honom' the blood and name of his beloved Son, by softening the hearts of the most obdu- rate. Then he bade some of the people open the giave of a man who was buried the day before, near the place where he preached; and the body was beginning to putrify with a noisome scent, which he desired the by-standers to obseiwe. Then falling on his knees, after a short prayer, . he commanded the dead man in the name of the^ living God to arise. At these words, the dead 50 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [DEC. 3. man arose, and appeared not only living, but vigorous and in perfect health. All who were present were so struck with this evidence, that throwing themselves at the saint's feet, they demanded baptism. The holy man also raised to life, on the same coast, a young man who was a Christian, whose corpse he met as it was carried to the grave. To preserve the memory of this wonderful action, the parents of the deceased, who were present, erected a great cross on the place where the miracle was wrought. These miracles made so great impressions on the people, that the whole kingdom of Travancor was sub- jected to Christ in a few months, except the king and some of his courtiers. The reputation of the miracles of St. Francis reached the isle of Manar, Avhich sent deputies to St. Francis, entreating him to visit their country. The saint could not at that time leave Travancor, but sent a zealous missionary, by whom many were instructed and baptized. The king of Jafa- I natapan, in the northern part of the neighbouring ; beautiful and pleasant isle of Ceylon, hearing of this progress of the faith, fell upon Manar with an army, and slew six or seven hundred Chris- tians, who, when asked the question, boldly con- fessed Christ. This tyrant was afterward slain by the Portuguese, when they invaded Ceylon. The saint, after he had made a journey to Cochin, upon business, visited Mancar, and settled there a numerous Church; in a journey of devotion, which he took to Meliapor, to implore the inter- cession of the apostle St. Thomas, he converted many dissolute livers in that place. Afterward, intending to pass to the island of Macassar, he sailed to Malacca, a famous mart, in the penin- sula beyond the Ganges, to which all the Indies, and also the Arabs, Persians, Chinese, and Japonians, resorted for trade. The saint arrived here, on the 25th of September, 1545, and, by DEC, 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. hi the irresistible force of his zeal and miracle^;, reformed the debauched manners of the Chris- tians, and converted many Pagans and Mahome- tans. This town had been lately possessed by a tribe of the latter sect, who had wrested it from the king of Siam: but Albuquerque had conquered it in 1511. St. Francis^ finding no opportunity of sailing to Macassar, passed the isles of Bonda, which are some of the spice islands. Landing in the island of Amboina, he baptized great part of the inhabitants. Having preached in other islands, he made a considerable stay in the Moluccas, and, though the inhabitants were an untractable people, he brought great numbers to the truth. \ Thence he passed to the isle del Moro, the in- \ habitants of which he gained to Christ. In this mission he suffered much: but from it wrote to St. Ignatius: "The dangers to which I am ex- posed, and jxiins I take for the interest of God alone, are the inexhaustible springs of spiritual joy: insomuch, that these islands, bare of all worldly necessaries, are the places in the world for a man to lose his sight with the excess of weeping: but they are tears of joy. I remember not ever to have tasted such interior delights; \ and these consolations of the soul are so pure, so * exquisite, and so constant, that they take from \ me all sense of my corporal sufferings." Tho I saint returned towards Goa, visited the islands on the road where he had preached, and arrived at Malacca, in 1547. In the beginning of the year 1548 he landed in Ceylon, where he converted great numbers, with two kings. At Malacca, a Japonese, named Angeroo* ad- ^ dressed himself to the saint. Kaempfer tells us, ^ that lie had killed a man in his own country, and, to save his life, made his escape in a Portuguese ship. All agree that he was rich, and of a noble extraction, and about thirty-five years of age; and, / that being distiubed in mind, with remorse an^ J) 52 SI. FRANCIS XAVIEE, C. tl>EC. 3. terrors of conscience, he was advised by certain Christians to have recourse to the holy St* Francis for comfort. The saint poured the mildest balm into his wounded heart, and gave him assurances that he should find repose of mind, but must first seek God in his true religion. The Japonese was charmed with h^is discourses, and, as he had by that time acquired some knowledge of the Portuguese language, was instructed in the faith, and engaged by St Francis to embark with his attendants and to go to Goa, whither he himself was directing his course, but taking a round. In the strnits of Ceylon, the ship which carried the saint was overtaken with a most dreadful tempest, inso- much, that the sailors threw all their merchan- dize overboard, and the pilot, not being able to hold the rudder, abandoned the vessel to the fury of the waves. For three days and three nights the mariners had nothing but death before their eyes. St. Francis, after hearing the confessions of all on board, fell on his knees before his crucifix, and continued there wholly taken up and lost to all things but to God. The ship at last struck against the sands of Ceylon, and the mariners gave themselves for lost, when i Xavier, coming out of his cabin, took the line and | plummet, as if it had been to fathom the sea, and, | letting them down to the bottom of the water, | pronounced these words: "Great God, Father,f Son, and Holy Ghost, have mercy on us." Ati the same moment, the vessel stopped, and the| wind ceased. After which they pursued theirl voyage, and happily arrived at Cochin, on the I ; 21st of January, 1548. Writing from that place to the fathers at Rome, he tells t^3.em, that in the height of the tempest, he had taken them and all devout persons on earth, for his intercessors with God, had invoked all the saints and angels going through all their orders, and DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C, 53 , desired particularly for his protectress and patro- , / ness, the most holy Mother of God, and Queen ofi 7 Heaven. He adds: "Having reposed all myj Shope in the infinite merits of our Lord and) ^ ' Saviour, Jesus Christ, being encompassed with 5 : this protection, I enjoyed a greater satisfaction iny the midst, of this raging tempest, than when) J I was wholly delivered from the danger. In very \ ^ truth, being as I am, the worst of all men, I am | / ashamed to have shed so many tears of joy,s "* through an excess of heavenly pleasure, when l/ { was just upon the point of perishing. Insomuch, * ( that I humbly prayed our Lord that he would not \ / free me from the danger of my shipwreck, unless < it were to reserve me for greater dangers, to his \ own glory, and for his service. God has often / shown me by an inward discovery, from how many perils and sufferings he has delivered ■ me by the prayers and sacrifices of those of the ^• • society." The saint, leaving Cochin, visited the villages of the coast of the pearl fishery, and was much edified with the fervour of the converts: he made some stay at Manapar, near Cape Comorin, pass- ed over to the isle of Ceylon, (where he converted the king of Cande,) and arrived at Goft on the 20th of March, 1548. There he instructed Angeroo and many others, and took a resolution to go to Japan. In the mean time, he applied himself more than ever to the exercises of an interior life, as it were to recover new strength; , for it is the custom of all apostolical men, by the communications which they have with God, to refresh themselves, and repair their interior ' spirit amidst the pains which they take with their neighbour. During this retirement, in the garden of St. Paul's college, sometimes walking, at other times in a little hermitage which was there set up, he cried out: " It is enough, my Lord: it is enough." And he sometimes opened 4 12 54 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [dEC. 3. his cassock before his breast, declaring he was not able to support the abundance of heavenly consolations. At the same time, he signified that he rather prayed that God would reserve those pleasures for another time, and here would not spare to inflict on him any pains or sufferings in this present world. These interior employments did not hinder him from the labours of his minis- terial vocation, nor from succouring the distressed in the hospitals and in the prisons. On the con- trary, the more lively and ardent the love of God was in him, the more desirous he was to bring it forth, and kindle it in others. This charity caused him often to relinquish the delights of holy solitude. F. Gasper Barzia and four other Jesuits arrived at that time at Goa from Europe, whom the saint stationed, and then set out for Malacca, intending to proceed to Japan. After a short stay at Malacca, he went on board a Chinese vessel, and arrived at Cangoxima, in the kindom of Saxuma, in Japan, on the 15th of August, 1549, having with him Angeroo, who had been baptized with two of his domes- tics at Goa, and was called Paul of the holy faitl^i 1 The empire of the Japan, the most eastern part of Asia, consists of a cluster of islands, the largest and principal of which is called the Japonese Niphon, which in their language signifies the East or Origin of the sun. From the Chinese name Gepuanque, that is, kingdom of the rising sun, Europeans have formed the word Japan. There are two other large islands, the one called Saikokf or Bun go, the oiher Takosy or Sikokf. The city of Meaco in Niphon is the ancient capital of the empire; the Dairi still resides there in a sumptuous palace, and in it flourish the best manufactures and artisans in cloths, staining linen, varnish- ing, printing, working in gold, copper, steel, &c. Kaemp- fer, in 1691, reckoned in Meaco three thousand eight hundred and ninety-three tira, or temples of new or strange divinities; two thousand one hundred and seventeen mia, or temples of the original ancient divinities of Japan; one DEC. 3J ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 55 The languagfe of the Japanese seems, in the • judgment of Kaempfer, to be. a primitive or \ original tongue; for it has no affinity with other i oriental languages, though certain Chinese terms i hundred and thirty-seven palaces, eighty-seven bridges, thirteen thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine houses, fifty-two thousand one hundred and sisty-nine bonzas or re- ligious persons, and four hundred and seventy-seven thou- sand, five hundred and fifty-seven lay-persons, besides the oflScers of the Dairi, and a great number. of strangers, tliese never being comprised in the Artama or yearly registry. Jeddo in the same isle Niphon, is now grown far the largest ciiy in the empire, and is the residence of the Cubo or secular emperor; but very irregularly built. The cities of Ozacca in Niphon, and Nangasaki in Saikokf are the chief places of trade. The empire of Japan is not much inferior to that of China in riches, fruitfulness in some parts, stateli- ness of buildings, and the culture of arts and sciences. Yet the Japonese seem to acknowledge a superiorly in the Chinese; though Charlevoix attributes to the Japonese more sincerity, liveliness of genius, delicacy of sentiment, ' and taste in magnificence, Japan was discovered by three " Portuguese thrown on the coast of Saikokf by a storm, in 15^ and that nation soon set on foot a flourishing trade ttumer and made a settlement at-Nangasaki, in the princi- pality of Omura; and during almost a century carried thence immense treasures before they were banished, in 1639. Since which the very ambassadors which the Por- tuguese sent to Cubo in 1640 were beheaded by his orders. The Dutch began to trade to Japan in J609, and 1611 es- tablished a factory at firando, which in 1641, was removed to. Nangasaki: but was soon after confined to the little island ol Desima. Once a-year the director of this factory is conducted to Jeddo, when he carries anannual present to the I Cubo. The Japonese are extremely superstitious, haughty, ^ and shamelessly abandoned to all kind of incontinence, v although their wives are very faithful, and strictly guarded. / Their spirit of revenge, jealousy, and pride, is insupportable, ? yet their veracity, fidelity, and constancy in suffering, are ) astonishingr Population would soon overstock their land, ) if wars, cruelty., and the most frequent practice of suicide, } from a false principle of honour and a cool contempt otS death, did not sweep of great numbers , Poor pareHts i ^expose and murder their infant children, and, see them \ expire without changing their countenance. Their princi-. 66 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER5 C. [dEC. 3. are adopted in it. St. Francis learned certain elements of it from his convert during liisvoyage^ and stayed forty days at Cangoxima, lodging at Paul's house, whose wife^ daughter, and other ].ial food is rice, which in Japan is the best in the world, they had roots and pulse, but seldom eat any flesh, to which many have an abhorrence. Milk they detest, calling it a kind of white blood. They drink tea at meals, and use a strong liquor extracted from rice fermented. They are ex- cessively ceremonious, and sit on the ground leaning back- ward on their heels, and cross-legged. The Japonese dis- tinguish three dynasties of their monarchs: the two first fabulous, of the Chamis or gods of heavenly extraction, and of derai-gods. The third dynasty is allowed real, and begins in Syn-mu, whom Charlevoix places six hundred years before Christ, This emperor was styled Dairi. The family of Syn-mu, said to be the most ancient sovereign house in the world, after having enjoyed both the throne and the sovereign priesthood, was reduced to the latter,- it still con- firms and instala the Cubo at every succession. Konjei,the/ sixty-sixth Dairi, in 1142, seeing his empire disturbed with civil wars, created Joritomo gtneral of all his armies, who usurped the sovereign civil authority, yet acknowledging a nominal dependence, which his successors also did for the space of four centuries. The Jacatas or governors of provin- ces, had before that time assumed the subordinate sove- reignty in their districts, and their successors reigned as so many petty kings. This was the situation of Japan when St. Francis preached there. But. in 1585, Fidejos, the twenty- ninth Seogon, or general, rebelled against Ookimatz, tlie hun- dred and seventh Dairi, shook off all dependence in civil af- fairs, took the title of Taikosama, or great lord, and compelled the Dairi to confer on him that of Quambuku, or Quamba- cundono, i. e. regent. But the ordinary title of Taikosama and his successors is, Cnbo, or Cubosama, Cubo being the ancient title of the general of the militia. Taikosama abol- ished all the Jac?tasor subordinate kings, from which time the Cubes are absolute monarchs of all Japan. The very title of Jacatas is extinct; hereditary governors of provinces are now styled Daimio or lords: those of smaller districts, Siomio and these compose the two first ranks of the nobility: the Tonosama are governors of imperial cities. Since the revolution completed by Taikosama, the Dairi, or Mikaddo, who is the descendant of Ookimatz, is only the ecclesiastical emperor and high. priest of the religion of Sintosj enjoys the DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 57 relations lie in the mean time converted and baptized. The same language is used all over the empire, but the words are diff^^rently accen- ted when addressed to courtiers or persons of chief authority in all religious matters, and is treated with great honour even by the Cubo, served with a kind of ado- ration, and always carried about, not bein^ suffered ever to touch the ground lest he should be defiled by it. For his ex- penses and pleasures he enjoys the revenues of Meaco and its territory, and has a very numerous court, all of ecclesi- astics ; but in it, says Kaempfer, there reigns a splendid in- digence. There are in Japan twelve religious sects of idolaters. The two principal are those of the Sintoists or Camis, and the Budsdoists. The first is the reigning religion : its pro- fessors worship seven gods called Chamis, and five demU gods, both of ^vhom they pretend to have reigned in Japan several millions of years, and to compose the first and second dynasties of their kings. Their temples are very rich, filled with ornaments of gold, silver, and brass, and lofty pillars of cedar. Tensio-Dai-Dsin is the chief Charais, the father and founder of their nation : his temple of Ixo or Isje, in the province of that name, is famous for pilgrimages, from which only the Dairi is exempt The Jammabus are religious persons of austere lives, but addicted to unnatural lust, who are also soldiers for the protection of their gods. Kaempfer will have the apostle of this religion in Japan, who is called Koosi, to have been Confucius, which cannot be, and he confesses in another place that Confucius never left China. The Sintoists admit numberless other gods ; allow a state of happiness after death, in a region above the heavens, but think little of another life: and as foxes are most pernicious in that country, they believe their souls to be the devils. The second religion is called of Budsdo, (from Buhda, one of the names which their Bramins give Zaca,) 01 of Fotogues, (from Fotoge, agenerical name of any god.) This is professed by those who adore Zaca, an ancient Indian legislator. Amida is the chief god of this sect, as he is of the Indians, who imagine him to have been Wistuow in his ninth apparition in a human shape. This sect is of Indian ex- traction. The Budsdoists adore Zaca or Siako, who first es- tablished the worship of Amida, and many other gods : they believe the transmigration of souls from brutes into human bodies, and an everlasting heaven and hell for very good and bad human souls after death j never kill any luiug 58 ST. FRANCIS XAVIEEj C. [DEC. 3, rank, and when to merchants and soldiers, and again differently to the vulgar. During these forty days, St. Francis, by unwearied application, made such progress in it as to translate into Japonian the apostle's creed, and an exposition of it which he had composed, and which he got by heart in this language, and then began to preach ; but was first introduced by Paul to the king of Saxuma, whose residence was six leagues creature or eat flesh: have pilgrimages, idols, temples, and various kinds of religious persons and anchorets, very austere in their manner of living, though extremely addicted to debauchery, Charlevoix relates, that the Budsdoists often murder themselves in honour of their god Amida, hoping he will receive their souls : some drown themselves in the sea, others wall themselves up in caverns to perish with hunger, and others throw themselves headlong into burning volca- noes : after which they are often themselves honoured as ^ gods. The religion of the Sintoists was also very numerous in Japan ; in this no divinities are acknowledged but Tien, or the heaven, which they pretend to have been created with the earth by In and loc they extol suicide as the most heroic act of virtue; practise certain religious ceremonies, but have neither temples nor idols. This religion, is de- rived from that of the learned in China ; it is sunk extiemely since the persecution of the Christians in Japan, the Sin- toists having placed an image of some god of the country in their houses that they rhight not be suspected to be Chris- tians. Certain sects in Japan worship the sun, moon, apes, and other beasts ; men deified, and fantastical idols. Some, as in China, follow the religion of the Lamas of Thibet in Great Tartary, who worship the Great Lama, a living man whom they imagine to be immortal; the Lamas substi- tuting one who resembles the former, when he dies. The name of Bonza (the original of which is not known) was given by the Portuguese to the priests and religious of many different denominations of all idolatrous sects in China and Japan ; and sometimes to the Talopians of Siam, &c. See F. Charlevoix, Hist, du Jupan, in nine volumes; Kaempfer, physician to the Dutch factory there, in his His- tory of Japan, in folio, and Histoire Moderne pour servir de suite a 1' Histoire Ancienne de Rollin, Paris, in 1752, t.2. Hist.de Japonnois. Abb^; Roubaud. Hist. G^n. de I'Asie, d^ I'Afrique, et de I'Am^rique, t. J. p. 8, &c, > t DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIEB, C. 59 from Cangoxima. Meeting with a most gracious and honourable reception, he obtained the king's leave to preach the faith to his subjects; of ., which he made so good use that he converted a \ great number. Kaempfer pretends that he \ never spoke the language perfectly; bat Charle- 1 voix, from the original authors of his life, assures j us that he spoke it even with elegance and j propriety. The gift of tongues was a transient | favour. He distributed copies of his exposition i of the creed among his converts.! New miracles j 1 The Japonese write or print, like the Chinese, from the top to the bottom of the page, and from the right hand to the left. The ancient Japoniau -letters were so shapeless that this people has abolished them, and makes use of the Chinese alphabet: but the letters are very differently ac- cented and pronounced in Japan. It is pretended by many that the art of printing was practised in China, Japan, and the Eastern Tartary many ages ago, and they have books so old, printed by words cut in boards of entire pages. But this is not properly the art of printing. Engraving letters on boards is at least as old as Homer, and is proved by Fournier to have been in use through every succeeding age. In the thirteenth century, both cuts or images and letters were printed, by being cut in wood, on which, afterward, a thick ink was laid. M, Schoepflin makes the mobility of the types to be an essential part of printing ; consequently nei- ther the Chinese nor John Coster of Haerlem were printers, since they only used boards in which words were cut; the Dutch, who ascribe the invention of the typographic art to this Coster, (whose true name was Laurence Janssou,) pro- duce no other proofs than books without date, printed by whole pages engraved or cut in wood. The ingenious Fournier advances, that the mobility of the types is not suf- ficient, unless they are cast in metal : for St. Jerom speaks of movable types made of box and ivory. Upon this prin- ciple he calls, not John Guttenberg of Mentz, but Peter Scho- efler, the first inventor of the typographic art. Trithemius, in his chronicle, says, that John of Guttemberg, a gentleman •who was a native of Mentz, but settled at Strasburg, laid out a great deal of money in this discovery, without making any progress, till he took John Fust or Faust into partner- ship, Faust afterward, made Peter Schoeffer his partner, about the yeai' 1457, and gave him his daughter in marriage. 60 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [bEC. 3. confirmed his doctrine. By his blessing, a child's body, which was swelled and deformed, was made straight and beautiful: and, by his prayers, a leper was healed and a pagan young maid of The first book that was printed came out of their press by their joint labours, in 1459; this was Durandi Rationale Divi- norwn Officiorum. About the year J 462 this art was oro- pagated in France, Italy, England, &c. The letters which the first printers used were very beautiful, and repre- sented with great exactness the letters which were then used in writing. See Lambecius, (Bibl. Vindob. 1, 2. p. 989.) Chevalier, (Orig.de I'lmprira.) La Caille, (Hist, de I'lm- prim.) Ames, (Hist, of Printing,) and especially the excel- lent dissertatiops of M. Schoepflin. (Mem. de I'Acad, des Inscript. vol. 17.) and IVl. Fournier, (Diss, sur I'Origine de I'Art de Graver en Bois, Paris, 1758.) As the sources of the largest rivers often escape observation, because small and inconsiderable; so is the first original of arts, like that of empires and nations, obscure. The greatest discoveries are usually owing to hints given by others, whose names are forgot. The system of universal gravitation was a key to that of attraction, and was itself struck out from former pro- gressive discoveries made of the laws of motion or nature. From logarithms, the step was not large to fluxions ; and former progressive rules of numbers opened the way to lord Napier's discovery of logarithmic tables. The art of print- ing (as well as most other arts) is still in a very imperfect state in China: the improvements of that nation have been falselv exaggerated by some moderns, and it is apparent that this people, though more cultivated than the neighbour- ing nations, falls, in general, far short of the more polished countries on this side of the globe. We, indeed, justly ad- mire the liveliness and beauty of their azure, and other colours in painting; but this invention must have been the mer« result of observation and experience, as our artists have never been able to give them any taste for proportions, and regularity in their drawings ; instanced in that stupidity and slowness of genius which those Chinese, Vv^ho, with their I emperor's leave, travelled into Europe, have betrayed on all I occasions. The colours used by our own ancestors, even in ; ages wherein genias seems to have been least cultivated, S were far superior to ours : as appears in their painted glass, ^ and in the beautiful painted figures with which the magni- ' ficent ancient copy of Froissart, in the king's library at Paris, and part in the British Museum at London, is embellished DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 61 quality, that had been dead a whole day, was raised to life. After a year spent at Cangoxima, with hia usual success, the saint, in 1550, went to Firando, the capital of another petty kingdom; for the king of Saxuma, incensed at the Portuguese, because they had abandoned his port to carry on their trade chiefly at Firando, had withdrawn the license he had granted the saint, and began to persecute the Christians. The converts, however, persevered • steady, and declared they were ready to suffer banishment or death, rather than deny Christ: and St. Francis recommended them to Paul, and left in their hands an ample | exposition of the creed, and the Life of our i Saviour, translated entire from the gospels, which he had caused to be printed in Japonese charac- ters. He took with him his two companions, who were Jesuits, and carried on his back, according to his custom, all the necessary utensils for the sacrifice of the mass. The saint, in his way to Firando, preached in the fortress of Ekaudono,; the prince of which was a vassal to the king of j Saxuma. The prince's steward embraced the faith with several others, and to his care Xavier recommended the rest at his departure; and he assembled them daily in his apartments to recite with them the litany and prayers, and, on Sundays, read to them the Christian doctrine: in every part of each volume, representing with admirable beauty the exploits, dresses, and manners of that age; also in Lydijate's Life of St. Edmund, in the copy presented to Henry VI. and several prayer-books, &c. on vellum. The finest gold, and the choicest sky-blue metallic particles of the liardest oriental lapis-lazuli, &c, were not then spared, which are now thoujjht too expensive for such purposes. Yet every one will allow that this gives no advantage of genius to the monks, to whom we are indebted for those curious works. In like manner, the Chinese may raise our admiration with the beauty of their colours, but cannot therefore claim the merit of genius. 62 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [dEC. 3. and so edifying was the behaviour of these Christians, that many others desired to join them, after the departure of their apostle; and the king of Saxuma, moved by their edifying conduct, be- came again the protector of our holy religion. At Firando, Xavier baptized more infidels in twenty days than he had done at Cangoxima in a whole year. These converts he left under the care of one of the Jesuists that accompanied him, and set out for Meaco with one Jesuit, and two Japonian Christians. They went by the sea to Facata, and from thence embarked for Amanguchi, the capi- tal of the kingdom of Naugato, famous for the richest silver mines in Japan. Our saint E reached here in public, and before the king and is court; but the gospel, at that time, took no root in this debauched city, the number which the saint gained there being inconsiderable, though a single soul is, indeed, a great acquisition. Xavier, having made above a month's abode at Amanguchi, and gathered small fruit of his labours,, except aifronts, continued his journey toward Meaco, with his three companions. It was toward the end of December, and the four servants of God suffered much on the road from heavy rains, great drifts of snow, pinching cold, torrents, and hideous mountains and forests; and they travelled barefoot. In passing through towns and villages, Xavier was accustomed to read some part of his catechism to the people, and to preach. Not finding a proper word in the Japonian language to express the sovereign deity, and, fearing lest the idolaters should confound God with some of their idols, he told them, that having never had any knowledge of the true infi- nite God, they were not able to express his name, but that the Portuguese called him Deos: and this word he repeated with so much action, and such a tone of voice, that he made even the pagans sen- sible what veneration is due to that sacred name. DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 63 In two several towns ho naiTOwly escaped being stoned for speaking against the gods of the coun- try. He arrived at Meaco with his companions in February, 1551. The Dairi, Cubosama, and Saso (or high priest) then kept their court there ; but the saint could not procure an audience even of the Saso without paying for that honour a hundred thousand caixes, which amount to six hundred French crowns, a sum which he had not to give. A civil war, kindled against the Cubosama, filled the city with such tumults and alarms, that Xavier saw it to be impossible to do any good there at that time, and, after a fortnight's stay, returned to Amanguchi, Perceiving that he was 1 rejected at court upon the account of his meanj appearance, he bought a rich suit, and hired two | or three servants; and, in this equipage waited ; on the king, to whom he made a present of a | little striking-clock, and some other things, f Thus he obtained his protection, and preached i with such fruit, that he baptized three thousand j persons in that city, with whoni he left two? Jesuits, who were his companions, to give the\ finishing to their instruction. At Amanguchi I God restored to St. Francis the gift of tongues;! for he preached often to the Chinese merchants, } who traded there, in their mother-tongue, which | he had never learned. Sanctity, meekness, and i humility are often more power ful in a preacher than the evidence of miracles. By the heroic example of these virtues, the apostles converted the world; and, by the like, did our saint soften the hearts of many hardened infidels. F, Fer- nandez, one of his two companions, was a proof . of this at Amanguchi. As he was preaching one | day to a mob who made a sport of him, one of| the rabble, hawking up a great quantity of nasty !: phlegm, spit it full upon his face. The father,! without speaking a word, or making the le st sign of emotion or concern, took his handkerchief. 64 ST. FJJANCIS XAVIER, C. [DEC. 3. wiped his face, and continued his discourse. At ■ such an heroic example of meekness, the scorn of the audience was turned into admiration, and the most learned doctor of the city, who hap- pened to be present, said to himself, that a law which taught such virtue, inspired men with such unshaken courage, and gave them so perfect a victory over themselves, could not be but ft-om ? God; and as soon as the sermon was ended, he confessed that the preacher's virtue had convinced him, and desired baptism, which he received some days after, with great solemnity. This illustrious conversion was followed by many others. St. Francis, recommending the new Christians here to two fathers whom he left behind, left Amanguchi, toward the middle of September, in 1551, and, with two Japoniaa Christians, who had suffered with joy the confiscfttion of their goods for changing their religion, travelled on foot to Fuceo, the residence of the king of Bungo, who was very desirous to see him, and gave him a most gracious reception. Here the saint publicly confuted the Boneas, who, upon motives of interest, every were strenuously opposed his preaching, though, even among them some were converted. The saint's public sermons and private conversations had their due effect among the people, and vast multitudes desired to be instructed and baptized. Among others, the king himself was convinced of the truth, and ^ i renounced those impurities which are abhorred 5^ by nature; but remained still wedded to some sensual pleasures; on which account he could not be admitted to the sacrament of regeneration, till, after some succeeding years, having made more serious reflections on the admonitions of the saint, he reformed his life altogether, and was baptized.l Our saint took leave of this king, 1 The divine seed sown bv St. Francis Xavier in Japan DEC. 3.] ST, FRANCIS XAVIERj C. 65 and embarked to return to India, on the 20th of November, 1551, having continued in Japan two years and four months. To cultivate this ^?rowing mission, he sent thither three J esuits, Avho were increased so much that when the persecution was raised, there were reckoned in that empire four hundred thousand Christians. Paul, the first-fruits, or rather the father ol this Church, died happily, and in great sentiments of piety and holy spiritual joy, in 1557, The prince of Omura was bap- tized in 1562. That prince and the two kings of Bungo and Arima, who had received baptism, sent ambassadors of obe- dience, who were their own near relations, to pope Gregory Xlll. in 1582. They were conducted in their voyage by F. Valegnani, a Jesuit, and received with great honour in the principal cities of Portugal, Spain, and Italy, through which they passed, and especially at Rome. The faith flourished daily more and more in Japan; and in 1596, there were in that empire two hundred and fifty churches, three semi- naries, a noviciate of the Jesuits, and several Franciscans. The Cubo, or emperor Nabunanga, at least out of hatred to the Bonzas, was very favourable to the missionaries, and his prime minister, Vatadono, viceroy of Meaco, was the de- clared protector of the Christian religion. When the con- version of all Japan was looked upon as at hand, this under- taking was entirely overturned. Nabunanga was cut oti" by a violent death, and Taikosama usurped first the regency for the son of Nabunanga, and afterward the empire, by contriving to have that heir put to death. Partly by policy, and partly by force, he subdued all Japan, and extinguished the Jacatas or petty kings. For some time he was favour- able to the Christians, till, by various accidents, he was ex- cited to jealousy at their numbers and progress. In 1586, he, by an edict, forbad any Japonese to embrace the faith, and shortly after caused many Chiistlans to be crucified : in the year 1590, no fewer than twenty thousand were put to death for the faith. In 1597. the twenty-six martyrs suffered, whom Urban VIII. thirty years after, declared such. On their death and miracles see Charlevoix, 1. 10. c. 4. p. 330. and this work on Febr. 5. Taikosama died in 1598; and Ijedas, (to whom he left the regency and care of his young son Fidejori, a prince fond of the Christians,) having mur- dered the heir, his pupil, and usurped the throne, continued the persecution ; and in 1615 banished all the missionaries, forbidding entrance for the time to come under pain of death. The year following, Fide-Tadda, his son, succeeaed 66 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [DEC. 3. shortly followed by others. It had been often objected to him that the learned and wise men in Cliina had not embraced the faith of Christ. This circumstance first inspired him with an earnest him in the throne, and put great numbers of Christians to barbarous deaths. Xogun or Toxogunsama, to whom he resigned the crown, or at least the regency, in 1622, carried his cruelty against the Christians to the last excess, and put incredible numbers to the most barbarous deaths. In 1636 the Dutch accused to this emperor Moro and other Japonese CinistiaHs of a conspiracy with the Portuguese against the state, which Kaempfer (b. 4. c. 5.) pretends to have been real : but Charlevoix endeavours to prove counterfeit, (t. 2. p. 406.) This charge exceedingly enraged the persecutors. The Christians in numberless crowds had suflered martyr- dom with the most heroic patience and constancy : but many of those who remained in the kingdom of Arima, by an un- justifiable conduct, very opposite to that of the primitive Christians, broke into rebellion, and with an army of for.ty thousand men took some strong places : but being at length forced, all died fighting desperately in the field, in 1638. After this, Toxogunsama continued the persecution with such fury, that at his death, in 1650, very few had escaped his fury; and his successor, Jietznako, who pursued the same course, seems to have discovered very few to put to death. The researches have been so rigorous that in some provinces all the inhabitants have been sometimes compelled to trample on a crucifix. Only the Dutch are allowed to trade there under the most severe restrictions, but their factory is confined to the isle of Desima, i. e. isle of De, which is one long street, before the harbour, and joined by a bridge to the city of Nangasaki on the western coast of the island Ximo. This city was subject to Sumitanda, prince of Omura, one of the first sovereigns in Japan who embraced the faith, which he established alone throughout all his dominions, situate in the kingdom of Arima. That king was himself baptized with a considerable part of his subjects. After several Christian kings, king John, otherwise Pro- tasius, suffered martyrdom; his son Michael apostatized to preserve the crown, and became a persecutor. The rebel- lion of 1638 totally extinguished the faith in this kingdom and in the rest of Japan. Nangasaki in the time of the Por- tuguese was all Christians, and counted sixty thousand inhabitants: now about eight thousand only, and these Japonese idolaters. It is the only town in Japan which any DEC. 3.] ST. FEANCIS XAVIER, C. 67 desire that the name of Christ might he glorified in that flourishing empire; and, full of a zealous pro- ject of undertaking that great enterprise, he left Japan. In this voyage, the ship in which he sail- ed was rescued from imminent danger of ship- wreck in a storm, by his prayers; and a shallop, in which were fifteen persons belonging to the ship, from which it had been separated by the same I tempest, was saved by the same means, according - to his confident and repeated prediction, the pas- sengers and mariners in it seeming all the way to have seen Xavier sitting at the helm and steering ; it. Many other clear predictions of the saint are! recorded. At Malacca he was received with the greatest joy that can be imagined, and he imme- diately set himself to contrive how he might compass liis intended journey to China. The greatest difficulty was, that besides the ill under- standing which was betwixt China and Portugal, it was forbidden to strangers on pain of death, or of perpetual imprisonment, to set foot in that kingdom. Even some Portuguese merchants who strangers are now allowed to approach: and are here watch- ed as if prisoners. By an inviolable edict of the emperor, all other nations except the Dutch are forbid these dominions, and all their natives are commanded to remain in their own country. The missionaries who have attempted to find ad- mittance, seem never to have succeeded. The last that is known, was M, Sidotti, a Sicilian priest, who, in 1709, found means to land in Japan: but what became of him after this was never known in Europe. See Charlevoix, Dr. Kaemp- fer, and Hist. Moderne. t. 2. des Japonois. Also Hist. Provincia Philippin. Dominicanor. et. Jac. Lafonus, Annal. Dominican, et F, Sardimo, Jesuit. Catalogus Regularium et {riKiCularium qui in Japoniaet sub quatuor tyrannis sub- lati sunt. Also, the History of the Martyrs who in Japan suffered cruel and intolerable torments and death for the Roman Catholic religion, in Dutch, by Ilier Gujesberts, (who was an eye-witness to several living at Nangasakiin 1622,) printed at the end of Caron's description of Japan, See also relations of this .persecution, published by several Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans, &c. 68 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C, [DEC. 3. had stolen thither for the benefit of trade, having been discovered, some of them had lost their heads, others had been put in irons, and cast intO" dungeons, there to rot for the remainder of their lives. To remove this obstacle, St. Francis dis- coursed with the old governor of Malacca, Don Pedro de Sylva, and with the new one, Don Alvarez d'Atayda, and it was agreed that an em- bassy might be sent in the name of the king of Por- tugal to China, to settle a commerce, with which the saint might with safety land in that kingdom. In the mean time the saint set out for Goa. Arri- ving at Cochin on the 24th of January, in 1552, he there met the king of the Maldives fleeing from rebellious subjects whom F. Heredia had instructed in the faith, and St. Francis baptized him. The exiled prince married a Portuguese lady and lived a private life till the day of his death; happy in this, that the loss of his crown procured him the gift of faith and the grace of baptism. Xavier reached Goa in the beginning of February, hnd having paid a visit to the hospitals, went to the college of St. Paul, where he cured a dying man. The missionaries whom he had dispersed before his departure, had spread the gospel on every side. F. Gasper Barzia had converted almost the whole city and island of Ormuz, Christianity flourished exceedingly on the coast of the pearl fishery, and had made great progress at Cochin, Coulan, Bazain, Meliapor, in the Moluccas the isles of Moro, &c.l The king of 1 The Dutch, in the reigns of Philip 111, and IV. of Spain and Portugal, and John IV. of Portugal (duke of Braganza) wrested from the Portuguese Malacca, and most of their settlements in Java and the other isles of the Sonde, the Moluccas, Cochin, Meliapor, &c. Since which time Chris- tianity is exceedingly declined in those parts, as Cerri, Salmon, &c. complain. The society for the propagation of the gospel, set on foot by the English, is not likely to gala DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. Tan or, whose dominions lay on the coast of ^ Malabar, had been baptized at Goa. The king \ of Trichenanialo, one of the sovereigns of Ceylon, ^ also embraced the faith. The progress of the ) over any nation, unless men can be found who count as nothing the drudgery of learning the languages of savages, and of conforming to many customs very contrary to our European manners; moreover they must lead most austere lives, and be ready cheerfully to suffer every hardship and denial, fearless of dangers and of martyrdom, as Mr, Salmon frequently remarks in his Modern History, wherein he com- plains of the strange neglect of the English, Panes, and Hollanders in this particular, (t. 3. p. 58. on Daman, and p. 196. on Madras,) and as Gordon has done before him. Among the conditions Salmon required in missionaries sent to infi- del countries, he ought to have mentioned, in the tirst place, that they must be persons who, by habits of self-de- nial and patience, are dead to themselves, disinterested, men of prayer, and altogether heavenly-minded. Such were the holy apostles of infidel nations, on whose labours the divine blessings were plentifully showered down. The Danish missionaries furnish us with pompous relations of their endeavours and success at Tranquebar and other places. See their letters in the History of the Propagation of the Gospel in the East, part 2 and 3. Yet the authors of the Bibliothdque Angloise observe, that preachers who travel in state, and are carried in litters take not the method of those who hitherto converted nations. As to a small number who in some of the European settlements, may be induced to become Christians, it is to be feared that motives of interest, or the influence of the legislative or civil autho- rity often render the sincerity of such conversions suspec- ted: and the want of instruction in many such converts, and their supine behaviour often give reason to fear the curse which Christ pronounced against some proselytes of the Pharisees. It is hoped, however, there is more exaggeration than truth in what the protestant author of the late third Letter from INorth America, in 1758, tells us: "An Indian proselyte, who had been admitted to a participation of the Christian mysteries, being asked what he thought of the holy rite, had nothing to answer, but that he should have liked it better had they given him rum. And I must say (with sorrow) that I have never myself remarked an Indian to have a belter inducement to protestantism than his pas- sion for spirituous liquors; the inilialiou into our fiist 6 12 70 ST. FRANCIS XAVIEE, C. [dec. 3. faith ill many other places, was snch as gave the greatest subject of joy to the holy man. But F. Antonio Gomez, a great preacher and scholar, whom the saint had appointed rector at Goa, had made such changes and innovations even in the domestic discipline of the society, that the saint was obliged to dismiss him from the Order. Xavier appointed F. Barzia, a per- son of eminent piety, rector of Goa and vice- pro\'incial, sent new preachers into all the mis- sions ou this side the Ganges, and obtained of the viceroy, Don Alphonso de Norogna, a com- sacrament beins^ made an affair of jollity, wbeiein the adult infant lai gly partakes." This remark is meant not as a reproach to any, but as a caution to all. It must be ac- knowledged that great injustices have been sometimes com- mitted by several Spanish and Portuguese governors or generals in the Indies, and that avarice and ambition were \he inducements to many adventurers, who, by despising the Maldives, and other barren rocks or sands showed they went in quest of gold and spices. A corruption of manners like- wise crept into their settlements, and preachers themselves have been sometimes dupes of a worldy spirit. It were infi- nitely to be wished that none who have the happiness to pro- fess the gospel were rebellious to the light, and a scandcl to their holy religion. Yet the degeneracy of those that fall, cannot weaken the grounds of the Christian faith, nor reflect dishonour on those who live by its maxims. And it is most certain that holy ministers of the gospel have never been wanting , who, inheriting: the spirit of the apostles, have suc- ceeded them in their labours. Many such were raised by God among those who planted the faith in so many new discovered nations. IVlany have propagated it not only in the neighbourhood of all the new settlements of the Spaniards, Portuguese, &c. but also in many very re- mote barbarous countries as inTonquin, Cochinchina, some parts of the Dominions of the Mogul, even at Delli itself. See F. Catrou, Hist, de TEmpire du Mogol, &c. If some received the faiih without imbibing its maxims and spirit, examples even of heroic sanctity are not wanting, ■whether among these converts or missionaries, as the lives of a considerable number authentically written, stifiicicntly evince, DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 71 mission for liis good friend, James Pereyi a, to on an embassy to China. Having settled all affairs at Goa, he made the most tender and ardent exhoi'tations to his religious brethren, then leaving F. Barzia vice-provincial, set sail on the i4th of April in 1552, and landing at Malacca, found the town afflicted with a most contagious pestilential fever. This he had foretold before he arrived; and no sooner was lie come on shore, but r*unning from street to street, he carried the poor that lay languishing, up and down to the , hospitals, and attended them with his companions, i At that time he restored to life a young man : named Francis Ciavos, who afterward took the habit of the society. When the mortality had almost ceased, the saint treated about the em- bassy to Chinai with the governor of Malacca, on I The religious sects in China are, first, that of Confucius, in the original language Cum-fu-cu, or Conj^-foutse. This is professed by the emperor, princes, and all the men o[ learning. In every town is an oratory, in which the raan- darians ofler on several festivals, wine, fruit, flowers, and rice set on a table amidst lii;hts, with many profound bows, in honour of Confucius, singing verses in his praise. They bury the blood and hair of a hog which was killed the day before, and they burn part of its liver. The emperor makes this offering in a great temple. They have two feasts a- year in honour of Tien, or the heaven, which they worship, A sect of these called Jukiau are accused of atheism. Some missionaries have pretended that by Tien they mean the master of the heavens, not the material heaven, which is con- demned by Benedict XIV. The third volume of Du Halde's Description of China, in which is inserted an apologetic ac- count of some of these rites, is condemned by an order of Clement XI I. The sect of Lao-kiun is also very ancient. The author, a philoiopher of that name, is said to have lived six hundred years before Christ. His famous book called Tautse is siill in great vcp.eration among his followers, who are extremely addicted to auguries and superstitions ceremonies; and their priests study to discover .in art of making men immortal, of which many of them make wonderful boasts. Lao-kiun taught that the human soul perishes with the body; that God 72 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C, [DEC. 3. whom Don Alplionso de Norogna (tlie fifth viceroy and seventeenth governor of the Indies) had reposed the trust of that affair. Don Alvarez d'Atayda Gama had lately succeeded his good is material, and that there are many subaltern gods which they worship. His followers worship him, and many other men whom they have deified, and whose idols they keep in their temples. These princes and heroes deified they call Chang-ti, whence it is surprising that F. Du Halde should imagine that this word in the Chinese language signifies the Creator and absolute Master of the Universe, or con- veys an idea which falls not much short of that of the true God. The sect of Foe was introduced into China about the year of Christ 64. Foe was a philosopher who lived in the Indies long before the age of Pythagoras, and taught the transmigration of souls. He left five precepts* J. Never to kill any living creature. 2. Never to take the goods of another. 3. To refrain from impurity. 4. Never to lie. .5. Not to drink wine. The idol Foe is represented very large, and frequently in three frightful shapes placed in the same temple, the principal resembling a man with a mons- trous belly, sitting cross-legged according to the custom 9f the Orientals. This is called the Idol of immortality. The second is the Idol of Pleasures, twenty feet high. And the third is thirty feet high, wears a crown, and is called the Great King Kang, Besides these they have numberless little idols in pagods, in the highways, and all public places: and others called Jos, in every house. The name Pagod is given both to these little idols and their temples. The Bonzas of this sect are universally despised, and most mer- cenary; but practise painful ridiculous austerities for the sins of others as they pretend, some dragging heavy chains twenty or thirty feet long, others striking their head or breast with a stone, &c. They teach the deluded people that their sins and the punishment of the other life are re- deemed by giving alms to their communities, and they sell to those that are dying passports for the other world. There are also in China adorers of the Great Lama who resides at Barantola in Thibet, and is called the Eternal Father. (See Du Halde, p, 460.) The Chinese called their sacred books King, i. e. .' iblime doctiine; the principal of these are five. 1. Y-king, the eldest and most respected, attributed to Fo-hi, consists of hieroglyphic figures in lines, circles, Polygons, ^c. the key DEC. 3.] SX. FRANCIS XAYIER, C. 73 brother, Don Pedro de Sylva Gama, in the govern- ment of Malacca. This officer, out of a pique to Pereyra, crossed the project of the embassy, and, when St. Francis urged the authority of the king, being lost, this book is unintelligible, and rendered still more puzzling and obscure by interpreters. 2. Cliou-kinf^, vvrot© by Confucius, contains the history of the three first dynasties, true or false. 3. Che-king, which consists of poems without life or style, some moral, others impious and obscene; to excuse . these, some think them super- stitious, and the work of an interpolater, 4. Tchun- Tsicou, spring and autumn, is a history of twelve kings who reigned in Lou, now Quantong, 5. Li-ki, treats of ceremo- nies, rites, and customs. It is a popular opinion among the Chinese, that their nation has subsisted above forty thousand years, and was governed by emperors four thousand years, in twenty- two dynasties from Yo, or Yao, comprising the present reigning Tartar family, besides eight emperors from Fo-hi to Yo. Martini, in his Chinese History, places Fo-hi im- mediately after the deluge. t>huckford and others imagine J?'o-hi to have been Noah, or Sem, who, according to those authors travelled to the utmost boundaries or the eastern continent of Asia. Du Halde, Le Compte, and other Jesuits who first gave us annals of the Chinese empire, carry its pretended antiquity as high, though upon other princi- ples. The enthusiasm which seized the first discoverers of this remote country at the sight of the magnificence and policy of so vast au empire in the midst of nations sunk in barbarism, magnified every object in their ideas, and in- clined them to receive with implicit credulity whatever the most ignorant of the natives could publish either to flatter their own vanity or to raise the wonder of strangers. But when time and reflection had cooled their imagination, travellers began to judge of things more impartially. 'I he moral precepts of Confucius, like those of Zoroaster and many others, even in America itself, apjicar to have been derived from a patriaichal tradition, which was disfigured by a mixture of superstition, but not entirely eflaced: by which the truth of divine revelation and the sacred history is confirmed. Of this, however, we have more pregnant proofs among the Assyrians, Phenicians, and Egyptians; as appears from the fragments of their historians collecttd by Josephus against Appion, &c., from i!?aJiconiatho, 74 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [DEC. 3. and the command of the viceroy, Alvarez flew into a rage, and treated him witli the most injurious language. The saint ceased not for a Avhole month to solicit tlie governor, and at &c. See* Clevc's notes on Grotius on the truth of the Chrislian religion. In this, therefore, nothing appears very singular. It is affirmed by many that the Christian religion flourished anciently in China; some say it was planted there by St. Thomas the apostle. It is certain that the Nestorians in Asia extended Christianity in Georgia and other places near the Caspian sea soon after the year 778. (See Jos Assemani, Bibl. Orient, vol. 4. p. 478.481 482.^ That Chistianity flourished many years ago in several parts of Great Tartary, near China, is manifest, though in the middle ages tainted with Nestorianisra, (See Abulpharagius, Assemani in Bibl, Orient, t. 3. part 2, c.9, Moshcim, Hist, Tartar. EccI, c. 3. 4, p. 129, Herbelot, Bibl, Orient, passim. Renaudot, not, in Vet. Latin. Itiner. in Indiam. n. 319.) Some of those countries subject to the Muscovites, have again received the faith, overawed by their ma«ters, says Salmon, who have lately erected bishoprics among them. (See Nuncios Liter. Florent. ad. an. 1748.) From Tartary some tell us the taith was propagated in China; Kircher thinks from the Indies. (China iliustr. part. 2. c. 7. p, 92.) At least Arnobius (I. 2. adv. Gent. p. oO.) mentions that the faith was settled in India, and amongst the Serae, Medes, and Persians. And Ebedjesu says the metropolitans of the Chinese were con- stituted by the patriarch of the Chaldajans, (ap. Jos. Asse- mani, Bibl. Orient, t. 3. part 2. c. 9. p. 521. and part 1. p. 346.) As for the Christian monument found at Singantu, commonly called Canton, (on which Kircher and Muller have published dissertations,) it is regarded as genuine by Kirchej-, Muller Assemani, and Renaudot, but rejected by Horn, la Croze, &c. The travels of two Mahometans into China, in the ninth agf, (published by Renaudot in 1718,) in which it js related that in 677, the Christians, Jews, and Mahometans, were put to the sword by barbarians in China, are rejected as fabulous by la Croze Jablonski. (Inst. Hist. p. 242. &c,) and that they are a forgery is well proved by i\ de Premare, a Jesuit (Lett. Edif. t. 19. p. 420.) and F, Parennine, (lb, t. 21. p. lo8.) Whatever had happened in former ages, it is certain that when the Portuguese entered China in 1517, no footsteps of Christianity were found there, la 1556, certain Dominicans DEC. 3. ] ST. FAANCIS XAVIER, C. 75 length threatened him with excommunication in case he persisted thus to oppose the propagation of the gospel. Upon this occasion the saint pro- duced the briefs of Paul III. by which he was 0 bej^an to preach in China; but some were banished, others had little success. (See Ann. Dominic. p,158.) Also Souza, (part 3. Hist. S. Domin. 1. 3. c. I.) Le Q,uien,(Oriens Christ, t. 3. p. 1453.) And the Dominicans made no settlement in China before the year 1630. (See Navarret, Advart, and Gonaales, Hist. Pror. Philipp. Dominicanorum,) The Jesuits, first f . Roger, a Neapolitan, then F. Ricci, entered China in 1580, and got leave to settle there in 1583. See F. Schall, Narrat. de initio missions Sec. Jesa, etde ortu Fidei in regno Chin.) The Christian religion made such progress, that in 1715, there were in Ciiina above three hundred churches, and three hundred thousand Christians. But the emperor Kang-hi, after having been long favourable to them, began to conceive some jealousy, and in 171G forbade the missionaries to build churches or make proselytes. This prince dying in 1722, his successor, Yong-tching, upon complaints made by the governor of Fokien, against the. Christians, published most barbarous edicts, whicli in a great measure extirpated Christianity out of the empire. Amongst other scenes of inhumanity, he loaded with chains, and banished into Tartary, a prince of the blood, fourscore years old, and his whole numerous family, because they would not renounce the faith. They had been condemned to die; and their exile was but a more severe kind of death, seeing most of them died soon after in close dungeons through hardships and wantj and the rest were dispersed into other provinces, to end their days in prisons, fetters, and misery. In 1731, he banished all the missionaries to Macao, a small island in the province of Canton, in which the Portuguese were permitted to settle. Yong-tching died in 1736, and the missionaries hoped to be restored, but in vain; and, since the year 1733, the Christians are left in most parts of China without churches and without pastors, under severe persecu- tions. The preachers who remained behind were crowned with martyrdom. Only some Jesuits are still retained at court, but not sulTered to act as missionaries, but merely as mandarins who ]>reside over the mathematics, paintings, &c, in whicli offices they continue in hopes of finding circum- stances at length more favourable to religion. Yet they often succour the Christians who still remain in the capital, and obtain a mitigation of persecutions in the several provinces. 76 ST. FRANCIS XAVIliK, C. [dKC. 3. appointed apostolic nuncio: which, out of humili- ty, he had kept a profound secret during ten years that were expired since his cominp; to the Indies. The governor continued to laugh at the threats, so that the bishop's grand-vicar at length fulminated an excommunication against him in the name of Xavier, who seeing this design utterly destroyed, determined to go on board of a Portuguese ship that was setting sail for the isle of Sancian, a small barren isle near Macao, on the coast of China. This governor ■was afterward deposed for extortions and other crimes, by an order of the king, and sent in chains to Goa. St. Francis during this voyage wrought several miracles, and converted certain Mahometan passengers, and on the twenty-third day after the ship's departure from Malacca, arrived at Sancian, where the Chinese permitted the Portuguese to come and buy their commo- dities. When the project of the embassy had failed, St. Francis had sent the three Jesuits he had taken for his companions into Japan, and retained with liim only a brother of the Society (who was a Chinese, and had taken the habit at Goa) and a young Indian. He hoped to find means with only two companions to land secretly in China. The merchants at Sancian endeavour- ed to pursuade him that his design was impracti- cable, all setting before his eyes the rigorous laws of the government of China, that all the ports were narrowly guarded by vigilant officers who were neither to be circumvented nor bribed; and that the least he could expect was scourging And, since the year J753. the Jesuits in China are allowed some liberty to assist the Christians there. See Hist. Moderne contin. de Roilin, t. 1. part 5, , c. 2, p. 344. Modern Univ. Hist, in octavo, t. 8. 1. 13. c, 1. sect. 6. p. 520. Lettres Edif. et Cur, de Missionaries, vol 27 and 28. These lives of saints. Feb. V, and chiefly Lettres Edifiantes, vol. 28. anno 1758. DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 77 and perpetual imprisonment. The saint was not to be deterred; and answered all these and many other reasons, saying, that to be terrified by such difficulties from undertaking the work of God, would be incomparably worse than all the evils with which they threatened him. He therefore took his measures for the voyage of China, and first of all provided himself with a good interpreter; for the Chinese he had brought with him from Goa was wholly ignorant of the language which is spoken at the court, and had almost forgotten the common idiom of the vulgar. Then the saint hired a Chinese merchant called Capoceca, to land him by night on some part of the coast where no houses v/ere in view: for which service Xavier engaged to pay him two hundred pardos,l and bound himself by oath that no tormcMts should ever bring him to confess either the name or house of him who had set him on shore. The Portuguese at Sancian fearing this attempt might be revenged by the Chinese on them, en- deavouring to traverse the design. Whilst the voyage was deferred Xavier fell sick, and when the Portuguese vessels were all gone ex- cept one, was reduced to extreme want of all necessaries. Also the Chinese interpreter whom he had hired, recalled his words. Yet the ser- vant of God, who soon recovered of his illness, did not lose courage; and hearing that the king of Siam was preparing a magnificent embassy to the emperor of China, he resolved to use his best endeavours to obtain leave to accompany the ambassador of Siam. But God was pleased to accept his will in this good work, and took him to himself. A fever seized the saint a second time on the 20th of November, and at the same time he had a clear knowledge of the day and hour of 1 Tavernier reckons the value of a pardoat tw«nty-8even sols, French money. 78 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C, [dec. 3 his death, which he openly declared to a friend, who after^vard made an authentic deposition of it by a solemn oath. From that moment he per- ceived in himself a strong; disgust of all earthly ^things, and thought on nothing but that celestial (country whither God was calling him. Being (touch weakened by his fever, he retired into the <;vessei which was the common hospital of the sick, 'that he might die in poverty. But the tossing of the ship giving him an extraordinary headache, and hindering him from applying himself to God as he desired, the day following he requested that he might be set on shore again; which was done. He was exposed on the sands to a piercing north wind ; till George Alvarez, out of compas- sion, caused him to be carried into his cabin, which afforded a very poor shelter, being open on every side. The saint's distemper, accompa- nied with an acute pain in his side, and a great oppression, increased daily : he was twice blooded, but the unskilful surgeon both times pricked the tendon, by which accident the patient fell into swooning convulsions. His disease was attended with a horrible nauseousness, insomuch that he could take no nourishment. But his countenance was always serene, and his soul enjoyed a per- petual calm. Sometimes he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and at other times fixed them on the crucifix, entertaining divine conversations with his God, in which he shed abundance of tears. At last, on the 2d of December,'whicli fell on Fi'ida.y, j having his eyes all bathed in tears, and fixed with.' / great tenderness of soul upon his crucifix, he pro- < I nounced these words: In thee, O Lord, I have hoped: ) i I shall not be confounded for ever; and, at the same ; instant, transported with celestial joy, which appeared upon his countenance, he sweetly gave up the ghost, in 1552. Though he was only forty- } \ six years old, of which he had passed ten and a half S ! in the Indies, his continual labours had made him ' DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. 79 grey betimes, in the last year of his life lie was grizzled almost to whiteness. His corpse was in- terred on Sunday, being laid, after the Chinese fashion, in a large chest, which was filled up with i unsleched lime, to the end that the flesh being / consumed, the bones might be carried to Goa. ? On the 17tli of February in 1553, the grave was / opened to see if the flesh was consumed; but the J lime being talcen off" the face, it was found ruddy | and fresh coloured: like that of a man who is in a I sweet repose. The body in like manner whole, j and the natural moisture uncorrupted: and the ] flesh being a little cut in the thigh, near the knee, 1 i the blood was seen to run from the wound. The ' Aj sacei dotal habits in which the saint was buried, ! ^ were no way endamaged by the lime; and the holy coi'pse exhaled an odour so flagrant and delightful, that the most exquisite perfumes came nothing near it. The sacred remains were car- i ried into the ship, and brought to Malacca on the ^ 22d of March, where it was received with great lionour. The pestilence which for some weeks had laid waste the town, on a sudden ceased. The body was interred in a damp church-yavd ; yet in Aufpifct wat found entire, fresh, and still exhaling a sweet odonr, and beingf honourably put into a ship, was translated to Goa, where it was received and placed in the church of the college of St. Paul, on the l5th of March in 1554, upon wlneli occasion several blind persons recovered their sight, and others, sick of palsies and oth«r diseases, their health, and the use of their limbs. By order of king John III. a verbal pro- cess of the life and miracles of the man of God was made with th« utmost accuracy at Goa, and in other parte of the Indies. Many mira> cles were wrought through his intercession, in several parts of t]i« Indies and Europe, confessed by several Protestants: and Tavernier calls him the St. Paul, and true apostle of the Indies. See his life by Bouliours, translated by Dryden, b. 6. Some have objected, that F. Acosta, who published, in 1.^09, his book, )>e Procuranda Indoruni Salute, aoknowledges, (I. 2. c. 8.) that the power of working miraolea flid not subsist among tlie missionaries. But he speaks of the mis- sionaries in general conipared with the apostles, who all wrought mi- taclcs, and in all places. Fur Acosta hiniself (o. 10. ib.) bears express testimony to the evidence and great number of stupendous miracle* ;wroiipht by St. Francis Xavier : and mentions that some other preachers had performed miracles both in tho Fast and Wofct Indiea. That the miracles of St. Francis were faujons duriirg his .lil'o, and im. mediately after his death, see Turselim, 1. 6. vit. S. Fr. c. 1. and tht Utttr of king John 111. to Bwreto, viceroy of the Indiea, in 1556, ia 80 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. [dEC. 3. AeoBta's Revum in Oriente Gcstarum 1, i)rmted at Dilingen in I67l, and at Paris in 1572. See F. M n, Review of the Important Contro- versy concerning Mimcles, in the Appendix added by F. M y, p. 448. St. Franois -was beatified by Paul V. in 1554, and canonized by Gregory XV. in 16&2. By an order of John V. king of Portugal, the archbishop of Goa, attended by the viceroy, the marquia of Castle Nnovo, in 1744, performed a visitation of the relics of St, Francis J Xavier; at -which time the body -was found -without the least bad X smell, and se«med environed with a kind of shining brightness; and , the face, hands, breast, and feet, had not suffered the least alteration, ? or sympton of corruption. (Lettres lidif. et Cur. des Mission, vol. 27. Pref. p. 24.) In 1747, the same king obtained a brief of Benedict XIV. by -which St. Francis Xavier is honoured -with the title of patron and protector of all the countries in tlie East Indies. Holy zeal may properly be said to have formed the character of St. Francis Xavier. Consumed with an insatiable thirst of the salvation of souls, and of the dilatation of the honour and kingdom of Christ on eartli, he ceased not with tears and prayers to conjure the Father of all men not to suffer those to perish whom he had created to his own divine image, made capable of knowing and loving him, and redeemed with the adorable blood of his Son; as is set forth in the excellent prayer of this saint, printed in many books of devotion. For this end the saint, like another St, Paul, made himself all to all and looked upon all fatigues, sufferings, and dangers, as his pleasure and gain. In transports of zeal he invited and j pressed others to labour in the conversion of iii- [ fidels and sinners. In one of his letters to. I Europe, he wrote as follows:! " I have often ( \ thoughts to run over all the universities ofV ' Europe, and principally that of Paris, and to cry (, aloud to those who abound more in learning than ( .'in charity. Ah! how many souls are lost to|S ^ tfeaven through your neglect! — Many, without ; : doubt, would be moved, would make a spin* ^tual retreat, and give themselves the leisure I for meditating on heavenly tilings. They would t renounce their passions, and, trampling under foot I all worldly vanities, would put themselves in a 1 S. IV. Xov. cp. 5. from Cochin, anno 1544, p. 67. DEC. 3.] ST. FRANCIS XAVTER, C. 81 condition of following the motions of the divine ^ will. Then they would say: Behold me m ) readiness, 0 Lord. How much more happily . would these learned men then live! Witli how : much more assurance would they die.— Millions of idolaters might be easily converted, it there ■ were more preachers who would sincerely mind y the interest of Jesus Christ, and not their own. But the saint required missionaries that are pru- L dent, charitable, mild, perfectly disinterested, f and of so great purity of manners, that no occa- ; sioiisof sin weaken their constancy. 1 In vain, | says he, " would you commit this important em- | ploy to any, howsoever learned and otherwise i qualified, unless they are labourers, mortified, i and patient: unless they are ready to suffer wil- lingly, and with joy, hunger, and thirst, and the severest persecutions.2 *' This saint was himselt a model of such preachers, formed upon t he spirit of the apostles. So absolute a master lie was of his passions, that he knew not what it was to have the least motion of choler and impa- tience, and in all events was perfectly resigned to the divine will; from whence proceeded an admirable tranquillity of soul, a perpetual cheer- fulness, and equality of countenance. He ^e- ioiced in afflictions and sufierings, and said tha. one who had once experienced the sweetness ot suffering for Christ, will ever after find it worse than death to live without a cross.3 By humility the saint was always ready to follow the advice o. others, and attributed all blessings to their prayers, which he most earnestly implored. Ot himself he always sincerely spoke as ot the basest i and most unworthy of men, with the most perfect 1 sentiments of distrust in himself. The union of J 1 Id. 1. 2. cp. 9. See Lett. Edif. ct Curi des Mission. Uf^nefs. 1. p. 70. 2 Id. 1. 4. ep. 9. SS. Fr. Xav. 1. l.ep. l.p. 25. 82 ST. BIRINUS, B. C. [dec. 3. his soul with God by holy prayer raised him above the world. Ingulfed in deep meditations, he was sometimes found suspended in the air, with beams of glory round his countenance, as many ocular witnesses deposed. i ST. BIRINUS, FIRST BISHOP OF DORCHESTER, C. BiRiNus, a priest of Rome, addressed himself to pope Honorius for leave to preach the gospel to the idolaters in Britian. The pope commended liis zeal and caused him to be ordained bishop. The apostolic missionary landed in the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and with many others, bap- tized king Cynegils, who began to reign in 611, , and filled the throne thirty-one years, being the! ' sixth from Cerdic, who founded that kingdom in bl9. Birinus fixed his see at Dercis, now at Dorchester, on the Thames, in Oxfordshire, upon tlie edge of Berkshire:2 he built and conseci'ated j many churches, gained many souls to God, and' departing to him was buried in the same city, | ^ about the year 650. | His remains were translated to Winchaster by bishop Ucdda, and there hiid in the church of SS. Peter and Paul. Of the pjiinted "".vin- do'A s in ]>orche8ter church which have escaped tlie fury of the plun- , dcrers, Mr. Hearne, in his notes on William of Newborough, Tol. 3, p. ! 773. niivkes tills remark; "I linow of iio truly religions person but •what is aft'ected with what now remains of the historical painting in c Dorchester windows, relating to Ririnus's voyage thither, and his i ; converting the heathens." See on St. Uirinus, Robert of Gloucester's t Chronicle, p. 247. Bede, 1. 3. c. 7. and Neve's Fasti Anglicani, p. 137. i ' i83. 1 f^ee hifl life by F. Bouhours, b. 6. p. 679. 2 The sees of .Salisbury, Exeter, Wells, Litchfield, "Worcester, and Hereford, were afterward formed out of this of Dorchester which wa« '? soon transferred to "Winchester. For Agilbert, a Frenchman, who sue- ' ceedcd St. Birinus, understood not sufficiently the English language ; for which reason he returned to France in 660. "Wina being appointed bighop of the West-Saxons, at Winchester, Eleutherius, and after him Hedda, in 676, succeeded in that see in the same place. King Oswy appointed, in 650, Dwina, bishop of Litchfield, for the Midland English. In the 8/inie country of Mercia another bishopric wbjb erected in G7S, ■when Eadhead was made bishop of Sidnacestcr; this see was removed DEC. 3.J 83 ST. SOLA, HERMIT. This saint was an Englishman, wlio, following St. Boniface into Germany, became liis disciple, and the faithful imitator of his virtnee, and wan oi'dained priest by him. Called by the sacred impnlse of the Holy Ghost into the desert, the more securely to find the narrow way that leads to life, by the advice of his experienced master, he retired hito the wilderness of Solen- hoven,npon the banks of the river Altmona, near Aysclistat, where, in a little cell, remote from ]nan, he passed his days Avitli God, making penance and holy prayers his only biisine.ss. After the martyrdom of St. Boniface, the holy brothers, Willibald the bishop, and Wunebald the priest, were his patrons, and often visited him to kindle in their souls the flame of his Iieavenly desires, by his spiritnal conversation. King Charles bestowed on him a considerable piece of land: but the saint transferred it on the abbey of Fulde. That prince took every occasion of testifying the highest esteem for his sanctity: but the man of God was dead to all human lionours and applause, and showed by his conduct that the whole world is nothing to one who seeks God alone. He departed to our Lord on the 3rd of December, in 790. A chapel was built where his oratory had stood, and his body was taken up and enshrined bv the authority ot pope Gregory IV. about the year 830. See liis life written by Krmenoldus, in 840, in Cimisius, Lcciioi^es An- tiqii. t. 3. and Mabill. SaJC. 3. Ben. to Legecester, row Leicester, in 872, and soon after to Porcliesler. vhich continued tlie sso of the bi&hops of Kast Jlcrcia and L}nd- sey, til!, in 1072, the bishop Rcniipius of reachamp trnnslated it to Lincoln, See Godwin, de rrsesnl. ^rgl. ed. nov. aud Le Mcyc, .p. 138. 84 [dec. 3, ST. LUCIUS, KING, C. We ave informed by Bede,i that in the reigu of Marcus Antoninus Verus, and Aurelius Com- modus, a British king, named Lucius, sent a letter to pope Eleutherius, entreating", that by his direc- tion he might be made a Christian. This must have happened about the year 182. Lucius must have reigned in some part of Britain, which wa^ subject to the Romans, as his name indicates. Tacitus,2 mentions Prasutagus, king of the Iceni, in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Hunting- donshire, who at his death made the emperor Nero his heir, hoping by that means his people would be secured from injuries; whereas the contrary fell out: for the country was plundered by ceu- tm'ions and slaves. The same historian men- tions,3 that certain cities were given to Cordi- gunus, ** according to the ancient and received custom of the Roman people, to make even kings the instruments of the slavery of nations,'' iis he observes. That Lucius was a Christian king in Britain is proved by two medals men- tioned by Usher ,4 and one by Bouterue. Bede'^ tells us, that by his embassy to Eleutherius he obtained the effect of his pious request; and that the Britons enjoyed the light of faith in ' peace till the reign of Dioclesian. Lucius there- fore was the firbt Christian king in Evirope; it no where appears in what part of Britain he reigned. The records of Glastonbury abbej% j quoted by Malmcsbury, and others, mentioned i by Usher,o tell us, that St. Eleutiierius sent over i to Britain SS. Fugatius and Damianus, (rather 4 Dumianus or Duvianus,) who baptized king i 1 Hist. 1. 1. c. 4. a Tacit. Annal. 1. 14. c. 31. S Vit. Agricolje, c. J4. 4 Aiitiq. Urilau. c. B. p. £2. Guthrie, Hist, of England, b, 1. 0 Usher, ib. c. 4. p. 29. H;irpslield, 1. 1. c. 3. DEC. 3.] ST. LUCIUS, K. C. 85 Lucius, and many others, and -were buried at Glastenbury. In Somersetshire, in the deanery of Dunstor, there is a parish church which bears the name of St. Deruvian, as Stow testifies. This saint is called by the Welch, Duvian or DwyAvan, says Usher. The Christian faith had reached Britain in the time of the apostles. St. Clement I I. pope, affirms, that St. Paul preached to the '} utmost bounds of the West. Gildas says,l the I first dawn of the evangelical light appeared in ; this island about the eighth year of Nero. Theo- l doret names the Britons as a nation in which St. Paul sowed the seeds of faith, and in anothei: ' place says, that this apostle "brought salvation to the islands that lie in the ocean. Three British /bishops assisted at the council of Aries, in 314, ) namely, Eborius of York, Restitutus of Lon- ( don, and Adelfius, who is styled De civiiate Co- i Ionics Londinensium; which bishop Usher takes to *\ have been Colchester; but many more probably * understand by it Lincoln, anciently called Lin- dum Colonia. Also certain British bishops sub- scribed the council of Nice against the Arians. ^ The testimonies of St. Justin,2 St. Iren3eus,3 i Tertullian,4 Eusebius,^ St. Chrysostom,fi and Theodoret,7 demonstrate that Christianity had ■ got footing in Britain very soon after Christ. V We cannot therefore wonder that a prince should ^ have embraced the faith in this island in the I second century: nor do the objections which '-^some have raised, deserve notice. Schelstrate, ^ the learned prefect of the Vatican library, in his^ 1 Gildas, § G. t. J. Script. Hist. Biit. ed. Gale, p. 3. 2 S. Justin. Dial. p. 345. 3 S. Ireu. 1. I. c. 'i. 4 Tertul, 1. cont. Judseos, c. 7. 6 Eus. Hist. 1. 2. c. 3. 6 S. Chi ys. Horn. 1. De laudibus Pauli, t. 2. n. 477. cd. Montftiic. Or. Quod Cllristus sit Deus, t. 1. p. 675. 7 Theodoiet, de Curaudis Grjccor, affect. 1. j>. t. 4. p. 610. ?«e also Origeo, Horn. 6, in Luc. ^ ST. LUCIUS, K. C. [dec. 3. dissertation on the patriarchal authority, tran- scribes the following words from an ancient manuscript history of the kings of Englandj kept in the Vatican library: " Lucius sent a letter to i pope Eleutherius that he might be made a \ Christian, and lie obtained his request." The \ f same learned author copies the following testi- f mony from an ancient catalogue of the popes, "written in the time of the emperor Justinian, as we are assured by the title, found in the library ' of Christina, queen of Sweden: " Eluetherius re- ceived a letter from Lucius, king of Britain, who v desired to be made a Christian by his command."! ? We are told by most Bavarian and German 1 Some moderns think the British Christian king Lucius ©nly took his prsenomen upon receiving the light of faith. *rhe Welsh call him Lever Maiir, that is, Great Light. As St. Elian, who, about the year 450, founded the church of JLIan Ehan in Anglesea, is called by them Cunnaid, that is, Mrighiness. See Rowland's Mona Antiqua, p. 143. 156. Some think Lucius was a descendant of Cogidunus, whom Claudius constituted king of the Dobuni, (in Gloucester- ishire, &c.) Claudia seems to have been the daughter of this •Jogidunus, and to have been so called in honour of Claudius. IShe was married to I'udens, a Roman senator, whilst he was in Britain. Bolh became Christians at Rome, as appears from St. Paul, an. 66. See Tim. iv. 51. where he sends their greet- ings to Timothy. She was called Claudia Rufina and cele- brated by Martial !. 4, Epigr. 13, and 1. 11. Epigr. 54. She might prevail with Lucius, perhaps her nephew, to embrace the faith. It is remarkable that the two most celebrated ladies Who became Christians at Rome, in the time of the apostles, ; Were both Britons, Claudia and Pomponia Graecina, wife of Aulus Plautius. Carte fancies that Lucius reigned t beyond the Picts' wall, was contemporary to Constantius ; Chlorus, and the same persons with Cenau, son of Coil, whom he supposes to have been father of St. Helen, and ' king of the Cumbri, extended from Lancashire to Dunbritton ^ cm the north side of the Clyde, in Scotland. In this system ; J.ucius was brother-in-law to Constantius, uncle to Con-^ itantine the Great, and might build churches, create epis-"^ copal sees, and establish Christianity. This conjecture he'" founds upon these circumstances, that the British and) Scottish writers make Lucius the son of Coil,- thatCoila, > DEC. 3.] ST. LUCIUSj K. C. 87 historians that king Lucius, resigning his king- dom, preached the faith first in Noricum and VindeUcia, principally at Ausburg, and being banished thence, in Rhoetia, especially at Coire. But Bruschius confesses, that it is uncertain who that Lucius was, who preached the faith in those parts, and founded the church of Coire, where he has been honoured among the first apostles of that Church from its infancy. Whilst he preached among the Grisons, storms raised by the infidels obliged him to fly into the desert, and there lie concealed in a place which is called to this day Sanct Lucis Steig, or the hill of St. Lucius. He afterwards retired into a cavern a mile distant, which retains the name of Sanct Lucis Lochlin. At length he is said to have fallen into the hands of the persecutors, and been con- demned to death by the Roman lieutenant of the province, and beheaded, in the fortress of Mar- tiola toward the latter end of the second century. There stands an ancient monastery near Ccire, ■which bears the name of St. Lucius, and his feast is kept in tbatdiocess Avith great soleuiiiity. Portions of his relics are preserved in the church of St. I rancis, and ia that of the Jesuits at Ausburg. See on the conversion of tlie British king, Usher, Antiq. Brit. c. 3. StiUingfleet, Grig. c. 11. Seldeu, Ana- lect. Anglo- Britan. c. 6. t. 2, p. 895. Alford, Annal. Britan. ad an. 182. Baron, ad an. 183. Collier, Hist. Eccl. Brit, t 1. Tillemont, t. 3. p. 63 and 615. Annotationes in ed Eoman. Anastasij Bill. t. 1. p. 15. et t. 3. p. 139. Guthrie, Hist, of England, t. 1. On St, Lucius, who ia honoured as the first apostle of Noricum, Tindelicia, and Rhoetia, that is, of Bavaria, the Grisons, and part of Austria, see F. Sprecher, Palla- dis Rhoeticse. 1. i. F. Rader, Bavaria Saucta, t. 1. p. 14. and the Breviary of Coire. now spelt Kyle in Seolland, takes its name from a British prince, and the two British coins of Lucius bear with the word Luc, the figure of the cross, which Spanheim the Younger pretends not to have been stamped upon any coin before Constantine's victory in 312, (See f red. SSpanheini, t. 3. Miscellan, Append. De Tradilis Conversionibus Lucij Regis, Julise iWammeae, et Philippi Imp. Disquisitio 'I'ripar- tita, p. 390. t. 2. op.) Also Sam. Basnage, Annal. ad an 18J . n. 3.; and Carte's Hist, of Ilngland, vol. 1, p. 137. But in this system the positive authority of liede, &c. is set aside, end a complication ot conjectures substituted in lieu of histori- cal facts, 88 [dec. 4 DECEMBER IV, ST. PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, C. ARCHBISHOP OF DAVENNA. From his ■works. See also Mnvatori, Spicilegium Ravennat. Hist. t. 1 part 2. p. 5'29, and Ceilliev, t. 14. p. 11. A. D. 450. St. Peter was a native of Imola, anciently called Fonim Cornelii, a town in the ecclesias- tical state, near Ravenna. He was taught the sacred sciences, and ordained deacon hy Corne- lius, bishop of that city, of whom he alwaj^s speaks with veneration, and the utmost grati- tude.! He calls him his father, and tells us, that in his whole conduct all virtues shone forth, and that by the bright lustre of his great actions he was known to the whole world. Under his prudent direction our saint was fomied to perfect virtue from his youth by the exercises of an in- v terior life, and understood that to command Ins-i passions and govern himself was true greatness, [ and the only means of learning to put -on the^' spirit of Clirist. For by the oracle of truth weA. are assured that to bear well an injury is some- '{ thing far more heroic than to vanquish nations, ) ^ and when the noonday light shall break in upon/ \ us, and dispel the darkness with which we are at I [ present encompassed, vve shall most clearly see | I that the least act of i)erfect meekness, humility, J V resignation, or patience, is of greater value than % I the gaining of millions of worlds. This is the^,, S most glorious triumph by which God is honoured | liu. us and a soul enjoys interior peace, and his^ 1 B. Peter airyeol. Sorm. ]07 and 165. DEC. 4.J ST. PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, B. C. 89 holy grace; all her affections being regulated by, and subjected to his will in all things. This domestic victory is something too great to be obtained without earnestness, and the difficul- ties which stand in the way are not to be van- j quished or removed but by constant watchful- ness and application. The more easily to accom- plish this great and arduous work of subduing and regulating his passions, and forming the spirit of Christ in his soul, he embraced a monastic state, and had served God in it with great fei-vour • and simplicity for some time, when he was placed I in the archiepiscopal see of Ravenna.i The! archbishop John dying about the year 430, the clergy of that church, with the people, chose a successor, and entreated the bishop of Imola, to go at the head of their deputies to Rome, to obtain the confirmation of pope Sixtus III. Cornelius took with him his deacon Peter, and the pope (who, according to the historian of Ravenna, had 4 been commanded so to do by a vision the forego- 4 ing night) refused to ratify the election already } made, and i)roposed Peter as the person designed by heaven for tliat post: in which, after some opposition, the deputies acquiesced. Our saint, after receiving the episcopal con- secration, was conducted to Ravenna, and there received with extraordinary joy, the emperor Valentinian III. and his mother Galla Placidia,A then residing in that city. The holy bishop ex-| tenuated his body by fasting, and offered his I tears to God for the sins of his people, whom he | never ceased to teach no less by example than by words. When he entered on his charge, he 1 It J8 related by some moderns, that St. Aderitiis, tlio immediate Buccesgor'of St. Apollinaris, and eleven other successive bishops of that Bee to St. Severus; also St. Peter II. or St. Chrysolopus, were all miraculouBly chosen by a dove appearing over their heads. MuratDri makes it a subject of inquiry, whether this story did not take its rise from pictures in which the Holy Ghost was drawn UQ^er that emblem, to express that be had pr^^ided in their electiQps. 90 ST. PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, B. C. [DEC. 4. found large remains of pagan superstition in his diocess, and several abuses had crept in among the faithful in several parts: but the total extir- pation of the former, and the reformation of the latter, were the fruit of the holy pastor's zealous ^ labours. The town of Classis, situate on the coast, was then the port of Ravenna, from •which it was three miles distant: St. Peter built there a fountain near the great church; also St. Andrew's monastery. He employed an exten- sive charity and unwearied vigilance in favour of his flock, which he fed assiduously with the bread of life, the word of God. We have a hundred and seventy-six of his discourses still extant, collected by Felix, archbishop of Ra- venna, in 708. They are all very short; for he was afraid of fatiguing the attention of his hearers.l He joins great elegance with ex- , treme brevity. His style has nothing swelling \ or forced, though it is made up of short sentences \ • or phrases, which have a natural connexion to- | gether: the words are very fit, simple, and natu- I ral, and the descriptions easy and clear. Yet | his discourses are rather instructive than pathetic; ' and though the doctrine is explained in them at large, we meet with little that quickens or eifects much. Neither can these discourses be reg-arded as models of true eloquence, though his reputation , as a preacher ran so high as to procure him the ' surname of Chrysologus, which is as much as to , say, that his speeches were of gold, or excellent.^ He strongly recommends frequent communion, ^ that the holy eucharist, which he usually calls the body of Christ, and in which he says we f eat Christ himself, may be the daily bread of .j^ our souls.2 He every where extols the excel- f lency, and inculcates the obligation of almsdeeds, I 1 St. Pet.Chrys. Serm. 36. 86. 120. l3?. 2 Serm. 65. 67, 68, &c. DEC. 4.] ST. peteh chrysologus, b. c. si 1 prayer, and fasting; the forty clays' fast of Lent, i 1:116 says, is not a liuman invention, but of di- ;vine authority.l Those whose health does not | permit them to fast the whole forty days, he \ , exhorts to redeem by abundant alms what they \ \ ^ are not able to accomplish by fasting.2 Among P the remains of heathenish superstition, which he ' laboured to extripate, he reckons the riotous ! manner of celebrating the New-year's day; of j which he says: "He who will divert himself with \ ^ the devil, can never reign with Christ."«3 it \ appears that he often preached in presence of the emperor and of the catholic empress Pla- cidia, mother of three children, Valentinian III. Placidia, and Eudocia.4 He says that the epis- copal see of Ravenna had been lately raised to < the metropolitical dignity by the pope, and by I the favour of a Christian prince.^ For though Ravanna had been long the metropolis of the Flaminian province or vicariate the bishop con- tinued suffragan to the archbishop of Milan, till about the time that St. Peter Chrysologus was ^ exalted to this dignity, Eutyches, the heresiarch, , having been condemned by St. Flavian, addressed a circular letter to the most distinguished pre- lates in the church in his own justification. Our saint, in the answer which he sent him, told him that he had read his letter with sorrow: for, if the i» i peace of the Church causes joy in heaven, divi- fi^ sions ought to beget sadness and grief; that the f^' ■ mystery of the incarnation, though inexplicable, ; is delivered to us by the divine law, and to be ■ I believed in the simplicity of faith. He therefore exhorted him to acquiesce, not to dispute, having ; before his eyes the rock upon which Origen, I Nestorius, and others, had split, by taking that I method. In 44H, our saint received St. Germa- 1 Serm. 12. 2 Serm. 156. 3 Serm. in Calendas. 4 Perm. 130. 5 Serm. 175. 92 ST. PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, B. C. [DEC. 4. nus of AuxeiTre with great honour at Kavenna, and, after his death, esteemed it no small happi- ness to inherit his cowl and hair shirt. He did not long survive: for, in 452, when Attila ap- proached Ravenna, John, St. Peter's successor, held his see, and went out to meet him. The ^ saint being forewarned of the approaching death, I returned to Imola, his own country, and there ' gave to the church of St. Cassian, a golden croAvn ; set with jewels, a -golden cup, and a silver paten, l^reserved to this day with great reverence, and lamed for miracles. Peter died at Imola, pro- bably on the 2d of December, 450, and was buried there in St. Cassian's church. The greatest part of his relics are preserved there; but one arm is ^ ,kej)t in a rich case at Ravenna. Learning is recommended by reason, autho- | ^ lity, and the example of the saints, and next to I ^ virtue, is doubtless the greatest improA^ement of % the human mind, and instiiiment of piety andf religion. By it the nobleman is qualified for the t superior rank he holds among men, is made capable of directing himself and others, is drawn / #1 oft' from sotting, debauchery and idleness, pos- ( sesses the art of filling most usefully and agree- f , ably all its vacant hours, and acquires a relish for ' the pleasure of true rational knowledge, than which man can enjoy no greater or more noble, ; ^ except those which piety and virtue infuse. . ' By exercise and application the memory and other powers of the soul are perfected, the under- standing is furnished with true ideas and a just | way of thinking, and the judgment acquires true " justice and taste. In a pastor of souls, and min- 1 ^> ister of religion, how essential the qualification f of a consummate skill in sacred learning is, it/ is needless to show, the infinite obligation of^ that charge making it manifest to all men. Hov/ | grievous, then, is the crime of those who are en- f gaged in thi(3 state, yet idly throw^i away the^ DEC. 4.] ST. ANNO, C. 93 time they owe to the study of the sacred writings, to holy meditation, and application to the science of morality and the pulpit! ST. BARBARA V. M. This holy virgin and martyr is honoured with particular devotion in the Latin, Greek, Mus- covite, and Syriac calendars, but her history is obscured by a variety of false acts. Baronius prefers those who tell us, that she was a scholar of Origen, and suffered martyrdom at Nicomedia, in the reign of Maximinus the Frist, who raised the sixth general persecution after the murder of Alexander Severus, in 235. But Joseph Asse- mani shows the acts which we have in Meta- plirastes and.Mombritius to be the most exact and sincere. By these we are informed that St. Bar- bara suffered at Heliopolis, in Egypt, in the reign of Galerius, about the year 30G. This account agrees with the emperor Basil's Menology, and the Greek Synaxary^ There stood an old monas- tery near Edessa, which bore her name.i See Jos. Assemani in Culend. Univ. t. 5. p. 408. SAINT ANNO, ARCHBISHOP OF COLOGN, C. Anno, a young nobleman, served in the army, but was very young when, by the exhortations of an uncle, a pious canon of Bamberg, he renounced all earthly pursuits, and dedicated himself to God in an ecclesiastical state at Bam.berg. His ini- ? provement in virtue and learning was much spoke of at court, and the emperor, Henry III. or The Black, called him near his person: and some time after nominated him provost of Goslar in Lower Saxony, and, in 105G, archbishop of Cologn. The tears he abundantly shed during 1 Jos. Assemani, LibI, Orient, t. r. p, ci. S4 ST. OSMUND, B. C. f DEC, 4. the whole ceremony of liis consecration were a proof of his sincere humility and devotion. The foot of the altar was his soul's delight, comfort, and refuge. The poor he sought out in their cottages, and carried them, sometimes on his own shoulders, blankets, and other necessaries. He fasted much, Avatched the greatest part of the night, subdued his body with hair shirts, and preached to his flock with the assiduity and zeal of a St. Paul. He reformed all the monasteries of his diocess, and built two of regular Canons at i Cologn, and three of Benedictins in other parts. \ After the death of Henry III. Anno was chosen f by the empress Agnes and the states, regent and ? prime minister during the minority of Heniy IV. | Flatterers and debauched companions poisoned ^ the mind of the young prince, who, growing im- Eatient at his remonstrances, at length removed im from the helm; but the extortions and injus- tices of those whom he employed, raised so loud a cry for recalling Anno, that, in 1072, the administration of affairs was again committed to him. He died on the 4tli of December, in 1075. i His name occurs in the Roman Martyrology See his life written by Lambert, author of the Chronicle of Aschaffen- burg. Fleury, b. 60, and Surius. ST. OSMUND, BISHOP, C. | Osmund (sometimes written Osimund, Edi- 1 mund, or Edmund) was count of Seez in Nor- 1 mandy, and came over with William the Con- ■ queror, by whom he was created earl of Dorset. His life in the world was that of a saint in all the ? difficult states of a courtier, soldier, and magis- trate. Brompton tells us, that he was for some time lord high-chancellor of England. But the favour of his prince, and the smiles of fortune had no charms to a heart which loved and valued only heavenly goods: and he who had long en- 1 DEC. 4.] ST. OSMUND, B. C. 95 joyed the world as if he enjoyed it not, fled naked out of Egypt, carrying nothing of its desires or spirit with him into the sanctuary, and embracing an ecclesiastical state, he chose to become poor in the house of the Lord. His sanctity and great abilities were too well known for him to be allowed to enjoy long his beloved obscurity, and, in 1078, he was forced from his solitude, 'and con- secrated bishop of Salisbury,! where his prede- jCessor Herman had just before fixed his see. iSt. Osmund built the cathedral in honour of the Blessed Virgin, in 1087, placed therein thirty-six ■canons, and dedicated the same in 1092: and his fabric being burnt by lightning, he rebuilt it in 1099. St. Osmund was very rigorous in the sacra- ment of penance, and extended his charity so far as often to attend criminals in person to the I This see was first erected at Shireburne, I'n the reis^ of Ina, king of the West-Saxons, who procured Ihe bishopric of Winchester to bo divided into two, and the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon, and Cornwall, to be assigned to the bishopric of Shireburne, about the year 705. In 905 this was again divided, and Wiltsliire and Somersetshire allotted to a new bishopric which was erected at Wilton, , then the capital city. Bishop Herman, in 1050, united again the two ■ sees of Shireburne and Wilton, and, a little before his death, in 1077, removed his residence from Wilton to Salisbury, two miles distant: from which time Wilton sunk so low as out of twelve churches to have only one. Old Salisbury was a good town ever since the time of I the Romans, was famous for its strong castle, and stood on a hill a mile 1 from the river Avon, Bishop Herman having removed hither his see, ; I St. Osmund, his successor, erected there his cathedral and palace, of | which no token is now standing, only a chapel of St. Mary. Want of j [water, and disputes with the earl of Salisbury, who had always a gar- | jrison in the castle, moved the bishops to build themselves a house at | Harpham village, a mile off, upon the Avon; and the inhabitant* ' [following them thither, Old Salisoury was deserted, and New Salisbury ^' was built in this agreeable situation. Its origin may be dated in 1219, . when the cathedral, in honour of the Blessed Virgin, was begun by [the learned bishop Richard Poure. It was forty years in building. Sunder three kings, Richard I. John, and Henry III. and was conse- jcrated in 1258. If York and Lincoln cathedrals are more stately, this sis the most regular Gothic building in the kingdom, in length four thundred and seventy-eight feet ; in breadth, in the body, seventy-sir Veet, in the lower great cross-aisle, two hundred and ten feet, in the upper one one hundred and fifty feet; in height to the vauUiner, eighty feet; the fine spire so justly admired, is four hundred and ten feet high; the cloister is one hundred and sixty feet square. See i Leland's Itinerary, t. 3. p. 76. 