The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Chrysostom
CHRYSOSTOM
The Life of Chrysostom, who flourished Anno Christi 400.
IOhn Chrysostom was born in Antioch, His parentage.a City of Caelosyria; his Father was called Secundus, his Mother was Anthusa: he descended of the Noble Race of Senators: He was the Disciple of Libanius the Sophist, and the Auditor of Androgathius the Philosopher: His first purpose was to apply himself to the study and practice of the Law, and to handle the publick affairs of the Common-wealth: but when he perceived how lewd and unrighteous a trade of life they led which busied themselves therein, he left that troublesome and dangerous course, and betook himself to a quiet and more retired manner of life: and so changing both his habit and behaviour, he addicted himself wholly to the study of the Sacred Scriptures,His stud…es. devising with himself how he might be most useful and profitable to the Church of Christ. He perswaded Theodorus and Maximus his fellow-Students, who together with him had frequented the School of Libanius, to forsake that trade of life, which was wholly set on lucre and gain, and to follow that which was contented with a little. He also associated himself with Basil, and was a partner in his studies; After which he was made Reader in the Church of Antioch by Zeno Bishop of Hierusalem, and a while after was made Deacon by Meletius, and afterwards for three years space he lived a retired life, severed from all the troublesome affairs of the World: at the end whereof he was made a Presbyter by Evagrius, His Ordination.then Bishop of Antioch. He was a man of marvellous great temperance, very austere in life, and rather harsh then curteous in his deportment: He had no great forecast, made no account of the World, and because of his plain and simple meaning, was soon deceived: He was very copious and free of speech with all such as had any conference with him.His diligence in his Ministry. In his Ministry he was very diligent and painful, endeavoring all that possibly he could to reform the lives and manners of his Auditors: and he had an excellent faculty in perswading, wherein he excelled most men of that age. He was very frequent and earnest in reproving sin, not only in his publick Ministry, but by going to the houses of such as were scandalous, and dealing privately and plainly with them, laying to heart the dishonour done unto God, as if himself had been personally wronged by them: By this means he became very grateful to the common people: but most ungrateful to great and rich men, who usually take most liberty in sinning. Hereupon his fame spread all over the Roman Empire: Such as knew him, prized his great experience; such as knew him not, were drawn by the fame of his great Learning: insomuch as the Bishoprick of Constantinople being void, he of all others was thought most worthy to succeed therein: and thereupon he was unanimously chosen both by the Clergy and Laity,He is chosen Bishop of Constantinople. the Emperour himself approving well of their choice, and sending some messengers to fetch him. In the mean time also the Emperour convocated a Synod, that by that means his Ordination to the Bishoprick might be better approved of.
Asterius the Praefect of the East, having received the Emperours Letters, sent to Antioch for John, as if he meant to confer with him about something: But as soon as he came, taking him up in his Coach, he carryed him to Pagra, where he delivered him to the Emperours Messengers: and this he did because he knew the tumultuous disposition of the Antiochians, who would have raised some Sedition rather then have parted with him, and would never but by force have suffered him to have gone from them.
When he came to Constantinople, the Clergy were called together: But Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria opposed his Ordination, endeavouring to prefer to that place one of his own Presbyters called Isidore, who had been his Instrument in an action very prejudicial to the Emperour. But when Eutropius one of the Courtiers had told him that except he consented with the rest for the choice of John, he should be questioned for that former fact, he also gave his suffrage for him.
Thus John being setled in the Bishoprick of Constantinople, his first study and care was to reform the lives of his Clergy, and making a diligent Inquisition into their conversation,He reforms his Clergy. their dyet, and other carriages, he reproved, corrected, yea and cast some of them out of the Church. For John being of a cholerick and hasty Nature, and now armed with Authority, would not indulge their faults, but laboured throughly to reform them: And this he did not only to the Clergy of his own Church, but being of a great spirit, and inflamed with zeal, he endeavoured the Reformation of all within his Jurisdiction: And finding also a great Rent and Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches,He endeavours the peace of the Church. he did all that possibly he could for the healing and making up of the same, and prevailed somewhattherein, though he could not perfectly attain his desire.
His Gouernment and Ministry (through Gods mercy) proved very effectuall in Constantinople, so that he converted many Pagans to Christianity, and reduced many Hereticks from their Errors. Many flocked dayly to him, some for the profit and benefit which they got by his Doctrine;The great success of his Ministry. others for the tempting of him, all whom he held Captive, and prevailed with them to agree with him in matters of Religion. So great a confluence of people resorted to his Sermons, with an insatiable desire after them, that they were ready to stifle one another whilest every one crowded to come neerest to him.
