The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Jerome
JEROM
The Life of Hierom, who dyed Anno Christi 422.
HIerom was born in a Town called Stridon in the confines of Dalmatia and Pannonia, Anno Christi 331.His birth and parentage. His Fathers name was Eusebius, a pious and godly man, who before his Country was overrun and sacked by the barbarous Goths, (who about this time laid all waste before them) was a man of a middle and competent estate, and very careful of the education of this his Son: His Mother also was a religious Woman; and therefore from his infancy he was trained up (like another Timothy) in the knowledge of Christ and of the sacred Scriptures;His education. and as he grew in years, so did he also in learning; and when he was a boy,He goes to Rome. he was by his Parents sent to Rome, at that time the most famous place both for Piety and Religion, in the West, where he was brought up in the study of the Liberal Sciences. For they seemed to foresee that they had begotten a son for the good of the World, and therefore in his Education they did not indulge their private affections, but sought to promote the publick good: He quickly by reason of his ingenuity became very expert both in the Greek and Latine Tongues: then he became a very good Grammarian and Rhetorician, His studies.having an excellent wit, and being of an indefatigable disposition. And it was his hap to have excellent Schoolmasters: Donatus for the Grammer, and Victorinus for Rhetorick, who were at that time famous men in Rome. Afterwards being grown riper in years, he fell to the study of Philosophy of all sorts, as Aristotles, Platos, the Stoicks, &c. Yet he spent not too much time herein, but proceeded to the study of History, Cosmography, and Antiquities: because he perceived that even to that time amongst the Latines, Theology was but an Infant, whereupon many ahhorred reading of Divinity books, and therefore he thought that if a man could attain to set forth the Dignity of Theology with excellency of speech, it would come more into request: besides he thought by this means to stop the mouths of the Ethnicks, who reproached Christians as barren and barbarous persons.
He had for his fellow Students, Pammachius of Noble Parentage, a man of such I earning and Integrity, that he was solicited to be Bishop of Rome: Bonosus, who also proved very famous: Heliodorus whose vertue advanced him to a Bishoprick.
Having now sufficiently profited in the knowledge of Humane Arts, he proceeded to more grave and weighty studies, and after the example of other worthy men, for the further polishing of his minde with Wisdom and Experience,His travels. he travelled all over France, procuring the acquaintance of, and familiarity with the most worthy men of that Country: Bonosus also was his companion in these travels: He was very diligent in searching the Libraries in every place where he came: and at Trevir he wrote out with his own hand a great Volume of Hilary de Synodis; and having much profited himself, not only in Learning, but Religion also, after a long time, he returned to visit his Countries, both where he was born, and where he was new born […].
Then did he begin to consider what course of …,… choose. take himself to, and in what place to fix his habitation; … that it would much conduce to his comfort, if he … such a course with judgement as was most sutable to his …. He seriously considered that Rome was as yet over spread with Paganism, and that it was not safe for a young man to be in a place of so much pleasure, which himself sometimes called Babylon: He also considered, that his own Country was cerrupted with barbarous pleasures, as himself somewhere notes in one of his Epistles: Whereupon he consulted with some of his intimate friends, resolving to depart to some place where he might with more privacy follow the study of Divinity, and wholly dedicate himself to Christ. It was also a great trouble to his minde, to consider how Christians and Pagans were intermixed together, whence it necessarily came to pass, that many who professed Christ, were Christians rather in name then in truth. He considered further, that in marriage, besides other incumbrances, he should lose his freedom; And that in the life of Ministers and Bishops there was a great deal of danger; that will he, nill he, he must be intangled with riches, honours, and cares of the World, and thereby be cast upon many temptations: Besides, the lives of many of them displeased him seeing the ancient Piety of the Ministry to begin to degenerate into Pride and Tyranny. All these things seriously considered, he began to be in love with a Monastick life, which in those times did far differ from their lives in future Ages, which was afterwards intangled with Ceremonies and Superstitions. For in those times they had liberty to change their condition when they pleased, to go whither they pleased; they had a great deal of freedom to attend their studies, betaking themselves to Fasting and Prayer, they were not bound under any humane constitutions. Their Apparel was mean, yet not enjoyned, but left to every ones free will, not which was noted for prodigious novelty, so that every one might point at them with the finger, but which was most agreeable with Christian simplicity; they were tyed by no Vows but such as every true Christian ought to be subject to.