81. Dr. Brown Willis on Mitred Abbeys, ■ t. Le Neve's Fasti Anglicani, p. ?56. 96 ST. OSMUND, B. C. [dec. 4. I place of execution. In Marcli 1095, in the assem- I bly of Rockingham I he Avas so far imposed upon, I as to be drawn into the measures of those who, in I complacency to the king, opposed St. Anselm: ^^ . L but soon opened his eyes, repented, begged the ' I archbishop's absolution, and continued • ever I after his most steady friend. Being in every 1 thing zealous for the beauty of God's house, he I made many pious foundations, beautified several f churches, and erected a noble library for the use j of his church. Tlioughout his whole diocess he :i placed able and zealous pastors, and had about I liis person learned clergymen and monks. Many * f "Whom the Conqueror invited over from France, ^ and advanced to the first dignities in the English t Church, both secular and regular, were for intro- Jducing the particular ecclesiastical rites and % oflices of the place from which they came: f whence great confusioi^^ was occasioned in the ' abbey of Glastenbury, under Thurston, a Nor- I man from Caen, whom the king had nominated f abbot there, and in other places. To remove ■ this inconvenience, and to regulate so imi)ortant ; a part of the divine service with the utmost de- \ cency, piety, and devotion, St. Osmund compiled ' the Use, or breviary, Missal and Ritual since Tn^called, of Sarum, for his cTmrch: wherein he assertained all the rubrics which were before not sufficiently determinate, or where books were in- consistent with each other, as it often happened while transcribers took the liberty of varying from their copies: he adjusted and settled the ceremonial of divine worship in points that were , before left to the discretion of tnem that oflfici- ated, which created confusion and disagreement in the celebration of the divine office, though all ' churches agreed in the substance, and as Mr. 1 Eadmer, Hist. Novor. 1. 1. p. iO. et. 1. 2, p. 45. Cone. t. 10. p. 464. DEC. 4.] ST. OSMUND, B. C» ^7 Johnson observes, 1 it was established liere by our first converters to say the divine office in Latin, which continued till the reign of Edward YI. Several other English bishops made Uses or \ books of rubrics and rituals, which in certain accidental points, differ from those of Sarum, though this latter was so much approved as to be adopted in most diocesses of this kingdom,2 till, in the reign of queen Mary, so many of the clergy obtained particular licenses of cardinal Pole to say the Roman Breviary,:i that this became uni- versally received. St. Osmund wrote the life of St. Aldhelm, and disdained not, when he was bishop, to copy and bind books with his own hand. The saint, though zealous for the salvation of others, and for the public worship of God, was always solicitous, in the first place for the sanctification of his own soul. Being perfectly dead to the world, he was totally a stranger to ambition and covetousness, and lived in continual war with the pleasures of the senses. His patience having been exercised, and his soul purified by a lingering sickness, he departed to God, whose glory alone he had sought on earth, on the night before the 4th of December, in 1099. He was buried in his cathedral: his 1 Johnson, Gen. Pref. to English Canotis, p. 17. 2 This appears from the Constitutions of Henry Chichley, archbishop of Civnterhury, anno 1416, art. 2. And Ralph Higden testifies, (ad an. 1077,) " that Osmund drew up an Ordinal, •which was received by almost all England, Ireland, and Wales." "This Ordinal," says Johnson, (t. 2. ad an. l4l«.) *' was a book by •which all the differences are reduced to one certain form, both as to the text and rubrics, and ^vhat •was before doubtful was ascertained." This author observes, that this Ordinal is improperly called by some a ne^w liturKy; vhich no bishop is allo^wed to frame. St, Osmund only adjusted the uncertain- ties, and supplied certain defects in the scries, rubrics, and directions for choral service ; he should have added, in the accidental prayers. For his Ordinal contained a ne-w ritual, missal, and breviary, or .t complete regulation of the rules and ceremonies to be observed iu them, and a prescription of the particular prayers which a bishop was allowed to prescribe for his diocess :. before, this was reserved to the pope for the sake of greater uniformity. 3 See Legationi Card. PoU iu Anglia MS, in Bibl. Coll Angl, Dnac. 5 vole, folio. 93 ST. MARUTHAS, B. C. [dec. 4. venerable remains were afterward translated into the new cathedral, and, in 1457, were deposited in the chapel of our Lady in that church. His sumptuous shrine was destroyed in the reign of Henry VIII. his bones remain still interred in the same chapel, and are covered with a marble slab, on which is the inscription only of the year M,XCIX. He was solemnly canonized by Calix- tus III. in 1456. See Malmesbur. de Pontiff. Angl. 1. 2. foL 142. Godwin, de Prsesulibus Angiiaa cum Anno, per 1). Ricardum, t. 1. p. ; 337. ST. MARUTHAS, B. C. I 'This holy prelate was an illustrious father of I the Syriac Church about the end of the fourth ; century; and was bishop of Vagrit, in Mesopo- tamia, at that time subject to the Oriental empire, though near the borders of Pers-ia. He compiled the Acts of the martyrs who suffered in that kingdom, during the forty years of Sapor's persecution, from 340 to 380, part of which valua- I ble collection has been recovered and published | by Stephen Assemani, in 1748. St. Maruthas wrote several hymns in praise of the martyrs, which, together with others of St. Ephrem, are inserted in the Chaldaic divine office, and are sung by the Maronites, Jacobites, and Nestorians, who use that tongue in the Church office. St. j Maruthas gathered the relics of many Persian i martyrs, and distributed them over the Roman I empire, that the people might every where receive the divine blessing by those sacred | pledges. Isdegerdes having ascended the Persian \ throne, in 401, St. Maruthus made a journey to Constantinople in 403, in order to induce Arcadius to use his interest with the new king in favour of the distressed Christians. But he ' found the court too much embroiled in carrying DEC. 4. 1 ST. MARUTH'^k.^ B. C. 99 on an unjust persecution against St. Chrysostom. Marutlms hastened back into Mesopotamia. The year following he made a second journey to Constantinoi)le, and St. Chrysostom recom- mended him to the widow Olympias, entreating her to assist him, and promote what he himself had begun in favour of the Church of Persia, for which he expressed an extraordinary zeal. I Theodosius the Younger having succeeded his father in the empire, honoured St. Maruthas with the commissions of two successive embassies to Isdegerdes, to settle a lasting peace between the two empires. The Persian monarch conceived the highest esteem for the saint, and by his prayers was cured of ^iolent headache, which his Magians had not beenSble to relieve, as Socrates relates.'-i This historian adds, that the king from that time usually called him 7 he friend of God; and the Magians, fearing that the prince should be brought over by him to the Christian faith, had recourse to a wicked and base contrivance. They hid a man under the ground in the temple, who when the kin^came to adore the perpetual fire, cried out: "Drive out of this holy place the king who impiously believes a priest of the Christians." Isdegerdes hereupon was going to dismiss the bishop ; but Maruthas persuaded the king to go again to the sacred place, assuring him that by causing the floor to be opened, he would discover a wicked imposture. The king did so; and the issue was, that he commanded the : Magians who attended the place to be deci- l mated, and publicly gave Maruthas leave to erect \ churches wherever he pleased. The holy bishop \ rebuilt a considerable number in several parts of \ Persia, and in his second embassy thither made a long stay, and held two synods at Ctesiphon : in the latter in 414, Arianism was condemned, and 1 S. Chrvs. ep. 14. 8 aocr. 1. 7. c. a. 100 ST. Mifiri'^niAS, b. c. [dec. 4- several regulations of discipline were made, St iNlaruthas, in his old age, returned into Mesopo- tamia, and brought back with him many relics of mart3^rs, and enriched his own church Avith such a multitude, that the city of Tagrit was from that time called Martyropolis. The principal work of this father is a Syro- Chaldaic Liturgy, which the Maronites, who em- ploy that language in celebrating the divine office, still make use of on certain days. A manu- script copy of his Syriac commentary on the gos- pel of St. Matthew is preserved in the Vatican library, out of which Joseph Assemani has ex- \ tracted many testimonies to prove the belief of : the real presence of Christ's body in the eucha- rist.i A history of the council of Nice, with the canons, translated into Syriac, compiled by St. Maruthas, is mentioned by Ebedjesus; which, if ever discovered, will be a most valuable trea- sure. This holy bishop died at his own see before the middle of the fifth century, and was there in- terred. During the incursions of the Persians and Arabs his body was conveyed into Egypt, where it still remains in an honourable monu- ment in the monastery of our Lady, in the desei't of Scete, inhabited by Syrian monks. Stephen Assemani saw there a Syro Chaldaic manuscript, containing a long history of the life of St. Maru- thas, and several of his writings; but was not able to procure a copy. The Cophtists in Egypt honour St. Maruthas on the 19th of February: the Syrians and Melchites on the Gth of that montli: the Greeks and Latins on the 4th of De- cember. See Jos. Assemani, in Bibl. Orient, and Steph. Assemani, in Acta Mart. Orient. Also Socrates, Sozomen, and Photius. Ceillier, t. 10, p. m. J See Ceillier, 1. 10, p. 467. DEC. 4. J 101 SAINT SIRAN, OR SIGIRANNUS, ABBOT IN BERRY, C. . He was a native of Berry, and of noble extrac- tion ; studied in his youth at Tours, and was after- ward cupbearer to king Clotaire II. Whilst he lived at court he always wore a rough hair shirt under his garments, and devoted the greatest part of his time to holy prayer. To give himself up wholly to this heavenly exercise he took holy Or- ders at Tours in 625, and served that church some time in quality of archdeacon. In 640 he made a penitential pilgrimage to Rome, and after his return founded two monasteries in the diocess of Bourges, the one called Meobec or Millepecus, and the other Lonrey, now St. Siran's near Mai- eiers. This latter he governed with great sancti- ty till his death, which happened in 655. He is honoured in France among the saints. Bee his life in Mabillon, Act. Den. ST. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA, FATHER OF THE CHURCH. Titus Flavius Clemens was a native of Athens, began his studies in Greece, continued them in Italy, Asia Minor, Assyria, and Palestine, and ended his days in Egypt: for an insatiable desire of knowledge made him compass almost tho whole world to improve himself in human litera- ture. He mentions five eminent masters he had, one in Greece of the Ionic sect,i two in Calabria, and two more in the East. He was well skilled in the Platonic philosophy, but leaned more to the principles of the Stoics; and, without tyii)g 1 Tlie Ionic sect, founded by Thalos, ended in Arclielans the master of Socratee; but this is only true of public scliools t l" this sect, for many particular persons followed it much later 7 12 102 ST. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. [DEC. 4. himself to any particular institute, chose freely what appeared most excellent wherever he found it. One of the masters whom he had in Palestine, Avas of Jewish extraction, and probably a Chris- tian: but the last he met with, whom he preferred before all the others, was Pantsenus, who taught the catechetical school at Alexandria. In tliis , search of truth he discovered the errors of idola- ^ - try, and came to the light of faith: for when he , ' was rich in all the opulence of profane learning, | he saw, nevertheless, that there was another kind ^ of knowledge of more importance to the happi- i ness of man, which was to be learned only from } religion. From that instant his thirst after | knowledge took a different turn, and fixed upon f theology, aiming at nothing," as he says, "but ' a life perfected with all virtues." He tells us, that some of those who immediately succeeded | the apostles, and preserved the true tradition of I the blessed doctrine from St. Peter, St. James, J St. John, and St. Paul, "have lived down to our| time, to shed into our hearts the seed v/hicli they 1 had received of the apostles their predecessors."! Pantsenus being sent by the bishop Demetrius into • the Indies, in 189, Clement succeeded him in the great school of the Christian doctrine at Alexan- dria, in which he taught with great success, and, among other scholars of great eminence, had Origen and St. Alexander, afterward bishop of Jerusalem and martyr. His method of instruct-^ ~ ing consisted in teaching his scholars first v/hat 4. was good in the heathenish philosophy, and so ' ^ leading them by degrees to Christianity; which they embraced more readil3^ when they had reUshed many of its sublime maxims of morality 4 derived from the liglit of nature, and scattered in i the writings of the philosophers.2 Clement was 1 S. Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 1. p. 274, ct ap. Eus. 1. 6. c. II. 2 Strom. I. 1. p 2/8. DEC. 4.] ST. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDHIA. 103 promoted to the priesthood about the begmniiic^ of tlie reif^n of Sevenis; for Eusebius ftives him that title in the year 195. The persecution which that emperor raised against the Church in 202, obliged him to abandon his employment. He went over to Gappadocia. Soon after we meet with him at Jerusalem, where he preached with great constancy and success, as appears in a letter written by Alexander.l Tlience he passed to Antiocli, and wherever he came he confirmed and enlarged the flock of Christ. From Antioch he returned to Alexandria. The ancients have left great eulogiums of the , virtue and learning of St. Clement; but his great- est and standing eulogium are his writings, in which he communicated to others part of the treasure he had amassed. In his Exhortation (or , advice) to the Gentiles, he laid open the absurdity C of idolatry by giving an historical account of its I mythology: through this work lie has inter- I spersed many curious di.scoveries he had made in I his travels, by which he gave greot force to his 18 reasoning, and a surprising agreeableness to his ^ w^ork. His next composition is called Slromala, a ^word which signifies variegated hangings, or /■ tapestiy made up of great variety or mixture. It is a miscellany in eight books, without much I order, v>^hich the author compares, not to a curi- *ous garden where the trees and i)lants are set in fe exact order, but to a thick shady mountain, wliere trees of all kinds grow promiscuously ; together. In this work (which he says he niade to serve him as a collection in his old age, when 5 his memory should fail him) lie is thought to > have shown too much of the philosopher, and to ; have expressed some things imwarily, which yet will generally admit a candid interpretation. The style is harsher than in his other woiks: yet I EU8, 1. G. C. 3, 104 ST. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDUIA. [DEC. 4. there runs throngli it a siirprisinpf vein of materi- als and richness of sentiment, "with a profusion of i learning which seems prodigious; and many dis- 1 courses on morality, metaphysics, various here-| sies, idolatry, and theology are joined together! by a thread of reasoning. In the sixth book, he I draws a character of the true Gnostic or good;, t Christian. The principal strokes in his picturejf ' are, that the true Gnostic has the command overi^ [ his passions, is exactly temperate, and allows his J body no more than what is necessary: he loves i God above all things, and creatures for God's | sake, and the relation they bear to him, and € nothing is able to separate him from this love. A He bears with patience all unfortunate acci- p dents, and makes it his business to learn allL things which relate to God. He is never over-g come with anger ; and prays continually by cha- P rity that unites him to God, begging the remission i of his sins, and grace not to sin any more, but to& do good. In the Seventh book he goes on de-i* . scribing the virtues of his Gnostic; and says he :r i employs himself entirely in honouring God, in * ^ loving him, in understanding, hearing, and imi- ' tating his Word which was made man for our salvation; that he is gentle, courteous, affable; f» I patient, charitable, sincere, faithful, and tempe-_Jj \ rate: that he despises the good things of this'| ■ world, and is ready to suflter everj'- thing fori Jesus Christ: that he does nothing out of osten-^^l tation, fear, or desire of being rewarded, but acts out of pure love to the goodness and justice of God; lastly, that he is entirely holy and divine.^ The Gnostic prayeth in all places, but this he ( does in secret, in the bottom of his heart; whe- ther he be in public places, or in conversation, or at work. He praiseth God continually, not only in the morning when he riseth, and at noon-day; bnt ^^hen he is walking, resting, or dressing, he is always glorifying God like the seraphims men- DEC. 4.] ST. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. 105 tioned by Isaias. St. Clement distinguishes thei i true from the false Gnostics, or heretics in his I time who disturbed the Church by abominable! I novelties and pretences to an imaginary perfec- j , ' lion. The errors and extravagancies, into which many fall, concerning perfection, demonstrate Vthat this subject is to be handled with extreme;^/, 7 delicacy. St. Clement, to guard against the dan- 1 gers of false mystics, lays down the nature and ^ extent of each theological virtue, and particularly / the purity of the love of God. He judiciously i 2 marks out the bounds between resignation and ' ( indifference, and treats on Activity, Transforma- / tion, and Union, so as to hold the form of sound ^ words, and to shun obscurity, the language of the ^ deceiver, and the illusions of fanaticism. St. ^ Clement's short treatise entitled, Who is the rich man that shall be saved? is an exposition of the words of Christ to the young rich man, Mark x. I showing, that in order to be saved, it is not I necessary for a person absolutely to quit his t. riches, provided he make a good use of them.^^ ^ Here the author discourses of the love of God i and our neighbour, and of repentance; to prove . ^ the efficacy of which, he relates the famous histo- J. ""^ly of the young robber, reclaimed by St. John. 1 The Pedagogue of St. Clement, in three books, % is an excellent abridgment of Christian morality, i and shows in what manner all good Christians ' lived in those early ages. In the first book, the : author shows that Christ is the pedagop,ue, con- ; ( ductor, and pastor of men, and all stand in need ' of instruction: for a Christian's whole life ought ' \ to be a continued series of virtuous actions. lu - i the second book, rules are laid down for the ; \ regulation of certain particular duties, especially \ I relating to abstinence, mortification, modesty, • humility, silence, prayer, alms, and chastity, both in the state of marriage and in that of virginity. ' He prescribes plain food, barely as conducing \ 106 ST. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. [dEC. 4. . to health and strength; but one meal a day, in f 1 the evening; or at the most only two, that is, I besides the great meal, a breakfast of diy bread I I without drinking. He proves the moderate use * f of wine to be lawful against the encraiita?, but " forbids it yomig persons, and will have it only , drunk at the evening meal, and then very spar- 1 J ingly. Luxury in fuiuiiture and apparel, he J £ condemns and inveighs against, better than | I Juvenal or any ancient satirist had ever done!*' before him. Sleep he orders to be moderate, and i I never allows it in the day: he requires the nigh<;| to be begun by repeating the divine praises, and f that we rise several times in the night to pray,i; ~ and get up in the morning before day. Against^ the licentiousness of the pagans he shows that all € ^ impurities are sins against reason. In the third'^ ^ book, he speaks of modesty, See. and shows that H none but Cliristiaos are truly rich, their treasure 4 ■ being frugality. He concludes by exhorting men / to hearken to the saving precepts of Christ, to,^| whom he addresses a prayer, praising Him witli^' the Father and the Holy Ghost, and returning; Him thanks for making him a member of the ^ Church. In this work many excellent rules are laid down for conducting souls to true perfection; but in a translation it would be necessary that £^ certain expressions should be made agreeable to - the manners of our time.l i St. Clement's style in his Pedagogue, and es- pecially in his exhortation to the Gentiles, is ■flo)*id, elegant, and sublime, as Photius observes; but the diction is not Attic or perfectly pure. ' 1 Pholins, cod. 109, gives He applied himself with great fervour to the > practice of all virtues, especially humility, morti- }^ , ' fication, a,nd prayer, as the means to attain all I others. One day, whilst he was at work in the I garden, he saw a tree loaded with fair and beauti- ) fill apples, and gathered one with an intention to eat it. But reflecting that this was a temptation of the devil, he threw the apple on the ground, and trod upon it. Moreover, to punish himself, and more perfectly to overcome the enemy, he made a vow never to eat any apples as long as he lived.^ By this victory over himself he made great pro- gress in all other virtues, exercising himself by day in labour, accompanied with prayer, and by j night in watching in devotions, always flying idle- > ness as the root of all evils, sleeping only as much ) as was absolutely necessary to support nature, and > never interrupting his labours but to lift up his hands to God. Though he was the youngest in the house he soon surpassed all the rest in fervour and virtue. So tender was his charity and com- passion, that once when he was serving the baker, who had put his wet clothes into the oven to dry, and, forgetting them, had put in fire, seeing him much troubled for his clothes, he went into the I oven and fetched them out through the flames Without hurt. When Sabas had been ten years in this monastery, being eighteen years old, with the leave of his abbot, he went to Jerasalern to visit the holy places, and to edify himself by the 110 ST, SABAS, A. [dec. 5. examples of the eminent solitaries of that coimtry. He passed the winter in the monastery of Passa- rion, governed at that time by the holy abbot Elpidius. All the brethren were charmed with his virtue, and desired earnestly that he would fix his abode among them: but his great love of si- lence and retirement made him prefer the manner of life practised by St. Euthymius. He cast him- self at the feet of that holy abbot, conjuring liim with many tears to receive him among his disci- ples. St. Euthymius judged him too young to con- tinue in his laura with the anchorets; so extreme a solitude being only proper for the most perfect; for a laura consisted of a cluster of separate cells j or hermitages in a desert. EuthymiuSy therefore, 1 recommended him to the monastery below the i hill, wiiicli was under the conduct of Theoctis- tus and a kind of noviceship to the laura, from which it lay about three miles distant? the laura itself being twelve miles from Jeru- salem. Sabas consecrated himself to God with new fervour, working all day, and watching in prayer a good part of the night. As he v/as very lusty and strong, he assisted all his brethren in their offices, and prepared himself the wood and water for the house with extraordinary care and cheerfulness. He served the sick with singular diligence and affection; and was always the first and the last at tlie divine office, and in every regular duty. A temptation put his virtue to the trial. He was sent hy Ins abbot as com- panion to another monk on ceitain affairs to Alexandria. There his parents knew him and desired to engage him to accept his father's post and estate in the v/orid: but he gave them to understand that would be to apostatize from the service of God which he had chosen. They : pressed him at least to accept a large sum of auoney for his necessaries: but he, would only DEC. 5.] ST. SABAS, A, 111 take tlirco pieces of gold, and those he gave all to bis abbot on his return. When lie was thirty years of age he obtained leave of St, Euthymius to spend five days a-week in a remote cave, wliieh time he passed, without eathi/? any thinq^, in prayer and manual labour. lie left his monas- tery on Sunday evening-, carrying with him palm-twigs, and came back on Saturday morning with fifty baskets wliich he had made, imposing upon himself a task of ten a- day. Thus he had lived five years, till St. Euthymius chose him and one Domitian for his companions in his great yearly retreat in the desert of Rouban, in which Christ is said to have performed his forty days fast. They entered this solitude together on the 14th of January, and returned to their monastery on Palm-Sunday. In the first retreat Sabas fell down in the wilderness, almost dead with thirst. St. Euthymius, moved with compassion, address- ed a prayer to Christ, that he would take pity on his young fervent soldier, and striking his staff into the earth, a spring gushed forth: of which 5 Sabas diinking a little, recovered his strength j so as to be enabled to bear the fatigues of liis 1 retreat. After the death of St. Euthymius a relaxation of discipline crept into that monastery: on wliicli account Sabas, sensible that a religious house in such a condition is like a • general shipwreck, in which every one must save himself as he can, retired into a desert toward the East, in which St. I Gerasimus lived. The devil here endeavoured to v 1 affright him by appearing in divers shapes of j I serpents and beasts: but the servant of God, 7 \ armed with prayer and faith, surmounted all his ; assaults. Four years the saint had spent in his } wilderness in a total separation from all com-\ merce with men, when, directed by an admonition ^ of heaven, he chose his dwelling in a cave on the " top of a high mountain^ at the bottom of which ran il2 ST. SABAS, A. [dec. 5. the brook Cedron. The water of that torrent not being there drinkable, he fetched what he used from a spring five miles off, through a very rough and steep way. He was obliged to hang a cord down the descent to hold himself by in mounting up it. Wild herbs which grew on the rocks were his food, till certain countrymen, who found him by his cord, out of respect brought him on certain days a little bread, cheese, dates, and other little things which he might want. After he had lived here five years, several resoi'ted to him, desiring to serve God under his direction. He was at first unwilling to consent: but charity overcoming the resistance which his humility raised, he founded a new laura, which at first consisted of seventy persons, all desirous to devote themselves to praise and serve God without interruption. He marked to each the place to build their cell; and, having prayed to God that they might find water, caused a pit to be dug at the mountain, where a spring was discovered, which subsisted in succeeding ages. He built also a little chapel with an altar. The number of his disciples was shortly increased to one hundred and fifty; which obliged him to extend his laura on the other side of the torrent. He watched over all, and provided for their necessities with an incredible attention. He taught them to overcome their passions, to dis^ cover and defeat the artifices of the devil, and to pray with fruit and holy perseverance. To cut off' all necessities and pretexts of ever leaving their solitude, by the help of certain charitable persons, he supplied them with all things in a manner suitable to persons dead to the world. He had no priest in his community, and he thought no religions man could aspire to that dignity without presumption. He grieved, however, to depend upon the opportunity of some strange priest for DEC. 5.] ST. SABAS, A. ]13 the celebration of the divine mysteries. Certain factions spirits in the commnnity formed a schism against their holy abbot, and accused him to Salhist, then lately made bishop of Jerusalem. The prelate found their invectives groundless,/ except the want of a priest was a real defect in / the community. He therefore compelled Sabas^ to receive that sacred character at his hands, s The abbot was then fifty-three years old. The > reputation of his sanctity drew persons from^ very remote countries to his laura. Our saint assig:ned a particular chapel for the Armenian monks, where they performed the first part of the divine office, which consists of prayers and instruc- tions in their own tongue: but met in the great church to finish it, and to make the oblation aud receive the communion with the rest. After the » death of the saint's father, his mother came to ! him, and served God under his direction. With the money which she brought he built two hospitals, one for strangers, and another for the sick; also an hospital at Jericho, and a monas-) tery on a neighbouring hill, called Castel; and} another small one a mile distant, for the young, ^ where they learned the psalter and religious^ exercises. When they were perfect in these, and ' ripe in years, he translated them to the house of Castel; and drew out of this nursery those that wei e most perfect into his laura. Sallust, patri- arch of Jerusalem, established St. Sabas exarch or superior-general over all the monks of Pales- ; tine, who lived in several cells, and St. Theodosius [ over all who lived in community, or the Ceno- ; bites. St. Sabas, after the example of St. Euthy- < mius, left his disciples every year after the octave 4 i of the Epiphany, and passed the whole Lent^^ $ without being seen by any one, eating nothing all ; 1 that time, except that he received the holy ? eucharist every Saturday and Sunday, which he \ always took with him for that purpose. If any ) 114 ST. SABAS, A. [DEC. 5. of liis disciples accompanied Iiiin, ho, craised them to carry -with them some dried bread for tbeir subsistence. In one of these retreats, he found a holy hermit who had lived on wild herbs, without seeing any man thirty-eight years. He had with him very edifying discourses; but the next j^ear found liim dead, and buried him. The patriarch Sallust, dying in 493, tlie rebel- ; lious monks above-mentioned went to his succes- sor Eiias, hoping that he would hear their complaints. Sabas was informed of their cabals, and, not to be an occasion of others' malice, with- drew liimself privately, saying, that we must ' resist the devils, but yield to men, for the sake of peace. He went into the desert of Scythopolis, near ; tlie river Gadara, wliere he went into a great ^ cave to pray. It happened to be the den of a } huge lion. At midnight the beast came in, and } finding tliis guest, dared not to touch liim, but S taking him gently by his garments, plucked him / as if it liad been to draw him out. The saint was no ways affrighted or troubled, but began leisure- i ly and with much devotion to recite aloud the ^ midniglit psalms. The lion went out, and when f the holy man had finished matins, came in again, ; and pulled him by the^kirts of his clothes as he I had done before. The saint spoke to the beast ^ and said, tJie place was big enough to hold them w, botli. The Jion at those words departed, and ' returned thither no more. Certain thieves found ^ St. Sabas in his cave, and were so moved by his ^ example and discourses, that they all embraced i a penitential life. Many persons here again ) put themselves under his conduct; but, finding himself distracted by their direction, and by a } number of visitants who resorted thither, " he / abandoned his cell to them; and this place grew \ into a monastery. He enjoyed the sweetness of " perfect solitude some timej when, moved v/ith DEC. 5.] ST. SIBAS, A. 115 tender charity and compassion, he went to visit ; liis former rebellious monks, who continued X hardened in their iniquity, and were joined hyj twenty others. The saint was pierced with grief | to see them thus give death to their own souls, | and draw others into the same perdition. It 4 seemed to him that he feit his own limbs torn I from his body whilst he saw his monks separated % from him. In order to soften their hatred and | malice, he gave them every token of the greatest ) sweetness, tenderness, and goodness; but they | were not yet to be gained. He left them a • second time, to ask their conversion with greater ^ fervour of the Father of mercies. He retired ^ near Nicopolis, living some time imder the boughs of a shady tree, the fruit of which furnish- ed him with food till the master of the field built him a cell and afforded him his scanty diet. Elias, tiie patriarch, ordered Sabas to appoint a superior for the disciples whom ho had gathered at Nicopolis, and to return to his great laura, to which he sent his orders to receive him. The factious monks, in a rage, threw down a buildirjg which he had raised, and, after many disorders, left that place, and settled in certain old ruinous cells near the brook Theon. The great laura was freed from their scandals, and Sabas soon renew- ed in it tlie spirit of fervour and charity. His zeal and compassion for the seditious apostates made him still to weep for them, lie even procured and sent them seventy pieces of gold to build them a church and furnish them with necessaries. This excess of goodness made them to enter into themselves, confess their crime, and submit themselves to their abbot. St. Sabas nominated a superior to govern them; and, under his direction, this became a new very regular r monastery. The raint founded several othersT after the same model. The eastern churches were then in great con- 116 ST. SABAS, A. fDEC. 5. fusion. The emperor Anastasius supported the Eutychian heresy, and banished many Catholic bishops. The patriarch Elias sent to him as deputies St. Sabas, with other famous abbots, to endeavour to stop the fury of this persecution' Sabas was seventy years old when he undertook this journey to Constantinople. As he was dress- ed like some poor beggar, the officers at the gate of the imperial palace admitted the rest, but stopped him. Sabas made no reply, but with- drew into a corner to employ his time in prayer. When the emperor had read the letter of the patriarch, in which great commendations were bestowed on Sabas, he asked where he was. The saint was sought, and at length found in a corner reciting the psalms. Anastasius gave the abbots liberty to ask what they wanted or desired for themselves; the rest presented their petitions, but Sabas had no request to make in his own name. Being pressed by the emperor to ask some favour, he only begged that his majesty would restore peace to the Church, and not disturb the clergy. The emperor gave him a thousand pieces of gold to employ in charities Sabas staid all the winter in Constantinople, and often visited the emperor to gain his point. The prince had caused a heretical council at Sidon to condemn the general council of Chalcedon, and required the bishops to subscribe this decree, banishing many who refused to do it. However, he spared Elias, patriarch of Jerusalem, at the repeated entreaties of Sabas, and dismissed the holy abbot with honour, giving him a thousand pieces of gold more to be distributed among the poor in his country. The saint returned to his solitude, and the emperor dying, according to what our holy abbot had foretold, Justin, his successor, favoured the true faith. St. Sabas, laying hold on that opportunity, went to Csesarea, Scythopolis, and other places, preaching the DEC. 5.] ST. SABAS, A. 117 Catholic faith, and bringing back many monks and seculars into its fold. A drought which had continued five years, produced a famine in Palestine. The prayers of the saint obtained supplies for his seven monasteries in their extreme necessity, and at last rain, to the univer- sal joy of the whole country. In the ninety-first year of his age, at the request of Peter, patriarch of Jerusalem, he undertook a second journey to Constantinople, in favour of the Christians of Palestine, who had been calumniated at court. Justinian, who then occupied the imperial throne, received him with great honour, granted him all his requests, and ofiered to settle annual revenues for the mainte- nance of all his monasteries. The holy abbot thanked his majesty, but said they stood not in need of such revenues, as long as the monks should serve God. However, he begged a remission of all taxes in favour of the people of Palestine for a certain term, in consideration of what they had suffered by the plunders of the Samaritans: that his majesty would build an hospital at JerusaLem for the pilgrims, and a fortress for the protection of the hermits and monks against the inroads ; of barbarians : that he would bestow some orna- -; ments on the church of our Lady, which was lately built, and would afford his protection to the Catholics. All which things were granted. ' It happened one day that the emperor being busy in council in despatching certain affairs of the saint, who was himself present, when it was the hour of tierce, the abbot went out to recite his prayers. His companion, called Jeremy, said it was not well done to leave the emperor on such an occasion. " My son," replied Sabas, " the emperor does his duty, and we must do ours;" so exact was he in all the rules of his state. St. Sabas returned into Palestine with the imperial orders which he delivered to the magistrates ofj 8 12 118 ST. SABAS, A. [dec. 5. J erusalem, Scy thopolis, and Csesarea, " and saw every where put in execution. Soon after his return to his laura he fell sick: the patriarch persuaded him to suffer himself to be conveyed to a neighbouring church, where he served him with his own hands. The pains of the saint were very sharp, but God supported him under them in perfect sentiments of patience and resignation. Finding his last hour approach, he begged the patriarch that he might be carried back to his laura. He appointed Melitas of Berytus his successor, gave him excellent instructions, and then lay four days in silence, without seeing any one, that he might entertain himself with God alone. On the 5th of December, in the evening, having received the holy communion, he depart- ed to our Lord, in 532, (not 531, as Jos. Assemani demonstrates against Baronius, &c.) being ninety- four years old. He is commemorated on this day both in the Greek and Latin Calendars. St. Sabas met with persecutors among the monks, to whom his virtue seemed too scrupu- lous a severity ; and these men were long insensi- ble to his mild remonstrances, and holy instruc- tions, animated by the example of his admirable sanctity. How easily do men blind themselves in their passions, and excuse to themselves, nay canonize, their more subtle vices! And how difficvilt is it for such sinners to be reclaimed! It is much easier to convert a notorious sinner, than one who is falsely just. The one feels his mise- ries, the other crowns himself with his own hands, and, like the proud Pharisee, makes his own panegyric or apology. This dreadful blind- ness is a frequent case: men every day study by a false conscience to 'palliate crimes, and allow themselves many unjustifiable liberties under false pretences. As St. Austin complains, what our passions strongly incline us to, we often call holy. Not to perish by such illusions, we must DEC. 5.] ST. CRISPINA, M. 113 banish out of our hearts all self-conceit, leariT^ perfectly to die to ourselves, especially in regard ] to our darling or ruling passions, and never take ■ our passions for our counsellors or guides, as we shall be sure to do if we rely too much on j ourselves. We must often suspect and narrowly I examine our own hearts, which are frequently • the greatest cheats with which we can have to : deal. We are often imposed upon by other men: but a thousand times oftener by our- selves. ST. CRISPINA, M. St. Austin informs us,l that this 'glorious mar- tyr was a lady of high birth, very rich, and en- gaged in the marriage state; that she had several children ; and that though of a delicate and tender constitution, she was endued with a masculine cou- rage, preferred heaven to earth, and God to the [ world, and, despising the tears of her children, i rejoiced to see herself taken and called to confess J esus Christ on a scaffold, and in the sight of the whole world. Her acts we have only imperfect, giving an account of her last examination. By them Ave learn that she was a native of Thagara, in the Proconsular Africa, and was apprehended for professing the faith of Christ, and conducted to Thebeste, before Anulinus the proconsul of Africa. This magistrate exhorted her to sacrifice to the gods, as the edicts of the emperors com- | manded. The martyr answered, " I have never I sacrificed, nor do sacrifice to any other than to one God, and to our Lord Jesus Christ, his Son, ^ who was bom and suffered for us." Anulinus threatened her with the rigour of the law. She said that she adored and knew only one God, and observed the law of Jesus Christ, her Lord. The 1 S. Aug. in rersecu- tions against him, without which a Christian can-* not live in this world. But no human respects or fear could make him abandon the cause of God, and the true interest of souls. Tlie extir- pation of incestuous marriages in France was what cost him many difficulties; but God blessed his constancy and labours with success, both against vice, and against the Arian and Euty- chian heresies. We have two letters which lie wrote against those errors.l The first was wrote about the year 561, and addressed to Clodosindis, a Catholic princess, daughter to Ciotaire I. mar- ried to Alboin, the Arian king of the Lombards. In this he exhorts her to endeavour to convert her husband tp the Catholic faith, which he proves from the form of baptism, and from tlie miracles which were wrought in the Catholic Church by the j-elics of saints, which the A vians themselves venerated. " Let the king," (Alboiu) says he, " send messengers to the church of St. Martin; if they dare enter it, they will see the I Cone. t. 5. p. S34. artd Du Chesne, Hist. Franc. Scriptores Corstano:. %, 1, p. 853. Freher, Co j pus Iiancicse Historige. t, I. 122 ST. NICETIUS, B. C. [dec. 5. blind enlightened, the deaf recover their hearing-, and the dumb their speech; the lepers and sick are cured, and return home sound, which we see, — What shall I say of the relics of the holy bishops Germamis, Hilary, and Lupus ? at which daily so great miracles are wrought that we can- not recount them all ; and the demoniacs are tor- tured, and confess their virtue. Do they do so in the churches of the Arians ? They do not. One devil never exorcises another. What have you seen at the tombs of the bishops Remigius and Medard ? You have heard from your grand- mother, the good lady Clotildis, how she brought Clovis to the Catholic faith," &c. Another letter the saint wrote to the emperor Justinian, who was fallen into the error of the Incorrupticolse, who maintained that the body of Christ in his mortal state was not passible, or subject to pain, alteration, &c. which was a spawn of Eutychian- ism. St. Nicetius tells him with an episcopal authority and zeal, that since he had published an edict commanding all bishops to subscribe his error, all Italy, Africa, Spain, and Gaul, anathe- matized his name.l Dom. d'Acheri has pub- lished two other treatises of St. Nicetius; the jBrst, on Watching in Holy Prayer, which he ex- tols from the testimony of Isaiah, the Psalms, the example of Christ, SS. Peter and Paul, &c. also from the advantages and necessity of fervent prayer, &c. The second is entitled, on the Good or Advantaore of Psalmody, or singing the divine praises assiduously, and in common.2 St. Nice- tius died about the year 566. Many great men of the age wherein he lived bear testimony to the innocence of his manners and his extraordinary sanctity and miracles.3 See St. Gregory of Tours, Vit. Patr. c. 17. Fortunat, 1. ?. 9. D'Acheri. Cone. t. 5. p. 832. Du Chesne and Freher, ilj. Spicileg. t. 3. p. 9, &C. Ap. Du Chesne, ib. p. 851, 852. 853 DEC. 6.] 123 DECEMBER VI. SAINT NICHOLAS, CONFESSOR. ARCHBISHOP OF MYRA. S«e Tillemont, i, 6. Vie de S. Nicholas, et Note I, 2. Fleury, t. IS. p. 446. A. D. 342. The great veneration with -which this saint lias been honoured, both in the Greek and Latin Churches for many ages, and the great number of altars and churches which have been everywhere erected in his memory, are proofs of his extraor- dinary sanctity, and of the glory which he enjoys with God. The emperor Justinian built a church in his honour at Constantinople, in the quarter called Blaquernae, about the year 430,1 and he was titular saint of four churches in Constantino* ple.2 All accounts agree that he was a native of f atara, in Lycia, We are told that in his infancy he observed the fasts of Wednesdays and Fri- days, refusing to suck the breasts on those days, which were consecrated to fasting by the law of the Church, as St. Clement of Alexandria men- tions,3 and as bishop Potter proves, in his not^ upon that passage from the Apostolic Const itu* tions,4 and the canonical epistle of St. Peter, bishop of Alexandria, and martyr. Also St. Kpi- phanius5 and others testify the same. Happy are 1 Procop. de -aEdifio. Justinian, 1. 1. c. 6. p. 31. Putignani, Diatr. 1. c. 6. p. 37, 62. 2 l)n Cange, Constantinopol is Christiana, 1. 4. c. 6, n. 67. Codinua Orig. Coiistan. p. 62. 3 Clem. Alex. Strom. 1. 7. t. 2. p. 077. n. 10. et 15. ed Oron. anno 1715. 4 Constit. Aposk. 1. 5. c. 19. ct 1. 7. c. 24. 5 See pope Benedict XIV. in Liteiis ApostolLcis ad Joan. V Portng. Keg. Novse edit, Martyr. Rom. praefixis, a n, 19. ad 58. 124 ST. NICHOLAS, B. C. [dec. G. they who, from then* infancy and innocent age, are'inured to the exercises of devotion, penance, and perfect obedience. St. Nicholas increased his fervour in these and all other virtues with his years, especially when he had devoted himself to a religious life in the monastery of holy Sion, near Myra, of which house he was made abbot, by the archbishop, its founder. Charity in com- forting and relieving the distressed, seemed his characteristical virtue. Amongst many other in- ^ stances, it is related, that when three young vir- > gins were exposed through distress to the danger ^ of falling into vicious courses, he, for three sue- < cessive nights, conveyed to them through the window a competent sum of money for a fortune : for one of them, so that they were all portioned, and afterward happily married. Lycia was a large ^ ancient province of Asia, in which St. Paul had ' planted the faith. Myra, the capital, three miles from Patara, and from the sea, was an archi epis- copal see, founded by St. Nicander, of so great dignity, that, in later ages, thirty-six suffragan )f bishoprics were subject to it. This metropolitan J church falling vacant, the holy abbot Nicholas i was chosen archbishop, and in that exalted sta- i tion became famous by his extraordinary piety ! and zeal, and an incredible number of stupendous miracles. The Greek histories of his life agree, that he suffered imprisonment for the faith, and made a glorious confession in the latter part of ' the persecution raised by Dioclesian: and that he was present at the great council of Nice, and there condemned Arianism, The silence of other authors make many justly suspect these circum- stances. The history of the translation of his relics place his death in 342. He died at Myra, and was buried in his own cathedral. l Several 1 Falconiiis published, in 1/51, from a manuscript of the tenth age, in the Vatican library, the life of St. Nicholas of Pinara, -whonni pretenda to be the 9!>m8 -with St. Nicholas of Myra. But^ in the DEC. 6.] ST. NlCHOLAfi, B. C. 125 churches were built in his honour, even in the West, long before the translation of his relics to Bari: and the manner in which Usuard mentions him in his Mai'tyi'ology, almost three ages before, shows in how great veners^tion his name then was in the West. The history of the translation of his relics to Bari, assures us, that no saint was more universally honoured in all Christian na- I tions than St, Nicholas. The Muscovites, who ■ received their account of him from the Greeks, ! seem to pay a greater veneration to his memoi*y ; than to tliat of any other saint who lived since : the times of the apostles. The relics of St. Ni- cholas were kept with great honour at Myra till they were translated into Italy. Certain mer- chants of Bari, a sea-port in the Idrigdom of Na- pies, situate on the Adriatic Gulf, sailed in three ships to the coast of Lycia; and watching an op- portunity when no Mahometans were near the place, went to the church in which the relics of St. Nicholas were kei)t, which stood in a desert place, three miles from the sea, and was guarded by a small community of monks. They broke life of the former, express mention is made of a church or martyrium dedicated in honour of the great St. Nicholas (of Myra,) who must consequently have been dead oefore the other was born, as Jos. ^ese- maui proves ; (in Cal. Univ. ad 6 Dec. p. 424. t. 6.) and this distinction is demonstrated by the church built at Constantinople by Justinian, in honour of the great St. Nicholas, as he is usually styled by the Greeks, and by many otlier arguments. (See Jos. Assemani, ib. and Nicholas rutignani, Uiatriba 1.) St, Nicholas of Pinara was born at Phar- rais, near Myra, was afterward abbot of Holy Sion, and was at length consecrated bishop of Pinara, which church he governed five years, and died there; and his relics were kept with honour in the church of the monastery of Holy Sion in Pharroa, near Pinara in Lycia, the abbot of which place subscribed the second coun- cil of Nice, in 787- Falconius supposes St. Nicliolas of Pinara to have been born in 480, ordained bishop in 647 : that he assisted at the coun- cil of Myra, held about the controversy conce.rning the three chapters in 550, and died in 651. From the year of his'dealh, the other epochs are determined by the history of his life. But Jos. Assemani demon- strates (t. 6. in Calend. Univ. ad 4 Apr. p. 230.) that St. Nicholas of Pinara flourished in the seventh century, and died in 699, having governed the see of Pinara, from the year 694, five years. His body re- mained in the church of his monastery at Pharroa, together with the relics of St. John Baptist, SS. Theodorus, Sergius and Bacchuf, M]\r. and cf the forty martyrs [of Sebaste. S?e Assemani ad 4 April. 126 ST. NICHOLAS, B. C [dec. 6, open the marble coffin, in which the sacred bones lay, and carried them off to their ships; the inha- bitants, upon the alarm given, pursued them to the shore with horrible outcries, but the Euro- peans were got safe on board. They landed at Ban on the 9th of ]\fay, 1087, and the sacred treasure was deposited by the Archbishop in the church of St. Stephen. On the first day, thirty persons were cured of various distempers, im- ploring the intercession of Sfc, Nicholas, and from that time the tomb of St. Nicholas of Bari has been famous for pilgrimages. The authentic his- tory of this translation, written by John, at that time archdeacon of Bari, by order of the arch- bishop, is extant in Surius. The same account is confirmed by another history of this translation, drawn up at the same time by Nicephorus of Bari, also an eye-witness, commissioned by the magistrates of the city, quoted in manuscript by Baronius, and published by Falconius.i By this history of Nicephorus, it appears, that the Vene- tians having formed a design of carrying off the relics of St. Nicholas, certain merchants from Bari, who happened then to be at Antioch, pre- vented them.2 This enterprise could only be justified by the laws of a just vTaiY, joined with the apprehension of the sacrilegious impiety of the Mahometans. Mention is made in a novella of the emperor Emmanuel, recorded by I Falconing, Acta Primigenia S. Nicolai, p. 131. 2 See also on this translation, Dandulus, in Chronico Veneto, 1, 7. p. l57. 258. ap, Murat. Italic. Reriim Scriptores, t. 12. Though Dandulus lived only in 1330 : neither can he or other Venetians be heard, who pretend, so many years after, that the relics of at. Nicholas were Drought to Venice, since two learned men of Bari, and Sigebert, a foreigner of the same age, assure us they were translated to Bari. And it is manifest, that the Venetians only carried home, in 1097, what the citizens of Bari had left, namely, the bodies of two other bishops, Theo- doriis and another Nicholas, and some of the unctuous matter that was found in tlie sepulchre of St, Nicholas. The church of one of the twenty-three great monasteries of the Greeks on Mount Athos, is dedi- cn.ted in honour of bt, Nicholas. Ses Jilontfaucon, Paleographia Graeca, 1. 7. p. 493. DEC. 6.] ST. NICHOLAS, B. C. 127 Balsam on, and all modern writers, of a fragrant unctuous matter which issues from the relics of St. Nicholas in his shrine at Bari, a large quan- tity of which was found in his sepulchre near Myra in Lycia, when his relics were brought thence. St. Nicholas is esteemed a patron of children, • oecause he was from his infancy a model of inno-" I cence and virtue, and to form that tender age to f sincere piety was always his first care and de- f light. I To impress on the minds of children per- feet sentiments of devotion, religion and all vir- ' tues, with an earnestness in all duties, is a task } often as delicate as it is important. Instructions must be made sensible, and adapted by similes, ? parables, and examples, to the weakness of their \ capacities. Above all, they are to be enforced by ; ' the conduct of those with whom children con- verse. They learn their maxims, imbibe their spirit, and are moulded upon their example. A I child which sees those who are about him love their ' own ease, and ever seek what best pleases then* | ; senses; still more if he observes them to be cho- I leric, peevish, vain, slothful, or impatient, will I naturally cherish these passions, and yield up the > government of himself to them, instead of learn- ^5 I ing by tractableness, humility, meekness, audi i self-denial, to subdue and govern them. And so J ' in all other points. Precepts and exhortations | lose their force when contradicted by example: ' ; and whilst the infant sees every one study to ' please himself in everything, in flat opposition to 1 Sfc. Nicholas is called particularly the patron of children, not only ^ liecause he made their instruction a principal jiart of his pastoral care, but chiefly because he always retained the virtues, the meekness, the 6inii)licity without guile or malice, and the humility of his tender age, and in his very infancy devoted himself to God by a heroic piety : these reasons are given in the ancient MS. book of Festivals at Saruni,fol. 65. , On the great solemnity with which it was kept by the boys at the I cathedral of Sarum, at P.ton school, and in other schools and colleges : j see the History and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church vf Saliaburjr, | i, printed anno 1722. p. 74, 128 SS. DIONYSIA, &C. MM. [DEC. 6. jv I the rules of the ^?ospel, which he hears preached i from their mouths, he seems tacitly persuaded, I that such a conduct is reconcilable with those ' very maxims which condemn it. SS. DIONYSIA, DATIVA, ^MIUANUS, J BONIFACE, LEONTIA, TERTIUS, xVND \ MAJOIUCUS, MM. UNDER THE ARIANS^ IN AFRICA. In tlie year 484, king Huneric banished the Ca- tliolic bishops; and soon after commanded those who refused to comply with certain impious or- ders which he pubUslied, to be tormented and I put to death. Dionysia, a lady remarkable for i I her great beauty, but much more so for her holy | I zeal and piety, was so long scourged in the most ^ > conspicuous place of the forum, till every part| i of lier body was covered with wounds and blo;>d. i ? Seeing Majoricus, her only son, tremble at the I I sight of lier torments, she said to him: Son, r6-| i member that we have been baptized in the name | I of the holy Trinity, in the Catholic Church, our| I mother. Let us not lose the clothing of oiir sal- 1 ^jvation, lest the master of the feast, finding us without the nuptial garment, command his ser- V vants to cast us into outer darkness." The younii' ^ man being strengthened by lier words, suffered J a most cruel martyrdom with constancy. Tiie.^ I courageous mother embracing his body, gave ' thanks to God with a loud voice, and buried him in her own house, that she might frequently pray upon his tomb. JDativa, sister to Dionysia, ^mi- lianus a physician, who was her cousin, Leontia, ; Tertius, and Boniface suifered with great con- ■ stancy horrible torments for the faith. A noble- ^ man of Suburbis, named Servus, was tortured by ; the persecutors with the utmost fury. After his ^ body was bruised with clubs, he was hoisted in, DEC. 6.] ST. PETER PASCHAL, B. M. 129 L ihe air by pulleys, and then let down again, that^I Pile might fall with all his weight on the pave-Vf' p ment; and this was repeated several times. After ' p this, he was dragged along the streets, and torn ' with flint stones and pebbles, insomuch that his flesh and skin hung down in many places from* K his sides, back, and belly, and his ribs appeared i| bare. At Cucusa there was an infinite number of f J martyrs and confessors. Among these a coui a- j J geous lady, named Victoria, was suspended in the f ^ J air whilst a fire was kindled under her. All this | i while her husband, who had apostatized from the y'-" Catholic faith, talked to her in the most moving I and passionate manner, conjuring her at least ' to have pity on him and her innocent babes, and save herself by obeying the king. The martyr stopped her ears not to hear his se- I ducing words, and turned her eyes from her chil- I dren, that she mxiglit more perfectly raise her < I heart to heaven. The executioners seeing her j I shoulders dislocated, and several of her bones \ t broken, and not perceiving her to breathe,/ j thought she was dead, and took her down* But? I she came to herself, and afterward related that a| I virgin had appeared to her, who, touching every I"'" part of her body, immediately healed it. ' f?ee St. Victor, Vitens. De Persec. Vandal. 1. 5. Dnron. ad an. 401 , and the ilom»n Martyrology on this day. ST. PETER PASCHAL, B. M. This saint was a native of Valencia, in Spain, . , and descended of the ancient family of the Pas- 1 f chals, which had edified the Church by the tri- ' > iimphs of five glorious martyrs, which it produced y luider the Moors. Peter's parents were virtuous « and exceeding charitable; and St. Peter Nolasco » often lodged with them in his travels. The birth ^ of our saint was ascribed by them to his prayers and blessing, and the child received from him an ) I jeariy tincture of sincere piety, Peter Paschal 130 ST. PETER PASCHAL, B. M. [DEC. 6. performed his studies under domestic tutors, and, having received the tonsure, was made canon at Valencia, soon after the king of Arragon had won that city from the Moors. His preceptor was a priest of Narbonne, a doctor of divinity, of the faculty of Paris, whom our saint's parents had ransomed from the Moors, who had made him a captive. St. Peter Paschal went with him to Paris, and having studied, preached, and taught with great reputation, proceeded doctor: then retunied to Valencia, and, after employing a year in preparing himself, took the habit of the Order of our Lady for the redemption of captives, in 1251. St. Peter Nolasco was his spiritual dh-ector at Barcelona, and by the instructions of that ex- perienced master, our saint made great progress in the exercises of an interior life. James I. king of Arragon, chose him preceptor to his son San- chez, who embraced an ecclesiastical state ; after- ward entered himself in this Order, and was soon after made archbishop of Toledo, in 1262. The prince being at that time too young to receive the episcopal consecration, St. Peter Paschal was appointed his sulfragan to govern his diocess, and was ordained titular bishop of Granada; which city was at that time in the hands of the Maho- metans. The prince archbishop died a martyr, of the wounds he received by the Moors, who had invaded the territory of his diocess, making great havock in his flock, in 1275. St. Peter Paschal was by this accident restored to his convent; but joined the functions of the ministry with those of a contemplative and penitential life. He founded several new convents of his Order at Toledo, Baeza, Xerez, and particularly at Jaen, twenty- two miles from Granada,"; endeavouring by this last to procure the means of affording some spiri- tual succours to the afflicted Church of Granada, ; which he regarded as his own peculiar charge, | though he was not suffered to serve it, Tbef DEC. 6.] ST. THEOPHILUS, B. C. 131 martyrdom of B. Peter of Chemin, a religious man of the same Order which our saint pro- fessed, and who was put to death at Tunis in 1'284, kindled in his breast an ardent desire of martyr- dom. Being made bishop of Jaen in 1696, fear- less of all dangers, he went often to Granada, and there not only ransomed the captives, and instructed and comforted the Christians, but also preached to the infidels, and reconciled to the Church several apostates, renegadoes, and others. On this account he was at length shut up in a dark dungeon, with a severe prohibition that no one should be allowed to speak to him. Yet he found means there to write an excellent treatise against Mahometanism, by which several were converted. Hereat some of the infidels took great offence, and complained to the king, who gave them authority to put him to death in what- ever manner they should think fit. Whilst he was at his prayers, after having said mass in hisj dungeon, he was murdered, receiving two stabs* in his body: after which his head was struck ofF.^ His martyrdom happened on the 6th of Decem- ber, in the year of Christ 1300, of his age seventy- two. The Christians procured his chalice, sacred ornaments, and discipline, and secretly buried his body in a grot, in a mountain near Mazzo- mores. Not long after, it was translated to Baeza, where it still remains. His name occurs in the Roman Martyrology on the 6th of Decem- ber, and on the 23d of October. See the memorials drawn up for his canonization, and Hiat. dM Ord. Relig. ST, THEOPHILUS, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH, C. The memory of this illustrious bishop, and learned father of the second century, has always been dear to the Church, and his writings were 132 ST. THEOPHILUS5 B. C. [dec. 6. highly vahied by Eusehhis and St. Jerom for elegance of style, variety of erudition, and a dis^ creet and warm spirit of piety and religion. St. Theophihis was born of Gentile parents, who trained him up in idolatry, and gave him a liberal education. Whilst he was yet young, he was well versed in the works of the greatest mas- ters of ancient philosophy, and by his judgment, and the acuteness of his wit, gained much esteem among the learned men of that age. By his ini- partial and free search into nature and the state of things, he found the religion in which he was ; engaged to be not only altogether unsatisfactory, but also absurd and ridiculous, and he had too honest a heart to take up with falsehood and im- piety because it was fashionable. In the works of the creation and providence, he discerned 1 plain notices of the divine Being and perfections. ^ I In liis diligent inquiry after truth, he fell upon the books of the prophets and gospels, and was much delighted with the sublime verities which they contain, and the certain prediction of future events which he discovered in them. The doc- K trine of the resurrection was for some time aS great stumbling-block to him. Indeed there was • scarce ixny article of faith which he met with so much opposition as this from the heathen philo- sophers. So full were their heads of the axiom, ) that from a privation of form to the re-possession "' of it there can be no return, that they understood ' it, not only of the order of things, in the ordinary course of nature, but as if it implied a contradic- y lion. Though certainly in the supernatural order i.^ of things, it is equally easy to Omnipotence to V restore our scattered parts, and combine them i , again into the same mass, as it was at first to ( . create them out of nothing. Theophilus at / ' length conquered this difficulty, by reading the ) . sacred oracles of truth, and by frequent reflec- ' tion upon the many shadows of a resuiTectiou DEC. 6.] ST. THEOPHILUS, B. C. 133 which God hath impressed upon many parts of the creation in the common course of nature. This is the account of the manner of his conver- siou, which he intimates to his friend Autoly- chus,i whom he directs to the same method of 4 conviction. Theophilus greatly reioiced that he ! bad attained to the name of a Christian, a name which he styles, " Dear to God, however despised by ignorant and vicious men." But knowing that the bare name would only serve to his greater condemnation, he strenuously endea-d voured to reap the fruits of this religion by holi- ness of life. Eros, bishop of Antioch, dying in j the year 168, the eighth of Marcus Aurelius, herl was chosen the sixth bishop of Antioch, as Euse-:j bins and St. Jerom reckon liim, from Evodius, though the latter sometimes calls him the seventh including St. Peter. Theophilus being fixed in his charge set him- self zealously to promote virtue and true reli- gion, and to draw men from the Avanderings of heresy and idolatry into the true path of eternal ^ life. Heresies and schisms he compared to dan- 1 gerous rocks, upon which whosoever is cast runs | the dreadful hazard of losing his immortal souL | "As pirates," says he, "by striking on rocks 4 dash in pieces their laden vessels, so whoever are % drawn aside from the truth, shall be miserably • overwhelmed in their erjipr."^ The vigilance and vigour with Which {his holy pastor opposed \ the first advances of heresy, have raised a laatuig monument to his glory, which will endure till i time shall be no more. He wrote a confutation I of the heresy of Marcion, a treatise against the i ] heresy of Hermogenes, and catechetic discourses,^ of which, through the injuries of time, nothing / has been transmitted down to us except some ; l.few quotations, and the titles and reimtation of ' 1 S. Theoph. 1. 2. ad Autolyc. p. 78, 8 L. 2. ad Autoljc. i>. 183. 0 12 134 ST. THEOPHILUS5 B. C. [dec, 6, those writings. His three books to Autolychiis we have entire, which contain an apology for the Christian religion. They are filled with curious remarks on passages of ancient poets and philo- sophers concerning their systems of idolatry: the style is lofty, smooth, and elegant ; the turn of his thoughts lively and agreeable, and his alle- gories and similies natural and beautiful. As these books were drawn up for the conviction of a pagan, and to obviate the calumnies and re- proaches which were cast upon the Christian religion by its enemies ; they must not be ex- pected to contain nice disquisitions upon the truths of Christianity. It was our author's part.^ rather to make use of such arguments as would J confirm the faith and convict an idolater than to| explain its doctrine. Yet it evidently appears, | from several passages, that he was well ac- quainted with the hidden mysteries of the gos- pel. Petavius and Scultet fancied they disco- vered some expressions favourable to Arianism; but are clearly confuted by Bull,i Dom. Le Nourry,2 Dom. Maran, and others. St. Theo- phihis manifestly teaches that God the Son, or the Divine Wisdom is coeval with the Father, and his generation eternal.3 What he says of his second generation, when he made himself mani- fest in the creation of the world,4 and of his third when he was born a man, cannot prejudice his divinity or consubstantiaiity with his Father. St. Theopiiilus gives the name of Trinity to the three Divine Persons in one nature,'^ and he is the first whose writings are extant in which that word is employed to express this mystery. This father says, that Adam's disobedience entailed miseries Defens. fidei Nicoense, sect, 2. c. 4. p. 122. 2 Nourry, in ^.pparatu ad Bibliothec?uu Tatrurn, t. 2. PifiS. 4. c. 3. p. 491. 3 S. Theoph. 1. 2. p. 88, lb. p. J 00. 6 JL. 2. p. 'ji DEC. 6.] ST. TUEOPHILUS, B. C. 135 on us ; nevertheless, God took occasion from his fall to confer on us the greatest benefit, and the sin being expiated, has restored us to paradise. I He doubts not of Adam's saIvation,2 which Tatian the lieresiarch 3 set himself to deny about that time.4 Autolychus was a man of great learning and eloquence, who spent whole nights in conversing with libraries, but was excessively zealous for idolatry, and equally prejudiced against the Chris- tian religion, which he counted mere madness, and loaded with the most odious calumnies which all the wit and malice of those times could in- , vent, and he quarrelled with his friend Theophi- f lus for defending it. Our saint boldly undertook I to show him his errors. Treating him with the i ingenuity of a philosopher and the freedom of a [ friend, without flattery or disguise, and probing l^io the bottom of his sore, in order radically to 1 L. 2. p. 102. 103. 2 lb. et p. 104. 3 Tatian, an Aesyrian by birth, a Christian and an able orator, Avent to Rome, and tliere became a disciple of tSt. Justin ; but, after Iiis mar- tyrdom, being puffed up with pride, which often attends an opinion of a man's ov/n knowled^'^e, he became the head and author of the heresy of tlie Encraiites or Continent, so called because they condemned marriage, and the use of certain meats and wine, leading in appear- ance sober and austere lives. Tutian also adopted Marcion's distinction of two GUjds, of which the second was the Creator, and to him he as- cribed the Old Testament, the New to the other. With the JJocetso he pretended that Christ suffered only in appearance. (See St. Clement ol Alexandria, St. Epiphanius, St. Jerom, &c.) Tatian's Disccurse against the Gentiles was certainly wrote by him before liis fall ; for in it he approves marriage. This work is extremely full ofj^rofane learn- ing, and the style is elegant enough, but exuberant, and the book wants method. In it he proves that the Greeks were not the inventors of the sciences, which they learned from the Hebrews, and had abused them. He intermixeth many satirical reflections upon the ridiculous theology of the heathens, and tlie corrupt manners of their gods and philosophers. The best edition of this work is given at tlie end of St. Justin's works, published at Oxford in 1/00, by Mr. Worth, archdeacon of Worcester ; and that of the Maurist UenedicHns. Tatian's Harmony of the Gospels, which reduced all the four into one, was anciently famous, even amongst Catholics, but dangerous by the affected omis- sion of passages which proved the descent of Christ from liavid. (See THecdoret, Hseret. Fabul, 1. 1. c. 20.) It was called Piatesseron, or Four in One ; but is not now extjint. 4 S. Epiph. hser. 46, 13a ST. IHEOPHILUS, B. C. [DEC. 6. cure him, he tells him, that it is in vain for him ^ ^ to make any inquiry after truth, unless he reform i his lieart and proceed with views perfectly pure; I , for the passions raise clouds which blind reason, % i"All men have eyes," said he, "yet the sun is f i veiled from the sight of some. It however ceases .not to emit a flood of day, though those whose / , eyes are blinded see not its radiant light. But / i this defect is to be laid to their charge, nor can the sun be complained of on account of their blindness. Thus, my friend, it is sin that darkens your mind, and blunts the edge of your under-^ standing. As the glass represents not the image | J^if it be soiled, so the mind receives not the im-^^ Cpression of God, if it lies immersed in sin. This 5 is a humour v/hich greatly obstructs the sight, | l^and prevents the eye from beholding the sun.| |. Thus, my friend, your impiety diffuses a cloud y over the faculties of your soul, and renders you incapable of receiving the glorious light." In this I . manner he exhorted him to seek the truth with^ Jiis whole heart, and purely with a view to disco- » ver it, looking upon this only as his happiness. He then proceeds in his first book to prove that $ God is infinite, and incomprehensible in all his ¥ perfections, and elegantly sets forth his sove- 1 reign wisdom, power, goodness, and other attri- butes, which he illustrates from the frame of the universe. A monstrous portraiture is then drawn by him of the pagan theology in their adoration of im- pious dead men, inanimate statues, beasts, birds, vermin, leeks, and onions. The Egyptian super- stition he describes almost in the words of Juve- nal. J He concludes this book by an elegant 1 '* 'Tia mortal 8in an onion to devour. Each clove of garlic is a sacred pow'r. Belipious nations siire, and blest abodes. Where every orchard is o'ei run with gods." Jut. Sat. 15. V 12. by Tat«. DEC. 6.] ST. THEOPHILUS, B. C. 137 illustration of the resuiTection of the dead from similies found in nature, i Autolychus received ^ favourably this first discourse, and expressed his satisfaction to Theophilus, who thereupon, in his second book, laid down a confutation of the opinions that were maintained by the heathens concerning their gods. He showed the contra- diction of their poets and philosophers upon this , subject, and explained the creation and history of] the world from Moses. It is a just and true re- 1 mark, that all nations distinguished the sevenths day, though only the Jews observed it in a reli- ( gious manner, and knew the original. In con- s templating the universe he expresses his astonish- ment as follows: "So adorably amazing is the 4 greatness and goodness of God in the creation, } that no one could be able to describe the order / .. and disposition of it, though he were enriched with the flowing eloquence of a thousand tongues, and though a man's life was to be extended to a • tliousand years." The world he calls a sea impe- . tuously raging with impiety and enormous wicked- 1 ' ness; but says, the law and the prophets spring- / ) ing up, as a fountain of fresh water, have refreshed | i it with the salutary streams of mercy and justice,! I and the sacred commands of a gracious God. f C " And as in the sea there are islands Avhich are ) fruitful and furnish good harbours for the shelter • of mariners who fly to them, and are there secured from the tossings of the tempests; so hath God i * . given to the world holy churches, into whose safe i*^ I Athenngoras, an Athenian Christian philosopher. In the same aga ■wrote a book " On the Resurrection of the Dead/' in wliieh this article 18 confirmed. The same author presented his Apology or Legation for the Christians to Marcus Aurelins and his eon Commodus about the year 17?. Neither of these works was known to Kusebius or St. Jerom ; but the Legation is quoted by St. Methodius, bishop of Olyni- pus, and martyr in the persecution of Uiociesian, (ap- S. Ej iph, hser. 64. n. 21.) and by Pliotius, (cod. 224.) Both tliese pieces, especially the apology, are methodical, solid, and elegant, thougli the style is too dilfusive. They are translated into Knglish by Mr. Hnniphreys, and printed at London, in 1714, with a dissertation on Atheuagoi'as, and another on the resurrection of the dead. 138 ST. THEOPIIILUS, B. C. [dEC. 6. t havens e lovers of truth fly, and all those Avho desire to be saved, and to escape the dreadful wrath of God. And there are other islands which want water, and are filled with barren : rocks, and being; uninhabitable are destructive to 4 sailors, and in which ships are dashed to pieces, > or are unfortunately detained; so, likewise, are> there erroneous doctrines and heresies, which destroy those who are seduced and drawn aside ; by them." Theophilus, in his third book, proves : that the doctrines of the wisest heathens are full ^ ] of many principles contrary to humanity, right } reason, and sound morality; and he sets off the ) Uioliness of the doctrine and lives of the Chris- ' tians, especially their meekness and love of their i*enemies; for even whilst they are ready to sink under the weight of oppression, they earnestly 4 wish well to their persecutors, who rage against i ^ them in all the variety of cruelty. We have no j certain account of the issue of this conference: \ but Dr. Cave observes, that if strength of reason, 4 eloquence, and the prudent management of the % cause of truth could prevail, we must conclude, ' that Autolychus was reclaimed from his error: especiallj^ as we find him after the first discourse desirous of further instruction. St. Theophilus wrote man^T" other works for the edification of the Church, which have not reached us. The short commentary on the Gospels which bears his name, in the second tome of the Library of tlie Fathers, is certainly the production of a Latia writer, and of a later age, as appears by quota- tions from St. Jerom, St. Ambrose, &c., and the mention of monks. St. Theophilus sat twenty- two j^ears in his bishopric, and died about the year 190, the tenth of Commodus. His name occurs in the Roman Martyrology on the 13th of October. The most correct edition of his books to Autolychus are that published by bishop Fell at Oxf ord in 1684; that given by John Christopher DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 139 Wolf at Hamburgh in 1724; and lastly, that of the Beiiedictins, with St. Justin's works. See the testimonies of Lactantius, Eusobius, St. Jerom, <^^c. on St. Theophilus, collected by bishop Fell in his preface. Grabe, Spicil. Patr. Ssec. 2. p. ] 18. Cave, Tillemont, t. 3. p. 88. Ceillier, t. 2, p. 103. DECEMBER VU. SAINT AMBROSE, B. C. DOCTOR OF TH3S CHURCH. Prom his workB, and his short life written tit the request of St. Austin, by Paulinus, who was }iis deacon and secretary at the time of liia death, and was afterward promoted to the xjriesthood. See also the Church historians of that age. A. D. 397. An invincible courage and constancy in rcsist- ^ ing evil is a necessary ingredient of virtue, > especially in the episcopal character. Gentle- ness, meekness, humility, and obedience, :nake . the servant of God ready to yield and confirm ; himself to every one in things indifferent ; but :vl } those of duty he is inflexible, not with wilfulness |: or obstinacy, but with modesty, yet invincible firm- ^ ness. Of this virtue, St. Aml3rose, in the judg- < ment of the learned Hermant, was the most admi- rable model among all the great pastors of God*s^ Church since the apostles. His father, whose';, .name was also Ambrose, was prefect of the proev; torium in Gaul, by which office not only France,> 1 but also a considerable part of Italy and Germany,) \ the five Roman provinces in Britain, eight ins Spain, and Mauritania Tingitana in Africa, were ' 140 ST. AMBROSE, B. C, tOEC. 7. under his jurisdiction.! He was blessed with three children, Marcellina, the eldest, who re- ceived the religious veil from the hands of pope Liberius, Satyrus, and our saint who bore his father's name. It is clear from Paulinus that he was born in the city where his father resided and kept his court in Gaul, but whether this was Aries, Lyons, or Triers, modern authors are not agreed in their conjectures. The saint's birth happened about the year 340. Whilst the child lay asleep in one of the coui-ts of his father's palace, a swarm of bees flew a.bout his cradle, and some of them crept in and out at his mouth, which was open; at last 'chey mounted up into the air so high, that thoy quite vanished out of sight. This Avas estee.med a presage of future greatness and eloqueoce. The like is said to have happened to Plato.. The father of St. Ambrose dymg wliilst he was yet an infant, his mother left Gaul and retur>:ied to Rome, her own countrj^. She took special care of the education of her children, anr^^ Ambrose profited much by her in- structions, and by the domestic examples which she, his ^^ister, and other holy virgins that were with th.em, set them. 1 E' ^gj.y magistrate who was a judge of military persons and causes, A coinmander of the soldiery, was styled a praetor, and his court Jf"^ called prsetorinm. The prefect of the praetoriiim at Rome was ' jae commander of the ejiiperor's guard called prffltorium : to him was ■committed the care of maintaining public discipline and the good manners, and he received all appeals made from governors of pro- vinces. Tliis office was created by Augustus to supply the duties of Magister Militum under the dictators. See Hotomanus De Magistratl- bus Romanorum, 1. 1. p. )874. (ap. Graevium, t. 2.) Constantine the Great abolished the praetorian guards and the praetorinm at Rome, and instituted four prefects of the prsetorinm, two in the East, the one called of the East, the other of Illyricum; and two in the West, called the one of Italy, the other of the Gauls. These were the supreme jnagistrates of the empire, and held the next place to the emperor. All other magistrates and governors in their provinces were subject to them, and they commanded both the armies and tlie provinces. See Onuphrius, De Imperio Rornano, c. 24. (ap. Graevium, t. 1. p. 449.) Hotomanus, de "Rlagistrat. Rom. 1. 1. (ib. t. 2.) Also, Nolitia Digni- tatuni Imperii Occid. p. 1790. (ap. Graev. t. 7. p. 1790.) Gutherius, l)e OtFiciis Donius Augustae apud csallangre, in Thesauro Antiquit. Rom, DEC. 7.J ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 141 He learned the Greek language, became a good poet and orator, and went with his brother Sa- tyrns from Rome to Milan, which was then the seat of the prsetorium or snpreme court of judica- ture. His writings are to this day a standing proof how vigorously he applied himself to human literature. Having finished his studies, he was taken notice of, and his friendship was courted by the first men of the empire, particularly by Anicius Probus and Symmachus, two persons of great learning and abilities, though the latter was an idolater. The first was made by Valentinian, in 368, praetorian prefect of Italy, and in his court St. Ambrose pleaded causes with so much reputation that Probus made choice of him to be his assessor. Afterward he made him governor of Liguria and Emilia, that is, of all that coun- try which comprehends at this day the arch- > bishoprics, with the suffragan diocesses, of Milan, ( Turin, Genoa, Ravenna, and Bologna. Probus, ( who was a magistrate of great worth and inte- ^ grity, said to him at parting: " Go thy way, and ^ govern more like a bishop than a judge.'' The • young governor, by his watchfulness, probity, and mildness, endeavoured to comply with this , advice, which was most conformable to his natu- , ral goodness and inclinations. Auxentius, an Arian, and a violent and subtle persecutor of the Catholics, who upon the banishment of St. Dio- inysiiis had usurped the see of Milan, and held it s tyrannically for almost twenty years, died in 374. j ^ The city was distracted hy furious parties and i 4 tumults about the election of a new bishop, some ^ I of the clergy and people demanding an Arian, % others a Catholic for their pastor. To prevent an 4 open sedition, St. Ambrose thought it the duty of" I his office to go to the church in which the assem- ibl.v was held: there he made an oration to the ^people with much discretion and mildneps, ex- i hc-rting them to proceed in their choice with the 142 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7. spirit of peace, and without tumult. While he was yet speaking, a child cried out, " Ambrose ■ Bishop." Tiiis the whole assembly took up, ■? and both Catholics and Arians unanimously pro- claimed him bishop of Milan. This unexpected ; choice surprised him: he presently withdrew, y and made use of all the artifices he could to shun > this charge. He ascended the bench of justice, > and affecting to seem cruel and unworthy of the > priesthood, caused certain criminals to be brought ; before him, and put to the torture. The people, perceiving all the stratagems he made use of to be affected, continued still in their choice. Where- ^ j upon he stole out of the city by night, with a de- I sign to retire to Pavia ; but, missing his way, he : wandered up and down all night, and found him- 1 self next morning at the gates of Milan. His 1 flight being known, a guard was set upon him, i and a relation of all that had passed was sent to ] the emperor, whose consent was necessary that • J an officer in his service should be chosen bishop. ^ \- Ambrose wrote also to him on his own behalf, • that he might be excused from that office. Va- lentinian, who was then at Triers, answered the clergy and people, that it gave him the greatest pleasure that he had chosen governors and judges who were fit for the episcopal office; and, at the same time, he sent an order to the vicar or lieu- tenant of Italy to see that the election took place. In the meantime Ambrose once more made his escape, and hid himself in the house of Leon tins, one of those senators who had the title of Claris- simi; but the vicar of Italy having published a severe order against any one who should conceal him, or who, knowing where he was, should not discover him, Leontius, by an innocent kind of treachery, declared where he was. Ambrose, finding it in vain to resist any longer, yielded himself up: but insisted that the canons forbade any one who was only a catechumen, to be pro- DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 143 moted to the priesthood. He was answered, that such ecclesiastical canons may he dispensed with on extraordinary occasions. Anihrose iheretore was first baptized, and, after due preparation, re- ceived the episcopal consecration on the /tli ot December in 374, not in 375, as some have wrote, lor Valentinian I. died on the 10th of ISovemher, in 375. St. Ambrose was about thirty-lour years old when he was ordained bishop. , . . He was no sooner placed in the episcopal chair, but, considering that he was no longer a man ot this world, and resolving to break all ties whicli couldit^ld liim to it, he gave to the Church and the poor all the gold and silver of which he was possessed. His lands and estates he gave also to ^ tlie Church, reserving only an income for the use ' of his sister Marcellina during her life. iUe* care of his family and temporalities he com- ^ niitted to his brother Satyrus, that, being disen--. Raffed from all temporal concerns, he might give himself up wholly to his ministry and prayer. So perfectly did he renounce the world, and his mind dwelt so much above it, that temptations to riches and honours never had any weight with him. Soon after his ordination he wrote to the emperor Valentinian severe complaints against < some of the imperial judges and magistrates, io which the emperor rephed, *' I was long since acquainted with your freedom of speech, which did not hinder me from consenting to your ordi- nation. Continue to apply to our sins the reme- dies prescribed by the divine law. Sc. liasil also wrote to him,l to congratulate with him, or rather with the Church, upon his promotion, and to exhort him vigorously to oppose the Arians, and to tight a good fight. St. Ambrose first applied himself to study the scriptures, and to read ecclesiastical writers, particularly Ongen % 1 St. Basil, ep. 53. 144 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7. and St. Basil. In these studies he put himself under tlie conduct and instruction of Simplicia- nus, a learned and pious Roman priest, whom he loved as a friend, honoured as a father, and reve- renced as a master. This Simplicianus succeeded him in the archbishopric of Milan, and is honour- ed among the saints on the 16th of August.l AVhilst St. Ambrose studied he neglected not from the beginning assiduously to instruct his people. He purged the diocess of Milan of the leaven of the Arian heresy with such wonderful success, that, in the year 385, there remained not one citizen of Milan infected with it, except a few Goths, and some persons belonging to the impe- rial family, as he assures us.2 His instructions were enforced by an admii-able innocence and purity of manners, prayers, rigorous abstinence, and a fast which he kept almost every day; for J he never dined except on Sundays, the feasts of \ certain famous martyrs, and all Saturdays, on which it was the custom at Milan never to fasts but when he was at Rome he fasted on Saturdays. To avoid the danger of intemperance he excused himself from going to banquets or great tables, and entertained others at his own with great fru- gality. He spent a considerable part both of the day and of the night in devout prayer: and every day offered the holy sacrifice of the altar for his people.3 He devoted himself entirely to the ser- vice of his flock, and of every state and condition in it: one laborious employment serving for re- laxation from another, he allowed himself no moments for amusement. He relieved the poor, comforted the afflicted, and hearkened to all men \ with meekness and charity, so that all his people ^ 1 See Vagliano, Vite de gli Arcivescovi cli Milano, c. 15. p. 98, The poem of St Ennodius in his praise, and the epitaph of St. llina, composed by St. Simpli«ianvi8, still extant in St.Ambrose'fl f DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE^ B. C. 145 loved and admired him. It was an inviolable rule with him never to have any hand in making matches, never to persuade any one to serve in the army, and never to recommend persons to places at court. He had a soul exquisitely tender and compassionate, and he often employed his interest to save the lives of condemned persons. He wept with those that wept, and he rejoiced with those that rejoiced. His charity was as ex- tensive as the necessities of human nature, and he styled the poor his stewards and treasurers, in whose hands he deposited his revenues. It was his constant care and practice to do good for evil, and to requite affronts and injuries by offices of kindness. His chamber was for the greatest part of the day filled Avith persons who came to con- sult him, and to ask his private advice. St. Aus- tin, when he came to visit him, always found him so overwhelmed with such business, or so intent in the few moments he was able to steal to him- self, that he often went into his chamber, and after some stay, came out again, without being perceived by the holy bishop, whom out of mere pity he durst not interrupt. St. Austin, wliilst he / taught rhetoric at Milan, before he was baptized^ assisted frequently at St. Ambrose's sermons, not "* out of piety, but out of curiosity, and for the pleasure of hearing his eloquence; but took notice that his delivery was not so pleasing as that of Faustus the Manichee, though what he said was always very solid; and he preached every Sunday. I Our holy bishop, in his discourses, frequently enlarged very much on the praises of the holy state and virtue of virginity. By his exhorta- tions many virgins who came from Bologna, Placentia, and even Mauritania, served God in this state under his direction. He had been I St. Aug. Conf. 1. 5. c. 13. 1. 6. o. 3 146 ST. AMBROSE, D. C. [dec. 7. bishop only two years, when, at the request of his sister Marcellina, he committed to Avriting what he had delivered from the pulpit in com- mendation of that holy state.l This he executed in his three books. On Virgins, or On Virginity, WTitten in the year 377, and penned with singu- lar elegance, for which they are justly admired by St. Jerom and St. Austin, though the sincere piety which the language everywhere breathes, deserves chiefly the reader's attention. In the first book, the praises of St. Agnes, and in the second, the conduct and virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, (which he proposes as a perfect pattern to virgins,) the example of St. Thecla, and the history of a Christian virgin of Antioch, / who was carried to the stews,2 are set oft* with inimitable elegance, and painted with the most \ beautiful flowers and figures of rhetoric. He i enlarges on the excellency of virginity, and * ^ shows the spiritual advantages of that state. In the third book, he prescribes the principal duties ' ; of those who have embraced it, ordering them to^^l be abstemious, to shun visits, and to apply them- .'^ selves to spiritual exercises and reflection, to pray often in the day, and to repeat the Lord's i ? prayer and the psalms in bed before they sleep, * ' and when they awake; and to recite every morn- , / ing the creed as the seal of our faith. He adds | ^ that they ought to weep, and to shun excessive | f mirth, particularly dancings on which he men- I ti^ns the fatal consequences of the dancing oi Herodias' daughter. St. Ambrose mentions3 that there were twenty virgins at Bologna, and that they laboured with their own hands, not only that they might gain a subsistence, but that they might also have wherewithal to bestow charity. St. Marcellina, who received the veil from pope 1 St. Ambr. 1. 1, de Virgin. 2 See SS. Theodora and DidymTis. 8 L. I. de Virgin, c, 10. and 1. de Instit, Virgin, c. 1, DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B, C. 147 Liberiiis, in the church of St. Peter at Romej on Christmas day,l did uot live in a society of vir- i gins, but with her relations in Rome. Many 7 other consecrated virgins did the same at that/ time; but they had a part of the church to them- ^ selves, separated from the rest by boards; and on the walls were written sentences of the scripture^ for their instruction.'^ St. Ambrose wrote his trea- t tise, Of Widows, soon after the former work, tof exhort them to perpetual chastity. This was soon | followed by that, On Virginitj^, which he com- k piled to give us from the holy scriptures a high h idea of that virtue; but he adds a most necessary f, caution, that the veil is not to be given rashly to ' young virgins, especially such as are of a light unconstant behaviour. "Some complain," says, ^.he, "that mankind will shortly fail, if so many »are consecrated virgins. I desire to know who ■ ever wanted a wife, and could not find one? The J killing ofttti-fidulterer, the pursiTing or waging _ \ war against a ravisher, are the consequences oi^ Imarriage. The number of people is greatestT jwhere virginity is most esteemed. Inquire how ^'many virgins are consecrated every year at Alex- | andria, all over the East, and in Africa, where i there are more virgins than there are men in : this country." May not the French and Austrian ; Netherlands, full of immerous monasteries, yet \ covered with populous cities, be at present es- 7 teemed a proof of this remark ? The populous- ✓ ness of China, where great numbers of new-born / infants are daily exposed to perish, is a dreadful / proof that the voluntary virginity of some in these 5 remote ages of the workl is no prejudice. Wars / and the sea, not the number of virgins, are the l destroyers of the human race, as St. Ambrose > observes; though the state of virginity is not to j be rashly engaged in, and marriage is not only 1 St. Ambr. 1. 3. de Virgin, c. 1. 