About this time Chrysostom was informed that the Churches in Asia were generally governed by unworthy Bishops,His …. who either for affection or bribes preferred unfit persons to the Ministry, whereupon he went to Ephesus, and examining these things, he deposed thirteen Bishops, some in Lycia, some in Phrygia, and the rest in Asia, placing more fit persons in their rooms. At Ephesus finding the Bishop to be lately dead, he placed Heraclides, born in Cyprus, and sometimes a Disciple of Evagrius. He is h…ed for it.But upon the removal of these Bishops, they with their adherents raised many slanders against Chrysostom, accusing him every where as a violator of their Country Laws: and amongst others they stirred up Eutropius, an Eunuch in the Emperours Court against him, who was in great favour, and was esteemed as the Father of the Emperour, and made one of the Consuls of the City. This Eutropius procured a Law to be Enacted, that Malefactors taking Sanctuary in the Church, should be drawn thence and punished according to their demerits. Shortly after himself was accused for using the Emperours wife unworthily, whereupon he fled to the Church, and there lay under the Communion-Table, Chrysostom being to Preach the next day, took occasion to speak against the Pride and Insolency of Great men, and to shew the vanities and uncertaintie of all worldly glory: and Eutropius according to his own Law was fetched out of the Church and beheaded.
About the same time also the Arians, The subtilty of the Arians.who by the Emperour Theodosius were driven out of all the Churches within Constantinople, held their Conventicles in the Suburbs, where first they met together in the night-time, and made certain songs and responsories in favour of their own Heresies, and in disgrace of the Catholicks, and at last they grew so bold, that they went about the streets every morning, especially on the first and last days of the Week, singing them as they went▪ John Chysostom suspecting least some of his people might be seduced by these means,Chysostom counter-plots them. stirred them up to the like practice: whereupon the Hereticks being enraged, fell upon the Orthodox, so that some of both sides were slain; which so incensed the Emperour against them, that he forbad all the Conventicles of the Arians: by which means the people were more in love with John, both for his Prudence and profitable Preaching. Yet many of the Great, Rich men, and of the Clergy hated him, because he was so free and impartial in his reproofs: for as oft as any of his Clergy offended, he punished them: and such as abused their Riches to Pride,The danger of riches. Luxury, and dishonest Pleasures, he laboured by all means to reduce them to Virtue. Some of the Clergy joyning with some Monks reproached him as a cholerick and implacable man; and endeavoured to alienate the affections of the people from him by suggesting that he was unsociable, never inviting any man to his Table, nor going to any Feast when he was invited: whereas the reason of it was because of his great temperance, and by reason of his hard studies he was troubled with Rhumes and Headach, which made him shun such meetings.
About this time there arose a great contention amongst the Monks in Egypt, Ignorant Monks.whilest some of the more ignorant and illiterate held God to have a body like unto man; others denyed it: Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria held with, and favoured the former, laying snares to entrap some of the latter, who thereupon went to Constantinople to complain of him to the Emperour, and to John: These he received very courteously, and admitted them to the Prayers of the Church, but not to the Sacrament till their cause was heard before the Emperour. But a rumour being spread in Alexandria, that he had admitted them to the Sacrament, Theophilus was extreamly offended with him, and sought to put him out of his Bishoprick: Whilest he meditated these things, he wrote to all the Bishops thereabouts that they should condemn the Books of Origen: and considering that it would much advance his affairs, if he could draw Epiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus, a man famous for his Life and Learning, to side with him, he wrote very flattering Letters to him, whereby he made him his friend; Then did he perswade him to call a Synod in Cyprus to condemn the Works of Origen: which the good man too easily affented to:Epiphanius his weakness. and calling a Council they condemned them: Then did Epiphanius write to Constantinople to John, to call a Council and to condemn them likewise there. Theophilus in the mean time considering that he might safely do what such a famous man as Epiphanius had done, he also summoned a Council of all the Egyptian Bishops, where they also condemned the Books of Origen. But John thought that this business did not deserve the calling of a Council, and therefore neglected it, shewing to his friends the Letters sent him by Theophilus and Epiphanius: Hereupon the Clergy, and the Rich and Great men who were angry with him for the reasons aforesaid, perceiving that the purpose of Theophilus was to remove John from his Bishoprick, they studyed how they might promote the same, and so far prevailed with the Emperour,A Council called. that a very great Council was summoned to meet at Constantinople, which Theophilus much rejoycing at, presently commanded all the Bishops of Egypt to repair thither: He wrote also to Epiphanius, and to all the Eastern Bishops that they should hasten to Constantinople, himself following them.
