The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Bernard of Clairvaux – Thomas Aquinas
BERNARD
The Life of Bernard, who dyed An. Christi 1153.
BErnard was born in Burgundie in the Town of Fontane: His birth and parentage.His Fathers name was Tecelinus, of an ancient Family, and a brave Souldier: but that which most commended him was that he feared God, and loved Justice, and following the counsel of John the Baptist, he did wrong to no man, and was content with his wages. His Mothers name was Aleth, of the Castle called Mont-Barr, a woman eminent for Piety, Chastity, and Charity, bringing up her children in the fear of God: She had seven children, six sons, and one daughter, all which she nursed with her own breasts. Bernard was her third son,His education. whom from his Infancy (with Hannah) she devoted to the Service of God, and therefore brought him not up tenderly and delicately, but inured him to course fare, and hardship, and as soon as he was of capacity, instilled into him the knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, and instructed him in the Principles of Religion: and finding him to be of an acute wit, ready apprehension, firm memory, comly feature, courteous and meek deportment, and much addicted to Learning, she set him to Schole betimes to Castillion, under the care and tuition of able Scholemasters: and the boy being piously addicted, studious, & of a quick apprehension, easily answered his Mothers desire and expectation, profiting in Learning above his age, and out-stripping all his school-fellows, and shewed withall a great contempt of all Earthly things; and indeed he was very simple in all worldly affairs: He shunned company, and affected retiredness; was much in meditation: obedient to his Parents: grateful and curteous to all: He was exceeding shamefac't and modest; loved not to speak much:His modesty. Towards God very devout, that he might keep himself pure in his childhood: And amongst other Learning, he was frequent in reading the holy Scriptures, that from thence he might learn to know and serve God: So that it cannot be imagined how much he profited in a short time.
Whilst he was yet a boy, he was much troubled with a pain in his head, and lying upon his bed, there was brought to him a woman who had undertaken to cure him with certain verses and charms:He refuses cure by a charm. but as soon as he heard her begin to utter her verses, wherewith she used to deceive the simple, he cryed out with great indignation to have her taken away from him, saying, That he had rather endure the hand of God, then to be cured by the power of the Devil: His zeal.And God had respect to the zeal of the boy; for presently after he was freed from his pain. What money was given him whilst he was thus young,His charity. he privately gave it away to the Poor. When he was grown to be a young man, his Mother having seen him to exceed her expectation, falling sick, quietly resigned up her spirit unto God: And Bernard began now to grow famous for his strict course of life, elegancy of feature, sweet manners, sharp wit, and eloquent tongue; so that many opportunities were put into his hand whereby he might have attained to great dignity in the World: Hereupon the Devil who watcheth all opportunities to do mischief, laid his snares for him, seeking to draw him to uncleanness, and presenting an object, whilst Bernard for a time fixed his eyes too firmly upon her,He is tempted to uncleanness. he began to feel the burnings of his youthly lusts to stir in him: but quickly coming to himself he blushed for shame, and purposing revenge, he presently ran into a Pool (the weather being cold) up to the neck,How he cures …. where he continued till he was almost starved, thereby quenching that inward flame which before scorched him: and withall studying how to avoid such snares and temptations for the time to come, he resolved to enter into a Monastery of the Cistercians, which was the strictest Order of Friers, perswading himself that there he might live retired from the World, and enjoy the freer Communion with God: But this purpose of his coming to the Ears of his Brethren and Friends, they laboured by all means to disswade him, exhorting him rather to continue in his studies of Humane Learning, which might bring him to preferment in the World: This tentation had almost prevailed with him, till the remembrance of his Mothers purpose and care to set him apart for the service of God came into his minde: and then retiring into a private place, he poured out his Prayers well watered with tears unto God, seeking unto him for direction and counsel, and from that day forward he was confirmed in his resolution, and could by no means be removed from the same: Yea, his zeal was such,He enters into a Monastery with his brethren. that he rested not till he had perswaded four of his Brethren to leave the world, and all their worldly preferments, and to join with him in the same course of life: And when they had taken their leave of their Father, and were going towards the Monastery, they saw their youngest Brother [Nivard] a boy playing amongst boys, to whom Guido the elder Brother said, Farewel Brother Nivard, behold we leave to you all our Earthly possessions: But he presently answered,Heaven better then the Earth. You will take Heaven, and leave me the Earth, this is no equal division: And so going home to his Father, after a while he resolved to leave all, and to enter into the same course of life with his Brethren, which he did accordingly.