2 L. ad Virg. laps. o. (i. 148 ST. AMBROSE, C. [dec. 7. holy, but the general state of mankind in the ; world. St. Ambrose's book, entitled, The Insti- tution of a Virgin, contains a confutation of Bonosus, who renewed the error of Helvidiiis, denying the pei'petual virginity of the holy { i Mother of God. The saint adds the instructions ' he had given to Ambrosia, one of the twenty vir- gins at Bologna who served God under his direc- | tion : he shows that retirement, silence, humility, | and prayer are the principal duties of a Christian | ■virgin. Toward the end, the ceremonies of the «' solemn profession of a virgin are described. She / presented herself at the foot of the altar, where J she made her profession beibre the people; the /' bishop preached to her, and gave her the veil which distinguished her from other virgins; but her hair was not cut, as was done in the initia- tion of clergyrneR and monks. In the close the author invites Jesus Christ to come on the ) day of these spiritual nuptials to receive his | handmaid, who consecrates herself to him by f a public profession, after having long before I dedicated herself to him in spirit and in her ^ heart. The emperor Valentinian I. who resided some- times at Triers, sometimes at Milan, died of aii apoplexy in Pannonia, being engaged in a war against the Sarmatians and the Quadi, on the 17th of November, in the year 375, of his age fifty- five. Gratian, his eldest son, by his first wife, Severa, then sixteen years old, was then at Triers, and had been before associated by his father in the empire. Valentinian, his younger son, by Jus- tina, a second wife, was with his mother on the borders of Pannonia, and him the ai-my of his father saluted emperor, though he was then only four years old. Gratian took not this step amiss, but confirmed to his brother that dignity, and promised to be to him a father, and, contenting himself with the provinces which lie on this side DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 149 of the Alps, yielded up to liim Italy, Africa, and lUyricnm, though he kept the admiDisti ation till his brother should be of age, and resided at Triers or Mentz. Fritigern, king of the Goths, having invaded the Roman territories in Thrace and Paunonia, Gratian determined to lead an army into the East to the succour of his uncle Valens. But in order to guard himself against the snares of Arianism, of which Valens was the protector, he desired of St. Ambrose, whom he honoured with a singular veneration, some instructions in writing against that heresy. In compliance with this request, the holy prelate wrote, in 377, the work entitled, On the Faith, to Gratian, or. On the Trinity, which, with three books which he added in 379, consists of five books, and is an excellent confutation of the Arian heresy, is written v/ith much wit, vigour, and subtilty, the subject is set off with lively and pleasant descriptions, and the objections are removed with great clearness. St. Ambrose's books, Of the Holy Ghost, are written in a less concise, less lively, and smart style than the former, because, says St. Austin, the subjects required not orna- ments of speech to move the heart, but proofs of the divine truth concerning the consubstantiality of the third Person addressed to the understand- ing. Many things in it are copied from St. Atha- nasius, and from Didymus and St. Basil's books on that subject, St. Ambrose's book. On the Incarnation, is an answer to certain objections of the Arians addressed to two officers of Gratian's court. Valens was defeated by the Goths, whom he had rashly engaged not very far from Adriauople, and was himself burnt in a cottage mio which he had retired in his flight, in order to have his ! wounds dressed, in 378. His unhappy death was I looked upon as a just judgment for his persocu- I tiou of the Catholics, and his tyranny, especially 10 12 150 ST. AMBROSE, B. C, [dec. 7. in havii>g: caused the streets of Antioch to swim ■with streams of innocent blood, and many houses to be consumed by flames ; for which it was said he deserved to be himself burnt; and, as he was hated whilst he lived, so he died without being regretted. Gratian, by the death of Valens, became master of the eastern empire: I but, seeing it attacked on all sides by triumphant I barbarians, sent thither Theodosius, a general of \ great probity and valour, who, with his father, , a virtuous general of the same name, had i trmmphed over the barbarians in Britain and i Africa; but the father, out of mere jealousy, being unjustly put to death by Valens, the son had led from that time a retired life in Spain. Theodosius vanquished the Goths, pacified the "Whole empire, and made excellent regulations in all the provinces under his command, insomuch that, on the 16th of January, in 379, Gratian gave him the purple and crown at Sirmich, in presence of their two armies, and declared him his col- league, and emperor of the East, giving him Thrace and all that Valens had possessed, and also the eastern part of Illyricum, of which Thes- salonica was then the capital. The Goths had extended their ravages from Thrace into Illyri- cum, and as far as the Alps. St. Ambrose, not content to lay out all the money he could raise in redeeming the captives, employed for that use the gold vessels belonging to the church, which he caused to be broken and melted down; but such only as were not yet consecrated, reserving those which were for a more pressing necessity. I The Arians reproached him upon this account; to v/hom he answered, that he thought it much more expedient to save the souls of men than gold ; for not only the lives of the captives, and the honour of the women were preserved, but the children were rescued from being educated in » St. Arabr. oaio. 1. 2, c, 15, B, 70, «t c. 23. DEC. 7J ST. AMBROSE, B. 0. 151 idolatry. " I find," said h^, « that the blood of Jesus Christ poured out in \he gold plate, hath not only shone therein, but *ath also impressed upon it the virtue of redemption." Many Arians who, upon that occasion, fled frcm Illyricum into Italy, were converted to the faifti by the care of St. Ambrose, who was indefati^ble in every branch of his pastoral charge. Every Lent he bestowed so much pains and labour instructing the catechumens, that, when he died,3,ve bishops could hardly go through with that whi-h he used himself to perform. I In 379 St. Ambrose lost his brother Sa'vyrus, to whom he had committed the care of all Us tem- poral affairs. Satyrus attempting to go to Africa to recover some money due to nis brothei/\vas shipwrecked; and, not being baptized, desired sopie that were there, to give him the holy mys^ f teries, that is, the blessed eucharist, to can y with ) him; for the faithful carried it in long voyages, ^ that they might not die deprived of it. As none but those who were baptized were allowed even to have a sight of it, Satyrus begged them to wrap it in an orarium, which was a Kind of long - handkerchief, at that time worn by the Romans , about their necks. This he wrapt about him, and threw himself into the sea, without seeking a plank to support him; yet, by swimming, he was the first who came to land. It seems to have been in the isle of Sardinia. Satyrus, being then a catechumen, addressed himself to the bishop of the place in order to be immediately ^baptized; but first asked him whether he was in ^communion with the Catholic bishops, that is, l^with the Church of Rome, says Saint Ambrose: • and, finding that he took part in the schism of Lucifer, he chose rather to venture again upon ;\the sea than to receive baptism from a schismatic I When he arrived in a Catholic country he was . ^ - - 1 Pftuliu. Tit. AmbroB. n. 96. 162 ST. A.MBROSE5 B. C. [dec. 7. baptized, the grace 0/ which sacrament he never forfeited, as his brother affirms. Satyrus died soon after his retnin to Milan, in the arms of St. Ambrose and St. Marcellina, and left his wealtli to be disposed of by them, withont making a will. Tliey thought ^e had only made them stewards of it, and gave it all to the poor. The funeral of Satyrus was performed with great solenmity, at wliich SA Ambrose made an oration, which is extant, from which these particulars are taken. 1 ^he seventh day after, they returned to the grav^ to repeat the solemn obsequies, as was usual; !cnd St. Ambrose made there another dis- | course in which he expatiated on the happiness of deatU and the belief of the resurrection ; 011 whicn account it is often called, A Discourse on I the Resurrection. The Church commemorates St Satyrus on the 17th of September. In 381 St. Ambrose held a council at Milan, against the heresy of Apollinaris ; and assisted at another at Aqiiileia, in Avhich he procured the deposition of two Arian bishops, named Palladius and Secundianus. In a journey wliich he made to Sirmich, he compassed the election of a Catholic bishop to occupy that see, notwithstanding the intrigues of the empress Justina in favour of an Arian candidate. In 382 our saint assisted at a council which pope Damasus held at Rome in order to apply a remedy to the divisions which reigned in the oriental Church about the see of jAntioch. Paulinus relates, that whilst he con- } tinned there, a certain woman that kept a public bath, and lay bedrid of a palsy, caused herself to be conveyed in a chair to the place where the holy bishop said mass, and importuned him to intercede with heaven for her; and while he was praying, and laying his hands upon her, she 5 caught hold of his garments, and kissing them ' found her strength return, and rose up and walked, I et. Aaibr, de Excessu i'r. Satyri. DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 153 The emperor Gratian was chaste, temperate, mild, beneficent, and a zealous Catholic; and St. Ambrose obtained of him, among other whole- some laws, one by which, to prevent surprises iu condemning accused persons, it was enacted, that » no one should be executed sooner than thirty j days after sentence. He prevailed with the same prince to remove the altar of victory out of the senate-house, which Julian the Apostate had restored. Yet this emperor gave too rcuch of his time to hunting, shooting of beasts in a park, casting the javelin, and other such corporal ex- ercises, making an employment of a recreation, in which idleness his governors and ministers entertained him that they might remain masters of affairs. Hence he did not -sufficiently attend to business, and look into the conduct of his officers; and Macedonius, prefect of the praa- torium, was a man openly addicted to bribery. Complaints which were }aised, alienated the affections of many; and Maximus, an accom- plished general who commanded the troops iu Britain, (where Theodosius had formerly been his colleague, Avho was then become emperor of the east,) assumed the purple, and passed with his army into Gaul, Gratian left Triers upon his approach, and near Lyons a battle was fought, which coiUinued five days, till Gratian, perceiving part of his nrmy deserthig him, fled with three hundred horst. Andragathius, general of Maxi- mus's horse, contrived the following stratagem: He was carried in a close horse-litter, and it was given out that it was the empress who was coming to her husband. Gratian passed the Rhone to meet her; but when he came near, the general leaped out of the litter, and stabbed him". This happened on the 25th of August in 'dod. Gratian lamented with his expiring breath that his father Ambrose was not with him. Maximus after this ranged at pleasure, treated those of G rattan's 154 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec, 7. party with great severity, and threatened to cross the Alps, and attack Valentinian II. Gratian*s half-brother, who resided at Milan with his mother Justina, To prevent this danger the em- press despatched St. Ambrose upon an embassy to Maximus. The saint, by the gravity of his person, the authority of his office, his humble ad- dress, and eloquent insinuations, stopped the usurper in his march, and at length concluded with him a treaty, by which Maximus was to enjoy Gaulj Britain, and Spain, and Valentinian Italy with Uie rest of the West. St. Ambrose passed the wiater with Maximus at Triere, in 384; and had the courage constantly to refuse to com- municate with a tyrant who was stained with the blood of his master, and to exhort him to do penance. In these times of confusion the Gen- tiles at Rome attempted to restore the abolished rites of their superstition. At their head ap- peared Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, a senator of great eminence, an admirable scholar, states^ man, and orator, at that time prefect of Rome. In autumn, in the year 384, this man presented a request to Valentinian, in the name of the senate, begging that the altar of victory might be re- established in the senate-house, and the salaries restored to the priests and vestal virgins; to which he ascribed the victories and prosperity of ancient Rome. A like petition had l?een before presented to Gratian in 382, but was disavowed by the Christian senators, (who ivere the greater number,) and rejected by that prince. St. Am- brose having privately received notice of Sym- machus's petition, wrote agamst it two beautiful apologies or letters to Valentinian, in which even his eloquence seems superior to that of the pagan, who was esteemed the greatest orator of his age. In the first he desired that a copy of Symma- chus's petition should be communicated to him, remonstrating at the same time to the emperor, DEC. 7.] £T. AMBROSE, B. C. 155 that as all the subjects of the Roman empire ought to submit to him, so he was obliged to obey the only true God, and to defend the religion of Christ; that he could never concur to idolatry; and the Church or bishops would never receive oblations from him who had given ornaments to the temples of idols: his gifts cannot be pre- sented on the altar of Jesus Christ who hath made an altar for false gods, &c.i In the second the saint confuted all that was alleged in the petition.2 These apologies being read in the council in presence of the emperor, he answered the Gentiles, that he loved Rome as his mother, but obeyed God as the author of his salvation. The empress Justina, though an Arian, durst I not openly espouse the interest of her sect during- * the lives of her husband Valentinian I. and of Gratian, But the peace which St. Ambrose had procured between Maximus and her son, gave her an opportunity to persecute the Catholics, especially the holy bishop ; for she ungratefully forgot the obligations which she and her son had to him. When Easter was near at hand, in 385, she sent to him certain ministers of state to de- mand of him the Portian basilic, now called St. Victor's, without the city, for the use of the Arians, for herself, her son, and many officers of the court. The saint replied, that he could never give up the temple of God. By other messengers of the first rank she afterward demanded tlie new basilic; then again insisted on having at least the former; but the bisJiop was inflexible. Certain deans or officers of the court were sent to take* possession of the Portian basilic by hanging up in it imperial escutcheons. The citizens, enraged at this violence, seized in the street an Arian priest called Castulus. St. Ambrose being informed of this whilst he was at the altar, wept bitterly, I St.. Ambr. ep. I7, 8 Ep, 18. 156 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7. prayed that God would suffer no blood to be shed, and sent out certain priests and deacons who delivered the Arian priest. The court, to punish the citizens for this commotion, taxed them two hundred pounds weight in gold. They answered, that they were willing to pay as much more, pro- vided they might be allowed to retain the true faith. Certain counts and tribunes came to sum- mon St. Ambrose to deliver up the basilic, saying, the emperor claimed it as his right. The bishop answered, " Should he require what is my own, iis my laud or my money, I would not refuse him, though all that I possess belongs to the -poor: but the emperor has no right to that which be- longs to God. If you require my estate you may take it; if my body, I readily give it up; have you a mind to load me with irons, or to put me to death, I am content. I shall not fly to the rotection of the people, nor cling to the altars: < choose rather to be sacrificed for the sake of the % altars."! St. Ambrose continued all that day in the old basilic; but at night went home to his house, tbat if they designed to seize him, they might readily find him. The next morning, } which was Wednesday, he went out before day to the old basilic, which was immediately sur- rounded with soldiers. A troop of soldiers was sent to seize on the new church; but St. Ambrose sent certain priests thither to officiate, and the^y threatened the soldiers with excommunication if they offered any violence; and they came into the church and prayed peaceably, being Catho- lics. In the evening St. Ambrose preached on ^ patience. After the sermon a secretary arrived | from the court, who, calling the bishop aside, / made him severe reproaches, and told him that ( he set himself up for a tyrant. The bishop re- \ plied, *'Maximus, who complains that by my ' 1 Rnfin. Hist. 1. 11. c. I5. St. Ambrose, pp. 20. ad Soror. Mabill, Itia. Ital. p. 17. 3>EC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 157 embassy I stopped him from marching' into Italj^ says not that 1 am the tyrant over Valeutinian. . Bishops never set themselves up for tyrants; but ; liave often suffered much from tyrants." The \ ? Catliolics spent all that day in sorrow: and the i basilic being surrounded with soldiers, St. Am- I brose could not return home to his own house; f ; but passed the night in reading psalms with his ] .[ brethren in the little basilic of t-he church, or in 1 some oratory in the outer buildtiigs. The next ; ; day, w^hich was Maundy Thursday, St. Ambrose I prayed and preached to the people, till news was } brought him that the emperor had withdrawn I the soldiers from the basilic, and had restored to / the merchants and citizens the mulct which he ) had imposed upon them. Upon which all joined? in joy and thanksgiving. St. Ambrose gave an! account of these transactions to his sister Mar- j cellina, who was then at Rome, and had earnestly ! begged it of him. At the conclusion of tliis rela- tion, he adds, that he foresees greater commo- tions. After this he says, the eunuch Calligonus, high chamberlain, said to me: 'thou despisest Valentinian, whilst I am yet living; I will cut off,^ thy head.' To which I replied: 'May God permit ii me so to suffer: then I shall suffer as a bishop, ) and you will act a jjart becoming a eunuch or'^ courtier. I beseech God that all the enemies of 7 the Church may cease persecuting her, and level j all their shafts at me, to quench their thirst with t my blood.' "1 Soon after Calligonus was convicted of a heinous crime, and beheaded. The empress was still more exasperated against St. Ambrose by the resistance of the people; and persuaded her son to make a law for auUiorizing the religious assemblies of the Arians, which Avas published on the 23d of January, 386/^ The true author c>f this law was Mercurinus, whom the St. Aug 1. 6. cap. Julian, c. 11. n. 41. li. ult. Cod , Theod. de Fide Cnthol, 158 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7. Arians made bishop of Milan for those of their sect, and who took the name of Aiixentius II, In conseqaence of this law, which forbade any one under pain of death to oppose the religious assemblies of Arians, no one could so much as advise or present a petition against a church be- | iiig yielded up to them without incurring the danger of being proscribed or put to death.i The empress, therefore, in the following Lent, in 386, again demanded of St. Ambrose the Por- tian basilic. The holy prelate answered : " Naboth would not give up the inheritance of his ances- tors, and shall I give up that of Jesus Christ? God forbid that I should abandon that of my fathers, of St. Dionysius, who died in exile for the defence of the faith; of St, Eustorgius the confes- sor; of St. Miroclus, and of all the other holy bishops, my predecessors." Dalmatius, a tribune and notary, came to St. Ambrose from the empe- ror, with an order that he should choose his judges at court, as Auxentius had done on his side, that his and Auxentius's cause might be tried before them and the emperor; which if he refused to do, he was forthwith to retire, and yield up his see to Auxentius. The saint took the advice of his clergy, and of some Catholic bishops who were then at Milan ; then wrote his answer to the em-» peror, wherein, amongst other things he says, / ** Who can deny that in causes of faith the bishops > judge Christian emperors? so far are they from t being judged by them. Would you have me - choose lay judges, that if they maintain the true I faith they may be banished, or put to death? I Would you have me expose them either to a pre* | varication, or to torments? Ambrose is not of % that consequence, for the priesthood to be de- | b^lsed and dishonoured for his sake. The life of * one man is not to be compared with the dignity of all the bishops. If a conference is to be held I Sfc, Ambr. ej). 21. ad Yalen. DEC. 7.] 8T. AMBROSEj B. C. 159 about the faith, it belongs to the bishops to hold it, as was done under Constantine, who left them the liberty of being judges." AfteFsending this remonstrance to the emperor, signed by his own hand, St. Ambrose retired into the church, where he was for some time guarded by the people, who stood within doors night and day, lest he should be carried away by violence; and the church was soon surrounded by soldiers sent from court, who suffered people to go in, but no one to come out. St. Ambrose being thus shut up with the people, preached often to them. One of those sermons which he made on Palm Sunday is extant,! under this title: On not De- livering up the Basilics. In it he says, " Are you afraid that I would forsake you, to secure my own life? But you might have observed by my answer, that I could not possibly forsake the Church, because I fear the Lord of the whole world more than the emperor; that if they carry me by fdrce from the Church, they may draw away my body, but they can never separate my mind from it: that if he proceeds against me as a prince, I will suffer as a bishop. Why then are you troubled ? I shall never quit you voluntarily ; out I can never resist or oppose violence. I can eigh and lament: I can weep and groan. But tears are my only arms against swords, soldiers, and Goths. Bishops have no other defence. I cannot, I ought not to resist any other ways. But as to flying away and forsaking my Church, that 1 will never do. The respect which I have for the emperor does not make me yield cowardly: I offer myself willingly to torments, and fear not the mischiefs they threaten me with. It was proposed to me to deliver up the vessels belong- mg to the church: I answered, that if they asked me for my land, my gold, or my silver, I willingly 1 Bee Ambr. Serra. de Basil, non trad. post. ep. 21. n. 8. 19, 160 ST. AMBROSE, R C. [dec. 7. offered them: but I can take nothing out of the Church of God. If they aim at my body and my life, you ouglit only to be spectators of tlie combat; if it is appointed by God, all your pre- cautions will be vain. He that lovetli me cannot give a better testimony thereof than by sufilering me to become the victim of Jesus Christ. — I ex- pected something extraordinary, either to be kill- ed by the sword, or to be burnt for the name of Jesus Christ. They offer me pleasures instead of sufferings. Let none therefore disturb yon by saying, that a chariot is prepared, or that Aux- entius Iiath spoken severe things.— It was gene- rally said, that murderers were sent, and that I was condemned to die. I fear it not, and will not leave this place. Whither should I go? Is / not every place full of groans and tears, since orders are every where given to drive away Catholic bishops, to put those to death who resist, and to proscribe all the officers of cities who put not these orders in execution? —What have we said in our answers to the emperor which is not agreeable to duty and humility? If he asketh tribute, we do not refuse it: the Chnrch lands pay tribute. If he desireth our estates, he may take them: none of us maketli any opposition; I do not give them; but then I do not refuse them: the people's contributions are more than sufficient to maintain the poor. We are reproached on ac- count of the gold which we distribute amongst ' them: so far am I from denying it, that I glory in it: the prayers of the poor are my defence;/, those blind, those lame, those aged persons are y more powerful than the stoutest warriors. We > render to Csesar the things that are Caesar's, and ) to God the things that are God's. The tribute is | Csesar's, the Church is God's. Nobody can say \ that this is to be wanting in respect to the empe- ror. What is more for his honour than to style him the son of the Church? The emperor is m DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. ]6l the Church, not above it." The saint spoke with an astonishing intrepidity of the sword, fire, or banishment, detected boldly the impiety of Aux- entius, and other Arian persecutors, and called their new law a flying sword sent over the empire to kill some by corporal death, others in their souls by the guilt of sacrilege. What he mention- ed of the chariot is explained by Paulinus, who relates, that one Euthymius had placed a chariot at a house near the Church, that he might take away St. Ambrose with greater ease, and carry him into banishment. But a year after he was himself put into the same chariot, and carried from that very house into banishment: under which misfortune St. Ambrose furnished him with money and other necessaries for his journey. This historian mentions several other stiatagems laid during this time to take or kill the servant of God, and says that one came with a sword to the chamber of St. Ambrose, in order to murder him; but that, lifting up his hand with the naked sword, his arm remained extended in the air mo- tionless, till he confessed that Justina had sent him upon that errand, and, upon his repentance, he recovered the use of the arm. When St. Am- brose had remained several days in the church and adjacent buildings within its inclosure, with . the people who kept the doors shut, and guarded ) the passes, the guards were removed, and he re- turned to his house. St. Ambrose mentionst that the Arians re- r preached him with leading the people into error > ^ by singing hymns: and he allows that by hymns > he taught them to testify their faith in the Trinity, J ) To comfort his people under this persecution, he 4 • encouraged them to assiduity in singing the hymns f ■ and anthems which he composed. I'salms were ^ always sung throughout the whole Church; but 1 Senn. dQ Basil, uou trad. n. 2i. raulin. vit, d. 3. 162 ST. AMBROSE^ B. C. [DEC. 7. St. Ambrose seems first to have established at . Milan the custom which he learned from the ori- l ental churches, of singing psalms alternately by , two choirs, I which spread from Milan to all the s churches of the west.2 God gave a visible conso- k lation to this saint and his afflicted flock in the s very heat of the persecution by the discovery of ^ the relics of SS. Gervasius and Protasius, of which he gives an account in a letter to his sis- ter .3 He writes, that being desirous to dedicate a new church (which at present is called from him, the Ambrosian basilic) in the same manner that he had before consecrated the Roman basilic, (which was another church at Milan near the Roman gate,) he was at a loss for want of some relics of martyrs, till causing the ground to be broke up before the rails ot the sepulchres of SS. Nabor and Felix, he found the bones of SS. Gervasius and Protasius. These relics were laid in the Faustinian basilic, and the next morning were translated into the Ambrosian basilic; during which translation a blind man, named Severus, a butcher by trade, was cured by touch- ing the bier on which the relics lay, with a hand- 1 S. Isid. Offio. I. 1, c. 7. S, Aug. Conf. 1. 9. c. 7. 2 Several hymns composed by St. Ambrose are stiU uaed by the Latin Church in tha divine office. Among these, twelve are ascribed to him by St. Austin, St. Isidore, Bede, Cassiodorus, the Roman coun- cil in 430, (fee. as Deus Creator Omnium—Jam surgit hora tertia— Veni Redemptor Gentium — lUuminans altissimus — iEterna Christi Munera — Somno refectis artubus— Censors paterni luminis — O lux beata ItrinU tas— Fit porta Christi pervia, &c. Most of the hymns which occur ia the daily or ferial office in the Latin Church seem to be St. Ambrose's, This holy doctor is said to have first introduced into the West the cus- tom cf singing hymns in the church. Those which he made are so composed, that tlie sense ends at the fourth verse, that they may be sung by two chorusses. St. Hilary was at the same time an excellent composer of hymns. George Cassander, in the dedicatory epistle before his Collection of Hymns, observes, that these titles of hymns, A Hyma of St. Peter, of St. Paul, &c. are to be thus understood, A hymn or eong of praise of God, in memory of St. Peter, St. Paul, &c. And 8o we are to understand a church, an altar, a masB of St. Peter, of St. Paul, flfc. which manner of speaking occurs iu SS. Ambroee, Austin, &c. 3 Ej). 2. DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE^ B. C. 163 kerchief, and then applying it to his eyes. He had been blind several years, was known to the whole city, and the miracle was performed before a prodigious number of people; and is testified also by St. Austin,l who was then at Milan, in three several parts of his works, and by Paulinus in the life of St. Ambrose. Our saint made two sermons on the occasion of this translation, in which he speaks of this and other miracles wrought by the holy relics, by which he as- sures us, that many possessed persons were de- livered, and many sick healed. St. Austin2 and Paulinus say, that an end was put to the persecution of St. Ambrose by the discovery of these relics in 386. The Arians indeed at court pretended, that St. Ambrose had suborned men to feign themselves possessed; which calumny he confutes in the second of these seraions by the notoriety and evidence of the facts, which ^yas such as to put the Arians to silence, and to oblige the empress to let St, Ambrose remain in peace. Dr. Middleton revives the slanders of the Arians, pretending these miracles to be juggle and im- posture. But Dr. Cavea mentions the miraculous cure of Severus, and the many other miracles wrought by those relics, and by the towels and handkerchiefs laid upon the bodies, as incontest- able, attested by St. Ambrose in sermons preached upon the spot before the relics. This learned pro- testant critic adds: "The truth of which miracles is abundantly justified by St. Ambrose, St. Austin, and Paulinus, who were all then upon the place; and indeed they were notoriously evident to the whole city, and twice the subject of St. Ambrose's 1 S.'Ambr. ep. 22. S. Aug. Conf. I. 9. c.7. et 1. and 1. 22. de Civ. c. 8. n. 2. also Serm. 280. (ol. 3s>. de div.J c. 8. n. 2. See on SS. Gervftsius and Protasius, June 19. 2 S. Aug, Conf. 1. 9. c. 7. 3 Cave's Life cf St. Amfyrose, sect. 4. p. 400. See Petri Piiricelli Historica Di«sertatio de SS. Gervasio fit Protasio^, in fol. Mediolaiii, 164 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7* sermons. I make no doubt but God suifered these to confront the Arian impieties, and to give the highest attestation to the Catholic cause, so mightily at this time opposed, traduced, and per- secuted."! Maximus, who had been then ac- knowledged emperor both by Valentinian and Theodosius in solemn treaties, wrote to Valen- tinian, exhorting him not to persecute the Catho- lic Church, as Sozomen and Theodoret testify. " All Italy," said he, "Africa, Gaul, Aquitain, and Spain ; and, in short, Rome, which holds the first rank in religion, as well as in empii-e, maintain this faith." In the year 387, news daily came to Milan ox the preparations Maximus was making to invade Italy. Ambition is restless and insatiable; its burning thirst is only increased by the greatest successes, till it is at length buried in the pit which itself has dug, as Cineas elegantly, but unsuccessfully represented to king Pyrrhus. Maximus thought Britain, Gaul, and Spain, which he possessed in peace, and without danger of being molested, as nothing, so long as he was not master of Italy: and the astonishing success of his usurpation made him only enlarge his views further, and think more due to him. Val- entinian and his weak mother were in no condition to oppose him, and in this distress they had again recourse to St. Ambrose, whom they besought 1 St. Ambrose built four churches at Milan, 1. Dedicated to God in honour of the Blessed Virgin and all holy virgins, now called St. 8im- plieianus's. 2. In honour of St. Peter, now called St, Nazarius's. 3, la nonour of all the saints, now St. Dionysius's. 4. In honour of all saints, commonly called the Ambrosian. It never was the cathedral, but St. Ambrose was there interred ; and his body, and those of SS. Gervasius and Protasius repose there to this day. The archbishop Peter Oldra- du«, in 784, built an adjoining monastery called St. Ambrose's. Arch- bishop Arnulph, in 1002, erected there the figure of the brazen serpent brought from Constantinople, not that which Moses set up in the de- Bert, but a type of the cross, as was usual. See Gretser, De Crue«, I. 1, c. 41. The same archbishop placed there a great wooden cross, in which he put a considerable portion of Christ's true cross. See Petri Puricelli Deacriptio Historica Basilicje Ambiosiange, ap. Greevium, t, 4, Thesauri 6crij[!tor. Ital. c. 2. p. 49. 47^, DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 165 to stand in the gap, and venture on a second embassy to stop the inarch of a prosperous usui-per. The good bishop, burying the memory both of public and private injuries, readily undertook the journey, and arriving at Triers, the next day went to court. Maximus refused to admit him to an audience but in public con- sistory, though the contrary was a customary privilege both of bishops and of all imperial ambassadors. St. Ambrose made a remonstrance upon this- account, but chose rather to recede from his dignity, than not execute his commis- sion. He therefore was introduced into the con- sistory, where Maximus was seated on a throne, who rose up to give him a kiss, according to the custom of saluting bishops and great men in those times. But Ambrose stood still among the counsellors, though they persuaded him to go near the throne, and the emperor called him. Maximus reproached him with having deceived him in his former embassy, by preventing him from entering Italy at a time when nothing could have opposed him. St. Ambrose said he was come to justify himself, though it was glorious to have saved the life of an orphan prince: but that he could not have opposed the march of his legions, or shut up the Alps with his body, and that he had not deceived him in any thing; only when Maximus insisted that Valentinian should come to him, he had pleaded that it was not reasonable that a child should cross the Alps in the depth of winter. He added, that Valentinian had sent Maximus's brother, whom he saw there present, safe to him, when he could have sacrificed him to his passion, when the news of the bloody assassination of his brother Gratian was brought to him; but he conquered his resentment, and scorned to pay like for like. The bishop reproved Maximus for the murder of Gratian, and of many i great men whom he had put to death for no 11 12 166 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7 Other crime than then' fidelity to their liatural jjrince; for which he admonished him to do penance. He also entreated him to give up the body of Gratian to Valentinian, a brother dead, for his own brother whom he had received alive and nnhnrt; the ashes of an emperor only that he might not be deprived of the honour of a buri- al. The tyrant answered, that he would consider of it; but he was extremely incensed at St. Am- brose, because he constantly refused to commu- nicate either with the tyrant, or with any of his bishops; these were the Ithaciaus, who desired the death of the Priscillianist heretics. When he was inflexible in this point, he was ordered forth- with to depart. Seeing Hyginus, an aged bishop, sent at the same time into banishment, he inter- ceded that he might be furnished with necessary provisions, and not sent without a garment to cover him, or a bed to lie on. But St. Ambrose could not be heard, and was himself thrust out of doors. He therefore returned to Milan, and wrote to Valentinian an account of his unsuccess- ful embassy, advising him to be cautious how he treated with Maximus, a concealed enemy, who pretended peace, but intended war.i The event showed the truth of this conjecture. For Valen- tinian sent Domninus, a favourite courtier, to succeed St. Ambrose in this embassy, Maximus entertained him with all the obliging caresses and demonstrations of honour, amused him with assurances, and, as an instance of his friendship toward Valentinian, sent back with him a con- siderable part of his army, as he gave out, to as- sist the emperor against the barbarians who were then falling upon Pannonia. But these soldiers, coming to the Alps, seized all the narrow pas- sages; which was no sooner done, but Maximus followed after with his whole armj^ and marched 1 S. Amb. ep. 24. DEC. 7. ] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 167 without the least opposition into Italy, "where he took up his quarters at Aquileia. The news of this unexpected surprise carried terror into every place. Valentinian and his mother, in the utmost consternation, took ship, and fled to Thessalonica, whence they sent to the emperor Theodosius, to beg his speedy assistance before all was lost. That great prince had been employed in quelling the barbarians on different sides, and settling the peace of the Church and State in the East, which had hindei-fcd him from revenging the death of Gratian. Upon receiving the message of the fugitive young emperor, he left Constantinople, and went to Thessalonica, where, in the most tender and paternal manner, he comforted the distressed remains of the family of the great Valentinian I. He represented to the young prince that, by favouring the Arian impiety, and persecuting the Catholic Church, he had provoked heaven ; and he effaced out of his mind all the impressions of heresy; for it Avas a fundamental maxim with Theodosius to under- > take no enterprise without first doing every jj thing by wiiich he might engage God on his side. W Theodosius had some time before buried his most | virtuous wife, the empress Flaccilla, who was ' descended of the ^lian family, (of which was the emperor Adrian,) but was more illustrious by her virtues than by her birth. Prayer and the care of the poor were her chief employments. She went to visit them, served them herself, and was proud of descending to the lowest offices of Christian charity in attending the sick under the most loathsome diseases. l She made no other use of the entire confidence which her husband reposed in her, and of the influence which her virtue and amiable qualifications gave her over the mind of that great prince, than to inspire him with piety, the most sacred respect 1 Theodoret, 1. 6, c. 18. 168 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7. for the divine law, and the warmest zeal for religion ; finding inucli more pleasm-e in seeing him holy, than seeing him master of the world. To preserve him from the snares of the Arians, whose impiety she detested, she engaged him to chase from his palace some who kept a secret correspondence with Eunomius, and appealing to the decisions of the Nicene councils from all cap- tious sophisms, avoided the dangers of subtle curiosity. I Theodosiiis being then a widower, and meeting at Thessalonica the princess Galla, sister to Valentinian II. to give him a pledge of his friendship, married her, and in spring 388, declared war against Maximus,and dismissed the ambassador the tyrant had sent to court his favour. It was his chief care to procure the blessing of God upon his army. For this he gave orders for solemn prayers to be every where put up to God, and sent to entreat the most eminent solitaries in Egypt to lift up their hands to heaven whilst he fought.2 He consulted in par- ticular St. John, who foretold his victory, and the principal events of his reign.'^ Setting out from Thessalonica, he caused excellent regula- tions for the discipline and moderation of his troops in their march to be made and observed, insomuch that no city nor province was aggrieved by their passage. With incredible valour and prudence he entirely defeated Maximua upon the ^ banks of the Save, near Siscia, now Peisseg, in Pannonia, and soon after that tyrant's brother Marcellin, upon the Drave, though their armies ■were superior in numbers to his own. Thence he despatched Arbogastes, general of the barbarians ) , in his army, into Gaul, to seize that country, and ' marched himself to Aquileia, where Maximus had shut himself up. His own soldiers, seeing it 1 Sozom. I. 7. c. 5, 6. 2 S. Aug. 1. 5. de Civ. c. 26. 3 Evagr. Tit. Patr. c. 1 DEC. 7 J ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 169 impossible to escape, stripped him of his imperial ^ robes, and delivered him into the hands of Theo- s dosius, who reproached him for his perfidiousness t with more compassion than anger, and was in- J clined to spare his life; but at last suffered him to Z be beheaded on the 28th of July, 388, after he 2 had reigned almost five years. Theodosius proceeded to Milan, where lie stayed from the 10th of October to the latter end of May. At Calinicus in Mesopotamia, certain Christians who had been insulted by the Jews in a religious procession, pulled down their syna- gogue. Theodosius, who had been informed of the affair by the count of the East, ordered the bishop, and other Christians who had demolished the synagogue, to rebuild it, and to be rigorously punished. The Oriental bishops wrote to St. Ambrose, entreating him to obt^-in a mitigation of this sentence. St. Ambrose solicited him first by a strong letter, i and afterward by a discourse which he made him in the church; and did not go up to the altar to say mass, till he had pro- cured his promise of a pardon. 2 The deputies of the senate came to compliment the emperor at Milan, and petitioned that the altar of victory, which Maximus had allowed to be restored, might be preserved in the senate-house. Theo- dosius seemed inclined, upon motives of state, to grant their request; but St. Ambrose easily engaged him to reject it. This emperor, after having passed all the winter and part of the spring at Milan, went to Rome, where in June he received the honour of a triumph. He made his entrance in a chariot drawn by elephants, . which the king of Persia had lately sent him. y The spoils of enemies, and the representations of ( provinces which he had conquered or delivered, ') were carried before him. The lords of his court / 1 S. Ambr. ep. 40. 2 Paulin. iu Vit. S. Ambroa, 170 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [DEC. 7. in rich apparel encompassed him, and the senate, nobility, and people, followed with extraordinary acclamations. The magnificence of this pomp was incredible,! yet nothing in it seemed to be regarded but the conqueror, for whom it was made, and the greatest ornament of this triumph "was the modesty of him that triumphed. Pacatus, the Gaulish orator, pronounced a panegyric be- fore him, with the applause of the senate and all the orders of the city. Theodosius made the young Valentinian ride in his chariot, and share in the glory of the triumph. During his resi- dence at Rome he walked about without guards, and gained the hearts of the people by his civility and generosity. He abolished the remains of idolatry, prohibited pagan festivals and sacrifices, and caused the temples to be stripped of their or- naments, and the idols to be broke in pieces. But he preserved those statues which had been made by excellent artists, ordering them to be set up in galleries, or other public places, as an orna- ment to the city. Symmachus, who had entered into a confederacy with Maximus, and pro- nounced a flattering speech in his honour, was accused of high treason, and fled into a church for sanctuary. But Theodosius would take no notice of what had passed during the reign of the usurper: and Symmachus made a panegyric in the senate in his honour, in the close of which he artfully renewed his petition for the altar of victory. Theodosius was offended at the obsti- nacy of such a solicitation, and returning him thanks for his panegyric, reproved him for his assurance, and commanded him to present him- self no more before him. But he soon restored him to his favour and dignity .2 Theodosius re- 1 See Claudian Consul. Honor. [Soaom. 1. 7. c, 14. Pacatus in Panegyr, -2 Socrat. 1. 5. c. 14. Bymmach. 1. 1, ep. 51. Prudent. 1. 1. cent, Pymmach. y. 603. 1)RC. 7.1 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 171 turned to Milan on the Isfc of September, and restored the whole western empire to Valen- tinian, in whose mind, by repeated instructions, Ae imprinted so deeply the Catholic faith, that the youn^ prince put himself entirely under the discipline of St. Ambrose, and honoured him as his father to his death. His mother, Justina, was dead before the end of the war. The heresiarch Jovinian having been condemned by pope Siri- cius at Rome, retired to Milan; but was there rejected by Theodosius, and anathematized by St. Ambrose, in a council which he held in 390. This council was yet sitting, when the news of a dreadful massacre committed at Thessalonica was brought to Milan. i Botheric, who was gene- ral of the forces in lUyricum, and resided at Thessalonica, caused a charioteer who belonged ■ to the circus to be put in prison, for having 5 seduced a young servant in his family, and refused ' to release him on a certain festival on which his appearance in the circus was demanded for the public diversion. The people not being able to ) obtain his liberty, grew enraged, and proceeded S to so violent a sedition, that some officers were i ^ stoned to death, and their bodies dragged along \ the streets, and Botheric himself was slain. Upon this news Theodosius, who was naturally hasty, was transported with passion; but was mitigated by St. Ambrose and some other bisliops, and promised to pardon the delinquents. Ruffinus, who became afterward a firebrand in the state, and was master of the offices, and other courtiers and ministers persuaded him, that the insolence of the people was grown to the highest pitcli merely by impunity, and must be restrained by an example of severity. It was tlierefore resolved that a warrant should be sent to the commander 1 Theodoret, 1. 5. c. 1?. S. Aug. de Civ. Dei, 1. 6. c. 29. S. Ambr. ep. 15. Piuilin. &c. 172 ST. AMBROSE^ B. C, r DEC. 7. in Illyricum, to let loose the soldiers against the city till about seven thousand persons should be put to death. This inhuman commission was exe- cuted with the utmost cruelty, whilst the people were assembled in the circus, soldiers surround- ing and rushing in upon them. The slaughter continued for three hours, and seven thousand men were massacred, without distinguishing the innocent from the guilty. Such was the brutality of the soldiers, that a faithful slave, who offered to die for his master, was murdered by them. It is also related, that a certain father seeing his two sons ready to be butchered, by his tears moved the murderers to compassion so far, that they promised to spare the life of one oi them, whom they left to his choice; but whilst the distracted father ran first to one, then to another, not being able to abandon either of them, they, growing impatient of delays, massa- cred them both. The horror with which the news of this tragical scene filled the breast of St. Ambrose and his colleagues is not to be ex-^ pressed ; but our saint thought it best to give the emperor a little time to reflect, and enter into himself. The emperor was not then at Milan; but was to return in two or three days, St. Am- brose, that he might not see him too soon, left the town, and wrote him a very tender strong letter, which is extant, exhorting him to penance, and declaring that he neither could nor would receive his offering, or celebrate the divine mysteries before him, till that obligation was satisfied ; for, how much soever he loved and respected him, he gave the preference to God ; and he loved his majesty, not to his prejudice, but to his salva- tion.l Soon after, the bishop came to town, and the emperor, according to his custom, went to church. But St. Ambrose went out and met him 1 S. Ambr. ep. 51. DEC, 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 178 at the church-porch, and, forbidding him any further entrance, said, " It seems. Sir, that you do not yet rightly apprehend the enormity of the massacre lately committed. Let not the splen- dour of your purple robes hinder you from being acquainted with the infirmities of that body which they cover. You are of the same mould with those subjects which you govern; and there is one common Lord and Emperor of the world. With what eyes will you behold his temple ? With what feet will you tread his sanctuary ? How will you lift up to him in prayer those hands which are still stained with blood unjustly spilt ? Depart, therefore, and attempt not, by a second offence, to aggravate your former crime; but quietly take the yoke upon you which the Lord has appointed for you. It is sharp, but it is medicinal, and conducive to your health." The prince offered something by way of extenuation, and said that David had sinned. The holy bishop replied, " Him whom you have followed in sin- ning, follow also in his repentance."! Theodosius submitted, accepted the penance which the ^ Church prescribed, and retired to his palace, where he passed eight months in mourning, without overgoing into the church, and clad with penitential or mourning weeds. After this term, the feast of Christmas being come, he remained still shut up in his palace, shedding many tears. Rufiinus the master of the offices, and prefect or comptroller of his household or palace, who Avas not baptized before the year 391, asked him the reason of his grief, and told him he had only punished criminals, and had no cause to fall into \ depression of mind; for piety required not so cruel an affliction. Thus this courtier, after having induced his master to commit a crime, 1 Secutua es errantem ; lequere poenitentem." Puulin, Vit, Ambr. u. 24. 174 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. DEC. 7. attempted by his flatteries to weaken his repent- ance. But the emperor, redoubling his tears and sighs, said to him, " Ruffinus, thou dost but make sport and mock me. Thou little knovvest the an- guish and trouble I feel. I Aveep and bewail my miserable condition. The Church of God is open to beggars and slaves; but the church doors, and i consequently the gates of heaven too, are shut J against me. For our Lord has peremptorily de- clared. Whatever you shall bind on earth, shall be % bound in heaven^ Ruffinus said, ** If you please, I will run to the bishop, and will use so many arguments with him, that I will persuade him to absolve you." The emperor answered, "It will not be in your power to do it. I know the jus- tice of the sentence he has passed, and he is an inflexible man where the laws of religion are concerned, and will never, out of respect to the imperial dignity, do any thing against the law of God." He added, that it was better to finish his penance than vainly demand the favour of an over-hasty absolution. Rufiinus insisted upon it that he should prevail. Whereupon the emperor said, Go quickly then." And, flattering him- self with the hopes that Ruffinus had given him, he followed him soon after. St. Ambrose no sooner saw the comptroller coming towards him, ? but he abruptly broke out, and said, Ruffinus, you carry your assurance and boldness beyond all bounds. You were the adviser and author of I this massacre. How can you then intercede for another ? You have laid aside all shame, and neither blush nor tremble at the remembrance of so great a crime, and an assault made upon the image of God." Ruffinus fell to entreaties, and besought the bishop with all possible earnest- ness, adding, that the emperor would be there by-and-bye. " If so," said the bishop, " I tell you plainly, I shall forbid him to enter the church- . porch. And, if he think good to turn his power)] DEC. 7.1 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 175 into force and tyranny, here I am, most ready to . undergo any death, and to present my throat to - the sword." Ruffinus, seeing the resolution of the bishop, despatched a messenger to the em- peror, to inform him of what had passed, and to advise nim to stay at home. The prince reeeived the information in the midst of the high street; but said, ** I will go, and receive the affront and rebuke which I deserve." When he came to the inclosure of the holy place he did not go into the church; but went to the bishop, who was sitting in the auditory, and besought him to give him absolution. St. Ambrose stood up, and said, "What! do you come here to trample upon the holy laws of God ?" " I respect them," said the emperor, " I will not enter the sacred porch con- trary to the rules: but I beseech you to free me from these bonds; and not shut against me the door which the Lord hath opened to all peni- tents." The bishop said, What penance nave ; you done, after having been guilty of such a I crime?" " It is your part," said the emperor, | " to inform me what I ought to do; to prescribe / the remedies and apply the plaster: and it is \ mine to submit, and to comply with the prescrip- tions."! St. Ambrose ordered him to place him- self amongst the public penitents in the church. Sozomen assures us, that the emperor made a public confession of his sin : and St. Ambrose, in his funeral oration, describes how he knelt at the church door, and lay long prostrate in the rank of the penitents, repeating, with David : My soul hath cleaved to the pavement : O Lord, restore my life according to thy word. '- He remained in this posture, beating his breast from time to time, tearing his hair, and, with tears running down his cheeks, begged pardon of God, lamenting his , sin in the sight of all the people, who were so 1 Theodoret, Hist. 1. 6. c. 18. 2 Ps. cviii. 176 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7. touched at it, as to Aveep along with him, and to pray a long while. St. Ambrose enjoined him, before he gave him absolution, to draw up a law to cancel all decrees that are made in haste or assion, and to command a respite of thirty days efore execution of all warrants or sentences which regard life or the forfeiture of estates, that it may be discovered if any surprise or passion had any part in it. This law the emperor forthwith commanded to be drawn up, and signed it with his own hand, promising always to observe it. Such a law in part had been made by Gratian, eight years before, with which this of Theodosius is now joined in one.l Theo- dosius, after his absolution, passed no day to his death on which he did not bewail afresh this offence, into which he was drawn by surprise, and through the instigation of others, as St. Am- brose remarks. Theodoret mentions another example of hu- mility and religion which this great emperor showed whilst he was at Milan; which some moderns placed before, and others after his penance.2 It happened on a great festival, that, having brought his offering to the altar, he re- mained within the rails of the sanctuary, that is, within the chancel or choir, St. Ambrose asked him if he wanted any thing. The emperor said he stayed to assist at the holy mysteries, and to communicate. The bishop sent his archdeacon to him with this message: " My lord, it is lawful for none but the sacred ministers to remain within the sanctuary. Be pleased therefore to go out, and continue standing with the rest. The purple robe makes princes, but not priests." Theodosius answered, that he stayed not with a design of doing any thing against the Church, or out of any affectation to distinguish himself from 1 L. 13, Cod, Theod.de pcen. 2 Theodor-et, liist. 1. 6. c. 18. Sozom.l. 7. c. 24. DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 177 all the rest: but that he thought the custom was the same at Milan as at Constantinople, where his place was in the sanctuary ; and, after having thanked the archbishop for being so kind as to inform him of his duty, he went out of the rails, and took his place among the laity. At his re- turn to Constantinople, on the first great holiday that he went to the great church, he went out of the sanctuary after he had made his offering. The archbishop Nectarius sent to desire him to come back, and resume the place designed for him. The pious emperor answered, with a sigh, " Alas ! how hard is it for me to learn the diffe- rence between the priesthood and the empire! I am encompassed with flatterers, and have found but one man that has set me right, and told me the truth. I know but one true bishop in the world; this is Ambrose." From that time he kept without the rails or chancel, a little above the people, in which he was imitated by succeed- ing emperors. Theodosius, after staying almost three years in the West, left Valentinian in peaceable possession of that empire, and would carry home no other recompense of his labours and victories than the glory of having restored that prince, and afforded so many nations a dis- interested protection. In his return into the East, all the people came out to meet him with extraordinary joy, and his reception in every city on the road was a kind of triumph, especially at Constantinople, where he arrived on the 9th of November, 391; and he appeared more glorious by the marks of love which he received of his subjects than by the victories he had gained over his enemies. The young Valentinian followed in every thing the advice and instructions of St. Ambrose, honouring and loving him with as much ardour as his mother had formerly persecuted him with fury. Never was prince more ready to correct 178 ST. AMBROSE, B. C [dec. 7. his faults. When he was told that he was too fond of the sports of the circus, he renounced those diversions, except on indispensable occa- sions. When some said that his passion for hunting diverted his mind from business, he presently ordered all the wild beasts he kept in a park to be killed. It was said by some that he advanced the hour of his meal too early, out of intempe- rance: he made use of this advice, and became so abstemious, that he fasted very often, and ate but little, even in the magnificent entertainments which he provided for his courtiers. He eased his subjects of many burdens and taxes, and never imposed any new ones, saying, the people were already too much oppressed. Yet count Arbogastes, general of his forces, came to an open breach with him. This man was a Frank by birth, but had been brought up from his youth in the Roman army, and was a pagan. By the great power to which he arrived, he assumed so much as to command Valentinian, and dispose of all things at pleasure. The emperor at length re- solved no longer to brook his imperious behaviour, and bear witli his insolence. In 392, when they were both together in Gaul, busy in securing the country against the Germans, their misintelli- gence was carried to the highest pitch. But at length a seeming peace was concluded. The emperor pressed St. Ambrose to come to him at Vienne in Gaul, to be a witness to their reconcilia- tion, and he was desirous to be baptized by Mm, being then in the twentieth year of his age. In his impatience to see him, and receive the holy sacrament of regeneration, he used often to say, " Shall I be so happy as to see my father V He never had that happiness, being strangled by Arbogastes whilst he was diverting himself in the garden of his palace, on the banks of the Rhone, at Vienne, on the 15th of May, 392. St. Ambrose, who was advanced on his journey as far as the DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 179 Alps, upon hearing this tragical news, returnecl to Milan, watering all his steps with his tears. Valentinian's corpse was buried with Gratian's at Milan, and St. Ambrose pronounced his funeral oration, in which he largely proves, that his desire of baptism supplied the want of it, and promises always to remember him in his sacrifices and prayers. Arbogastes placed the imperial diadem on the head of Eugenius, a rhetorician by pro- fession, a man of parts and learning, who had long been in his service, and, from an ignoble condition, had been raised to high undeserved honours. This man was a nominal Christian, but unsettled in religious principles; for he flattered the heathens, and placed great confidence in divinations and auguries. They hastened their march into Italy, and courted St. Ambrose by very obliging letters; but before they arrived at Milan, the holy bishop had retired to Bologna, where he assisted at the translation of the relics of SS. Vitalis and Agricola. Thence he went to Florence, where he consecrated a church, called afterward the Ambrosian basilic, like another at Milan which was mentioned above. At Florence, • St. Ambrose lived in the house of the most con- I siderable among the citizens, named Decentius, ' whose infant child happened to die. The mother laid him upon the bed of St. Ambrose while he was abroad. The saint, being returned, laid him- , self upon the child, in imitation of Eliseus, and y by his prayers restored him to life, as Paulinus assures us, Theodosius refused all terms pro- posed to him by Eugenius's ambassadors, and raised a powerful army to march against the traitors. He prepared himself for war by fasts, jjrayers, and frequent visiting of churches;! and he sent to implore the prayers of St. John of Egypt. That holy hermit, who had formeily Sozom. I. 7. c. 22, 180 ST. AMBROSE, B, C. [dec. 7. foretold him the defeat of Maximus, sent him an assurance that this enterprise against Eugenius would be more difficult than the former against Maximus had been, yet that he should obtain a complete victory, but should die shortly afterJ Theodosius, before he set out, among many actions of heroic and public charity, justice, devotion, and piety, by a rescript inserted in the Roman law, pardoned all injuries in word or ^ action that had ever been committed against his person. " For," said he, " if it be by indiscreet levity that any one has spoken against us, we ought not to regard it: if it is by folly, we ought to pity him ; if by ill will, we are very willing to pardon him."2 His army was assembled under Timasius, who commanded the Roman legions; Stilico, a Vandal prince who had married Serena, the emperor's niece; Gainas, general of the Goths, &c. Theo- dosius joined them in Thrace, marched through Pannonia and Illyricum, and forced the passes of the Alps, which Arbogastes had so fenced and guarded as to look upon them as not only im- I)regnable, but even inaccessible. Yet Arbo- gastes was not dismayed, and drew up his ai*my in battalia in the spacious plains of Aquileia, at the foot of the Alps. In the first engagement Arbogastes gained the day; and, in a second, the army of Theodosius was upon the point of being broken and dispersed, when, by a fervent prayer, he conjured God to defend the cause of his own divine honour.3 Soon after, there arose from the Alps an impetuous wind, which put the squadrons of the enemy into strange disorder, drove back their darts and arrows, and beat clouds of dust upon their faces, which deprived many of the use 1 Evagr, Vit. Patr. c. 1. Theodoret, Hisfe, 1. 5. c. 24. 2 Leg. 1. Siquis nialedic. Imper. Cod, Theodos, 3 Kufin. 1. 2 Ct33 DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 181 of tlieir sight, and almost of their respiration,! ■which gave Theodosiiis a complete victory. Theo- doret2 tells iis, that the i)rmce, before this second battle, shut himself up one night in a church to pray, and falling asleep, saw in a vision two men in white, on white horses, who promised him that they would assist him. The one was St. Philip the apostle, the other St. John the Evan- gelist. Evagrius and his companions taking leave of St. John in Thebais, that holy man giving them his blessing said: " Go in peace, my dear children, and know that they hear this day in Alexandria that Theodosius has defeated the tyrant Eugenius. But this prince will not long enjoy the advantage of his victory, and God will ere long withdraw him out of this world. "3 Eu- genius, who was seated on a hill near the field of battle, was taken and brought to Theodosius, who reproached him with his crimes and cre- dulity in the promises of heathenish diviners, and commanded him to be beheaded on the 6th of September in 394. Arbogastes, after wandering two days in the mountains became his own ; executioner, thrusting two swords one after \ another through his body .4 Theodosius par- \ doned all the rest of their party ; and never was any prince more moderate in his victory. He knew how to pardon, scarce how to punish; and he seemed to forget that he had enemies as soon as he had overcome. Being informed that the children of Eugenius and Flavian (general of his Roman forces) had taken sanctuary in the churches of Aquiieia, he sent a tribune with an 1 Clandian, in Pane^. Consul. Honor. Oioa. 1. 7, c. 35. S. I, 26. de Civ. Dei. Rufin. Socr. Sozom. Theodoret. 2 Theodor. 1. 5. c. 24. 3 Evagr. 1. I.e. 1. Pallad. in Lausiac. c. 4. 4 Claudian, though a pagan, thus addresses Theodosius on victory : "O nimium dilecte Deo, cui militat aether, £t fortunati veniunt ad clastici^ venti." 12 12 182 ST. AMBROSE, B, C. [dec. 7. order to save their lives. He took care to have them educated in the Christian religion, left pos- sessions for them, and used them as if they had been of his own family. As this victory was rather God's than his own, his first care was that a solemn thanksgiving- should be rendered to him throughout his whole empire. He wrote par- ticularly to St. Ambrose on that subject. This holy archbishop had returned to Milan as soon as Eugenius was departed thence: and upon re- ceiving his letter, with the news of his victory, he offered the holy sacrifice in thanksgiving, and sent one of his deacons to him with letters, in which, after having expressed his joy for the prosperity of his arms, he represented to him, that he ought to give God the whole glory thereof, that piety had contributed more to it than valour, and that his victory w^as incomplete unless he pardoned those who w^ere involved in the misfor- tune rather than in the crimes of the tyrant, to which mercy he strongly exhorted him.l This he besought in particular in favour of those who had taken refuge in the churches; which the saint doubted not of obtaining from a prince in wdiose behalf God had wrought prodigies, as he had formerly done in favour of Moses, Josue, Samuel, and David.2 A little while after, St. Ambrose went to Aquileia to wait upon the emperor. Their interview w^as full of joy and tenderness. The ai^chbishop prostrated himself before this prince, whom piety and the visible' protection of God had rendered more venerable than his victories and crowns, and prayed that God would bestow on him all the blessings of heaven as he had loaded him v/ith all the pros- perity of the earth. The emperor, on his side, cast himself at the feet of the archbishop, impu- ting to his prayers the favours which he had 1 St. Ambx, ep, 61. 2 £p, 62. DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 183 received from God, and entreating him to prsiy for his salvation, as he had done for his success. Then they entertained themselves about the means of restoring religion. Theodosius soon followed St. Ambrose to Milan, who was gone the day before; but the prince refrained some time from the holy communion, because he liad been stained with blood, though shed in a just and necessary wai'.l In the mean time he studied by compunction to purify his : t soul, and was assaulted by a mortal dropsy, [Jl which the fatigues of his expedition and the V severity of winter had brought' on him. He sent \ for his children to Milan, and would receive them I in the church on the day on which he received ! the communion the first time after his wars. He gave his two sons excellent instructions how to govern well; then, turning to St. Ambrose, he said, " These are the truths which you have taught me, and which I myself have experienced. It is your part to make them descend in my fa- mily, and to instruct, according to your custom, these young emperors whom I leave to you." The archbishop answered, that he hoped God w^ould give to the children a teachable heart and easy temper, which he had given the father. He granted and confirmed by law a general amnesty and pardon to all rebels who were returned to their duty, by which they were re-established in their estates and dignities. He discharged the people of the augmentations of tribute, desiring that his subjects might enjoy the advantage of a victory to which they had contributed by their prayers and labours. Nothing could be more pathetic than his last exhortations to those sena- tors who still remained idolaters that they would embrace the faith of Christ, in which he declared it to have been his greatest desire to make all liis 1 This wae prescribed in some penitential canons. See St. Basil do St. Amphil. o. 13. Num. c. 31. St. Anabrose in fun.lTheodos. 184 ST. AMBHOSS, B. C. [dec. 7. subjects faithful servants of Jesus Clirist.l He gave much of his time to his devotions, and to pious conversation Avith St. Ambrose, in whose arms he expired on the 17th of January, in the year 395, of his age the fiftieth. St. Ambrose preached his funeral sermon on the fortieth day after his death, and his body was conveyed to Constantinople, and every where received with honours which rather resembled triumphs than funeral solemnities. In the year 395 St. Ambrose discovered the "bodies of the holy martyrs Nazarius and Celsus, in a garden near Milan, and translated them into the basilic of the apostles, near the Roman gate. Their blood was gathered up with plaster and linen; and this Avas distributed to others as a precious relic.2 A person possessed with a devil was delivered by St. Ambrose at these relics, before which the devil tormented him till the saint bade him hold his peace. One who had counterfeited grants for the office of a tribune, the saint delivered to Satan; and even before the bishop had done speaking, the unclean spirit seized on him, and began to tear him: "At which," saith the secretary Paulinus, we were all much terrified." He adds: " We saw in those days many dispossessed at his command, and by the laying on of his hands." He also mentions sick persons who were cured by his prayers. The reputation of St. Ambrose reached the most distant countries, and drew to Milan two Persians of the greatest authority and wisdom in that nation, who came thither furnished with many questions to make trial of his wisdom. They discoursed w ith him by the help of an interpreter for a whole day, and departed full of admiration. 1 Oros. 1. 7. e. 36. 2 Paulin. in vit. Ambros. n. 32. S. A\ig. ep. 31. et ep. 7, alias ep. 46. S. Paulin. Fatal. 9. S. Gaudent. Sonn, 17. p, 90. Bibl. Patr. Ennod. Carm. 18. DEC. 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. A little before our saint's death, Fritigil, queen of the Marcomanni, having heai'd of the fame of his sanctity from a certaiu Christian that came from Italy, was moved by it to believe in Jesus Christ, and sent ambassadors to him with pre- sents for the Church of Milan, entreating St. Ambrose to instruct her by writing in Avhat she was to believe. He sent her an excellent letter in form of a catechism, which is now lost. The queen having received it, persuaded the king to submit himself and his people to the Romans, and went herself to Milan, but, to her great affliction, did not find St. Ambrose alive. Our holy bishop made the administration of ^ the sacrament of penance a chief part of his pas- / / toral care. Paulinus writes thus of him : When- ) ever any person confessed their sins to him, in ; order to receive penance, he shed such an abun- ( dance of tears as to make the penitent also to / weep. The sins which were confessed to him he \ never disclosed to any one, only interceded with- ■ God."l In his writings he explains in a greafci detail all the parts and duties of penance. Speak- ' ing of the obligation of confessing sins he says ; ^ " If thou wilt be justified, confess thy crime, ; For an humble confession loosens the bonds of sins."^ And again: " Why are you ashamed to do this in the Church, where it ought only to . be an object of shame not to confess our faults, > seeing we are all sinners ; where he is most com- < ■ ■ mendable who is most humble, and he is the/ ij most just who is lowest in his own eyes."3)j^ ) Against the Novatian heresy St. Ambrose wrote ) ( his two books of Penance. In the first he shows , / that absolution is to be given to penitents for all I sins, however grievous. But, toward the end, ) ^ observes that their penitence must be condign / 1 Paulin. n. 39. 2 S. Abr. 1. 2, de poonit, C» 6. U, 40. 3 lb. c. 10. n. 91, 186 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7. and sincere. " If any one," says lie, ^'be guilty oi secretl sins, and does penance for them very t heartily, in obedience to the commands of Jesus ( Christ, how shall he receive the reward, unless / he be restored to the communion of the Church? 1 .1 would have the guilty hope for the pardon of his sins; yet he should beg it with tears, sighs, f and the lamentations of all the people. I would J have him pray for absolution; and when it is j_ t twice or thrice delayed, let him believe that this ^1 delay proceeds from the want of importunity in ^ his prayers. Let him redouble his weeping, let I • him render himself more worthy of pity; and 1 then let him return, let him throw himself at the \ feet of the faithful, let him embrace them, kiss ( them, bathe them with his tears; and let him not ) forsake them, that so our Lord may say to him, } ■ Many sins are forgiven him because he loved mueh. I have known some persons who, in their pe- f nance, have disfigured their face with much weeping, who have hollowed their cheeks with continual tears, who have prostrated themselves on the ground to be trod under foot, who, by their continual fasting, have rendered their coun^ tenances so pale and disfigured, that they carried in a living body the very image of death." In the second book, after answering some objections of the Novatians, he shows that penance is false i and fruitless without a total change of heart and ' manners, in which its very essence consists. ^ *^ There are others," says he, *Vho may be imme- I diately restored to communion. These do not so I much desire to be loosed, as to bind the priest; ) for they do not unburden their own conscience, } but burden that of the priest, who is commanded \ not to give holy things to dogs; that is, not easily > to admit impure souls to communion. — I have 1 " f55qnis occulta habenn crimina." Daill6 "will have it to be read, " Siqni.s innlt:i habons crimina." But hia correction is condemned by tlic authority of ail luanuscript coj^icy, DEC 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C. 87 found more persons who have preserved the in- = ^ nocence of their baptism, than who have done 2-^' / penance as they should do after they have lost it. ^ They must renounce the world, and allow less ( ) time for sleep than nature requires; they must f \ break their sleep Avith groaning and sighing, and / / employ part of that time in prayers; they must ) / live in such a manner as to be dead to the use of ) S this life: let such men deny themselves, and | S change themselves wholly," &c. St. Ambrose I j I exhorts the faithful to very frequent communion, because the holy eucharist is our spiritual breacf ) and daily nourishment, not a poison. In hm | book, On the Mysteries, composed in 387, he in» | structs the new baptized, expounding the cere- J monies of baptism and confirmation, and the sa- k crament of the holy eucharist, which he does in I the clearest terms, l That this book. On the ^ 1 The same doctrine, and some ofthe same expressions occur in the six books On the Sacraments, which are ascribed to St. Ambrose by the writers of the ninth century, and in MSS. ofthe ei£[hth century. The author was a bishop, lived where the number of adult catechumens was very ecreat, and remains of Idolatry still subsisted. But the work is an imi- tation of St. Ambrose's on the mysteries, more at large, written in a low flat style. If these books should not be St. Ambrose's as the Benedictin editors of this work doubt, and Ceillier and Rivet ( p. 397.) think most probable, the cause of the Church is so much the stronger, by having two vouchers instead of one. See the remarks of the Benedictin editors, (t. 3. p. 341. ed. Ben.) The ancient liturgy and ecclesiasti- cal office of the church of Milan, called the Ambrosian rite, certainly received a new lustre from our saint's care, but is proved from his writings to have been older as to many ac- cidental differences from the Roman; whether St. Barnabas, or, more probably, St. Marocles was the first author. (See Le Brun, Rxplic. des Cereals, de la M esse, t. 2. diss. 3. p. 17.5.) and L'Origine Apostolica della Chiesa Milanese, e del Rito della Stessa. Opera del dottore Nicolo Sormanni, 01)h\to e Prelecto della Bibl. Arabros. in Milano. 1755. The sermons attributed to St. j^mbrose in former editions are thrown by the Benedictins into the Appendix, witli the treatise, To a Pevout Virgin, ajnd two Prayers before Mass, though somi» 188 ST. AMBROSE, B. C. [dec. 7. Mysteries, is the undoubted work of our holy- doctor, is manifest not only from the unanimous consent of authors, but also from the first part of this book itself. After having explained the critics think one of these, which begins "Summe Sacerdos," &c. ditfers not so much in style but it may be the work of our saint. On the Te Deum, see Berti's Life of St. Austin, also Le Brun, &c. The Commentaries of St. Ambrose on the scripture were originally sermons which he preached to his people. His Hexaemeron, or On the Work of Six Days, or The Creation, is copied in some places from St, Basil. His, book, On Paradise, or On the Fall of Adam, is a continuation of the same work. His books On Cain and Abel, On Noah and the Ark, On Isaac, and On the soul, (in which he explains the union of the Divine Word with the soul, and that of Christ with his Church by an application of the sacred book of Canticles to that subject,) contain an exposition of those parts of scripture, and set off in an elegant and beautiful style the lives of those patriarchs as excellent models of virtue. In his treatise. On the Advantage of Death, he shows the happiness of dying, because death has nothing terrible in itself, and is a deliverance from snares and sin; for to live on still to sin without repentance, is worse than to die at present in sin. He closes it by a pathetic invitation of souls to heaven. The treatise On the Flight of the World, is filled with solid instructions on the vanity of the world, the danger of its charms, and the frailty of our nature prone to evil. In the two books On Jacob, and On a Happy Life, he gives excellent instructions on docility and perseverance to the new baptized Christians, with an exposition of the history of that patriarch. It is followed by the book on Joseph, and by that On the Benedictions of tho Twelve Patriarchs. That On Elias and Fasting consists of sermons preached before and in Lent, and commends fasting and the virtue of temperance. That on Naboth, is an invective against avarice from that part of Achab's history. That on Toby, is composed out of several sermons preached on the virtues of that holy man. The four books On the Interpellation, or. Complaints of Job and David, are a strong description of the miseries, daugers, and snares of this life; for even affluence of earthly goods is a dangerous snare, by which souls fall into pride and the forgetfulness of God. The apology of David justifies the honour of that holy king, inasmuch as his repentance expiate^l his Crimea VEC, 7.] ST. AMBROSE, B. C, m ancient types of the eucharist, as the sacrifice ot Melchisedech, the manna, and the water flowing out of the rock, he adds: "You will say perhaps I see something else: how can I be sure that 1 re- Tlie saint gives a devout and elegant exposition of the Mise- rere psalm, which expressed the penitential sentiments in which the king wept for his sins all the remainder of his life. His commentaries on several of the psalms abound in excellent maxims of morality: that on the hundred and eighteenth is his master-piece. His commentary on iEC. 8.] COxXCEPTION OF TlIE B. V. MARY. 203 and sho distinfjuislied all tlis objects about ber Tlien, prostrate on tho ground, siie gave tbanks to the author of her recovery, and the \vhole assembly joined their voices in glorifying God. (Du Plessis, t. 1. 1. 6. ii. 12. p. 433, 434.) Tlie certificates and aftidavitB of the surgeons and phy- sicians who hud treated her, and the affidavits of the eye-witnesses of the fact were juridically taken by the bishop of Meaux, (John de Vieu- pont,) who, by a judicial sentence, given on the 9th of December, 1G22, declared, that the cure of the said blindness was the miraculous work of God. The abbess, Frances de la Chastre, and the community of imns, signed and published a certificate to the like purport; in which tliey also mention the miraculous cures of two other nuns, the one of a palsy, the other of a rheumatism. (Du Plessis, Pid-ces Justif. t. 2. p. 3v!0. 322.) Other miracles performed through her inter- cession are recorded by Carcat (August. Carcat. Vie de S. Fare, p. 238, &c.) and Du Plessis, who appeal to memoirs of the abbey, drawn up in an authentic manner, &c. The name of St. Fara is exceedingly honour- ed in France, Sicily, Italy, &c. See the life of St. Burgundofara ascribed to Bede, but really the work of Jonas, of whom some account is given in a note under the life of St. Columban, on the iilst of November; he wrote at Faremoutier the lives of St. Columban and his successore. Be. Attalus and Bertulfus at Bobio, Bt. Eustatius at Luxeu, and St. Fara. See also Du Plessis, Hist, de I'Eglise de Meaux. t. 1. 1. 1. n. jII, &c. t. 2. p. 1. DECEMBER VIII, THE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. So great are the advantages we reap from tlie incarnation of the Son of God, and so incompre- hensible is the goodness which he hath displayed hi this wonderful mystery, that to contemplate it, and to thank and praise him for the same, ought to be the primary object of all our devo- tions, and the employment of our whole lives. In the feast of the Conception of the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, we celebrate the joyful dawning of that blight day of mercy, the first appearance which that most glorious of all pure creatures made in the world, with those "hrsfc seeds of grace which produced the most admira- ble fruit in her soul. Her conception was itself 204 CONCEPTION OP THE U. V. MARY. [dEC. 8. J a glorious mystery, a great grace, and the first • effect of her predestination. Her IJivine Son the ■■ eternal God, in the first moment of her being, considered the sublime dignity to which he had , decreed to raise her, and remembered that • august, dear, sacred, and venerable name of his mother, which she was one day to bear; and he beheld her with a complacency, and distinguished 4 her in a manner, suitable to so near a relation she ) was to bear. He called her not his servant in whom he gloried, as he did Israel,i but his / mother, whom for the sake of his own glory he } decreed exceedingly to exalt in grace and glory, ) From that instant the eternal Word of God, ) which was to take flesh of her, looked upon it as v particularly incumbent on him, in the view ot { his future incarnation, to sanctify this virgin, to / enrich her with his choicest gifts, and to heap upon * her the most singular favours with a profusion y worthy of his omnipotence. She could say with much greater reason than Isaiah :2 The Lord hath called me from the womb.: from the boivels of my mother he hath been mindful of my name. From > that very moment he prepared her to be his most holy tabernacle. When Almighty God com- manded a temple to be built to his honour in Jerusalem, what preparations did he not ordain ! What purity did he not require in the things ? that belong to that work, even in the persons and | materials that were employed in it! David, ' though a great saint, was excepted against by God, because he had been stained with blood spilt in just wars. Again, what purifications, con- secrations, rites, and ceremonies did he not order to sanctify all the parts of the building! This for a material temple, in which the ark was to be placed, and men were to offer their homages and sacrifices to his adorable Majesty. What then 1 Tsa. xlix. 3. 2 Ifiai. ''rlix. I. DEC. 8.] CONCEPTION OF THE B. V. MARY. 205 , did he not do for Mary in spiritually decking her, i T whose chaste womb was to be his living taber- f f nacle, from whose pure flesh he waste derive his -i ^ own most holy body, and of whom he would him- ') ^ self be born ! So tender a mercy was this great ■ j r work to him, that the Church, in her most 'f ? earnest daily supplications, conjures him, as by a [ ; most endearing motive, that he will be pleased to | 7 hear her prayers, and enrich her children with | i his special graces, by his effusion and liberality } | i towards her, when he most wonderfully prepared %J, I and fitted both her body and soul, that she might ? be made a worthy dwelling for himself. The first condition in the spiritual embellish- ing of a soul is perfect purity, or cleanness from i^^ whatever can be a blot or stain in her. A skilful statuary is careful, in the first place, that there be no irregularity or deformity in the piece which he is going to carve. And if a house is to be put in order and adorned, to receive some guest of ^reat distinction, the first thing is to remove all hJth, and whatever is offensive. Almighty God therefore was pleased to preserve this holy Vii gin from contracting any stain of sin, whether 4' ,( ^ original or actual. 1 Without the privileges of any 'J t extraordinary grace, the greatest saints daily fall z \ into venial sins of surprise and inadvertence, 7 I through a neglect of a universal watchfulness 4 \ over all the sacred motions of their hearts in the 1 I course of action. But Mary was distinguished by 4 I this rare privilege, and by the succour of an ex- 4 traordinary grace was so strengthened, that her z interior beauty was never sullied with the least f. spot, and charity or the divine love never suf-/ fered the least remission or abatement in her^ ' soul; but from the moment in which she attained ' the use of reason, increased, and she continually pressed forward with fresh ardoiir toward the attainment of higher perfection in virtue and holiness. Her exemption from original sin was yet 206 CONCEPTION OF THE B. V. MARY. [deC. 8. ia more extraordinary privilege of grace. It is I an undoubted truth, in which all divines arc t agreed, that she was sanctified and freed from ^ I original sin before she was born, and that she k i was brouglit forth into this world in a state of per- I feet sanctity. Some have thought it more con- I sonant to^tlie sacred oracles that she was thus [ sanctified only after her conception,'and after the I imion of the rational soul with the body. But « it is the most generally received belief, thougrh ft ; ^(y% defined as an article of faith, that in her 1 1 Very conception, she was immaculate. Many pre- ! lates, and a great number of Catholic universi- ' ties,i have declared themselves in strong terms in favour of this doctrine; and several popes have severely forbidden any one to impugn the same, -f. or to dispute or write against it. Nevertheless, it is forbid to rank it among articles of faith defined by the Church, or to censure those who privatehj hold the contrary. It is needless % here to produce the passages of holy scripture usually alleged by theologians, and other proofs I by which this assertion is confirmed. It is suf- ficient for VIS, who desire, as dutiful sons of the Chiu'ch, to follow, in all such points, her direc- tion, that she manifestly favours tliis opinion, \ which is founded in the clear testimonies of the ^ most illustrious among the fathers, in the decrees I of several particular councils, and the suffrages I of most learned and eminent masters of the 1 theological schools.2 The very respect which 1 See their suffrages enumerated by V. Francis Davenport, called ia religion F. Fr. of St. Clare ; and by Frassen, t. 8. p. 188. 2 The question concerning the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary had been agitated witn great warmth in the university" of Paris, when both the university and bishop, in 13B7, condemned certain propositions of John de Montesano, a Dominican, in which this privilege was denied, 'i he council of Basil, in 1439, (Sess. 36.) declared the belief of her Immaculate Conception to be con- DEC. 8.] CONCEPTION OP THE B. V. MARY. 207 ^we owe to the Mother of God, and the honour j v^which is due to her divine Son, inclines ns to < * believe this privilege most suitable to her state of j >spotless sanctity. To have been one moment in- ^ jjjfovmable to the doctrine and devotion of the Church, to the ifCatholic faith, ri^ht reason, and the holy scriptures, and to '*be held by all Catholics. But this council was at that time j a scliismatical assembly, nor could its degree be of force. | * It was, nevertheless, received by a provincial council held | t at Avignon in 1457, and by the university of Paris, When r some gave scandal by warmly contesting the Immaculate * Conception, this famous university passed a decree in 1497, * » in which it was enacted, that no one should be admitted in i it to the degree of doctor of divinity who did not bind himself 1 by oath to defend this point. (See Spondan, Contin. Baron. [ ad an. 1497. Bulaeus. Hist. Universit. Paris, t. 5. p. 815. ! Fleury, cont.t. 24,p.336. Frassen, t. 8. p. 227.) The council j \ of Trent declared, in the decree concerning original sin, that it was not its intention to include in it the Immaculate t Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and ordered the decree of > V Sixtus IV. relating to this point to be observed. That pope, in 1476, granted certain indulgences to those who assisted at the office and mass on the feast of her Conception; and, in 1483, by another constitution, forbade any one to censure this festival, or to condemn the opinion which asserted the Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception. St. Pius V. by his bull in 1570, forbade either the opinion which affirmed, or • , that which denied it, to be censured. Paul V. in 1G16, reitera- v ted the same prohibition, and, in 1617, forbade any one to ^ affirm in sermons, theses, or other like public acts, that the i Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived in original sin. Gre- gory XV, in 1622, forbade any one to affirm this even in pri- vate disputations, except those to whom the holy see gives a special license to do it, which he granted to the Domini- cans, provided they do it privately, and only among them- selves: but he ordered, that in the office or mass of this festival no other title than simply that of the Conception should be used. Alexander VII. in 1671, declared that the ' devotion of honouring the Immaculate Conception of the ; Blessed Virgin Mary is pious; yet prohibits the censuring \ those who do not not believe her Conception immaculate. Philip HI. of Spain demanded of Paul V. and I'hilip IV. of Gregory XV a definition of this question, but could ob- ■ tain nothing more than the foregoing bulls. See Luke I Wadding, (the learned Irish J'rariciscan, who lived some 208 CONCEPTION OP THE B. V. MARY. [dEC. 8. . fected with sin was not agreeable to the undefiled {. purity of her who was chosen to be ever holy, I that she might be worthy to brin^ forth the I author of sanctity. Had she ever been in sin, I notwithstanding the advantages of her other ^ privileges and graces, and her predestination to H the sublime dignity of Mother of God, she would I have been for that moment before she was I cleansed, the object of his indignation and just I hatred. St. Austin thought this reason sufficient I for exempting her, whenever mention is made of I shi. " Out of reverence," says he, " and for the I honour which is due to her Son, I will have no i question put about her when we speak of any ■ sin."i Christ was no less her Redeemer, Recon- time in Spain, and died at Rome in 1655,) .De legatione Philippi III. et Piiilippi IV. ad Paulum V. et Greg. XV, pro definiendi Controversia de Conceptione Virgins. In the latest edition of the Roman Index, a certain little oflSce of the Immaculate Conception is condemned; but this censure i is not to be extended to other such little offices. In the I prayers themselves it is called the Conception of thelmma- I culate Virgin, which phrase is ambiguous, and may be ; understood to imply only she was spotless from all actual sin, and was cleansed from original sin before she was born, in which all Catliolics agree. Benedict XIII. granted to the subjects of Austria and the empire. a weekly office of the i Immaculate Conception on every Saturday; but the epithet t Immaculate Conception occurs not in anv o-f the prayers, I but only in the title of the office. This prudent reserve of '1 the Cliurch in her public prayers is a caution to her children, ' whilst they maintain this pious sentiment, not to exceed the bounds which she has prescribed them: though certain de- votions are used in many parts, in which the'Conception is called immaculate in the prayers themselves. It is the .* mystery of the Immaculation, or Sanctification of the Blessed : I Virgin Mary, which is the object of the devotion of the ] Church on this festival, rather than her bare Conception; ' according to the remark of the ingenious author of Observa- i tions Hist, et Crit. sur les Erreurs des Peintres, &c, anno I : 1771, 1. 1. p. 35, UO. I S. Aug. 1. de Nat. et Grat, c. 36. n. 42. p. 144. DEC. 8.] CONCEPTION OF THE B. V, MARY. 209 ciler, and most perfect Saviour and Benefactor a . by presei'ving her from this stain, than he would Z have been by cleansing her from it; as by | ^ ! descending from Adam she was liable to this 1 L ! debt, and would have contracted the contagion, | ' had she not been preserved from it through the /., ' grace and ments of her Son. - To understand how great a grace, and hov/ singular a prerogative this total exemption from . all sin was in Mary, we may take a survey of the 4 havoc that monster made amongst men from the 7 beginning of the world, excepting Mary. The most ^ holy amongst the saints all received their exist- ence in sin; they were all obliged to say with St. f Paul: We were the children of wrath, even as the , rest.l The fall of our first father Adam involved > all mankind in guilt and misery. From that , time, for the space of four thousand years, sin reigned without control on every side. By its dire effects the greatest part of the world was plunged into the most frightful state of spiritual , , darkness and blindness. Even the sons of light were bom under its slavery; Abi'aham, Moses, Elias, Jeremy, Job, and all the other saints con- j fessed with David: Behold, I ic as conceived in in- 1 iquities, and in sin my mother conceived me.2 Sin f was become a universal leprosy, a contagion ; which no one could escape: an evil common to 7 all mankind, and infecting every particular in- dividual that descended from Adam, as his own inherent guilt; something accidental, and foreign to our nature, yet so general an attendant upon it, that it might almost seem a constituent part thereof. It was communicated with the flesh and blood which men received from their parent^?, and from their first father, Adam, Every child contracted this infection with the first principal of life. Mary, by a singular privilege, was 1 Ephes. xi. 3. 2 Ps, 1. 7. 210 CONCEPTION OF THE B. V. MARY. [DEC. 8. exempted from it, nncl entered a world of sin, spotless and holy. Who is she that cometh forth as the morniruj rising fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array These words we may understand as spoken by the angels at ii the first glorious appearance of the Mother of f God, astonished to behold her, after the dismal I night of darkness and sin, as the morning rising, f , beautiful as the moon, shining as the sun, decked I with the brightest ornaments of grace, and I terrible to all the powers of hell, as the face of an I army drawn up m battalia, displaying her beams I on the horizon of the earth, which had been f hitherto covered with the hideous deformity of J. sin. What a glorious spectacle, what a subject . ^ of joy was it to the heavenly spirits, to see the i |- empire of sin broken, and a descendant of Adam | I come forth free from the general contagion of his C race, making her appearance pure, holy, and > beautiful, richly adorned with the most precious I gifts of grace, and outshining the liighest angels i and cherubims! Shall we refuse to her our . 1 admiration and "praises? Shall we refuse to offer 1 I to God our best homages in thanksgiving for such ] 3 amerc}^, and for so great a present which he has i bestowed on the world in Mary? The grace which exempted Mary from original : ^ sin, preserved her also from the sting of concu- i q piscence, or inordinate love of creatures, and J I tendency to evil. The first sin of Adam brought 1 I on us a deluge of evils, and by the two wounds of I Hi ignorance and concupiscence, which it has left ] in us, its malignity has spread its influence over J all the powers of our souls. Through it our ] understanding is liable to be deceived and to be led away with eiTors; our will is abandoned to the assaults of the basest passions: our senses are become inlets of dangerous suggestions: we are - 1 Cant, Yi. 9, DEC. 8.J CONCEPTION OF THE B. V. MARY. 21 1 ^subjected to spiritual weakness, inconstancy, and 'vani^^, and are tyrannized over by inordinate ' appetites. Henco proceeds in us a difficulty in , doing good, a repugnance to our duties, a prone- , ness to evil, the i^oisoned cliarms of vice, and i the intestine war of the flesh against the spirit. fAW this we experience and gi'oan under; yet ? under the weight of such miseries, by a much > greater evil, we are blind, proud, and insensible. iThe excess of our misery is, that though it be 'extreme, we do not sufficiently^ dex^lore it, hum- )ble ourselves under it, and labour by watchful- ness, mortification, and prayer to acquire strength against our dangers. Mary employed earnestly these arms during the course of her life, though .free from this inward proneness to evil and from the fomes peccati or dangerous sting of concu- piscence, which we inherit with origmal sin, and which remains after baptism, for tiie exercise of our virtue and fidelity. We court our dangers, indulge and fortifiy our enemies, and caress and adore those idols which we are bound to destroy, to procure for ourselves some part in the blessing which Mary enjoyed, in the empire over our pas- sions, we must check them, restrain our senses, and die to ourselves. We must never cease sighing to God, to implore his aid against this domestic enemj^, and never enter into any truce with him. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are trouhledA If our weakness and dangers call for our tears, we have still much greater reason to weep for our guilt and i-epeated transgressions. Whereas grace in Mary ti iumiDlied even over original sin* we, on the contrary, even after baptism and pen- ance, by which we were cleansed from sin, return to it again, increase our hereditary weak- ness and miseries: and, what is of all things 1 Ps. vM. 3, 212 COiNCEPTION OF THE 15, V. MARY. [DEC. o. most grievous, infinitely aggravate our guilt by I daily offences. Who will give water to my head, 1 and a fountain of tears to my eyesH O Mother of s Mercy, let your happy privilege, your exemption from all sin and concupiscence, inspire you with pity for our miseries: and by your spotless purity / and abundant graces, obtain for us strength against all our dangers, the deliverance from all I our miseries, and the most powerful remedies of q divine grace. Thus, from this mystery, we are '% to draw lessons of confusion and instruction for ' ' ourselves. Mary, in her conception, was not only free from i , stain, but moreover was adorned with the most ^ precious graces, so as to appear bautiful and I glorious in the eyes of God. And the grace I she then received was the seed of the great / virtues which she exercised, and the higher J- graces to which, by the improvement of her first stock, she was afterward raised, during the whole 4 f course of her mortal life. By the first graces she I y was free from all inclination to accursed pride, ! ^ and from all inordinate self love, and remained i > always perfectly empty of herself. This disposi- J 1^ lion she expressed when honoured with the : > highest graces, and exalted to the most sublime 1 and wonderful spiritual dignity; under which, p sinking lower in her own abyss of weakness and I nothingness, she sincerely and purely gave all > glory to him. She confessed aloud that he chose t her not for any merit, or any thing he saw in her, ^ ? but because he would signalize his omnipotence | i by choosing the weakest and meanest instrument, | I and because he saw in her the nothingness in ; which he most fitly exerted and manifested his v ; infinite power and greatness. By a lurking pride • ) we obstruct the designs of the divine mercy in our favour. The vessel of our heart cannot 1 Jer. Ix, r>EC. 8.] CONCEPtlON OF THE B. V. MARY. 213 receive the plentiful eifusion of divine grace, so ; long- as it is filled with the poison of self-love. ^ The more perfectly it is cleansed and empty, the ^niore it is fitted to receive. As the prophet called for vessels that were empty, that they might be filled with miraculous oil; so must we present to God hearts that are perfectly empty, when we pray fliat he replenish them with his grace. The exercise of humiUty, meek- ness, patience, resignation, obedience, self-deuial, I'Tgorou's self-examination, compunction, and penance begin the work: but prayer and divine love perfect the cleansing of the fountain from | which they spring. Thus are we to attain that 4 purity of heart and afiections by which we shall bear some degree of resemblance to the holy I\Iother of God. This grace we ought earnestly to beg of God, through her intercession, and particularly to commend to him, through her, the preservation of the holy virtue of purity. The venerable and pious John of Avila gives this advice in the following words: " I have parti- cularly seen much profit received through her means, by persons molested with temptations of the flesh, who recited some prayer in memory of her spotless conception, and of that virginal ^ purity with which she conceived the Son of 5 God." The Immaculate Conception of the holy Mother of God was not only in itself a great and glorious ; mystery, but likewise joyful to mankind. Cer- ' tain glimmerings of the benefit of our Redemp- . tion had gone before from the fall of Adam iu several relations, types, and figuras: in which the f distant prospect of this wonderful mercy filled ■ the patriarchs and other saints of the old law with comfort and holy joy. But the Concep- tion of Mary displayed the first rays of its ap- proaching light, and may be said to have been 14 12 214 ST. ROMARIC, A. [dec. 8. its rising morniug, or the dawning of its day.i In this mystery she appeared pure and glorious, shining among the daughters of Adam as a lily among thorns.2 To her from the moment of her Conception God said: Thou art all beautiful,mp lave, and there is no spot in thee,^ She was the enclosed garden, which the serpent could never enter; and the sealed fountain which he never defiled.4 She was the Throne and the Tabernacle of the true Solomon, and the Ark of the Testament to con- tain, not corruptible manna, but the Author of the incorruptible life of our souls. Saluting her with these epithets, in exultation and praise, let us sing with the Church; " This is the Con- ception of the glorious Virgin Mary, of the seed of Abraham, sprung from the tribe of Juda, illus- trious of the house of David, whose life, by its brightness, illustrates all chiu'ches." ST. ROMARIC, ABBOT. Renouncing the court of Clotaire II. in which he enjoyed the highest honours and dignities, he sold great part of his estates for the benefit of the poor; and with the residue, founded two 1 St. Bernard reproves the canons of the Church of Lyons, because, by their own private authority, they celebrated a feast of the Im- maculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, withnut consulting the Roman see. (ep. 174. Long before that time this festival was kept Avith great devotion in the eastern churches; and was a holiday before the emperor Emmanuel Comnenus enforced its observance, about the year 1150. (ap. Balsam, in nomocan Photii.) George, bishop of Nico- inedia, in the reign of Heraclius, calls it a feast of ancient date. Baro- iiius, Benedict XIV. &c. suppose, that in the West it was first insti- tuted in England, by St. Anselm, about the year 1150. But St. An- Belm's letter on which this opinion is foxinded, seems not to be genuine. (See Lupus, ad Cone. Mogunt. sub Leone IX. t. 3. p. 497.) And Jos, Assemani demonstrates, from the marble calendar of Naples, engraved in the ninth age, that this feast was then kept in that city, and that the Church of Naples was the first in the West which adopted it in imitation of the Orientals. Pope Sixtus IV. to. 1483, commanded it to he kept a holiday. See Bened. XIV. De Testis B. Marise V. c. 15. p. 348. Jo9. Assemani, in Calend. Univ. t. 5. p. 433. ad p. 462. and Ma- aocchius, In Vetus Marmoreum Neap. Calendarium. Cant, xi, 'i. 3 Cant, iv. 7. 4 Cant. iv. 12,' DEC. 9.J ST. LEOCADIA, V. M. 215 monasteries, one for men, the other for women, at the foot of mount Vosge, now in Lorrain. He took the monastic habit at Liixeu, and procured St. Amatus, a monk of that house, to be appoint- ed first abbot at Remiremont, which was the name of the monastery which he had built. He spent several years under his direction in the i.' same house, to which he removed. Upon the ; death of St. Amatus he was compelled to take upon him the government of that abbey. The ' world from which he fled, he viewed at a distance ^ with a pious dread, and in his sanctuary enjoyed y that peace which heaven alone can give. The example of his life, and the severity which he used toward himself, were alone a censure of ? the slothful. Charity, sweetness, and humility formed the character of his virtue. Having ; made it his chief study, during the twenty-six | years of his abbacy, to learn to die, he joy- fully received the last summons, and departed - from this life to a better in 653. His name is inserted in the Galilean and Roman Martyrolo- gies. See his life -written by a disciple and Bulteau. DECEMBER IX. ST. LEOCADIA, VIRGIN, MARTYR. A. D. 304. The name of St. Leocadia is highly reverenced in Spain. This holy virgin was a native of Toledo, j and was apprehended by an order of Dacian, the ! cruel governor under Dioclesian, in 30-1. Her i constancy was tried b" torments, and she died in j 210 ST. LEOCADJA, V. M. [dec. 9* prison. For, heaving of the martyrdom of St. : Eulalia, she prayed that God would not prolong her exile, but unite her speedily with lier holy friend in his glory; in which prayer she happily : expired in prison. Three famous churches in > Toledo bear her name, and she is honoured as I principal patroness of that city. Ixi one of those S churches most of the councils of Toledo were held ; J j in the fom-th of these she is honourably mention- 4 \ ed. Her relics were kept in that church with \ great respect, till, in the incursions of the Moors, - they were conveyed to Oviedo, and some years afterward to the abbey of St. Guislain near Mens in Haynault. By the procurement of king Philip II. they were translated back to Toledo with I great pomp, that king, his son prince Philip, \ his daughter Elizabeth, and the empress Mary \ his sister, being present at their solemn recep- I tion in the great church there on the 26th of I April, 1589. St. Leocadia, being called to the trial, exerted all heroic Christian virtues, because she had ; made her whole life an apprenticeship of them, > and their practice had been familiar to her. ^ Some people say it was easy for Christians to be ( totally disengaged from the world, and to give I themselves up to prayer and penance when they I are daily and hourly expected to be called upon ^ I to lay down their lives for Christ. But were we 1 I not blinded by the world, and if the enchant- ^ ment of its follies, the near prospect of eternity, ; the uncertainty of the hour of our death, and the \ i repeated precepts of Christ were equally the | I subject of our meditation, these motives would I \ produce in us the same fervent dispositions which \ < they did in the primitive Christians. How much ^ ; soever men now-a-days are strangers to these • gospel truths, for v/ant of giving themselves ' leisure to consider them. Christians are bound ^ ' to be totally disentangled from worldly affections % DEC. 9.] SEVEN MARTYRS AT SAMOSATA. 217 in order to unite their hearts closely to God, that they may receive the abundant graces and favours which he communicates to souls which open themselves to him. They are bound to re- nounce sensuality, and the disorders and vanities of the world and to be animated with a spirit of meekness, peace, patience, charity and aifec- tionate good- will tov/ard all men, zeal, piety, and devotion. They are bound to be prepared in the disposition of their hearts to leave all things, and to suffer all things for his love. THE SEVEN MARTYRS AT SAMOSATA.' In the year 297 the emperor Maximian, return- ing victorious fi'om the defeat of the Persian armj , celebrated the quinquennial games at Samosata, the capital of Syria Comagene, upon the banks of the Euphrates. On this occasion he commanded all the inhabitants to repair to the temple of fortmie, situate in the middle of the city, to assist at the solemn supplications and sacrifices which were there to be made to the gods. The whole town echoed with the sound of trumpets, and was infected with the smell of victims and incense. Hipparchus and Philotheus, persons for birth and fortune of the first rank in the city, had some time before embraced the Christian faith. In a secret closet in the house of Hipparchus, upon the eastern wall, they had made an image of the cross, before which, with their faces turned to the east, they adored the Lord Jesus Christ seven times a-day. Five in- timate friends, much younger in years, named [James Paragrus, Habibus, Romanus, and Loll ir^- [nus, coming to visit them at the ninth hour or three in the afternoon, found them in this private cliamber praying before the cross, and asked them Avhy they T/ ere in mourning, and prayed at home, at a time when by the emperor's orders, all the gods of the whole city had been transport' 218 SEVEN MARTYRS AT SAMOSATA. [DEC, 9. ed into the temple of fortune, and all persons ■ were commanded to assemble there to pray. I They answered, that they adored the Maker of I I the world. James said: ** Do you take that cross f for the Maker of the world? For I see it is adored I by you." Hipparchus answered: " Him we adore ! i who hung upon the cross. Him we confess to be i God, and the Son of God, begotten, not made, co- essential with the Father, by whose deity we believe this whole world is created, preserved, and governed. It is now the third year since we were baptized in the name of the Father, and of : the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by James, a priest of the true faith, who sinee has never inter- mitted from time to time to give us the Body and Blood of Christ. We therefore think it unlawful for us during these three days to stir out of doors: for we abhor the smell of victims with which the whole city is infected." After much discourse together the five young noblemen declared they desired to be baptized, but feared the severity of the laws, saying these two were protected by their dignities in the magistracy and their favour ' at court; but that as for themselves they were - young and without protection. Hipparchus and i: Philotheus said, "The earthen vessel or brick is ^ but dirt till it be tempered with clay and has ] passed the fire." And they discoursed so well on martyrdom, and on the contempt of the world, which faith inspireth, that the five young men desired to be baptized, and to bear the badge of ' Christ, confessing that when they first saw their two friends at prayer before the cross, they felt ^ an unusual fire glowing within their breasts. ^ Hipparchus and Philotheus at first advised them to defer their baptism, but at length, pleased with their ardour, they despatched a messenger to the ^ priest James, with a letter sealed with their own | seal, the contents of which were as follows: "Be | pleased to come to us as soon as possible, and / DEC. 9.] SEVEN MARTYRS AT SAMOSATA. 219 bring with you a vessel of water, an host, and a \ horn of oil for anointing'. Your presence is j earnestly desired by certain tender sheep which ! are come over to our fold, and are impatient that | its mark be set upon them." James forthwith \ covered the sacred utensils with his cloak, and \ coming to the house found the seven blessed men j on their knees at grayer. Saluting them he said: \ "Peace be with you, servants of Jesus Christ, who \ was crucified for his creatures." They all arose, \ and James, Paragrus, Habibus, Romanus, and Lollianus fell at his feet and said: *'Have pity on , us, and give us the mark of Christ, whom we ) adore." He asked them if they were ready to ) suffer tribulation and torments for Christ, who > suffered first for them. They answered with one voice, that nothing should ever be able to separate I them from the love of God which is in Christ / Jesus. He then bade them join him in prayer. / When they had prayed together on their knees for { the space of an hour, the priest rose up, and ) saluting them said, "The grace of our Lord Jesus ) Christ be with you all." When they had made ] a confession of their faith, and abjured idolatry,^ he baptized them, and immediately gave them j the Body and Blood of Christ. This being done, ■ ho took up the sacred utensils, and covering them with his cloak made haste home, fearing lest the pagans should discover them together: ^ for the priest was an old man in a mean ragged \ garment; and Hipparchus and Philotheus were \ men of the first rank, and enjoyed posts of great | honour, and the other five were illustrious for i their birth. On the third day of the festival, the emperor inquired whether none among the magistrates contemned the gods, and whether they had all performed the duty of sacrificing on this public , occasion. He was answered, that Hipparchus j and Philotheus had for three years past constant- ^ 220 SEVEN MARTYRS AT SAMOSATA, [DEC. 0, ly absented themselves from the public worship of the gods. Hereupon the emperor gave orders that they should be conducted to the temple of fortune, and compelled to offer sacrifice. Tlie messengers coming to the house of Hipparchus, found tlie seven above-mentioned assembled together; but at first apprehended only Hipparchus and Philo- theus. The emperor asked ihem why they con- temned both him and the immortal gods? Hip- parchus said: " I blush to hear wood and stones called gods." The emperor commanded that he should receive fifty stripes, with whips loaded Avith leaden plummets, on the back, and then be confined in a dungeon. Philotheus being present- ed before him, the emperor promised to make him prsetor, and to bestow on him other prefer- ments if he complied. The confessor replied, that honours upon such terms Avould be an ignominy, and that he esteemed disgrace suffered for Christ the greatest of all honours. He then began to explain the creation of the world, and spoke "with great eloquence. The emperor interrupted him, saying, he saw that he was a man of learning, and that he would not put him to the torture, hoping that his own reason would convince him of his errors. But he gave orders that lie should be put in irons, and confined in a separate dun- ^ geon from that in which Hipparchus was detained. In the mean time an order was sent to seize the other five that were found with them. The emperor put them in mind, that they v/ere in the flower 01 their age, and exhorted them not to despise the blessings of life. They answered that faith in Christ is preferable to life, adding, that no treacherous artifices should draw them from from their duty to God: " Especially," said they, " as we carry in our bodies the Body and Blood of Christ. Our bodies are consecrated by the touch of his Body: nor ought bodies which 1 have been made holy, to be prostituted^ by of^ev- DEC. 0,] SEVEN MARTYRS AT SAMOSATA. 221 ing an outrageous affront to the dignity to ■which they have been raised." The emperor entreated them to have pity on their youth, and 1 not throw awaj^ their lives, swearing by the 4 gods, that if they persisted in their obstinacy, they should be unmercifully beaten, and should miserably perish. He repeated, that they should , be crucihed like their master. Their answer was, \ that they were not affrighted with torments. The J emperor ordered that they should be chained, I and kept in separate dungeons, without meat or * drink, till the festival should be over. • The solemnity which was celebrated for several days in honour of the gods, being concluded, the emperor caused a tribunal to be erected without the walls of the city, in a meadov/ near the banks of the Euphrates, and the fields thereabouts were covered with rich hangings like tents, Maximiau having taken his seat, by his order, the confessors were brought before him. The two old magis- n trates were first led by chains thrown about their U necks; the other five followed them, all having! their hands tied behind their backs. Upon their I peremptory refusal to offer sacrifice, they were ; all stretched' upon the rack, and each received ^ twenty stripes" upon his back, and was then ; scourged witWhongs upon the breast and belly. This being done, they were carried back each to his own dungeon, with strict orders that no one should be allowed to see them, or send them any thing to comfort or support them, and that they j should be furnished by their keepers with just so i much coarse bread as would keep them alive. In this condition they lay from the 15th of April to the 25th of June. Then they were again bi ought before the emperor, but looked more like car- casses than living men. He told them, that if they would comply, he would cause their hair to be shorn, and would have them washed in the bath, carried to the palace, and re-estabhshed in 222 SEVEN MARTYRS AT SAMOSATA. [DEC. 9. their dignities. They all prayed that he would not seek to draw them from the way which Jesus Christ had opened to them. The emperor, whose eyes sparkled with fury, upon hearing this an- 1 swer, said: "Wretches, you seek death. Your desire is granted, that you may at length cease to insult the gods.'' He then commanded that cords should be put across their mouths, and bound round them, and that they should be crucified. The cords were immediately put in their mouths, and fastened tight about their bodies, so that they could only mutter broken words, and not ; speak distinctly. In this condition, however, \ they returned thanks to God, and encouraged one i another, rejoicing that they were leaving this miserable world, to go to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. They were immedi- ■ ately hurried toward the tetradian, the common ; place of execution, at some distance from the city, and were followed by a long train of relations, ' friends, servants, and others, who filled the fields ; in the way, and rent the air with their lamenta- tions. In the mean time the lords of that terri- i tory, Tiberianus, Gallus, Longinianus, Felicianus, Proclus, Cosmianus, Mascolianus, and Priscus, to whom, by an imperial writ, the government of the city was committed, waited cfl the emperor in a body, and represented to him that a great multitude of citizens followed the prisoners all in tears, grieved to see seven princes of their coun- try led chained to a cruel and ignominious death; ^ they alleged that Hipparchus and Philotheus i were their colleagues in the magistracy, who I ought to settle their accounts, and the public af- ! fairs which had been left in their hands, that the other five were senators of their city, who ought to be allowed at least to make their Avills ; they J therefore begged that some respite might be : granted them. The emperor readily assented, e and gave order that the martyrs should be put DEC. 9.] SEVEN MARTYRS AT SAMOSATA. 223 into the hands of these magistrates for the afore- said purposes. The magistrates led them into the porch of the circus, and having taken the cords from their mouths, privately said to them : " We obtained this liberty under pretence of set- tling with you the public accounts, and civil af- fairs, but in reality to have the favour of speaking to you in private, begging your intercession with God, for whom you die, and desiring your blessing for this city and ourselves." The martyrs gave their blessing, and harangued the people that were assembled. The emperor was infowned, , and sent a reprimand to the magistrates for suf- c fering the martyrs to speak to the people. Their | excuse was, that they durst not forbid it for fear « of a tumult. The emperor ascending his tribunal, would again see the martyrs; but found their resolution unshaken. He therefore ordered seven crosses to be erected over against the gate of the city, and again conjured Hipparchus to obey. The venerable old man, laying his hand upon his bald head, said: " As this, according to the course of nature, cannot be again covered with hair; i so never shall T change or conform to your will in j this point." Maximian commanded a goat's skin i to be fastened with sharp nails upon his head: then jeering, said: "See, your bald pate is now covered with hair: sacrifice, therefore, according to the terms of your own condition." ' The mar- tyrs were hoisted on their crosses; and at noon several ladies came out of the city, and having bribed the guards with money, obtained leave to wipe the faces of the martyrs, and to receive their blood with sponges and linen cloths. Hipparchus died on the cross in a short time. James, Roma- nus, and Lollianus expired the next day, being j stabbed by the soldiers whilst they hung on their | crosses. Philotheus, Habibus, and Paragrus \ were taken down from their crosses whilst they } 224 ST. WULFIIILDE, V. A. [dec. 9. were living*. The emperor being' informed that they were yet alive, commanded hugo nails to be driven into their heads. This was executed with I such cruelty that their braing were thrust out through their noses and mouths. Maximian or- dered that their bodies should be dragged by the feet, and thrown into tlie Euphrates. But Bas- ■ sus, a rich Christian, redeemed them privately of ; - the guards for seven hundred denarij, and buried I them in the night at his farm in the country. [ The Acts of their martyrdom were compiled by a I priest, who says he v/as present in a mean garb 3 when the holy martyrs gave their blessing to i their citizens. See these authentic acts, written ] by the priest, who was eye-witness to their suf- ferings, published in Chaldaic by Steph. Assema- lii, Act. Mart. t. 2. p. 123. ST. V/ULFHILDE, V. ABBESS. This noble lady learned from her infancy to despise all earthly things, and to love and esteem those only which are heavenly; and was placed young by her parents in the monastery of Win-|_ 4; Chester. King Edgar became enamoured of lier;| "but she rejected his great ofters, entreaties, en- 1 snaring presents, and messages, knowing that vir- 1 J tue is not to be secured but by watching against | : the most distant sight, and the most subtle and | disguised approaches of an enemy. An aunt of f ; the virgin suffered herself to be gained by the I king, and feigning herself sick, sent for W ulfhilde i out of her monastery to come to her. The virgin • was scarce arrived at her house but the king came* \ upon her, hoping to overcome lier resolution, i I But alarmed beyond measure at the danger, she \ I violently broke out of the house, leaving part of | I her sleeve in the hands of the king, who attempt- 1 \ ed to hold her, and running to the church held | I the altar, imploring the divine protection with I DEC. 9.] ST. WULFIIILDE, V. A* 225 many tears. It had long been her desire to con- secrate herself to her heavenly sponse in a reli- gions state. The horror and dread of the danger to which her soul had been exposed in this temp- tation, was a spnr to her in the pursuit of virtue, and she completed the entire sacrifice of herself to God, with the fervour of a saint. The king was overcome by her constancy, and afterward nominated her abbess of Barking, on which house he bestowed many fair possessions. Wulfhilde settled upon it twenty villages of her own patri- mony; and founded another monastery at Horton in Dorsetshire. Both these houses she governed with great sanctity and prudence, lived in great austerity, and was a model of charity, devotion, meekness, and humility. Her inflexible virtue excited the jealousy of queen Elflede, by whom she Avas ejected out of her monasteries. But she was restored with honour, and died about the year 990, in the reign of Etheldred II. Many miracles were wrought at lier tomb, as William of Malmesbnry and others assure us. St. Edilburge, St. Wulfhilde, aud St. Hildelide •were much honoured by our English ancestors, and their relics es- teemed the greatest treasure of the abbey of Barking ; in which St. ^rkonwald, the founder, made his sister St. Edilburge, the first abbess, but gave her St. Hildelide for her assistant, whom he called over from I>auce, where she had made her religious profession, though an English lady by birth. As slie was the directress of Edilburge, during her life, so she succeeded her in the government of this monastery after her doath, and is named in the English Calendars on the 24th of March. (Bede, Hist. 1. 4.c. 10.) Du Plessis imagines Trithemiun and others who mentioned St. Hilde- lide, abbess, among the saints who nourished at Faremoutier, mistook this name for St. Hilda, though she never was there. It is true that St. Hildelide was never abbess at Faremoutier, but at Barking in Eng- land. But she had unquestionably lived .it Faremoutier or at Chellcs, before she came to Barking. See Dedo, (1. 4. c. 10.) Bu Plessis, (Hist. _de I'Kgl. de Meaux, J. 1. n. 84.) On St. Wulfhilde, see William of Malmesburv^ 1. 2. Tontif. and her life in Capgrave, and in John of Tinmouth. John of Tinmouth, monk of St. Alban's, flourished in l.'TO, and com- piled the lives of one hundred and fifty-sevenlBritish, English, Scotisli, and Irish saints. His Sanctilogium is extant'jIS. in the Lambeth Li- brary, quoted by Wharton, (Anglia Sacra, t. 2. p. 75, ^c.) also in tlio Cottoniau library : but tliis copy is so much damaged by th«i<;onflagra- tion of an adjoining house, next the wall of the library, Avhen it was kept at Westminster, that the leaves are glued together. By the i>ie- tUods which are used at the Vatican library and at Herculaneuai, to 226 ST. MELCHIADES, P. M. [DEC. 10. unfold MS3. ■wliich are worn with age, and in •which the leaves adhere toj^ether, several of tliese endamaged MS. books might probably be again made useful. John Capgrave in his Legenda Sanctorum Anglije, printed at London in 1516, collected one hundred and sixty-eight lives of saints, all which, except fourteen, he copied verbatim from John of Tinmouth, says Leland in Joan. Tinmouthensi ; yet in Tinmouth seve- ral tilings occur which are not found in Capgrave. DECEMBER X. ST. MELCHIADES, POPE. From Eus. 1. 9. o. 9, St. Optat, 1. 1. St. Aug. See Tillemont. A.D. 314. Melchiades, or Miltiades, succeeded Eiisebi- us in the see of Rome, being chosen on the 2nd of; July, 311, in the reign of Maxentius. Constan- s tine vanquished that tyrant on the 28th of Octo- i ber in 312, and soon after issued edicts, by which) he allowed Christians the free exercise of their < religion, and the liberty of building churches. | To pacify the minds of the pagans, who were un- 4 easy at this innovation, when he arrived at^ Milan in the beginning ot the year 383, he, by a ^ second edicts ensured to all religions except here- f t sies, liberty of conscience. Among the first laws | which he enacted in favour of Christians, lie | passed one to exempt the clergy from the burden 2 of civil offices. He obliged all his soldiers to re- I peat on Sundays a prayer addressed to the one | only God; and no idolater could scruple at such a f practice. He abolished the pagan festivals and | mysteries in which lewdness had a share. Unna-^ tural impurity being almost unrestrained among the heathens, the Romans, when luxury and de- ) bauchery were arrived at the highest pitch among / DEC. 10.] ST. MELCHIADES, P. M. 227 them, began to shun marriage, that they mighty be more at liberty to follow their passions. Z Whereupon Augustus was obliged by laws to 4 encourage and command all men to marry, in- j flicting heavy penalties on the disobedient.i The ) abuses being restrained by the Christian religion ^ more effectually than they could have been by ■ human laws, Constantino, in favour of celibacy, repealed the Poppaean law. This emperor also made a law to punish adultery with death.2 The good pope rejoiced exceedingly at the prosperity of God's house, and by his zealous labours very much extended its pale ; but he had the affliction to see it torn by an intestine division, in the Donatist schism, which blazed with great fury in Africa. Mensurius, bishop of Carthage, being falsely accused of having delivered up the sacred scriptures to be burnt in the time of the persecu- tion, Donatus, bishop of Casa-Nigra in Numidia, most unreasonably separated himself from his communion, and continued his schism when Cecilian had succeeded Mensurius in the see of Carthage, and was joined by many jealous ene- mies of that good prelate, especially by the pow- erful lady Lucilla, who was personally piqued against Cecilian whilst he was deacon of that church. The schismatics appealed to Constan- tino, who was then in Gaul, and entreated him to ^ commission three Gaulish bishops, whom they specified, to judge their cause against Cecilian. The emperor granted them these judges they de- manded, but ordered the aforesaid bishops to re- pair to Rome, by letter entreating pope Melchi- ades to examine into the controversy, together with these Gaulish bishops, and to decide it ac- 1 cording to justice and equity. The emperor left to the bishops the decision of this affair, because 1 See his Lex Julia, and Lex Poppsea. 2 Bee Gothofred, ad Cod. Theod. 1. xi. tifc. 36. 228 SI. IVlELCillADESj P. M. [dec. 10. it reg-ardcd a bisliop.l Pope Melcliiades opened j a council in tlie Lateran palace, on the 2d of Oc- 4. tober, 313, at which both Ceciiian and Donatus of V Casa-nigra were present; and the former was >. pronounced by the pope and his coimcil innocent t of the whole charge that was bronght against him. Donatus of Casa-nigra was the only person i who was condemned on that occasion; the other bishops who had adhered to him were allowed to, keep their sees upon their renouncing the schism. St. Austin, speaking of the moderation which the pope used, calls him an excellent man, a true son of peace, and a true father of Christians. Yet the ; Donatists, after his death, had recourse to their i usual arms of slander to asperse liis character, and S pretended that this pope had delivered the scrip- I tures into tlie hands of the persecutors; which St. > Austin calls a groundless and malicious calumny. I St. Melchiades died on the lOtli of January, 314, ; I having sat two years, six months, and eight days, I and was buried on the Appian road, in the ceme- jf tery of Calixtus; is named in the Roman Martyr-' I ology, and in those of Bede, Ado, Usuard, &c. I In some calendars he is styled a martyr, doubt- \ less on account of his sufferings in preceding per- secutions. This holy pope saw a door opened by the peace ^ of tlie Church, to the conversion of many, and he ^ rejoiced at tlie triumph of the cross of Christ. £ But with worldly prosperity a worldly spirit too ' f often broke into the sanctuary itself; insomuch t that tlie zealous pastor had sometimes reason to / complain with Isaiah, Thou hast multiplied the na^ ^ > Hon, and hast not increased my joy, 2 Under tlie| I pressures of severe persecution, the true spirit of | f our holy religion was maintained in many among | l^ts professors during the first ages; yet, amidst j 1 S, Aug. ep, 105. p. 299. et ep. 43. p. 94. et in Brevic. CoUat, die 3, c. 12. et'.7. Eus. 1, 10. c. 5. S. Optat. I. i. p. 44. 2 I&a. iz. 3. DEC. 10.] ST. EULALIA, V. M. 229 the most holy examples, and under the influence of the strongest motives and helps, avarice and^ ambition insinuated themselves into the hearts ofS Bome, who, by the abuse of the greatest grace8,< became of all others the most abandoned to wick- 4 edness; witness Judas the Apostate in the college < of the apostles; also several amongst the disciples, of the primitive saints, as Simon Magus, Paul of Samosata, and others. But with temporal hon- ours and affluence, the love of the world, though most severely condemned by Christ, as the capi- tal enemy to his grace and holy love, and the source of all vicious passions, crept into the hearts r of many, to the utter extinction of the Christian spirit in their souls. This, indeed, reigns and ' always will reign, in a great number oi chosen ■ souls, whose lives are often hidden from the world, r but in whom God will always provide for his hon- ' our faithful servants on earth, who will praise : him in spirit and truth. But so deplorable are the overflowings of sensuality, avarice, and am- / bitioh, and such the lulce^^armness and spiritual \ ^insensibility which have taken root in the hearts! r of many Christians, that the torrent of eyil exam-/ I pie and a worldly 'spirit ought to fill every one/ i with alarms, ^itld oblige every one to hold last, > t and be infinitely upon his guard that he be not F carried away by it. It is not the crowd that we rare to folio w^ but the gospel: and though tempo - Iral goods and prosperity are a blessing, they ''ought extremely to rouse our attention, excite our watchfulness, and inspire us with fear, being L s fraught with snares, and by the abuse which igT 1 frequently made of them, the ruin of virtue. ST. EULALIA, V. M. PiitJi)i:NTiusI has celebrated the triumph of I AuRELins Pbudentius CLEMfiNS, the gloiy of the ancient Christian poets, v/as born in Spain in 3/G,(Praef. in 15 . 12 230 ST. EULALIA5 Y. M. [dec. 10. 1 this holy virgin, who was a native of Merida, then the capital city of Liisitania in Spain, now a declining town in Estremadura, the archiepisco- pal dignity having been translated to Compostel- hymn. in Cathemer. p. 1. not at Saragossa, as Ceillier and some others mistake,- (though he resided there some time in quality of governor;) but' at Calahorra, in Old Castile (Hymn. 1. de Cor. p. IIG. et hymn. 18. v. 31.) After his childhood lie studied eloquence under a celebrated rhetori- cian, and, according to the custom of the schools in that age, learned to declaim upon all sorts of subjects, and, by pleading, to make a bad cause appear good: which kind of exercises he afterward severely condemned and repented of as an art of disguising the truth, and of lying. Isocrates's panegyrics on Helena and Busiris, show this custom to have been ancient in the schools of rhetoricians: and Cicero men- tions several instances of Georgias, &c. (In Bruto, de Orat. is.) Prudentius deplores still more bitterly other irregu- larities into which he had been betrayed in his youth, (Prtef. in Cathem. ethymn,9. de Sanct. Calagurit.) He was made twice governor of provinces and cities in Spain; after which he tells us (Prajf. in Cathem.) that the clemency of the prince (Theodosius I. or Honorius) raised hira to the highest honours, and, calling him to court, placed him in rank and dignity next his own person: by which is generally, understood that he was created prefect of the praetorium. In this distracted station he suffered violent conflicts in his soul; being sometimes full of fervour, and earnestly desiring to serve God; at other times, cooled by the dissipation of the world and the corruption of his own heart. (Psych, sub finera,v. 898, &c.) But when he had devoted himself with his whole heart to the divine service, God became all his joy, he found no sweetness but in him, no comfort or delight but in his Saviour. " Thou art,'' says he, "the charming beauty, with whose chaste love I burn, and in Vv'hom I find true and sovereign pleasure." (Apoth. Carm. 4.) When he quitted his employments in order to renounce the world, in the vigour of his age, he took a 'journey to Rouie about the year 405, and, passing through Imola, embraced and watered with his tears the tomb of St. Cassian, in bitter compunction for his sins. (De Cor. hymn. 19. de S. Cas- siano.) At Rome he saw an infinite number of tombs of martyrs, at which he prayed for the healing of the spiritual wounds of his soul. (De Cor. hymn. 12. de S. Hippolyto &c.) He passed there the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, (ib.) DEC. 10.] ST. EULALIA5 V. M. 231 la. Eulalia descended from one of the best fami- lies in Spain, was educated in the Christian reh- gion^^^^^^^ in sentiments of perfect piety, horn her fiifancy distinguished herself by an admirable and returning into Spain there led a retired life, and conse- crated his leisure hours to the composition of sacred poems, for he wrote only on religious subjects on ^hicli al I s thoughts were employed. He has always been esteemed t e most learned of the Christian poets ^^^onius ApolUnar s a 2 ep. 9.) compares his lyrics to the odes of Horace, who if Pha^drus be joined with him) is the sweetest, sinoothest, most polished, and elegant writer, not only ot the poets, but of all the classics. ISo verses in Horace or any other poet seem superior to the stanzas which compose the hymns on ?he Holy Innocents in the office of the Church, which aie taken from Prudentius on the Epiphany; (Cathemer. hymno 12 'nothing can be tiner than the smiles and other ligui^s- Salvelejlork S^'c. Nothing softer or more .^^^^^^^ " expressions, Falmu et coronis luditis, S^c. Ihe hymni. Nox ettenebrce etnubila, and Lux eccc surgit awea, ^c. in the Church office are almost copied from our poet s Morning Hymn, (Cathem. hymno 2.) His erudition is displayed ip his books against Symmachus; and his genius shines in the majesty, fire, and elegance of his verses, especia ly nis lyrics. Yet he is sometimes careless and incorrect in his versihca- tion; and the vigour of his spirit, sentiment, and taiicy sometimes flags. Also the Latin language having m this time degenerated from its purity, he deviates Irom the standard of the Augustan age in certain Phrases, and in the accents and quantities of certain words. 1 his detect is not less remarkable in Juvencus, the Spanish pnest, author of the poem on the Life of Christ, in the reign ot Coustantine the Great, whose verses are also too naked of ornaments and evelation, the soul of poetry. x • 1. , Sedulius, a priest (according to some a bishop) in Italy wrote a paschal poem on the miracles of Christ, and some other pious compositions, and flourished under 'Iheodosius the Great: he is commended for correctness and puiily of language, and for strength and majesty of style; yet talis short of Prudentius. The Latin Church has inserted in the office for Christmas-day and the Epiphany, hymns extracted from one of Sedulius's poems; and Bede ascribes to him the hymn ^ so/is ortus cardine, &c. According to Trithemius and others, Sedulius was a Scot from Ireland, an eminent poet, orator, and divine; who, for the love of learning, left ins 232 ST. EULALIA, V. M. [DlilC. 10. I Sweetness of temper, modesty, and devotion, fehowed a great love of the holy state of virginity, } and by her seriolisnees and her contempt of dress, 1 ornaments, diversions, and worldly comjpany, native country, travelled into France, Italy, and Asia, and at length came to be in high esteem at Rome for his threat ac- complishment, (Trithem. de Script. Eccl. p. 227. Sixt: Sen Bibl. sacr.) This is also supported by Usher and the Irish 'vriters. See Antiq. Brit. c. 16, Colgan, act SS. p. 320. Ware's Writers, p. 7. &c. He is not to be confounded vvitli another Sedulius, called the younger, who lived in the eighth century, wrote on St. Paul's epistles, and was present at a council held at Rome by pope Grogory 11. He was after- ward made a iDishop in Spain, where it is said he wrote a history of the ancient Irish. Harris and others tell us that iiis MS. written on parchment in the Gothic character, was in the possession of Sir John Wiggins, counsellor of state and first physician to Pliilip V. See Usher, loc. cit. Ware, p. 47, &c. also Ceillier, t. 10. p. 632. i*rudentius in his Psycomachia, or combat of the soul against vice, celebrates the victory of faith over infidelity, of purity over lust, of patience over anger, of pride over humility, of temperance over gluttony, of almsdeeds oVer covetousness, and of concorfi over enmity. His Cathc- merinon (or book of hymns for every day) consists of hymns of prayer and praise for different times ol the day ijiz. fol" morning, night, before and after mieals, fast days, after fast days, for Christmas, Epiphany, the lighting of a canHle, funerals, &c. Apotheoses is the title which Prudentius gave to his poem in defence of the Deity and the divine attri- butes. It is a confutation of the idolaters, and of the priii- cipal heresies which erred chiefly concerning the godhead, Christ, and resurrection. Against the Marcionites who es- tablished an evil first principle, he composed his Araaiti- genia, or book on the birth or origin of sin, which he shows to spring from the perversity of the will of a free creature, In the close of this book he makes a humble confession that he deserved all manner of chastisements from a just God, and earnestly prays for mercy, and that Whilst others are called to high crowns of glory, he may be purified by the mildest punishment. Symmachus,in his petition for the restoration of tlie idol of victory, presented successively to Gratian, Valentiniaii li. and Theodosius, in 382, 384, and 388, had failed of success, his design being always defeated by the zeal of St. Ambrose. B^C. 10.] ST. EULALIA, V. M. 233 gave early proofs of her sincere desire to lead on \ earth a lieavenly life. Her heart was raised above the world before she was thought capable of knowing it, so that its amusements^ which ^ Tlie army of Honorius, commanded by Stilico, in 403, van- quished Alaric the Goth, near Pollentia, in Liguria; the Roman soldiers began the battle by making the sign of the cross on their foreheads, and the ensign of -Christ (that is, the figure of the cross, on the first banner) was carried before the legions. (Prudent. 1. 2. adv. Symmachum, p. 710.) Our poet took hence occasion to write two books against Syramachus, which are a spirited, learned, and elegant confutation 'of idolatry. In the conclusion, he ex- horts Honorius to abolish the combats of the gladiators, and not suffer crimes and murders to serve for pastime aiMl pleasure; as his father Theodosius had forbid the less crimi- nal combats of bulls. Honorius soon after effectually put an end to those inhuman diversions. The Enchiridion of Prudentius is an abridgment of the sacred history in verses which had before been the subject of the poems of Juvencus and Sedulins. The most famous work of Prudentius is his book 5r6j^ rrg- ^xvojVf or on the crowns of martyrs, consisting of fourteen hymns. Le Clerc, the learned French protestant critic, p. 310. makes the following observation on this work: " Jt clearly appears from several places in these hymns that Christians prayed to martyrs at that time, and believed that they were appointed patrons of some places by God. 5 Certain Protestant writers, who fancy that the tradition of the I four or five first centuries ought to be joined wfth the I scripture, have denied that the saints were prayed to in the fourth centpry. But they should not have framed a national system before they were well instructed in faots, since they may be convinced of this by several places out of Pruden- tius. Thus in the first hymn, which is in praise of two : martyrs of Calaborra, be says, (v. 10.) Exteri necnon et ■.orbis., &c. ' Strangers come hither in crowds, because fame has published through the whole world that the patrons of ^ the world (patronos mundi) are here, whose favour may be ' sought by praters. Nobody ever oflered here pure supplica- tions in vain. Whoever came to pray to them, perceiving all his holy requests were granteii him, went away ful of joy, haying wiped away his tears.* These martyrs are so > solicitous to intercede for us, thut they suffer not that they \ should be prayed to in vain. Whether it be done with a loud 234 ST. EULALIA, V. M. [dEC. 10. i usually fill tlie minds of yoiiiifr persons had no 1 . charms for her, and every day of her life made an I ; addition to her virtues, i . She was but twelve years old when the bloody or a low voice, they hear it, and report it to the ears of the Eternal Kinif. Thence plentiful gifts flow bountifully from the fountain itself on earth. — Christ never denied any thing to his martyrs.' Those who desire more proofs," says I^e Clerc, " need only read hymn ii. v. 457. iii. 311. iv. 17.^. 196. v. 64o. ix. 97. X. 139. xiv, 124." The works of St. Pnnlinus, ^ . St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, St Austin, St. Basil, St. Chrysos- toni, &c. demonstrate this to have been the doctrine and practice of the Church in the fourth and fifth ages, l.e Clerc also takes notice that Prudentius complains that time and the malice of the idolaters had destroyed abundance of acts of martyrs, hymn i. v. 73. and that he testifies Rome was full of the tombs of martyrs. Hymn ii. v. 541. hymn xi. v, 158. The same critic observes, p. 316. that the custom of '■■■^ filling churches with images was practised in Italy in ( Prudentius's time, as is clear from his hymn ix. on St. Cassian. (v. 9.) and hymn xi. on St. Hippolytus, (v. 123.) / On this latter passage Le Clerc makes the following remark: " It ought to be observed that upon that grave there was a table, or an altar, on which they celebrated the eucharist, (v. 170.) so that the image was placed precisely upon the altnr where they are wont to place images now in the Church of Rome " Le Clerc, Lives of Primitive Fathers, in Pru- dentius, p. 316. 317. Prudentius mentions with great respect the sign of the t cross, tl)e frequent use of which he strongly recommends, as f chasing away infernal fiends. (Cath. hym. vi. v. 129. 133, > &c ) in describing the labarum, or military ensign, insti- ( tuted by Constantine, he mentions that a cross was wrought in the banner, or painted upon the flag or streamer, and also / that a figure of the cross in solid gold was set upon the shaft, (in Symmach 1. \. v. 406. 488.) The best editions of Prudentius's works are those o.f Weitzius, Nich. Heinsius Cellarius, Elzevir, and F. Chamillard, for the use of the dauphin of France. The most perfect sentiments of Christian virtue are ex- pressed in his poems; and Erasmus declares that, for the sanctity and sacred erudition which are displayed in his -writings, he deserves to be ranked among the gravest doc- tors of the Church. Prudentius wrote his Cathemerinon in the fifty-seventh year of his age, as he declares in his preface: in which he enumerates all his othei works, except DEC. lO.J ST. EULALIA, V. M. 235 edicts of Dioclesian were issued, by which itt ■was ordered tliat all persons, without exception ■ of ii^e, sex, or profession, should be compelled to offer sacrifice to the gods of the empire. Eulalia, young as she was, took the publication of this order for the signal of battle; but her mother, observing her impatient ardour for mar- tyrdom, carried her into the country. The saint found means to make her escape by night, and after much fatigue arrived at Merida before break of day. As soon as the court sat, the same morning, she presented herself before the cruel judge, whose name was Dacianus, and reproach- ed him with impiety in attempting to destroy sonls, by compelling them to renounce the only true God. The governor commanded her to be seized, and first employing caresses, represented to her the advantages which her birth, youth, and fortune gave her in the world, and the grief which her disobedience would bring to her parents. Then he had recourse to threats, and caused the most dreadful instruments of torture to be placed before her eyes, saying to her, '* All this you shall escape if you will but touch a little salt and frankincense with the tip of your finger." Provoked at these seducing flatteries, she threw down the idol, trampled upon the cake which was laid for the sacrifice, and, as Prudentius re- lates, spat at the judge: an action only to be ex- . cused by her youth and inattention under tlie in- j fluence of a warm zeal, and fear of the snare ! the Enchiridion. How long he survived is uncertain. Ecclesiastical writers and some compilers of the lives if saints, give him the title of saint, thour^h his name occurs not in the IMartyrologies. See Ills works, and the notes col- lected by Weitzius, Cellarius, and F. Chamillard ; also his life compiled by Aldas Minutius, Geor geration and spleen; though sometimes extraor- j dinary entertainments were probably given by ) the Church. However, some appearance of pomp ) and state was certainly then made, since, as Sjt. ? Jerom reports,3 Praetextatus, an eminent pagaji \ senator who was afterward prefect of Rome, said f to pope Damasus, " Make me bishop of Rome, | and 1 will be a christian to-mori'ow." Power| alone is a snare to ambitions and worldly men ; 1 and a danger inseparable from exalted stations 5 I \ yet all such things are rather an o]5ject of dread i \ to those clergymen whose hearts are disengaged | ^ from the world; and riches in their hands are only the patrimony of Christ, instruments of cha- rity. The reflection, however, of this heathen shows how necessary Christian modesty is to recommend the spirit of the gospel. Damasus ? certainly deserved not to fall under his censure. 4 For St.* Jerom, the great admirer of this holy > pope, severely inveighs against the luxury and | state which some ecclesiastics at Rome affected,4 | ^ which he would never have done if it had been a, i Satire on his patron; at least he v/as too sincere j 1 Amtr. ep. 11. 2 In Chron. &c. 3 St. Hier. ep. 61. ad Pammaeli. c. 3. St, Hier. ep. 61. ad Pammaoh. c. 3. DEC. 11.] ST. DAMASUS, P. C. 241 to have continued his admirer. Moreover, in 370, / . Valentinian, to repress^he scandalous conduct of j ecclesiastics, who persuaded persons to bequeath ) estates or legacies to the Church, in prejudice of I their heirs, addressed a law to l)amasus, forbid- i' L ding the clergy or monks to frequent the houses { of orphans and widows, or to receive from them < any gift, legacy, or feoffment in trust. This edict / / pope Damasus caused to be read in all the v .churches of Rome, and he was very severe in / '"putting the same in execution, so as to give great offence to some unworthy persons who, on that ; account, went over to the schismatics; but some , time after returned to their duty. Baronius thinks this law was enacted at the request of the ■ pope, because it was addressed to him. At least ; . it was certainly approved by him, and was not j, f less agreeable to him than just in itself. It appears by St. Damasus's fifteenth poem, that having escaped all dangers and persecutions,! in thanksgiving he made a pilgrimage to St. Felix's I shrine at Nola, and there hung up this votiv( ^: poem, and performed his devotions.2 • Arianism reigned in the East under the protec- tion of Valens, though vigorously opposed by I many pillars of orthodoxy, as St. Athanasius, St. Basil, &c. In the West it was confined to JMilau | and Pannonia. Utterly to extirpate it in that part of the world, pope Damasus, in a council at Rome in .BG8, condemned Ursacius and Valens, famous Arian bishops in Pannonia; and in auo- . ther in 370, Auxentius of Milan. The schism of { Antioch fixed the attention of the whole Church. \ 1 Carm. J5. p. 2S0. See Murntori, Not. in Carm. Paulini xi. v. 11. ct diss. 18. Ferrarius, De Nol. Ccemet. c. lO. Marenda, an. 3G8. p. 15. ;2 The emperor Gratian, in 3/8, passed several laws in favour of tV.e authority of bishops, and remitted to the pope the decision of the causea of all bishops- Newton (in Daniel Prophet, c. 8. and in Apoc. c. 3.) pretends this law to have been the original of the papal authority, and the eleventh horn of Daniel, which is to precede tlie day of judg- ment. Nothing; can be more contradictory or more ab&iird'than tlte comments of fanatics upon the divine prophecies. 242 ST. BAMASUS, P. C. [dec. 11. Meletiiis had been ordained upon the expulsion of St. Eustathiiis, whom the Arians had banished; Panlinns was acknowledged by the zealous Catho- licsa called Eustatliians, because, during the life of St. Eustathius, they would admit no other bishop. St. Basil, and other orientals, being well informed of the orthodox faith of St. Meletius, adhered to him; but Damasus, with the western prelates, held communion with Paulinus, suspect- ing the orthodoxy of Meletius on account of the doubtful principles of some of those by whom he was advanced to the see. Notwithstanding this | ^lisagreementa these prelates were careful to pre- ] serve the peace of Cinist with one another. The heresy of Appollinarius or Apollinaris caused a greater breach. ApoUinarius, the lather, taught grammar first at Berj^tus, afterward at Laodicea in Syria, where he married, and had a son of the same name, who was brought up to learning, had a good genius well improved by studies, and taught rhetoric in the same town; and both embracing an ecclesiastical state, the father was priest, and the son reader in that church at the same time. The younger of these was chosen bishop of Laodicea in 362. When Julian the Apostate forbade Christians to read the classics, the two Apollinariuses composed very beautiful hymns in all sorts of verse on the sacred history and other pious subjects; which are lost, except a para- phrase on the psalms in hexameter verse. In these poems the3'' began to scatter the poison of certain errors, which were condemned by St. Athanasius, in his council at Alexandria, in 360, but the author was not then knoAvn. St. Athana- j sius wrote against these errors, without naming? the author, in 362. In the council which Dama- ? sus held at Rome in 374, the same conduct was > observed. But the obstinacy of the bishop Apol- > linarius appearing incurable, from that time his ( name was no longer spared. He was anathematized ^ DEC. 11.] ST. DAMASUS, P. C. 243 first by pope Damasus at Rome. The heresiarcli | lived to a great age, and died in his impiety. His capital errors cousisted in this, that he said . Christ had not assumed a human understanding (vaff or soul) but only the flesh, that is, the body and a sensitive soul, such as beasts have; and that the divine person was to him instead of v a soul or human understanding; for -which he | insisted upon those words, the Word ivas made | /iesh; and he pretended that the human soul I being the foimtain of sin, it was not fitting that | Christ should assume it. In this erroneous sys- | tern it followed that Christ was not made man, 1 having only taken upon him a body, the least ^ part of human nature. Apolliuarius also taught, .1^ that the body of Christ came from heaven, was / impassible, and descended into the wOmb of the Virgin Mary, was not born or formed of her; also, that Christ only suffered and died in apperance.l He likewise revived the Millenarian heresy, and advanced certain errors about the Trinity. His followers chose Vitalis, one of his disciples, bishop i of their sect at Antioch, and called Timothy, ano- j ther of his disciples, patriarch of Alexandria. \ The decrees of pope Damasus against this heresi- \ arch were received in a council held at Alexan- { dria, in another at Antioch, and in the general council at Constantinople in 381. Illyricum in that age comprised all Greece and several other provinces near the Danube. The emperor Gratian, in favour of Theodosius, yield- ed up Eastern Illyricum, that is, Greece and} Dacia, to the Eastern emi:>ire; the popes main-f tained that this country still belonged to the Western patriarchate, and reserved to themselves the confirmation of its bishops and other patri- archal rights. St. Damasus appointed St. Ascho- 1 S. Greg. Kaz. ep. ad Cledon. p. 747. et Or. 52. St. Epiph. Jirer. 77. S. Basil, ep. 293. p. 1060, Thecdoret, Hist. 1, 6. c. 10. gozo- inea, &c. 244 ST. DAMASUSj F. C. [dEC. 11. lius, bishop of Theesalonica, (who frequently pre- served Macedon from the Goths with no other arms but his prayers,) his vicar over those Churches, and in a letter to liim, which is yet ex- taut, gave him strict charge to be watchful, that nothing should be done in the Church of Constan- tinople prejudicial to the faith, or against the canons: and he condemned the illegal intrusion of Maximus the Cynic into that important see. When Nectarius was chosen archbishop of Con- stantinople, Theodosius sent deputies to Rome* to entreat pope Damasus to confirm his election.! When St. Jerom accompanied St. Epiphanius and St. Paulinus of Antioch to Rome^ Damasus de- tained him till his death, three years after, near his person, employing him in quality Of secretary^ to write his letters, and answer consultations. This pope, avIio was himself a very learned man, and well skilled in the holy scriptures, encouraged St. Jerome in his studies. That severe and holy doctor calls him "an excellent man;"2 and in another place, 3 ** an incomparable person, learn- ed in the scriptures, a virgin doctor of the virgin Church, who loved chastity, and heard its eulo- giums with pleasure." Theodoret calls him the celebrated Damasus54 and places him at the head of the famous doctors of divine grace in the Latin Churc]i.'^> The oriental bishops in 4B1, profess that they follow the holy example of Damasus, Basil, Athanasius, Ambrose, and others who have been eminent for their learning. The general council of Chalcedon styles Damasus, for his piety, the Iionour and glory of Rome.6 Theodoret says, "He was illustrious by his holy life, and 1 Bonifacins, ep. ad episc. Macedon. Cobc. t. 4. p. 1708. 2 S. Hier. ep. ad Eiistocb, 3 Id. ep. 30. p. '240. 4 Theodoret, ep. 144. 5 Ep. 145. C Cone. t. 4. DEC. 11.] ST. DAMASUSj P. C. 245 ready to preach, and to do all things in defence of the apostolic doctrine."i This pope rebuilt or at least repaired the cniircn of St. Laurence, near Pompey's theatre, Avhere he had ofliciated al ter his father, and which to this day is called from St. Laurence, in Damaso. He beautified it with paintings of sacred history, which "were remaining four hundred years afterward.2 He presented it with a paten of silver weighing fifteen pounds, a wrought vessel of ten pounds weight, five silver chalices weighing three pounds each, five silver sconces to hold wax lights, of eight pounds each, and candlesticks of brass, of sixteen pounds weight. He also settled upon it several houses that were near the church, and a piece of land.^ St. Damasus lil^ewise drained all the springs of the Vatican which ran over the bodies that were buried there, and he decorated the sepulchres of a great number of martyrs in the cemeteries, and adorned them with epitaphs in verse, of which a collection of almost forty is extant.4 " Some of these belong not to him; those which are his work, are distinguished by a pecu- liar j^legance and elevation, and justify the con* llemi^ation which St. Jerom gives to his poetical genius. In the few letters of this pope wliich w^e 1 Tliood. Hist. 1. .0. c. 2. 2 Adrian. 1. ep. Cone. t. 7. 3 Anast. in. I'ontif. 4 Tlie epitaphs on St. Maur, (a cliiltl martyred a little befoPB St. Chrysaiitliii.s:,) on Sfc. Panl, SS. Marcellinus and Peter, St. Saturninua, SS. Protus and Hyacintlnis, St. Laurence, St. MarceUus, St. Eusebins, St. Mark, pope, St. Eutychius, fuc. are acknowledged to be liis. Me- renda (p. 13G.) coiilirnis the conjectnre of Vossius, Colomcsius, juid Ur. Cave, vho upon the authority of good M.SS. and other [apuments of •weight, attribute to pope 3)aiTiasus tiie sir.all pions Christian poenii vhich have been printed aniODR the Avorlcs cf Chwidian the poet, llie }>ontifie{il Avliich bcais the name of P.iniasus, cei-tainly derives very ittle, if any thing, from liis pen, is written in a low flat style, and seenia the -work of several hands. It is quoted by Wulafiidus Strabo, Bcde, Eabanus Manrus, &c. consequently is older tluin Anastasius the Bi'blio- tliecarian, thougl) it perhaps received from him Boine additions. Se« on tliis Pontifical Orsi, Berti, and Fabricius in BiMioth. ijxt. med. et infim. eetat. Uis forty Latin piecefi of poetry are rei ublishcd by Mat- take ia his Corpus Poetatua), \Q 12 246 ST. DAMASUSj P. C. [dec. 11. have in the editions of the conncils, out of the great number which he wrote, it appears that he was a man of genius and taste, and wrote with • elegance. The ancients particularly commend his constancy in maintaining the purity of our , holy faith, the innocence of his manners, his Chris- 1 tian humility, his compassion for the poor, his | piety in adorning holy places, especially the] tombs of the martyrs, and his singular learning. / Having sat eighteen years and two months, , he ^ died on the 1 0th of December in 384, being near fourscore years of age. A pontifical kept in the : Vatican library, quoted by Merenda, says, that i the saint burning with an ardent desire to be / dissolved, and be with Christ, he was seized with 1 a fever, and having received the body and blood * of the Lord, lifting up his eyes and hands to ; heaven, he expired in devout prayer. His inter- cession is particularly implored in Italy by persons that are sick of fevers.l He was buried near his mother and sister, in an oratory which he had built and adorned at the catacombs near the Ardeatin Way, between that road and tlie cemetery of Calixtus or Prsetextatus. Marango- nus describes his sepulchre and those of his mother and sister, as they were discovered in the year 1736.2 Learning, the great accomplishment and im- provement of the human mind, is often made its i bane. This sometimes happens by the choice, ' ; which'a man makes of his studies, and much oftener by the manner in which he pursues them. As to the choice, there is no sloth more trifling , or vain than the studies of some learned men; to ( whom we may apply what Plato said to the chario- teer, whose dexterity in the circus stnick the spectators with rstonishment. But the philoso- 1 Fotiaeca, 1. 1. c. 16. Merenda, ad an. 304. p, 138. 2 Marangonxis in Commentariis ad Chrenologiaiv Ro«MM1orurai Pontic ficum in picturia Ostiensii? basilicw superstitem^ DEC. 11.] ST. DAMASUS, P. C. 247 pher declared he deserved to be publicly clias- 1 tised for the loss of so much time as was ne- 1 cessary for liim to have attained that dexterity / in so trifling and useless an exercise. A per- | fejct .Imgwledge of our own, and some foreign | and learned languages, is a necessaiy instrument, | and a key to much useful knowledge, but of little ? use if it be not directed to higher purposes. Holy / David, St. Ambrose, St. Damasus, Prudentius, St. I Paulinus, and many others consecrated poetry to / the divine praises. The belles lettres in all theiiv / branches, give an elegance to a man's mind and / thoughts, and help us to communicate with dig- nity our most useful knoAvledge to others. But if made an employment of life, especially when i the proper studies or occupations of a state ought | to have banished them, they become a pernicious i idleness, and so much entertam the heart as to f ruin devotion and the taste of duties, and to ' occupy our reason in trifles. They are particu- larly condemned by the fathers and councils, in clergymen, as trespassing upon their obligations and destructive of the spirit of their profession. Logic gives a justness and clearness to our \ thoughts, teaches accurate reasoning, and exceed- > ingly improves the judgmen.]i and other faculties j: of the mind. Yet, if its i-ules are made too prolix * I or ^un into refined subtilties, they puzzle and ; confound the understanding. The same is to be 5 said of metaphysics, which ought properly to be I , c'dlied the generals of science: a just acquaintance with which is, above all other studies and accom- 1 plishments, the means of improving the mind to I the highest perfection, especially its ruling J faculty, the judgment, and fitting it for success i and accuracy in all cfOier sciences and arts. The # principles of Aristotle in logic and metaphysics / aa-e solid, exact, complete, and far preferable to ? / all others; but the exposition must be concise, methodical, i)rofound, infinitely accurate, clear, J 248 SS. FUSCIAN, See. MM. t^EC. 11. elegant, or free from a Gothic dress, which dis- figures tlie best attainments, and is the character- istic of barbarism. Slcill in useless knotty prob- lems or questions wliich some start is compared by an elegant writer to a passion for breaking hard stones with a man's teeth, merely to show their goodness. All studies, be they ever so methodi- callj' conducted and regulated, must, in imitation of t]ie saints, be directed to a holy end and serious purpose, and sanctified by a life of prayer. If fondness for any science degenerates into passion, it becomes a dangerous and vicious I branch of curiosity, drains the heart, hinders I holy meditation and prayer, captivates the I sonl, and produces all the disorders of inordinate Fpassions. SS. FUSCIAN, VICTORICUS, AND GENTIAN, MM. ' FusciAN and Victoricus were two apostolical men who came to preach the faith in Gaul about the same time with St. Dionysius of Paris. They penetrated to the remotest parts of that king- dom, and at length made Terouenne the seat of their mission." Going back to Amiens, where llictius Varus persecuted the Christians with more than savage barbarity, they lodged with one Gentian, who was desirous to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. He informed them that St. Quintin had lately glorified God by martyrdom. They were soon after apprehended with their charitable host, and all three died for Christ about the year 287. See their Acts quoted hy Ado, and the Chronicle of St. Bertin'e, etc- tant in jRosquet,!. 4. On the translation of their relics, see Mabillon, saec. 4. Ben. and Gallia Christiana. Their bodies Avere found laid in coflins in the villngc Sama, now ciilled St. Fusieu, i. e. St. Fuscian's, ia a garden. St. Honoratus, then bishop of Amiens, translated them into the cathedral. Childebert II. at that time king, gave to the church of Aniieiis the loyal village Magie, about the year 580, DEC. II.] 249 ST. DANIEL, THE STYLITE, C. Though a love of singularity is vicious, and always founded in pride, sometimes extraordi- nary paths of virtue may be chosen in a sjnrit of \ fervour and humble simplicity, which is dis-j covered by the efi'ects. And true virtue is always | so far sinj^ular that it is raised above, and essen* j tially distinn^uished from, the manners of the ; crowd, which ever walks in the broad way, and runs'counter to the rules of the gospel, by which . a Christian is bound to square his conduct. The ; manner of living which a Simeon and a Daniel Stylites chose by an extraordinary inspiration and impulse of true piety and fervour, is only to be considered by us as an object of admiration; but the ardour, humility, and devotion with which tliey pursued the means of their sanctifi- cation, are imitable by all Christians. Daniel was a native of the town of Maratha near Samosata; at twelve years of age he retired into a neighbouring monastery, where, with astonish- ing fervour, he embraced all the means of per- fection. A long time after, his abbot going to Antioch about the affairs of the Church, carried Daniel with him, and passing by Telanissa, went to see St. Simeon on his pillar. That saint suf- fered Daniel to come up to him, gave him his blessing, and foretold that he would suffer much for Jesus Christ. The abbot dying soon after, tlic monks would have put Daniel in his place, but lie declined it, and returning to see St. Simeon, con- tinued fourteen days in the mandra,J or monas- tery, which was near his pillar. He afterward undertook a journey to the Holy Land; but St. Simeon appeared to him on the way, and ordered him to steer his course toward Constan- tinople, v/hich he did. He passed seven days iu 1 Mandra, in Syriac, signifies a BhepUeicI'e tent; and was used lor a clusiei: p£ i^aWfi, 250 ST. DANIEL, C. [dec. 11. the church of St. Michael without the walls of that city; then nine years at Philempora in a ruinous abandoned little temple. After this term he resolved to imitate the man- ner of life of which St. Simeon had set the exam- ple, wliose cowl he had obtained of that saint's disciple Sergius after his death in 459. St Daniel chose a spot in the neighbouring desert mountains toward the Euxine sea, four miles by sea, and seven by land, from Constantinople toward the north. A friend erected him a pillar, which con- sisted of two pillars fastened together with iron bars; whereon another lesser pillar was placed on the top of which was fixed by other friends a kind of vessel somewhat like a half-barrel, on! which he abode, encompassed by a balustrade.i The country of Thrace were he lived, was subject to high wdnds, and very severe frc-sts; so that his penance was more surprising than that of St. Simeon. The lord of the ground, about the year 463, built him a second pillar, which was stronger and higher than the first. When the saint took his rest he supported himself against the balus- trade of his pillar. But by continually standing, his legs and feet were swollen, and full of ulcers and sores. One winter he was found so stiff with cold that his disciples, having soaked some sponges in warm water, ascended the column, and mbbed him therewith to bring him to himself. This did not oblige him to leave his pillar, where he lived till he was fourscore years old. With- out descending from it, he was ordained priest by Gennadius, bishop of Constantinople, Avho having read the preparatory prayers at the bottom of the pillar, went up to the top of it to finish the rest of the ceremony, and the saint said mass on the top of the pillar; and the first time adminis- tered the communion to the patriarch. After- 1 Theodor. lector, 1. 1. p, 654. Vit rVm c. 28, 31, DEC. 11.] ST. DANIEL, C. 251 ward many frequently received the communion* at his hands. In 465 a great fire happened at 4 Constantinople, which consumed eight of its? regions. St. Daniel had foretold it, and advised ^ the patriach Gennadius, and the emperor Leo, to j i prevent it by ordering public prayers to be said i / twice a- week; but no credit was given to him. |- » The event made them remember it, and thei f people ran in great haste to his pillar. The saint, I ) moved with their affliction, burst into tears, and I advised them to have recourse to prayer and \ / fasting. Stretching out his hands to heaven, he ] 7 prayed for them. By his prayers he obtained i '} a son for the emperor Leo, who frequently visited, \ Vand greatly respected him; but this son died | ^ young, God rather choosing that he should reign in heaven than on earth. Leo caused a small I monastery to be built near the saint's pillar for 'j his disciples. Gubas,king of the Lazi,in Colchis, coming to renew his alliance with the Romans, ' the emperor carried him to see St. Daniel, as the wonder of his empire. The barbarian king pros- trated himself with tears before the pillar, and the holy man was umpire of the treaty between the two princes. Gubas being returned to his own do- minions, wrote often to St. Daniel, recommending himself to his prayers. This prince built a third pillar for the saint, adjoining to the other two, in such manner that the middle pillar was the lowest, that the saint might retire upon it for shelter in violent stormy weather: the saint also acquiesced : that the emperor Leo should cause a roof to be made over the standing-place on the top of his i pillar. Unsavoury herbs and roots were St. I i Daniel's ordinary diet, and he often fasted some I I days without sustenance. God honoured him ^ with the spirit of prophecy and the gift of mira- les. The sick, whom he often caused to come up his pillar, he frequently cured by laying his ■ hands upon them, or by anointing them with the ] 252 ST. DANIEL, C. [dec. II, oil of the saints, as it is called in his life; by wliich we are to understand the oil which burnt before the relics of the saints, in the same manner as St. Sabas cured many v/ith the oil of tlie cross. The instructions which St. f Daniel usually gave to those that resorted to him, X wrought the conversion of many sinners; for his ^ / words penetrated their hearts, and being enforced / by the example of his penitential life, wero wonderfully powerful in bringing others into tlie narrow path of penance and true virtue. Certain ; persons had his image made of silver, which they placed in St, Michael's church not far distant from his pillar. St. Daniel foretold Zeno that God would pre- serve him in a certain dangerous expedition ; also, i that he should succeed liis father-in-law Leo in ^ I the empire, but should lose it for some time, and ^ i at last recover it again. The emperor Leo died in •' January, 474, and Zeno was saluted emperor; ' , ; but openly abandoned himself to vice as if it had ^1 been the privilege of the imperial dignity to ac~ I count nothing unlawful or dishonourable. Whil.st \ the Huns plundered Thrace, and the Arabs the liEast, he completed the ruin of his people by I tyrannical oppressions. Having quarrelled with ( his mother-in-law, Vei'ina, the widow of his I j)rcdGcessor, he saw himself abandoned, and i fled into Isauria his own country, in the year 475, ■ the second of his reign. Basiliscus, brother to the empress Verina, usurped the throne, but was a proHigate tyrant, and declared himself publicly ^ tlie protector of the Eutychians. He resto'cd ' ^ Timothy Elurus, Peter the Fuller, and other ringleaders of that heresy; and by a circular letter addressed to all the bishops, ordered the acts of tlie council of Chalcedon and the letter ol ^ \ St. Loo to be every where anathematized and > burnt, condemning the bishops and clerks to be % deposed, and the monks and laymen banished, DEC. 11. J ST. DANIEL, 253 who should refuse to subscribe his letter, or sliould dare to make mention of the council of Chalcedon. The holy pope Simplicius wrote strenuously to the tyrant against these proceed- ings,! also to Acacius, patriarch of Constantinople, ciiarging him as his legate to oppose the rc-estab- Jishment of Timothy at Alexandria, and forbid- . , ding mention to be made against the definitions of the council of Chalcedon. Acacius refused to ', subscribe the tyrant's letter, put on mourning, > covered the pulpit and altar of his church with ) blade, and sent to St. Daniel Stylites, to acquaint ) him with what the emperor had don e. Basiliscus, on his side, sent to him to complain of Acacius, whom he accused of raising a rebellion in the city [ against him. St. Daniel replied, that God would | overthrow his government, and added such vehe--^ ment reproaches, that he w^ho was sent durst not t report them, btit besought the saint to write them, ^ and to seal the letter. The patriarch 'having U assembled several bishops, in his own and their ( name, sent twice, in the most lU'gent manner, to ( entreat Daniel to come to the succour of the^ Church. At length the saint, though with re-/ luctance, came down from his pillar, and was re- / ceived by the patriarch and bishops with incre-/ dible joy. Basiliscus being frighted at the up-i roar which was raised in the city, retired to Heb- i, domum, whither the saint followed him. Not { being able to walk for the sores in his legs and \ feet, he was carried by men, piety ])aying to his jf penance on that occasion the honour which the w^orld gave to consuls. The guards would not , suffer St. Daniel to enter tiie palace, Avho there- t upon shook off the dust from his feet, and re- / turned to the city. The tyrant was terrified, ^ w^cnt himself to the saint, and threw himself at his feet^ begging pardon, and promising to ani^ul -> I Oono. t. 4, 10/0. Simplic, ep. 4. 254 ST. DANIEL, C. [DEC. 11. his former edicts. The saint threatened him with ,^ the thunderbolts of the divine anger, and said to T f those who stood by: "This feigned humility is V only an artifice to conceal designs of cruelty. I You shall very soon see the power of God, who pulls down the mighty." Having thus foretold ) i f the fall of Basiliscus, and performed several mira- ? ( cles, he returned to the top of his pillar where ) f he lived eighteen years longer. Elurus recovered ) f the see of Antioch, and Peter the Fuller that of ' } Alexandria, and Eutychianism was every where j: encouraged. But Zeno after twenty months i returned with an army from Isaima, and Basilis- H cus fled to the church, put his crown upon the l * altar, and took sanctuary in the baptistery, to- |S gether with his wife and son. Zeno sent them to )\ a castle in Cappadocia, where they were starved l^, to death. One of the first things which the em- $ peror did after his return was to pay a visit to St. k Daniel Stylites, who had foretold both his banish- ^'f ment and his restoration. f The saint when fourscore years old, foretold ; his own death, and caused a short exhortation to { ' be written which he left his disciples, whom he f , / commended to God,^ and admonished to practise ) V humility, obedience, hospitality, and mortifica- % ? tlon; to love poverty, maintain constant peace ) and union, study always to advance holy charity, ( \ shun the tares of heresy, and obey the Church, ( i our holy mother. Three days before his death : \ he offered the holy sacrifice at midnight, and ') was visited by angels in a vision. The patriarch Euphemius assisted him in his last moments, ' and he died on his pillar about the year 494, on the 11th of December, the day which is > sacred to his memory both in the Latin and Greek Calendars. See his life carefully compiled in the sixth century, quoted by St. John Damascen, somewhat adulterated as extant in Metaphrasteo and Surius, DEC. 12,] 255 DECEMBER XII. SS. EPIMACHUS AND ALEXANDER, &c. MARTYRS. f From St. Dionysius of Alexandria, in Eusebius, Hist. 1. 6. c. 41 A. D. 250. Whilst the persecution set on foot by Deciust raged with the utmost violence at Alexandria | h , in 250, and the magistrates were very industrious \p \ and active in searching for Christians, Alexander! ' and Epimachus fell into their hands, and upon; confessing the name of Jesus Christ, were loaded, / with chains, com^mitted to prison, and suffered' i f all the hardships of a long and rigorous confine- "1 nient. Remaining the same after this severe trial ; of their faith and patience, they were beaten with \ [? clubs, their sides were torn with iron hooks, and^t I they consummated their martyrdom by fire. St. (Dionysius, ai'chbishop of that city, and an eye-' I witness of some part of their sufferings, gives j 1 us this short account of their sufferings, and also *' t'makes mention of four mai'tjnrs of the other sex, ] who were crowned on the same day, and at the „ same place, Ammonarium, the first of tliem, a \ virgin of irreproachable life, endured unheard-of torments without opening her mouth, only to ' declare that no arts or power should ever prevail with her to let drop the least word to the pre- judice of her holy profession. She kept her promise inviolably, and was at length led to I execution, being, as it seems, beheaded. The / \ second of these holy women was named Mercuria, 1 a person venerable for her age and virtue; the \ third was Dionysia who, though a tender mother \ 256 SS» EPIMACIIUS, &C. MM. [DEC. 12, of many cliildren, clieerfiilly commended tliem to God, and preferred his holy love to all human considerations; the fourth was another Ammo- narimn. The judge blushing to see himself shame- fully bathed and vanquished by the first of these V female champions, and observmg the hke forti- % L tude and resolution m the countenances of the ij trest, commanded the other three to be beheaded 41 ilwithout more ado. They are all commemorated / tjin the Roman Martyrology on this day. ' To place the virtue of the Christian martyrs in its j C*'true light, we have but to consider it as contrast-^'! , ing the pretended heroism of the greatest sages | ^ of paganism. The martyr's constancy is founded > , > in humility, and its motive is the pure love of " God, and perfect fidelity to his holy law. He f regards himself as a weak reed; therefore God ; f strengthens him, and by his grace makes him an j I unshaken pillar. The martyr considers himself ■ as a base sinner, who deserves to suffer the death lie is going to endure: he looks upon his mar- tyrdom as the beginning of his penance, not as y_ I the consummation of his virtue; and he is per- "' t i euaded that whatever he can suffer falls short of I what he deserves: that it is the highest honour 5 ) of which ho is infinitely unworthy, to be called to > I make a sacrifice to God of his life and all that he : f has received of his bounty, to give so pregnant I a testimony of his fidelity and love, to be rende- r ed conformable to Christ, and to die for his sal who, out of infinite mercy and love, laid down hi . ^ most precious life, and suffered the most cruel y I torments, and the most outrageous insults and ) V affronts for us: he calls it the greatest happiness to redeem eternal torments by momentary sufFer- i-ings. Again, the martyr suffers with modesty i 1 and tender fortitude; he desires not acclama-| ^ tions, seeks no applause, thinks only that God is f ^ the spectator of his conflict, and flies the eyes of C ^ men, at least unle&s with a pure view that God > DEC. 12.] ST. FINIAN OR FINAN, C. 267 may be known and glorified through the testi- mony which he hears to his law and sovereign goodness and greatness. Lastly, he praises and thanks God amidst his torments; he feels no sen- timents of revenge, but tenderly loves, and earnestly prays for the prosperity of those by whose hands or unjust calumnies he suffers the most exquisite and intolerable pain, and is only i afflicted at the danger of their eternal perdition. ;r On the other side, the vain and proud philoso-l pher is puffed up in his own mind because heR suffers; he sets forth his pretended virtue andL constancy with a foolish grovelling ostenta-^* tion; he conceals his inward spite, rage, and despair under the hypocritical exterior of a fibrced and affected patience; he insults his enemies, or at least studies and wishes revenge.-:^ The boasted Cato dreaded and abhorred the sight of Csesar, and killed himself that he might not be presented before, or owe his life to, an enemy by / whom he was vanquished. A Christian hero ' would have appeared before him without either indignation or fear, and would have overcome liim by humility, meekness, patience, and charity. Socrates by the haughtiness of his looks despised and insulted his judges, and by the insolence of his behaviour, provoked them to condemn him; whereas the Christian " martyr affectionately embraces, loves, and i^rays for his tormentors, like St. Stephen under a shower of stones, and covered with Avounds and [tblood. ' ST. FINIAN, OR FINAN, d BISHOP OF CLUAIN-IRARD, QUALLED CLONARD,) IN ^ IRELAND. ^ Among the primitive teachers of the Irish Church 1 Fin, in Irish, signifies white, as does Gwin or Win in Wel»li. Scj |Jsh«r, p. 494, 258 ST. FINIAN OR FINAN, C. [dec. 12. the name of St. Finian is one of the most famous next to that of St. Patrick. He was a native of Leinster, "was instructed in the elements of Chris- tian virtue by the disciples of St. Patrick, and out of an ardent desire of making greater progress passed over into Wales, where he conversed with St. David, St. Gildas, and St. Catlimael, three eminent British saints. After having remained thirty years in Britain, about the year 520 he re- I turned into Ireland, excellently qualified by sanc- I tity and sacred learning to restore the spirit of re- ^ ligion among his countrymen, which had begun to 5 i decay. Like a loud trumpet sounding from hea-^ j ven, he roused the sloth and insensibility of the| ^ ; lukewarm, and softened the hearts that werer most hardened, and had been long immersed in \ worldly business and pleasure. To propagate the I work of God, St. Finian established several mon-/ asteries and schools; the chief of which was | Clonard in Meath, which was the saint's princi- pal residence. Out of his school came several oi the principal saints and doctors of Ireland, as Kiaran the Younger, Columkille, Columba the son of Crinthain, the two Brendans, Laserian, Canicus, or Kenny, Ruadan, and others. St. Finian was chosen and consecrated bishop of Clonard.l The great monastery which he erected at Clonard was a famous seminary of sacred learning.2 St. Finian in the love of his 1 Simon Roclifort, the last brshop of Clonard, (Translated this see to a monastery of Regular Oanons, which he built at Trim in honour of Sa. Peter and Paul, in 1209. He and his predecessor Eugenius first took the title of bishops of Meath ; to which two other sees were united about the thirteentli century, namely that of Kenlis, or Kells, where St. Columkille founded his monastery of Cells about the ye&r &bO, and that of Duleek, anciently called Damliag, which bishopric was founded by St. Cianan, who is konoured on the 24th of November, 2 The monastery of Regular Canons of St. Austin, wliich subsisted at Clonard till the dissolution of religious houses, was erected upon the ruins of St. Finian's abbey, in honour of St. Peter, by Walter Lacy, lord of Trim, son of the ambitious Hugh Lacy, who having "oonquered this country was made lord of Meath by Henry II. but afterward be- headed by one O'Meey, an Irishman, as he and O'Meey were mea- luriug the fosse •which Sturrounded the castle then erecting at DEC. 12.] ST. EADBURGE, A. 259 flock, and his zeal for their salvation, equalled tne Basils and the Chrysostoms, was infirm with the infirm, and wept with those that wept. He heal- ed the souls, and often also the bodies of those that applied to him. His food was bread and herbs, his drink water, and his bed the ground, with a stone for his pillow. He departed to our Lord on the 12th of December in 552, according to the Inisfallen Annals, quoted by Usher, but ac- cording to others in 564. See his life, publialied by Colgan, on the 23d of February. Usher, Ant. Brit. c. 18. p. 493. ST. COLUMBA, SON OF CRIMTHAIN, ^ ABBOT. He was a native of Leinster in Ireland, a disci- ple of St. Finian, and became a great master of a spiritual life. He founded and governed the monastery of Tyrdaglas in Munster, and died of a pestilence which raged in Ireland iu the year 548. St. Cormac, an ancient Irish saint, is mention- ed in the Calendars on this day as an abbot of eminent sanctity. Usher supposes him the same who paid a visit to St. Columkille, mentioned by Adamnan,!. 3, c. 117. St. CoLMAN, Abbot of Glendaloch, is also men- tioned this day in the Irish Calendar: he died in 659. See Colgan's MSS, SAINT EADBURGE, ABBESS OF MENSTREY, IN THE ISLE OF THANET. She there built a new church in honour of SS* Dairmagh, now called Durrow. See Littl»t(m'g Henry II, and Hat- ris'B Hib. 2G0 ST. VALERY, A. [dec. 12, Peter and Paul, into which she cansed the body of St. Mildrede, her immediate i)redecessor, to be translated. Her death hai)pened about the year 751, according to Thorne, quoted in the Monasti- con.l St. Eadburge seems to be the abbess of that name to whom St. Boniface sometimes ■wrote. Capgrave confeands her with St. Ethel- burge, (daughter of Ethelbert, king of Kent,) who, after the death of king Edwin her husband, consecrated herself to God, and died abbess of Lyming in Kent, toward the close of the seventh century. The relics of St. Eadburge were trans- lated to Canterbury in 1055, and there deposited in St. Gregory's church. St. Mildrede is honour- ed on the 20th of February. ST. VALERY, ABBOT. Tins saint was son to a gentleman of Auvergne, and in his childhood kept his father's sheep; but out of an ardent desire of improving himself in spiritual knowledge*, privately learned to read, and got the psalter by heart. He was yet young when he took the monastic habit in the neigh- bouring monastery of St. Antony. From the first day such was his fervour that in his whole con- duct lie appeared a living rule of perfection, and, by sincere humility, esteeming himself below all the world, he meekly and cheerfully subjected himself to every one. Seeking the most perfect means of advancing in the paths of all virtues, he passed from this house to the more austere mo- nastery of St. Germanus of Auxerre into which he was received by St. Aunarius, bishop of that church. The reputation of the penitential lives of the monks of Luxeu, and of the spiritual wis- dom of St. Columban, drew him afterward thither, and 1^ spent many years in that community, 1 Dugdale Monast, voL l. p. 84. DEC. 12.] ST. VALERY, A. 261 always esteeming himself an unprofitable ser- vant and a slothful monk, who stood in need of the severest and harshest rules and superiors; and, next to sin, he dreaded nothing so much as the applause of men or a reputation of sanctity. Upon the departure of St. Columban, the care of protecting the monastery from the oppressions of men in power was committed to St. Valery, till he was sent by St. Eustatius with Vandolen, a fellow-monk, to preach the gospel to idolaters. The two apostolic men travelled into Neustria, where king Clotaire II. gave them the territory of Leucone in Picardy, near the mouth of the river Somme. There, with the leave of Bertard, bishop of Amiens in 611, they built a chapel and two cells. St. Valery, by his preaching and the example of his virtue, converted many infidels, and assembled certain fervent disciples, with whom he laid the foundation of a monastery. His fasts he sometimes prolonged for six days, eating only on a Sunday ; and he used no other bed than twigs laid on the floor. His time was all em- ployed in preaching, prayer, reading, and manual labour. By this he earned something for the re- lief of the poor, and he often repeated to others, " The more cheerfully we give to those who are in distress, the more readily will God give us what we ask of him." The saint went to receive the recompense of his happy perseverance on the ; 12th of December in 622. He is honoured in i France on the 1st of April and on the 12th of De- ; c ember. From his cells a famous monastoi-y I rose, and a town which bears his name. His life I was carefully written in 660, by Raimbert, second [ abbot of Leucone from him.l See Mabillon, Act. Ben. t. 2. p. 76. and Annal. I. 11, n. 35, 1 The work of Raimbevt was abridged by an anonymous monk, by the order of an archbishop named Hugh. Rivet bIiows that thia Beems to have been Hugh archbishop of Rouen from 722 to 730. Th« original is lost ; but this abridgement, whicli Rivet proves to have 17 12 262 [dec, 12. ST. CORENTIN, C. FIRST BISHOP OF QUIMPER IN BRITTANY He was son of a British nobleman, and being educated in tlie fear of God, retired yoiinj^: into a forest in the parish of Ploe-Madiern, where he passed several yeai'S in holy solitude, and in the practice of great austerities. Marcellus, who subscribed the hrst council of Tours, and the several other bishops who canie over with the Britons into Armorica, liad continued to govern their flocks without any correspondence with the French, being strangers to their language and manners. These being all dead, it was neces- sary to procure a new succession of pastors. St. I Corentin Avas a^Dpointed bishop of Quimper or \ Quimmer, which, in the British language, sig- ' iiified a conflux of rivers, such being the situation ; of this place near the sea-coast. The cities of Hennes, Nantes, and Valines were reconquered j by Clovis I. and subject to him and his succes- ; sors, and only became again part of the dominions i of the Armorican Britons in the ninth century. French bishops therefore governed those sees, and even the Britons who were settled in those parts. But Lower Brittany was at that time in- dependent ; lirst under its kings, afterward under counts. The count of Cornouaille, (said in the legends to be Grallo I. who died about 445,) in imitation of Caradoc, count of Vannes, gave his \ Gwn palace at Q^uimper to serve the bishop, part [ ior his own house, and part for his cathedral. As >tow as in the year 14'24, under an old equestrian itatue in the lower part of the church, was read this inscrii)tion : Here ivas his palace. St. Corentin was consecmted by St. Martin at ■been marie Avith exactif.nde, (t. 3. p. 603.) is extant genuine in Mabillon (ssec 5. IJen.; and tlie BoUandists, (ad 1 Apr. p. 14.} but in Surius (ad 1 Apr.) the style is altered. DEC. 12.] ST. CORENTIN, B. C. 263 Tours, says the legend; but that holy prelate died about the year 307, and the first colony of the Britons Avas only settled by the tyrant Maximus inider their first kin^ Conan in 383, a,nd their last greatest colonies under Riwal or Hoel I. about the year 520, when they recovered under Childebert part of what Clovis had conquered. It seems therefore most probable that St. Corentin re- ceived the episcopal consecration from one of St. Martin's successors at Tours. He subscribed the council of Angers in 453, under the name of Charaton. Having long governed his church, worn out with his apostolic labours, he .orave up his soul to God before the end of the fifth cen- tury, probably on the 12th of December, on which his principal festival is celebrated at Quimper, Leon, St. Brieuc, Mans, &c. His name occurs in the English litany of the seventh century, pubUshed by Mabillon. (Annal.) His relics were removed to Marmoutier at Tours in 878, for fear of the Normans, and are still preserved there. See Dom, Morice, Hist, de I?ret. t. 1. p. 8. and note 13, 14, 19. Lobineau^ Vies des Saints de la Bretag. p. 5' Another St. Corentin, now called Cury, was honoured in Devonshire and Cornwall. He came from Litjtle Britain, and lived a hermit at the foot of Mount Menehent, which Parker, Drake, &c., take ibr Menehont in Devonshire. He preached to the inhabitants of the country with great fruit, and died in that place in 401. See Borlase, Ant. of Cornwall, &c. 264 [DEC. 13. DECEMBER XIII, SAINT LUC\% VIRGIN, MARTYR. /bridged from her Acts, older than St. Aldhehn, -who quoted them in ■ the seventh century. A. D. 304. The glorious virgin and martyr, St, Lucy, one of the brightest ornaments of the Church of Sicily, I was born of honourable and wealthy parents in * the city of Syracusa, and educated from her cra- dle in the faith of Christ. She lost her father in her infancy, but Eutychia, her mother, took sin- . gular care to furnish her with tender and sublime ; sentiments of piety and religion. By the early impressions which Lucy received, and the strong influence of divine grace, Lucy discovered no dis- position but toward virtue, and she was yet very young when she otfered to God the flower of her virginity. This vow, however, she kept a secret ; ? and her mother, who was a stranger to it, pressed i her to marry a young gentleman who was a pagan. { The saint sought occasions to hinder this design from taking effect; and her mother was visited with a long and troublesome flu:?^of blood, under which she laboured four years without finding any remedy by recourse to physicians. At length she was persuaded by her daughter to • go to Catana, and offer up her prayers to God for relief at the tomb of St. Agatha. St. Lucy ac- companied her thither, and their prayers were , successful. Hereupon our saint disclosed to her, i mother her desire of devoting herself to God in a> ^ state of perpetual virginity, and bestowing lier ; fortune on the poor; and Eutychia, in gratitude, ! left her at full liberty to pursue her pious inciina- ' tions The young nobleman with whom her DEC. 13.] ST. LUCY, V. M. 265 mother had treated about marrying her, came to understand this by the sale of her jewels and? goods, and the distribution of the price among | the poor, and in his rage accused her before the! governor Paschasius as a Christian, the persecu-J^ tion of Dioclesian then raging with the utmost *jj fury. The judge commanded the holy virgin to f be exposed to prostitution in a brothel-house; | but God rendered her immoveable, so that thel^ guards were not able to carry her thither. He i' also made her an overmatch for the cruelty of the ' persecutors, in overcoming fire and other tor- ments. After a long and glorious combat she died in prison of the wounds she had received, 'r about the year 304. She was honoured at Rome I in the sixth century amongst the most illus- trious virgins and martyrs, whose triumphs the Church celebrates, as appears from the Sacra- mentary of St. Gregory, Bede, and others. Her festival was kept in England till the change of religion, as a holiday of the second rank, in . which no work but tillage or the like was allow- ed. Her body remained at Syracusa for many years; but was at length translated into Italy, and j thence, by the authority of the emperor Otho I., ' to Metz, as Sigebert of Gemblours relates. It is there exposed to public veneration in a rich chapel of St. Vincent's church. A portion of her relics was carried to Constantinople, and brought thence to Venice, where it is kept with singular veneration. St. Lucy is often painted with the balls of her eyes laid in a dish ; perhaps her eyes were defaced or plucked out, though her present acts make no mention of any such circumstance. ■ In many places her intercession is i^articularly implored for distempers of the eyes. it is a matter of the greatest consequence what ideas are stamped upon the ductile minds of children, what sentiments are impressed on their hearts, and to what habits they are first formed. 