Epiphanius was the first that arrived, and in a Town near to Constantinople he went into the Church, where he made publike Prayers: From thence going to the City, John with all his Clergy met him with all the respect that might be: but Epiphanius shewed by his carriage that the calumnies raised against John, had made too deep an impression in him: for when he was invited to the Bishops house, he refued to go in, and shunned to have any society with John: Yea moreover…calling privately together such Bishops as were at Constantinople, he shewed what they had Decreed against the Books of Origen, Origens books condemned.and prevailed with some to give their suffrage to the same, though the greater part protracted the doing of it. And Theotinus …ishop of …ythia blamed him to his face for it, saying that it was altogether unlawful thus to condemn a man that was dead so many years before; and that it was not without blasphemy thus to calumniate the judgement of our Ancestors, and to reject those things which they had Decreed: and withall plucking forth a certain Book of Origens, he reads part of it, and shews how useful and profitable it was for the Church: saying further, they that discommend these things, shew their great folly, and its to be feared that in time they may condemn the Scripture it self, about which these Books are written.
Notwithstanding these things,Johns meekness. John did much reverence Epiphanius, intreating him to partake with him both in his House and Table; yea and in the Church too: But he returned answer, that he would neither come into his House, nor Communicate with him at Church, except he would condemn the Books of Origen, and drive away Dioscorus with the rest of the Monks his companions: John thought this very unequal thus to drive them away before their cause was heard, the rather because he had appointed a Sacrament in the Apostles Church. Then did the Enemies of John suborn Epiphanius, that he should come forth in publick, and before all the people condemn the Books of Origen with Dioscorus and his companions for holding the same opinions, and that withall he should tax the Bishop John for favouring of them: The design of these men which thus set him on was to alienate the affections of the people from their Bishop. Accordingly two days after Epiphanius went to the Church to accomplish these things: at which time John hearing of his purpose, sent Scrapion, one of his Presbyters to meet him, and to protest to him that he was going about that which was neither just nor safe for himself: for that hereby he might bring himself into danger if any Tumult or Sedition should arise amongst the people, where of he would be judged the Author: This cooled his heat, and made him desist from his purpose.
About this time a young son of the Emperours fell sick, whereupon the Empress sent to Epiphanius, requesting him to pray for him▪ Epiphanius answered, that the childe should live, and do well, if she would forsake Dioscorus and his Heretical Associates.Epiphanius reproved. But (said the Emperess) I leave my childe in the hands of God; Let him do with him as he pleaseth; he gave him me, and he may take him away again; But for thy part, if thou canst raise the dead, why didst thou suffer thy Arch-Deacon Crispion to dye, who was so dear unto thee? Shortly after Epiphanius departed towards Cyprus, and as he went down to the Haven to take Shipping,Two Predictions. he said to John, I hope thou shalt never dye a Bishop: And John answered him again, I hope thou shalt never come alive into thy Country: Both which came to pass: Epiphanius dying by the way in the Ship, and John being deposed and banished, as afterwards we shall hear.