These Brethren being thus entred into the Monastery, lived under the government of one Steven, who was their Abbot, which was Anno Christi. 1113. and in the 22 year of Bernards age. When Bernard entred into this course of life, he intended wholly to sequester himself from the World; but God intended otherwise, who had prepared him to be a Vessel of honour for his own glory: This Bernard knew not, and therefore lived privately in his Cell; spending his time in Study, Meditation, and Prayer,His diligence. often saying to himself, Bernard, Bernard, Remember for what end thou camest hither? He allowed himself very little time for sleep, often complaining that all that time was lost; and indeed in so sparing a dyet as he used, there was need of the less sleep: for he never indulged himself in either, neither eating nor sleeping to saciety. Yea, by his rigid abstinence he so weakned his stomach, that he was scarce able to retain food when he had eaten it, and that little which he did retain served rather to retard death, then to prolong his life: yet all this while be remitted nothing of his studies and labors:His great labors. Insomuch as he equalled the other Monks in digging of the ground, felling of wood, and carrying it home upon his shoulders: and when his strength failed, he busied himself about meaner services: and whensoever he had any intermission he spent his time in Prayer, and reading the Sacred Scriptures, which afterwards in the midst of his bodily labors he meditated over again. He read also the best Expositors, yet took far more delight in the Fountain, then in these streams, whereby he became very mighty in the Scriptures,His love to the Scriptures. which stood him in great use, when afterwards he became a Preacher. Shortly after Steven sent forth some of these Brethren to build the Monastery of Claraeval, appointing Bernard to be their Abbot. The place was in the Territory of the Lingones, Is made Abbot of Claraval.not far from the River Alba, where they lived in penury, hunger, thirst, cold, watchings, and prayer, and Bernard understanding that the Ministry of the Word was much wanting in that Country, burning with a zeal to save souls,His zeal. resolved to set upon that work, and seeking one by whom he might be ordained Minister, he pitched upon the Bishop of Catalonia, He is ordained a Presbyter.to whom when he came, and had conversed a while with him, there grew a very strict bond of friendship betwixt them: After his Ordination he was very frequent and fervent in Preaching the Word of God wheresoever he came, whereby he grew very famous. Yet Otho Bishop shop of Frising, who was his contemporary, blameth him for three things:What was blame worthy in him. 1. For his jealousie, which carryed him away with wrong conceits. 2. For credulity, or lightness of belief, giving Ear to tale-bearers and lyars with too much facility, which made him so earnest against the Gospellers, who were better men then himslef. 3. For prejudice, especially against Learned men, who by the help of Art soared alost like Eagles beyond the pitch of his capacity: For though himslef had an excellent natural wit, yet he was little studied in the Arts and Sciences, and whosoever went not in the rode way of Learning, submitting his reason to the Dictates and Pharses of the Roman Church, him would Bernard suspectior an Heretick.
Anno Christi 1153.His sickness. he fell sick, and wrote this Letter to Arnold Abbot of Boneval, who desired to know how he did in his sickness. His Letter to the Abbot of Ben…val.We received your love in love (faith he) and not in pleasure: For what pleasure can there be where pain and bitterness challengeth all unto it self? Only its a little delightful to me to eat nothing. Sleep hath departed from me, that sorrow and pain may never depart from me, by the benefit of my senses lulled asleep. The want of a stomach is almost all that I suffer; only it requireth often both day and night to be comforted With a very little liquor What soever it be: But if at any time I admit of a little more, its most grievous to me: my feet and thighes be swoln as theirs Who are troubled with a Dropsie. And in all these things (that I may conceal nothing from my friend who desires to know the state of his friend) the Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is weak. Pray unto my Saviour who desireth not the death of a sinner, not that he will defer, but that he will guard my departure by his blessed Angels. Take ye care that my heel, which is naked of merits, be strengthened and defended by your Prayers: that he which lyeth in wait may not finde where to fasten his tooth, and inslict a wound. Farewel.