266 ST. joDOc, c. [dec. 13* Let them be inured to little denials both in , tlieii' will and senses, and learn that pleasures 7, which gratify the senses must be guarded agamsf/, and used with great fear and moderation: for by them the taste is debauched, and the constitution of the soul broken and spoiled, much more fatally than that of the body can be by means contrary | to its health. Let them be taught that, as one of ^ the ancient philosophers said, Temioerance is the | highest luxury : for only its pleasures are easy, solid, and permanent. It is much easier to con- 1 quer than to satisfy the j^assions, which, unless 4 they are curbed by a vigorous restraint whilst 4 they are pliable, will be harder to be subdued. ^ Obstinacy, untractableness, sloth, and voluptuous-^ ness, are of all dispositions in youth the most daii-/ gerous. Children like tender osiers take the how. And as they first are fashioned always grow. , ' There are few Lucies now-a-days among Chris- 1 tian ladies, because sensuality, pride, and vanity i are instilled into their minds by the false maxims ^ and pernicious example of those with whom they I first converse. Alas! unless a constant watchful- ness and restraint produce and strengthen good habits, the inclinations of our soids lean of their own accord toward corruption. ST. JODOC OR JOSSE, C. Those Britons who, flying from the swords of the English- Saxons, settled in Armorica in Gaul, upon the ruins of the Roman empire in those parts, formed themselves into a little state on that coast, till they were obliged to receive the laws of the French. Judicael, commonly called Giguel, eldest son of Juthael, became king of TEC. 13. ST. JODOC, C. 267 ot Brittany about the year 6B0.1 This prince soon after renounced this perishable crov/n to labour more securely for the acquisition of an incorrup- 1 Conan is called the first prince of Lesser Brittany or Amorica, and is said to have died in 121, ia tiie reign of Tlieodosiiis the Younger: liaving founded the diocesses of Cornouaille or Quimper, and of Vaunes, Solomon I. his grandson succeeded him, and after thirteen , , years was murdered by liis own subjects, for his zeal in reforming | s their immoralities, vSome think him the prince whose name occurs i *f '^^ in some calendars of Brittany, rather tlian Solomon III. who was a \ murderer and usurper. Grallon or Gallon (from Gallus or Wallus) 5 ■was the third prince, and seems to have governed for his little { nephev/ Audren. He could not have founded the monasteries of | Landevenec and Ruis : for he died in 445, and St. Gildas arrived ia \ Brittany only in 500. Audren, son to Solomon, Guerich, and Euse- | bins then reigned successively, and sometimes aided the Roman forces f against the Goths and Burgnndians. Budic, seventh prince of Brit- T tiuiy, founded the Church of Sc. Cyr, now St. Leonard's in Nantes, and is thought to have been slain by Clovis I. who, about the year 606, made Brittany a province of his kingdom. Hoel I. or Riuval, son of Budic, is called by many the first king or prince of Brittany; having assembled the Britons dispersed in the islands, drove out th© J^'risons whom Clovis had settled in Armorica, and recovered the in- heritance of his ancestors, but held it of king Childebert, whom ho waited on at Paris in 522. Hoel II. called also Riuval, and Riguald siic- ceeded, persecuted St. Malo, bishop of Aleth, and was murdered in 54(1, by his brother Canao, who seized the crown ; but tlnrteen years after was slain by Clotaire I, who conqiiered Reimes, Vannes, and Nantes. Macliau, sortof Hoel I. recovered the sovereignty; but was killed iti 577. Jndual, son of Hoel II. got possession of part of Brittany, Varoc of Guercch, son of Macliau, of Vannes and the largest part, and Theo- doric, son of Budic, of a third part. They refused the usual tribute to the French; the kings Chilperic, Gontran, and, in 594, Childebert sent rnmics to compel them ; but these were defeated by Varoc and Judual in several battles ; Childebert after 594, left tlieni independent and unmolested. Only Judual had a successor, Juthael or Hoel III. who \ ^ reigned over all Brittany. He had twenty-two children, among whom { three are honoured a-s saints, Jndicael or Giguel, Jodoc or Josso, and ] V/inoc. Guzelun or Solomon II. fourth son to Juthael, succeeded to ' the crown, and died without issue, about the year 632. His eldest bro- ther Judioatil had received the monastic tonsure at the hands of St. Meen, and retired into his monastery of Gael in the territory ofVannes. TTpon the death of Guzelun, he was obliged to leave the monastery in v.hich he had spent fifteen years, but without making any vows, and mount the throne. St. Owen in his life of St. Eligius, an eye-witness, tells us, that the Britons having plundered certain vassals of the French, Dagobert, in 636, sent Eligius, then a layman at court, to king Jndicael to demand satisfaction. Judicat'l readily engaged to make it to the injured, and accompanied him back to Dagobert's court, by whom he was received with honour. About the year 638, he resigned his kingdom, and returning to his monastery of Gaol, he there served God twenty years with great fervour, and died in tlie odour of sanctity on the 17th of December, 653. See on the pedigree and history of these princes, Dom. Morice, Hist, de Bretagn. Lobineau, Vies des SS. de Il» Bretagne, p, 143. 153, Dom. Bouquet, &c. 268 ST. JoDoc c. [dec. 13. tible one, and retired into the monastery of St. Meen, in the diocess of St. Malo, where he lived in so great sanctity as to be honoured after his death with the title of the Blessed Judicael. When he resigned the crown he offered it to his younger brother Jodoc, called by the French Josse. But Jodoc had the same inclinations with his elder brother. However, to consult the divine will, he shut himself up for eight days in the monastery of Lanmamiont, in which he had been brought up, and prayed night and day with many tears that God would direct him to undertake what was most agreeable to him and most condu- cive to his divine honour and his own sanctifica- tion. He put an end to his deliberation by re- ceiving the clerical tonsure at the hands of the bishop of Avranches, and joined a company of eleven pilgrims who purposed to go to Rome. They went first to Paris, and thence into Picardy in 636, where Jodoc was prevailed upon by Haymo, duke of Ponthieu, to fix upon an estate of his, which was at a sufficient distance from his own country, and secure from the ho- nours which there waited for him. Being pro- moted to priest's orders, he served the duke's chapel seven years ; then retired with one only disciple named Vurmare, into a woody solitude at Ray, where he foimd a small spot of ground proper for tillage, watered by the river Authie. The duke built them a chapel and cells, in which the hermits lived, gaining by the tillage of this land their slender subsistence, and an overplus for the poor. Their exercises were austere pe- nance, prayer, and contemplation. After eight years thus spent here they removed to Runiac, now called Villers-saint- Josse, near the mouth of the river Canche, where they built a chapel of wood in honour of St. Martin. In this place they continued the same manner of life for thirteen years; when Jodoc having been bit by an adder DEC. 13.] ST. KENELMj K. M. 269 they again changed their quarters, the good duke, •who continued their constant protector, having built them an hermitage, with two chapels of wood, in honour of SS. Peter and Paul. The ser- vants of God kept constant inclosure, except that out of devotion to the princes of the apostles, and to the holy martyrs, they made a penitential pil-; grimage to Rpme in 665. At their return to' Runiac they found their hermitage enlarged and adorned, and a heautiful church of stone which the good duke had erected in memory of St. Martin, and on which he settled a competent estate. The duke met them in person on the road, and conducted them to their habitation. Jodoc finished here his penitential course in 669, and was honoured by 'miracles both before ana after his death. Winoc and Arnoc, two nephews of the saint, inherited his hermitage, which be- came a famous monastery, and was one of those which Charlemagne first bestowed on Alcuin in 792. It stands near the sea, in the diocess of Amiens, follows the Order of St. Bennet, and the abbot enjoys the privileges of count. It is called St. Josse-sur-mer. St. Jodoc is mentioned on this day in the Roman Martyrology Seethe life of this saint written in the eighth century; Cave thinki about the year 710. It is published with learned notes by MabiUon, Act. Ben. t. 2. p. 666. Gall. Clir. Nov. t. 10. p. 1289, l2yo ST. KENELM, KING, Kenulph, a prince of the blood royal of Mer- cia, was in the fourth degree of descent from Wibba, father of king Penda, and Egfert, the son of Offa, having reigned only lialf-a-year, was called to the throne of Mercia, which he filled twenty- two years. Dying in 819, he left his son Kenelm, a child only seven years old, heir to his crown, under the tutelage of his sister Quindride. This ambitious woman committed his person to 270 ST. AUBERT, B. C. [dec. 13. the care of one Ascoberfc, whom she had hired to make away with him. The wicked minister de- coyed the innocent child into an unfreqnented wood, cut off his head, and buried him under a \ thorn-tree. His corpse is said to have been | discovered hy a heavenly ray of light v/hich shone over the place, and hy the following in- » scription: In Clent co^r pnsture, under a tliorn, Of head bereft, lies Kenelm king bom. 1 Higden, in his Polychronicon, says the body was thrown into a well, the place was called Gov/- flale pasture, and situate in the south part of ' Staffordshire, on the borders of Worcestershire, where in following ages he was honoured with great devotion, but with greater resort of pil- grims at the abbe.y of Winchelcombe in Glouces- tershire, which his father had founded, and in whicli his relics were enshrined, having been translated thither immediately after their disco- very. The unnatural sister seized the kingdom, but was outed by her uncle Ceolwulph, (pro- nounced Colwulph,) and in x^enance became a nun, as appears from the council of Cloveshoe in 822. St. Kenelm's death happened in 820. See nigden. Will, of Malmesbnry, Tyrrell, p. 252. Cowper in the life of St. Werbnrge, p. '21. In Clent valley, where St. Kenelm Avas murdered, in the utmost south borders of Staffordshire, is a famous spring called St. Kenelm's well, to which extraordinary virtues have been attributed, says Dr. Cowper. ST. AUBERT, BISHOP OF CAMBRAY AND ARRAS, C. This great prelate was one of the greatest ornaments of the seventh age, and eminent pro- i In the original English Saxon : ! In Clent Cow-batch Kenelm king baarne, Lieth under a thorn, heaved bereaved. DEC. 13.J ST, AUBERT, B. C 271 nioters of learning and piety in the Gallican Cliurcli. His youth, that most precious season of life, he dedicated to God by the mortification and the absolute conquest of sensual appetites; he was careful to employ all his time usefully, and was a great proficient in sacred learning. Having with great zeal served the Church for many years, he was consecrated bishop of Arras and Cambray on tlie 24th of March in 633.1 Though solitude, in ; which he conversed in heaven, and consulted i God on his own necessities and those of his peo- 1 pie, was his delight, yet he knew what he owed i to others; his door was always open to persons of f all ra.nks and conditions, and he was ever ready to ' afford every one all comfort and assistance, spiri- tual and corporal, especially the poor, the sick, and distressed. With extraordinary watcliful- ness and sagacity he discovered the roots of the disorders which reigned among the people: his prudence and zeal applied the remedies, and all the obstacles he met with he surmounted by his courage and constancy. His instructions, sup- 1 His predecessor, Ablebert ov Adelbert, the fiftli bishop of 0am bray and Arras, Irom St. Vaast or Vedast, and second from St. Gerry, wa* born in Brabant ; being son of Witger, count of Condate, near Ant- "werp, (who died a monk at Lobes,) and of St. Anialberge, who in her widowhood received the religious veil at the hands of St. Aubert, died a nun at Maubeuge, and was buried at Lobes ; her relics were translated to Binche, three leagues from Mods. She is honoured at Binche and Maubeuge, on the 10th of July. Adelbert was brother * to St. Raineld, virgin, martyred by the Huns at Santhes, (wbich manor ; she liad given to Lobes, where her relics were honoured, and her festi- val kept the 16th of .July,) and to St. Gudule, virgin, patroness of Brussels, honoured the 8th of January. Some make two other holy virgins their sisters, St. Pliaraildes, (whose relics are at St. Bavo's in Ghent, and whose feast is kept on the 4th of January, and St. Erme- linde, virgin, who served God at Merdaert, on the fion'ticrs of Brabant, and is honoured on the £9th of October. This holy bishop died at Ham in Brabant, about the year C33, His renuiins were afterward translated to Maubeuge, where the canonessea kept an office in his honour on the loth of January. Jlolanus, Jliraeiis, and some others place the consecration of St. Atibert in 640, or later. But king DagoTjert died on the I9th of January, 639, and Fulbert and all other authors testify that St. Aubert was bislio]) some years before his death. I^e Cointe, Abb^ Mutte, &c. $how he must have been o«lle(i to that dignity in 633. 272 ST. AUDERT, B. C. [dec. 13. ported by the wonderful example of his own life, had incredible success in reformino; the manners of his numerous flock. It was the first part of his care to train up a virtuous clergy, and to qualify them for their sacred functions by learniug and ^ good habits: ignorance, especially in those who ; are the teachers of others, being a most fatal ? enemy to virtue, and a rooted and experienced piety being necessary in all youth, that when they attain manhood, and are exposed to the dangers I of public^life in a corrupt world, they may be able i to resist the influence of vice and bad example. ^ St. Aubert converted to God innumerable sin- ) ners, and induced many persons of quality of both 7 sexes, to renounce the world. The great king ' Dagobert often resorted to the saint to be instruct- ed by him in the means of securing to himself an eternal kingdom. He listened to him with respect and attention, always rejoiced exceedingly in his heavenly conversation, and received from it the greatest comfort and edification. Out of respect for him he bestowed on his church of our Lady the royal estate and manor of Oneng. St. Lande- lin was drawn by St. Aubert's tears and prayers - from apostacy from a religious state, and from a most abandoned course of life into which he fell, at the head of a troop of licentious soldiers, or rather robbers; and in expiation of his crimes he founded four monasteries, Lobes on the Sam- bre in Haynault, in 653, which was long very famous, but being secularized, the canons re- moved their chapter, in 1408, to Binche, three leagues from Mons, towards Charleroi. In G86, leaving St. Ursmar abbot of Lobes, he founded the abbeys of Ane, St. Guislain's, and Krespin, near Valenciennes, in which last he died. St. Aubert gave his benediction to Sc. Guislain, and blessed his cell on the river Hannan, or Haine, Cwhich gave name to the province,) in the place PEC. 13.] ST. AUBERT, B. C. 273 ^vhicli since bears his name, but was then called Ursdung or Ursidonc, i. e. Bear's Kennel. The blessed count Vincent, called in the world Madelgare, his wife the blessed Waldetrude, and lier sister St. Aldegundes, received the religious liabit from the hands of St. Aubert, and the latter founded the monastery of Maubeuge, the former that of Mons. Our saint built himself many churches, and some monasteries, as Hautmont, in 652, &c. The translation of the relics of St. Ve- da st at Arras, was performed by him in 6'66, to a cliurch at that time without the walls of the city, and St. Aubert laid there the foundation of the great monastery, which still flourishes. It was soon after most munificently endowed by king Thierry or Theodoric III. who, dying in 691, after a reign of twenty-one years, was buried in this monastery with his second wife Doda, where their monuments are seen to this day. By St. Aubert's zeal, religion and sacred learn- ing flourished exceedingly in all Haynault and Flanders. Having worthily sustained the burden ; of the episcopal charge for the space of thirtj^-six ' years, he died in 669,1 and was buried in St. Peter's church, now a famous abbey of regular canons in Cambray, which bears his name, found- ed in 1066 by St. Lietbert, bishop of Cambray, who also founded the Benedictin abbey of St. Se- pulchre in Cambray, and died on the 23d of June, ] 1076. St. Aubert's shrine is the richest treasure of { this magnificent church and abbey. His festival was kept from the time of his death on the 13th of December, as appears from the most ancient calendars of that and neighbouring churches: from the Libellus Annalis Domini Beda) Presbyteri. published bv Martenne from a 1 TInevry III. succeeded his brother CloUire III. in 670, and «oon after appohited Hatta the first abbot of St. Vedasfs * Arras. St. Au- bert died in December the foregoing year, "whilst Clotaire III. •till reigned. See Mutte, Praev. Comment. § 2, 274 ST. AUBERT5 B. C. Ldfx. 13, MS. of St. Maximin's at Triers, upwards of eight hundred years old. (Anec. t. 3. col. 637.) &c. This festival is a holiday at Cambraj^ where are also kept two other annual feasts in his honour: the elevation of his relics when they were first enshrined on the 24th of January, and that of their translation the 5th of July. When Guy or Guiard of Laon was bishop of Canibray,! William the abbot of St. Aubert's, iii 1243, removed them into a new rich shrine which he had caused to b« made by Thomas, a goldsmith of Douay, as we are informed by an inscription on the shrine. From which time this feast has been kept. Tko same inscription mentions that this shrine was enlarged and improved in 1275 by James, a gold- smith at Eskierchin, then a considerable town. Gerard I. the learned and zealous bishop of Cam- bray and Arras about the year 1020, employed the most eminent Doctor Fulbert to write the life of St. Aubert, This could be no other than Fulbert the celebrated bishop of Chartres, who died in 1028, and had been fellow-scholar with Gerard in the great school at Rheims under Gerbert of Or- leans, afterward archbishop of Ravenna, and / lastly pope Sylvester II. 2 This life of St. Aubert ) is given imperfect by Surius: copied in MS. entire with notes and preliminary disquisitions by M. Henry Dionysius Mutte, dean of the metropo- litical church of Cambray, and vicar-general of the diocess; who added three authentic relations of miraculous cures of i:)ersons struck v/ith a palsy, blind, lame, &c. : with a particular detail of the 1 Guiard, descended from the counts of Laon, and Charibert, •whose daughter was married to king Pepin, father of Charlemagne, av:is chan- celh)r of Paris, made bishop of Cambray in 1238, and died in 1248. Guiard was emnient for his great learning and piety; wrote on the Divine Offices :* on the Duties of Priests ; on the Passion of Christ, and Sermons. See Gudin, t. 3. p. 126. He assisted at the famous conference at Paris on tlie plurality of benefices, in 1238, and declared, that he would not be possessed of two benefices one single night for all the gold of Arabia. 2 Fulbert of Chnrtres left lis several monuments of his learning, iu his ejiistles, .sermons, penitentifiry, sacred hymns, &c. DEC. 13.] B. JOHN MARlNONlj C. 275 circumstances of each, wrought by the interces- sion, and by the touch or presence of the relics of St. Anbert: the first wrote under the same bishop Gerard I., and by his order; the second Avas com- piled in the eleventh, and the third relation of miracles in the twelfth century, in part by eye- witnesses. We have also an account of miracles wrought by the intercession of this saint in tlie parish church of Hennin Lietard, in which is preserved the relic of his jaw-bone. B. JOHN MARINONI, He was the third and youngest son of a noble family, originally of Bergamo, but was born at Venice in J 490. From his infancy it was liis . chiefest delight to be on his knees at the foot of ■ the altar, and to hear as many masses every day : as his employments permitted him. He usually I studied before a crucifix, and sanctified his studies f by most frequent fervent acts of divine love. To } beg of God the grace never to sully his baptismal \ innocence, he spent forty days in prayer and a ) rigorous fast in honour of the immaculate concep- [ tion of the mother of God. Having embraced an f ecclesiastical state, he served among the clergy of ) St. Pantaleon's church; and when he was ordain- ed priest, became chaplain and afterward supe- rior of the hospital of incurables, in which chari- table employ he was a comforting angel to all who were under his care. He was called hence to be admitted canon in the celebrated church of St. Mark, where his life was the edifi- cation of his colleagues and of the whole cit\'. Out of a desire of serving God in a more perfect disengagement from earthly thi-ngs, he demanded the habit of the regular clerks called Theatins, and made his profession in 1580, on the 29th of May, being then forty years of age, under the eyes of their founders St. Cajetan, and Caraffa, ancient 276 ST. OTHILIA5 V. A. [DEC. 13. bishop of Chieti or Theate, who had instituted this Order six years before. St. Cajetan being called from Venice to found the convent of St. Paul at Naples, took with him our saint. In that great city Marinoni never ceased to preach the word of God with admirable simplicity and zeal ; and being chosen several times superior, settled and maintained in it the perfect spirit of his Order. Both by his prayers and sacrifices, in which his eyes were often bathed with tears, and by his « exhortations-* in the pulpit and confessional, he was an instrument of salvation to many just and sinners. He died of a violent cold and fever at Naples, on the 13tli of December, 1562, He was beatified by a bull of Clement XIII., in 1762; who, in 1764, granted to his Order an office in I his honour to be celebrated on the 13th of De ■ ' cember. See St, Andrew Avellino's letter on his heroic virtues "written m 1600 ST. OTHILIA, V. ABBESS. ' She was a native of Strasburg, and of an illus- ti'ious family, but was baptized at Ratisbon by St. Erliard, bishop of that see. Her father erected a great nunnery in Alsace, in which Othilia conducted one hundred and thirty holy nuns in the paths of Christian perfection, and died in 772. See Canisius, Eaderns, t. 4. p, 7. Ado, Molaniis, and the Roman Mar- tyrology on the iSth of December. DEC. 14.J 277 DECEMBER XIV. ST. SPIRIDION, BISHOP, C. * From Rufin. 1. 1. c. 5. Socrates, I. J. c. 12. p. 39. Sozomen, 1. 1. c. ll» Sptridion, or Spiridon, was a native of Cyprus, was married, and had a daughter named Irene, who lived always a virgin. His employment was that of keeping sheep, which in the patriarclial times even kings thought not beneath their dig- nity. In this retired state simphcity and inno- cence of heart engaged the Almighty to furnish him with extraordinary lights in the paths of vir- tue, which it was the more easy for him safely to pursue, as he shunned the company of those whose example and false maxims might have in- duced .him to take the same liberties they did, and fall into a worldly course of life. For there I is no more dangerous snare to our souls than the ^ conversation of that world which is condemned : by the gospel; that is to say, that society "^nd commerce" of men who are animated with the spirit of irregular self-love, and that corruption of the heart which all men inherit from their first I birth from Adam, and by which they live who have not vanquished it by grace, and put on the? spirit of Christ. It is not enough for a Christian to guard himself against this contagious air abroad: he has an enemy at home, a f und of corruption within his own heart, wliich he must resist and purge himself of; and this not in part only, but entirely. They deceive themselves^ wlio desire to be saved through Christ, without taking pains j^^' to put on perfectly the spirit of Christ; they whop p. 22. St. Athan. Apol. 2, A. D. 348.. 18 12 278 ST. SPIRIDION5 B. C. [dec. 14. f are willing to give alms, fast, and spend much % I time in prayer, but mtTi all this are for reserving f I and sparing this or that favourite passion, this k ' vanity, this pleasure, or this spirit of revenge. | Spiridion made such use of the advantages which } his state afforded him for virtue, as to seem to ) 4 rival the Macariuses in their deserts; and he was ) ^ honoured with the gift of miracles. Sozomen, who wrote in the beginning of the fifth century, tells us, that a gang of thieves at- tempting one night to carry off some of his sheep, were stopped by an invisible hand, so that they ,^ could neither perpetrate the intended theft, nor \ make their escape. Spiridion finding them the | next morning thus secured, set them at liberty -. I by his prayers, and gave them a ram; but exhort- ] • ed them seriously to consider the danger of their | state, and amend their lives: observing to them that they had taken a gi-eat deal of unnecessary pains, and ran great hazard for what they might ^ have made their own by asking for it. The same | historian says,i that it was the saint's custom to | fast in Lent with his whole family, for some days |' together, without eating anything; at which time, f when he had no bread in his house, a traveller | caUed upon him to rest and refresh himself on ' the road, according to the rule of hospitality which he practised. Spiridion having nothing '■ j else in his house, ordered some salt pork to be > i boiled, for he saw the traveller was extremely fatigued. Then, having prayed some time, he J asked the divine pardon, that is, prayed that | the dispensation, which he judged necessarj^, I ^ might be agreeable to God. After this he invited I the stranger to eat, who excused himself, saying h that he was a Christian.2 Spiridion told him that 4 i Sozom. 1. 1. c. 11. p. 24. ed, Cantabr. an. 1720. _ | « C»lvin and Kemnitius make this fact a mighty subject of triumph ( | Inferring, that the fast of Lent wa^ not then of precept, though a uni I verjial praotice. But thU It w*3 of precept i^ manifest from anti fully on divine things; the conversion of hearts ( / is the work of God. A father and a mother are } / ? surprised that their instructions seem thrown Uj X away upon their children; but let them remem-T" i ber, that if they spoke the language of men and ) y angels, if iTiey have not themselves charity, or ^ / true piety, they are only a sounding trumpet. V Children, in their most tender infancy, observe V with incredible penetration and sagacity every U y word and action of others, especially of those K ^ whom they revere and love: in these they natu- i rally discern and read the spirit of all the pas- .V sions with which such persons are actuated, > deejply imbibe the same, learn to tJiink and act from them, and are entirely moulded upon this model. The children of worldly parents will ' ' probably differ from them only in tlus, that their \ [passions, by being strengthened so early will \ begome with age more blind and headstrong. 282 [dec. 14. SS. NICASIUS, NINTH ARCHBISHOP OF RHEIMS, AND HIS COMPANIONS, MAR- TYRS. In the fifth century an army of barbarians from Germany ravagiup: part of Gaul, plundered the city of Rheims. i Nicasius, the holy bishop, had foretold this calamity to his flock. When ' he saw the enemy at the gates and in the streets, . forgetting himself, and solicitous only for his ' dear spiritual children, he Avent from door to door encouraging all to patience and constancy, /; and awaking in every one's breast the most ^ " heroic sentiments of piety and religion. In en- | deavouring to save the lives of some of his flock, \ he exposed himself to the swords of the infidels, who, after a thousand insults and indignities, { (which he endured with the meekness and forti- I tude of a true disciple of God crucified for us) / cut off his head. Florens his deacon, and Jo- / ■ cond his lector, were massacred by his side. His | sister Eutropia, a virtuous virgin, seeing herself ^ spared in order to be reserved for wicked pur- poses, boldly cried out to the infidels, that it was her unalterable resolution rather to sacrifice her life, than her faith or her integrity and virtue, f Upon which they despatched her with their cut- glasses. St. Nicasius and St. Eutropia were buried 1 Tillemont thinks these barbarians were Goths, and that the Van- dals were Ariaus before they left their own. country in the north of Gerjnany. But how could they there have received Christianity so early as in the beginning of the fifth century ? How could count Sti- lico, by birth a Vandal, hope to advance his pagan son Eucherius by the help of the Vandals by opening the pagan temples and restoring idolatry, for which attempt he and his eon were put to death, as Orosius relates, if they were not then idolaters in 407 ; though in the middle of the same fifth century they were Arians, as appears from Salvian, 1. 7. and king Genseric in 4.2H? Stilting shows that St. Nicasius suffered under the Vandals in 407, of which irruption of the Vandals St. Jerom Bpeaks in his epistle to Ageruchio in 409. See Stilting in his life of St. Viventius, the immediate predecessor of St, Nicasius, on the 7th of BeptembeB^ . 2, ^> 66, and Gall. Cluist. In^ov. t. 9. p. G,, DEC. 15.J ST. EUSEBIUS, B. 283 in the church-yard of St. Agricola. Many mira- cles rendered their tombs illustrious, and this church was converted into a famous abbey, which bears the name of St. Nicasius, and is now a member of the congregation of St. Maur. The archbishop Fulco, in 893, translated the body of St. Nicasius into the cathedral, which the martyr himself had built, and dedicated to God in hon- our of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His head is kept in the abbey of St. Vedast at Arras. See St. Gregory of Tours, and Gall. dir. Nov. t. s). p. DECEMBER XV. SAINT EUSEBIUS, BISHOP OF VERCELLI. From the fathers and ecclesiastical historians of the fourth cantury. See Tillemont, Ughelli, t. 4. p. 1044. Ceillier, t. 5. p. 440. A. D, 371. St. Eusebius was born of a noble family in the isle of Sardinia, where his father is said to have died, in chains for the faith. His mother, whose name was Restituta, being left a widow, carried him and a daughter she had, both in their infancy, to Rome.l Eusebius was brought up in the practice of piety, and in the study of sacred learning, and ordained lector by St. Sylvester. We know not by what accident he was called to Vercelli, a city now in Piedmont. He served that Church among the clergy with 6uch applause, that the episcopal chair becoming I St, Amhr. ep. 63. p. 1038. St. Hier. in Oatal. c. 96. 284 ST, EUSEBIUS, B. [dec* 15. ■ vacant, he wus unanimously chosen by the clergy , and people to fill it. He is the first bishop of • Vercelli whose name we know. St. Ambrose 7 assures us, that he was the first who in tlie West ; : ^ united the monastic life with the clerical, living ^ ^ himself and making his clergy in the city live - ^ > almost in the same manner as the monks in the ' East did in the deserts. They shut themselves up in one house Avith their pastor, and exercised themselves night and day in a heavenly warfai-e, ^ continually occupied in the praises of God, Iiav- j H I ing no other ambition than to appease his anger v "** I by fervent and uninterrupted prayers. Their i I minds were always employed in reading, or at j >work. " Can any thing be more admirable than I this life," cries out St. Ambrose, " where there iis nothing to fear, and every thing is worthy of ^ imitation! where the austerity of fasting is com- * I pensated by tranquillity and peace of mind, sup- j ported by example, sweetened by habit, and I charmed by the occupations of virtue! This hfe^ I is neither troubled with temporal cares, nor dis- ] tracted with the tumults of the world, nor hin- » dered by idle visits, nor relaxed by the commerce f of the world.*' The holy bishop saw that the best and first means to labour effectually for the edification and sanctification of his people, was J to form a clergy under his eyes, on whose inno- cence, piety, and zeal in the functions of their f_ ministry he could depend. In this design he ^ succeeded so well, that other churches earnestly | demanded his disciples for their bishops, and a ' ' great number of holy prelates came out of hisl^ school, who Avere burning and shining lamps infe the Church of God. He was at the same time | very careful to instruct his fiock, and inspire } them Avith the maxims of the gospel. Many, 'f moved b}'- his exhortations, embraced virginity j- to serve God in purity of heart, without being ? divided by the cares or pleasures of the world. 1 DEC. 15.J ST. EUSEBIUS, B. 285 In a short time the whole city of Vercelli ap- , peared inlianied with the fire of divine love which , Jesus Christ came to bring on earth, and which V he ardently desired to see kindled in all hearts. ? Convicted by tlie force of the truth which the f zealous pastor preached, persuaded by the sweet- f ness and charity of his conduct, and still more > powerfully excited by his examples, sinners en- couraged themselves to a change of their lives, 1 and all were animated to advance more and more , in virtue. But his sanctity would have been Cimperfect without the trial of persecutions. ^. The Arians governed all things by violence under the authority of the Arioji emperor Con- stantius. In 354 pope Liberius deputed St. Euse- bins with Lucifer of Cagliari to beg leave of that emperor, who passed the winter at Aries in Gaul, to assemble a free council.l Constantius agreed to a council, which met at Milan in 355 whilst the emperor resided in that city. Eusebius see- ing all things would be there carried on by vio- lence through the power of the Arians, though the Catholic prelates were more numerous, re- fused to go to it till he was pressed by Libcriu.^ himself, and by his legates Lucifer of Cagliari, Pancratius, and Hilary,2 in order to resist the ; Arians, as St. Peter had done Simon the magi- ; cian. When he was come to Milan the Arians ■ excluded him the council for the ten first days. When he was admitted, he laid the Nicene creed on the table, and insisted on all signing that rule of faith before the cause of St. Athanasius should be brought to a hearing; for the chief drift of the heretics was to procure if possible the condemna- tion of that most formidable champion of the faitli. St. Dionysius of Milan offered to sub- scribe his name to the creed; but Valens bishop of Mursia, the most furious of the Arians, tore f Liber, ep. 5, 6. 2 Sulpit. Sever, Athan, S. Hilary., 286 ST. EUSEBIUS, B. [dec. 15. the paper out of his hands, and broke his pen. The Arians, to set aside the motion for the pre- vious signing of the Nicene creed, procured the > removal of the synod to the emperor's palace, % where the subscription to the Catholic faith was I superseded, and the condemnation of St. Atha- i nasius immediately brought upon the carpet. / Many v/ere gained by the artifices of the Arians, or intimidated by the threats of the emperor, and signed the sentence which was pronounced against him. St. Dionysius of Milan had once given his subscription, only exacting a promise that the Arians would receive the Nicene faith. But St. Eusebius of Vercelli discovered the snare to him, and in order to withdraw his friend's subscription, objected that he could not sign the sentence after Dionysius, who was younger, and his son.l Upon which the Arians consented to blot out the name of Dionysius; and both after- ward peremptorily refused to subscribe a decree which was injurious to an innocent and holy prelate. The emperor sent for St. Eusebius, St. Dionysius, and Lucifer of Cagliari, and pressed them to condemn Athanasius. They insisted upon his innocence, and that he could not bo condemned without being heard. ** I am his : accuser,'' said Constantius: "believe upon my word the charge brought against him." The bishops answered : " This is not a secular affair, that requires your opinion as emperor." Con- stantius took them up in anger, saying: " My will ought to pass for a rule. The bishops of Syria are satisfied that it should be so. Obey, or you shall be banished." The bishops repre- sented to him, that he must one day give an ac- count to God of his administration. The prince, j in the transport of his rage, thought once of put- I ting them to death: but was content to banish 1 See this account in the anonymous author of the eleventh laernioa attributed to St. Ambrose, and in Tillemont, t. 7. DEC. 15.] ST, EUSEBIUSj B. 287 them. The officers entered the sanctuary, tore the holy prelates from the altar, and conducted them to dilierent places. Dionysius was sent into Cappadocia, where he died. He is comme- inoi ated in the Roman Martyrology on the 25th of May, Lucifer was banished to Germanicia in Syria, of which city Eudoxus, a celebrated Arian, was bishop ; and our saint to Scythopolis, in Palestine, there to be treated at the discretion of the Arian bishop Patrophilus. Their chains did not hinder them from serving the Church, and ^ they confounded the heretics wherever they i j. * went. Pope Liberius wrote to them a letter of^ congratulation, exhorting them to courage and constancy. St. Eusebius was lodged at first with the good count Joseph, and was comforted by the visits of St. Epiphanius and other holy men, and by the arrival of the deputies of his church of Vercelli, with presents for his subsistence. He wept for joy to hear of the zeal and constancy of his whole flock in the Catholic faith under the priests whom he had appointed to govern his church in his absence. A great share of the presents he gave to his fellow-confessors, and to the poor. But his patience was to be exercised by greater trials.)^ Count Joseph died, and the Arians, with thejj emperor's officers, insulted the saint, dragged^ him on the ground through the streets, some-t times carried him backwards half naked, and at I ' i last shut him up in a little chamber, plying him 1 . / for four days with all manner of violences, to? engage him to conform. They forbade his dea- r cons and other fellow-confessors to be admitted S to see him. The saint had abandoned his l3odv ^ \. to suffer all manner of evil treatments from then- hands, without opening his mouth all that while; but seeing himself debarred of his only comfort and support, he sent a letter to the Arian bishop Patrophilus, with the following direction: **Eu- 288 ST. EUSEBIUSj B. [dec. 15. sebiiis, the servant of God, with the other ser- vants of God who suffer with ine for the faith, to Patrophihis, the jailor, and to his officers." After a short relation of what he had suifered, he de- sn-ed that his deacons might be allowed to come to him. After he remained in that confinement four days without eating-, the Arians sent him back to his lodgings. Twenty-five days after- ward they came again, armed with clubs, brok i I down a wall in the house, and dragged him agai 1 1 into a little dungeon, with a priest named Tegri- i nus. They rifled his lodgings, plundered all his I provisions, and cast many priests, monks, and I even nuns into the public prisons. St. Eusebius i found means to Avrite a letter out of his dungeon f to his flock, extant in Baronius, in which he \ mentions these particulars. His sufferings here I were aggravated every day, till the place of his / exile was changed. From Scythopolis he was ; sent into Cappadocia, and, some time afterward, ) into Upper Thebais in Egypt. We have a letter V which he wrote from this third place of his ban- t ishment, to Gregory bishop of Elvire, to encou- / rage him vigorously to oppose Osius (who Iiad - im happily fallen) and all who had forsaken the ' faith of the Church, without fearing the power of kings. He expresses a desire to end his life in sufferings, that he might be glorified in the kingdom of God. This short letter discovers the zeal of a holy pastor, joined with the courage of t a martyr. Constantius being dead, toward the end of the year 361, Julian gave leave to all the banished prelates to return to their sees. St. Eusebius left Thebais, and came to Alexandria, to concert measures with St. Athanasius for ap- plying proper remedies to the evils of the Church. \ He was present, and subscribed immediately * after St. Athanasius, in the council held there in I 362, by which it was resolved to allow the peni- f tent prelates, who had been deceived by the • DEC. 15.] ST. EUSEBIUS, B. 289 Arians, especially at Rimini, to preserve their clignit3^ From Alexandria our saint went to Antioch, to endeavour to extinguish the great schism there; but found it widened by Lucifer of Cagliari, wlio had blown up the coals afresh, and ordained Paulinus bishop. He would not com- municate with Paulinus, but made haste out of Antioch. Lucifer resented this behaviour, and broke off communion with him, and with all who with the late council of Alexandria received the Arian bishops in their dignity upon their return to the true faith. This was the origin of the schism of Lucifer, who, by pride, lost the fruit of his former zeal and sufferings. St. Eusebius travelled over the East, and through Illyricum, confirming in the faith those that were wavering, and bringing back many that were gone astray. Italy, at his return, changed its mourning garments, according to the expression of St. Jerom. There St. Hilary of Poitiers and St. Eusebius met, and were em- ployed in opposing the Arians, particularly Aux- entius of Milan: but that crafty heretic had gained the favour of Valentinian, and maintained himself under his protection against the united zealous efforts of St. Hilary and St. Eusebius St. Jerom, in his chronicle, places the death of the latter in 371. An ancient author says it hap- pened on the 1st of August. He is styled a mar- tyr in two old panegyrics in his praise, printed in the appendix of the works of St. Ambrose. There only remain of his works the three epistles above quoted. In the cathedral of Vercelli is shown an old MS. copy of the gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark, said to be written by St. Eusebius: it was almost worn out with age near eight hun- dred years ago, when king Berengarius caused it to be covered with plates of silver. The body of St. Eusebius is laid in a shrine raised above a side altar in the cathedral at Vercelli. The Ro- 290 ST. EUSEBIUS, B. [dec, 15, man Missal and Breviary give his office on the 15th of December, which is probably the day on whicli his relics were removed; for his name occurs in ancient calendars on the 1st of August. The lioly fathers, who by their zeal and learn- ^ ing maintained the true faith, shuimed the dan- y gerous rocks of error, because in their studies 1' they followed the rules laid down by divine reve* lation, and made sincere humility the foundation of all their literarj^ pursuits. Conscious that * they were liable to mistakes, they entertained a 1 modest diffidence in themselves and their own i I judgment, and said with St. Austin, " I may err, | \ but a heretic I will never be." This humility p ) and caution is a sure guard against apy fatal v I errors in religion, or dangerous miscarriages in civil conduct, with regard to literary attempts, i 1 into which an overbearing pride chiefly betrays \ I men. How many by it become pedants, falling f V V into an ostentatious show of trifling or pretended learning ! How many are perpetually wrangling I and disputing, eager not for the point in debate, ( but for the victory, and desirous to display their i imaginary parts! How many tease all company I by their impertinence, talking always of mytho- f; logy, metaphysics, or the jargon of the schools,! ; ^ or stun others with the loudness of their voice, or an overbearing tone of authority! Many, in studying, pursue their speculations so far as to y lose sight of common sense, and by too intense I an application to things beyond their sphere, , I overset and unhinge their understanding. Many { f mistake the Avildest fancies of their brain for | J reason. Hence Cicero justly remarks, that no- ^ 7 thing can be invented ever so absurd or raoti-J 1 D3eu tne garde d'etre s^avant D'uiie scieuce si protonde : Les plus doctes le plus souvent Sont le plna sottes gens du monde. Chev. de CaiUj/' DEC. 16.] ST. ADO, B. C. 291 etroiis, which has not been said by some of the philosophers. How many heresies have been set np by scholars among Christians! The root of these abuses is, a secret vanity, self-sufficiency, or complacency in an Opinion of their own know- ledge or penetration, which scholars easily enter- tain. So true it is, as the apostle tells us, that science puff's up; not of itself, but through the propensity of the human heart to pri^p. It is therefore necessary that every student learn, in Hhe first place, never to trust in his own abilities, j and make modesty and humility, by which men [ know themselves, the foundation of his learning. ' The most ignorant among scholars are usually ^the most apt to overrate their knowledge and labilities. ~— - -. The Irish commemorate on this day St. Flo- ^ RENCE or Flann, abbot of Benchor. Colgan MSS. DECEMBER XVI. SAINT ADO, ARCHBISHOP OF VIENNE, C. From his life collected by Mabillon. t. 6. Act. Ben. p. 2<}1. See Ceil- lier, t. 19. p. 247. A. D. 875. Ado was born in the diocess of Sens, toward Gatinois, about the year 800, and was of one of the richest and most noble families of that coun- try. It was the principal care of his religious parents to seek tutors, masters, and companions who should concur together by their maxims, example, interior spirit, and prudent and earnest 292 ST. ADOj B. C. [dec. 16. ii instriicMoiis to form the morals of their son, and f inspire into his sonl the most tender and perfect i sentiments of Christian piety. All this they hap- I pily found in the monastery of Ferrieres in Gati- f iiois, at that time famous for learning and disci- I pliae. The pregnancy of his wit, the solidity of I his judgment, his assiduity at his studies, and. I above all, his humble obedience and docility, ancl I his sincere piety, gained him the esteem and I affections of the abbot Sigulph, and all his mas- I ters; and engaged them to redouble their care I and attention in lending him every assistance to I adorn his mind with all useful science, and to I form the most perfect Christian spirit in his heart. I Their pains were abundantly recompensed by , the great progress which he made. Many great I arrd powerful friends sought, by soothing flat- I teries, and by setting before him the lure of f worldly honours and pleasures, to engage him in the career which his birth and abilities opened to him. But the pious young nobleman was not to be imposed upon by specious words or glosses. He saw clearly the dangers Avhich attended such a course, and the cheat of that false blaze of sha- i dowy greatness which seemed to surround it; I and, dreading lest in such a state any thing could ' cause a division in his heart, or slacken his ardour in the entire consecration of liimself to the divine service, he took the religious habit in that house, resolving never to serve any other master but God alone. The saint was yet young when Marcvard, abbot of Prom, Avho liad formerly been himself a monk of Ferrieres, begged of the abbot of Ferrieres as the greatest of favours that Ado might teach the sacred sciences in his monastery. The request , could not be refused. Ado so taught as to en-s I deavour to make his hearei-s truly sensible that i if studies, e\"en of morality and religion, entirely / terminate in a barren knowledge of those truths, DEC. IG.] ST. AUOj 13. C. 293 Tt\'iliiout acquiring the interior habits, sentiments, j and dispositions >vhich they inculcate, though 'j they may sometimes be serviceable to others, | tliey are not only useless, but pernicious to those j Avho are possessed of them. Science, without ' advancing at the same time in humility and vir- tue^ serves only to heighten vanity, and to swell and puff up the mind. For men who study only ; to furnish themselves with materials to shine in conversation, and to fill their heads with a set of ^ notions which never sink deep into or iiifluenc(? the heart, fall into an overweening conceit of themselves, and are as much under the bias of pjide as worldly libertines are enslaved to ari inordinate love of riches, honour, or pleasures. Our saint, therefore, instnicted his scholars how to form rules for the conduct of their lives', to examine into themselves, to subdue their pas- sions, and, by conversing continually in heaven, to put on a heavenly spirit. Thus he laboured to make all that were under his care truly ser- vants of God; and it pleased God to suffer him to fall under grievous trials, that by them he.might complete the work of his own sanctification, and the entire sacrifice of his heart. After the death of Marcvard, he was, through envy and jealousy, expelled the house, treated with great contempt, and oppressed by outrageous slanders. Ado took tliis opportunity to visit the tombs of the apos- tles at Rome, and stayed five years in that city. From thence he removed to Ravenna, where ho found an old Marty rology, of which he took a copy, which he hnproved by many additions and corrections, and published about the year 858.' lie also compiled a chronicle, and wrote the live« of St. Desiderius and St. Chef, When he returned 1 The best edition of Ado's Martyrology -was that of Rosweidua, be- fore Monsigncr Georgi, secretary to }3ene themselv^es in any vicious practice, in pleasures ^ that enervate the soul, or in amusements and 7 diversions which are dangerous to innocence. } What enforced his instructions, and gave them J weight and efficacy, was his example. His life was most austere; he was in every thing severe ' to himself, and all the clergymen that were about \[ him were enjoined to apprize him of the least | slip in his behaviour. Though he was inflexible 1 toward obstinate sinners, and employed every I ^ means to bring them to repentance, when he found them sincerely desirous to return to God, ! he received them with the greatest tenderness ! j and indulgence, imitating the good Shepherd, ]/'■ who came down from heaven to seek the lost ^ : sheep, and carried them back to the fold on his ^'shoulders. By his care the poor were every ; where tenderly assisted with every corporal and spiritual comfort and succour they could stand in need of, and many hospitals were raised ibr their reception and entertainment at his exi^ense. It was his earnest desire to see all Christians > seriously engaged in the noble contest, which of them should best fulfil his obligations in their full ' extent, which are all reduced to those which tie ^ ; him to his Creator; for on a man's concern for ; u them depends his regard for all others. Religion S I alone can make mankind good and happy; and ij .: those who act under its influence are steady in / the disinterested pursuits of every virtue, and ia ) the discharge of every duty, even toward the \ world, their families and themselves. To sum up / the whole character of this good prelate in two ) j, words. Ado knew all the obligations of his post, I and discharged them with the utmost exactness / ' 1 and fidelity. He distinguished himself in many \ ST. ADO5 B. C. [dec. 16. councils abroad, and held himself several coim-vi cils at Vienne to maintain the purity of faith and manners; though only a fragment of that which ^ he celebrated in 870 is extant. When king- Lothaire sought pretexts to divorce his queen Thietburge, our holy prelate obliged him to desist from that unjust project; and he had a great share in many public transactions, in which the r interest of religion was concerned. For pope Nicholas I. king Charles the Bald, and Lewis of Germany, had the greatest regard for him, on account of his prudence and sanctity, and paid a great deference to his advice. In the hurry of employments his mind was as recollected as if his whole business lay within the compass of his own private concerns. The multiplicity of affairs never made him the less constant in prayer, or less , rigorous in his mortifications. To read the lives of ( the saints, and to consider their edifying actions, in ] order to imbibe^tlieir spirit, and quicken his own soul in the pra"ctice of piety, was an exercise in | "Which he always found singular comfort and delight, and a great help to~ctevotioh; and, like j the industrious bee, which sucks honey from i every flower, he endeavoured to learn from the 1 life of every saint some new practice of virtue, and to treasure up in his mind some new maxim 1j of an interior life. From thus employing his , thoughts on the saints, studying to copy their ] virtues, and affectionately and devoutly honour- i ing them in God, he happily passed to their glorious society, eternally to enjoy God with them, on the 16th of December, 875, having been ^ bishop fifteen years, three months. He is ho- J noured in the church of Vienne, and named in^ the Roman Martyrology on this day. This mortal life is a pilgrimage, full of labours, ; hardships, and perils, through an inhospitable 1; desert, amidst numberless by-paths, and abound- > ing mill howling wild beasts. And the greater DEC. IG.] ST. ADO, B. C. 297 J danger frequently is the miiltitiicle of those Avho j . !go astray before us. We follow then- steps with- jV- , out giving ourselves leisure to think, and are thus ^ -led into some or other of these devious broad - roadS; which unawares draw all that are engaged in them headlong down the dreadful precipice into eternal flames. Amidst these, one only nar- 'row^ath, which seems beset with briers and , tliornsr and is trodden by a small number of courageous souls, leads to happiness ; and amongst ■those who enter upon it, many in every part fall » ^ out of it into some or other of the devious tracts h i? and windings which terminate in destruction. Amidst these alarming dangers we have a sure guide : the light of divine revelation safely points out to us the strait way, and Christ bids us follow him, walk by his spirit, carefully tread in his I steps, and keep always close to his directions. If ever we forsake his divine guidance, we lose and bewilder ourselves. He is the way^ the truths and the life. Many saints have followed tliis rule, and escaped. all dangers, who seem to cry out to us, " This is the right way: walk you in it." Can we have a greater comfort, encouragement, or assistance than to have them always before our eyes? The example of a God made man for us is the greatest model which we are bound contin* ually to jstudy in his divine life and precepts. Those who in all stations in the world have copied his holy maxims and conduct, sweetly in- vite us to this imitation of our divine original: every one of them cries out to us, with St, Paul,l Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christy Their example, if always placed before our eyes, ■will Avithholdus from being hurried away by the torrent of the world, and its pernicious maxims: and the remembrance of their heroic conflicts, and the sight of the crowns they now enjoy, will * 1 1 Cor^ xU 1 : m ST. ALICE, EMPRESS. tDEC. JO. be our comfort and support. What can give us greater joy in this valley of tears, than to think often on the bliss which these glorious conquerors ah-eady possess, and on the means by which they attained to it? We ourselves press close after them, and even now are not far from the same glory; for we live on the borders of it. The longest life is very short: and every moment in it may, by the least unexpected incident, ingulf us suddenly in the abyss of eternity, and remove us into the society of these glorioiis saints. Can ■we desire this bliss, and not love, honour, and always bear them in mind? SAINT ALICE, OR ADELAIDE, EMPRESS. The second kingdom of Burgundy, called also of Aries, was erected by Charles the Bald, em- peror and king of France, who, in 879, bestowed Burgundy, Provence, Bresse, and Dauphine, with his title on his brother-in-law Bose, descended by the mother from Lewis Debonnair.l Rudolph or Ralph II. king of Burgundy, Avas father to St. Alice, v>^hom he left at his death, in 937, only six years old. At sixteen she was married to Lo- thaire. Icing of Italy, by whom she had a daughter named Emma, who was afterwards married to Lothaire, king* of France. The death of our saint's husband, which happened about the year 949, left her a young widow, and the afflictions with which she was visited contributed perfectly to disengage^ her heart from the world, and make her devote herself to the practice of piety, which had been from her infancy the ruling inclination of her heart. Berengarius III. margrave of 1 After the death of king Ralph III. the emperor Conrad II. annexed all Burias, besides her birth and for- \ I tune, was, moreover, possessed of all the qualifi- h. cations of mind and body which engage affection and respect. She was very young when she mar- * ried Nebridius, treasurer of the emperor Theo- dosius the Great, and for some time prefect of Constantinople; but he died within twenty days after his marriage. Our saint was addressed by several of the most considerable men of the court, and Theodosius was very pressing with her to ^ accept for her husband Elpidius, a Spaniard, and f his near relation. She modestly declared her ^ *j*esolution of remaining single the rest of her ;days: the emperor continued to urge the affair, „, and after several decisive answers of the holy , widow, put her whole fortune in the hands of the 4, prefect of Constantinople ; with orders to act as ^ her guardian till she was thirty years old. At ^ the instigation of the disappointed lover, the ^ prefect hindered her from seeing the bishop or s going to church, hoping thus to tire her into a 1, compliance. She told the emiperor that she w^as obliged to own his goodness in easing her of the , heavy burden of managing and disposing of her ^ own money; and that the favour would be com- j plete if he would order her whole fortune to be divided between the poor and the Church Thee- ^ dosius, struck with her heroic virtue, made a fur- 1 ther inquiry into her manner of living, and con- 1 ceiving an exalted idea of her piety, restored to her the administration of her estate in 391. The use which she made of it, was to consecrate the revenues to the purposes which religion and virtue prescribe. By her state of widowhood, according to the admonition of the apostle, she 306 ST. OLYMPIAS, W. [DEC. 17. i looked upon herself as exempted even from what ; i the support of her rank seemed to require in the ; Avorld, and she rejoiced that the slavery of vanity y and luxury was by her condition condemned even ) m the eyes of the world itself. With great \ fervour she embraced a life of penance and '\ f prayer. Her tender body she macerated with austere fasts, and never ate flesh or any thing • ) that had life: by habit, long watching became as j / natural to her as much sleep is to others; and \ she seldom allowed herself the use of a bath, ^ which is thought a necessary refreshment in hot 1 countries, and was particularly so before the ordinary use of linen. By meekness and humility ' ' she seemed perfectly crucified to her own will, and to all sentiments of vanit^^, which had no^ place in her heart, nor share in any of her ; actions. The modesty, simplicity, and sincerit,^ from which she never departed in her conduct, ( were a clear demonstration what was the sole : object of her affections and desires. Her dress i Avas mean, her furniture poor, her prayers as- ) '( siduous and fervent, and her charities without ^ / bounds. These St. Chrysostom compares to a = ; river which is open to all, and diffuses its waters } \ to the bounds of the earth, and into the ocean f itself. The most distant towns, isles, and deserts i received plentiful supplies by her liberality, and t she settled whole estates upon remote destitute churches. Her riches indeed were almost im- mense, and her mortified life afforded her an op- . 13ortunity of consecrating them all to God. Yet t St. Chrysostom found it necessary to exhort her \ sometimes to moderate her alms, or rather to be } more cautious and reserved in bestowing them, that she might be enabled to succour those whose distresses deserved a preference. The devil assailed her by many trials, winch God permitted for the exercising and perfecting of her virtue. The contradictions of the world DEC. 17.] ST. OLYMPIAS5 W, 307 . served only to increase her meekness, humility, / and patience, and with her merits to multiply her crowns. Frequent severe sicknesses, most outrageous slanders and unjust persecutions suc- ceeded one another. St. Chrysostom, in one of , his letters,- writes to her as follows. i "-As you ai^o well acquainted with the advantages and merit • of sufferings, you have reason to rejoice, inasmuch as by having lived constantly in tribulation you | have walked in the road of crowns and laurels, I All manner of corporal distempers have been your portion, often more cruel and harder to be endured than ten thousand deaths ; nor have you f ever been free from sickness. Yofi have been | j f , perpetually overwhelmed with slanders, insults, 1* and injuries. Never have you been free from some new tribulation: torrents of tears have always been familiar to you. Among all these one single affliction is enough to fill your soul with , spiritual riches." Her virtue was the admiration of the whole Church, as appears by the manner in which almost all the saints and great prelates of that age mention her. St. Amphilochius, St. Epiphanius, St. Peter of Sebaste, and others were fond of her acquaintance, and maintained a correspondence with her, which always tended to promote God's glory and the good of souls. Nec- tarius, archbishop of Constantinople, had the^' greatest esteem for her sanctity, and created her j I deaconess to serve that church in certain remote j . % functions of the ministry, of which that sex is i I capable, as in preparing linen for the altai's, and f f the like. A vow of perpetua.1 chastity was always I annexed to this stite. St. Chrysostom, who Avas I placed in that see in 398, had not less respect for I the sanctity of Olympias than his predecessor, I and as his extraordinary piety, experience, and ^ skill in sacred learning, made him au incompa- 1 St. Chrys. op. 3. 308 ST. OLYMPIAS, \V, [r;EC. 17. rahle guide and model of a spiritual life, I'.e was so much the more honoured by her: hut he re- fused to char^^e himself with the distribution of her alms as Ncctarius had done. She was one of the last persons whom St, Chrysostom took leave of when he went into banishment on the » 20th of June in 4G4. She was then in the great I church, which seemed the place of her usual resi- ) deuce; and it was necessary to tear her from his ; feet by violence. After his departure she had a ) ^reat share in the persecution in which all his . friends were involved. She was convened before j Optatus, the prefect of the city, who was a ] heathen. She justified herself as to the calumnies V which were shamelessly alleged in court against her; but she assured the governor that nothing should engage her to hold communion with Ar- sacius, a scbismatical usurper of another's see. She was dismissed for that time, and was visited with a grievous fit of sickness, which afflicted hei' the whole winter. In spring she was obliged by Arsacius and the court to leave the city, and wan- dered from place to place. About midsummer in 405 she was brought back to Constantinople, and again presented before Optatus, who, without any further trial, sentenced her to pay a heavy fine because she refused to communicate with Arsa- 5 cius. Her goods were sold by a public auction; ; she was often dragged before public tribunals; > her clothes were torn by the soldiers, her farms rifled by many amongst the dregs of the people, ) and she was insulted by her own servants, and ) those who had received from her hands the great- ) est favours. Atticus, successor of Arsacius, dis- ) persed and banished the whole community of ' nuns which she governed; for it seems, by what Palladius writes, that she was abbess or at least directress, of the monastery which she had founded near the great church, v/hich subsisted till the fall of the Grecian empire. St, Chrysos- DEC. )7.] ST. OLYMPIAS, W. 309 torn frequently encouraged and comforted her by- letters; but he sometimes blamed her grief. This indeed seemed in some degree excusable, as she regretted the loss of the spiritual consolation and instruction she had formerly received from him, and deplored the dreadful evils which his unjust banishment brought upon the Church. Neither did she smk into despondency, fail in the perfect resignation of her will, or lose her confidence in God under her affliction, remembering that God 33 ready^o supply every help ,to those who sin- cerely seek him, and that he abandoned not St. Paul's tender converts when he suffered their master to be taken from them. St. Chrysostom bid ]ier particularly to rejoice under her sicknesses, which she ought to place among her most precious cro wns, in imitation of Job and Lazarus. In his distress she furnished him with plentiful supplies, wherewith he ransomed many cixptives, and re- lieved the poor in the wild and desert countries into which he was banished. She also sent him dmgs for his own use when he laboured under a bad state of health. Her lingering martj^dom was prolonged beyond that of St. Chrysostom; for she was living in 408, when Palladius wrote his Dialogue on the Life of St. Chrysostom. The other Palladius, in the Lausiac history which he compiled in 420, tells us, that she died under her sufferings, and, deserving to receive the recom- pense due to holy confessors, enjoyed the glory of heaven among the saints. The Greeks honour her memory on the 25th of July; but the Roman Martyrology on the 17th of December. The saints all studied to husband every mo- ment to the best advantage, knowing that life is very short, that night is coming on apace, in wdiich no one will be able to work, and that all our moments here are so many precious seeds of eternity. If we applied ourselves with the sainta to the uninterrupted exercise of good works, we '20 12 310 ST. BEGGA, W. [dec. 17. should find that short as life is, it affords sufficient , time for extirpating our evil inclinatioAS, learning '] to put on the spirit of Christ, working' our souls ( into a heavenly temper, adorning them with all i virtues, and laying in a provision for eternity, ) But through our unthinking indolence, the pre- ) cious time of life is reduced almost to nothing, i because the greatest part of it is absolutely i thrown away. So numerous is the tribe of idlers, | and the class of occupations which deserve no | other denomination than that of idleness, that a ) bare list would fill a volume. The complaint of Seneca, how much soever it degrades men be- neath the dignity of reason, and much more of religion, agrees no less to the greatest part of Christians, than to the idolaters, that " Almost their whole lives are spent in doing nothing, and •the whole in doing nothing to the purj^ose.''! Lef no moments be spent merely to pass time; diver- sions and corporal exercise ought to be used with moderation, only as much as may seem rec^uisite for bodily health and the vigour of the mind. Every one is bound to apply himself to some serious employment, v This and his necessary recreations must be referred to God, and sancti- fied by a holy intention, and other circumstances which virtue prescribes; and in all our actions humility, patience, various acts of secret prayer, and other virtues ought, according to the occa- sions, to be exercised. Thus will our lives be a continued series of good works, and an uninter- rupted holocaust of divine praise and love. That any parts of this sacrifice should be defective, ought to be the subject of our daily compunction and tears. ST. BEGGA, WIDOW AND ABBESS. This saint was daughter of Pepin of Landen, 1 Seneca, ep. DEC. 18,J SS. RUFUS AND ZOZIMUS, MM. 311 eldest sister to St. Gertrude of Nivelle, and mar- r ried Aiisegise, son to St. Arnoul, who was some ' time mayor of the palace, and afterward bishop , of Metz. Her husband beui^ killed in hunting, she dedicated herself to a penitential state of re- tirement, and, after performing a pilgrimage to Rome, built seven chapels at Anden on the Meuse, in imitation of the seven principal churches at Rome. There she also founded a great nunnery in imitation of that which her sis- ter governed at Nivelle,^ from which she was fur- nished with a little colony who laid the founda- tion of this monastery, and lived under her direc- tion. Many holy virgins were trained up by them in the perfect practice of piety. The rich monas- < tery of Anden was afterward converted into a. j collegiate church of thirty- two canonesses of ) ^\ noble families, with ten canons to officiate at the. ) altar. It is situate in the forest of Ardenne, in ) the diocess of Namur. St. Begga departed to our / Lord in the year 698, and is named in the Roman ' Martyrology. See Miraeus. DECEMBER XVllI. SS. RUFUS AND ZOZIMUS, MM. From St. Polycarp's Epistle, n. 9. p. 94. A. D. 116. From the eminent spirit of sanctity which the actions and writings of the great St. Ignatius St Begga the institution of the Bepnines, very n imerous at Mechhn, Ghent, and other places in Brabant, the Flemish ^i^";.""*?' '^"'if«">o no.ghbonring provinces of the Low Countries. They devote themselves to the divine service under simple tows of chastity, fw «r S'TV-L*-^' ^"'y 80 as ^^ley remain in ^allis, and other historians inform us. that the Beguines were instituted by Lambert le Begue or Balbus. » pious priest oi Liege, in II7O, and derive from him their name. S12 SS. RUFUS AND ZOZIMUS, MM. [dEC. 18. "breathe, we are to form a jndg-ment of that with which tliese holy martyrs were animated. They had the happiness to share in his chains and snfferin^^s for Christ, and likewise glorified God by martyrdom under Ti^ajan, about the year 116. i St. Polycarp says of them, " They have not run I in vain, but in faith and righteousness; and they ^ are gone to the place that was due to them fi'oni X the Lord, with whom they also suffered. For Jf^ they loved not the present world, but Him who ) died, and was raised again by God for us." \ "Whether Antioch or Philippi, where they seem } to have preached, or what other city of the East "was the theatre of their triimipli is uncertnin. St. Polycarp, writing to the Philippians, says: — Wherefore I exhort all of you that ye obey tlie word of righteousness^ and. exercise all patience, which ye have seen set forth before your eyes, not only in the blessed Ignatius, and Zozimus, and KufiTS, but in others that have been among you ; and in Paul himslf, and the rest of the apos- tles." The primitive martyrs rejoiced exceedingly in being called to suffer for Christ. If faith was as > lively and active in us, and if the divine love ex- } erted its power in our hearts, we should rejoice ) at all occasions of practising meekness and pa- / tience, which we should look upon as our greatest 3 happiness and gain. To forgive an injury, to 5 bear well an affront, or to suffer with perfect re- 1 signation, patience and humility, is a glorious r Tictory gained over ourselves, by which we van- 1 quish our passions, and improve in our souls the i habits of those divine virtues in which consists j the spirit of Christ, and the resemblance we are ' commanded to bear to him. Occasions occur in^ ' almost all our actions; yet we lose them, and < even suffer our passions to reign in them to the offence of God, the scandal of our holy religion, I and the infinite prejudice of our souls. Do we - DEC. 18.] ST. GATIAN, B. C. 315 , consider that the least exertion of meekness, hu- v ' inility, or charity, is something much greater and ( ihore advantageous than the conquest of empires { and the whole world could be? For Alexander | , to have once curbed his anger on ever so small | ; an occasion, would have been a far more glorious S / victory than all his conquests, even if his wars ♦ ^ had been just. For nothing is so heroic as for a man to vanquish his passions, and learn to govern r his own soul. Why then do not we take all ne- cessary precautions to watch and to arm our- selves for these continual occasions? Why are not we prepared, and upon our guard to check ^ all sudden sallies of our passions, and, under provocations, to show by silence, meekness, and ' patience, that we study truly to prove ourselves j disciples of Christ? SAINT GATIAN, FIRST BISHOP OF TOURS, a St. Gatian came from Rome with St. Diony* sius of Paris, about the middle of the third cen- tury, and preached the faith princii)ally at Tours in Gaul, where he fixed his episcopal sec. The Gauls in that part were extremely addicted to the worship of their idols. But no contradictions or sufferings were able to discourage or daunt this true apostle; and by perseverance he gained several to Christ. He assembled his little flock in grots and caves, and there celebrated the divine mysteries. For he was obliged often to lie hid ^ in lurking holes a long time together in order to escape a ciniel death, with which the heathens frequently threatened him, and which he was al- ,; ways ready to receive with joy if he had fallen ■ into their hands. Having continued his laboura I with unwearied zeal amidst frequent sufferings ' i and dangers for near the space of fifty year;?. 314 ST. WINEBALD, A. C. [DEC. 18, he died in peace^ and was honoured with mira- cles. , Bee St. Gregory of Tours, 1. 1. o. 30. the Roman Martyrology, and Gal- lia Christiana. ST. WINEBALD, ABBOT, C. St. Richard, the English- Saxon king, seems to have been a prince of Westsex; for he was re- lated to St. Boniface, and set out on his pilgri- mage from Hamble-Haven in that country. It is thought tliat he was one of those princes who ruled in part of that kingdom, till they were com- ■ polled to give way to king CeadwallJ God blessed him with three children, St. Winebald, the eldest, St. Willibald, who died bishop of ^ Eystadt, and St. Walburga. St. Richard, leaving \ his native country, took with him his two sons, i and embarking at Hamble-Haven, laiftded on the ; coast of Normandy, and visiting all the places of devotion on his way, travelled into Italy, intend- ing to go to Rome: but at Lucca fell sick and • died about the year 722. His body was buried in \ the church of St. Frigidian,^ and on account of I certain famous miracles wrought at his tomb, was I taken up by Gregory bishop of Lucca, by the ' pope's authority, and is kept in a rich shrine in that church. His name occurs in the Roman Martyrol'jgy on the 7th of February. SS. Wine- bald and Willibald accomplished their pilgrimage to Rome. After some stay there to perfomi their devotions, St. Willibald undertook another pilgrimage to the holy places in Palestine ; but Winebald, who is by some called Wunibald, who 1 Bede, 1. 4. c. 12. 2 Sfc. Frigidian, or Fridian, an Irishman, who is honoured on Uie J8th of March, and his translation on the l8th of November, was bishop of Jjucoa in the sixth century, famous for sanctity and miracles, and was "buried in this church, which he had founded in honour of St. Vincent : l)nt it since bears hia name, and now belongs to a famous monjvstery of Olivetan monks. DEC. 18.] ST. WINEBALD,>, C. 315 was from his childhood of a weak sickly constitu- i tion, remained at Rome, where he pursued his ' studies seven years, took the tonsure, and de- voted himself with his whole heart to the divine service. Then returning to England, he engaged a third brother and several among his kindred and acquaintance to accompany him in his jour- \ ney back to Rome, and there dedicate them- \ selves to God in a religious state. St. Boniface, } who was our saint's covisin, coming to that city in • 738, prevailed with him upon motives of charity to undertake a share of his labours in the conver- I sion of the infidels and in founding the infant Church of Germany. Winebald accompanied him into Thuringia, and being ordained priest by that holy archbishop, took upon him by his com- mission the care of seven churches in that coun- try, especially at Erfurt, as the nun informs us m the life of our saint. These churches the chroni- cle of Andesches and Bruschius call seven mo- nasteries ; but without authority or probability, i as Serarius observes. St. Willibald was made 1 bishop of Aychstadt in Franconia in 781, and be- j ing desirous to erect a double monastery which i might be a pattern and seminary of piety and j learning to the numerous churches which he had planted, prevailed with his brother Winebald, ! and his sister Walburga, whom he invited out of ^ England, to undertake that charge. Winebald therefore translated his monastery from Schwanfield to Heidenheim, where, having purchased a wild* spot of ground covered with shrubs and bushes, he cleared it and built first little cells or mean cottages for himself and his I monks, and shortly after erected a monastery. A f nunnery was founded by him in the neighbour- hood, which St. Walburga governed. The idola- ters often attempted the life of St. Winebald by poison and by open violence: but by the divine protection he escaped then- snaresj and con- ] 316 ST. WINEBALD, A. C. [dEC. 18. tinned by liis zealous labonrs to dilate on every , side the pale of Christ's fold. He was solicitous j in the first place to maintain in his religious com- ■munity the perfect spirit of their holy state, teaching them above all things to persevere 1 : instant in prayer^l and to keep inviolably in mind ■ . the humility of our Lord, and his meekness and ', holy conversation, as the standard from which • they were never to turn their eye^. They who ■ find a reluctance arising from the corruption of . their passions, must nevertheless force them- . selves cheerfully to all that which is good, espe- 1 i cially to divine love, fraternal compassion, pa- . tience when they are despised, meekness, and / •, assiduous prayer; for God, beholding their con- h ^ flicts and the earnestness of their desires and C p endeavours, Avill in the end, grant them the true I V grace of prayer, meekness, and the bowels of I I mercy, and will fill them with the fniits of the / ^ Spirit, in which state the Lord seems to perform ) all things in them; so sweet do humility, love, ) meekness, and prayer become. Thus our holy S abbot encouraged his spiritual children, and ' J strength^ied in them the spirit of Christ; but he 'i inculcated to them both by word and example, \ that Christ never plants his spirit, nor establishes { the kingdom of his grace in souls which are not 4 '( prepared by self-denial, mortification, obedience, l _ j simplicity, a life of prayer, and profound humi- h lity; for self- elevation is the greatest abasement K I aiid self-abasement is the higliest exaltation, f f honour, and dignity. For only he can cleave to | j the Lord who has freed his heart from earthly f ^,li\sts, and disengaged his aff'ections from the ] rcovetousness of the world. St. Winebald was J . afliicted many years with sickness, and had a | private chapel erected in his own cell, in which | he said mass when he was not able to go to j I Rom. xiii, 12, DEC. 18.J ST. WINEBALD, A. C. 317 church. Once, being looked upon as brought by his distemper to extremity, and almost to the point of death, he made a visit of devotion to the shrine of St. Boniface, once his spiritual father and much honoured friend in Christ: and in, three weeks' time was restored to his health. , Some time after, he relapsed into his former ill state of health, and in his last moments earnestly exhorted his disciples to advance with their whole might toward God without stopping or looking behind them; for no one can be found worthy to enter the holy city, who strives not by doing his utmost that his name be written in heaven with the first-born. For this, in the ear- nestness of our desires, we ought to pour out tears day and night. Our saint had made them, as it were, the very food of the soul, and having been tried, and purified by a lingering sickness as the pure gold in the furnace, went to God on the 18th of December, 760. After his death St. Wil- libald committed the superintendency over the monastery of monks to the holy abbess St. Wal- ' ])urga so long as she lived. The monastery of Heidenheim was finally dissolved upon the change of religion in the province of Branden- burg Anspach, in which it was situated. The nun who wrote the life of St. Winebald assures us, •that several miraculous cures were i)erformed at /4iis tomb. St. Ludger also writes in the life of >St. Gregory of Utrecht, " Winebald w^is veiy dear to my master Gregory, and shows by gre;it .'miracles since his death what he did whilst ' living." Rader testifies, that St. Winebald is honoured among the saints hi several churches in ■ Germany, though his i\sxme is not inserted in the Hainan Martyrology, as Mabillon and Basuage remark. See his life wrote, not by St. Walburga, as some have said, but by another contemporary nun of her monastery, who had before wrote the life of St. Willibald. In that of St, Winebald we 318 ST. NEMESION, M. &C [DEC. 19. have an account of the manner of canonizin ther to embrace the same state of life. Though (* young, he had experienced the world sufficiently { to understand the emptiness and dangers of its / enjoyments. He saw that even if it bestows on - a man all things it can give, he is only like a rich ; man who is possessed of stately houses, abun- / dance of gold and silver, and enjoys all manner 1 of attendance; yet is afflicted with inward pains 1 and distempers, under which neither the whole tribe of his relations, nor his riches, nor strength, , nor diversions can ease his pains; nothing at least of all this can cleanse him from sin. But the more this visible world, and the false rest which it affords, seem to cherish the body, so much the more do they sharpen the disorders I S. Macarius, Horn. 17, p, 265. DEC. *20.] ST. PAUL, HERMIT. 323 of the soul, and increase her illness. This the . pious youth seriously considered, and resolved/ to disengage himself from the cares of this hfe,| find devote himself to the Lord, crying to him% night and day. Basil recommended our saint j to the care and instruction of the abbot of Carya) on the top of Mount Latrus, and returning him- ) self to Mount Olympus, he died abbot of the laura of St. Elias. Paul was indefatigable in the exercise of holy prayer, and having no other desire than, to gain heaven, laboured seriously to subdue his body by mortification. He never lay down to sleep, but ; only leaned his head against a stone or tree. No j unprofitable word was ever heard from his mouth : , and the sight of the fire, which put him in mind of hell, drew tears from his eyes without inter- mission whenever he was employed in the kitch- ; en. It was his desire, for the sake of greater \ solitude and austerity, to lead an eremitical life ; f but his abbot thinking him too young, refused ■ him leave so long as he lived; but this he ob- ^ tained after his death. His first cell was a cave ' on the highest part of Mount Latrus, where, for ' some weeks, he had no other subsistence than ' green acorns, which caused him at first to vomit I even to blood. After eight months he was called \ back by the abbot to Carya, but soon after allow- ^ ed to pursue his vocation, and chose a new habi- l tation on the highest and most craggy part of tlie • mountain. The first three years he suffered most grievous temptations ; but overcame them by steadiness in his exercises, and especially by assi- duous prayer. A countryman sometimes brought him a little coarse food; but he mostly lived on ) what grew wild on the mountain. At first he \ wanted water; but God produced a spring with a \ constant stream near his dwelling. The reputa- tion of his sanctity being spread through the \ neighbouring provinces, several persons chose to 324 ST. PAUL, HERMIT [DEC. 20, live near him, and built there a laiira of cells. Paul, who had been careless of himself as to all corporal necessaries, was solicitous that no pro- visions should be wanting to thoge that lived under his direction. After twelve j^ears, regret- ting to see his solitude too much broken into, he secretly withdrew into a Avild part of tlie moun- tains, where he had no company but that of wild beasts. Hov/ever, he visited his brethren from time to time, to comfort and encourage them; and he sometimes led them into the forests to sing the divine praises together. Being once asked why he appeared sometimes joyful, at other times sad, he answered, " When nothing diverts my thoughts from God, my heart swims in excess of overflowing joy, insomuch that I often forget my food, and all earthly things; but \ it is an affliction to live amidst the distraction of | worldly conversation." On certain necessary i occasions he disclosed something of the wonder- ful communications which passed between his ■soul and God, and of the heavenly favours which lie received in contemplation. Desiring to find a closer retirement, he passed to the isle of Samos, | and there concealed himself in a cave upon [ Mount Cerces. But he was soon discovered, and 1 many flocking to him, lie re-established three [ lauras, which had been ruined by the Saracens | in that island. The importunate entreaties of the monks of his laura at Latrus prevailed upon him to I'cturn to his former cell on the top of j that mountain. There he lived in the practice i of penance and contemplation, but refused not instructions to tliose that desired them. The i emperor Constantino Porphyrogenetta wrote fre- quently to him, asked his advice in aftairs of im- portance, and had always reason to repent when he did not follow it. Popes, bishops, and princes often sent messages to him. Such was his ten- I derness for the poor, that he gave them every i PEC. 21.] ST. THOMAS, APOSTLB. S25 part of his own coarse meat and clothes which it was in his power to retrench: and once he would have sold himself for a slave to procure assist- ance for certain persons in deep distress, had he not been prevented. Toward the end of his life he drew up rules for his laura. On the 6th of December in 956, foreseeing that his death drew near, he came down from his cell to his laura, said mass more early than usual, then took to his bed, being seized with a violent fever. He spent his last moments in prayer, and in repeating tender instmctions to his monks till his happy death, which fell out on the 15th of December, on which day he is commemorated in the Greek Synaxarium. Papebroke tells us, he found his name in some Greek calendars on the 21st of De- cember. See his life, which is well wrote, quoted by Leo AUatius, and Jos. Assemani in Cal. Univ. t. 5. p. 467, abridged by Fleury, 1. 55. n. 52, t. 12. p. 101, &c. DECEMBER XXI. ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE. Soe Tillemont, 1. 1. p. 355. Ant. Pagi, Critlca, vol. i. p. 421. FIRST AGE. It was not unusual for the Jews and other Orientals, when they conversed with other na- tions, to assume names in the language of those countries of the same import with those which they bore in their own, that the sound might bo less uncouth or harsh to such foreigners. For where languages, though there is always some general analogy, differ too widely, as those of the Orientals on one side, and on the other the Sola- 21 12 326 ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE. [dec. 21. vonian, do from ours, names in the one appear disagreeable in pronunciation, unless they are softened, and brought to some affinity. Thus Tabitha was in Greek called Dorcas, a doe; Ce- phas, Peter, Thomas and Didymus, Thauma, or Thama, in Chaldaic signifying a twm. St. Tliomajs was a Jew, and probably a Galilsean of low con- dition, according to Metaphrastes, a fisherman. He had the happiness to follow Christ, and was made by him an apostle in the year 31.1 If he appears to have been slow in understanding, and unacquainted with secular learning, he made up for this by the candour and simplicity of his heart, and the ardour of his piety and desires. Of this - he gave a proof when Jesus was going up to the neighbourhood of Jeinisalem in order to raise Lazarus to life, where the priests and Pharisees were contriving his death. The rest of the dis- h ciples endeavoured to dissuade him from that \ journey, saying: Rabbit the Jew& but now sought to y stone thee ; and goest thou thither again ? But St- I Thomas said to his fellow-disciples: Let m also t POf that we may die with him.^ So ardent was his % love of his divine master, even before the descent \ of the Holy Ghost. When our Lord at his last supper acquainted his disciples that he was about to leave them ; but told them for their comfort that he was going to prepare a place for them in his Father's house, our apostle, who vehemently desired to follow him, said: Lord, we know not tvhither thou goest, and how can we know the way ?3 Christ presently rectified his misapprehension i by returning this short, but satisfactory answer: I / am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No i man cometh to the Leather but by me. By which he ^ I gave to understand, that by his doctrine and ex- / t ample he had taught men the path of salvation, j 1 MaU. X. 3. John xi, 10. 3 John xiv. 5, 6. DEC. 21.] ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE. 327 and that he is the author of the Way tliat leadeth to life, which he hath both opened and discover- ed to us; that he is the teacher of that Truth which directs to it; and the giver of that Life of grace here, and of a glorious eternity hereafter, -which is to be obtained by walking in this way, and according to this truth. After our Lord had suffered, was risen from the dead, and on the same day had appeared to his disciples, to convince them of the truth of his resuiTection, Thomas not being witii them on' that occasion, refused to believe upon their report that he was truly risen, presuming that it was; only a phantom, or mere apparition, unless he' might see the very prints of the nails, and feel the wounds in his hands and side. On that day sevennight our merciful Lord, with infinite con- descension to this apostle's weakness, presented himself again, when he and his colleagues were assembled together, probably at their devotions; and after the usual salutation of Peace he unto you, he turned to Thomas, and bid him look upon his hands, and put his finger into the hole of his side, and into the prints of the nails. St. Austin and many others doubt not but this apostle did so; though this be not mentioned by the evange- list, and some think, that being convinced, he refrained out of modesty and respect. It is ob- served by St. Austin and others, that he sinned ^by obstinacy, presumption, and incredulity: for X the resurrection of Christ was no more than t Moses and the prophets had long before foretold, i Nor was it reasonable in him to reject the testi- ly mony of such eye-witnesses: and this stubborn- ly ness might have betrayed him into infidelity. ^ However his refractoriness was not a sin of ma- U lice, and the mercy of our Redeemer not oul^ r brought him to saving repentance, but raised I* him to the summit of holy charity and perfect I virtue. St. Thomas was no sooner convinced of 328 ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE. [DEC. 21. the reality of the ir.ystery, but, penetrated with , compunction, awe, and tender love, he cried out, S My Lord and my God.l Prostrating to liim all " the powers of his soul, he acknowledged him the only and sovereign Lord of his heart, and the 4 sole object of all his aifections. Nothing is more ^ easy than to repeat these words; but to pro- nounce them with a sincere and perfect disposi- | tion, is a privilege reserved to those who are | crucified to the world, and in whose affections God only reigns by his pm'e and perfect love. | So long as pride, envy, avarice, sensuality, or * other passions challenge to themselves any shares J in our affections, Christ has not established in | them the empu-e of his grace; and it is only in 1 lying and hypocrisy that we call him our God :{ and our King. Let us at least labour without 1 ceasing, by compunction and holy prayer, to < attain to this happiness, that Christ may estab- lish his reign in us, and that we may be able to say with our whole hearts, My Lord and my God, These words St. Thomas spoke with an entire faith, believing him truly God, whose humanity only he saw, confessing him omnipotent, in over- coming death and hell, and acknowledging his omniscience, who knew the doubts and scruples of his heart. The apostle also expressed by them the ardour of his love, which the particle my God clearly indicates. If we love our God and Re- deemer, can we cease sweetly, but with awe and trembling, to call him our Lord and our God, and to beg with torrents of tears that he become more and more perfectly the God and King of our hearts? From this apostle's incredulity Christ ^ mercifully drew the. strongest evidence of his V resurrection for the confirmation of our faith r beyond all cavil or contradiction. Whence St. ? Gregory the Great says:2 "By this doubting of 1 John XX. 28. 2 S/6reg. Horn. 26. in Erang. Die. 21.] ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE. 329 Thomas we are more confirmed in our belief, than by the faith of the other apostles.'* Some other fathers take notice, that our apostle, by this confession, shows himself a perfect theolo- r gian, instructed in the very school of truth, de*» | V daring in Christ two distinct natures in one and ! I the same person, his humanity by the word Lordf U L and his divinity by the word God, Faith in the V beginning stood in need of miracles, by which ( I God impressed the stamp of his authority upon I f his holy revelation. But such are the marks and ! ^ characteristics of his truth herein, that those i i who can still stand out against all the light and \ I evidence of the Christian revelation, would bar < I their heart against all conviction from miracles* | f There were infidels amidst the dispensation of | f the most evident miracles as well as now. So i J true it is, that he who belie veth not Moses and J V the prophets, would not believe the greatest of*^* i all miB|cles, one risen from the dead. Aftefthe descent of the Holy Ghost, St. Tho- mas commissioned Thaddseus to instruct and baptize Abgar, king or toparch of Edessa. This prince, according to the records kept in the church of Edessa, transcribed by Eusebius,i and mentioned by St. Ephrem,2 had wrote to Christ to invite him into his kingdom, and begging to be cured by him of a distemper with which he was afflicted. Christ, in his answer, told him f that he must accomplish the things for which he ^ was sent, and then return to him who sent him; < but that immediately after his ascension he t would send one of his disciples to the king, to ^ I heal him, and give life to him and all his family.3 r This promise of our Lord was made good by St. yThomas, who, by a special direction of the Holy vGhostj sent Thaddaeus, one of the seventy-two i Hist. 1. 1. c. 13. p. 36. ed. Cantabr. 9 St. Ephr. in Testam. t. 2, p. 235. ed. Vatic, anno 1743' 3 This letter of Abgar to Christ, and our Lord's answer, are Irojccted as counterfeit by Erasmus, Coster, Melchior, Cano, Bellarmin, l>upia. 330 sr. THOMAS, APOSTLE. [DEC. 21. ^/ disciples, and, according to some, his own bro- X ther, to Edessa, who restored the king to his health, baptized him and many others, and plant- " ed Christianity in that country. This disciple - Thaddseus is distinct from St. Judas the apostle, ■ and is honoured by the Greeks, who tell us that ' he died at Berytus in Phenicia, on the 21st of August. As for St. Thomas, Origenl informs us, i that in the distribution made by the twelve, Parthia was particularly assigned to him for his apostolic province, when this nation held the place of the Persian empire, and disputed the sovereignty with the Homans. After preaching with good success in the particular province of Parthia, he did the same in other nations subject to that empire, and over all the East. SophrO' , nius2 mentions, that by his apostolic labours, he ' established the faith among the Modes, Persians, . Carmanians, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and other ' nations in those paints. Modern Greeks nmption, also the Indians and Ethiopians ;3 but these appel- I lations were sometimes given by the ancients to / ( all the eastern nations. The modern Indians ( I,, and Portuguese tell us, that St. Thomas preached / / to the Bracmans, and to the Indians beyond the ) " great island Taprobana, which some take to be s y Ceylon, others Sumatra. They add, that he suf- ( /, fered martyrdom at Meliapor, or St. Thomas's, / ' , 1 in the peninsula on this side the Ganges, on the ) ^ ( coast of Coromandel, where his body was disco- > Rich/Simon, and Natalis Alex. ssec. 1, diss. Z. Among the protestants, by Rivet, Hornbeck, the younger Spanheim, &c. : but are stiffly main- tained to be genuine by Tillemont, t. 1. Reading, (not. in Eus. p. 56.) &c. See Grabe, Spicilegium Patrum, t. 1. p. 1. et 6. James Basnage, Hist, des Juifs, t. 1. c. 18. p. ftOO. Theoph. Sigf. Bayer, Hist. Edessena et Osroena. I. 3. p. 104. Jos. Simon Assemani, Bibl. Orient, t. 1. p. 3l8. 420. 654. Joan. Albert. Fabricius, Codex Apochryphus N. Test. t. 1. p. .317- Le Qnien, Orien. Christ, t. 2. p. 624. Mamachi, Grig, Eccles. 1. 2. t. 1 p. 30i. 1 Orig. ap. Eus. Hist. 1. 3. c. 1. p. 87. 2 Sophron. ap. S. Hier. in Cat-, de S, Thoma. Theodoret, da Leg. (5erm. .0. 3 ilioeph. Hist. 1. i. c, 40. DEC. 21.] ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE. 331 vered, with certain marks that he was slain with lances; and that such was the manner of his? death is the tradition of all the eastern countries. / Eusebius affirms! in general, that the apostles | died by martyrdom. Theodoret,2 and St. Aste- 1 rius of Amasea,3 mention St. Thomas among the 1 principal martyrs of the Church. St. Nilus says,* that he received the crown of martyrdom after i SS. Peter and Paul.4 St. Gaudentius mentions,5 f that he was slain by infidels, and that the mira- 1 cles which where performed through him, show * that he still lives with God. The same father, and Sophronius testify, that he died at Calamina in India. This city, the modern Indians suppose to be Meliapor. But Tillemont and many others think it was not far from Edessa, and that it is not clear that he ever preached beyond the isle of Taprobana. Beausobre G thinks he never preached far beyond Parthia and Persia. For the name of King Gundaphore, mentioned by Leucius, in his false Acts, and his copier Pseudo Abdias, seems corruptly written for the king of Gundschavur, or Gandisapor, which city was rebuilt by Artaxerxes, who founded the second Persian monarchy, and called from his son Schavar, whom the Greeks name Sapor I., who made it his residence. The author of these false Acts, gave to the city the name which, it bore when he wrote. All the false acts, andj the Greek Menge agree, that the infidel king wasf incensed against the apostle for having baptized some persons of his court, (some say his wife and son,) that he delivered him over to his soldiers, in order to be put to death, and that he was con- 1 Eng. In Ps. brxi. in CoUectione Pair. Grsec. See Montfaucon, Pro- leg, ib. c. 9. p. 36. 2 Tlieodoret, were chosen by Christ, made his friends, reple- ;/ \ nished with his graces and holy charity, and ex- J ; alted to the dignity of spiritual princes of his i kingdom, and judges of the world. Blind and ' y foolish are all men who over-rate and eagerly . pursue the goods of this life; or who so enjoy ; them as to suffer their hearts to be wedded to ; them. Worldly pleasures, riches, or honours, if / they become the object of our affections, are, as it were, fetters whicli fasten us to the earth, and 5 clog our souls; and it is so hard to enjoy tliena S with perfect indifference, to consider them barely as a dangerous stewardship, and to employ them only for the advancement of virtue in ourselves 1 Ree Mftffei, Indie. 1. 2. p. 85, and Lafifcau, Hisfc. dos Conquetee dea Portugaia dans le Nouveau Monde, 1. U. t. 1. p. 327. Univ. History, vol iO. c. 71. p. m. DEC. 21.] ST. EDBURGE, V. 335 and others, that many saints thought it safer . utterly to renounce them, and others rejoiced to 4 see themselves removed from what it is difficult 6 to possess and not be entangled by. Are not the | maxims of the gospel, and the example of Christ, • our king and leader, and of all his saints, sufficient ' } ) to inspire those who enjoy the advantages of this ^ ; world with a saving fear, and to make them study ' < ^ the various obligations of their stewardship, and )y hy watchfulness, voluntary humiliations, mortifi- } ^ cation, compunction, assiduous prayer, and con- v }■ versing on heavenly things by holy meditation if or reading, to stand infinitely upon their guard, lest the love of the world, or the infection of its ^ pride, vanity, or pleasures seize their hearts. Y I Faith must be extremely weak and unactive in / us, if we look upon the things of this world in any other light than that in which the gospel places ; them; if we regard any other goods as truly ] \ valuable but those of divine grace and charity, or ! ^ j if we set not ourselves with our whole strength to I pursue tfiem by the road of humility, patience, I meekness, and piety, in imitation of the saints. The apostles are herein the objects of our vene- ' ration, and our guides and models. We honour them as the doctors of the law of Christ, after i Him the foundation-stones of His Church, the I twelve gates and the twelve precious stones of the heavenly Jerusalem, and as the leaders and princes of the saints. They also challenge our gratitude, inasmuch as it is by their ardent charity > for our souls, and by their labours and sufferings I that we enjoy the happiness of holy faith, and are j ourselves Christians: through them we have re- ceived the gospel. ST. EDBURGE, V. King Alfred projected the foundation of the New Minster at Winchester, and his queen Als- ' 336 ST* EDBURGE^ V. [DEC. 21. v^n , wide began there a monastery of nuns, over . which she appointed Etheldreda abbess. Neither living to finish these houses, their son Edward the Elder completed them both. This king's f daughter Edburge (which name signifies happy >' city) from her cradle despised all things beneath I God and eternity as unworthy all regard. She I was /yet a child when her father king Edward ? laid before her on one hand precious royal orna- i / ments, on the other a penitential religious habit, ^ / bidding her take her choice. The royal virgin / with great joy took up the latter: whereupon her J parents put her in the nunnery of St. Mary, to be J educated under the care of the abbess Etheldre- ^ da, where she afterward became a nun, and i having served God with great fervour, died of a I fever. Bishop Ethelwold took up her sacred re- g mains, and put them in a rich shrine, which the I abbess Elfleda covered with gold and silver. AI- ; I giva, daughter of count Ethelwold, was abbess of I ! this house when Egilwald, or Alward-\\iada, earl > of Dorsetshire, desired of her a portion of the relics of this holy person for the monastery of ^ Pershore in Worcestershire, which had been de- stroyed by the Danes, and he had just rebuilt. I he abbess gave him part of her skull, some of I her ribs and other bones, which were enclosed in I a rich case, and were kept at Pershore as its I most precious treasure; though the principal part ^ of her body was venerated at St. Mary^s in Win- ' Chester. Be© leJand, Collect, t. 1. p. 61. 