After the departure of Epiphanius, Theophilus came to Constantinople; but none of the City Clergy went to meet and entertain him, because they knew that he was an Enemy to their Bishop; yet some Mariners of Alexandria which were then at Constantinople, met him, singing songs in his praise, and so he went to the Emperours Palace, where a lodging was provided for him: He also cunningly found out many which hated John, and were ready to accuse him, whereupon he went to Quercus, a Suburb of Chalcedon, where he gathered a Council, and there again condemned the Books of Origen. The Council also sent to Constantinople to summon John, and some of his Presbyters to appear before them, and to answer to such things as should be objected against them. John answered, that he refused not to come to his trial, if first he might know his Accusers, and the crime objected against him, and be brought before a free Council: But (said he) I am not such a fool as to appear before such Bishops as are my professed Enemies, and to suffer them to be my Judges: Most of the Bishops were much incensed at this answer; only Demer…ius and some few that favoured John departed out of the Council: Then did the rest cause John to be called four times, and because he appeared not,John condemned by the Council unjustly. but had appealed to an Oecumenical Council, they deposed him. When tidings hereof was brought to Constantinople, the whole City was on an uproar, and they watched his house all night, lest he should be thrust out of the City: They cryed out also that he should have been heard before a fuller Synod: But the Emperours command was that he should be carryed into Exile:He is banished Hereupon John the third day after his deposition about noon, unknown to the people, (for he was loth there should be any ado for his sake) yeelded himself into the hands of his Adversaries, and so privately went away; This being known, the people were all in a Sedition, and many that hated him before, changing their minds pittied his case: yea some that before desired to see his deprivation, now cryed out that he was falsly accused, and craftily dealt withall. Many cryed out against the Emperour, but more against the Council, and most of all against Theophilus, whom they knew to be the Author of all this mischief. Hereupon in all hast, the Emperour caused John to be sent for again; the Messenger was an Eunuch of the Emperesses,And recalled. who found him at Prenetum, a Mart Town over against Nicomedia, and brought him to Constantinople: Yet John though he was thus brought back from Exile, resolved not to enter into the City till his innocency was cleared, and he were acquitted by the sentence of higher Judges, and thereupon he stayed in the Suburb called Mariana: But because he returned not into the City the people fell a rayling upon the Magistrates, which necessitated him to come home. As he came into the City multitudes of people met him, brought him to the Church with great rreverence, requested him to continue their Bishop, and thence forward after the usual manner to pray for the peace and prosperous estate of the Church of God.
Shortly after a Silver Picture of Eudoxia the Empress was made and erected upon a Marble Pillar near to the Church called Wisdom, and common Plays and Shews were celebrated at the same time: and John believing that these things were very scandalous and dishonourable to the Christian Religion, not forgetting his wonted audacity and liberty of speech,His sharp reproof. sharply reproved the Authors and Abettors of such vanities: whereupon the Empress applying these things to her self, and supposing that they were spoken in disgrace and reproach of her, she caused another Council of Bishops to be called together against him. Iohn being informed hereof, in his Sermon used these expressions; Herodias rageth afresh, stomacketh anew, danceth again, seeketh the head of John in a Platter, which Sermon more enraged the Empress against him.A Council summoned. Then did divers Bishops meet together, as Leontius Bishop of Ancyra in Galatia, Ammonius Bishop of Laodicea, Briso Bishop of Philippi, Acatius Bishop of Beraea, &c. who called the late accusers of Iohn before them, to accuse him again: Iohn trusting to their just dealing, requested only that the accusations against him might be equally and indifferently examined: In the mean time the Emperor sent Iohn word that he would not communicate with him before he had cleared himself from the crimes laid to his charge: But the accusers being stricken with shame, could prove nothing; so that the Bishops then present, affirmed that they ought not to examine any other offence, saving whether after his Deposition he had not of himself assumed his Bishoprick again of himself without the admission of a Council? To this Iohn answered, that he had the consent of fifty Bishops which communicated with him. Leontius replayed that there were more against him. Again, Iohn said that that Canon belonged not to their Church, for that it was made by the Arians at Antioch against Athanasius: But they making no account of this answer,He is condemned. proceeded to pass sentence against him, not considering that they which were Authors of this Canon, were also Deposers of Athanasius. Upon this the Emperour sent Iohn word that he had no Authority to go into the Church, for that he was deposed, whereupon he kept himself in his house;Banished. till by the Emperours command he was carryed into Exile: But God suffered not this wickedness to go long unpunished;Gods judgements on his …. for Cyrinus Bishop of Chalcedon, who had railed upon him, had a sore brake forth in his Leg, so that he was forced to saw it off, yet then did the sore grow in his other Leg, which he was forced to cut off also: and presently after so great a hail fell in the Suburbs of Constantinople, as the like was never seen; and four days after dyed the Empress: Iohn was carryed to Cucusus in Armenia: and divers Ministers that adhered to him were carryed to Chalcedon, and there cast into bonds: and his Enemies going about Constantinople, sought out as many as were favourers of him, dragging them to prison, and forcing them to curse Ioh… whilest he was at Cucusus in Armenia grew very famous; for having much money sent him by his friends,His charity. he wholly imployed it for the Redemption of Captives, and for the relief of the Poor: He also by his Ministry gat him many friends, so that he had great resort to him, not only of the Armeniant, but out of Syria and Cilicia; which so incensed his Enemies at Constantinople, that they gat a new Order from the Emperour to carry him to far remoter parts; which also they put in practice: but by the way, he being grown weak, and not able to endure the scorching of the Sun in those hot Countries,His death. made an end of his Earthly Pilgrimage, to receive his Crown in Heaven.