Having resolved upon this course of life, his next endeavour was to associate some companions to him therein: But Pammachius, who hitherto had been his chamber-fellow, and fellow-student, for his course of life was wholly of another disposition: The greatest freedom was most pleasing to Hierom, and a married life to Pammachius. Bonosus having setled his affairs, forsaking his Country, Parents and Friends, and only accompanyed with his Books, was departed into a solitary Island; and therein had out-run Hierom, extricating himself from the snares of the World to enjoy more freedom in the service of Christ.
Not long after Hierom having setled his affairs,Hierom goes into Syria. and provided things necessary for his journey, especially a fair Library, he sailed into Syria, having Heliodorus for his companion, who having remained a while with him in Syria, disliking that course of life, left him. Yet did not Hierom at all break off his good esteem of him for the same. Then did Hierom go to Hierusalem, veiwing all the observable places about that once famous City:His sickness. But shortly after by reason of the change of Ayr and Country, he fell into a grievous sickness, at which time Evagrius entertained him into his house, and shewed much kindeness to him. Having recovered his health, he was inflamed with an earnest desire of prosecuting his former resolution for the manner of his life, and thereupon retiring himself into a Desart between the Syrians and Saracens, he had no company besides wilde Beasts and Serpents, and here and there a Monks Cell that had betaken himself to the same course of life, as Hierom now did. But before his fixing in this Wilderness, he spent some time in Antiochia, which yet he stayed not long in, partly by reason of the celebrity of the place, and partly because of a Schism that was in the Church: Neither could he stay long in Chalcis, His troubles by the Arians.because of the neighbourhood of some Arians, which molested him: and indeed this holy man was grievously vexed by their wicked practises, who daily cited him before them to give an account of his Faith. In brief, he met with so many molestations, that many times he repented his coming into Syria. And thereupon at length he shut up himself far from the commerce of men in that forenamed Desart,His retreat into the wilderness. thinking it far better to live amongst Thieves, and wilde Beasts, then amongst such Christians. And continuing there four years together,His carriage there. he only conversed with Christ, and his Books, seriously busying himself according to his former purpose. And having in his youth fallen into some loosness, the first thing he did was with showres of tears to bewail his sins, and to endeavour to make his peace with God; Then by abstinence, watchings, and incredible austeritty of life to beat down his body, and to bring it into subjection to his spirit, that so he might be freed from all temptations to fleshly lusts: and left his carnal affections should impede his heavenly life, he prescribed and exacted of himself a daily task wherein he was imployed. He distributed his time into two parts,His industry. one for his studies, the other for meditation and prayer, wherein also he spent a good part of the night: He allowed himself the least part for sleep, less for his food; and none for idleness: when he was aweary of study, he betook himself to Prayer, or singing of a Psalm: and then presently returned to his studies again. He read over all his Library, and then rubbed up his old studies:His study of the Scriptures. He learned most of the Scripture by heart. He meditated much upon the Prophets, labouring to finde out the Mysteries of their Prophesies: He extracted Christian wisdom out of the Evangelists and Apostolical Writings, as out of most pure Fountains. For it is the first step to Piety, to acquaint our selves with the Truths of God. Then he read over the Works of such as had Commented thereon with great Judgement, not pretermitting the Works of Ethnicks and Hereticks. For he knew how to gather Gold out of a Dunghil, and Honey out of Weeds, leaving the Poyson to Spiders: then did he collect what he could out of the Egyptian Writers, endeavouring to beautifie the House of God by the spoils of his Enemies: And for the help of his Memory, and to make him more prompt, he digested all that he read into certain heads and common places. …ut especially he read over Origens Works, whom he called Suum, his own: and some of whose Homilies whilest he was a young man, he had turned into Latin: His reading also he mixed with writing.