278. t. 2. p. 264. William of Mftlmes- tury, &c. DEC. 22.] 337 DECEMBER XXII. ST. ISCHYRION, M. Jtovfl Bt, DionyQius of Alexandria, ap. Eui. 1. 6. o. 42> Bee Baroniiu, ad an. 253. n. 107. A. D. 253. IscHYRioN was an inferior officer who attended on a magistrate of a certain city in Egypt, which 3t. Dionysius has not named. His master com- manded him to offer sacrifice to the idols; and because he refused to commit that sacrilege, re- proached him with the most contumelious and threatening speeches. By giving way to his pas- sion and superstition, he at length worked himself up to that degree of frenzy, as to run a stake into the bowels of the meek servant of Christ, who, by his patient constancy, attained to the gloiy of martyrdom. We justly praise and admire the tender piety and heroic fortitude of this holy servant and martyr. It is not a man's condition, but virtue, that can make him truly great or truly happy. How mean soever a person's station or circum- stances may be, the road to both is open to him ; and there is not a servant or slave who ought not to be enkindled with a laudable ambition of arriving at this greatness, which will set him on the same level with the rich and the most power- ful. Nay, a servant's condition has generally stronger incitements to holiness, and fewer ob- stacles and temptations than most others. But for this he must, in the first place, be faithful to God, and ardent in all practices of devotion. Some allege want of time to pray. But theii' meals, their sleep, their diversions demonstrate, 388 ST. ISCHYllION, M. [DEC. *22. that it is not time but zeal for the divine service « that is wanting. What Christian does not blush > at his laziness in this duty, when he calls to mind } Epictetus's lamp, and Cleanthes's labour, who I Prayer in such a station ought not to trespass, >• ■ upon work, but who cannot, even at his work, I raise his mind to God in frequent ejaculations! [ Also industry, faithfulness, with the most scrupu- t lous exactness, obedience, respect, esteem, and J sincere love which a servant owes to a master, j with a care of their honour and interest, are duties ] , to God, whose will he does, and whom he honours , 3 in proportion to the diligence and ardour with * which he acquits himself of them. Justice, charity, concord, and ready mutual assistance are ^ virtues constantly to be exercised towards fellow- Y servants, upon which depend the peace, happi- ness, and good order of the whole family. Pa- tience, meekness, humility, and charity must be . called forth on all occasions, especially under ^ reproofs and injuries, which must always be / received in silence, and with sweetness, kindness, ^ and a degree of gratitude when they carry any , : admonitions with them. Perfect resignation to ^the will of God, and confidence in his infinite ■^' wisdom, power, and goodness, must be joined . 5 with constant cheerfulness and contentedness in : a person's station, which brings servants much i " f greater advantages for happiness, and removes \ > them from dangers, hazards, and disappointments S more than is generally considered. Servants who « are kept mostly for state, are of all others most (. exposed to dangers and ruin, and most unhappy: ^ But must by devotion and other serious employ- 1 c ments fill up all their moments. By such a con- f duct, a servant, how low soever his condition may f appear in the eyes of men, Avill arise to the > truest greatness, attain to present and future hap« DEC. 22.] SS. CYRIL, &C. CC. 339 j piness, and approve himself dear to God, valuS^ / ; ble to man, a most useful member of the republic I of the world, and a blessing of the family wherein I he lives. SS, CYRIL AND METHODIUS, CC. CoNSTANTiNE, who was afterward called Cyril, was born at Thessalonica of an illustrious senato- rial Roman family. He had his education at Constantinople, and by his great progress in learning deserved to be surnamed The Philoso- pher; but piety was the most shining part of his character. He was promoted to the priesthood, and served the Church with great zeal. St. Igna- tius being advanced to the patriarchal dignity in 846, Photius set himself to decry his virtues, and disputed that every man has two souls. St. Cyril reproved him for this error. Photius answered him, that he meant not to hurt any one, but to . try the abilities and logic of Ignatius. To which ; wretched excuse Cyril replied: " You have thrown your darts into the midst of the crowd, yet pretend no one will be hurt. How great i soever the eyes of your wisdom may be, they are L blinded b^ the smoke of avarice and envy. Your passion against Ignatius deprived you of your sight." This is related by Anastasius the bibliothecarian, and the aforesaid error was con- demned in the eighth general council. l The Chazari at that time desired baptism. These were a tribe of Turci, the most numerous and powerful nation of the Huns in European Scy- thia. In the sixth century they were divided into seven, sometimes into ten tiibes, governed by so many independent chagans^ that is, chams or kings.2 They drove the Abares, and other nations of the Huns, from the banks of the Ethel, since called Volga, toward the Danube, m the reigns of the emperors Mauricius and Tiberius, 1 Ciin. 11. Cone, t. 8. p, 1152. 2 Jos. Asfrtni. Orig. Eccl. Slav. t. 2. et 3. 340 ss. CYRIL, Slc, cc. [dec. 22* who both honoured them with their alliance, and two pompous embassies, described at large by the emperor Constantino Porphyrogenetta,i and by Theophylactus Simocatta. The chazari, who descended from the Turci,2 had possessed them- eelves of a territory near Germany, upon the banks of the Danube, which PoiTphyrogenetta describes in his time to have had the Bulgarians on the east, the Patzinacitae (who ,came also from the Volga) on the north, Moravia on the west, and on the south the Scrobati, a tribe of Bulgarians settled in the mountains. This nation, by a solemn embassy, addressed themselves to the emperor Michael III. and his pious mother Theodora, begging that some priests might be sent to instruct them in the faith, the empress Bent for St. Ignatius the patriarch, and by his advice and authority St. Cyril Avas charged with this important mission. This happened in the year 848, as Henschenius and Jos. Assemani prove, not in 843, as Cohlius writes. The lan- guage of the Chazari, was not the Sclavonian, as Henschenius thinks, but that of the Huns or Turci, which was entirely different, says As- semani. That Cyril understood the Sclavonian, Greek, and Latin languages, is clear from the two histories of his life. That for this mission he learned also the Turcic, which was spoke by the Huns, Chazari, and Tartars we cannot doubt. In a short time he instructed and baptized the cham, and his whole nation, and having settled his church under the care of able pastors, returned to Constantinople absolutely refusing to accept any part of the great presents with which the prince would have honoured him. 1 Pandextse Hist, de liCgationibus, p. 161. ' 2 From the ancient Turci among the Huns in Scythia, some think the Turks among the Oygyzian Tartars in Asia to be descended; like- ■wise the Tartars of Crimea. But Constantine Porphyrogenetta (I.de*re- gendo imperio ad Eomanum filium) and other Byzantine writers, call also the Hungari, and other northern nations, 'whether of Europe or Asia, by the same name, Turci. DEC. 22.] SS. CYRIL, &C. CC. 341 The saint's second mission was to tlie Bulga- rians, in which his devout brother Methodius, a monk, was his chief assistant. The Bul^j^ari were a Scj'thian nation, not of the Huns, but of the Sclavi, whose language was quite dilferent from that of the Turci and all the Huns, They seem to have been originally i^lanted near the Volga, and to have retired at the same time with the Abares upon the coming of the numerous swarm of the Turci from the coasts of the Caspian sea, under their cham Turaathus, as Evagrius, Theophanes, and Simocatta relate. The Bulgari are first men- tioned near the Danube, about the year 634, whea Cobratus, their king, made an alliance with the > emperor Heraclius against the Abares, as Theo- phanes, and the patriarch Nicephorus inform us. The Servii were another nation of the Sclavi, who accompanied the Bulgari, and founded the kingdom of Servia. The Bulgari possessed tliem- selves of the ancient Mysia and Dacia, on both sides the Danube, now Walachia, Moldavia, and part of Hungary. They came from the banks of the Volga, in the reign of Anastasius, and erected here a mighty kingdom.! The first seeds of the conversion of this barba- rous nation were sown by certain Grecian cap- tives taken at Adrianople, in the reign of the emperor Basil the Macedonian: but this great work was completed many years after by the fol- lowing means. Boigoris, king of the Bulgarians, was inclined to the faith by the assiduous long persuasions of his sister, who had zealously em- braced it at Constantinople, having been taken captive, and detained a long time in the court of the pious empress Theodora. But human mo- tives hoxdened his heart till God was pleased to . I Their kingdom flourished till John, their last kinir. beinff Blain m 10I8, IJasil 11. added Uulgaria to the emi-ire: iipoA which him ^"a^**"'* Patzinacse, and Croats voluutarily tubraitted to 22 12 342 SS. CYRIL, &C. CC. iDEC. 22. awake liim by a more powerful call. This prince, who was passionately fond of hunting de- sired the emperor to procure him a picture which should be a curious hunting-piece. Metho- ^ dius, according to the custom of many devout > monks in that age, employed himself in drawing ; pious pictures, and excelled in that art. He was, [i therefore, sent to the court of the king, who, > liaving built a new palace, was desirous to adorn S it with paintings. He gave the good monk an ( order to draw him some piece, which by the very ) sight would strike terror into those that beheld it. s f:, Methodius, thinking nothing more awful than the ( S general judgment, represented in the most lively > > colours, and with exquisite art, that awful scene, ) )■ with kings, princes, and people standing promis- ) / euously before the throne of the great Judge, who ) '} appeared armed with all the terrors of infinite i majesty and justice, attended by angels: some {. were placed on the right hand, and others on the i left. The moving sight, and still much more the . / explication of every part of this dreadful scene, ) strongly affected the mind of the king, who, from V that moment, resolved to banish all other sug- ■ gestions, and to be instructed in the faith: in t^f' which Methodius was ready to assist him. He , was baptized by Greek priests, not at Constan- tinople, as some mistake, but in Bulgaria: for all our historians add, that, upon the news that the king had been baptized in the night, the people took arms the next morning, and marched in open ^ rebellion toward the palace. But the king, / taking a little cross which he carried in his breast, : put himself at the head of his guards, and easily defeated the rebels. At his baptism he took the name of Michael. In a short time his people imitated his example, and embraced the faith, i Pagi places the baptism of this king in 861» 1 See tho two liveis of St. Oyi-il, Constantine Porphr. Curopalates, Ce- ax«nuB, Zonarae, DEC. 22.] SS. CYRIL, &C. CC. 343 Baronius and Henschenius in 845. Joseph Assemani in 865. The new converted king sent ambassadors to pope Nicholas I. with letters and presents, begging instructions what more he ought to do. I The pope with letters, sent legates to congratulate with him in 867. The legates, being ) bishops, gave the sacrament of confirmation to S those who had been baptized by the Greek i priests, though these had before, according to the y rite of their Church, anointed them with chrism : s which the Latins indeed have always done, but j on the head, in baptism, not on the forehead. } The same legates also taught the Bulgarians to fast on Saturdays: which points gave offence to \ Photius, who in 866, had schismatically usurped ' the patriarchal see and banished St. Ignatius. ( Some Bulgarians had been baptized in cases of] L necessity by laymen, and even by infidels. Pope ' I Nicholas I. declared this baptism to be good and 1 valid and answered several other difficulties in \ the beginning of the year 867,2 SS. Cyril and/* * Methodius had laboured in the conversion of the! ^ Bulgarians, though jointly with several other! j priests, not only Greeks, but also Armenians: con-j J cerning whose different rites of discipline thai • Bulgarians consulted pope Nicholas I. as he testi-k ' fies in his answer. Our two saints passed from J this country into Moravia, so called from a river of that name. The first mention of the Moravians we find made in 825, by pope Eugenius II. in an epistle to the bishop of Faviana,^^ now called Vienna, anciently Vindobona, in which he appoints the archbishop of Lore (which see was since removed to Saltzburg) vicar of the apostolic see in that I AnaetM. Bibl. in Nicolao I. et ipse Nicolaus ep 70. ad Hinc- Moar, &c. 1540^^* Bespon» ad Consiilta Bulgarorum, Cono, t. 7. p» 3 Sqe Hansiaius, in Gewmania Sacra, 1. 1. p. 71. 344 SS. CYRIL, &C. CC. [DEC. 22. nation. The Moravians and Carinthians were Sclavonian nations which had seized on these countries. The latter were governed by dukes, the former by kings, having first chosen Same, a Frenchman from Senogagus, a country near Brus- sels, who had valiantly defended them against the Avares or Huns of Pannonia, in 622. The most powerful of these kings was Swetopelech, whose kingdom extended to Pomerania, in the end of the seventh age, according to Assemani. Two contending dukes, Moymar and Priwina, or Prinnina, ruled in Moravia, in 850, though this country had been certainly subject to Charle- magne, no less than Bavaria and Pannonia, as Eginhard relates. Moymar being slain, Rastices, his nephew, received the crown of Moravia from Lewis, king of Germany, in 846. He is by Hen- schenius called also Suadopluch, but falsely, as Assemani proves from the annals of Fulda. This pious prince invited the two missionaries into Moravia, and was baptized by them, with a con- siderable part of his subjects, who had been inclined to thmk favourably of Christianity by the example of the Bavarians, whom St. Robert, bishop of Worms, and founder of the archbishop- ric or Saltzburg, had begun to convert to the I faith. Rastices dying, his nephew and successor ' Swadopluch persecuted the Church. Augustine, in his catalogue of the bishops of Olmutzi and I Dubravius,2 says St. Cyril was ordained first archbishop of the Moravians. 3 This latter relates 1 Intdf rerum Bohemio Soriptores Hannovise, 1'els into everlasting bliss, about the year 590. j The body of St. Servulus was buried in St. Cle- j ment's church and honoured with mkacles, ac- ? cording to the Roman Martyrology. St. Gregory the Great concludes the account ; he gives of him in a sermon to his people, by ob- y serving that the whole behaviour of this poor 2 sick beggar loudly condemns those who, when 4 blessed with good health and a plentiful fortune, > neither do good works, nor sufFtir the least cross > with tolerable patience. TEN MARTYRS OF CRETE. ^ Upon the publication of the edict for persecu- ting the Christians under Decius, by the activity of a barbarous governor in seeing it rigorously executed, the isle of Crete, now ciiUed Candia, soon became one large field of blood. Among the martyrs who there triumphed over the world, the devil, and sin, none were more con- spicuous than Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunicianus, Zoticus, Cleomenes, Aga- thopus, Ba^ilides, and Evarestus, commonly called the Ten Mai-tyrs of Crete. The three first were citizens of Gortyna, the metropolis, where they had probably been grounded in the faith by St.. Cyi'il, bishop of that city, who w^as beheaded for the faith in the same persecution, and is ho- noured in the Roman Martyrology on the 9tli of July. The rest were brought from other towns of the same island; Zoticus, (called by some Zeticus) from Gnossus, Pontius from Epinium, Agathopus from Panormus, Ba&ilides from Cydo- nia, and Evarestus from Heracleum. Their zeal 356 THE MARTYRS OF CRETE. [DEC. 23. had united them in their confession of Christ; they were apprehended, insulted, dragged on the ground, beaten, stoned, covered with phlegm and spittle, and at length presented to the governor of the island at Gortyna, and the 23rd of Decem- ber was appointed for their trial. As soon as they appeared in court, they were ordered to sacrifice to Jupiter, who was particularly w^or- shipped in Crete, and on that very day their countrymen celebrated a festival in his honour with all manner of pleasures, diversions, and sacrifices. The martyrs answered, they could never sacrifice to idols. The president said, ^* You shall know the power of the great gods. Neither do you show respect to this illustrious assembly, which adores the great Jupiter, Juno, Khea, and the rest." The martyrs replied, | " Mention not Jupiter, 0 president: nor his mo- ther Rhea» We are no strangers to his pedigree, or to the history of his life and actions. We can show you his grave: he was a native of this island, the tyrant of his country, and a man abandoned to every kind of lust, even with his own sex: with these crimes he defiled himself every hour, and made use of spells and enchantments to de- bauch others. Those who look upon him as a god, must look upon it as a divine thing to imitate his lust and intemperance." | The proconsul not being able to deny or con- I fute w^hat they alleged, swelled with rage, and j the people were ready to tear them to pieces j upon the spot, if he had not restrained them, and | commanded the martyrs to be inhumanly tor- mented several ways. Some of them were hoisted on the rack, and torn with iron nails, so that the ' ground underneath was covered with great mor- sels of their flesh; others were pierced on their sides, and in almost every other part with sharp ; stones, reeds, and pointed sticks; others were t>eaten with heavy plummets of lead Avith such ^ PEC. 23.] ST. VICTORIA, V, M. 357 cruelty, that their very bones were in some parts broken, and in others disjointed, and their flesh/ was bruised and tom. The martyrs endured all4 with joy, and often repeated to the outcries of; the judge and mob, who pressed them to spared themselves by obeying the prince and sacrificing a to theu' gods: " We are Christians: were a thou-/ sand deaths prepared for us, we would receive j them with joy." The whole city thronged about i them, and many cried out to the judge against I them; nor did he cease stirring up the execu- tioners to exert their whole strength in torment- ing them. The saints stood like meek lambs in the midst of so many raging tigers, and only , raised their voices to praise God, and declare their constant adherence to his law. The pro- consul at length seeing himself vanquished, con- demned them to die by the sword. The soldiers of Christ went forth triumphant to the place of execution without the city, praying to their last breath that God would have mercy on them, and on all mankind, and would deliver their country- men from the blindness of spiritual ignorance, and bring them to see him in his true light. They were ambitious who should first receiA^e his crown. When their heads were struck off, and the crowds retired, certain Christians interredi their bodies, which were afterward conveyed to; Rome. The fathers who composed the coimcil) of Crete in 558, writing to the emperor Leo, say,? that through the intercession of these holy mar* s tyrs, their island had been till that time pre^> served from heresy. The Greeks, Latins, and Muscovites commemorate th^m on this day. Bee their Acta in Metaphrastes, Suriua,' and Lipoman, mentioned iq Greek by Pabricius, t. 6. p. f gO. ST. VICTORIA, V. M. Victoria was a young noble Rcanau lady, who 23 12 358 SS. THRASILLAj &C. VV. [DEC. '24. being a Christian, desired to live to her heavenly- spouse alone in a state of virginity. Eugenins, who songht her in marriage, was provoked at meeting with a repulse, and accused her to the judge, by whose order, after many fruitless at- tempts to extort her consent to maiTy, or to sacri- fice to idols, she was stabbed in the breast by an executioner: of which wound she speedily died in 250, when the persecution of Decius was hot- test at Rome. See her Acts abridged by St, Aid- helm, and by Ado. DECEMBER XXIV, SS. THRASILLA AND EMILIANA, VIRGINS. From St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 1. 4. c. 16. and Horn. 38. in Evang* St. Gregory the Great had three aunts, 'who were sisters to his father Gordian, the senator, and having by vow consecrated their virginity to God, they practised the exercises of an ascetic or religious life in their father's house. Their names were Thrasilla, who was the eldest, Emiliana, and Gordiana. Thrasilla and Emiliana, renouncing the vanities of the world on the same day, started together in the glorious course to perfection, and were still more united by the fervour of their hearts and the bands of holy charity, than by blood. They lived in their father's house as re- tired as in a monastery, far removed from the conversation of men; and, exciting one another to virtue by discourse and example, soon made a considerable progress in a smritual life. They DEC. 24.] SS. THRASILLA, &C. VV. 359 were so disengaged from the world, so careful in mortilyiDg their senses, and maintaining a strict union of their souls with God, that tliey seemed to have forgot their bodies, and arose above all ., considerations of earthly things. Gordiana joined them in their vow and holy exercises, but flagged by the way, and, loving to converse with the world, by degrees admitted it into her heart, so as to exclude the Almighty. Thrasilla and Emi- ^ liana could not see her unhappy change without the deepest concern, and, tempering remon- ^ strances with all the sweetness that the most ten^ ? der affection and charity could inspire, gained so far upon her, that, full of confusion, she promisee^ amendment. This, lioAvever, she executed only by halves, appeared often impatient of silence and retirement, and showed too little relish for spiritual exercises and conversation, and too x much for the world. By this lukewarmness, the good impressions which the zeal of her sisters made in her mind, were always worn out again, and after their death, she fell from the duties of ^ the •state which she had voluntarily taken upon ^ C herself. A dreadful example! but such as the/ ^ world is daily full of. ■ Yet others neglect to take)' ( warning, and so fall into the same snare. Thc^; / best hearts are capable of corruption; and those , who set out with honest meanings, when tliey(.' , once open their hearts to vanity and the world. ) are betrayed to tread the steps of vice sooner ) ' than they are aware. Nothing blinds the under- C I standing and intoxicates the soul more efiectu- ' ally than vanity. /A person who begins to enter- y tain it, perceives no harm in the. first steps; but'^ ^ loses reservedness, is led on almost impercep-4 . f tibly, and is at last surprised to feel the chains r' I which she is held by. The two happy sisters,} J who persevered in the paths of eternal life, en- y .ioyed the sweetness of divine peace and love, and v ^ the comfort and joy of fervour and devotion; and^ 3G0 ss. TiiRASiLLA, &c. vv. [dec. 24. were called to receive the recompense of their fidelity before the fall of Gordiana. St. Gregory tells us that Thiasilla was favoured one night with a vision of her uncle St. Felix, pope, who showed liei' a seat prepared for her in heaven, Baying, " Come; I will receive you into this habi- tation of light." She fell sick of a fever the next f day. When in her agony, with her eyes fixed on heaven, she cried out to those that were present, Depart! make room! Jesus is coming!" Soon , after these vf ords she breathed out her pious soul into the hands of God on the 24th of December. , The sldn of her knees was found to be hardened, ^ like the hide of a camel, by her continual prayer. ^ A few days after, she appeared to her sister Emi- 1 liana, and invited her to celebrate with her ike | Epiphany in eternal bliss. Emiliana fell sick, | and died on the 8th of January. Both are named | on the respective days of their death in the Ro- J man Martyrology. | Precious in the sight of God is the death of his ' , saints. v This is the great triumph of a soul over ' hell; a spectacle most glorious in the eyes of tjie whole court of heaven, giving joy to the angels* To us, banished pilgrims on earth, nothing cer- v ' tainly can bring sweeter comfort amidst pur > ^ tears, or be a more powerful motive to withdraw ^ our afiections from the toys of this world, or to > raise our hearts" above its frowns, than to have> before our eyes the happiness of dying the death > ^ of the saints. No one can read without being > strongly afiected with these sentiments the ac- 1 \ count which Janus Erythrseus, (that is, the ele- c f gant and ingenious John Victor Rossi,) who was ; < then at Rome, gives of the passage of brothei* ) John Baptist, a holy Capuchin out of this world.2 ) This humble friar, who was called in the world | Alphonsus III. when duke of Modena, renounced > I Pb, CSV, 15. 2 ^anu5 Nicius Erythrtaus, ep. 66. DEC. 24.] ST. GREGORY, M. 3G1 his sovereignty, divested himself of all his worldly goods, and, embracing* the most austere life of a Capuchin Franciscan, in 1629, distinguished him- self from his brethren only by a greater fervour in his penitential severities and heavenly con- templation. He died at Rome in 1644; closing i his eyes to the world with so much interior joy, > such strong desires to go to God, such humility, j resignation, holy peace, and sweet breathings of ig divine love, as to make many in the world, envy | the choice he had made, and grudge that he had | r purchased so great a happiness at so cheap a rate, j ? We all pray with Balaam that our death may be ] I like that of the saints. But for this we must make » I the preparation for death the great business of : I our lives, learn perfectly to die to the world and I otir^elVfes, and ground and daily improve our- ^ selves in the spirit of the saints, Avhich is that of sincere humility, patience, resignation and the ^ most ardent charity. ST. GREGORY OF SPOLETO, M.' This martyr was a holy priest at Spoleto, who employed his time night and day in fasting and prayer, and in teaching others the holy law of God. It happened that Flaccus, a general of the forces, arrived at that city wim a special order from the emperor Maximian, to punish all the Christians. An information was laid before him, that Gregory seduced many, and contemned the gods and the emperors. Soldiers were immedi- atelj^ despatched to bring him boimd before hi3 tribunal. When he appeared, Flaccus, with a stern countenance, said, "Are you Gregory of^ I Spoleto V The martyr answered, " I am.'* j ' Flaccus again said, " Are you the enemy of the \ gods, and the contemner of the princes?" St. i Gregory replied, " From my infancy I have al- i I ways served the God who framed me out of thoj CHRISTMAS DAY. [DEC. 25. earth." Flaccus asked, "Who is your God?" "He," replied the martyr, " who made man to his own image and likeness, who is all-powerful and immortal, and who will render to all men according to their works." Flaccus said, " Do not use many words, but do what I command you." The martyr replied, " I know not wdiat your command implies, but I do what I am bound to do." Flaccus urged, " If you desire to save yourself, go to the wonderful temple, and sacrifice to the great gods; and you shall be our friend, and shall receive many favours from our most invincible emperors." St. Gregory said, I desire not such a friendship, nor do I sacrifice to devils, but to my God, Jesus Christ." The 5udge commanded him to be buffeted on the face, Deaten with clubs, and tortured on the rack; and at length ordered his head to be cut oft*. This happened in 304. His relics lie in a church which bears his name at Spoleto. Baronius found in the close of a copy of these Acts an authentic testimony of a glorious miracle wrought by their touch in 1037. « •See tlie Acts of his confession in Baronins, Surius, &c, quoted by Tille- mont, t. 6. p. 133. DECEMBER XXV. THE NATIVITY OF CHUIST, OR CHRISTMAS DAY. The w^orld had subsisted about four thousand years, and all things were accomplished which, according- to the ancient prophets, were to pre- cede the coming of the Messias, when Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, having taken hu- man flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and being made man, was born of her for the redemp- tion of mankind. The ail-wise and all-mercifui liEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 363 providence of God had, from the fall of our first parents, gradually disposed all things for the fulfil- ling of his promises, and the accomplishing the gi-eatest of all his mysteries, the incarnation of his divine Son. Had man been restored to grace as soon as he had forfeited it, he would not have ^ been sufiiciently sensible of the depth of his hor- > i nble wounds, nor have had a just feeling of the i f spiritual blindness, weakness, and wretchedness { ) in which he lay buried under the weight of his > I guilt. Neither would the infinite mercy, power, I and goodness of God, in saving him, have ap- \ peared in so great lustre. Therefore man was s left grovelling in his miseries for the space of so many thousand years, only enjoying a glimpse of his future redemption in the promise and expec- tation of it; which still was sufiicient to raise those to it who did not shut their eyes to this light. God always raised several faithful ser- vants, and even wken most nations, from follow- ing the bent of their passions, fell into the most deplorable spiritual blindness, and abandoned his ^ ^ knowledge and true worship to transfer his ho- ) 4 nour to the basest of creatures and the most cri- ] V minal objects, he reserved to himself a peculiar H y people, among which he was known and served, i ^ and many were saved through faith and hope in K >' this promised Redeemer, then to come. All this J. > time the saints never ceased with sighs and tears )> "'f' to beg that this Desired of all Nations l might % \ speedily make his appearance; and by these in- ^ t flamed desires they both disposed themselves to i receive the fruit of his redemption, and moved God to hasten and most abundantly to pour forth his mercy. I God, who with infinite wisdom brings things to I f maturity and perfection in their proper season, \] \ disclosed this to men partially and by degrees. U He gave to Adam a promise and some knowledge^ "1 1 Aggseus ii. 7. 364 CHBISTMAS DAY* [deG, 25* i of it.l He renewed the same to Abraham, limit- ^ ? I ing it to his seed.2 He confirmed it to Isaac and ^ " rJacob.3 In the prophecy of this latter it was I fixed in the tribe of Judah.4 It was afterwards I Clearly determined to belong to the posterity of (David and Solomon; which was repeated in all i the sncceeding prophets. In these all the particu- : ■| lar circumstances of Christ's birth, life, death, and / Spiritual kingdom in Ms church are expressed; { 'the whole written law which was delivered to - Moses, consisted of types expressive of the same^ W\ or alludmg to him. The nearer the time ap* toroached the fuller was the revelation of him* The prophecy of turning swords into plowshares, and lances into prv/aing-hooks,^ &c. expressed that a profound peace in which the world should be, was to be an emblem of the appearance of the Prince of Peace* According to the prophecy of Jacob,6 the sceptre was to be removed from th6 tribe of Judah, to show the establishment of the Hew spiritual kingdom of the Messiah, which is ' to endure to the end of the 'world. Accordmg to Aggi©us,7 and Malachi,^ the Messiah was to ap- pear whilst the second temple stood, which was : that of Solomon, [restored after the captivity. . Daniel foretold the four great empires which sue- y ceeded one another, the first of which were to be / destroyed by the latter, viz. of the Modes, Per- ) Sians, Macedonians, and Romans, each mai'ked ) by vt5ry distinguishing characters.y The seventy weeks of years predicted by Daniel,io determine C the coming of the Messias, and of his death. Fo^ ^ t from the order of king Artaxerxes Longimanus ' 1 Gen. iii. 15. 2 Gen. xxii. 18. 8 Gen. rrvi. and xxviii. 4 Gen. xlir. 8. 5 laa. ii. 4. Mich, iv. 2, 6 Gen. xlix. 8. 10. 7 Aggseiia ii. 3. 8 Malachi iii. I. 9 Dan. ii. 32. v. 20. viii. 3. See Rollin, or Mezengui, or Galmet. 10 Dfto, ix. 21, &o. See Nouveau Comment, t, 9. p. 600. DEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 365 for the rebuilding of Jerusalem seven weeks were to pass in the execution of that work in diffi- cult times; and sixty- two more, that is, with these seven, sixty-nine to the manifestation of Christ, who was to be slain in the middle of the seventieth week, and his death was to be fol- lowed by the destruction of the city and temple; it was to expiate iniquity, to establish the reign of eternal justice, and to accomplish the visions and prophecies. The Gentiles had also received some glimmerings of this great event; as from the prediction of Balaam foretelling a star to arise from Jacob, l All over the East, at the time of our Saviour's birth, a great deliverer of man- kind was firmly expected, as the pagan historians expressly affirm. Suetonius2 writes as follows: " There had prevailed all over the East an an- cient and constant notion, that the fates had de- creed, that about that time there should come out of Judea those who should obtain the empire of the world." And Tacitus says,3 " A firm per- suasion had prevailed among a great many, that it was contained in the ancient sacerdotal books> i that about this time it should come to pass, that the East should prevail, and that those who should come of Judea should obtain the empire of the world." Josephus, the Jewish historian, took occasion from hence to flatter Vespasian, as if he had been the Messias foretold by the pro- ; phets,4 and the great number of impostors who ^ pretended to this character among the Jews in [ that and the following century, is a clear proof of ' this belief amongst them about the time.o Hence \ several among them met with incredible success I Numb. xxiv. 17. "Z In Vespas. 3 Tacit, in Annal. 4 See the Life of Josephus. 5 Acts V. 36. xxi. 38. Joseph. Ant. 1. 80, c. 2. et 6. L IB. c, 1. Idem, De BfeUo Jud. 1, 7. c. 3l. &e. Read Dissert, snr le« Taut Meflsies, in thtf new Fr. Comment, t. U. p. 21, 366 CHRISTMAS DAY. [dec. 25. for some time, particularly Coziba, called Bar- cokebas, from Barhokeba, " Son of the Star," who ' drew on the Jews their utter destruction under Adrian, l When Jesus Christ was born, the seventy weeks of Daniel were near being accomplished, and the sceptre was departed from the house of : Judah, whether we restrain this to that particu- \ lar tribe, or understand it of the whole J ewish t nation, so as to give a main share only to that : tribe. For Herod, though a Jew by religion, was i by birth an Idumean, as Josephus, whose testi- \ mony is unexceptionable, informs us, relating I how his father Antipas, who chose rather to be j called by the Greek name Antipater, was made, by king Alexander Jannseus, governor of his own country, Idumea. Herod was raised to the throne by the Romans, excluding the princes of the Asmonean or Jewish royal family, whom Herod entirely cut off; as he did also the princi- p2l members of the Sanhedrim or great council by which that nation governed itself by its own ^ \ laws under its kings. This tyrant, moreover, " stripped that people of all their other civil rights. Soon after they were made a Roman province; nor was it long before their temple was destroy- 4 ed, and their whole nation dispersed; so that the „ \ Jews themselves are obliged to confess that the 5 time foretold by the prophets for the coming of f the Messias is long since elapsed, Christ was t } born at the time when the Roman or fourth | S. empire, marked by Daniel, was exalted to its | i zenith by Augustus, who reigned fifty-seven 1 ^ years from his first command of the army at nine- { •| teen years of age ; and forty-four from the defeat | of Antony, his partner in the empire, in the bat- 1 f tie of Actium. God had preordained the great- ' 1 Spartian in Adriano, c. 14. See Basnage, Contin. de I'Hist. des "i Juifs, t. 2. p. 123. Also Annot. Josephi de Voisin, ia tvo parts^ c. 2, j Pugioui's I'idei Huet, Demoiist. Evang. &c. " DEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 367 I ness of the Roman empire, for the more easy pro- f pagation of the gospel over so many nations ^ which formed one monarchy. Augustus had then 1 ' settled it in peace. It was the custom at Rome J to shut the gates of the temple of Janus only in time of a general peace; which had happened but twice before the reign of Augustus, and it hap- pened three times under it. First, this temple was shut in the reign of Numa; a second time, after | the first Punic war; but during very short inter- t, vals. Under Augustus it was shut after his vie- r tory over Antony and Cleopatra: again upon his return from his war vv^ith the Cantabrians in J ; Spain; and thirdly, in the very year in which 1 • Christ was born, when it remained shut during J twelve years, the whole empire enjoying all 1 \ that time a profound peace. Christ was born ^ i when Augustus was in the fortieth year of his - \ reign, the twenty-ninth from "the battle of Ac- .tium, about four thousand years or a little^ t more from the creation of the world, about two 4 ^thousand five hundred from the flood, almost |» two thousand from the vocation of Abraham, and ) I a little above one thousand from the foundation \ of the temple by Solomon. A decree was issued ,^ ^ by Augustus, and published all over the Roman j ' ''^ empire, ordaining, that all persons with their j) ♦ estates and conditions, should be registered at i certain places, according to their respective pro- i • vinces, cities, and families. It was the custom at ( Rome to make a census or registration of all the ( ^ citizens every five years, which term was called a ; lustrum. This generaTi-egister of all the subjects \ §of the empire, with the value of their estates, was i \ probably ordered, that the strength and riches of / each province might be known. It was made { in Syria and Palestine by Cyrinus. Quintilius ^ f Varus was at that time proconsul of Syria, on f whom the procurator or governor of Judea in rsome measure depended, after it was made a Ro- CHRISTMAa DAY. [DEC. 25. man province. Cyrinus succeded Varus in the government of Syria about ten years after Herod's death, when his son Archelaus was banished, and Judea made a province of the empire. Cyrinus then made a second register; but he made the ) first in the time of Varus, in which he might act ^ as extraordmary deputy, at least for Palestine, then governed by Herod; or this enregistration . is all attributed to him, because it was finished hy him afterward. This decree was given by the I emperor for political views of state; but proceed-;?^ ( ed from an overruling order of providence that, by ? this most authentic public act, it might be manf- J fest to the Avhole world that Christ was descend* > ed of the house of David, and tribe of Juda. For | those of his family were ordered to be registered i at Bethlehem, a small town in the tribe of Jiida, • seven miles from Jerusalem to the south-west. ^ This was called David's town; and was appointed the place where those that belonged to his family > were to be enrolled.! Joseph and Mary were { perhaps natives of this place, though they then | lived at Nazareth, ninety miles almost north % from Jerusalem. Micheas had foretold2 that | Bethlehem called by the Jebusites, who first -l built it, Ephrata) should be ennobled by the birth of Christ. Mary therefore, though with child, by the special direction of providence, undertook t^this tedious journey, with her husband in obedi- ' ence to the emperor's order for their enrolment ;;in that city; and it is believed that with St. ^Joseph also Mary and her infant Jesus were en- 4 rolled; of which Origen,3 St. Justin,4 Tertullian,^ Land St. Chrysostom,6 make no doubt. All other characters or marks of the Messias,^ 1 Lnke ii. 1, 2, 3. 2 Mich. ii. 2. 3 Grig. horn. ii. in Luc. 4 St. Justin, Apol. i. ol, 2. 5 Tert, 1* 4. cont. Marcion. 6 St. Chrys. in Mat. hid 7 Tlie Avord Messiah is derived from the Hebrew Matkech, -which sig- nifies io anoint. In the Greek tongue Christ, or the Anointed, is the in-' terpretation of this name. The word is sometimes applied to kings and high priests, who ■were anointed among the Hebrews ; as 1 i^iuga (or DflC. 25. J CHRISTMAS PAY, 369 jnentioned by the prophets, ^gree to Jesuo Christ. I To show the Divine Jesus's descent from David I and Juda, the Evangelists, St. Matthew and St. V Luke, give his pedigree; hut designedly different, y that this noted character of the Messias might be f demonstrated by his double genealogy. The rea- J- son of this difference was at that time public and J known to every one, and so was not mentioned. f it seems most probable that St. Luke gives the V. natural, and St. Matthew the legal line of Joseph, ; who had been adopted into the latter by the fre- quent case specified in the law of Moses. St. Chrysostom puts us in mind to take notice of the astonishing mercy and humility of our divine Re^ J deemer in this circumstance that he did not dis- f dain, in order to save sinners, to choose a pedi- I gree in which several notorious sinners are ^ named ; so much did he humble himself to satisfy for, and to cure our vanity and pride. The same father, upon reading the exordium of St. Mat- ) thew's gospel and of this pedigree, breaks out > into this vehement pathos,2 " What dost thou I say, 0 evangelist? Thou hast promised to speak ' of the only begotten Son of God, and dost thou name David? — Imagine not that what you hear is low or trifling; but raise your mind, and be filled with awe and astonishment, hearing that God is come upon the earth. This was so stu- pendous, so unexpected a prodigy, and the angels assembled in choir sung praise and glory for the whole world, and the prophets stood astonished at the wonderful mystery. — Admire that the natural Son of God who is without a beginning, would suffer himself to be called the son of David, S to the sensuality and pride of the world, were at \ that time keeping the watches of the night over \ their flock. Whilst the sensual and the proud f i were asleep in soft beds, or employed in pursuits i of voluptuousness, vanity, or ambition, an angel 5 appeared to these humble poor men, and they saAV 'i themselves encompassed with a gi-eat brightness. ''^ They were suddenly seized with exceeding great DEC. 25.J CHRISTMAS DAY. 373 fear, but the heavenly messenger said to them: » Fear not : for behold I bring you good tidings of ex' J ceeding great joy, that shall be to all the people. For X this day is born to you a Saxnour, zvho is Christ the { Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign i to you: you shall find the child wrapped in swad- i . dling-clothes, and laid in a manger. Suddenly then ) j I appeared with the angel a multitude of heavenly ^ f[ spirits praising God, and saying, Glory be to God in i, the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. ( j After the departure of the angels the wondering / \ shepherds said to one another: Let us go over to / Bethlehem^ and let us see the word that is come to ^ ' pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. They imme- [ diately hastened thither, and found Mary and \ -f Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. \ S Here they did homage to the Messias as to the ( V spiritual king of men; and then returned to their (' ; flocks glorifying and praising God.i Mary was \ ]- very reserved amidst these occurrences, and con- \ , tinned silent in her deportment, but observed all ' these things with secrecy pondering them in, her heart. The message delivered by the angel to these shepherds is addressed also to us. In them we are invited to pay our homages and devotions - to our new-born Saviour. Devotion gave them i wings in hastening to the manger. In like man- > ^ ner with ardour and diligence we must obey this ) i summons, and acquit ourselves in spirit of this \ great duty. In contemplating this mystery we \ must honour our God and Redeemer, exulting S with holy joy, and paying to him the just homages ' of adoration, praise, and love. The angel calls this wonderful mystery a sub- . ? ject of great joy to all the people. Indeed our ' hearts must be insensible to all spiritual things, if they do not overflow with holy joy at the con- sideration of so glorious a mercy, in which is dis- 1 Luke ii. 9. 20. 24 374 CHRISTMAS DAY. [DEC. 25. played sucli an excess of the divine goodness, ^ and by which such inestimable benefits and so \ , high an honour accrue to us. The very thought ^ I and foreknowledge of this mystery comforted '^ \ Adam in his banishment from Paradise. The^ f promise of it sweetened the laborious pilgrimage } \ of Abraham. The same encouraged Jacob to | dread no adversity, and Moses to brave all J dangers and conquer all difficulties in delivering % the Israelites from the Egyptian slavery. All \ the prophets saw it in spirit with Abraham, and | they rejoiced. If the expectation of it gave the f patriarchs such joy, how much ought the accom-f plishment to create in us! Joy is defined the delight of a rational creature arising from the ^ possession of a desired object. / It must then be y proportioned to the nature of the possession: ! consequently it ought to be as much greater in us as the fruition of a good surpasses tLe promise, possession the hope, or fruit the blossom. This St. Peter Chrysologus illustrates with regard to this difference of the Old and New Law as ' follows: " The letter of a friend," says he, "is comfortable; but his presence is much more ^ welcome: a bond is useful; but the payment ., more so: blossoms are pleasing, but only till the ■ fruit appears. The ancient fathers received God's » letters: we enjoy his presence: they had the i promise, we the accomplishment: they the bondj vi. we the payment." How would those ancient m saints have exulted to have beheld with Simeon ' i the completion of this great mercy! for which . ) they never ceased ardently to sigh, weep, and ' " I pray. This reflection made St. Bernard say,l- j ) Very often do I revolve in mind the ardour of the | } desire with which the fathers sighed for the ? I coming of Christ in the flesh: and I am filled j Y within myself with confusion, and penetrated] 1 St. Bern. Serm, in Cant. c. S, DEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 375 j with compunction; and even now scarce am I 7 able to contain my tears: so much am I ashamed 7 of the sloth and lukewarmness of these wretched ' \ times. For who amongst us now conceives so| L much joy from the presence of this grace, as the? i promise of it inflamed desire in the ancient saints? | if Behold many indeed will rejoice in this festival,! £ hut I wish it were on account of the festival, not} of vanity."l Christians who rejoice with af- worldly, vain, or carnal ijiirth, are strangers toi the spirit of God, and his holy joy. This arises % from a feeling sense of the blessings v/hich we f / receive, and the love which God bears to us in this mystery; to which souls which are immersed ? V.^^ in the flesh and vanity, are strangers. Did they ^ . truly weep imder their spiritual miseries, and ) \ value these advantages, some degree of this J > spiritual joy would enter their hearts. Some ; \ exterior marks of this joy are allowed, provided } \ they be not sought for themselves, but such as ) suit a penitential state and Christian gravity, i\ '\ both by theu' nature and extreme moderation J / that is held in them; and, lastly, provided rao- f \ tives of. virtue sanctify them, and they express ^ i and spring from an interior spiritual joy, which * I is altogether holy. If sensuality have any share < I in our festivals, they are rather heathenish - 1 Bacchanals than Christian solemnities, and on ' A them we feed and strengthen those passior 2 which Christ was born only to teach us to subdue ^ To sanctify this feast, we ought-to consecrate it t<; jl, devotion, and principally to the exercises of ^ adoration, praise, and love, i This is the tribute ' we must offer to our new-born Saviour; when we i visit him in spirit with the good shepherds. ^ With them we must enter the stable, and con- template this mystery with a lively faith, l)y jj^^^Which, under the veils of this infant body, we I " Sed utinam de fe«tivitate, non de vanitnte." 375 CHRISTMAS DAt. [1)EC. 25. discover the infinite majesty of our God; and in f this mystery we shall discern a prodigy of omni- | potence to excite our praise, and a prodigy of love f to Ivindle in our souls the affections of ardent love ^ of God. To contemplate immensity shut up in a little . body, omnipotence clotiied with weakness, the/ eternal God born in time, the joy of angels bathed) in tears, is something far more wonderful than to< consider God creating a world out of nothing, i moving the heavens, and weighing the universe 1^ with a finger. This is a mystery altogether s muitterable; to be adored in silence, and in $ raptures of admiration, not to be declared by^' words. " How can any one speak of the wonder | which is here wrought amongst us?" says ' St. Fulgentius.l " A man of God, a creature of his Creator, one who is finite and was born in , time of Him who is immense and eternal."| I Here, He who is wonderful in all his works, hasf / outdone what creatures could have known to be possible to Omnipotence itself, had they not seen it accomplished. Another eminent servant of God cries out upon this mystery ,2 O Lord, our God, how admirable is thy name over all the ( earth! Truly thou art a God Avorking wonders. ( I am not now astonished at the creation of the / world, at the heavens, at the earth, at thesucces- / Bionof days and seasons. But I wonder to see ) God inclosed in the womb of a virgin, the Omni-p potent lain in a manger, the eternal Word clothed with flesh." Ought we not to invite the heavenly spirits to exert their might in praising the Lord i for this incomprehensible effort of his power,;) goodness, and wisdom? to glorify their God in this \ state of humiliation which his infinite love has ^ moved him to put on to save sinful man? Adore 1 St. Fnlgentius, Berm. 2. de Nativ. 2 Arnoldup Bonnevallis, ^erna. de Nativ, inUt Opera S. Cy^ prianj. • DEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 377 him, all you his angels.\ But these devout spirits have received a strict injunction to acquit them- selves of this duty. The eternal Father when he brought his Son into the world, laid on them his commands, saying: Let all the angels of God adore him.2 Though they neither wanted invitation nor command, their own devotion being their prompter. 0 ! what must have been their senti- ments when they saw a stable converted into heaven by the Avonderful presence of its King, and beheld that divine infant, knowing his weak hands to be those which framed the universe, and bordered the heavens with light; and that by Him both the heavens and the earth subsist? Are they not more astonished to contemplate him in this humble hidden state than seated on the throne of his glory? In the most profound senti- ments of adoration and love they sound forth his praises in the loudest strains, and, with their melody, fill not onlj'- the heavens, but also the earth. Shall not man, for v/hom this whole mystery is wrought, and who is so mjich favoured, and so highly privileged and ennobled by the same, burn with an holy ardour to perform his part in this duty, and make the best return he is able of gratitude, adoration, and praise? To these exercises we ought to consecrate a- cousid- arable part of our devotions, especially on this ^ festival, repeating with fervour the psalms which I chiefly consist of acts of divine praises, the hymn { of thanksgiving used by the Church, cnmmonly | ascribed to St. Ambrose and St. Austin, 3 and the ? angelical hymn, Glory and praise be given by all ( creatures to God alone in the highest heavens;/ and peace (or pardon, reconciliation, grace, and > 1 Ps. xcvi. 7. 2 Ileb, i. 6. 3 Berti (in vita S, Aug.) maintains it to be their work : but the style alone seems t© disprove that popular opinion, though it is near as old as the age in which they ilourished. liishop Atteriiury justly admires the energetic plainness and simplicity of this hymn, far superior to all rhetorical stains, or pompous illustrationa and similies. 378 CHRISTMAS DAY. fDEC. 25. ^ all spiritual happiness) to them of good-will.i Iii I our devotions, also, acts of love ought to dial- ^ lenge a principal part, the Incarnation of the T Son of God being the mystery of love ; or proper- ? ly a kind of ecstasy of love, in which God strips ^ himself, as it were, of the rays of his glory to visit us, to become our brother, and to make himself in all things like to us. j Love is the tribute which God challenges of us I in a particular manner, in this mystery: this is I the return which he requires of us for all he has I done and suffered for us. He says to us: Son, \ give me thy heart. To love him is our sovereign happiness, and the highest dignity and honour to which a creature can asf)ire. To be suffered to ^ make him a tender of our love ought alone to ( I have engaged us not to neglect any means of cor- ' I responding with such a grace. But we are bound \ to it upon the title of the strictest justice. God I being infinite in all perfections, is infinitely wor- thy of our love, and we ought to love him with ^an infinite love, if we were capable of it. We are ' also bound to love him in gratitude, especially for the benefit of his Incarnation, in which he has given us himself, and this in order to rescue us \ from extreme miseries, and to bestow on us the I most incomprehensible graces and favours. Man I had sinned, and was become the associate of the ? J devil. God mercifully sought him out, and, by > I his promise of a Redeemer, raised him from the ' ( gulf into which he was fallen. Nevertheless, J almost all the nations of the earth had, by blindly I following their passions, at length fallen into a v total forgetfulness of God who made them, and { \ deified first inanimate stars and planets, after- ^ I ward dead men, the most impious and profligate % 1 The present Greek text reads tliis passage : Good will to men, so as _ to make it a third member of the sentence, and to signify, peace or paf- don to the earth, and divine favour and gracg to men. The sense ia ' ' nearly the same. DEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 379 Is of the human race; also the works of their own [| hands, often beasts, monsters, and their own | y basest passions: the most infamous crimes they V \ authorized by the sanction of pretended religious ? { rites; the numbers and boldness of the criminals ' I screened them from the danger of disgrace; and j from every corner of the earth vice cried to ] \ heaven for vengeance. The Jews, who had been ^ i favoured by God above all other nations, and f I declared his peculiar people, were nevertheless | I abandoned to envy, jealousy, pride, and other 1 1 vices? so that even amongst them the number of f I privileged souls which remained faithful to God, \ \ appeared to be very small. Are we not affrighted 1 to consider this deluge of iniquity, this monstrous > scene of horror! Yet such was the face of the i earth when the Son of God honoured it with his 4 divine presence and conversation. Who would ^ 1 not have imagined when he heard that God was ^ i' coming to visit the earth, that it must have been i ■ to destroy it by fire from heaven, as he had done I I Sodom, and to bury its rebellious inhabitants ini I heir? But no: whilst the world was reeking withv 9 blood and oppressions, and overrun with impiety, \ ) he came to save it. How does the ingratitude j ( and baseness of man set off his love ! At the sight ? ' of our miseries his compassion was stirred up the 5 % more tenderly, and his bowels yearned toward; us. He came to save us when we deserved 9 I nothing at his hands but eternal torments. Also j the manner in which he came to visit us, shows \ yet in a more astonishing manner the excess of V his goodness and charity for us. To engage our I hearts more strongly, he has made himself like to us, taking upon him our nature. God'was seen upon earth, and has conversed with men.l The word i was madejiesh.'i' God is born an infinite babe, the I Eternal is become a young child, the Omnipotent 1 Baruch. iii. 38. 2 Juliu i. 14. 380 CHRISTMAS DAY. rDEC/25. is made weak, he who is essentially infinite and independent, is voluntarily reduced to a state of subjection, and humbled beneath his own crea- v tures. It is love, and the love of us sinful men that hath done all this. " O stronj? wine ot ^, charity!" cries out St. Thomas of Villa Nova,^ "O most powerful triumph of love! thou hast ; conquered the invincible : the A Imighty is become thy captive. O truly excess of charity!" Can we contemplate this divine infant, or call to mind ? ; this adorable mystery, without melting in love? ^ . So sweetly do all its circumstances breathe the / most tender love: which the Church expresses by saying, that on this day the heavens flow with honey. Can we ever satiate the affection of our souls by repeating to ourselves those amiable \ words, and reciting them every time with a fresh ( effusion of joy and love? A Utile One is born to us: ' a Son is given to us,- Or, This day is born to you a Saviour. '3 . St. Francis of Assisium appeared not able to t contain himself through excessive tenderness of ] love, when he spoke of this mystery, and named I y the Little Babe of Bethlehem. St. Bernard says, f " God on the throne of his majesty and greatness ' oommands our fear and our homages: but in his - littleness especially our love."4 This father in- > vites all created beings to join him in love and f ; adoration, and to listen in awful silence to the .( ^ proclamation of the festival in honour of this ^ i mystery made in the Roman Martyrology. |' ( " Hear ye heavens," says he, " and lend your | - ears, O earth. Stand in raptures of astonishment | ) and praise, O you whole creation, but you chiefly, J -- 0 man. Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, was I S. Tho. de Villa-Nova, Cone. 3. in Dom. 1. Ad. 2 Isa. ix. 6, 3 Luke ii. II. 4 *• Magnus Dominus, efc laudabilis nimis ; Parvus Dominus, et jvmabilis nimis." S. Bern, germ. 1. ia Nativ, Dom. ia verba Mar- tyxo\, p. 7^5. DEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 381 lorn in Bethlehem of Juda. O short word of the Eternal Word abridged for us! but filled with heavenly sweetness. The affection of this melting? sweetness struggles within, earnestly labouring widely to diffuse its teeming abundance, but finds not words. For such is the grace and energy of ^ this speech, that it relishes less, if one iota in it > be changed.'' In another sermon, having re- i peated the same words, he adds: At these words t niy soul melts, and my spirit boils within me, / hastening with burning desire to publish to you ] )^ this exultation and joy."l If this love were i kindled in our breast, nothing were sweeter to us | than to abide in spirit at the feet of Jesus, pon- j " dering the motive, that is, the excess of divine K love, which brought him from heaven, and con- | , templating the other cirumstances of this mys- ^ I tery. How ought we to salute and adore those . } sacred hands which are weakened, wrapped in 7 i clouts, or stretched on the manger, for love of us, 7 but which move the heavens, and uphold and / govern the imiverse. Also those divine feet, > which will undergo so many fatigues, and at \ length be bored on the cross for us. That blood { which purples his little veins, and dyes his I blessed cheeks, but which is the price of our ^ redemption, and will be one day poured out upon the cross. How is this sweet countenance, which ^ is the joy of angels, now concealed! But it will ^ one day be buffeted, bruised, and covered with *. filthy phlegm. How ought we respectfully to * honour it! His holy llesli, more pure than angels, I even now begins to suffer from the cold and other hardships: do we not desire to defend it from < these injuries? But this cannot be allowed. Nor J could any one oppose the work of our redemp- > tion. Sin is the cause of all that he suflers, and V shall not we detest and shun that monster^. Tho I S. Eern. Serm. 6. ia Vigil. Nativ. 77i. 382 CHRISTMAS DAY. [DEC. 25, loving eyes of the divine J esus pierce our souls. They are now bathed in tears; though, as St. Bernard says, " Jesus weeps not as other chil- ' dren, or at least not on the same account." They f cry for their wants and weelmess, Jesus for com- passion and love for us. May these precious tears move the heavenly Father to shov/ us mercy; : and may they soften, wash, and cleanse our souls, i " These tears excite in me hoth grief and shame," } says the same father, " when I consider my own . insensibiUty amidst my spiritual miseries." But nothing in this contemplation will more strongly i \ move us than to penetrate into the interior em- i ^ ployment of this divine Saviour's holy soul, and : to consider the ardour of his zeal in the praises of \ his Father, and in his supplications to Him on f? our behalf; his compassion for us, and the con- ) stant oblation which he made of himself to obtain for us mercy and grace. Such meditations and pious entertainments of our souls will have great * force in kindling the fire of holy love in our hearts. But all endeavours would be weak, so long as we do not labour effectually to remove all obstacles to this holy love in our affections. To ^ cute these disorders is the chief end of the birth ^ of Christ; he purchased the grace for us by his sufferings, and he taught us the remedies by his L example. ^ Christ's actions are no less instructions to us g than his discourses. His life is the gospel reduced > to practice. It is enough to study it to under- > stand well his doctrine: and to become perfect \ we must imitate his example. By this he in- C structs us in his very nativity, beginning fu'st to . I practise, then to preach.i Hence the manger I K was his first pulpit, and in it he teaches us the t cure of our spiritual maladies. The Jews, ad- ' dieted to their senses and passions, blinded them- 1 Acts i. U PEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 333 selves, mistook the prophets, and framed an idea of a Messiah agreeable to their own fancy, who should be a rich and mighty conciueror, and should make Jerusalem the greatest citj^, and their nation the most flourishing empire in the world. But this was not such a Messiah as we wanted. Gold and silver, and a magnificent city, would only have made us more in love with our exile, so as to forget more our heavenly countiy. Such a Saviour could have only served to nourish, not to heal our corruption. He would have raised our desffes and passions, and made himself the instrument to feed and gratify them. He would have been a teinpter and deceiver; to have been shunned by those who knoNv their distempers, and sought their true remedies. But the pro- phets give the Messiah the very opposite charac- teristics. The fifty-third chapter of Isaiah alone, not to mention many other prophecies, evinces this truth, and ought to have opened the eyes of the carnal Jews. The saints, who had all learned a spirit of contempt of such goods, would never have languished for the coming of such a Saviour: as gold, worldly honours, or empire were not the presents they asked or expected from him, but the cure of their infirmities, and the abundance of his heavenly graces. He is como such as the holy j)rophets had desired and foretold, such as our miseries required, our true physician and Saviour. He wanted not on earth honours or sceptres; he came not to taste of our vanities: riches and glory he abounded with. He came among us to seek our miseries, our poverty, our himiiliation, to repair the injuries our pride had offered to the Godhead, and to apply a remedy to our souls. Therefore he chose not a palace, or a K great city; but a poor mother, a little to™, aj{ stable, rie who adorns the world, and clothes ,4 the lilies of the fields beyond the majesty^ of Solomon in his glory, is wrapt up in rags, and| 384 CHRISTMAS DAY. fDEC. 25. laid in a manger. And this he chose to be the great sign of his appearance. And this shall be a sign to you: said the angel to the shepherds: you shall find the child wrapped in swaddling- clothes, and laid in a manger. Are then rags and a manger the wonderful sign of our God appearing on earth? Are these the works of the great Messiah, of whom the prophets spoke so glorious things? This it was that scandalized the Jews in his hirth. " Take from us those clouts and that manger," said Marcion, unjustly prepossessed against the humility of such an appearance.l But this is a sign which God himself hath chosen, and set up for his standard; a sign to be the contradiction to our pride, covetousness, and sensuality. And do not we wonder at the stupendous virtue and effi- cacy of this sign, so shocking to the senses and passions, when we see how it drew to it the little and great, the magians and the shepherds, who knew their Savioiir by it, and returned glorifying God? How many have enrolled themselves under the same standard ! Yet is it still a scandal and a contradiction to many who call themselves its followers, who blush at it, not in Christ indeed, but by a strange inconsistency in themselves, whilst they pretend to walk in its spirit. Would not these nominal Christians have rejected Jesus with the Jews, had they been then alive? Do they not now exclude him from their hearts? Christ set up this his mark for us: it is our powerful instruction. The grace of God the Saviour hath appeared to all men, instructing us, says the apostle.ii All men, the rich and the poor, the great and the small, all who desire to have a share in his grace, or in his kingdom. And what breast can be so stony as not to be softened at this ex-- ample? Our inveterate diseases seem almost uii- ; 1 " Aufer a nobis pannos, et dura praesepia." Ap, Terh I. adv. Mar* oion, 2 Tit. ii. II. DEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAV. 385 conquerable. But Christ is come, the omnipotent Physician, to apply a remedy to them. Our dis- orders flow from three sources. A II that is in the world, is the concupiscence of the flesh, and the con- cupiscence of eyes, and the pride of life A What isj concupiscence of the flesh but the inordinate in-! clination to gratify the senses? Christ to encour- age us to renounce this love of sensual pleasures, i and to satisfy his justice by his own sufferings | for our offences in this way, begins to suffer as ^ soon as he begins to live. At his very birth he , ^ exposes his delicate body to the inclemency of the ' | , severest season of the year, to the hard boards of ; f the manger for a cradle, to hunger, and to a priva- ' f tion of the most ordinary conveniences and ne- > cessaries of human life. His tender and divine limbs tremble with cold, his eyes stream with tears, and he consecrated the first moments of ' his life to suffering and pain. He who directs / the seasans, governs the universe, and disposes ^ all things, has ordained every thing for this very # end. Yet we study in all things to flatter our senses, to pamper our bodies in softness and every gratification, and to remove every thing that is hard or painful. Is this to imitate the model of penance and mortification that is set us? Christ, by these suffering, and this privation of all things, shows us that he came to satisfy the justice of his Father, and to repair the injury done to his glory by our sins. But by* the same he teaches us the remedies of our disorders, and I shows us how they are to be applied to our souls; ^ as he came to instruct us in all we want to know f and do in order to save our souls, and to reform all our irregular passions and manners. Could he have preached this more powerfully than he has done by the example of his birth? How comes it, notwithstarding, that we are not yet sufficient- 1 1 John ii. 16.. 386 CURIST5IAS DAY. [DEC. 25. ^ ly pea'siiaded that we cannot be saved at a I cheaper rate than by a constant practice of eelf- I denial and penance? " Either Christ is deceived, - I or the world errs," says St. Bernards The| I former is impossible: the very thought would be 1 blasphemy. It is then clear, that notwithstandin I dom of heaven ; but to the disengagement of the • , heart from the love of riches in whatever state ' I persons live. But that of poverty he recom- > i mends by his own choice, as the easier and ) i hai)pier for the practice of the most perfect vir-,^ j tues. The world indeed abounds with poverty;^ I but not with that of which Christ sets up tho > / standard. Because worldly poor complain and I groan under the hardships of Iheir condition, and \ { blush at its humiliations, which they ought to es- /- I teem as the means of grace, opportunities of vir- } I tue, remedies of their evils, and the livery of their ' { God and Redeemer. ^ ■ * Pride being the third and principal source of / / our disorders, and our deepest wound, humility I is displayed in the most wonderful manner in the, I birth of the Son of God. What is the whole f I mystery of the Incarnation but the most aston- f ishing humiliation of the Deity? To expiate our/ / pride, and to repair the injury offered to the/ ^ adorable Trinity by our usurpation, the eternal > I Son of God divests himself of his glory, and takes ( j I upon him the form of Man, Neither is he con- ^ 25 12 CHRISTMAS BAY. [dec. *J5. tent with making this infinite descent, but every circumstance in the manner of making it, is car- ried to the most amazing degree of humiliation. Who would not expect to hear, that when God descended upon earth, the heavens would bend beneath him, the earth be moved at his sight, and all nature arrayed with magnificence? Who , would not think that the whole creation would | be overwhelmed with the glory of his presence, \ and tremble with awe before him? But nothing \ of this was seen. "He came not," says St. i Chrysostom,! " so as to shake the world at the^; presence of majesty: nor did he appear in thun-| der and lightning, as on Mount Sinai; but hef descended sweetly, no man knowing it." While all things were in deep silence, and the night was in the midst of her course , thy Almighty Word came V down from heaven, fi'om thy royal throne."^ No one ^ of the great ones of the world is apprized of this great mystery. Those few chosen persons to whom he is pleased to reveal himself, are called to adore him in the closest secrecy and ' silence. If this be the manner in which he comes, what is the appearance which he makes among men? At this sight what must be our astonishment! To what a condition do we see the King of glory reduced! He appears ' the outcast of the world, is rejected by his own people, who refuse to receive him under their roof, is lodged in a stable, wrapped in rags, and laid in a manger. Is this abandoned shelter of j cattle, this cril) of beasts, the place where God / was to repose on earth? Are these rags the f ensigns of infinite majesty? How diftcrent was > the lodging, the clothing, the attendance of many princes who at that very time were born into the world, laid in down, lodged in palaces, and ser- ved by many hands. How comes the king of 1 S. Chrysost. in Ps. 50. p. 636. t, 5. 2 Wiisd. XYiii. 14, 13, DEC. 25.] CHRISTMAS DAY. 391 heaven to make his appearance in such a state of k abasement, and so destitute of due honour, and ' ( of every convenience ! His birth is, notwith- ^ \ standing, the master-piece of infinite wisdom, ' \ mercy, and omnipotence. These perfections nowhere shine more admirably than in this ' mystery; for he came thus to be our physician, : to correct our mistaken judgment of things, to' heal our pride, to bring, and to encourage us to use the remedy to our grievous maladies, and to overcome our reluctancy to its bitterness by taking it first himself. Therefore humility was to ' be his ensign, and the angel gave his rags and 1 manger to the shepherds, for the mark by which he was to be known. This shall be to you a sign. Does not the reproach which his examjple makes to us, open our eyes, and touch our hearts? What do we behold! A God poor, a God humbled, a God sufiferinaj And can we any longer entertain thoughts of sensuality, am- bition, or pride? If this humility of a God be most astonish- ing, is not the blindness and pride of man, after , such an example, something, if possible, still ^ more inconceivable? Christ is born thus only I to atone for our pride, to show us the beauty of I humility, and to plant it in our hearts. Humility I is* his standard; and the spirit of sincere humility F is the mark by which his disciples must be known I to be his. Can we profess ourselves his followers, } can we look upon the example which he has set ) us, and yet continue to entertain thoughts of ambition and pride? To learn the interior perfect spirit of humility and all other virtues, we cannot make use of any more powerful means than serious and frequent meditation on his nativity and divine life. Placing ourselves in spirit at the manger, after the tender of our homages by acts of adoration, praise, thanksgiving, and love, we must study in him the lessons of all virtues, and 392 CHRISTMAS DAY. [dec. 25. , must present to our new-born Idng, onr earnest • I supplications to obtain of him all those gifts and ] J? graces which becomes to bestow upon us. Let / us learn humility from the lowliness in which he I / appears, and from the humility of his sacred heart. ' I Let us learn meekness by beholding the sweet- 1 I ness and patience with which this God-man re- h I ceives all injuries from men and from the ele-f } | ments. Let us learn resignation from the indiffer-| *' ence with which he bears cold, wants, wrongs, p i and whatever is sent him. Let us learn obedi- ^ S ence from the most perfect submission of our , \ blessed Saviour to the will of his heavenly, i. Father, from his birth offering himself without*" reserve even to the death of the cross. Let us I learn charity from the ardour of his divine love. I Let us learn a contempt of the world and its * perishable goods from the extreme poverty which ; I Christ made hit voluntary choice. Let not the I spirit and maxims of the world reign any ' 1 longer in our hearts, since Christ has shown us ksuch pow^erful motives, and presented us such J sovereign remedies against them.l If we still continue possessed with them, when will our / u follies be corrected ?2 Have we not hitherto been > I idolaters of ourselves by pride, idolaters of the | ? world by vanity and avarice, and idolaters of | ) our flesh by living enslaved to our senses? These ^ f' idols we renounced at baptism: but have we not ,^ } lived in a perfidious violation of these vows? ji !. Unless we now sincerely renew these engage- 'J J ments, and banish these idols out of our affections, j { Jesus can never be spiritually born in our souls, and we can never inherit his spirit, which was ! / the end of this carnal nativity. He is meek and \ /, the king of peace, the lover of purity and of I chaste affections, and the avowed enemy to every ^ 1 " Saltern uBqtie ad adventum Filii Dei error vester durarorit." 5. idug. En. in Ps. iv 8 *' Quando habituri finem fallaoia/um ?" DEC. 25, J CHRISTMAS DAY. 393 ,. spirit of pride, hatred, and revenge. Bees can- y y not approach filth and stench: infinitely more ? ? Christ flies with abhorrence from souls that are ^ r defiled with sinful or earthly affections. In such 1 r he finds no place, any more than he did in the f ^inns at Bethlehem. We must earnestly invite ]g and entreat him who vehemently desires to be ' i| born in our hearts, that he prepare our souls to * • receive him by his graces, that he cleanse them ' ^ by his mercy and by inspiring us with sincere > compunction, that he banish every inordinate passion, fill us with his Holy Spirit, and by it reign in all our afiections, thoughts, and actions j ' that as by his nativity he is become all ours, so " we may be altogether his. Without this condi- > tion we fmstrate in ourselves the end of his > coming: he is not born for us, unless by his spirit lie be born in us. Let us conjure him by the ^ infinite love with which he came for this very Surpose, that he sufier us not wretchedly to efeat this his mercy. For this happiness we ought ardently to repeat that petition which he himself has put into our mouths; Thy kingdom , ; come. The devout Thaulerus teaches us to ask it | i by the following prayer:"! Come, 0 my Lord] Ii Jesus Christ, take away all scandals out of thy \ j \ kingdom, which is my soul, that you wlio ought, Jt^' may reign in it alone. Pride, lust, envy, detraction, ? anger and other passions fight in my heai t, to usurp portions to themselves. Through your ; grace I watch and resist with all my strength. I f cry out that 1 belong to you alone, and am all ' , yours; and stretching out my hands to you, I say: } j I have no king but the Lord Jesus. Come there- i I fore, OLord ; disperse your enemies in your mighty I 1 strength, and you will reign in me, because you | \ are my king and my God." ' The custom of one priest celebrating several masses on the same day prevailed in many places ^ i Thauler. ^im. in Couxin. 5 Adventuf. 394 S*r. AN ASTASIA, M. fDEC. 25. on great fetivals.i Prudentius, in his twelfth hymn, On the Crowns of Martyrs, mentions, that on the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, the 29th of June, the pope said mass first at the Vatican, and afterward in the church of St. Paul, without the city. The popes on Christmas-day formerly said three masses, the first in the Liberian basilic, ; the second in the church of St. Anastasia, the S third in the Vatican, as Benedict XIV. proves I, from ancient Koman orders or missals. St. Gre- 1| gory the Great speaks of saying three masses on i - this day.^ This custom of the popes was uni- ' I versally imitated, and is every where retained, ? though not of precept, Pouget3 says that these three masses are celebrated to honour the triple birth of Christ; the first, by which he proceeds from his Father before all ages ; the ;second from the Blessed Virgin Mary; and the third by which he is spiritually born in our souls by faith and charity. That Christ was born on the 25th of December, pope Benedict XIV. proves by the . authority of St. Chrysostom, St. Gregory of ^ Nyssa, St. Austin, &c. and answers the objections ^ of Scaliger and Samuel Basnage.4 He doubts not but the Greek Church originally kept this festi- val on the same day;5 and he takes notice, that among the principal feasts of the year it holds the next place after Easter and Whit sunday.6 ST. ANASTASIA, M. Her name is mentioned in the canon of the mass in the sacramentary of St. Gregory, and in 1 See BonaRer. Litnrg. 1. 1, c. 18. n. 6. Joseph. Vicecomes, De anti- quis missse ritibns, 1. S. c. 28., &c. 8 S. Greg. honi. 8. in Evang. 3 Inslit. Cathol. t. 1. p. 814. 4 De Festis Christi D. c. 17. n. 45. p. 411. See F Honor&, Ragles <3e Crit. 1. 5. diss. 2. art. 1. and Tillemout, note 4. ,6 N. 67. loco cit. p. 422. |6 N. 67 p. 417. DEC. 25.] ST. EUGENIA, V. M. 395 other ancienfc catalogiies of martyrs. There stands in Rome an ancient church, which is dedi- cated to God in her memory. In the acts of St. Chrysogonus we are told, that she was of an illustrious descent at Rome, had St. Chrysogonus for her tutor and director in the faith, and when that holy martyr was apprehended at Aquileia in the persecution of Dioclesian, went thither to comfort him in his chains. It is further related, that after suftering exquisite tortures, she was sentenced by the prefect of lllyricum to be burnt alive in 304. Her body was removed to Rome, and laid in the church which still bears her name. In this church the popes anciently said their second mass on Christmas-night, or rather that of the morning, whence a commemoration of her is made in the second mass. The relics of St. Anastasia were translated to Constantinople in the time of the emperor Leo, and deposited first in the church of Anastasia or the Resurrec- tion, afterward in the patriarchal church of St. Sophia: but were lost when that city wa« taken by the Turks. The Greek Menologies and the Muscovite Calendars commemorate our saint on the 22d of December, the Roman Missal on the 26th. See on her also Nicephorus, Suidas, and Jos. Assemani ad 22 Dae. p. 489. Another St. Anastasia, called the Elder, was crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Valerian; others think of Nero. ST. EUGENIA, V. M. She suffered at Rome under Valerian about the year 257, and is mentioned by St. Avitus,i though we have no authentic acts of her suft'er- ings, those recited by Metaphrastes and Surius deserving no notice. She is also mentioned m the lives of SS. Protus and Hyacinthus, MM, on the 11th of September, p. 116. 1 S. Avitus de Virgin. 1. G. p. 1312. 396 [dec. 26, DECEMBER XXVI. SAINT STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR. Bee Aoii Vi. vii. and Tilletnout^ t. 9. p, I. Cave, 5cc. That St, Stephen was a Jew is unquestionable, ^ himself owing that relation in his apology to the people. But whether he was of Hebrew extrac- tion, and descended of the stock of Abraham, or whether he was of foreign pai'ents incorporated and brought into that nation by the gate of pro- sely tism is uncertain. The name Stephen, which signifies a crown, is evidently Greek; but the priest Lucian, in the histoi-y of the discovery of his relics, and Basil of Seleucia l inform us, that the name Cheliel, which in modern Hebrew signifies a crown, was engraved on his tomb at Caphragamala.2 It is generally allowed that he was one of the seventy-two disciples of our Lord; for immediately after the descent of the Holy Ghost we find him perfectly instructed in the law of the gospel, endowed with extraordinary measures, both of the interior and exterior 7 gifts of that divine Spirit which was but lately ) shed upon the Church, and incomparably fur* / nished with miraculous powers. The Church ^ of Christ then increased daily, and was illus- / trious for the spirit and practice of all virtues, but especially for charity. The faithful lived and loved one another as brethren, and were of , one heart and one soul. Love and charity were/ 2 This name is not properly Hebrew, but Syi-iftc, in which language Vhtiil signifies a crown, aiid c'helUaQl the Crown of Qod. See Jos. Asse- mani, p 609. 1 Basil Seleiie. Or. de S. Stepharto, DEC. 26.] ST. STEPHEN, M. 397 the common soul that animated the whole body of believers. The rich sold their estates to relieve the neces- sities of the poor, and deposited the money in one common treasury, the care whereof was commit- ted to the apostles, to see the distribution made as every body's necessity required. Heaven alone ^ is free from all occasions of offence, and the num- ) ber of converts being very great, the Greeks (that s is, the Christians of foreign countries, who were ( born and brought up in countries which spoke chiefly Greek, or at least were Gentiles by des- cent, though proselytes to the Jewish religion before they came over to the faith of Christ) mur- mured against the Hebrews, complaining tlrat their widows were neglected in the daily minis- tration. The apostles, to provide a speedy reme- dy, assembled the faithful, and observed to them, that they could not relinquish the duties of preaching, and other spiritual functions of the ministry to attend to the care of tables ; and re- commended to them the choice of seven men of an unblemished character, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, who might superintend that affair, that so themselves might be freed from distrac- tions and incumbrances, the more freely to devote themselves without interruption to prayer and preaching the gospel. This proposal was perfect- ly agreeable to the whole assembly, who immedi- ately pitched on Stephen^ a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and Philip,, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas a proselyte of Antioch. All these names are Greek; whence some think they were chosen among the Greeks, in order to appease the murmurs that had been raised. But it frequently happened that Hebrews changed their names into Greek words of a like import, when they conversed with Greeks and Romans, to whom several names in the oriental i language sounded harsh, and were difficult to 398 ST. STUPHEN, M. [dec. 26. pronounce. Stephen is named the first of the deacons, as Peter is of the apostles, says St. Ans- | tin. I Hence he is styled by Lucian52 archdeacon. \ These seven were presented to the apostles, who % praying', imposed hands upon them, by which rite < they received the Holy Ghost, to qnahfy them to | become ministers of God's holy mysteries.3 Their I ordination was made by virtue of a commission, % either general or particular, given by Christ to I his apostles for the establishment of inferior min- i isters or Levites for the service of the altar. Whence St. Paul requires almost the same condi- tions in deacons as in bishops and priests,4 and speaks of their sacred ministry. St. Ignatius, the disciple of the apostles, orders the faithful "to reverence deacons as the command of God,"5 and calls them, " ministers of the mysteries of Jesus Christ." And again, " Ministers not of meat and drink, but of the Church of God."6 St. Stephen had the primacy and precedence among the deacons newly elected by the apostles, as St. Chrysostom observes, and being filled with 1 S. Aug. Serm. 316. ol. 94. de div. 2 Lucian. De Inventione et Translat, S. Stephani, c. 8, 9, &c. 3 Some have imagined that the institution of deacons was at first only intended for the dispensation of temporals, though that of the eacred mysteries was soon after committed to them. But the general opinion of the Church, fathers, and commentators, is, that the very institution regarded the ministry of the altar in the first place, and is clear from the prayer and imposition of hands used in their initiation. The holy eucharist was then received after supper, 1 Cor. xi. 18. Acta XX. 7. See Baron, (ad an. 34.) Pearson, Annal. Pauli, p. 63, 54.) Bingham, (Origines Eccles. b. 2. c. 20. p. 262. t. 1.) In the primitive ages we find that deacons not only had care of the utensils and sacred vessels of the altar, and of the treasury, and the oblations of the faithful, but also read the gospel in some churches, (St. Jerom. ep 57. ad .Sabin, and Constit. Apost, 1. 2. c, 67. S. Cypv. (ep. 34. al. 39. and often administered the holy eucharist to the people, especially the cup, (S. Cypr. de Lapsis, p. 132. S. Justin, M. ap. 1. ol. 2. p. 97.) though never in the presence of a priest, unless by his order. (Cone. Carthag. 4. can. 38.) They were allowed solemnly to baptize, by the bishop's leave and authority, never without it, (Tert, de Bapt. c. 17. S. Jerom. Dial, contra Lucifer, c. 4.) &c. 4 1 Tim. iii. 8. 5 S. Ign. ep. ad Smyrn. n. 7. p, 37, 6 Ep. ad Trallian. n. 2. p. 62. DEC. 26.] sr. STEPHEN, M* 399 the Holy Ghost, preached and pleaded the cause of Christianity with undaunted courage, confirm- ing his doctrine by many public and unquestion- able miracles. The number of believers were multiplied in Jerusalem, and a great multitude even of the priests obeyed the faith. The distin- guished zeal and success of our holy deacon stirred up the malice and envy of the enemies of the gos- pel, who bent their whole force, and all their malice against him. The conspiracy was formed by the Libertines, (or such as had been carried captives to Rome by Pompey, and had since ob- tained their freedom,) those of Cyrene in Lybia, of Alexandria, Cilicia, and Lesser Asia, who had each a distinct synagogue at Jerusalem. At first they imdertook to dispute with St. Stephen; but finding themselves unequal to the task, and un- able to resist the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke, they suborned false witnesses to charge him with blasphemy against Moses and against God. The indictment was laid against him in the Sanhedrim, and the saint was hauled thither. After the charge was read, Caiphas the high priest ordered him to make his defence. The main point urged against him was, that he affirm- ed that the temple would be destroyed, that the Mosaic sacrifices were but shadows and types, and were no longer acceptable to God, Jesus of Nazareth having put an end to them. It pleased God to diffuse a heavenly beauty and a shining brightness on the saint's face, whilst he stood before the council, so that to all that were pre- sent it seemed as if it had been the countenance of an angel. According to the licence given him by the high priest to speak for himself, he made his apology, but in such a manner as boldly to preach Jesus Christ in the Sanhedrim itself. He shoAved that Abraham, the father and founder of . their nation, was justified, and received the great- est favours of God without the temple; that 400 ST. STEPHEN, M. [DEC. 26, Moses was commanded to erect a tabernacle, but foretold a now law and the Messiah : that Solo- mon built the temple, but it was not to be ima- gined that God was confined in houses made by hands, and that the temple and the Mosaic law were temporary ministrations, and were to give place when God introduced more excellent insti- ll tutions. The martyr added, that this he had done , I by sending the Messiah himself; but that they ; I were like their ancestors, a stiff-necked genera- 5 t ion, circumcised in body, but nof in heart, and ) always resisting the Holy Ghost; and that as > I their fathers had persecuted and slain many of I the prophets who foretold the Christ, so they had '} betrayed and murdered Him in person, and ■ % though they had received the law by the minis^ / S try of angels, they had not observed it. This stinging reproach touched them to the quick, and kindled them into a rage, gnashing ■ with their teeth at the holy martyr, and express- ; ing all the symptoms of unbridled passion. The saint, not heeding what was done below, had his * eyes and heart fixed on higher objects, and being ' full of the Holy Ghost, and looking up steadfastly ♦ to the heavens, saw them opened, and beheld his i / divine Saviour standing at the right hand of his ' '^j. Father, appearing by that posture ready to i protect, receive, and crown his servant. With > this vision the saint was inexpressibly ravished, his soul was inspired with new courage, and a ; { longing to arrive at that bliss a glimpse of which j V, was shown him. His heart overflowed with joy, ^ i and in an ecstasy, not being able to forbear^ ( expressing his happiness in the very midst of his 1 i enemies, he said, Behold I see the heavens opened^' ] and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God, w Thus divine consolations are then nearest to us, i when human succours are furthest from us; but | K on such occasions we must cleave to God with ^ I confidence, and a perfect disengagement of heart I DEC. 26.J ST, STEPHEN, M. 401 from earthly things, ! If we still hold to them by the least twig, we have not perfectly attained to the disposition of the saints. Thn Jews became more hardened and enraged by hearing the saint's declaration of this vision, and calling him a blas- phemer, resolved npon his death without any fur- ^ ther process. In the fury of their blind zeal they j stayed not for a judicial sentence, nor for the war- 1 rant of the Roman governor, without which no one I could at that time be legally put to death amongst | them. But stopping their ears against his sup- 1 posed blasphemies, they with great clamour | rushed upon him, furiously hauled him out of the - city, and with a tempest of stones satiated their rage against him. The witnesses who according to the Levitical law, were to begin the execution in all capital cases,i threw their clothes at the feet of Saul, who thus partook of their crime.2 In the mean time the holy martyr prayed saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, and the great- est earnestness, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. When he had said this he fell asleep in the Lord. This word is used by the Holy Ghost elegantly to express the sweetness of the death of the just, which is to them a rest after the toils of this painful life, a secure harbour after the dangers of this mortal pilgrimage, and the gate to eternal life. St. Austin and other fathers doubt not but | the eminent conversion of St. Paul was the fruit ! of the dying groans and prayer of this martyr, and is a proof of his great interest in heaven.^ The edification and manifold advantages which the Church received from the martyrdom of this great and holy man compensated the loss wliicli it sustained in him. Certain devout men took order to inter him in a decent manner, and made 1 Deut. xvii. 7. B Acts XX ii. 20. and vii. 67. 3 B. Aug. Berm. 38a. 402 ST. STEPHEN, M. [DEC. 26. great monrning over him, thongh sucli a death was his OAvn most glorious triumph, and imparal- jeled gain. The priest Liician, who recounts the liianner of the miraculous discovery of his relics in the fifth century, informs us, that they were deposited about twenty miles from Jerusalem, by the direction of Gamaliel, and at his expense.l St. Steplien seems to have suffered towards the end of the same year in which Christ was cruci- fied.'^ In the whole life of our divine Redeemer we have the most perfect pattern of meekness. During his ministry he meekly bore with the 4 weakness, ignorance, and prejudices of some; f with the perverseness, envy, and malice of others; i with the ingratitude of friends, and the pride and insolence of enemies. How affecting is the most patient silence which he held in the courts of un- just judges, and through the whole course of his passion! How did he confirm this example which he had given us by spending his last breath r in fervent prayer for his murderers. With what ( ardour and assiduity did he press upon us the> practice of this virtue of meekness, and inculcate '. its indispensable obligation and unspeakable ad- * vantage! St. Steplien inherited more perfectly} this spirit in proportion as he was more abun- > dantly replenished with the Holy Ghost. No one ) > who is passionate, unforgiving, and revengeful,^ can be a follower of the meek and humble Jesus. r In vain do such assume to themselves the honour )' of bearing his name. In charity, meekness, and ; humility, consist the very spirit of Christianity; J . and scarce any thing dishonours- religion more • than the prevalence of the opposite spirit in those ■ who make a profession of piety. ^ 1 See on the 3d of August. 2 It is exrpressly aERrtned in the chronological collections published by Scaliger with Eusebius's chronicle, that Saint Stephen's martyrdom happened that year on the 26th of December ; and that this was Euse« bias's opinion eee Valesius, Anuot. in Eus, Hist, 1. 2. c, 1. DEC. 26.] 403 ST. DIONYSIUS, POPE, C. DioNYsius was a priest of the church of Rome, under the pontificates of Stephen and Sixtus II. Tlie latter having received the crown of martyr- dom under Valerian, on the 6th of August, 258. through the violence of the persecution, the holy see continued vacant almost a year, till our saint was chosen pope on the 2nd of July, 259. St. Dionysius of Alexandria styles him an admirable man, and a person eminently learned. St. Basil wonderfully extols his charity, which he extend- ed to the most remote provinces of the empire. When the Goths had plundered Csesarea, the capital of Cappadocia, and carried away most of its inhabitants into captivity, the good pope wrote to that city a letter of comfort, and sent messen- gers with large sums of money to ransom the cap- tives.l Our saint condemned Sabellius, &c. in a council at Rome, and afterward confuted the blasphemies of Paul of Samosata.2 St. Athana- sius and St. Basil made use of his elegant writings to prove the divinity of the Son, and the latter also that of the Holy Ghost.3 St. Athanasius tes- tifies, that the three hundred fathers at Nice, in defending the Catholic faith used no new expres- sions, but those which they received from the foregoing pastors of God's Church, copying parti- cularly those of Dionysius of Rome, and his namesake of Alexandria.4 This holy pope died on the 26th of December, in 269. Bee Eus. 1. 7. c. 5. 7. S. Athan. Ceillier, t. 3. p. 327. 1 S. Bas. ep. 220. 2 See S. Athan. 1. de Synodis, et 1. de senteutia DionyB. ^c. 3 S. Basil, 1. de Spir, Sancto, c. 29. 4 g. Athan. de Synodis, p. 757. 404 [DEC. 26. ST. JARLATH, C. FIRST BISHOP OF TUAM IN IRELAND. He flourished about the beginning of the sixth century, and is not to be confounded with Jai'lath, archbishop of Armagh, who was a disciple of St. Patrick, an Ulster-man, and the son of Trien. Our St. Jarlath was a Connaught man, of the family of Cormac, and was educated from his youth under Binen or Benignus, archbishop of Armagh, by whom he was promoted to holy or- ders. Leaving this great master, he retired to Cluainfois, (so called from cluain^ a retreat or a lurking place, and /os, a dwelling, ovfois^ leisure,) a solitary place in Conmacne, now in the county of Gal way, near Tuam. Here he founded a mo- uastery which retained this name, and is now a chapel within the parish of Tuam. In this mo- nastery St. Jarlath opened a famous school, to which numbers flocked for education in piety and learning, among whom the great St. Brendan, abbot of Clonfert, and St. Colman, first bishop of Cluaiii-uamha, or Cloyne, laid the foundation of their eminent virtue under the discipline of St. Jarlath. Our saint was called from this employ- ment to be consecrated first bishop of Tuam, an- ciently called Tuaim-da-Gualan, which church was afterward dedicated in his memory, and called Tempull-Jarlaith, or Jarlaitli's church. He died full of days on the 26th of December, about the year 540. His bones were afterward placed in a silver shrine, and deposited in a < church at Tuam, called from thence TempuU-na- ' serin, that is, church of the shrine. His chief fes- tival was kept at Tuam on the 6tli of June the day of the translation of his relics. Some bishops of this see were styled metropoli- tans and archbishops of Connaught. At length it was regularly erected into an archbishopric, with the concession of a pail in 1152. Two other sees DEC. 27.] sr. JOttN, EVANGELIST. 