A little before his death all the Monks came and asked him whether he did not take pity on them, and their Monastery? To which he answered, that he was in a great straight, not knowing which to choose, Life, or Death: but left all to the Will of God: For (faith he) my Fatherly love moves me to pity you my children, so as to desire to remain here: but on the other side my desire to be with Christ, draws me to long to depart hence. His humility was such that he called himself an unprofitable servant: a dry tree, from whom no good had come either to himself or others.His death. He dyed Aug. 20. Anno Christi 1153. and in the 63 year of his age.
He accompanyed the Bishop of Hostin [the Popes Legat] to Tholouse purposely to root out those whom he called Hereticks, but indeed were the true servants of Christ:His blinde zeal. and being too facile and misinsormed himself, he misreported their Opinions and Doctrines: shewing himself the Grand Factor for two Popes, viz. Innocent the second, and Eugenius the third. One Adm, a Canon Regular made this Epitaph on him;
Clare sunt valles, sed claris vallibus Abbas
Clarior, his clarum women in orbe deait.
Clarus avis, clarus meritis, & clarus honore,
Clarnt ingenio, …t Religione magis.
Mors est clars, cius clarus, clarumg, sepulchrum,
Clarior exutat spirtus ante Deum.
He had many opinions differing from the Church of Rome: His opinions differing from the Church of Rome.As that there were but two Sacraments: Denyed Transubslantiation. That the wicked receive not Christs Flesh. That we are justified by the imputation of Christs Righteousness. That mans Righteousness justifieth not before God. That we might be assured of our Salvation. Denyed works of Supererogation, I ree-will. Would not have Traditions obstinately defended, nor superstitiously observed. Complained that Popes and Bishops were the greatest Perfecutors of Christ, &c.
He used to say, His sayings.Ambtion is a gilded miserie, a secret poyson, a hidden plague, the eagineer of diccit, the mother of hypocrisie, the parent of envy, the original of vices, the moth of holiness, the blinder of hearts, turning medicines into maladies and remedies into diseases. Ever when he came to the Church-door, he used to say thus to himself, How to hear.Stay here all my worldly thoughts, and all vanity, that I may entertain he wents meditations.
His Works are well known being bound up together in one Volume.His works.
The life of Peter Lombard, who flourished Anno Christi 1196.
PEter Lombard was born at Navaria, His birth.afterwards made Bishop of Paris, was contemporary with Gratian; and as Gratian gathered Canons, and was Master of the Canons, so this Peter collected sentences out of Ambrose, Hilarie, Augustine, Cassiodore, and Remigius, and out of them, with some addition of his own, compiled his Books. He wrote Commentaries on the Psalms, His works.and Pauls Epistles: but the chiefest of his Works were four books of Sentences: the first concerning the Trinity and Unity of God: the second of the Creation of the World, especially of Angles and Men, and of the grace of God: the third of the Incarnation of the word, and of Vertues and Vices: the fourth of the Sacraments, of the Resurrection and Judgement, for which he was called the Master of Sentences.
Some of his sayings were, His sayings.There can no good dwell in us that cannot will good: nor can we perfect good that cannot desire good.Sin inherent. There are in us evill concupiscences and desires, which are the Divels Weapons, whereby when God forsakes us, he over-throws us, and gives our souls a deadly wound. God condemns none before he sins, nor crowns any before he overcomes. Let none glory in the gifts of Preachers, in that they edisie more by them: for they are not Authors of Grace, but Ministers. The instruction of words is not so powerful, as the exhortation of Works: for if they that teach well, neglect to do well, they shall hardly profit their Audience.
The Life of Alexander Hales, who dyed Anno Christi 1270.
ALexander of Hales was born at Hales in Gloucester shire, His birth and education.carefully educated, of an excllent wit, and very industrious, He travelled into other Countries: Read a long time in Paris: he made there the Sum of Divinity, divided into four parts: A great School-Divine, and was called Docter irresragabilis. He was master to Bonaventure, and Thomas Aquinas: He writ a most copious and notable sum of Theology by the command of Pope Innocent the fourth. He wrote Marginal Notes upon the Old and New Testament, and Commented on most of the Bible. His life was full of charity and labor. He dyed Anno Christi 1245.