About this time he interpreted the Prophesie of Obadiah Allegorically, because he knew not the History, as himself afterwards confessed in his Preface to his second Interpretation of that Prophesie, in which he makes amends for his former youthly precipitation. In brief, he pretermitted nothing that might make him an admirable Doctor of the Church, and a most accomplished Divine: that nothing might be wanting in his Learning: nothing amiss in his Life, which might any whit tend to the diminishing of the credit of his Doctrine. Afterwards also finding by experience, that many secrets could not be understood, nor handled as they ought to be, without learning those Languages wherein they were first written, and taught, by hard study and industry he overcame the difficulties which are in the Hebrew tongue;His study of the Hebrew and other Eastern languages. Yea, he did not only labour for the knowledge of it, but to give the right sound and pronuntiation to some barbarous and strange Languages which he studied. And for his perfecting in the Hebrew, he did with great charges hire the most learned of the Jews to instruct him; emptying his Purse to enrich his Soul with Learning. He also learned the Chalde, because the Books of Job, Daniel, and some other Portions of the Old Testament, though they were written in Hebrew, yet much use of the Chaldean Language is made therein. He studyed also the Syriack, because through their commerce with the Helrews their speech was nere of kin to it. In these holy labours, though he spent some years, as also in his rigorous course of Life, yet he professeth that he took much pleasure therein: For that which at first seemed difficult and troublesome, by degrees became easie and familiar to him; and that which was best in its own nature, became most pleasant also. Yea, he was so far from prizing and desiring the delights of Rome, that living in a Wilderne…s, he seemed to converse with Angels. Sometimes his friends visited him, and sometimes himself visited his neighbour Monks, and by intercourse of Letters he enjoyed the society of his absent friends. And though he could have desired all his life long to enjoy this pleasing retiredness, yet it much conduced to Gods glory, and the good of the Church, that this Champion of Christ should at last appear in publick, and that this excellent Light should no longer be hid under a Bushel: and therefore though he seemed unwilling thereto, yet Divine Providence so ordered it, that at last he was drawn back to Rome, …and that by the means of Epiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus, and Paulinus Bishop of Antiochia, by whom he was formerly Ordained a Presbyter.His imployment. At Rome he became acquainted with some Noble Matrons, and amongst the rest with Marcella: all whom he inflamed with the desire of studying the Sacred Scriptures, yea himself became an Interpreter thereof unto them, especially to Marcella, who so profited under him, that afterwards when any controversie arose about the testimony of Scripture in such and such points, they repaired to her to be a Judge therein. By these means the fame of Hierom grew so great, that every one judged him worthy to succeed Damasus in the Bishoprick of Rome. But as there is never a shadow but when the light is present, so the eminency of this holy man wanted not envy. There were not some wanting who calumniated him for his first departure into Syria, He is envyed by some.and in his absence wounded him with the darts of their viru…ent tongues: Notwithstanding which he was very dear to, and highly prized by Damasus the present Romane Bishop, and living three years in strict friendship with him, and Paula a Noble Matron, he procured the greater envy to himself thereby, which at length brake forth into open burning. For certain of the Arian Faction were closely crept into Rome, who the better to conceal themselves, had taken upon them the name of Origenists; The subtilty of the Arians.These men that they might the better strengthen themselves, screwed themselves into familiar acquaintance with sundry Noble Matrons, amongst whom they secretly spred the poyson of their Doctrines: and because Hierom was much taken with Origens wit, and had highly commended him, they sought to make him a partner of their Faction: being so much the more dangerous by how much under a pretence of friendship they plotted his ruine,Their dissimulation. so that he began to consult about leaving Rome, of which himself in a certain place speaks thus. I was accounted a scandalous person, a turncoat and inconstant, a lyar, and one that deceived by Satans artifice. They kissed my hands, whilest like Vipers they detracted me behinde my back▪ they seemed to grieve for me with their lips, whilest in their hearts they rejoyced at my hurt. One jeared at my gate, another at my laughter, another under my simplicity seemed to fear some mischief.