405 were afterward united to this of Tuani, that of Enaghdime, reduced to a parish under Tuam, by a union of the sees in the fourteenth century; and 2nc?, that of Mayo, founded hy St. Gerald, an English Saxon, who accompanied St. Colman from Lindisfarne into Ireland. St. Colman erect- ed a monastery at Mayo for his English-Saxon followers, called from them Mayo-na-Sasson, t. e. Mayo of the Saxons. St. Gerald, who is honour- ed on the 13th of March, enlarged this monastery, and erected it into a bishopric about the year e'85. (See Colgan, Act. p. 599.) The see of Mayo was united to Tuam in 1 560. Oa St. Jarlath, see Ware, p. 602. Usher's Prim, p, 994. Colgau in MS?. DECEMBER XXVII. ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST. See Tillemont, t. 1. p. 330. Calmet, t. 7 et 8. Ceillier, t. 1. p. 364. Beading, &c. St. John the Evangelist, who is styled in the gospel, The beloved disciple of Christy and is called by the Greeks The Divine^ was a Galilean, the son of Zebedee and Salome, and younger brother to St. James the Great, with whom he was brought 5 up to the trade of fishing. From his acquaint- i ance with the high-priest Caiphas, St. Jerom in- } fers that he was a gentleman by birth; but the*. ( meanness of his father's trade, and the privacy of ^ > his fortune sufficiently prove that his birth could } ; not much distinguish him in the world, neither j ^ could his education give him any tincture of secu- ( ) lar learning. His acquaintance with the high- { priest may be placed to some other account* / 26 12 , 406 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. [DEC. 27. Nicephorus Calixtius, a modern Greek historian of the fourteenth century, (in whom, amidst much rubbish, several curious anecdotes are found,) says, we know not upon what authority, that St. John had sold a paternal estate to Annas, father- in-law to Caiaphas, a little before the death of our Lord. Before his coming to Christ he seems to have been a disciple to John the Baptist, seve- ral thinking him to have been that other disciple that was with St. Andrew, when they left the Baptist to follow our Saviour ;i so particularly does our Evangelist relate all the circumstances, through modesty concealing his own name, as in other parts of his gospel. He was properly called ^ to be a disciple of our Lord, with his brother ,' James, as they were mending their nets2 on the same day, and soon after Jesus had called Peter \ and Andrew. These two brothers continued still ) to follow their profession, but upon seeing the ; miraculous draught of fishes, they left all things to attach themselves more closely to him.^^ Christ > gave them the surname of Boanerges, or sons of I thunder,4 to express the strength and activity of ' their faith in publishing the law of God without ) fearing the power of man. This epithet has been ) particularly applied to Saint John, who was truly S a voice of thunder in proclaiming aloud the most sublime mysteries of the divinity of Christ. He is said to have been the youngest of all the apos- tles, probably about twenty-five years of age, when he was called by Christ; for he lived seven- i ty years after the suffering of his divine master. , Piety, wisdom, and prudence equalled him in his youth to those who with their grey hairs had been long exercised in the practice and experience of virtue: and, by a pure and blameless life, he was honourable in the world. Our divine Re- 1 John j. 37. S. Chrys. hom. 17. ia Joau, 9» Epiph. hser. 51. 8 Matt. iT, 3 Luke v. li, 4 Maixk u'h DEC. 27.] ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. 407 deemer had a particular aifection for him above ! the rest of the apostles, insomuch that when f St. John speaks of himself, he saith, that he Avas i The disciple whom Jesus loved; and frequently he \ mentions himself by this only characteristic; | which he did not out of pride to distinguish him- f self, but out of gratitude and tender love for his blessed Master. Humility suffered him not to mention any other of his great privileges; but tenderness and love made him never forget, but on every occasion to repeat this title which was the strongest motive to inflame his own love of his Saviour, who, without any merit on his side, had prevented him by such distinguishing love. If we inquire into the causes of this particular ; love of Christ toward him, which was not blind or ! unreasonable, the first was doubtless, as St. Aus- tin observes, the love which this disciple bore him: secondly, his meekness and peaceable dispo- sition, by which he was extremely like Christ . himself: thirdly, his virginal purity. For St. ■{ Austin tells usl that, " The singular privilege of , his chastity rendered him worthy of the more particular love of Christ, because being chosen by him a virgin, he always remained such." St.^ J Jerome sticks not to call all his other privileges \ and graces the recompense of his chastity, es-f pecially that which our Lord did him by re-/ commending in his last moments his virgin mo-¥ ther to the care of his virgin disciple.2 St. I I Ambrose, St. Chi-ysostom, St. Epiphanius, andl \^ other fathers frequently make the same reflec- 5^' tion. Christ was pleased to choose a virgin for • ; his mother, a virgin for his precursor, and a virgin for his favourite disciple: and his church suffers ( only those who Jive perfectly chaste to serve him , in his priesthood, where they daily touch and i offer his virginal flesh on his holy altar. In hea* ■■-^'?T<*V-TVr'-^ ■ ... .^-.„ " . 1 S. Aug. Horn. 124. in Joan. 8 3. Hi©r, 1. ). in JoviniaxJ, c, li, 408 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. f DEC. 27* ! ven virgins follow the spotless Lamb wherever Jie fgoes.i Who then can doubt but purity is the I darling virtue of Jesus? who feeds amongst the I liliesi of untarnished chastity. For he who loves f purity of hearty will have the king his friend/^ i Another motive of the preference which Jesus I gave to this apostle in his intimacy and predilec- ition, was his perfect innocence and simplicity f without guile in his youth. Virtue in that age ( has peculiar charms to Christ, and is always a seed of extraordinary graces and blessings. The love which Jesus bears is never barren. .Of this his sufferings and death are the strongest ^ proof. As St. John had the happiness to be dis- ) tinguislied by Christ in his holy love, so was ha I also in its glorious effects. Though these princi- I pally consisted in the treasure of interior graces I and virtues, exterior tokens, helps, and comforts f. were not wanting. This appears from the fa« • miliarity and intimacy with which his divine master favoured him above the rest of the apos- tles. Christ would have him with Peter and James privy to his Transfiguration, and to his agony in the garden; and he showed St. John particular instances of kindness and affection above all the rest. Witness this apostle's lying in our Saviour's bosom at the last supper; it being ^ then the custom among the Jews often to lie V along upon couches at meals, so that one might lean his head upon the bosom of him that lay be- I fore him; which honour Christ allowed St. John.4 I No tongue certainly can express the sweetness } and ardour of the holy love which our saint on ^ that occasion drev/ from the divine breast of our ' Lord, which was the true furnace of pure and holy love. St. John repeats this circumstance several times in his gospel to show its importance 1 Apoc. xW. 4. 3 Prov. xxi. 11. 2 Cant. 4 John xlii. 25. DEC. 27.] ST JOHN3 EVANGELIST. 409 ^ and his gi'ateful remembrance. Every devout ; person, in some sense, is admitted to a like fa- ^ vour; when in heavenly contemplation he shuts his corporeal eyes to all visible things, and opens those of his soul to the invisible. When his ex- I terior senses remain, as it were, asleep and dead, his interior powers are awakened and quickened, he contemplates the bottomless abyss of the divine love, and drinks plentifully of that foun- tain of life. We discover in the holy scriptures a close particular friendship between St. John and St. Peter, which was doubtless founded in the ardour of their love and zeal for their divine Master. When St. Peter durst not, as it seems, says St. Jerom, propound the question to our Lord, who 7 it was that should betray him, he by signs desired ( Saint John to do it, whose familiarity with -, Christ allowed him more easily such a liberty: ( and our Lord gave him to understand that Judas ( was the wretch, though, at least, except St. John, ( none that were present seemed to have under- ; stood his answer, which was only given by the sig- ) nal of the traitor's dipping a morsel of bread with \ him in the dish. St. Chrysostom says, that when f our Lord was appprehended, and the other apostles I fled, St. John never forsook him.' Several other C ancients believe that he was that young man who followed Jesus with a linen cloth cast about his i naked body; by the looseness of which he disen- I gaged himself from the officers who otherwise I would have laid hold of him, had he not made his ^ escape by flying away naked. Some interpreters ^ suppose this linen garment to have been a night vest which it might be customary to wear at sup- per, and in the night, it being then night. How- ever, if this was John, he soon followed Christ , again; and many imagine that he was the disciplo who being known to the high-priest, got Peter admitted by the servants into the court oi Caiphas, 410 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. [DEC. 27. Our saint seems to have accompanied Christ r through all his sufferings; at least he attended him during his crucifixion, standing under his } \ cross, owning him in the midst of arms and guards, S ? and in the thickest crowds of his implacable ene- ) mies. Here it was that our Lord declared tlio 7 ' assurance he had of this disciple's affection and / 4 fidelity, by recommending with his dying words, ^ ? his holy mother to his care ; giving him the j charge to love, honour, comfort, and provide for ' her with that dutifulness and attention which the character of the best and most indulgent mother ; challenges from an obedient and loving son. What more honourable testimony could Christ have given him of his confidence, regard, and aff'ection, ' than this charge ? Accordingly St. John took her to his home, and ever after made her a principal part of his care. Christ had at the same time given her to St. John for his mother, saying to her: Woman^ behold thy son. Our Lord disdained not to call us all brethren, as St. Paul observes. And he recommended us all as such to the mater- nal care of his own mother: but amongst these adoptive sons St. John is the first-born. To him alone was given this special privilege of being treated by her as if she had been his natural mother, and of reciprocally treating her as such by respectfully honouring, serving, and assisting | her in person. This was the recompense of his ; constancy and fervour in his divine Master's ser- ? vice and love. This holy apostle though full of i t inexpressible grief for the death of his divine i ■ Master, yet left not the cross, and saw his side ■ ' opened with a spear; was attentive to the whole mystery, and saw the blood and water issue from the wound, of which he bore record. It is be- lieved that he was present at the taking down of ; our Lord's body from the cross, and helped to : present it to his most blessed mother, and after- ' ward to lay it in the sepulchre, watering it witji. i DEC. 27.] ST, JOHN, EVANGELIST. 411 abundance of tears, and kissing it with extraor- dinary devotion and tenderness. He may be said to have left his heart with it; for his soul was more where it loved than where it lived. When Mary Magdalen and other devout women brought word that they had not found Christ's body in the sepulchre, Peter and John ran imme- diately thither, and John, who was younger and more nimble, running faster, arrived first at the place. Some few days after this, St. John went a fishing in the lake of Tiberias, with other disci- ples; and Jesus appeared on the shore in a dis- guised form. St. John, directed by the instinct of love, knew him, and gave notice to Peter: they all dined with him on the shore; and when dinner was ended, Christ walked along the shore ques- tioning Peter about the sincerity of his love, gave him the charge of his Church, and foretold his martyrdom. St. Peter seeing St. John walk be- hind, and being solicitous for his friend, asked Jesus what would become of him; supposing that as Christ testified a particular love for him, he would show him some extraordinary favour. Christ checked his curiosity, by telling him that it was not his business if he should prolong John's life till he should come; which most understand of his coming to destroy Jerusalem; an epoch which St. John survived. Some of the disciples, how- ever, misapprehended this answer so far as to infer that St. John would remain in the body till Christ shall come to judge the world: though St. John has taken care in his gospel to tell us that no such thing was meant. After Christ's ascen- sion, we find these two zealous apostles going up to the temple, and miraculously healing a poor cripple. Our two apostles were imprisoned, but released again with an order no more to preach Christ, but no threats daunted their courage. They were sent by the college of the apostles to 1 Acts iv. 19, 412 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. [DEC, 27. confirm the converts which Philip the Deacon had made in Samaria.l St. John was again ap- prehended by the Jews with the rest of the apos- tles, and scourged; but they went from tlie council rejoicing that they were accounted worthy ^ to suffer for the name of Jesus.2 When St. Paul ^ went up to Jerusalem, three years after his con- version, he saw there only St. Peter and St. James the Less, St. John being probably absent. But St. Paul going thither in the fourteenth year after his conversion, addressed himself to those < who seemed to be pillars of the Church, chiefly \ Peter and John, who confirmed to him his mis- i sion among the infidels.3 About that time St. | • John assisted at the council which the apostles held at Jerusalem in the year 51. For St. Clement I ^ of Alexandria tells us, that all the apostles ' ' attended in it. That father says, that Christ at his ascension preferred St. Peter, St. James the Less, and St. John to the rest of the apostles, though there was no strife or pre-eminence amongst any in that sacred college, and this St. James was chosen bishop of Jerusalem. St. Cle- ment adds, that our Lord particularly instructed these three apostles in many sacred mysteries, and that the rest of the apostles received much holy science from them.4 St. John seems to have remained chiefly at Jerusalem for a long time, though he sometimes preached abroad. IParthia is said to have been the chief scene of his apostolical labours. St. Austin sometimes quotes his first epistle under the title of his epistle to the Parthians-.o and by a title then prefixed to it in some copies it seems to have been addressed to the J ews that were dispersed through the provinces of the Parthian 1 Acts viii. 14. 2 Acts v. 41. 3 Gal. ii. 9. Acts xv. 4 Clem. Alex. ap. Ens. Hist. 1. 2. c. 1. p. 44. ed. Cantab, 6 S. Aug. Quaest. Evang. 1. 3. c. sa. DEC. 27.] ST. JOHN, EVANGELTST. 413 empire. Certain late missionaries in the East- Indies assnre us, that the inhabitants of Bassora, a city upon the mouth of the Tigris and Eu- phrates, on the Persian gulf, affirm, by a tradition received from their ancestors, that St. John planted the Christian faith in their country. He came to Jerusalem in the year 62 to meet the rest of the apostles who were then living, Avhen they chose in council St. Simeon, bishop of that church after the martyrdom of St. James the Less. I It seems to have been after the death of the Blessed Vh'gin that St. John visited Lesser Asia, making those parts his peculiar care, and residing at Ephesus, the capital of that country.^ It is certain that he was not come thither in 64, when St. Paul left St. Timothy bishop of that , city. St. Irenseus tells us,2 that he did not settle ^ there till after the death of SS. Peter and Paul. , St. Timothy continued still bishop of Ephesus till ■ his martyrdom in 97. But the apostolical autho- ^ rity of St. John was universal and superior, and > the charity and humility of these two holy men \ prevented all differences upon account of their jurisdiction. St. John preached in other parts, and took care of all the churches of Asia, which, St. Jerom3 says, he founded and governed. Ter- tullian adds,4 that he placed bishops in all that country ; by which we are to understand that he confirmed and governed those which SS. Peter and Paul had established, and appointed others in many other churches which he founded. It is even probable that in the course of his long life I he put bishops into all the churches of Asia: for \ while the apostles lived, they supi^lied the 1 churches with bishops of their own appointing, I by the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and by virtue of their commission to plant the Church. 1 Ens. 1. 3. c. 11. p. 105. 2 S. Iren. 1. 8. c, 3. 3 S. Hier. in Oatal. c. 9. .Tert. J. 4, cont. Marcion. o. 5, 414 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. [DEC. 27. St. John, in his extreme old age, continued often to visit the churches of Asia, and sometimes undertook journeys to assume to the sacred ministry a single person whom the Holy Ghost had mai'ked out to him.i Apollonius, not the Koman senator, apologist and martyr, but a Greek father, who wrote against the Montanists, and confuted their pretended prophecies step by step, about the year 192, assures us, that St. John raised a dead man to life at £phesus.2 A certain priest of Asia having been convicted of writing a fabulous account of the voyages of St. Paul and St. Thecla, in defence and honour of that apostle, was deposed by St. John.3 St. Epiphanius affirms, that St. John was carried into Asia by the special direction of the Holy Ghost, to oppose the here- sies of Ebion and Cerinthus. The former of these, soon after the destruction of Jerusalem, C whilst the Christians who had fled from that city > resided at Pella, taught at Kacerta in that neigh- bourhood, of which he was a native, that Christ was created like one of the angels, but greater : than the rest: that he was conceived and bom in . \j the natural way, and chosen to be the Son of God % by the Holy Ghost descending upon him in the form of a dove. He pretended that the legal H ceremonies were necessarily to be observed with the gospel, and he mutilated the gospel of St. ? Matthevv.4 Cerinthus raised great disturbances in obstinately defending an obligation of circumci- sion, and of abstaining from unclean meats, in the New Law, and in extolling the angels, as the authors of nature, before St. Paul wrote his epis- tles to the Colossians, &c. About the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, he framed his heretical system so as to make it akin to that of Ebion. St. 1 Eus. 1, 3. c. 23. 2 Apollon, ap. Eus. Hist. I. 6. o. lO. 3 Tert. de Baptisiuo, c. 17. S. Hier. in Catal. 4 See St. Ireuseus, Tertullian, St. Epiphanius, St. Jerom, Fleury, I. PEC. 27.] ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. 415 Irenaeiis and Tertullian inform us, that he pre- tended the world was not created by God, but by a certain virtue, quite distinct, without his know- ledge; that the God of the Jews was only an angel ; that Jesus was born of J oseph and Mary like other men, but surpassed others in virtue and wisdom.; that the Holy Ghost descended upon him after his baptism in the likeness of a dove; and that he had manifested his Father to the world who was before unlmown. He was the / first author of the dream that Christ fled away at the time of the passion, and that Jesus alone suf- fered and rose again^ Christ continuing always immortal and impassible. St. Irenseus l relates, Hhat St. John, who ordinarily never made use of a bath, went to bathe on some extraordinary occa- sion, but understanding that Cerinthus was within, started back, and said to some friends that were with him: "Let us, my brethren, make haste and be gone, lest the bath, wherein is Cerinthus j the enemy of Truth, should fall upon our heads." - Dr. Conyers Middleton, in his posthumous works, pretends this anecdote must be false, because in- consistent with this apostle's extraordinary meek- ness. But St. Irenaeus tells us, he received this account from the very mouth of St. Polycarp, St. John's disciple, whose behaviour to Marcion is an instance of the same spirit. This great apostle would teach his flock to beware of the conversa- tion of those who wilfully corrupted the truth of religion, and by their ensnaring speeches endea- voured to seduce others. This maxim he incul- cates in his second epistle,2 but this precaution was restrained to the authors of the pestilential seduction. Nevertheless, the very characteristic of St. John was universal meekness and charity toward all the world. But toward himself he was always most severe, and St. Epiphanius 1 S. Iren. I. 3. o. 3. £u». 1. S. o. 88. p. 128. ed. Oantabr. 2 2 John 10. 416 ST. JOHN. EVANGELTSTo TdEC. 27. tells US, that he never wore any clothes but a tunic and a Imen garment, and never ate flesh; and that his way of living was not unlike that of St. James bishop of Jerusalem, who was remark- able for austerity and mortification. l In the second general persecution, in the year 95, St. John was apprehended by the proconsul of Asia, and sent to Rome, where he was miracu- lously preserved from death when thrown into a caldron of boiling oil. 2 On account of this trial the title of martyr is given him by the fathers, who say, that thus was fulfilled what Christ had foretold him, that he should drink of his cup.3 The idolaters who pretended to account for such miracles by sorcery, blinded themselves to this evidence; and the tyrant Domitian banished St. John into the isle of Patmos, one of the Sporades in the Archipelago. In this retirement the apos- tle was favoured with those heavenly visions which he has recorded in the canonical book of the Revelations, or of the Apocalypse : they were manifested to him on a Sunday in the year 96. The first three chapters are evidently a prophetic instruction given to seven neighbouring churches of Asia Minor; and to the bishops who governed them. The three last chapters celebrate the triumph of Christ, the judgment and reward of his saints. The intermediate chapters are vari- ously expounded, either of the immediate pre- ludes of the last judgment, or with abbe Chetardie of the whole intermediate time from Christ to the end of the world ; or with Bossuet, Calmet, and many others, of the ten general persecutions and the Roman empire to the triumph of the Church by the victory of Constantino over Licinius, upon which system whatever author is read, the mas- terly strokes with which Bossuet has illustrated 1 S. Epiph. Hser. 30. '2 Ten. Prses. o. 36. S. Aug. et S. Hier, passim, &c. @ Matt. XX. 23. See St. James's Life, July 23. vol. ii. p. 184 DEC. 27.] ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST* 417 his commentary ought not to he passed over. By these visions God gave St. John a prospect of the future state of the Church. His exile was not of long continuance. For Domitian being slain in September in 96, all his edicts and public acts were declared void by a decree of the senate on account of his excessive cruelty ; and his successor, Nerva, recalled all those whom he had banished. St. John therefore returned to Ephesus in 97, where he found that St. Timothy had been crowned with martyrdom on the preceding 22d of January. The apostle was obliged by the pressing entreaties of the whole flock to take upon him the particular government of that church, which he held till the reign of Trajan. St. John, in imitation of the high-priest of the Jews, wore a plate of gold upon his forehead, as an ensign of his Christian priest- hood, as Poly crates informs us J St, Epiphanius relates the same of St. James, the bishop of Jeni- salem,2 and the author of the history of the mar- tyrdom of St. Mark the Evangelist attributes to him the same ornament. St. John celebrated the Christian Pasch on the 14th day of the moon, agreeing as to time with the Jewish passover;:i but was so far from holding the Jewish rites ot obligation in the New Law, that he condemned that heresy in the Nazarites, and in Ebion and Cerinthus. As his apostolic labours were chiefly bestowed among the Jews, he judged such a con- formity, which was then allowable, conducive to their conversion. The ancient fathers inform us,4 that it was principally to confute the blasphemies of Ebion and Cerinthus who denied the divinitj^ of Christ, ^ ;v and even his pre-existence before his temporal^ 1 Polycr. ap. Eus. Hist. 1. 5. c. 24. p. 243, ed. Cant. See Annot. Va- lesii, ib. 2 S. Epiph: in User. Nazaroeon et Hser. 78. 3 8. Irenieus, 1. 3. c. 12. Polycrates, ap. Eus, 1. 5. c. 24. 4 S. Chrys. in Gal. c. 1. Clem. Alex. ap. Eus. 1. 6. c, 14. S. Hier. in Cat. etProl. in Matt. &c. 418 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. [dEC. 27. birth, that St. John composed his gospel. Another reason was, to supply certain omissions of the otlier three gospels, which he read and confirmed by his approbation.! He therefore principally insists on the actions of Christ from the com- mencing of his ministry to the death of the Bap- tist, wherein the others were sparing; and he largely records his discourses, mentioning fewer miracles. It being his principal aim to set forth / the divinity of Christ, he begins with his eternal i generation, and his creating the world; and both ■ his subject and manner of treating it is so sublime i and mysterious, that Theodoret calls his gospel, \ ^ I " a theology which human undei'standing can ^ ^1 never fully penetrate and find out." Hence he is ' I compared by the ancients to an eagle, soaring ^ aloft within the clouds, whither the weak eye of / man is unable to follow him ; and by the Greeks \ he is honoured with the title of The Divine. St. ' ( Jerom relates,^ that, "when he was earnestly ; pressed by the brethren to write his gospel, he < answered he would do it, if by ordering a com- '^^ i mon fast they would all put up their prayers toge- < I ther to God; which being ended, replenished with / ' the clearest and fullest revelation coming from J j heaven, he burst forth into that preface: In the \ beginning was the Word, St. Clirysostom3 and / other fathers mention that the evangelist pre- pared himself for this divine undertaking by re- tirement, prayer, and contemplation. Some think ; he wrote his gospel in the isle of Patmos: but it \ is the more general opinion that he composed ) % it after his return to Ephesus, about the year of ) '} our Lord 98, of his age ninety-two, after our ; Lord's ascension sixty-four. This apostle also ^ I wrote three epistles. The first is Catholic, or / 1 Eu8. 1. 3. c. 4. S. Hier. in Cat. et C!em. Alex. ap. Eiis, I. 6. c. 14. B. EpijJi, &c. 2 d. Hier. Prolog, in Matt. t. 4, p. 3, ed, Ben, 3 S. Cliris. Uom, 07, &c. DEC. 27.J ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. 41^ addressed to all Christians, especially his con- verts, whom he presses to purity and holiness of ^ manners, and he cautions them agamst the crafty i insinuations of seducers, especially the Simoniana j and Cerinthians. The other two epistles are ^ short, and directed to particular persons; the one j a lady of honourable quality; called, as it seems, > Electa, though some think this rather an epithet ^ of honour than a proper name,) the other Gains - or Caius a courteous entertainer of ail indigent ^ Christians; rather one of that name at Derbe, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles,! than the i Caius of Corinth of whom St. Paul speaks.2 The : style and sentiments in St. John's gospel and in these epistles are the same; and the same ini- mitable spirit of charity reigns throughout all these writings. The largest measures of this charity with which our apostle's breast was inflamed, he expressed in the admirable zeal which he showed for the souls of men; in which service he spent himself Avithout ever being weary in journeys, in preach- ing, in enduring patiently all fatigues, breaking through all difficulties and discouragements, shunning no dangers that he might rescue men from error, idolatry, or the snares of vice. A re- markable instance is recorded by Clement of Alexandria and Eusebius.3 When St. John returned from Patmos to Ephesus, he made a visitation of the churches of Lesser Asia to cor- rect abuses, and supply them with worthy pas- tors. Coming to a neighbouring city, after having made a discourse, he observed a young man in the company, of a fair stature, and pleasing | aspect, and being much taken with him lie pre ^ f sented him to the bishop whom he had ordained ' 1 Acta XX. 4. 2 Rom. xvi. 23. 3 Clem. Alex. Tr. Quia Dives salvabitur. Eus. Hist. 1. 3, C, 23. p. llS. ea. Cautab. f3. Chrywst. 1. 1, ad Ikeodor. Laps. 420 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. [dEC. 27. for that see, saying, " In the presence of Christ' and before this congregation, I earnestly recom- mend this young man to your care." The bishop took the trust upon him, and promised to dis- charge it with fidelity. The apostle repeated his injunction, and went back to Ephesus. The young man was lodged in the bishop's house, instructed, kept to good discipline, and at length baptized and confirmed by him. When this was done, the bishop, as if the person had been now in a state of security, began to slacken the reins and be less watchful over him. This was quickly perceived by a company of idle, debauched wretches,who allured the youth into their society. By bad company he soon forgot the precepts of the Christian religion, and passing from one de- gree of wickedness to another, at length stifled all remorse, put himself at the head of a band of rob- bers, and, taking to the highway, became the most cruel and profligate of the whole band. Some time after, St. John was again called to the same city, and when he had settled other aflairs, said to the bishop, *' Restore to me the trust which Jesus Christ and I committed to you in presence of your Church." The bishop was surprised, imagining he meant some trust of money. But the saint explained himself that he spoke of the young man, and the soul of his brother which he had intrusted to his care. Then the bishop, with sighs and tears, said: " Alas! he is dead." "What did ho die of?" said our saint. The bishop replied, " He is dead to God, is turned robber, and instead of being in the Church with us, he * hath seized on a mountain, where he lives, with a company of wicked men like himself." The holy apostle having heard this, rent his garments, and fetching a deep sigh, said, with tears, " Oh! what a guardian have I provided to watch over a brother's soul!" Presently he called for a horse and a guide, and rode away to the mountaiu DEC. 27.] ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. 421 where the robber and his gang kept their rendez- vous; and being made prisoner by their sentinels he did not offer to fly or beg his life, but cried out, " It is for this that I am come: lead me to your captain." They conducted the saint to him, who stood at first armed to receive him : but when he saw it was St. John, was seized witli a mixture of shame and fear, and began to make off with precipitation and confusion. The apostle forget- ting his feebleness and old age, pursued him full speed, and cried out after him in these words: ** Child, why do you thus fly from me your father, unarmed and an old man ? My son, have com- passion on me. There is room for repentance: your salvation is not irrecoverable. I will answer for you to Jesus Christ. I am ready most wil- f lingly to lay down my life for you, as Jesus Christ laid down his for all men. I will pledge my soul for yours. Stay: believe me, I am sent by Christ." At these words, the young man stood still, with his eyes fixed upon the ground ; then throwing away his arms he trembled and burst into tears. When the apostle came up, the penitent, bathed in tears, embraced his tender father, imploring forgiveness, but he hid his right ■ hand which had been sullied with many crimes. By his sighs and bitter compunction, he endea- voured to satisfy for his sins as much as he was able, and to find a second baptism in his tears, as our author, St. Clement, emphatically expresses it. The apostle, with wonderful condescension and affection, fell on his knees before him, kissed his right hand, which the other endeavoured in confusion to conceal, gave him fresh assurances of the divine pardon, and earnestly praying for him, brought him back to the Church. He con- tinued some time in that place for his sake, pray- ing and fasting with him and for him, and com- forting and encouraging him with the most affecting passages of the holy scriptures. Nor did 27 12 422 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. [DEC. 27. he leave the place till he had reconciled him to the Church, that is, by absolution restored him to the participation of the sacraments. This charity, which our great saint was pene- trated with and practised himself, he constantly ; and most affectionately pressed upon others. It I is the great vein that runs through his sacred I "writings, especially his epistles, where he urges it ^ I as the great and peculiar law of Christianity, "without which all pretensions to this divine reli- \ gion are vain and frivolous, useless and insigni- ficant; and this was his constant practice to his dying day. St. Jerom relates,! that when age and weakness grew upon him at Ephesus, so that he was no longer able to preacher make long dis- courses to the people, he used always to be t carried to the assembly of the faithful by his dis- ciples with great difficulty; and every time said to his flock only these words, " My dear children, ^ love one another." When his auditors, wearied with hearing constantly the same thing, asked [ him why he always repeated the same words, he | replied, " Because it is the precept of the Lord, ^ and if you comply with it you do enough." An * ? answer, says St. Jerom, worthy the great St. I John, the favourite disciple of Christ, and which j ought to be engraved in characters of gold, or ; rather to be wrote in the heart of every Chris- . tian. St. John died in peace at Ephesus, in the third year of Trajan, (as seems to be gathered from Eusebius's chronicle,) that is, the hundredth of the Christian era, or the sixty-sixth from our Lord's crucifixion, the saint being then about ninety-four years old, according to St. Epipha- nius.2 Some amongst the ancients pretend that St. John never died, but are very well confuted by St. Jerom and St. Austin. The same opinion has 1 S. Hier. in Galat. o. 6. S 3. Kpiph. hcer. Cl. c. 18, DEC. 27.] ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST, 423 been revived by James Le Fevre d'Etaplesi and Florentinius,2 whom Tillemont has accurately confuted, 3 St. John was buried on a mountain without the town. The dust of his tomb was car-' ried away out of devotion, and was famous for miracles, as St. Austin,4 St. Ephrem,'5 and St. | Gregory of ToursG mention. A stately church f stood formerly over this tomb, which is at present ' a Turkish mosque, though Mr. Wheeler tells us that there are not at present above fifty Turkish families, and no Christian in that town, once so i famous. The 26th of September is consecrated to I the memory of St. John in the Greek Church; and • in the Latin the 27th of December. The great love which this glorious saint bore to . his God and Redeemer, and which he kindled i from his master's divine breast, inspired him with 3 ' the most vehement and generous charity for his 1 \ neighbour. Without the sovereign love of God i , no one can please him. He that loveth not, know- * f eth not God, for God is charity y Let us therefore love \ God, because God first loved us.8 This is the first maxim in a spiritual life, which this apostle most tenderly inculcates. The second is that our fide- lity in shunning all sin, and in keeping all God's | commandments is the proof of our love for God,ii / but especially a sincere love for our neighbour is t its great test. For he that loveth not his brother j whom he seeth, how can he love God whom he seeth \ notf says St. John.lO Our blessed Redeemer, in ithe excess of his boundless charity for all men, 1 Faber Staptil. Diss, tie mm ex tribus Maria, fol. 82; 2 Florentinius, Not. in Martyr, vetus Hieronimi. 3 Tillem. Vie de S. Jean Evang- t. 1. art. 10, 11. Note 15—18. Calmet, Diss, sur la Mont, de S. Jean. I'Evang. t. 7. p. 615, ed. ia fol. 4 S. Aug. horn. 124. in Joan. 5 S. Kplir. Ant. ap. Phot. Cod. 229. 6 S. Greg. Tur. 1. J. de Glor. Mart, c, 30. 7 1 John iv. 8. 8 1 John iv. 19. 9 lb. c. iii. c. iv. &c. 10 1 John iv. 20, 424 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST. [dec. 27. presses this duty upon all men, and, as an infi- nitely tender parent, conjures all his children to ^ love one another even for his sake. He who ) most affectionately loves them all, will have them 7 all to be one in him, and therefore commands us ) to bear with one another's infirmities, and to for- \ give one another all debts or injuries, and, as ( much as in us lies, to live 'peaceably with all men.l I This is the very genius and spirit of his law, with- I out which we can have nothing of a Christian / disposition, or deserve the name of his children or s disciples. Neither can we hope with a peevish,! passionate, or unforgiving temper ever to oe heirs t of heaven. Harmony, goodness, unanimity, { mutual complacency, and love, will be the inva- i riable temper of all its blessed inhabitants. No ruffling passion, no unfriendly thought will ever be found amongst them. Those happy regions are v the abode of everlasting pe^ce and love. . We | must learn and cultivate this temper of heaven { here on earth, or can never hope to get thither. ^ We are all professedly travelling together toward that blessed place, where, if we are so happy as to meet, we shall thus cordially embrace each other. Does not this thought alone suffice to make us forget little uneasinesses, and to prevent our fall- ing out by the way? St. John teaches us that to attain to this heavenly and Christian disposition, to this two -fold charity toward God and toward our neighbour for his sake, we must subdue our passions, and die to the inordinate love of the ? world and ourselves. His hatred and contempt of the world was equal to his love of God, and he cries out to us: My little children, love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. If any one loves the world the charity of the Father is not in hAm, An excessive love of the world (whether of its > pleasure, interest, or vanity and preferment) is a f 1 Heb. Xii. 14. Kom. xii. 18. DEC. 27.J ST. THEODORUS ORAPT, C. 425 ^ general temptation of mankind, and if predomi- /i V nant or unconquered, stron^^ly tends to extinguish 7 «" ' in the heart all love and relish of spiritual things. 1 J When men are in a full and precipitant career \ I after the things of this world, they first forget ? God, and then forsake him. A man can never | i lift up that heart to God which is already chained \ ] to the earth. This vice when in power is Of^ll ^ I others the most bewitching, and inconceivably \ i withdraws a soul from God. Those who live ia j ^ the world must, by their assiduity m the private } ^ I devotional exercises of reading, meditation, and) ; 5 prayer, keep up an acquaintance with God and | ^ their Own souls ; they must frequently amidst / i their business recall their serious thoughts, re- ) cover and strengthen the pious frames of their ) minds : or their charity will soon suffer ship-l wreck. ^ \ ST. THEODORUS GRAFT, C. This saint was of the country of the Moabifces; but his parents, who were rich and virtuous, went and settled at Jerusalem, in order to procure him the advantages of a holy education. He was placed by them, when he was very young, in the monastery of Sabas, and by his progress in learn- ing, the extraordinary purity of his manners, and the habitual mortification of his senses, attained in a short time to an eminent degree of virtue, and acquired a high reputation in the world. The patriarch of Jerusalem obliged him to receive priestly orders, and when Leo the Armenian waged a cruel war against holy images, sent the saint to that emperor to exhort him not to disturb the peace of the Church. The tyrant, instead of relenting, caused St. Theodorus to be scourged, and banished him, with his brother Theophanes, a monk of the same monastery, and his compa- nion, inio au island in the mouth of the Euxine 426 ST. THEODORUS GRAFT, C. [dEC. 127. sea, where they suffered much by hunger and cold. But they had not staid long there before the emperor died, in 822, when they returned to Constantinople, and St. Theodorus published some writings in defence of the truth. Michael the Stutterer, who succeeded in the imperial throne, and is thought either to have had no reli- gion, or to have leaned most to that of the Mani- 2 chees or Paulicians, was for steering a middle i course between the Catholics and the Iconoclasts. ( He cast St. Theodorus into prison, and afterward { sent him into exile. His son and successor Theo- / philus, a violent Iconoclast, and barbarous per- \ secutor, who ascended the throne in 829, caused I the two brothers to be whipped; then banished ' them into the island of Aphusia. Two years after, they were brought back to Constantinople, buffeted in presence of the emperor till they fell down quite stunned at his feet, then stripped and publicly scourged. When they had lain some days in prison, and still persisted in their refusal to communicate with the Iconoclasts, the emperor commanded twelve Iambic verses, com- posed for that purpose by an Iconoclast courtier, to be inscribed on their foreheads. The sense of the verses was as follows: " These men have ap- peared at Jerusalem as vessels of iniquity, full of superstitious error, and were driven thence for their crimes: and having fled to Constantinople they forsook not their impiety. Wherefore they have been again banished from thence, and are { stigmatized on their faces." Though the wounds | which they had received by their stripes, were ( yet much inflamed, and very painful, they were / laid upon benches, whilst the letters which com- ^ posed those verses were cut or pricked upon their faces. The operation was long and tedious, and interrupted by the coming on of the night; and the confessors were sent back to prison, their faces being still bloody. They were soon after DEC. 28.] THE HOLY INNOCENTS. 427 banished to Apamea in Sj^ria, where St. Theo- doras died of his sufferings. From the inscrip- tion cut in his forehead he is surnamed Grapt, which signifies in Greek, marked or engraved. Theophihis died about the same time, and the empress Theodora, a zealous Catholic, becoming regent for her son Michael, St. Methodius was made patriarch, and restored holy images in 842. Theophanes was then honoured for his glorious confession of the faith, and constituted bishop of Nice, that he might more effectually concur in overthrowing a heresy, over which he had already triumphed. Saint Theodorus Grapt is named in the Roman Martyrology with his brother Theo- phanes on this day. The Greeks honour the former on this 27th of December, and St. Theo- phanes, whom, on account of sacred hymns which he composed, they style the poet, on the 11th of October. V. See the authentic life of St. Theodorus Grapt in Metaphrastea, Baro" nius, and Fleury, 1. 47, &c. The twelve iambic verses, -which were wrote on their foreheads, with a red hot steel pencil, are recited in the Greek Synaxary on this day. DECEMBER XXVllI, THE HOLY INNOCENTS. Matthew, xi. 16. Our Divine Redeemer was persecuted by tlie * world as soon as he made his appearance in it. I For he was no sooner born than it declared war % against him. We cannot expect to be better J treated than our great master was before us. He I himself bids us remember that if it hated him || first, it will likewise hate us, though we have I: more reason to fear its flatteries and smiles than 428 THE HOLY INNOCENTS. [DEG. 28. its rage. The first make a much more dangeroiis i and more violent assault upon our hearts. Herod f in persecuting Christ was an emblem of Satan > and of the world. That ambitious and jealous |, prince had already sacrificed to his fears and > auspicious the most illustrious part of his council, <^ his virtuous wife Mariamne, Avith her mother^* Alexandria, the two sons he had by her, and the j heirs to his crown, and all his best friends. Hear- j I. ing from the magians who were come from ^ distant countries to find and adore Christ, that the Messias, or spiritual king of the Jews, fore- told by the prophets, was born among them, he trembled lest he was come to take his temporal 4 kingdom from him. So far are the thoughts of ^ carnal and worldly men from the ways of God; 4 and so strangely do violent passions blind and j alarm them. The tyrant ivas disturbed beyond ( measure and resolved to take away the life of 4 'Ihis child, as if he could have defeated the > decrees of heaven. He had recourse to his usual H arts of policy and dissimulation, and hoped ta | receive intelligence of the child by feigning a ? desire himself to adore him. / But God laughed at the folly of his shortsighted prudence, and admonished the magians not to return to him. St. Joseph was likewise ordered by an angel to take the child and his mother, and to fly into , Egypt. Is our Blessed Redeemer, the Lord of / the universe, to be banished as soon as bom I i What did not he suff*er! What did not his pious ) parents suffer on his account in so tedious and { long a journey, and during a long abode in Egypt, > where they were entirely strangers, and destitute of all succour under the hardships of extreme poverty ! It is an ancient tradition of the Greeks mentioned by Sozomen,l St. Athanasius^ and 1 Sozomen, 1. 5. 0. 21, p. 215. ed. Cantabr. per Reading. 2 3. Atlmn. 1, de Incarn. Yerbi. .Calmet, Yi© do Jesus Of C. 7. p. 2i, DEC. 28.] THE HOLY INNOCENTS. 429 others, that at his entrance into Egypt all the idols of that kingdom fell to the ground, which literally verified the prediction of the prophet Isaiah. 1 Mary and Joseph were not in- formed by the angel how long their exile would > be continued; by which we are taught to leave all I to divine providence, acquiescing with confidence J and simplicity in the adorable and ever holy will ^of Him who disposes all things in infinite good- ^ness, sanctity, and wisdom. Herod, finding that he had been deluded by the magians, was transported with rage and anxious fears. To execute his scheme of killing the Messias, the desired of all nations, and the expectation of Israel, he formed the bloody resolution of murdering all the male children in Bethlehem and the neighbouring territory which were not above two years of age. In this example we admire how blind and how^ furious the passion of ambition is. Soldiers are forthwith sent to execute these cruel orders, who on a sud- den, surrounded the town of Bethlehem, and massacred all the male children in that and the adjacent towns and villages, which had been born in the two last years. This more than brutish barbarity, which would almost have surpassed belief, had not Herod been the contriver, and ambition the incentive, was accompanied with such shrieks of mothers and children, that St. Matthew applies to it a prophecy of Jeremiah, which may be understood in part to relate more ^ immediately to the Babylonish captivity, but which certainly received the most eminent com- pletion at this time. A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning: Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, became they are not, Rama is a village not far from this town, and the sepulchre of Rachel was in a field Isaiah xbr. l. 430 THE HOLY INNOCmTS. [dec. 28. belonging^ to it. The slaughter also was probably extended into the neighbouring tribe of Ben- jamin, which descended from Rachel. The . Ethiopians in their liturgy, and the Greeks ixi-% their calendar, count fourteen thousand children-l massacred on this occasion; but that number ex- 1 ceeds all bounds, nor is it confirmed by any au-| thority of weight. Innocent victims became thel spotless Lamb of God. And how great a happi- 1 ness was such a death to these glorious martyrs ! { : They deserved to die for Christ, though theyj \ were not yet able to Imow or invoke his name. I They were the flowers and the first fruits of his ! martyrs, and triumphed over the world, with- out having ever known it, or experienced its dangers. They just received the benefit of life, to make a sacrifice of it to God, and to purchase by it eternal life. Almost at the the same time they began to live and to die ; they received the fresh air of this mortal life forthwith to pass to immortality: and it was their peculiar glory not only to die for the sake of Christ, and for justice and virtue, but also in the place of Christ, or in his stead. How few perhaps of these chil- dren, if they had lived, would have escaped the s dangers of the world, which, by its maxims and { example, bear every thing down before it like an * impetuous torrent! What snares, what sins, ( what miseries were they preserved from by this ■ grace ! With what songs of praise and love do they not to all eternity thank their Saviour, and this his infinite mercy to them! Their '[ ignorant foolish mothers did not know this, and ^ therefore they wept without comfort.' So we often lament as misfortunes many accidents which in the designs of heaven are the greatest mercies. In Herod we see how blind and how cruel am- bition is, which is ready to sacrifice every thing, even Jesus Christ, to its views. The tyrant lived DEC. 28.3 THE HOLY INNOCENTS* 431 not many days longer to enjoy the kingdom which he feared so much to lose.l About the 'time of our Lord's nativity he fell sick, and as his ] distemper sensibly increased, despair s^nd remorse followed him, and made him insupportable both .to himself and others. The innumerable crimes ' which he had committed were the tortures of his f mind, whilst a slow imposthume, inch by inch, r gnawed and consumed his bowels, feeding prin- , . cipally upon one of the great guts, though it ex- } j K tended itself over all the rest, and, corroding the ' flesh, made a breach in the lower belly, and be- ' came a sordid ulcer, out of which worms issued in swarms, and lice were also bred in his flesh. A fever violently burnt him within, though out- wardly it was scarce perceptible; and he was tormented with a canine appetite, which no victuals could satisfy. Such an offensive smell exhaled from his body, as shocked his best friends; and uncommon twitchings and vellica- tions upon the fibrous and membraneous parts of his body, like sharp razors, cut and wounded him within; and the pain thence arising over- , powered him, at length, with cold sweats, tremb- lings, and convulsions. Antipater in his dun- geon, hearing in what a lamentable condition Herod lay, strongly solicited his jaoler to set him at liberty, hoping to obtain the crown; but the officer acquainted Herod with the whole affair. The tyrant groaning under the complication of his own distempers, upon this information, vented his spleen by raving and beating his own head, and calling one of his guards, commanded him to go that instant and cut off" Antipater's head. Not 1 Antipater, whom Herod had by his wife DoriF, and who had, by wicked artifices, engaged his father to put to death hie two sons, Alex- ander and Aristobtilns, (the two last princes of the Asmonean family by their mother Mariaoine,) formed a conspiracy aq;ain8t the life of hia fatlier. Of this crime he was convicted before Quintilius Varus, who had succeeded Saturninus in the government of iSyria, and whom He- rod had entreated to preside iu thia trial at Jerusalem, 432 THE HOLY INNOCENTS. [DEC. 28. content with causing many to be put to "barbarous I deaths durinp^ the course of his malady, he com- I P manded the Jews that were of tlie principal rank 4 I and quality to be shut up in a circus at Jericho, i laxid gave orders to his sister Salome and^j .; her husband Alexas, to have them all massacred ^ ■ as soon as he should have expired, saying, that < , as the Jews heartily hated him, they would i rejoice at his departure; but he would make a! general mourning of the whole nation at his • death. This circumstance is at least related by t the Jewish historian Josephus. Herod died five days after he had put his son Antipater to ■ death. I Macrobius, a heathen writer of the fifth century, relates,^ that Augustus, " when he i i heard that, among the children which Herod liad * commanded to be slain under two years old, his own son had been massacred, said: It is better to be Herod's hog than his son. By this he alluded to the J ewish law of not eating, and consequently not killing swine. Probably the historian im- agined the son to have been slain amongst the , children, because the news of both massacres \ readied Rome about the same time. ^ Parents, pastors, and tutors are bound to make ^ it their principal care, that children, in their in- J ■< nocent age, be by piety and charity consecrated | i; |as pure holocausts to God. This is chiefly to be | done by imprinting upon their minds the strong- 1 / est sentiments of devotion, and by instructing i / them thoroughly in their catechism. We cannot | ) entertain too high an idea of the merit and obli- ) ) gation of teaching God's little ones to know him/| ) and the great and necessary truths which he has | revealed to us. Without knowing him no one S ; can love him, or acquit himself of the most indis- | ^ pensable duties which he owes to his Creator. ^ I Children must be instructed in prayer and the / 1 Job. Ant. 1. 17- c. J. 2 Macrob. SaVura, 1, 2. c, i. DEC. 28.] THE HOLY INNOCENTS. 433 principal articles of faith as soon as they attain to . the use of reason, that they may be able to give | him his first fruits by faith, hope, and love, as by | I the law of reason and religion they are bound to §- , do. The understanding of little children is very 5 weak, andjs able only to discover small glimpses % of light. Great art, experience, and earnestness | are often required to manage and gradually in- f crease these small rays, and to place therein ! whatever one would have the children compre- ? r hend. The lessons must be very short, and the I f truths which are taught, made sensible when pos- 1 y sible, by examples, images, and comparisons,i ? adapted to the capacities of those that are to be^ instructed. The catechist, without demeaning 4 J himself, must become a little one with those that^ V are little. This he must do with suitable gravity I I and seriousness ; and it is only by his own earnest- 1 ness and application that he can make them^ attentive and earnest. Were he at the same time to joke, or attend to, or be employed in any other thing, he would in vain recommend serious- ], ness and attention to those that hear him. O how great ought to be the zeal of children and others to attend to that saving doctrine, without -^f which man is a riddle to himself, and no one can attain to salvation and the love of God! That i sublime science which the only-begotten Son^ who is I in the bosom of the Father, came from heavenl to de- I clare to us. The queen of the South came from the I bounds of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon: \ behold more than Solomon is here.^ When the 5 Athenians had forbid any citizen of Megara to { set foot in Athens under pain of deatli, one ( Euclides, an inhabitant of Megara, went disguised \ many miles in the night to assist at the lectures of f Socrates the next morning, and returned the 1 night following; and this he continued to do a ^ 1 John i, 18. 2 Matt. xii. i2. 434 THE HOLY INNOCENTS. [DEC. 28. long time with the ha zard of his life.l If such was ^ | the earnestness of this heathen to learn a profane ; I)hilosophy, with what zeal ought a Christian to \ study the true and sublime science of faith, which I leads to eternal life ; the most ardent desires of | this instniction is the surest mark of true virtue, \ and of that vehement hunger and thirst of God's \ just and holy love, which is the very soul of sin- cere piety. The solicitude and diligence of parents and pas- f tors to instruct others in this sacred science, ! ought not to lessen; neither must any one regard ^ \ the function as mean or contemptible. It is the % \ very foundation of the Christian religion. By | this function the seeds of piety and religion are % planted in the hearts of the faithful, which pro- | duce thoir fruit according to the manner in| which they are received. A good catechist con- j tributes more toward maintaining public peace, * than all the laws and magistrates; as inferior ties \ of duty are far more binding than coercive force. \ Hence pope Paul III. in a bull in which he \ recommends this employment, declares that r nothing is more fruitful or more profitable for | the salvation of souls." No pastoral function is | more indispensable, none more beneficial, and % generally none more meritorious; we may add, or | i more sublime. For under a meaner exterior itp- S i pearance, without pomp, ostentation, or show of J | learning or abilities, it joins the exercise of J, humility with the most zealous and most profit- > able function of the pastoral charge. Being |) painful and laborious, it is, moreover, an exercise ^. of patience and penance. Neither can any one |i think it beneath his parts or dignity. The great / St. Austin, St. Chrysostom, St. Cyril, and other j most learned doctors, popes, and bishops, applied tl themselves with singular zeal and assiduity to ' ! \ Aul. CJell. Noct. Attic. 1. 6. e. 10 DEC. 28.J THE HOLY INNOCENTS. 435 this duty of catechising children and all ignorant persons; this they thought a high branch of their [t duty, and the most useful and glorious employ- f ment of their learning and talents. What did the r apostles travel over the world to do else? St. j- Paul said: " / am a debtor to the wise and to the un- It wise'? I We become little ones in the midst of you, as ij i a nurse would cherish her children; so desirous ofyou^ \ that we would gladly have imparted to you not only * i the gospel of God, but even our own souls.2 Our I Divine Lord himself made this the principal em- K ? ployment of his ministry. The spirit of the Lord *^ I is upon me: he hath sent me to preach the gospel to I the poor.^ He declared the pleasure he found in * assisting that innocent age, when he said; Suffer the little children to come unto me, for the kingdom of God is for such. — And embracing them^ and laying his hands upon them he blessed themA Johu „ Gerson, the most pious and celebrated chancellor % of Paris, esteemed an oracle for his learning, \ testified his zeal for this sacred function by his j ' book entitled. On drawing Little Ones to Christ. | ^ All his life he employed a considerable part ? tof his time m teaching little children their cate- chism. Upon his return from the general coun- cil of Constance, he retired to the city of Lyons, j where he every day assembled the children in St. \ PauFs church, and taught them the Christian/ doctrine, till he was confined to his bed by his/ last illness.; When he drew near his death, he ^ • caused all the little children to be called together | into the church, and there to repeat with one? voice: " My God, my Creator, have mercy on thy ' ^poor servant, John Gerson."5 C 1 ^om. i. 14. 2 1 Thesa. ii. 7, 8, y. Luke iv. 18., 4Markx. 14. 16. 6 Vita GeMon. 1. 1, op. p. 169. 436 [dec. 28. SAINT THEODORUS, ABBOT OF TABENNA, C. ' On account of the extraordinary purity of his manners, from his very infancy, surnamed by the Greeks J'he Sanctified. Such was the edification which the whole Church received in the fourth and fifth centuries from many great lights of the monastic Order, which then shone in the deserts of Egypt, that Tlieodoretl and Procopius2 think the flourishing state of these holy recluses was particularly foretold ^n those passages of the prophets in which it is said of the age of the New Law of Grace, that, The wilderness shall bud forth and blossom, and shall rejoice with joy and praise^^ &c. Which interpretation is ingeniously applied to the same purpose by F. Possinus.4 There," said an ancient writer who had conversed with several of these holy men,-') " have I seen many fathers leading an angelic life, and walking after the example of Jesus." And St. Sulpitius Seve- rus says of them : " For my part, so long as I shall keep alive, and in my senses, I shall ever Cele- brate the monks of Egypt, praise the anchorets, and admire the hermits." One of the most emi- nent among the patriarchs of these saints, was abbot Theodorus, the disciple of St. Pacliomius. This saint was born in Upper Thebais, about the year 314, of illustrious and wealthy parents, and from his expectations in the world, or from the dangers and distractions of its riches and enjoy- ments, he drew the strongest motives for des- pising it. When he was between eleven and twelve years of age, being penetrated more than 1 Theodoret, in Isa. Ixi. 3. 2 Procop. in eund. loc. p. 705. 3 Isa. XXXV. 1, 2, 6, 7. Isa. Ixi. 3, 4, &c. 4 Possinns, Proleg. ad Thesaur. Asceticum. 5 Heiaclides, a disciple'of St. Chrysostom, bi*hop of Ephesus, ftp. Co tel. mon Grsec. t 3 p. 172. I>EC. 28.] ST. THEODOEUS, A. C. 437 ordinary with the great truths of the gospel, on the feast of the Epiphany he gave himself to God ■with uncommon fervour, protesting that he had never preferred any thing in his heart to the divine love and service, and begging the grace always to be faithful in his resolution. Not to deceive himself in so delicate a point, he from that moment made it his whole study to belong in his heart and in all his actions wholly to God, fasted sometimes whole days, and spent much of his time in devout prayer. Thus he lived two years , at home with his pious mother, going every day | to a neighbouring grammar-school. At fourteen I he obtained her leave to retire from the world, and finished his education in the company of certain holy monks in the diocess of Latopolis. The reputation of St. Pachomius drew him after- ■ ward to Tabenna, where by his ardour to advance \ in all virtue, he appeared among the foremost in ? that numerous company of saints. His mother repaired to Tabenna to see him ; but Theodorus fearing any temptations of looking back again on the world, which he had renounced, with all things in it, in order to follow Christ with his whole heart, entreated St. Pachomius not to allow the interview. The mother was edified at this disposition of her son, and took the veil in a nunnery which St. Pachomius had established, | not far from Tabenna, where she strenuously laboured in the great work of the sanctification of her soul, and had sometimes the pleasure of seeing her son in the company of some of his fellow-monks. St. Pachomius made our saint, in the twenty-fifth year of his age, his companion, ! when he made the visitation of his monasteries: i in his thirtieth year caused him to be promoted ' to the priesthood, and committed to him the en- tire government of his great monastery of Ta- benna, shutting himself up in the little monastery of Paban, St. Theodorus went thither every 28 12 438 ST. THEODORUS, A. C. [DEC. 28. evening to assist the daily exhortation which St. Pachomius gave to his monks, and afterward repeated the same to the community at Tabenna, whioh he also instructed by his own frequent sermon-s and conferences. When he was going on a certain occasion with St. Pachomius to his monastery near Panopolis, in Lower Egypt, a philosopher of that city desired a conference with the abbot. St. Pachomius declined it, and sent St. Theodorus, who with wonderful quiclmess answered all his questions, and solved his prob- lems : but exhorted him to bid adieu to idle sub- ■ tilties and barren speculations, and make the science of salvation his great study. St. Theodo- ; rus was troubled with frequent violent headaches, / ^ and St. Pachomius told him, that greater spirit- \ i ual advantages accrue to our souls from diseases i t and involuntary afflictians when received and | suffered with patience, than from voluntary ab- P ■ stinence and long prayers. - " St. Pachomius falling sick at Paban two years before his death, the monks at Tabenna, by im- portunities and tears, extorted Theodorus's con- sent to take upon him the cai'e of the whole con- gregation, when it should please God to deprive them of their holy founder. Though Theodorus had acquiesced with great reluctance, and after long resistance, St. Pachomius afterward reproved him for it, and removed him from his superiority of Tabenna. St. Theodorus accepted this dis- charge with joy and voluntarily accused himself of having fallen into vanity and presumption. Theo- dorus spent two years in the last i-ank in the community, below all the novices, and with joy embraced in silence every humiliation, and prac- tised the utmost austerities: in which situation ^ his sincere and perfect virtue shone with brighter :3 lustre, than in all the great actions he did during - his superiority, and was beyond all comparison mgr© adyautageovis to his nQxH^ ^ St, i*aQliQmi\i» DEC. 28. ] ST. THEODORUS, A. C. 439 used to declare to others. The holy abbot died in 348, and Petronius, whom he had declared his successor, died thirteen days after him. St. Orsisius was then chosen abbot; but finding the burden too heavy for his shoulders, and his con- gregation threatened with rising factions, he placed St. Theodorus in that charge, but was obliged to use compulsion; and also alleged, that it was the express order of St. Pachomius before his death. St. Theodonis assembled the monks, pathetically exhorted them to unanimity, in- quired into the cause of their divisions, and ap- plied effectual remedies. By his prayers and en- deavours a spirit of union and charity was per- fectly restored. St. Orsisius was his assistant in the discharge of his duties; the most perfect harmony reigned betwixt them, because where there was no pride, there no jealousy could arise. Thej^ studied who should surpass the other in humility and condescension. St. Theodorus did nothing without the advice of St. Orsisius, and they visited the m-onasteries one after the other, St, Theodorus instructed, comforted, and en- couraged every one in particular: corrected faults with a sweetness which gained the heart, and every one with an entire confidence disclosed to him the secrets of his soul, as to his tender father and skilful physician. If any one trans- gressed, the saint with mildness endeavoured, in i the first place, to bring them to a sense of their duty, and for this he had recourse to God by; prayer and fasting, means which he found never to fail him. He wrought several miracles, and foretold things to come. Being one day in a : ' boat on the Nile with St. Athanasius, he assured [ ff that holy confessor that his persecutor, J uliau \ f the Apostate, was that moment dead, and that ' t his successor would restore peace to him and the *| Church: both which were soon confirmed. Oar saint also foretold the monks of J^^itria, in 353, 440 ST. THEODORUS, A. C. [DEC, 28. that tlie pride of the Arians would soon meet with a downML This prediction is contained in an epistle which the saint wTote to the monks of Ni- tria, extant in the continuation of Bollandus.l We have also another letter of this saint, which is an epistolary exhortation to the devout celebration of Easter, published by Holstenius in his Code of Ancient Monastic Rules. The three letters of pious instructions which he wrote to his monks, mentioned by Gennadius, are lost. St. Nilus^ and others relate, that once whilst St. Theodorus was preaching to his monks, who were working at the same time in making mats, two vipers crawled about his feet. So careful^ was the saint not to interrupt or disturb the at tention of his auditory during that sacred func- tion, that he set his foot upon them till he had finished his discourse. Then taking away his foot, he suffered them to be killed, having received no harm. One of his monks happening to die on Holy Saturday, in 367, St. Theodorus left the divine office to assist him in his last moments, and said to those that were present: " This death will shortly be folloAved by another, which is little expected." The brethren watched that night by the corpse, and interred it on Easter- day iti the morning with singing of psalms. At the close of the octave of that solemnity, St. Theodo- rus made a moving discourse to all his monks; for it was their custom to meet all together in the monastery of Paban for the celebration of Easter. Our saint had not sooner dismissed them to their own monasteries, in the year above mentioned, but he was taken ill, and after a fervent prepara- tion for his last passage having recommended the care of the community to St. Orsisius,^ he 1 Bolland. Maii 14. p. 356. 2 S. Milus, Orat. c. 108. 3 St. Orsisins is honoured by the Greeks on the I5th of June, ^fter the death of St. Theodorus, 8t. Orsisius resumed the government of the znonastic congregation of Tabenua, and acquitted himself of every duty DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M. 441 happily expired on the 27th of April, in the year 367, the fifty-third of his age. His body was car- lied to the top of the mountain, and buried in the cemetery of the monks with singing of psalms: but it was soon after removed, and laid with that of St. Pachomius. St. Athanasius wrote to the monks of Tabenna to comfort them for the loss of their holy abbot, and bids them have before their eyes the glory of which he was then possessed. ; The Greeks commemorate this saint on the 16th ' of May: the Roman martyrology on the 28th of December. See the life of St. Pachomius in the Bollandists on the 14th of May, p. 295, especially the appendix, p. 334 and 337. Also Tillemont, t» 7s Ceillier, t. 5. p. 373. DECEMBER XXIX. ST, THOMAS, M.I ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, A. D. 1170. St. Thomas Becket was born in London in 1117, on the 21st of December. His father belonging to that charge with great prudence and charity. St. Atha- jiasius and St. Antony on every occasion testified the higliest esteem of his person. Tliis lioly abbot always closed the exhortation which he i made to his monks every evening, after their day's work and their re- | past, with prayer, because God alone can give the spirit and practice of 1 virtue. The time of St. Orsisius's death is not known : but we have ex-/, tant a spiritual work, entitled. The Doctrine of Orsisius. which St. Je4 rem translated into Latin. This holy abbot composed it by way ofl spiritual testament to his monks. It is an abridgement of the principalj rules and maxims of a monastic life. The exhortations are vehement,, and the instructions solid and beautiful. The author declares he had made it his constant endeavour to neglect nothing in his power to en- ' gage them to render themselves agreeable to the Lord ; and in order to render his exhortations efficacious, had accompanied them with h\9 tears. Sec this work in Bibl. Patrum, ed. Colon, t. 4. p. 92. I gee his life by JoUn of Salisbury, Uiq chaplain, who attended him 442 ST. THOMAS, B. M. [DEC. 29, Gilbert Becket was a gentleman of middling- for- tune, who, in his youth, made a pilgrimage to J erusalem with divers others, and falling into the hands of the Saracens, remained a year and a half during most part of his exile, and was present at ;li3S death : he died bishop of Chartres, and his learning and integrity are much extolled by Cave, Hist. Liter, t. 2. p. 243. This work work was published en- tire, with the epistles of John of Salisbury, at Paris, in 1611 ; but is mangled and curtailed in the Quadrilogus, or Life of St. Thomas, com- piled by command of pope Gregory XI. out of four original lives of this saint brought into one, viz. by Herbert, the martyr's clerk, Wil- liam of Canterbury, Alan abbot of Deoche, and John of Salisbury. This Qiiadrilogus or Quadripartite, was printed at Brussels by the care of Lupus, -witli a large collection of St. Thomas's epistles, an. 1682. Many of his letters had been published by Baronius : but a great num- ber remains unpublished amongst the MS3. in the Cottonian library, several libraries at Oxford, Bennet College at Cambridge, and other places. M. Spark e, among Historise Anglicanse Scriptores Varii nunc primum editi, printed at London in 1723, has given us the life of St. Thomas, compiled by William Fitz-Stephens, (in Latin Stephanides,y B clergyman, Avho belonged first to his court of Chancery, afterward to his family, lived with him several years, and saw him wounded by the assassins and expire. This saint's life by Edmund Grime, and another life which begins, *' Postsummi favoris;" also P. Thomae Kubrica seu Consuetudines, are kept in M^3. in the Norforcian or Arundelian library, given to the Royal Society by H. duke of Norfolk, in 1679. Edward Grime is often written Edmund ; for these names were anciently the same, and used promiscuously, as appears in our MSS. of tlie middle ages. Yet the etymology differs in the English-Saxon language. Eadtvard signifies happy keeper, from 7vard a keeper. Ead- miuid is happy peace ; for niund is peace. In law the word Mundbrech is breach of peace. In proper names Aelmund is all peace ; Kinmuiul, peace to his kindred ; Ethelmund, noble peace ; Pharamund, true peace, though some have construed this true mouth. Edmund, as he is more frequently called, though Edward in the ancient MSS. of Clair- marais, long attended St. Thomas and was his cross-bearer; at the Baint's martyrdom, by endeavouring to interpose his own body, he re- loeived a wound in his arm. After the archbishop's death he continued to live at Canterbury, and some years after wrote his life or passion, •which bears the title ; Magistri Edvardi Vita vel Passio S. ThomsS Cant. Archiep. The short prologue begins " Professores Artium." The life ; " Dilectns igitnr," (Stc. It ends with a letter of two cardinals to the archbishop of Sens , these being the last words: *' Relaxavit epis- copos de proniissione quam ei fecerant, de consuettidinibus observandis et promisit quod non exigit in futurum," There follow in the MSS. of the Cistercian abbey of Clair-niarais near St. Omer, four long books of miracles wrought at his slirine or through his invocation, as inveterate dead palsies cured instantaneously, &c. Another account called Passio S. Thomse, is given by Martenne, Thesaur. Anecdot. t. 3. p. ll.'37. Several epistles, and other writings relating to this history, are published by Wiikins, Cone. Brit. t. 1. p, 437. The life of St. Thomas was wrote by Dr. Stapleton, and is extant in his Tres Thomse. An English life of this martyr, extracted chiefly from Baronius, dedicated to Dr. Richard Smith, bishop cf Chalcedon, V»8 printed in 1639, A history of his canonizatioo is given us by Mu^ DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M. 443 , a prisoner, or rather a slave, to one of their emirs, •: ^ or admirals. An only daughter of this emiri h hearing him one day explain the Christian faith, \ ! I' and declare, upon the question being put to him, j I that he should with the greatest joy lay down his i I life for the love of God, if he was made worthy of { 4 such a happiness, was so touched, as to conceive | - I on the spot a desire of becoming a Christian, \ i This she made known to Mr. Becket, who con- i * tented himself with telling her, that she would I be very happy if God gave her that grace, though ' it were attended with the loss of every thing this world could afford. He and his fellow-slaves / soon after made their escape in the night-time, ? and returned safe to London. The young Syrian ^ I lady privately left her father's house and foUoAved ) I him thither, and being instructed in the faith, ) ; ^ and baptized by the name of Maud or Mathildes, ) \ J she was married to him in St. Paul's church by ') ^ I the bishop of London. Soon after Gilbert went ( i back into the East to join the crusade or holy \ } war, and remained in those parts three years and .^' } a half. Maud was brought to bed of our saint a [ ^ little time after his departure, about a twelve- \ month after their marriage, and being herself , very pious, she taught her son from his infancy / f to fear God, and inspired him with a tender devo- ■i lion to the Blessed Virgin. His father, after his I return to England, was, in his turn, sheriff l of \ I London: Fitz-Stephens assures us, that he never j I put money out in interest, and never embarked J ratorl. Scriptor. Ital. t. 2. in Vita Alcxandrl HI. See also the histon'e* and chronicles of Hoveden, Matthew Paris, Gervase, Brompton, &c. His life is well compiled in French by M. Du Fossd, who had a share ia the Lives of Saints, compiled by the messieurs of Port Roi^al. On the virtues of this saint, see the most honourable and edifying account of his saintly deportment given by Peter of Blois, the pious and learned archdeacon oi Bath, in a letter which he wrote upon his martyrdom, ep. 27. See Hearne, Not. in Gul. Neubr. t. 3. p. 638. Item on Peter Langtoft's chronicle, t. 2. p. 529. Also Benedictus abbaa Fetrob. do Cestis Henr. II. et Rich. I. by Hearne, t. p. 10, 11, 12. 20. 444 ST. THOMAS, B. M. [DEC. 29. in any commerce, but being contented with his . patrimony, lived on the annual income. His 7 death, in 1138, left our saint exposed to the dan- 7 gers of the world at an age when the greatest I mistakes in life are frequently committed. But ^ he had been educated in habits of temperance, I obedience, and self-denial, and was so thoroughly ^ grounded in the maxims of the gospel as to stand J firmly upon his guard, and to do nothing but by | good advice. His father had placed him in his ; childhood in a monastery of canon regulars, and after his death, Thomas continued his studies in London, where Fitz-Stephens informs us there were then three very great schools belonging to the three principal churches, in which public declamations were made, and frequent literary disputations held with great emulation between both masters and scholars. Here Thomas pur- sued his studies till the age of twenty-one years, when having lost his mother he discontinued \ them for a year: but considering the dangers ■ which surrounded him while unemployed, he ; resolved to resume them. He therefore went I first to Oxford and shortly after to Paris, where ! he applied himself diligently to the canon law, \ and various other branches of literature. When I he came back to London, he was first made clerk / or secretary to the court of the city, and distin- guished himself by his capacity in public affairs. T He was afterwards taken into the family of a cer- ^ tain young nobleman in the country, who was ex- tremely fond of hunting and hawking. In this situation, Thomas began to be carried away with ' a love of these diversions which were become his only business; so that by his company he grew ; more remiss in the service of God. An awaken- J ing accident opened his eyes. One day when he I was eager in the pursuit of game, his hawk made ; a stoop at a duck, and dived after it into a river* l Thomas, apprehensive of losing his hawK Jeaped DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M. 445 into the water, and the stream benig rapid, car- ried him down to a mill, and he was saved only by the sudden stopping of the wheel, which ap- peared miraculous. Thomas, in gratitude to God liis deliverer, resolved to betake himself to a more serious course of life, and returned to Lon- don. His virtue and abilities gave him a great reputation; and nothing can sooner gain a man the confidence of others as that inflexible in- tegrity and veracity, Avhich always formed the character of our saint. Even in his childhood he always chose rather to suffer any blame, disgrace, or punishment, than to tell an untruth; and in his whole life he was never found guilty of a lie in the smallest matter. A strict intimacy had intervened betwixt Theobald, who was advanced to the archbishopric of Canterbury in 1138, and our saint's father, they being both originally from the same part of Normandy, about the village of Tierrie. Some persons, therefore, having recommended Thomas to that prelate, he was invited to accept of some post in his family. Attended only with one squire named Ralph of London, he joined the arch- bishop, who then was at the village of Harwe or Harrow. Thomas was tall of stature, his coun- tenance w^as beautiful and pleasing, his senses quick and lively, and his discourse very agree- able. Having taken orders a little before this, he was presented by the bishop of Worcester to the church of Shoreham^l afterward by the abbot of St. Alban's to that of Bratfield.2 With the leave of the archbishop he went to Italy, and there studied the canon law a year at Bologna; then some time at Auxerre. After his return the archbishop ordained him deacon, and he was successively preferred to the provostship of iBeverley, and to canonries at Lincoln's at 1 Fitz-Stephens, p. 12. 8 Chron, de WaWer MSS, Cotton, yitus, P. 20, 446 ST. THOMAS, B. M* Ldec. 29. St. Paul's in London: the archbishop nominated him archdeacon of Canterbury which was then looked upon as the first ecclesiastical dignity in England after the abbacies and bishoprics which gave a seat in the house of lords. i The arch- bishop committed to our saint the management of the most intricate affairs, seldom did any thing ^; without his advice, sent him several times to^ Rome on important errands, and never had reason to repent of the choice he had made, or of the confidence he reposed in him. The contest ] between king Stephen and the empress Maud J with her son Henr^ II. had threatened the king- 3 i dom with a dreadful flame, which was only pre- /; vented by a mutual agreement of the parties, | ratified by the whole kingdom, by which Ste- phen was allowed to hold the crown during life, upon condition that at his death it should devolve ^ upon Henry the right heir. Notwithstanding ^ this solemn settlement, Stephen endeavoured to fix the crown on his son Eustachius. Theobald refused to consent to so glaring an injustice; for; which he was banished the kingdom, but recalled with honour shortly after. The conduct of the archbishop on this occasion was owing to the advice of Thomas who thus secured the crown in peace to Henry. Theobald who had before made him his archdeacon, and by a long experi- ence had found him proof against all the temp- tatiohs of the world, and endued with a prudence capable of all manner of affairs, recommended him to the high office of lord chancellor of, England, to which king Henry, who had as- cended the throne on the 20th of December, 1 154, readily exalted him in 1157. The saint's sweet- ness of temper, joined with his integrity and other amiable qualities, gained him the esteem and affection of every one, especially of his prince, ^ 1 Fite-Btephens, p. 12. DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M, 447 who took great pleasure in his conversion, often went to dine with him, and committed to his care the education of his son, prince Henry, to be formed by him in sound maxims of honour and virtue. He sent him also into France to nego- tiate a treaty with that crown, and conclude a marriage between his son Henry and Margaret, daughter to Lewis the Younger, kins: of France ; in both which commissions he succeeded to his master's desires.l Amidst the honours and pros- perity which he enjoyed, he alwaj'^s lived most humble, modest, mortified, recollected, compas- sionate, charitable to the poor without bounds, and perfectly chaste; and triumphed over all the snares which wicked cqurtiers, and sometimes the king himself laid for his virtue, especially his elinstity.2 The persecutions Avliich envy and jealousy raised against him he overcame by meek- ness and silence. Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, died in 1106. King Henry was then in Normandy with his chancellor, whom he immediately resolved to raise to that dignity. Some time after, he bade him prepare himself to go to England for an affair of importance, and in taking leave explained his intention to him. Thomas, after alleging many excuses, flatly told the king : " Should God permit me to be archbishop of Canterbury I should soon lose your Majesty's favour, and the great aftection with which you honour me would be changed into hatred. For your majesty will be pleased to suff'er me to tell you, that several things you do in prejudice of the inviolable rights of the Church, make me fear you would require of me what I could not agree to : and envious per- sons would not fail to make this pass for a 1 On the extraordinary magnificence -with ■which he performed this embassy, and the rich presents which he carried, in "Which were two large casks of Ikialish beer, see Fitz-Stephens. Grime at large, ST. THOMAS, B. M. [dEC. 2f jft g''^^®* order to make me lose your favour. ' I buch was the generous liberty of this man cl I ^ . serious desire to deliver himself froi I the dangers which threatened him.. The kiii I paid no regard to his remonstrances; and sen over certain noblemen into England to manag f the affairs with the clergy of the kingdom an. tne chapter of Canterbury, ordering them t labour with the same ardour to place the chan cellor in the see of Canterbury as they wouh to set the crown on his son's head. St. Thoma obeyed m going for England, but refused t< acquiesce in accepting the dignity till the car! dinalot Pisa, legate from the holv see in Eng land, overruled all his scruples by the weight o f election was made on the ev< ot Whitsunday in 1162, a synod of bishops a London ratified the same, and the prince then ii ^ -London, gave his consent in his father's name and the saint set out immediately from Londor to Canterbury. On the road he gave a privatt charge to one of the clergy of his church, tc advertise him of all the faults which he should observe m his conduct; for even an enemy bv his reproaches is often more useful to us than a flattering friend. The archbishop soon after his consecration received the pallium from pope Alexander III. which John of Salisbury brought him from Rome. He had hitherto employed all his time in prayer to beg the light of heaven, and irom that time began to exert himself in the discharge of his pastoral duties. Next his skin he always wore a hair shirt; over this he put on the habit of a Benedictin monk from the time he was made archbishop; and over this the habit of a canon of very light stuff. By the rule of life which he laid down for his private conduct, he rose at two o'clock in the morning, and after matms, washed the feet of thirteen poor persons, to each of whom ho distributed money. It was DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M. 449 most edifying to see him with profound humility melting in tears at their feet, and begging the assistance of their prayers. At the hour of prime liis almoner washed the feet of twelve others, and gave them bread and meat. The archbishop retm-ned to take a little rest after matins, and washing the feet of the first company of poor persons; but rose again very early to pray and to read the holy scriptures, which he did as- siduovtsly, and with the most profound respect. He found in them such unction that he had them always in his hands even when he walked, and desired holy solitude that he might bury himself in them. He kept always a learned person with him to interpret to him these sacred oracles, whom he consulted on the meaning of difficult passages; so much did he fear to rely on his own lights by presumption, though others admired his wisdom and learning. After his morning meditation he visited those that were sick among his monks and clergy; at nine o'clock he said mass, or heard one if out of respect and humility he did not celebrate himself. He often wept at the divine mysteries. At ten a third daily alms was distributed, in all to one hundred persons; and the saint doubled all the ordinary alms of his predecessor. He dined at three o'clock, and took care that some pious book was read at table. He never had dishes of high price, yet kept a table decently served for the sake of others; but was himself very temperate and mortified. One day a monk saw him in company eat the wing of a pheasant, and was scandalized like the Phari- see, saying he thought him a more mortified man. The archbishop meekly answered him that gluttony might be committed in the grossest food and that the best might be taken without it, and with indifterence. After dinner he conversed a little with some pious and learned clergyman o n pious subjects, or on their functions. He was ST. THOMAS, B. M. [dEC. 2 ' . most rigorous in the examination of persons wb where presented to holy orders, and seldom relie upon any others in it. Such was the order he ha 1 established in his house that no one in it diir^ \ ever receive any present. He regarded all th 1 poor as his children, and his revenues seeme ^ more properly theirs than his own. He reprt hended with freedom the vices of the great onej and recovered out of the hands of several power ful men lands of his Church which had beei usurped by them; in which the king was hi friend and protector. He assisted at the counci of Tours assembled by pope Alexander III. ii 1163. He obliged the king to fill the two sees o Worcester and Hereford, which he had long heh m his hands, with worthy prelates whom tht saint consecrated. The devil, envying the advantage which ac j crued to the Church from the good harmonj ' ? reigned between the king and the arch- % bishop, laboured to sow the seeds of discord be- ) tween them. St. Thomas first offended his ma- jesty by resigning the office of chancellor, which out of complaisance to him, he had kept some time after he was nominated archbishop. But i the source of all this mischief was an abuse by i which the king usurped the revenues of thei /acant sees and other benefices, and deferred a long time to fill them that he might the longer enjoy the temporalities, as some of his predeces- sors had sacrilegiously done before him: which injustice St. Thomas would by no means tolerate. , A third debate was, that the archbishop would 7 not allow lay judges to summon ecclesiastical persons before their tribunals. By the zeal with ^ which he curbed the officers or noblemen who ^ oppressed the Church or its lands, compelling '^ them to restore some which they had unjustly I lUsurped, or which had been given them by for- imer incumbents or bishops who had no right to DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M, 451 bestow them, at least beyond the term of their own lives, he exasperated several courtiers, who began first to misrepresent his conduct herein to to the king. The king however, still showed • liim the greatest marks of favour; and seemed , still to love him, as he had done from his first ac- v quaintance, above all men living. The first sign 4 of displeasure happened at Woodstock, when the ( king was holding his court there with the princi- pal nobility. It was customary to pay two shil- lings a year upon every hide of land to the king's officers, who in place of the sheriffs were em- ployed to maintain the public peace in every county. This sum the kmg ordered to be paid into his exchequer. The archbishop made a modest remonstrance, that without being wanting in respect to his majesty, this might not be ex- acted as a revenue of the crown ; addmg. If the sheriff's, their sergeants, or the officers of the provinces defend the people, we shall not be wanting to relieve and succour them," (viz. either with pecuniary supplies and recompenses, and aff'ording them assistance by the constables and , other civil peace-officers.) The king replied with { warmth, making use of a familiar impious oath, / By God's eyes, this shall be paid as a revenue, / or those who do not pay it, shall be prosecuted by a writ of the royal exchequer." The arch- • bishop answered that none of his vassals would pay it, nor any of the clergy. The king said no . more at that time; but his resentment was the greater: and the complaints at court were only raised against the clergy, without any further mention of the laity, who were equally concerned, rims is the case stated by Grhne. The archbishop seems to have spoken of it as a parliamentary xffair; nor are the circumstances sufficiently known for historians to state it fully at this dis- tance of time. We are only informed that tlie aobility and the whgle wation, -VYliich. under 452 St. THOMAS, M. [dec. 20, Henry I. and Stephen had enjoyed then' ancient privileges and liberties, were then under the > greatest apprehensions that the tyranny and ,/ cruel vexations of the Conqueror and his son ;> Rufiis, would be revived by Henry under the title - of Conqueror. Another affair happened which raised a greater f- flame. A certain priest, called Philip of Broi, was I accused of having murdered a military man. Ac- f cording to the laws of those times he was to be ■ first tried in the ecclesiastical court, and if found guilty, degraded, and delivered over to the lay judges to be tried and punished by them. Philip, after a long trial, was acquitted of the murder by ia sentence of his ordinary, the bishop of Lincoln ; but seems to have been found guilty of man- slaughter, or of having involuntarily killed the man. For by large sums of money he satisfied the I deceased person's relations,and received from them a full release and discharge from all obligations 4 and further prosecution, as Grime mentions. A y king's sheriff long after this a^ffair, out of a pique > revived this slander of the murder with much 1? harsh language, and threatened to bring him V again to a trial. The priest alleged, that having C been once acquitted by a fair trial according to ( law, and having moreover a discharge of the re- lations and friends of the deceased person, he could not be impeached again upon the indict- ment: but growing warm treated the sheriff with very injurious language. The king sent an order to certain bishops and other officers to try the offender, both for the former crime of murder and the late misdemeanour; the murder he de- nied, and produced the sentence by which he had^ been acquitted to set aside a second trial ; con- fessed himself guilty of the misdemeanour by injurious words in his anger, begged pardon, and promised all satisfaction in his power. The com- missioners passed sentence, that for the misde-* DEC. 2D.] ST. THOMAS, B. M. 453 nieanour his prebend should be confiscated for two years into the king's hands, who would order the revenue to be given in alms to the poor at his'. ; pleasure; that the offender should quit the cleri- j \ cal gown, and live in subjection to the king's j officer, and present him his armour: all which he ^ I readily complied with. For the security of liis j life the archbishop had taken him under the I protection of the Cnurch. The king thought the ^ sentence too mild, and said to the bishops and other commissioners, " By God's eyes you shall < swear that you pronounced sentence according^ e to justice, and did not favour him on account of %. his clerical character." They offered to swear > it ; but the king betook himself to his courtiers. \ Soon after he told the archbishop and bishops ' that he would require of them an oath tliat they would maintain all the customs of the kingdom.. St. Thomas understood that certain notorious abuses and injustices were called by the king customs. He therefore in a general meeting of the bishops at Westminster, refused that oath, unless he might add this clause, " As fai' as was lawful, or consistent with duty." The archbishop of I York, and the bishops of Chichester and Lin- i coin, were dra^vn from their first resolution against it, and St. Thomas, who had resisted the threats of the king, was overcome by the tears of the clergy, and complied in an assembly at the ■ king's palace of Clarendon, in 1164. He soon after repented of his condescension, and remained in silence and tears till he had consulted the pope, who was then at Sens, and begged his ab- solution. His holiness, in his answer, gave him ; the desired absolution from censures, advised ^ him to abstain no longer from approaching the I altar, and exhorted him to repah- by an episcopal J f vigour the fault into which he had only been be- • trayed through surprise. The king was extremely I offended at the repentance of the archbishop, and L 29 21 454 ST. THOMAS, B. M. [dec. 29. threatened his life; hut the prelate boldly said he never would authorize as custom the notorious ) I, oppressions of the Church, which his pi'edeces- . ' sors, especially St. Anselm, had zealously con- \ demned before him. The hing, in an assembly of the bishops and nobility at Northampton, on .