Chrysostom was so stiled ob venustatem Eloquii, Why so called.for his graceful Eloquence: He was Disciple to Eusebius: of an admirable wit in framing his Homilies; beloved and reverenced of all men:Lying abhorred. Sophronius testifies numquam eum mentitum fuisse, &c. that he never told Lye, never cursed any, never spake any scurrilous matter, and never admitted of vain sports: His style was neither too lofty,Preachers pattern. nor too mean, but fitted to the profit of the hearers: Holiness and Scholarship are joined in one, his works throughout: He studyed not aures titillare, but corda pungere, to tickle the Ears of his hearers, but to prick and ravish their hearts: He used to tell his Auditors, That they were not only to learn, but exercise themselves in practising and searching the Scriptures, to avoid idleness. He contemned Riches, and hated vices: was full of sweet similitudes: Theodoret styles him, Eximium orbis terrarum luminare, The eminentest light of the whole world. By authority from the Emperour,His Zeal. he imployed some to throw down and demolish all the Idols, and their Temples throughout all Phenice; and reformed all the Churches in Asia, stirring up the Ministers to the study of Piety: He sent many Ministers and Deacons into Scythia, His zeal against Heresie.which was over-run by the Arian Herefsie, reducing many thereby to the Orthodox Faith. Hearing also that the Scythian Nomades by the River Isther thirsted after the knowledge of Christ, he sent some to bring the glad tidings of the Gospel to them: And whereas some of the Marcionites had infected the parts about Ancyra with their Errors, he procured an Edict from the Emperour, which he sent to the Bishop of Ancyra, to expel them out of their places: Also, whereas one Gainas a great man in Scytia, His magnanimity.of an Insolent and Tyrannical spirit, had importuned the Emperour for a Church for himself and his followers being Arians; the Emperour acquainted Chrysostom with it, telling him that he durst not say him nay: He desired to speak with this Gainas before the Emperour,His Courage. where in his presence he so daunted the proud Tyrant with his stout and resolute speeches, that he caused him to be ashamed of his request, and to be content without it: Yea, he afterwards so prevailed with Gainas, that when he had invaded some parts of the Empire, he brought him not only to make peace with the Emperour Arcadius, but also to set his Prisoners free. He stoutly told Eudoxia the Empress, that for her covetousness she would be called a second Jezabel: she thereupon sent him a threatning message, to which he answered, Go tell her, Nil… nisi peccatum timeo, I fear nothing but sin: yet when she, confederating with some others his Enemies, had procured his banishment into Hieron, as he went forth of the City, he said, None of these things trouble me; but I said within my self, If the Queen will, let her banish me; The Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof: if she will, let her saw me a sunder; Isaiah suffered the same: if she will, let her cast me into the Sea, I will remember Ionah: if she will, let her cast me into a burning fiery Fornace, or amongst wilde Beasts; the three Children and Daniel were so dealt with: if she will, let her stone me, or cut off my head; I have S. Steven and the Baptist my blessed companions: if she will, let her take away all my substance; Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither again. He was so beloved, that on a time when he was like to be silenced, the people cryed out,Love to the Ministry. Satius est ut Sol non luceat, quàm ut non doceat Chrysostomus, We had better want the shining of the Sun, then the Preaching of Chrysostom.
He used to say,His sayings. Meditations. Danger of riches. As a great showr of rain extinguisheth the force of fire: so meditation of Gods Word puts out the fire of lust in the soul: And as a Boat over-laden sinks: so much wealth drowns men in perdition. And a bulwark of Adamant is not more impregnable, His love.then the Love of Brethrer. And as a rock, though windes and waves beat against it, His faith.is unmovable; so Faith grounded on the Rock Christ, holds out in all temptations, and spiritual combats. His Tenta…ion.And the Divels first assault is violent; resist that, and his second will be weaker: and that being resisted, he proves a coward.
His Works were printed very acurately in Greek by Sir Henry Savill at Eaton Colledge,His works. Anno Christi, 1613. in eight Volumes.