He had many reasons to induce him to leave Rome: The remembrance of his former ease and freedom from the troubles and distractions of the City; then the troublesome celebrity of the City, the more troublesome delights, together with the pride and luxury which attended the same.
For about this time the riches of the Church increasing, Christian simplicity began to decrease: Also the malice and envy of the Origenists against him grew daily more violent: especially Ruffinus living in the City at this time, who as he never was a sincere friend to him, so now he was a secret, yet pestilent adversary against him.
Upon these and such like reasons Hierom left Rome, His return into Syria.and went back to Syria: concerning which journey himself, thus writes; When (saith he) I touched at Cyprus, I was entertained lovingly by the venerable Bishop Epip…anius when I came to Antiochia I enjoyed the society of that excellent Confessor Paulinus, and departing from him in the midst of Winter,His travels and studies. the weather being extream cold, I came to Hierusalem, where I veiwed all things, and saw those places with mine Eyes which I had only read, or heard of before. From thence I went into Egypt, where I saw Asps lurking in the Monks Cels: Lastly, I returned to Bethlehem. I saw also the famous Lake:Asphaltites. neither did I indulge my self, but by travelling up and down, learned many things which before I knew not. In this journey he grew acquainted with Gregory Nazianzen, whom he cals his Master, and prosesseth, that he learned much out of the Scriptures by his assistance. He also often heard Apollinarius at Antioch, and had much familiar society with him: by whose perswasion he went to Alexandria, and there compleated his studies in Divinity by the help of Didymus. Lastly, by the help of Barhanina a Jew, he perfected his studies of the Hebrew tongue.
Thus by long experience having got much Wisdom, and by the society of many Learned and Excellent men, having attained to a great measure of Learning, he buckled himself to the handling of Divinity. Undertaking the Office of a Divine: setling himself at Bethlehem, His labors at Bethlehemwhich place by his Vertues and Writings, he made famous all over the World; and in which place he lived a very quiet and comfortable life in the company of some godly, learned, and faithful friends, spending his time in Singing Psalms, Translating the Bible, and Preaching to his Auditors. Very many resorted to him out of all Countries, all whom according to his ability he entertained lovingly and bountifully, driving none from his house but such as were branded for Heresie:His zeal against Heresie. He wrote much against the Heresies of those times, so that there was no chief Heretick but looked upon Hierom as his great Adversary: And indeed there were never any times more full of Sedition, and Confusion then those, wherein the Hereticks had so diffused their Errors, that it was a peice of great Art to be Orthodox. Especially the Arians by their writings, weapons, and countenance of the Emperours, had not only disturbed the Peace of the East, but almost of all the World:The increase of Arianism. And when that Heresie was in some measure …ulled asleep, it revived in the Origenists, who were crept into Rome it self, and there secretly and cunningly spread abroad the poyson of their Doctrines: The Captain of whom was Ruffinus of Aquileia, who in his childehood had been very intimate with Hierom: But afterwards these great friends became great enemies: though the first breach betwixt them was pieced up by the Prudence of H…erom, who saw, and yet connived at his secret devices and clancular detractations: But when Ruffin began to charge the Truth with Heresie, and to make Hierom a partner in his impious Opinions, the Holy man could bear no longer, but breaking the bands of friendship, they wrote most bitterly one against another;His great troubles. Hierom thinking that all forbearance towards a Heretick was impiety, not a vertue. Many were stirred up by Ruffinus means to write against Hierom, and to charge him with many and foul aspersions both in his Life and Doctrine; but he, like to an old and well rooted Oke, brake the windes that assaulted him on every side: He remained in all these storms unbroken, and unconquered, and was so far from departing from that which was honest: That the more his Enemies barked against him, the more he was provoked to the study of Piety, And against the violence and fraud of Hereticks, he was somewhat holpen by Epiphanius and Theophilus Bishops of Alexandria: At Rome, he had Pammatius and Chromatius to take his part. By reason of these troubles his Life was a continual Martyrdom: He spent whole 30 years in the study of the sacred Scriptures and Divinity, and to extream old age continued in Teaching and Writing: He was of a very weak constitution, and conflicted with many painful diseases, before old Age came upon him: which diseases he procured by the great austerity of life, and his nightly studies: But especially by his indefatigable labours in writing so many great Volumes, for which cause it was that sometimes he was forced to make use of Notaries:His death. And at last having worn out himself with his great pains, and continual labours, he quietly slept in the Lord in the ninty first year of his Age, Anno Christi, 422. Honorius and Constantine being Emperours.