His sayings, His sayings.A soul patient when wrongs we offered, is like a man with a sword in one hand,Patience. and salve in the other; could wound, but will bed. What the Eye is to the Body, Faith is to Soul… it's good for direction if it be kept well;Faith. and as Flies hurt the Eye, so little sins and ill thoughts the Soul. Cov…tousness deserves the hate of all,Covetousness. for six reasons: 1. It's a sin against Nature, making the Soul Terrene, which should be Celestial. 2. For the many curses against it in the word, Wo to them that join house to house, &c. 3. For the many evils it subjects us to: it's the root of all evil. 4. It makes a man a Fool: O Fool this night, &c. 5. It causes strise…: From whence are strifes &c. 6. It brings men into snares which drown in perdition.Iyes. Every lye is odious, but that most which is against points of Faith: as to say Christ was not born of the Virgin, &c.Humility. Faith must be defended, not opposed. An humble man is like a good tree, the more full of fruits the branches are, the lower they bend themselves.
The Life of Bonaventure, who dyed Anno Christi, 1274.
BOnaventure, born in Etruria in Italie, of Noble and devout Parents,His birth. was of a winning countenance, very studious, and a great follower of Alexender Hales. He engraved in his study that saying of our Lord,His humility. Learn of me, for I am meek, &c. and to keep his minde from swelling, he would sweep rooms, wash vessels, make beds, &c. He was very cheerful in ministring to the Poor:His charity. and when he met with any persons that were troubled in minde, he would not leave them till they found comfort. He was much in Meditation and Prayer: In Preaching he sought to inflame the hearts of his hearers:Preachers pattern. His words were not Inslantia, but Inslammantia, not High-swelling, but Inflaming. He hated idleness: Read over the whole body of the Fathers,His Industry. and out of them made that famous piece that he cals his Pharetra. He wrote two Bibles out with his own hand, and had most of them by heart.His employment. After three years study in Paris he was chosen Divinity-Reader there. He was called Doctor Seraphicus, was present at the Council of Lions, where having spent himself in pious actions and painful studies, he dyed Anno Christi 1274. And of his Age 53.
THO: AQVINAS
The Life of Thomas Aquinas, who dyed Anno Christi 1274.
THomas Aquinas was born in Italy not far from Naples, His birth and breeding.Anno Christi 1223. and was bred in the Monasterie of Cassine: His character.He was humble, modelt, grave, industrious, and witty: zealous, and frequent in prayer. He afterwards taught the Sciences in Paris, Rome, Bononia, and Naples. He was always either at his Book,His studiousness. Disputations, or Meditations: Insomuch that supping at Court with Lewis the French King, whilst others were discoursing of pleasant matters, he was so deep in his meditation, that forgetting himself, he stroke the table with his hand,Meditation. saying, Jam contra Manicheos conclusum est, That now the Manichees were foiled.His humility. He was a great contemner of worldly honors, and wealth: When promotions were offered, his usual answer was, Chrysostomi Commentarium in Matthaum mallem, I had rather have Chrysostoms Commentary on Matthew. Preachers pattern.Inteaching, he framed his speech to the peoples capacity: in reproofs, he hated the vice, but spared the person. He dyed as he was going from Naples to a Council at Lyons, being called thither by Pope Gregory the tenth, Anno Christi 1274. the fiftieth year of his Age. He was called Doctor Angelicus.
He used to say, A good conscience.That a day will come when fair dealing shall be found a Jewel: when a good Conscience shall be better then a good Purse; for then the Judg will not be put off with fair words, nor drawn aside with hope of reward;Time to be well imployed. And, Make much of time, especially in that meighty matter of Salvation. O how much would be that now lies frying in Hell rejoyce if he might have but the least moment of time wherein be might get Gods favour! And, The young man bath death at his back,Death. the old man before his eyes: and that's the more dangerous Enemie that pursues thee, then that which marches up towards thy face:Repentance. Remember that though God promise forgiveness to represtant sinners, yet he doth not promise that they shall have to morrow to repent in.
His works are many,His works which are well known.