< the 8th of October, 1164, pronounced sentence > against him, by which he declared all his goods . confiscated. Several bishops and others endea- ^ .1 voured to persuade him to resign his archbishop- ( ) ric. But he answered -with great resolution, that / I to do it in such circumstances would be to betray 1 the truth and the cause of the Church, by which he was bound, by the place which he held, rather to lajr down his life. \ His persecutions daily in-^ creasing, he gave strict charge to his domestics* \ and fiiends to remain in silence, peace, and I charity toward their enemies, to bear injuries ^ ^ with patience, and never to conceive the least ■j sentiment of rancour against any one. His cause ^ in the mean time was evoked to the holy see, ac- ^ cording to his appeal in the council, and he V resolved privately to leave the kingdom. He| * landed in Flanders in 1164, and, arriving at the J abbey of St. Bertin's at St. Omer, sent from' thence deputies to Lewis VII. king of France, who received them graciously, and invited the arch- bishop into his dominions. King Henry forbade . any to send him any manner of assistance. St. V Gilbert, abbot of Sempririgham, was called up to > London, witli all the procurators of his Order, )■ being accused of having sent him relief. Though ' the abbot had not done it, he refused to swear * this, because he said it would have been a vir- tuous action, and he would do nothing by which he might seem to regard it as a crime, Never- ,' theless, out of respect to his great sanctity, he • was dismissed by an order of the king. The pope was then at Sens in France. The bishops and other deputies from the king of England DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M. 455 ; arrived there, gained several of the cardinals, ana ' in a public audience accused St. Thomas before his holiness: yet taking; notice that he acquitted himself of his office with great prudence and vir- tue, and governed his Church truly like a worthy prelate, St. Thomas left St. Bertin's after a few days' stay, and, being accompanied by the bishop i of Triers and the abbot of St. Bertin's, vv^ent to j j / Soissons. The king of France happened to come 4 thither the next day, and he no sooner heard that \ the archbishop of Canterbury was there, but he went to his lodgings to testify his veneration for 5 his person, and obliged him to accept from him { all the money he should w^ant during his exile, j The saint pursued his journey to Sens, w^here he Mnet with a cold reception from the cardinals. I When he had audience of the pope, he expressed f his grief at the disturbances in England, and his : desire to procure a true peace to that Church, for which end he professed himself ready to lay down his life with joy: but then he exaggerated the evils of a false peace, and gave in a copy of the articles which the king of England requu'ed him I to sign, and which he said tended to the entue • oppression of the Church.' His justification Avas so moving, so full, and so modest, that the car- dinals expressed their approbation of his con- duct, and the pope encouraged him to constancy with great tenderness. In a second audience, on the day following, the archbishop cenfessed with extreme humility that he had entered the see, ^ though against his will, yet against the canons, in f passing so suddenly from the state of a layman r into it, and that he had acquitted himself so ill of J his obligations in it, as to have had no more than » the name of a pastor; wherefore he resigned his dignity into the hands of his holiness, and, taking ' i^the ring off his finger, delivered it to him, and f withdrew. After a long deliberation, the pope >called him in again, and, commending his zeal, 45G ST. THOMAS, B, M. Tdec. 29. reinstated him in his dignity, with an order not 4 to abandon it, for that would be visibly to aban- f don the cause of God. Then sending for the abbot I of Pontigni, his holiness recommended this I exiled prelate to that superior of the poor of I Jesus Christ, to be entertained by him like one of I them. He exhorted the archbishop to pray for the spirit of courage and constancy. St. Thomas regarded this austere monastery of the Cistercian Order, not as an exile, but as a de- lightful religious retreat, and a school of penance ^ for the expiation of his sins. Not content with ^the hair shirt which he constantly wore, he used 'frequent disciplines and other austerities, sub- Jmitled himself to all the rules of the Order, wore the habit, and embraced with joy the most abject ^functions and humiliations. He was unwilling to suffer any distinction, and would put by the meats Vpi-epared for him and seasoned, that he might f lake only the portion of the community, and that ,Hhe driest, and without seasoning or sauce. But ^ this he did with address, that it might not be per- ^ ceived. King Henry vented his passion against I both the pope and the archbishop, confiscated / the goods of all the friends, relations, and domes- tics of the holy prelate, banished them his domi- nions, not sparmg even infants at the breast, ■ lying-in women, and old men; and obliged by I oath all who had attained the age of discretion to go to the archbishop, that the sight of them and i their tears might move him. This oath th©f were . I obliged to take at Lambeth, before Ralph de I Brock, whom Fitz- Stephens calls one of the most \ faring and profligate of men; yet into his hands the king had delivered the temporalities of the archbishopric to be kept, that is, says this author, to be laid waste and destroyed. These exiles ar- i rived in trooj^s at Pontigny, and the prelate could not contain his tears. Providence, however, pro- vided for them all by the charities of many DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. BI. 457 prelates and princes. The queen of Sicily and fthe archbishop of Syracuse invited many over thither, and most liberally furnished them with ^ necessaries. The pope and others laboured to | bring the king to a reconciliation; but that prince threatened his holiness, and committed daily greater excesses, by threatening letters to the general chapter of Citeaux, that he would abolish/ their Order in England if they continued to har- bour his enemy. Whereupon the saint left Pon-- tigni; but a little before this he was favoured withv a revelation of his martyrdom. Whilst he layj prostrate before the altar in prayers and tears, he heard a voice saying distinctly, "Thomas,Thom as, my Church shall be glorified in thy blood," The saint asked, " Who art thou, Lord !" and the 4 same voice answered, " I am Jesus Christ, the i Son of the living God, thy brother." He wept in J taking leave of the monks at Pontigni. The f abbot thought his tears the effect of natural ten- derness. But the saint called him aside, and, bid- ding him not discover it before his death, told him, he wept for those who had followed him, who : would be scattered like sheep without a pastor ; , for God had shown to him, the night before, that |he should be slain by four men in his church, whom he saw enter it, and take off the top part of his head. The king of France sent him the imost affectionate assurances of his protection and respect, and, rejoicing to be able to serve Jesus Christ in the person of his exiled servant, gave orders with a royal magnificence that he should be entertained at his expense at Sens. St.Thomas was received there with all possible joy and respect by the archbishop, and retired to the monastery of St. Columba, situate half a mile from the city. He excommunicated all those who should obey the late orders of the king of England in seizing the estates of the Church, and threatened that prince himself, but mildly, 458 s% THOMAS, B. M. [dEC. 25. and with strong exhortations to repentance. The kmg, by his deputies, gained again many cardi- nals at Rome, and surprised the pope himself, wno began to speak in his favour, and named two legates a latere who were devoted to him; which drew complaints from the archbishop. The saint, accordmg to summons, met the lej>ates at Gisors, on the frontiers of France and Normandy; but lindmg that one of them, the cardinal of Pavia, was artfully studying to betray him, wrote to the pope. Cardinal Otho, the other legate, repre- sented to the king his obligation of restoring to the Church his unjust usurpations and revenues of the see of Canterbury, which he had received; but his majesty answered he had no scruple of that, having employed them on the Church or on the poor. But the legate said, he could not answer it at the tribunal of Christ, The king of France, at the request of his hohness, undertook to be a mediator between the king of England and the archbishop. The two kings had a conference together near Gisors. St. Thomas fell at the feet of his sovereign, and was raised by him. King Henry, among many fair speeches, said, he desired no more than the rights which former holy arch- bishops had not contested. The king of France said nothing more could be desired: but the arch- bishop showed abuses were meant, which former ^ w archbishops had opposed, though they had not f ^ I been able to extirpate them. If they tolerated * some out of necessity, they did not approye them, which was demanded of him. The king of Francej. thought him too inflexible, and the nobles of both kingdoms accused him of pride. The saint was insulted and forsaken by all, and set out for Sens-, expecting to be also banished France. But Icing of France soon after reflecting on what ' had done sent for the servant of God, fell at his >| leet With many tears, begging his pardon and ab- (Solution of his sin, and confessing that he alone DEC. 29.] St. THOMAS, B. Tvf. 459 ! had understood the artifices which were made ^ use of. The archbishop gave him absolution and > his blessing, and returned to Sens. The pope 7 sent two new legates, Gratian and Vivian, to king J Henry, and after them two others: but that prince/ refused always to promise the restitution of thei Church revenues, and the like articles. St.Thomas4 never ceased to pray, fast, and weep for the evils | /i of his Church. No prelate had ever stronger^ PJ\ temptations to struggle with; and certainly)/' nothing but conscience and the most steady vir- ' i tue could ever have obliged him to have re- ! nounced his own interests, and the favour of so great a king, whom he most affectionately loved, for whose service, in his wars, he furnished more troops at his own expense than could have been thought possible, and to whom he always re- < mained most loyal and most faithful. King Henry, among other injuries done to the good prelate, caused his son to be crowned king by the arch- bishop of York, in the very diocess of Canterbiuy, himself waiting upon him at supper, and obliged his subjects, even by torments, to renounce the obedience not only of the archbishop, but also of the pope. But it pleased God on a sudden to change his heart, and inspire him with a desire - of a reconciliation. The archbishop of Sens con- ducted St. Thomas to his majesty, who received him Avith all the marks and exijressions of liis former esteem and affection, and, with tears, de- sired that all their differences might be buried in oblivion, and that they might live in perfect friendship. Nor did he make the least mention of the pretended customs which had been the oc- , casion of these disturbances. The archbishop of York, a man whose life ren- dered him unworthy of that character, and tlie bishops of London and Salisbury, mortal enemies to the saint, began again to alienate the lung from him by renewing in his breast former jea- 460 SI. THOMAS, B. M. [dec. 29. lousies. The archbishop waited on his majesty at Tours, but could obtain no more than a prom- ise of the restitution of his lands when he should "be arrived in England. In the mean time he jsrave leave to the officers of the archbishop of York to plunder all the goods of his church, and the harvest of that year. Nevertheless, the arch- bishop having been seven years absent, resolved to return to his church, though expecting to meet the crown of martyrdom. Writing to the king, he closed his letter as follows: ''With your majesty's leave I return to my church, perhaps to die there, and to hinder at least by my death its entire destruction. Your majesty is able yet to make me feel the effects of your clemency and ^ religion. But whether I live or die, I will always preserve inviolably that charity which I bear you ] in our Lord. And whatever may happen to me. 4- I pray God to heap all his graces and good gifts ' on your majesty and on your children." The ' holy archbishop prepared himself for his journey with a heart filled with the love of the Cross of Christ, and breathing nothing but the sacrifice of himself in his cause. Many French noblemen furnished him with money and all necessaries. That he might thank the king of France, he went to Paris, and lodged in the abbey of canon regu- ( lars of St. Victor, where one of his hair shirts is [ still preserved. On the octave of St. Austin, C their patron, he was desired to preach, and made ' an excellent sermon on those words: And his \ dwelling was made in peace.^ In taking leave of ' ' the French king, he said, " I am going to seek ; , my death in England." His majesty answered: \ "So I believe:" and pressed him to stay in his \ ' dominions, promising that nothing should be \ h wanting to him there. The saint said, " The ? will of God rai\st be accomplished." He, sen P», Ixxv. DEC. 29.J ST. THOMAS^ B« M. 461 over to England the sentence of suspension and interdict which the pope had pronounced against the archbishop of York and his accomplices, in^ several unwarrantable proceedings, and excom- munication against Renald of Broke, and certain others. The saint embarked at Witsan, near Calais, but landed at Sandwich, were he was received with incredible acclamations of joy. He had escaped several ambuscades of his enemies on the road. The archbishop of York demanded absolution from his censures in a threatening manner: St. Thomas meekly offered it, on condition the other, according to the cus- tom of the Church, would swear to submit to the conditions which should be enjoined him. The other refused to do this, and went over to Nor- mandy, with the bishops of London and Salisbury, to accuse the archbishop to the Idng, in doing which passion made slander pass for truth. The king, in a transport of fury cried out, and repeated several times, that, "He cursed all those whom he had honoured with his friendship, and enriched by his bounty, seeing none of them had the courage to rid him of one bishop, who gave him more trouble than all the rest of his subj ects."i Four young gentlemen in his service, 1 Fitz-Stephens relates, (p. 64, 65,) that Henry II. sailed from Normandy to England, to assist at the coronation of his son at London, leaving orders for Roger, the bishop of Worcester, to follow him ; for he was desirous that as great a number of bishops as possible should be present at the ceremony. The queen, who remained in Normandy, and Richard de Humet, the justiciary of Normandy after the king's departure, sent him a prohibition when he was at Dieppe ready to embark; for they understood that he would not assist at the coronation if it was performed by the archbishop of York, against the rights of the see of Canterbury, The king returned immediately to Normandy, and sending for the bishop of Worcester, called him traitor, and reproached him with disobeying his orders, and wishing ill to his fm^ily, seeing he refused to attend at his sou's corouatioDy 462 ST. THOMAS, B. M. [dec. 29. who liaa no other religion than to Matter their prince, viz. Sir William Tracy, Sir Rufrh Mor- ville, Sir Richard Briton, and Sir Reginald Fitz- Orson, conspired privately together to mur- der him. k when there were so few bishops in England ; on which account he declared, that he deprived him of the revenues of his bishopric. The prelate, relying on liis innocence, alleged modestly the prohibition he had received. The king was but the more angry, and was -for sending for the queen, who was in a neighbouring castle, and for Richard de Humet. The bishop begged the queen might not be asked : for she would either deny it to screen herself, or, by confessing the truth, draw his indignation upon herself. The king, with much contumeliSus language, told him, he could never be the son of his own good uncle by his mother, which uncle had brought him up in his castle where he and the bishop had learned together the first rudiments of literature. The bishop being stung at this reproach, an- swered his majesty, that his father, the good count Roger, Lad inherited both his honour and estate by his marriage with the bishop's mother, that he was uncle by the mother to his majesty, had brought up his majesty with honour, and had fought for him against king Stephen sixteen years; for all which services his majesty had curtailed his brother's estate, depriving him of two hundred and forty men out of the thousand which this king's grandfather, king Henry I., had given him; and had abandoned his younger brother, whose condition was so destitute, that barely for bread he was obliged to seek a subsistence amongst the Hospitallers at Jerusalem. He added, that it was in this manner he was accustomed to recompense his relations and best friends. Tlien he said, " Wherefore do you now threaten to deprive me of the revenues of my bishopric ? May they be yours, if it is not enough for you that you now enjoy an archbishop- ric, six bishoprics, and many abbeys, certainly by injustice, and to the imminent danger of your own soul; and the alms of your ancestors, that were good kings, and the patrimony and inheritances of Jesus Christ, you convert to your own secular uses." One of the courtiers that were present, think- ing to please the king, sharply took up the bishop; and after him another abused him with opprobrious language. But the king changing the object of his anger, said to this last nobleman: Worst of wretches, dost thou think, that, because 1 say what I please to mv cousin and bishop, it^jjay DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS3 B. M. 463 The archbishop was leceived in London with exceeding great triumph: but the young Idng sent him an order to confine himself to the city of Canterbury. The saint alleged, that he wasj be allowed thee or any other person to affront or threaten him ? I am scarce able to contain my hands from thy eyes. Neither thou nor any other shall be suffered to speak a w-^rd against the bishop." The anger of this prince easily dege- nerated into a fit of madness. In the forty-foui th letter ■written to St. Thomas, it is mentioned, that the king being^ at Caen, was provoked against Richard de Humet, because he said something in defence of the king of Scots ; " Break- ing out into contumelious words, he called him traitor, and hereupon beginning to be kindled with his wonted fury threw his cap from his nead, nngirt his belt, hurled away hiscloak and garments wherewith he was apparelled, castoff with his own hands a coverlet of silk Irom his bed, and sitting as it were upon a dunghill of straw, began to chew the straws," And in the next letter it is said: "The boy who delivered a letter to his majesty, incurred great danger; for the king, endeavouring to pluck out his eyes with his fingers, proceeded so far as to come lo an effusion of blood.'> Peter of Blois had reason to say of him: (ep. 75.) " He is a lamb so long as bis mind is pleased, but a lion, or more cruel than a lion, when he his angry." And writing to the archbishop of Panorma, he said: "His eyes in his wrath seem sparkling with fire, and lightning with fury. — Whom he hath once hated, he scarce ever receiveth again into- favour." This St. Thomas thoroughly understood, and •when he opposed him in defence of the Church, sufficiently showed what he expected, William the Norman, availing himself of the title of Conqueror, trampled upon all the privileges both of the Church and people; but being " a friend to religion, and a lover of the Church and of holy and learned men, he was their protector, except where his predominant passion of ambition or interest intervened ;" and his dying sentiments give us room to hope, that by sincere repentance he atoned for all the excesses into which the lust of dominion, and the dazzling of power and worldly glory might have betrayed him. But his successor, who was bound by no tios of religion, found no ga\n sweeter than the plunder of the Church, to raise which, every unjust method was employed^ Such an example was thus set, as furnished a pretence toi kings who had not absolutely lost all sense of religion, to 464 ST. THOMAS, B. M. [DEC. 29. o"bliged to make the visitation of his diocess. On Christmas-day, after mass, he preached his last sermon to his flock, on the text, " And ; peace to men of good- will on earth." In the end suffer themselves to be blinded by interest, and, under the specious title of guardians of the reyenues of vacant bene- fices, to convert them into their own exchequer, and for tnis purpose to deprive souls of the comfort, instruction, and re- lief which they were entitled to expect from good pastors. From this source, numberless spiritual evils flowed, an eflfectual remedy to which would have probably made St. Thomas wave or drop certain other points debated in this controv«rsy: we are not to reduce it to every incidental or accidental question that was started, but to have always in view the main point on which the controversy turned. The eminent sanctity of the martyr, and many circumstances of the debate are a complete answer to those historians who set this affair in a light unfavourable to the archbishop, though accidental mistakes could be no disparagement to a person's sincere piety and zeal. If he who best of all men knew the king, was not to be so easily imposed upon by half promises as those were who were strangers to him, we are not on this account to condemn him. In the MS. account of our saint's miracles it is observed that the nation was in the utmost consternation and dread upon the accession of Henry 11. to the throne, lest he should avail himself of the title of a conquest, to set aside all the rights of the people, and even of particulars, In imitation of the founder of our Norman line. His maxims and conduct with regard to the Church alarmed the zeal of our primate, whose whole behaviour removes him from all suspicion of ambitious views. The king's passionate temper made the evil most deplorable ; and the danger was increased by his capriciousness, which appeared in his changing his designs in his own private conduct every hour, so that no one about his person knew what he was to do the next hour, or where he should be : an unsettledness, which is a sure mark that humour and passion direct such resolutions, for such was the situation of his court, as Peter of Blois, who, to his great regret, lived some time in it, tells us : and to the same, John of Salisbury frequently alludes, in the description he has left us of a court. Afflictions opened the eyes of this prince and his son : and the edifying close of their lives, we hope, wiped off the stains v/hich their passions in their prosperity left on their memory. And it.is not reasonable to DEO. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M. 465 he declared, that he should shortly leave them, and that the time of his death was at hand. AL wept bitterly at this news, and the saint, seeing , their tears, could not entirely contain his own: j but he comforted himself with motives of holy I faith, and stood some time absorbed in God iu the sweet contemplation of his adorable will. The four assassins being landed in England, ; were joined by Renald of Broke, who brought \ with him a troop of armed men. They went the | next day to Canterbury, and insolently upbraid- | ing the archbishop with treason, threatened him { with death unless he absolved all those who were interdicted or excommunicated. The saint answered, it was the pope who had pronounced those censures, that the king had agreed to it, and promised his assistance therein before five hundred witnesses, among whom some of them were present, and that they ought to .promise satisfaction for their crimes before an absolution. They, in a threatening manner, gave a charge to his ecclesiastics that were present to watch him, that he mifht not escape: for the king would make him an example of justice. The saint said: " Do you imagine that I think of flying: No no. I wait for the stroke of death without fear." presume that both were ndebted for this grace, under God, to the prayers of St. Thomas? As to the saint's martyrdom, his pure zeal and charity raised the persecution against him, not any mixed cause, which suffices not to give the title of Martyrdom in the Church, though it often enhances its merits before God. Neither ought a pretence affected by persecutors to make, the cause appear mixed, to deprive the martyr,of an honour which it justly increases even before men, as the fathers observe with regard to some who suffered in the primitive persecutions: and as it is remarked by Baronius, (Annot. in Mart, hac die,) Macquer, (Abregl Chronologique de I'Hist. Ecclts. 16 Si^cle, t. 2. p. 469. ed. 2. 1757, and ingenously by Mr. Hearne (Prief. in Camdeni Annal. Elisab.) with regard to many who suffered hereuudei jueen Elizabeth. ST. THOMAS, B. M. [dec. 29. : Then showing with his hand that part of his head I where God had given him to nnderstand he C } should he struck, he said: " It is here, it is here t that I expect you." The assassins went back, J ^ put on their bucklers and arms, as if they were K I going to a battle, and taking with them the other | ; armed men, returned to the archbishop, who : \ was then gone to the church, for it was the hour ; / of vespers. He had forbidden in virtue of obe- I dience any to barricade the doors, saying, the ] i church was not to be made a citadel. The murder- ,| I ers entered sword in hand, crying out: Where j i is the traitor?" No one answered till another . > cried: "Where is the archbishop?" The saint i I then advanced toward them saying; "Here I am, f I the archbishop, but no traitor." Al] the monks f and ecclesiastics ran to hide themselves, or to hold the altars, except three who staid by his side. The archl3ishop appeared without the least ,* commotion or fear. One of the ruffians said to • ^ him: " No\y you must die." He answered: I am ; T ready to die for God, for justice, and for the liberty of his Church. But I forbid you in the name of the Almighty God, to hurt in the least any of my religious, clergy, or people. I have defended the Church as far as I was able during my life, when I saw it oppressed, and I shall be happy if by my death at least, 1 can restore its i peace and "liberty." He then fell on his knees ^ and spoke these his last words: "I recommend my soul and the cause of the Church to God, to the Blessed Virgin, to the holy patrons of this I place, to the martyrs St. Dionysius, and St.^ f Eiphege of Canterbury." He then prayed for hig' ^ I murderers, and bowing a little his head,, presen- { ] ted it to them in silence. They first offered to';, I "bring him out of the church, but he said: I will J { not stir: do here what you please, or are com- I manded." The fear lest the people, who crowd- f ed into the church, should hinder them, made DEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS, B. M. 467 them hasten the execution of their design, Tracy struck at his head first with his sword: but an ecclesiastic who stood by, named Edward Grim or Grimfer, (wJio afterward wrote his life,) held out his arm, which was almost cut off; but this broke the blow on the archbishop, who was only a little stunned with it, and he held up his head with his two hands as immovable as before, ardently offering himself to God. Two others immediately > gave him together two violent strokes, by which ! he fell on the pavement near the altar of St. ' Bonnet, and was now expiring when the fourth, Richard Briton, ashamed not to have dipped his j. sword in his blood, cut off the top part of his I head, and broke his sword against the pavement ; I then Hugh of Horsea inhumanly, with the point i of his sword, di-ew out all his brains, and scat- I tered them on the floor, i After this sacrilege, they went and rifled the archiepiscopal palace with a f\iry which passion had heightened to ? madness. The city was filled with consternation, . tears, and lamentations. A blind man recovered his sight by applying his eyes to the blood of the martyr yet warm. The canons shut the doors of the church, watched by the corpse all night, and interred it privately the next morning, because of a report that the murderers designed to drag it through the street. St. Thomas was mar- tyred on the 29th of December in the year 1170, the fifty-third year of his age, and the ninth of his episcopacy. The grief of all Catholic princes and of all • Christendom, at the news of this sacrilege, is not to be expressed. King Henry, above all others, at the first news of it, forgot not only his animos- ity against the saint, but even the dignity of his crown, to abandon himself to the humiliation and affliction of a penitent who bewailed his sins in I Bened. Abbas in vita Henr. II. 1. 1, p. 12, 468 ST. THOMAS, B. M. [dec. 29. sackcloth and ashes. He shut himself up three days in his closet, taking almost no nourishment, and admitting no comfort: and for forty days, never went abroad, never had his table or any diversions as usual, having always before his eyes the death of the holy prelate. He not only wept, but howled and cried out in the excess of his grief. He sent deputies to the pope to assure him that he had neither commanded nor intended that execrable murder. His holiness excommunicated ' the assassins, and sent two legates to the king into Normandy, who found him in the most edi- fying dispositions of a sincere penitent. His majesty swore to them that he abolished the pretended customs and abuses which had excited - the zeal of the saint, and restored all the Church \ lands and revenues which he had usurped; and - was ordered for his penance to maintain two hun- : dred soldiers in the holy war for a year. This j miraculous conversion of the king and restitution 1 of the liberties of the Church was looked upon as ' the effect of the saint's prayers and blood. Seven ^■ lepers were cleansed, the blind, the deaf, the ; dumb, and others sick of all kind of distempers ^ were cured by his intecession, and some dead i restored to life.i Pope Alexander III. published 1 On the miracles wrought at the shrine of St. Thomas, see the acts of his canonization; the letter of John of Salisbury to William archbishop of Sens, legate of the apostolic see; the authors of the life of this holy martyr, and our historians of that age. The keeper of his shrine, a monk at Canterbury, was commissioned to commit to writins^ miracles performed through the saint's intercession, which came to his knowledge. An English MS. translation of a Latin history of these miracles, compiled by a monk who lived in the monastery of Christ-church at the time of the saint's martyrdom, is kept in the library of William Consta- ble, Esq. at Burton Constable, in Holderness, (1. n. 267.) together with a life of St. Thomas. Certain facts there mentioned show that the king's officers had then frequent recourse to the trial of water-ordeal. Two men were ira- DEC. 29.J ST. THOMAS, B. M. 469 the bull of canonization in 1173. Philip, after- ward surnamed Augustus, son to Lewis VII. oi France, being very sick and despaired of by the physicians, the king his father spent the days and peached upon the forest act for stealing deer; and being tried by the water-ordeal, one was cast, and hanged; the other by invoking St, Thomas's intercession, escaped. Another accused of having stolen a whet-stone and pair of gloves, was convicted by the water-ordeal: and his eyes were dug out, and some of his members cut otF: but were perfectly restored to him by the intercession of ^e martyr, which he implored. It is here mentioned, that the martyr's body was at first hid by the monks in a vault before the altar of St. John Baptist and St. Austin, but was soon made known, visited out of devotion, and honoured by the miracu- lous cures of several diseased persons. 'J'he monks kept the door ofthe vault shut with strong bolts and locks, and only admitted certain persons privately to it; but on Friday in Easter week, on the nones of April, the door was opened, and all persons were permitted to perform their devotions at the tomb. After this some of the saint's enemies and murderers mustered a troop of armed men to steal the body; to prevent which, the monks hid it a second time beliind tlie altar of our lady : yet it soon began to be again resorted to. The feast of the translation of the relics of St. Thomas was kept on the 7th of July, on which day, Stephen Langton, archbishop of Canterbury, removed them in 122-?, with the utmost state and pomp. A MS. relation in English of two hundred and sixty-thrce miracles wrought by the intercession of St. Thomas of Can- terbury, is in the hands of Antony Wright esq, in Essex. Miracle 203, James, son of Roger earfof Clare, forty days old, by extremity of crying, contracted a rupture so des- perate, that all the physicians declared it incurable' without an incision, which the parents would not allow, as too dan- gerous, considering the great tenderness of his age and constitution. All methods used for a cure failing, the child died in the second year of his age. The countess his mother took him on her knees, put into his mouth a little particle Gf the relics of St, Thomas, which she had brought from Can- terbury, and prayed for two hours that St. Thomas would by his intercession with God, restore him to life. Several knights, the countess of Warwick, and others were present. Her chaplain I\lr. Lambert, a venerable old man, sharply rebuked her: but she continued to pray, adding a vow that 30 12 479 ST. THOMAS, B. [DEC. 29. nights in tears, refusing aU comfort. He was ad- I vertised at length three nights in his sleep by St. i f T^^.' ^.^^."^ known, to make a pikrim- I o^^-^ ^H'?? Canterbury. He set out a|ainst ^ atlvice of his nobility, who were apprehensive { ♦r.^no?f/^• ¥ was met by king Henry at the en- \ tw his dominions, and conducted by him to r Jfoi2?'^ ""^^u^ maviyr. After his prayer he be-. presents on the monks with great privileges Upon his return into France, he found his son |5SSfiS"' ^'^^"^^ ^'^''^ ^T,^^^ was pleased to chastise king Henry as he ^ liad done David. His son the young king^iebel! I ^Tf^''% the ce^sion of / fSL ?^ dominions to him during his 7 t7ih J^'r.J^^ "^^f supported by the greatest part ^ ilr:^ ^"S^sh nobihty, and by the king of Scot- ^ itrc, ^.T^*? committed the most unheard of cruel- k iiaofi n5lf °,^J*t,¥i^n provinces, which he laid J, waste. ihQ old king in his abandoned condition, ^Jf^h^i^ restored, he should be offered to God at the shrine CaDterbnr'v^''T?^ ^^J? "^^l" ^ Pilgrimage barefoot "o nJL, ; J^^^"^?ther performed her vow, carried him in her arms to Canterbury, whither she walked barefoot. 1 ne author of this relation was eye-witness to many of the ^f the nnif '""'.^.^' ^"•^ i« the^ands dolth K y^ars after the death ofSt, Thomas: for the original body belonged to jSa^h^fith 'V^r.^' bishop ofRochesfer, whose LflTeafsdate LnJi ^'oT}^ Who received the temporalities of that ^iTJa t F^.^J'.^^^'*' thirty-eighth of Edward HI. and died about Christmas in 1372, memfo^thlihn """."^^^ ancient, because the author aaentions bishops giving conhrmation to children whilst on lorseback, and trials of felons by water ordeal. J^t. Thomas the'sic^am'Inrin i?*"*'^ •''^^^ occasions, but administered lie wnfkn^ln 1 1^^ open air: and at several places where iff7f A^J^ ^^^^ alighted for this purpose, crosses were ^Iterward set up, and were famous for miracles. , JDEC. 29.] ST. THOMAS5 B. M. I jmade a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas, ^ %valked barefoot three miles before the town > ©ver the pebbles and stones, so that his feet were > ' all bloody, and at the tomb his tears and sighs | ■were the only voice of the contrite and humbled | i heart before God. He would receive a stroke of j \ a discipline from all the bishops, priests, and C ^ canons, and spent there that whole day and the i J night following without taking any nourishment, * and made great presents to the church. The , next morning whilst he was hearing mass near I the tomb, the king of Scotland, his most cniel / enemy, was taken prisoner by a small number of ) men. Soon after, his son threw himself at his \ ' feet and obtained pardon. He indeed revolted 4. again several times: but falling sick, by* the r I merits of St. Thomas, deserved to die a true peni- I tent. He made a public confession of his sins, ; put on sackcloth, and a cord about his neck, and would be dragged by it out of bed as the most unworthy of sinners, and laid on ashes, on which he received the viaticum, and died in the most perfect sentiments of repentance. As to the four murderers, they retired to Cnaresburg, a house belonging to one of them, namely, Hugh of Mor- vil, in the west of England, where, shunned by all men, and distracted with the remorse of their OAvn conscience, they lived alone without so ^much as a servant , that would attend them. Some time after they travelled into Italy to re- ^ ceive absolution from the pope. His holiness ; enjoined them a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where three of them shut themselves up in a place called Montenigro, as in a prison of penance, as the pope had ordered them, and lived and died true peni- tents. They were buried before the gate of the church of Jerusalem, with this epitaph: " Here lie the wretches who martyred blessed Tho- mas archbishop of Canterbury.'' The other who had given the first wound, deferred a little to 472 ST. THOMAS, B. M. [dec. 29. I commence iiis penance, and stoppmg at Cosenza i in Calabria, there died of a miserable distemper, I in which his flesh rotted from his body and fell I to pieces. He never ceased to implore with sighs I and tears the intercession of St. Thomas, as the I bishop of that city, who heard his confession, f testified. All the four murderers died within three years after the martyrdom of the saint. -1; The body of tlie martj'r was first buried in the lower part of the church : but shortly after taken up and laid in a sumptuous shrine in the east end. So great were the offerings thereat, that the church all round about it abounded with more than princely riches, the meanest part of wliich was pure f^old, garnished witli many precious stones, as William Lambai-te (Lambarte in his Perambulation of Kent, anno 1565.) and Weever (Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 202.) assure us. The largest of these was the royal diamond given by Lewis, king of France. The marble stones before the place remain to this day very much worn and hollowed by the knees of the pilgrims who prayed there.*The shrine itself is thus described by John Stow. (Stow's Annalg . in lienry VIII.) •* It was built about a man's height all of stone : thea I upward of plain timber, within which was an iron chest containing the bones of Thomas Becket, as also tlie skull with the wound of his deatli, and the piece cut out of the skull laid in the same wound. The timber- work of this shrine on the outside was covered with plates of gold, damasked .and embossed, garnished with brooches, images. Angels, ). chains, precious stones, and great oriental pearls ; the spoils of which 7 shrine in gold and jewels of an inestimable value, filled two great chests, one of which six or eight men could do no more than convey out of the church. All which was taken to the king's use, and the bones of St. Thomas, by command of lord Cromwell, were there burnt to ashes in September, 1538, of Henry VIII. the thirtieth." His hair shirt is shown in a reliquary in the English college at Donay ; a small part in the abbey of Liesse ; a bone of his arm iu the great church of St. Waldetrude at Mons ; (Brasseur, Thes. ReliquiarTim Hannonise, p. 199.) his chalice in the great nunnery at Bourbourg; his mitre, and linen dipped in his blood at St. Bertin's at St. Omer ; vestments in many otiier monasteries, &c. in the .Low Countries, &c. (.See Haver- den's True Church, p. 3. o. 2. p. 314. where he answers thesland'ers of Lesley. ; Zeal for the glory of God is the first property, i or rather the spirit and perfection of this holy I love, and ought be the peculiar virtue of every I Christian, especially of every pastor of the I Church. How is God delighted to shower down I his heavenly graces on those who are zealous for } his honour 1 How will he glorify them in heaven, I as on this account he glorified Phinehas even on i earth.i What zeal for his Father's glory did not 1 Numb. XXV, ST. THOMAS, J3. M. 473 Christ exert on earth! How did this holy fire ! bum in the breasts of the apostles and of all the saints! But in the exercise of zeal itself hoAV many snares are to be feared! and how many Christians deceive themselves! Self-love is subtle | in seducing those who do not know themselves, i Humour, pride, avarice, caprice, and passion, | frequently are passed for zeal. But the true con- | ditions of this virtue are, that it be prudent, dig- interested, and intrepid. Prudent in never being \ precipitant, in using address, in employing every art to draw sinners from the dangerous paths of j vice, and in practising patience in instructing the | most stupid, and in bearing with the obstinacy and malice of the impenitent. It is a mistake to i place holy zeal in an impetuous ardour of - the I soul, which can be no other than the result of ** passion. Secondly, it must be disinterested or ) pure in its motive, free from all mixture of ava- | rice, pride, vanity, resentment, or any passion. J Thirdly, it must be intrepid. The fear of Godi makes his servant no longer fear men. John the^ Baptist feared not the tyrant who persecuted j ( liim: but Herod stood in awe of the humble / I preacher.i The servant of God is not anxious / about his own life: but is solicitous that God be ^ honoured. All that he can suffer for this end he }' looks upon as a recompense. Fatigues, con- 4 tempt, torments or death he embraced with joy. i ; By his constancy and fidelity he conquers and 7 ' subdues the whole world. In afflictions and dis- J graces his virtue makes him magnanimous. It i i accompanies him in all places and in every situa- I f tion. By this he is great not only in adversity, \ 1 being through it firm under persecution and con- ) ; stant in torments, but also in riches, grandeur, \ I and prosperity, amidst which it inspires him j : with humility, moderation, and holy fear, and i ' animates all his actions and designs Avith religiou X j^nd di\ ine charity. ^ 1 Mark vi. 474 ST. MARCELLUS, ABBOT OF TIHE ACCEMETES, C. The Order of the Acoemetes differed from othei' Basilian monks only by this particular rule, that each monastery was divided into several choirsi, •which succeeding one another, continued the divine office day and night without interruption i whence was derived their name, which signifies; in Greek, without sleep. This institution was set on foot by a Syrian nobleman, named Alexander, who had bore an honourable command in the army several years; but renouncing the world in 402, built monsistery upon the banks of the Euphrates, in which he assembled four hundred monks. Coming afterward to Constantinople, he founded a monastery not far from the city, towards the Euxine sea, in which he'governea three hundred monks, whom he divided into six choirs. Alexander died in 430. BoUandus gives his life on the 15th of January, and he is honoured with the title of saint when inciden- tally mentioned in the Mengea, but his name seems never to have been commemorated in any calendar either of the eastern or western Church, His successor John removed his community to a monastery which he built at Gomon, a mile from Constantinople. St. Marcellus, who was chose third abbot of this house, raised the reputation of this order to the highest pitch. He was a native of Apamea in Syria, and, by the death of his parents, who were rich and of noble descent, he was left master of a plentiful fortune when he was in the flower of his age. Considering seri- ously Avith what vanities the little interval be- tween a man's birth and his death is usually filled in the world, he conceived a great distaste of its fooleries, and repairing to Antioch, made sacred studies, and the exercises of devotion, his whole DEC. 29.] ST. MARCELLUS, A. C. 475 employment. By holy meditation he saw daily more and more cleai'ly the emptiness of all worldly occupations and enjoyments. An infant with all its childish toys about it, thinks itself happy; and what are these, if compared to those fooleries which in manhood are called business, or amusements? From this contempt of earthly things, his love of those which are heavenly, daily grew stronger; and it was not long before he bestowed on the poor his whole personal estate, and settled his real estate upon a younger brother. Thus disencumbered, he repaired to Ephesus, and there put himself under the direc- tion of certain eminent servants of God. The greatest part of the night he spent in prayer, and the day he employed m copying good books, by the sale of which he gained not only his own subsistence, but also wherewith to relieve the poor. The reputation of the austerity and soli- tude of the Accemetes drew him thither; and taking the habit, he ran in a religious course with incredible ardom'. Upon the death of Alexander, the founder and first abbot, Marcellus had been chosen to fill his place, had he not concealed himself by a timely flight. When he returned, John, who had been chosen abbot, compelled him to be his assistant in the discharge of his office ; and upon his demise Marcellus was raised to that dignity. The Order flourished exceedingly under his pnident ana saintly administration; and when he was at a loss how sufficiently to enlarge his buildings, he was abundantly supplied with means for that purpose by Pharetrius, a very opulent gentleman, who took the habit with all his sons on the same day. About the year 465, Studius, a nobleman who had been consul in 463, founded for him and his monks a great monastery within the city, near the golden gate, in which there are said to have been one thousand monks at the same time. 476 ST. EVKOUL, A» C. [dec. 2iJ, This house being called by the founder's name, the Acoemetes were from that time called Stii- dites. St. Marcelhis assisted at the council of Constantinople, assembled by St. Flavian againsb Eutyches, whose heresy our holy abbot con- demned, with the prelates who composed that venerably assembly. St. Marcellus spent sixty years in a monastic state, and his long life was ail filled with good works. He died in 485 or 486, and is honoured both by the Latins and Greeks on this day. See his authentic life in Sarins, Bultean, Bonnani, Herman, Scooubeclc, aud Helyot, t, 2. ST. EVROUL, ABBOT, C. EvROUL, called in Latin Ebrulfus, was born at Bayeux, in 517, and was of the most illustrious family of that country. But he learned from his cradle to esteem nothing great but what is so in the eyes of God. The same sentiments he made the rule of his holy and disinterested conduct in tlie court of king Childebert I. Avho, being charmed with his accomplishments both of mind and body, raised him to several posts of honour and autliority, which he never sought: for all his ambition aimed at goods infinitely surpassing those of the earth, for which he testified a total indifference, even whilst they flowed in upon him unasked. He showed by his example how possi- ble it is for a Christian to live in the world witli- out being of it in spirit, and to possess riches with- out being possessed by them. But then he made continual use of the antidotes which heaven has afforded us to fence our iiearts against that con- tagious air, Avhicli are assiduous prayer, i)ious reading, meditation, and the mortification of the senses. His friends importuned him to marry, and he chose a virtuous v/ife, whose inclinations "vvere perfectly suitable to his own. By reading DEC. 29.] ST. EVROUL, A. C. 477 the lives of the saints thej' mutually inflamed each other with a desire of forsaking the world. In this view they agreed to separation, and she took the veil in a holy nunnery, whilst he distri- buted his whole fortune among the poor. It was, however, a considei-able time before he was able to obtain the leave of king Clothaire I, (who, after the death of his brother Childebert, was become master of all France) to retire from court. At length, he procured it by reiterated importuni- ties, and without delay took refuge in a monastery in the diocess of Bayeux. By his profound hu- mility, fervour, and all heroic virtues, he gained the esteem and veneration of his fellow monks. But the respect which he met with was to him a true affliction: he regarded it as a snare, and a temptation to vanity. To shun it, he, with three others, privately withdrew, and hid himself in the most remote part of the forest of Ouche, iu the diocess of Lisieux, which was only inhabited by wild beasts and robbers. These new hermits had taken no measures for provisions. They settled near a spring of clear water, made an in- closure with a hedge of boughs, and built them- selves huts of branches and mud. A country peasant discovered them in this place, to his great astonishment, and advertised them, that the wood was a retreat for cruel thieves: "We are come hither," said Evroul, "to bewail our sins; we place our confidence in the mercy of God, who by his providence feeds the birds of air, and we fear no one." The countryman brought them the next morning three loaves and some honey, and was so edified by their conversation, that he soon after joined them. One of the thieves happening to light upon them, saw there was no booty to be expected, and, out of humanity and compassion, endeavoured to persuade them that their lives would be in danger, from others of his profession. Evroul represented to him, that having God for 478 ST. Evaoui, A. c. [dec. 29. their protector, they stood in fear of no clanger from men who could have no inducement to murder those who sought to hurt no man, and had no other occupation than to lead penitential lives, and to please God. He then powerfully exhorted him to change his life. The robber was converted upon the spot, and going to his companions, brought many of them, in the same dispositions I with himself, to the saint, by whose advice they | betook themselves to till the land, and labour in \ the country for an honest maintenance. Several of them chose to remain with these anchorets, in the practice of penance. They cultivated the land, but it was too barren to yield them sulRcient nourishment, even in their most abstemious way of living. But the inhabitants of the country brought them in a litttle provision. Evroul ac- cepted their alms, but whatever remained he gave immediately to the poor, reserving nothing for the next day. The advantages and sweets of holy solitude, in uninterrupted contemplation, made him desire to live always an anchoret, without being burdened with the care of others. But fraternal charity overruled his inclination, for he could not remain indifferent to the salvation of his neighbours. He therefore received those who desired to live in penance under his direction, for whom he was obliged to build a monastery at Ouche in Nor- mandy, which to this day bears his name. His community daily increasing, and many offering him lands, he built fifteen other monasteries of men or women, of which his own always remained the chief, and this he always governed himself. His affability charmed every one: he seemed to know no pleasure equal to that of serving his neighbour. He used to exhort all to labour, tell- ing them, that they would gain their bread by their work, and heaven by serving God in it. His example sufficed to encourage others; by his DEC. SO.] ST. SABINUS, B. &C. MM. 47d indefatigable constancy in labour, his patience in adversity, his perfect resignation to the will of God in all things with equal joy, and his cheer- fulness in the most severe practices of perpetual penance. He arrived at a great old age, though always sighing after the joys of eternity. His patience in his last sickness made him seem never sensible to pain. He lived forty-seven days with- out being able to take any thing, except a little water and the sacred body of Jesus Christ. He never ceased to exhort his disciples till he bid them adieu with joy, shutting his eyes to this world on the 29th of December, 596. His body was buried in the church of St. Peter, which he had built. His name occurs in Usuard, and in the Roman Martyrology on this day. See his esiact life in Mabilloiij sseo. 1. Ben, p. 354. DECEMBER XXX. S. SABINUS, BISHOP OF ASSISIUM, AND HIS COMPANIONS, MM. Abridged from their acts in Baluze and Ifaroniue. A. D. 304. ' The cruel edicts of Dioclesian and Maximian, against the Chistians, being published in the year 303, Sabinus, bishop of Assisium, and several of his clergy, were apprehended and kept in custody till Venustianus, the governor of Etruria and ^ Umbria, came thither. Upon his arrival in that ] city, he caused the hands of Sabinus, who had f made a glorious confession of his faith before him, I to be cut off; and his two deacons, Marcellus and 480 Sl\ SABINUS, B. &C. MM. [dEC. ^0 Exuperantms, to be scourged, beaten with clubs, and torn with iron nails or broad tenters, under which torments they both expired. Sabinus is said to have cured a blind boy; and a weakness in the eyes of Venustianus himself, who was th<3renpon converted, and afterward beheaded for the faith. Lucius, his successor, commanded Sabinus to be beaten to death with clubs at Spoleto. The martyr was buried a mile from that city; but his relics have been sir.ce trans- lated to Faenza. St. Gregory the Greatl speaks of a chapel built in his honour near Fermo, in which he placed some of his relics which he had obtained from Chrysanthus, bishop of Spoleto. These martyrs are mentioned on this day in Ado, Usuard, and the Roman Martyrology. How powerfully do the martyrs cry out to us , by their example, exhorting us to despise a false j and wicked Avorld! What have all the philoso- phers and princes found by all their researches and efforts in quest of happiness in it! They only fell from one precipice into another. De { parting from its true centre they sought it in J every other object, but in their pursuits only | wandered further and further from it. A soul | can find no rest in creatures. How long then shall we suffer ourselves to be seduced in their 1 favour! be always deceived, yet always ready to deceive ourselves again ! Row long shall we give false names to objects round about us, and im- agine a virtue in them which they have not! Is ^ not the experience of near six thousand years enough to undeceive us! Let the light of heaven, the truths of the gospel, shine upon us, and the illusions of the world and our senses will disap- pear. But were the goods and evils of the world 1 real, they can have no weight if they are com- pared with eternity. They are contemptible^ be^ * 1 Ij, r. ep, 72,7?. 1. 11. ep. 20. DEC. 30.] ST. ANYSIA5 M. 481 cause transient and momentary. In this light the martyrs viewed them. Who is not strongly affected Avith reading the epitaph which the learned Antony Castalio composed for himself, and which is engraved upon his tomb in the cathedral of Florence. I That peace and rest, now in the silent grave. At length I taste, which life, oh ! never gave. Pain, labour, sickness, tortures, anxious cares, . Grim death, fasts, watchings, strife, and racking fears^ .■ Adieu ! my joys at last are ever crowned ; And what I hop'd so long, my soul hath found. ST. ANYSIA, M. Whilst the governor Dulcitius carried on cruel persecution at Thessalonica to deter the Christians from holding religious assemblies, in 304, in the reign of Maximian Galerius, a Chris- tian young lady called Anysia, of rich and noble parents, by whose death she Avas left an orphan, resolved to go to the assembly of the faithful. As } she passed by the gate of Cassandra, one of the emperor's guards, who happened to see her, was taken with her beauty, and stepping before lier said: "Stay, whither are you going?'* Anysia started at his insolence, and fearing a temptation, made the sign of the cross upon her foreheadl The soldier, offended at her silence, seized her, and asked her roughly, " Who art thou, and whither art thou going?" " I am, said she, a ser- vant of Jesus Christ, and am going to the Lord's assembly." " I will prevent that," said he, and will bring thee to sacrifice to the gods ; for to- day we adore the sun:" that day being called by the pagans Sunday. Saying this, he tore off hei' veil to discover her face. Anysia endeavoured to 1 Quam vivens numqnam potui gustare quictem, Mortuus in solida jam sttvtioiie fruor; Passio, cura, labor, mors, tandem et pugna recessit^ Corporea ; et solum mens quod avebat, habet, 482 sr. MAXiMUSi c. . [dec. 30, I hinder him; but the soldier enraged, drew his I sword, and ran it through her body, so ih^i it came out on the other side. She fell down im- mediately, trembling, and jjathed in her blood, and there expired. Her name occurs in the ^ Roman Martyrology, in the Greek Synaxary, and the Menology of the emperor Basil, on the 30th of December. See her genuine Greek Acts. ST. MAXIMUS, C.l Amidst the scandals, heresies, and schisms by which the devD. hath often renewed his assaults against the Church, providence hath always raised defenders of the faith, who, by their forti- tude and the holiness of their lives, stopped the ; fury of the flood, and repaired the ravages made i on the kingdom of Jesus Christ by base apostate \ arts. Thus, while Monothelism triumphed on ; the imperial throne, and in the principal sees of the East, this heresy found a formidable adver- ■ sary in the person of the holy pope Martin, power- l fully seconded by the whole Latin Church, and I by a considerable part of the Greek Church: and I while artifice, joined to persecution, laboured in I the East to annihilate the truth, faith shone with j the highest glory and lustre in the zeal, sufiferings, I and death of St. Maximus. Maximus surnamed \ by the Greeks Homologetes, or Confessor, was born ) at Constantinople in *580. He sprung from one of the most noble and ancient families of that city; and was educated in a manner becoming his high birth, under the most able masters. But God inspired him with knowledge infinitely pre- ; ferable to that which schools teach, and which the wise according to the world are often unac- quainted Avith; he taught him to know himself, 1 Thia life more properly.ljelopgsf to the I3th of August, DEC. 30.] ST. MAXIMUS, C. 483 and conceive a due esteem for fervour and I humility. In vain, however, his modesty sought 1^* * to veil his merit, it was soon discovered at court; ^ and the emperor Heraclius set so high a value on his abilities, that he appointed him his first secretary of state. This busy scene, far from weakening the fondness he had ever enter- tained for retirement, filled him with appre- hension, and determined him to withdraw from the corruption and poison of vain and worldly honours. About this time Monothelism gained admis- sion at court. I The sensible progregsi of that 1 The heresy of the Monothclites, so called because they admitted but onejwill in Jesus Christ, was demi-Eutychian- ism. Those that chiefly broached it were Theodorus bishop of Pharan in Arabia, Sergius patriarch of Constantinople, and Cyrus bishop of Phasis in Colchis, -who was afterward raised to the patriarchal see of Alexandria. These prelates secretly favoured the heresy of Eutyches. In obedience to the laws of the Church and of the state, they received the council of Chalcedon, and owned jwo natures in Jesus Christ; but they denied that he had two distinct wills; they asserted, that he had but one will, compounded of the human and divine, and they called it Tlieandric^ Sergius, by birth a Syrian, was of Jacobite parents. It was by this name the Eutychians were known in Syria, on account of one Jacob, surnamed Zangal or Bardai, a Syrian monk, and disciple of Severus patriarch of Antioch, who in his time was the most zealous supporter of Eulychianism. This monk greatly extended the doctrine of his master in Meso- potamia and Armenia, and his followers impudently nick- named the Catholics Melchites or Royalists, because tliey received with the emperor the council of Chalcedon. Ser- gius, who preserved a tincture of Eutychianism, approved a letter that Theodorus of Pharan had written to him, in which the author owned but one will in Jesus Christ. He himself sent a letter to Theodorus, wherein the same error was established, under the name of Menas, patriarch of Constantinople, then dead, falsely supposed to have been written to pope Vigilius. He brought over to his party Cyrus bishop of Phasis, and had him made patriarch of Alexandria, This betrayer of the faith found a formidable 484 ST. MAXIMUS3 C. [dec. 30. heresy, under the countenance of the prince, contributed not a little to complete his disgust against a post Vfhich exposed his faith to such dangerous trials. He was besides convinced that adversary in the person of St. Methodius, who a little time after was elected patriarch of Jerusalem. Antioch fell under the yoke of the Saracens in the year of Christ (i38, and the twenty-eighth of Heraclius, The see of this city remained vacant many years. It appears that Athanasius, the Jaco- bite patriarch, usurped the title of patriarch of Antioch; but he was never elected as such, neither did he ever take pos- session of this church. Sergjius having ordained Macedonius in order to till the vacant see of Constantinople, pope Mar- tin refused to acknowledge him, as he was a Monothelite. Macedonius, however, assumed that title in the council which those of his party held at Constantinople in 655. He resided in this city, as well as his two successors, Gregory and Macarius. This last was deposed in the sixth general council, and sent to Rome, where he died in his heresy. Sergius imposed on pope Honorius by a letter full of artifice, dissimulation, and falsehood. He pretended that his only aim was to prevent disturbances and scandal: he even falsely advanced that St. Sophronius, patriarch of Jerusalem, (hon- oured on the llth of March.) was of opinion, that the ques- tion concerning the will of Jesus Christ ought not to be agitated. Honorius, thus imposed on, returned in 033 an answer, wherein he authorized silence on this question, " not to scandalize," said he, "many Churches, and lest ignorant persons, shocked at the expression of two opera- tions, might look upon us as Nestorians; or as Eutychians,if -we admitted but one operation in Jesus Christ." (Honor. Ep. ad Serg. in actis cone. 6. act 12. p. 928.) Atterthe death of Honorius in 63S, the pontifical chair was occupied by Severinus, who sat but two months. In 640, John the IV th w as elected, who held a council at Rome, where the lieresy of the Monothelites was condemned, as likewise the JEcthesis of Heraclius. The Ecthesis was an edict drawn up by Sergius. The emperor adopted and published it in 639. He began with commanding silence, touching one or two operations in Jesus Christ; but he afterward expressly declared that there was but one will in the Son of God. He excused himself to pope John the ] Vth, in saying that the edict had been drawn up by Sergius who prayed him to sign it. When he understood it was condemned at Rome, he con- demned it himsell and revoked it. John the IVth addressed DEC. 30.] ST. MAXIMUSj C. 485 his department in the state would soon burthen his conscience with the exeuction of orders con- trary to its dictates and those of religion. He therefore did not hesitate a moment to resign, and retire to a monastery. But not to give um- brage at court and to authorize his retreat, he alleged divers pretexts, and particularly a dread of the Arabs, who, by their incm-sions, spread alarm through all the East, and dared to^ carry their insults to the very gates of Constantinople. The Greeks were exhausted by the wars they had supported in the West against the Huns, and in the East against the Persians. Their frequent de- feats were a just punishment of the enormities with which they provoked the vengeance of heaven. As they continued incorrigible, divine justice exercised them them with a new scourge, and abandoned them to the Saracens, a ferocious race deriving their origin from Arabia. These barbarians spread themselves like a torrent over the empire, and overturned every thing that op- posed their passage, Heraclius, who in his adversity had sought God with all his heart, and had experienced the effects of his protection, on a prosperous turn in his affairs, forgot his divine benefactor. Ho blushed not to declare for heresy, and to put his confidence in men studied in nothing but the vile arts of dissimulation and deceit. He scandalized the whole empire by his indolence, and tarnished by shameful disorders the glory he at first had to him Honovins'B apolojE^y, He there showed that this pope had alwaj^s held with St. Leo, and the Catholic Church, the doctrine of two wills in Jesus Christ that lie only denied, that there were in Christ, as in us, two wills contrary and opposite to one another, that of the flesh and that of the spirit; that he had constantly taught with the gospel that Jesus Christ had the will of the human nature which he had united to his divinity. Pope John the IVth died in 642, after having sat twenty-one months, Theodoras succeeded him. 31 12 486 ST. MAXIMUS, C. tcEC. 30. acquired hy liis bravery and viriiie. He suffered the sect of Malionieti to establish itself among the Saracens, who in his reign, laid the founda- tion of their formidable empire. A succession of 1 " Mahomet, or rather Mohammed, ber^an to publish his ^ pretciided revelations in the thirty-eighth year of his age, and the six hTindred and eighth of Jesus Christ, Some time after, with the help of a Jew and a Nestorian monk, he compiled his Alcoran. It is a monstrous heap of absurdity and non-., sense, without design or connexion; and tho\ip:h we find in! it some passages that strike with a certain air of grandeur,^ the whole is so foolish and puerile, and so full of repetitions, j that one would need much patience to read any part of it ! even once. Mahomet engaged his wife Cadigna, and three ' , of the principal inhabitants of Mecca, Abubeker, Othraan, ' and Omar, to eonbrace his system of religion, and called it } islam, a term, which, according to Dr. Pocock, signifies ' obedience to God and his prophet. Hence his followers are distinguished to this day by the name of Moslem or Mussul- men, IMahomet was persecuted by the Coreishites, who ■were of his own tribe; neither were his partisans spared. The impostor fled to Yethreb, where he already had many disciples; from which this town took the name of Medina t' Lnabi, or the prophet's town. It was also called simply Medina, or the Town, It was from this tlight which hap- pened the 16th of July, 622, that the Hegira of the Arabs, that is to say, tlie epoch from which the Mahometans date their years, commenced. In 628 Mahomet was declared chief in religious and civil matters, v/ith the title of Prophet. A little after, he reduced the Coreishites to his sect, as well as thft whole city of Mecca, and seized ou a great part of Arahia before his/death, which happened at Medina, ou the eleventh year of the Hegira, thetwenty-third of Heraclius, and the six hundred and thirty-second of Jesus Christ. Abubeker, whose daughter he had married, held the sovereignty with , the title of Caliph, or vicar of the prophet. Mahomet • ordered his followers to oblige all nations to embrace his religion, or pay tribute by force of arms. (Alcoran, ch. ix, § 29, ch, viii. § 40.) Abubeker employed his forces in the conquest of Syria. His armies defeated those of Heraclius in many battles, and took Damascus the 23d of August, 634, the very day he died at Medina. Omar, one of whose daughters also Mahomet had married, succeeded him. He took Jerusalem, in 637, Antioch in 638 and Alexander in 640, by his general Ararou. The reduction of this city was DEC. 30.] ST. MAXIMUS, C. 487 misfortunes at length awalced him from his lethargy. And while each day acquainted him- with some new defeat, he was penetrated with grief to see the Roman empire, which had giveu laws to the universe, become the prey of barba- rians. His former bravery seemed to revive; he raised armies, but they were constantly over- thrown. Astonished at the victories of the Arabs, who were greatly inferior to the Greeks in number, strength, and discipline, he dem.anded one day in council v/hat could be the cause. All holding silence, a grave person of the assembly stood up, and said, " It is because tlie Greeks have dishonoured the sanctity of their profession, followed by the conquest of all E, crypt. A little after, the Caliph seized on Tripoli, and almost all Barbary. In fi41, one of his armies reduced Ispahan, capital of Persia. In the course of Othmau's reign, who succeeded Omar in CA'3, all Persia submitted to the Saracen yoke,- Yazdegerd, last kintj of the Saxanite family, having been assassinated by his own domestics in (351. Thus the Saracens in less than thirty years founded an empire equal to that of the Romans. | God employing this people as a sccurs^e to punish the sins of f many nations. At length, however, the vast dominions they ^ possessed, were divided into many kingdoms. We have thiee principal lives of Mahomet, one by M, de Boulain- villiers, another by Prideaux, and a third by Gagnier, Arabic professor at Oxford. The first is a romance, and the author's only aim in it was to give an advantageous idea of the Koran and Mahomet. Prideaux is too partially led by the Greek historians, who lived in a country distant from the Saracens, and whose countrymen were often at war with this people. Gagnier, though a mean heavy writer, is more to be depended on than the others. Seethe history of the tirst Saracen Caliphs by Ockley, Gagnier's successor; the excellent edition of the Koran, by Maracci, with the Pro- dromusand refutatio Alcorani by the same author., Herba- lot. Bibl, Orient. Reland de lielig. Mohanim. Abulfied.de vita Mohammedis cum versione ct notis Jonn, Gagnier, Oxon. 1723; Gregor. Abnlfuragi Historia compend. Dynas- tiarum, Arabice et Latine, fib Edm. Pocock, Oxon, 16G3, two vols. Sale, in bis preliminary discourse, and in his notes on the Koran, discovers too much partiality in fayour of Mahometanism. 488 ST. MAXIMUS, C. (-DEC, 30. f and no longer retain the doctrine taught by Jesus I Christ and his disciples. They insult and op- l press one another, live in enmity and dissen- ^ lions, and abandoned to the most infamous usuries and lust«.*' The emperor acknowledged r the truth of this censure. In reality the vices of I the Greeks at that period excited, according to f one of their most celebrated writers, such odium, i that the very infidels held them , in detestation, \ Indeed all their historians bear witness to their ] disorders, and the Arabs represent them in colours Btill higher charged. I St. Maximus declared himself on every oc- casion the defender of the faith and of virtue. ^ But neither his example or advice were followed. Seeing then that his emplo^Tnent was incompa- tible with his principles, and that he strove in vain to arrest the impetuosity of the torrent, he extorted from the emperor a pemiission to retire to Chrysopolis, where he took the monastic habit, In his solitude, he recommended to God the ca- lamities of his people, and armed himself with fortitude against the dangers to which his soul was exposed. Dreading even in his monastery the snares which the heretics laid on every side, he resolved to go to Africa, in search of a more secure retreat. Sergius the Monothelite, patri- arch of Constantinople, dying about the end of the yeai' 638, he was succeeded by Pyrrhus a monk of Chrysopolis. Pyrrhus walked in the steps of his predecessor; like him, a famous stick- ler for heresy. Heraclius, who died in 641, was succeeded by Constantino, his eldest son. This prince survived his father but one hundred and three days. His step-mother Martina and the patriarch were accused of poisoning him.2 At least it is certain that Pyi'rhus, in concert with that princess, placed her son Heracleonas on the 1 Theoplian. Chron. p. 276. Ockley, Hist, des Sarraz. 1. 1. p. 193, 2 Theophan. Cedmnns, &c. DEC. 30.] ST. MAXIMUS, C. 489 imperial throne, in prejudice of Constantins, son of Constantino. But they were not long able to maintain this imjust usurpation. Before the end of October of the same year, Constantius was put in i^ossession of the empire by the people: Martina had her tongue torn out, and Hera- cleonas his nose slit, and were both sent into banishment by a decree of the senate. PyiThus, having just reasons to fear the fury of the popu^ lace, secretly withdrew from Constantinople, and fled into Africa, where he endeavoured to gaiu friends and proselytes to Monothelism. St, Maximus finding the Catholic faith thus danger- ously exposed, exerted his most strenuous en- deavours to preserve its integrity. Pyn-hus, a perfect dissembler, affected notwithstanding to be lavish in the praise of Maximus, whom he had never even seen, Pyrrhus having quitted the monastery of Chrysopolis before the saint had re- tired to it. The patrician Gregory, governor of Africa, en- gaged St. Maximus to hold a public conference with Pyrrhus, in hopes of his conversion. It was accordingly held at Carthage in July, 645. Along with the governor there was a respectable and numerous assembly of bishops and other persons of distinction. Pyrrhus arguing that as there was but one person in Jesus Christ vjhich wills^ con- cluded thence, that there could be in him no more than one will. St. Maximus proved against him, that the unity of persons in Jesus Christ did not imply a unity of natures; that, being God and man at the same time, the divine and human natures must have their respective powers of volition ; that it is an impiety to assert that the will by which he hath created and governs all things, is the same as that by which he ate and drank on earth, and prayed his Father to remove from him, if possible, the chalice of his passion ; thafc the will is a property essential and inseparable 490 Str. MAXIMUS, c. [dec. 30. , from the nature, eo that in denyhig Jesns Christ ; a human will, you strip him of an essential part : of his humanity, which is demi-Eutychianism, and that in reasoning consequently, pure Euty- ^ 1 chianism must be admitted, which consists in ^ denying that there are two distinct natures in Jesus' ^.Christ. Maxinius justified aftei-ward Saint Menas of Constantinople, Vigilius, and Honorius. ; This last, doubtless, was wrong in agreeing for \ some time to be silent on the article in question ; i but he had only denied tbat there were two con- i trary wills in Jesus Christ, as in us, that is to say, I a will of concupiscence which revolts against the spirit. The saint proved this i^oint by the ex- press testimony of abbot John, who in quality of secretary, had v^-ritten the letter of Honorius, wherein he makes his declaration on this subject to John IV. successor of Honorius himself. "Sergius having written that some admitted i two contrary Aviils in Jesus Christ, we answered that these wills could not be admitted, that is to gay, that there could not be in Jesus Christ a will of the flesh and a will of the spirit, as in us sin- ners." i Maximus confirmed this doctrine in showing that, in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, there is but one will, because the j three divine persons have but one and the same nature. 2 The issue of this conference was, that Pyrrhus declared he had no more difficulties about any article, and showed a great desire to present in writing his retraction to the pope. He kept his word; and, repairing to Rome, he put into pope Theodore's hands, in the presence of the clergy and the people, a paper, wherein he condemned 1 See Nat. Alci-. Uist. Eccles. Diss, de Honor. Gravsson, ibid. Tduriielev, clo lucani. ^ic. , 2 See Act. Disput. cam Tj-nlio, inter op. S. Maximi ; et Couc. t. 5, p. 1784, DEC, 30.] ST. MAXlMUSj C. 491 all lie had done or taught against the faith.l After so solemn a retraction, Theodore ordered that a chair should be pJaced for him at the side of the altar, and charged hi .tli self with the ex- pense of his maintenance. But Pyrrhus soon renounced the othodox sentiments he had pub- lished. On his coming to Ravenna^ he relapsed into his errors, at the instigation of th e exarch, who flattered Imn with the hope of recovering the see of Constantinople. One Paul, also a Monothelite, then occupied that see. He persuaded the em- peror Constantius to substitute for the Ecthesis, published by his grandfather Heraclius, a new edict, which favoured neither party, and imposed silence in the point controverted. This edict appeared in 648, under the name of the Typus, or the Porniulary. Pope Theodore, informed of the apostacy of Pyrrhus, in a council held in the church of St. Peter, pronounced against him a sentence of excommunication and dei^osition ; as also against Paul, whom he had in vain endea- voured to reconcile to the Church by his letters and by his legates. He also condemned the Typus of Constantius. But, before he saw the conclusion of this business, he was taken off by death the 20th of April, 649, St. Martm sue- i ceeded him. St. Maximus paid this pope a visit i at Rome, and assisted at the council of Lateran, which was held in the month of October of the same year, 649. Paul dying in 655, Pyrrhus was ■ reinstated in the see of Constantinople; but he did not survive his reestablishment more than ^ four m.onths and twenty- three days; when he^ was succeeded by Peter, a priest of the samo|. church, also a Monothelite. The holy pope Martin dying in 655, Saint Maxi- mus was arrested at Rome, by the emperor's order, and brought to Constantinople, with Anas- asms, his disciple, and another Anastasius, 1 Anastas. iu Tlieodor, Theopli, ad aun, 20, Ileraol, p. 274, 492 ST. MAXXMuSa c. [dec. 8C. who had been chancellor of the Roman Church. On the evening of the day of their arrival, two officers and ten life-guards were sent to remove them out of the vessel, and conduct them to different prisons under a strict guard. Some days after, they were led to the palace, and into -^a hall where the senate was assem- bled, surrounded by a great multitude of people. St. Maximus being placed in the midst of the assembly the treasurer loaded him with reproaches, and asked him in a very angry tone, if he were a Christian. Yes, answered Maximus, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, The trea- surer then accused him of treason, alleging he had persuaded Peter, governor of Numidia, not to send troops to Egypt to expel the Saracens, which gave these barbarians the opportunity to maldng themselves masters, not only of that country, but likewise of Pentapolis, Tripoli, and the proconsular Africa. It was not hard for Maximus to justify himself. But at the same time he owned that, being at Rome, he had said to an officer, that the emperor's power was not sacerdotal; that the union proposed by the Typus could not be received; that the silence prescribed was a real suppression of the faith, which could never be permitted; that, with such principles, Jews and Christians might be united, these silent on baptism, those on circumcision; that this miion would find room with the Arians also, by the suppression of the consubstantiality of- the Word. The treasurer, not knowing what to answer to this discourse, only said that a man Buch as Maximus ought not to be suffered in the empire. Others added reproaches still more in- jurious. Anastasius, the saint's disciple, was afterward examined; but as he could not raise his voice high enough to be heard by all, the guards buffeted him so cruelly, that tliey left him for half dead. The two confessors were then DEC. 30.] ST. MAXIMUS5 C. m brought back to prison. The same evening the patrician Troilus, accompanied with two officers of the palace, came to see Maximus with a de- si^2:n to persuade him to communicate with the Church of Constantinople. The saint desired that they would previously condemn the heresy of the Monothelites, who had been excommuni- cated by the council of Lateran, and reproached them with having changed their own doctrine. As they accused him of condemning them all, he answered, ''God forbid I should condemn any one: but I would rather die than err against faith in the smallest article." The officers pres- sing him to receive the Typus for the sake of peace, and confessing at the same time that they acknowledged two wills in Jesus Christ, he pros- trated himself on the earth, with tears in his eyes, and said, " It is not my intention to dis- please the emperor, but I cannot consent to offend God." As they accused him of turning others by his example from communicating with the Church of Constantinople, and of staining the reputation of the emperor, by condemning the Typus, he justified himself declaring that he was far from taxing the prince with heresy, since the Typus was not his work: which he, moreover, did not sign until he had been imposed on by the enemies of the Church; he added, that he ardent- ly wished to see him disavow it, as Heraclius had disavowed the Ecthesis. Maximus and his dis- ciple underwent a second interrogatory in the council-chamber at the palace before the senate, at which were present Peter, a patriarch of Con- stantinople and Macarius, patriarch of Antioch, both Monothelites. Here they again declared that they would adhere inviolably to the faith of their fathers, and to the definition of the council of Lateran. After several debates they were remitted to prison. At the feast of Pentecost, a messenger from the patriarch of Constantinople 494 ST. MAXIMUS, C. [dec. 30. endeavoured to prevail on Maximus to submit. As lie Avas threatened with oxcomiuiinication and a cruel death, he ansv>^ered that all lie desired was that the will of God be done in his regard. The day after this conference he was banished into Thrace, with the two Anastasiuses. Maximus v/as sent to the castle of IBizye, Anastasius the chancellor to Selymbria, and the other Anasta- sius to Perbere, which was at the extremity of the province and of the empire. They were brought to these places, without provision for their subsistence, and with no other covering than a few rags. A little time after, commis- saries arrived to examine the saint anew in the place of his exile. They were sent by the em- peror and the patriarch. There were, among others, with them a bishop named Theodosius. Maximus proved before them, that there must necessarily be two wills in Jesus Christ, and that it is never laAvfui to suppress the doctrine of faith. His arguments were so convincing th?tt Theo- dosius agreed the Typus to iiave^ a dangerous tendency: and the commissaries oven went so far as to sign an act of reconciliation with Max- imus. Theodosius, moreover, promised to go to Rome, and make his peace with the Church. Then all rose up weeping with joy; and, after praying some time on their knees, they kissed the book of the gospels, the cross, the image of Jesus Christ, and that of the Blessed Virgin, and laid their hands on them in confirmation of their agreement. Theodosius, at taking leave, made the saint a present of some money a-nd clothes. After all this reconciliation came to nothing. In the year 65G, the emperor sent the consul Paul to Bizye, with orders to bring Maximus back to the monastery of S. Theodorus de Rege, near Constantinople. " There was no regard pai ^ to the age or rank which the saint once held ■ t court: he was ti'eated on the road wi(h the last DEC. 30.] ST. MAXIM US, c. 495 barbarity. He arrived at Rege tlie 13th of September, Tlie patricians Epiphanius and Troilns, as well as the bishop Theodosius, went to visit him there, attended -svith a numerous train. They insisted much on the promise he had made of submitting to the emperor's request. Maximus ansv/ered, that he was ready to obey the prince in all things that regarded temporal matters. Upon which loud clamours were raised against him, and, after some debate, the patiiciaa Epiphanius addressed him thus: Hear the envoy of the emperor. All the West and all those who have been seduced in the East have their eyes fixed on you. Are you willing to comraimi- cate with us, and receive the Typusl We come in person to salute you; we present you our hand, we will wait on you to the catnedral, and, along with you, there receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ, in that solemn manner acknowledg- ing you our father. We are persuaded that all those who have separated from our communion will no sooner see you communicating with the Church of Constantinople than they will follow your example." *'My lord," said Maximus, directing his discoursL to the bishop Theodosius, " v/e must all ai)pear before the judgment-seat of God. You know the solemn agreement that hath been made between us, ratified on the gospels, on the cross, on the image of Jesus Christ, and that of his holy mother." "What would you have me do?" answered Theodosius, bowing his head, and in the tone of a flatterer willing to pay his court "what would you have me do, seeing the em- peror is of another opinion f "Why then," re- plied Maximus, "did you put your hand on the gospels? For my iDart, I declare that nothing shall induce mo to comply with your demand. What reproaches would I not suffer from my con- science, what ansAver could I make to God, if I renounced the faith for human respects'^' At 496 ST. MAXIMUS, C. [DEC. 30. these words they all rose up in transports of rage; ' they fell upon the saint, they buffeted him, they ; tore his beard, they covered him with spittle and i filth from head to foot ; so that it was necessary : to wash his clothes to remove the infectious stench, which hindered a near approach to him. ; "It is wrong," said Theodosius, " to treat him in I this unworthy sort, it were enough to report his i answer to the emperor." They then* gave over I their barbarous treatment, and confined them- ^ selves to abusive insolent language. Then Tro'ilus said to the holy abbot, "We only ask you \ to sign the Typus; believe what you will in your i heart." " It is not the heart alone," replied i Maximus, " that God hath confined our duty; we ' are also obliged to confess Jesus Christ before men." " With my advice," said Epiphanius, " you would be tied to a stake in the midst of the city, to be bruised and spit upon by the populace." " If the barbarians left us time to breathe," said some others, " we would treat you as you deserve, the pope himself, and all your followers." They all then withdrew, saying, " This man is possessed with the devil ; but let us first dine before we make a report of his insolence and obstinacy to the emperor." The morning after St. Maximus was sent under a guard of soldiers to Selymbria, and from thence brought to the camp. As it was re- ported that he denied the Blessed Virgin to be the mother of God, he pix)nounced anathema against the supporters of such a heresy. He gave in- structions in the camp, which were heard with ; much respect; and all besought God to grant ; him the necessary courage to finish happily his course. His guard, seeing how much he was honoured, removed him two miles distant; then suifering him to rest a while, they obliged him to i mount his horse, and conducted him to Perbere, \ where they shut him up in a prison. Some time : after, Maximus and the two Anastasiuses were DEC. 30. J ST. MAXIMUS, C. 497 brought "back again to Constantinople. They were made to appear before a synod of Monothe- lites, who anathematized them, with the pope Martin, Sophronius, and all those that adhered to them. The sentence pronounced against them ran thus: "Having been canonically condemned, you would justly vmdergo the severity of the law for your impieties. But although there be no punishments proportioned to your crimes, we choose not to treat you according to the rigour of the law ; we touch not your life, abandoning you to the justice of the sovereign Judge. We order the prefect here present, to conduct you to the prsetorium,' where after having been whipped, your tongue, the instrument of your blasphemies, shall be torn out, and your right hand, with which you have written these blasphemies, cut oif. We will that you be afterward exposed in the twelve wards of the city; then, that you be banished, and imprisoned the remainder of your days, to expiate by tears your sins." Maximns and the two Anastasiuses having suffered at Contantinople the punishment signi- fied by this sentence, were banished among the Lazi, in the European Sarmatia toward the Palus Msootis, They aiTived at the place of their banishment the 8tli of June, 662. They were separated from one another. The monk Anastasius was con- ducted to Sumas: the torments he had endured, joined to the fatigue of the journey, weakened him so much, that he died the 24th of July of the same year. The other Anastasius did not long survive him. Maximus not being able to ride, or bear the ordinary carriages, was conducted in a litter to the castle called Schemari, near the country of the Alani. He foretold the day of his death which happened about the end of the same year 662, or at the beginniug of the year follow- mg. He was fourscore years old. The Greeks 498 ST. SYLVESTDU, P. C. [DEC. 31. oelobrato two feasts in his liononr; one on tho 21st of Jamiaiy, and the other the 1 3th of August. It is this last which Baronius and Baiilet assign for the day of his death. D5CEMBE11 XXXT. ST. SYLVESTER, POPE, C. See tUe Tontifical, puhlishocl by Anaotftsiug, Rnfin, &o. amongst tho moderns, Tillemont, t. 7. p. 267. Orsi, t. 4 and 5. A. D. 335 St. SYLVESTtiTi, wliom God appointed to govern bis holy Church in the first years of her tempo- ral prosperity and triumph over her persecuting enemies, was a native of Rome, and son to Ru- finus and Justa. According- to the general rule with those who are saints from their cradle, he received early and in his infancy the strongest sentiments of Christian piety from the example, instructions, and care of a virtuous mother, who for his education in the sound maxims and practice of religion, and in sacred literature, put him young into the hands of Charitius or Carinus, a priest of an unexceptionable character and great abilities. Being formed under an excellent master, he entered among the clergy of Rome, | and was ordained priest by pope Marcellinus, s before the peace of the Church was disturbed by ) Diociesian, and his a^ssociate in the empire. His ! behavionr in those turbulent and dangerous times recommended him to the public esteem, and he saw the triumph of the cross by the ^ victory which Constantine gained over Maxen- DEC. 31.] ST. SYLVESTER, P. C. m tius within sight of the city of Rome on the 28th of October, 312. Pope Meichiades dying in January 314, St. Sylvester was exalted to the pon- tilicate, and the same year commissioned four legates, two priests and two deacons, to represent him at the great council of the Western Church, held at Aries iu August, in Avhich the schism of the Donatists, wliicli had then subsisted seven years, and the heresy of the Quartodecimans were condemned, and many important points of discipline regulated in twent7/-two canons. These decisions ^vere sent by the council before it broke up with an honourabe letter to pope Sylvester, and were confinmed by him and pub- lished to the wdiole Church.i Tlie general coun- cil of Nice wai^ assembled against Arianism in 325. Socrates,2 Sozomen,3 and Theodoret,4 say that pope Sylvester was not able to come to it in person on account of his great age, but that he sent his legates. Gelasius of Cyzicus5 men- tions, that in it " Osius held the place of a bishop of Rome, together with the Romian priests Vito and Vincentius." These three are named the first in subscriptions of the bishops in the editions of the acts of that couuciljO and in Socrates, who expressly places them before Alexander, patri- arch of Alexandria, and Eustathius, patriarch of Antioch.7 St. Sylvester greatly advanced religion by a punctual discharge of all the duties of his exalted station during the space of twenty- one years and eleven months; aud died on the 31st of December, 335. He was buried in the cemetery of Friscilla. St. Gregory the Great 1 See epjst. Synodi Arel. ad Sylvest. Pap. Cone. 1. 1, p. 1425, 2 Socr. 1. !. c. 6. 3 Sozom. 1. 1. c. 6. 4 Theodoret, 1. 1. c. 7, 6 Gelas. Cyz. Hist. Cone. Niccen. 1. 2. C. 5. t. 2. Cone. 6 Cono. t. 2, p. fiO. 7 The history of Constanfine's donation of Rome is refuted by Paei, Critic, in Annal. Baron. Papebrobe, Act. Saoct. Mat. Alex- ander, Hist. Eccl. Noris, t. 4. Oper. Mamachi, Grig. Christ, t. 2. p. SC2. &f> ' o r 500 ST. SYLVESTER, P. C. [dEC. 30. pronounced his ninth homily on the gospels on his festival, and in a church which was dedicated to God in his memory by Pope Symmachus.i Pope Sergius II. translated his body into this church, and deposited it under the high altar. Mention is made of an altar consecrated to God in his honour at Verona about the year 500; and his name occurs in the ancient Martyrology called St. Jerom's published by Florentinus, and in those of Bede, Ado, Usuard, &c. Pope Gre- gory IX., in 1227, made his festival general in the Latin Chmxh; the Greeks keep it on the 10th of January. After a prodigious effusion of Christian blood almost all the world over during the space of three hundred years, the persecuting king- doms at length laid down their arms, and sub- mitted to the faith and worship of a God cruci- fied for us. This ought to be to us a subject of thanksgiving. But do our lives express his faith? Does it triumph in our hearts? It is one of its first precepts that in all our actions we make God our beginning and end, and have only his divine honour and his holy law in view. All our various employments, all our thoughts and designs must be referred to, and terminate in this, as all the lines drawn from the circumference of a circle meet in the centre. We ought therefore so to live that the days, hours, and moments of the year may form a crown made up of good works, which we may offer to God our forgetfulness of himAvho is our last end, in almost all that we do, calls for a sacrifice of compunction in the close of the year: but this cannot be perfect or acceptable to God, unless we sincerely devote our whole hearts and lives to his holy love for the time to come. Let us therefore examine into the eources of former omissions, failures and trans- 1 Cone. 1. 1. p. 1868. 1)EC. 31. J ST. MELANIA THE VOUNGER. 501 gressions, and take effectual measures for our amendment, and for the perfect regulation of all our affections and actions for the future, or that part of our life which may remain. ST. COLUMBA, V. M. The new Paris Breviary fixes her death either in 258 or in 273. The latter date reduces it to the journey which Aurelian took into Gaul in that year, when he gained a great victory at Chalons. She suffered at Sens. Her relics were kept in the Benedictin abbey till they were dispersed by the Hugueiiots, together with those of many other saints kept there, as Baillet observes. St. Owen, in his life of St. Eligius, mentions a chapel which bore her name at Paris. ST. MELANIA THE YOUNGER. Melania the Elder was of a most noble Span- ish family, though descended of a Roman pedi- gree, and a relation of St. Paulinus of Nola, second to no one in Aquitain and Spain in riches or nobility. Being married young she was left a widow at twenty-three'years of age. Upon the death of her husband she said to God: "Now, O Lord, I shall be at liberty to devote myself without distraction to thy service." Having put her son Pubjicola into the hands of good tutors, she embarked with Rufinus for Egypt in 371: and after spending six months in visiting the monks of those parts, went into Palestine, but so much disguised that the governor of Jerusalem cast her into jail for visiting certain prisoners, till she made herself known to him and then he treated her with the greatest respect. After some time she built a monastery at Jerusalem, wore a coarse habit, and had no other bed than a rough cloth epread on the floor, without any other cover than 32 12 ^02 ST. MELANIA THE YOUNGER. t^^EC. 31 a sackcloth. Thus she lived in Palestine twenty- sev«n years, making prayer and the nieditation o1 the holy scriptures her principal employment. Her son Publicola grew up, and becoming most accomplished in the necessary qualifications oi mind and body, was married to Albina, by whom he had two children, a son and a daughter, this latter being our saint. She was married at thir- teen years of age to Pinian son of Severus, who had been prefect of Rome. Her children both died young, and by her moving discourses and entreaties she gained his consent that they should, bind tliemselves by mutual vows to serve God in perpetual chastity. The elder Melania, at this news, left the East, and returned to Rome, after havi)ig been thirty-seven years absent. She was met at Naples by a train of the most illustrious personages of the nobility of Rome, who attended lier from thence glittering in rich attire, and sumptuous equipages. The humble Melania tra- velled at their head, m.eanly mounted on horse- back, and clothed with coarse and threadbare garments. During her stay in Rome it was her first care to caution Pinian and her gran daughter against the heresies of that age. She staid in the West four years, during which interval she took a journey into Africa. There she received news of the death of her son Publicola. At her return to Rome she advised Pinian and our saint to give what they possessed to the poor, and choose some remote retirement. This council they readily embraced, and were imitated by Albiha. A vita, a niece of Melania, after converting her husband from the errors of idolatry, induced him to join her in a vow of perpetual continency. Their son Asterius, and their daughter Eunomia, followed the same example. All these fervent and illus- trious persons Avent together to pay a visit to St. Paulinus at Nola. So many wonderful conver- sions astonished not onlv Rome, but all Christen- Df:C. 3L] ST. MELANIA THE YOUNGER. S03 dom. The elder Melania had no sooner comple- ted this great work, but she hastened back to her dear solitude. The tumult of Rome made that great city seem to her a place of exile, and a true prison; nor was she able to bear the noise of the world and the distraction of visits. Rufinus ac- companied her as far as Sicily, where he died. Melania arrived at Jerusalem, distributed the residue of her money among the poor, aud shut herself up in a monastery. But exchanged this mortal life for a better, forty days after, in the year 410, being about sixty-eight years old. Melania the elder seemed some time too warmly engaged l^ith Rufinus in the defence of Origen. The commendations which St. Austin, St. Paulinus, and others bestow on her, bear evi- dence to her ortho(lo:^:y and her edifying vir- tue, though her name has never been placed among the saints, unless she be meant on the 8th of June in the manuscript calendar mentioned by Chiffletius, as Papebroke and Joseph Assemani i take notice. Albina, Melania the YoungeT, and Pinian first made over their estates in Spain and Gaul reser- ving those which they possess^ in Italy,- Sicily,^ and Africa. They made free eight thousand Ut' their slaves, and those who would not accept of their freedom, they gave to the brother of Me- lania. Their most precious furniture they be- stowed on churches and altars. Their first retreat was in retired country places in Cami)a- nia and Sicily, and their time they spent in prayer, reading and visiting the poor and tlie sick, in order to comfort atid relieve them.. Foi this end they also sold their estates in Italy, and passed into Africa, where they made some stay, first at Carthag*e, and afterward at Tagaste, under the direction of St. Alypius, who Was at that time 1 See Jos. Assem, in Cal«nd. p. 622, 504 ST. MELANIA THE YOUNGER. [dec. 81. bishop Af this city. In a journey they made to Hippo, to see St. Austin, the people there seized Pinian demanding that St. Austin would ordain him priest. But he escaped out of their hands, by promising that if he ever took holy orders, it should be to serve their church. The poverty and austerity in which they lived seven years at Tagaste, appeared extreme. Melania by degTe.GS arrived at such a habit of long fasting, as often to eat only once a week, and to take nothing but bread and water, except that on solemn occasions i to her bread she added a little oil. Theu* occupa- tion was to read and copy good books; Pinian also tilled his garden. In 417 they left Africa and went to Jerusalem, where they continued the same manner of life. St. Melania buried her mother Albina in 433, and her husband Pinian two years after. She survived him four years, shutting herself up in a monastery of nuns, which she built and governed. Her cell was her para- dise; yet she left it to go to Constantinople, to convert her uncle Vohisian, who was an idolater^ and she had the comfort to see him baptized, and die full of hope and holy joy. After she had closed his eyes, she made haste back to Jerusa- lem. She went to Bethlehem to pass Christmas- day at the holy crib, and came back the day following; and found herself seized with her last sickness, which she discoverd to those about her. A great number of holy monks and others visited her, whom she exhorted, and when she saw them weep, tenderly comforted. She departed to our Lord in the year 439, the fifty-seventh of her age, i on a Sunday, which was the 31st of December, on which day her name stands in the Roman Martyrology. Men often say, we are not obliged to do so much for salvation. But the example of the saints ought to convince us, that we are bound at least by extraordinary watchfulness and PEC. 31.] ST. MELANIA THE YOUNGER. 505 fervour to surpass the multitude, and not go "with 3 the world. In the general torrent of example \ every one flatters himself and relies upon the 1 crowd which goes the same way. Men fol- low one another to run upon destruction: they are seduced, and they seduce. We perhaps rely sometimes on the example of those who follow ours. Does not Christ assure us that the way to life is narrow, and trod by few? If we are content to follow the crowd, we condemn ourselves by taking the broad way. The saints by fearing to fall into it, seemed to set no bounds to their fervour. IwCUARDSON AND SON, PRINTERS, PERin'. GETTY CENTER LIBRARY 3 3125 00806 2313