His holy Life and his Books stuffed with so much Learning and Eloquence,His great esteem. procured him so much credit and authority, that learned Greece which used to undervalue the Learning of all Nations but their own, took care that his Commentaries should be translated into Greek. He was so famous in his Life time, that if any difficulty did occur in Expounding Scriptures, all men had recourse to him as to the Oracle of the Christian World. Frequent Letters and Messengers were sent to him out of Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Africa: He was consulted with by Bishops, by Noble men, by Matrons, and by the chiefest of all sorts: Many from all parts repaired to Bethlehem; not so much for Religion sake, as to see and confer with Hierom. Augustine held a strict bond of friendship with him, and was willing to learn of him as of his Master. Paulus Orosius the Historiographer learned many things by conference with him. His Industry was admirable, whence Erasmus saith of him; Minima pars vitae dabatur somno, minor cibo, nulla otio. Et Sacras literas ad verbum ediscebat. His usual Prayer was; Lord, let me know my self, that I may the better know thee the Saviour of the World.
He used this excellent saying,His saying, Christian fortitude. If my Father stood weeping on his knees before me, and my Mother hanging on my neck behinde, and all my Brethren, Sisters, Children, and Kinsfolk bowling on every side to retain me in a sinful life, I would fling my Mother to the ground, Love of Christ.run over my Father, despise all my Kinred, and tread them under my feet that I might run to Christ.
Erasmus saith of him, Quis docet aptiùs? quis delectat urbani ùs, &c. Who teacheth more distinctly? who delights more modestly? who moves more effectually? who praises more candidly? who perswades more gravely? and who exhorts more ardently? Trithemius saith, Vir in secularibus valdè eruditus, &c. He was a man well seen in Secular Learning, but in Divinity he was inferiour to none of the Doctors of the Church, and famous for his skill in the Languages: a rooter out of Hereticks, and a defender of the Truth.
He used to say,The danger of Heresie. Dead flesh is to be cut off for fear of a Gangrene: Arius at first was but a spark, but being not suppressed betimes, he proved the Incendiarie of the whole Church: And again, You must be a Dove, and a Serpent: one, not to do hurt to others; Chastity.the other, not to be hurt by others: And again, That woman is truly chaste, that hath liberty and opportunity to sin, and will not.
What ever he did, he still thought that that voice was in his Ears,Iudgement. Surgite mortui, & venite ad judicium, Arise you dead,Vertue. and come to judgement: And again, All vertues are so linked together, that he that hath one, hath all; and he that wants one, wants all.
He translated the Bible out of the Originals into Latine.
His Works were printed in nine Tomes at Paris, Anno Christi 1534.His works. with Erasmus his Scholia upon them: where he also shews which of them are genuine, which doubtful, and which spurious.