The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Cyril of Alexandria – Prosper of Aquitaine
The Life of Cyril of Alexandria, who flourished, Anno Christi 430.
THeophilus Bishop of Alexandria falling into a Lethargy, shortly after dyed; whereupon a great contention arose about the Election of a new Bishop: some standing for Timotheus the Archdeacon, and others for Cyrillus: Abudatius the Captain of the Garrison laboured all that he could to prefer Timothy: He is chosen Bishop of Alexandria.but the other party prevailed, and so Cyril was chosen and setled in the Bishoprick: About this time Nestorius the Heretick vented his blasphemous opinions against the Deitie of our Saviour Christ, whom Cyril answered and confuted:A Council. Upon this the Emperour Theodosius minor summoned a Council at Ephesus, in which Cyril was chosen President, and where with much learning and judgement he confuted Nestorius and Pelagius. So that the Council after serious examination and deliberation, pronounced this sentence; To omit the other abominable wickednesses of Nestorius, Nestorius deposed and excommunicated.because being sent for by us, he hath refused to appear, neither would he receive those godly and religious Bishops whom we sent to confer with him: being therefore forced by necessity, we proceeded to the examniation of his wicked opinions, and finding partly by the Epistles and Books that he hath written; and partly by his words which in this famous City he hath lately spoken, which by sufficient witness have been proved before us, that he holds and publisheth Heretical opinions contrary to the Word of God and the Canons of the holy Councils; we therefore not without many tears are forced to pass this severe sentence against him: and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whom he hath so grosly and grievously blasphemed, doth by us Decree that Nestorious be deposed from his Rishoprick and excommunicated from the holy Assemblies of the Ministers of God. Which sentence the Emperour Theodosius did also approve of and confirm, and withall banished him to Oasis, Banished by the Emperour.and God to shew the severity of his justice against blasphemers, strake him with an incurable disease whereby his tongue rotted, and breeding many Worms was devoured by them,His fearful death. so that he ended his wretched life after a most miserable manner.
This Cyril was by birth a Grecian, and as one testifies of him, was Vir doctus & sanctus, a learned and holy man: He was President in the Council at Ephesus, where with much learning and judgement he confuted Nestorius and Pelagius: His knowledg in the Scriptures.He was admirably experienced in the holy Scriptures: flourished under Theodosius junior: he was so famous for piety, eloquence,His learning. and wit, that the Grecian Bishops gat some of his Homilies by heart, and recited them to their people. After twenty two years labor in the Government of that Church, he quietly yeelded up his spirit unto God,His death. Anno Christi 448. under Theodosius junior.
He used to say, His sayings.It's the best way for a rich man to make the Bellies of the Poor his Barn,Charity. to succour the fatherless and needy, and thereby to lay up treasure in Heaven, that he may be received into everlasting habitations.Modesty. And, Where the Scripture wants a tongue of expression, we need not lend an ear of attention, we may safely knock at the Council door of Gods secrets; but if we go further, we may be more bold then welcome. And again, The Devil runs with open mouth upon Gods children to devour them:Tentation. they manfully resist him: he thinks to weaken their Faith, and they, by his assaults are made the stronger: he fights against them, but they get ground upon him; and so what he intended for their destruction, full sore against his will, makes for their advantage. He was called the Champion of the Catholick Faith.
His Works were printed in two Tomes at Paris, Anno Christi 1605.
The Life of Peter Chrysologus, who flourished Anno Christi, 440.
PEtrus Chrysologus, His birth and education.so called because of his golden Eloquence, was born at Imola in France, of honest Parents, bred under Cornelius Bishop of that City, whose care it was not only to instruct him in good Manners and Learning, but to fit him for the Work of the Ministry, that he might bring glory to God in the service of his Church: And not long after he was made Archbishop of Ravenna. He excelled in Learning, Vertue, and all prais-worthy qualities.Preachers pattern. He was present at the Councils, the one at Ravenna, the other at Rome: and sent Letters full of Learning to the Synod of Chalcedon against Eutiches the Heretick. He was powerful in Eloquence, especially in his Sermons to the people, and very holy in Conversation, by both which he won many to the Truth. Always before he penned any thing, he would with great ardency and humility set himself to Prayer to seek unto God for direction therein.Prayer. He lived long, having been Bishop about 60 years, flourished under Martian the Emperour, and dyed Anno Christi 500.
He used to say,His sayings, Charity. Let not thy care be to have thy hands full, whilst the Poors are empty: for the only way to have full Barns is to have charitable Hands: And, God had rather men should love him then fear him:Mercy. to be called Father then Master: he wins by Mercy, that he may not punish by Justice: If thou wilt be like thy Father, do likewise. And, Neither in the Flint alone, nor in the Steel alone any fire is to be seen, nor extracted but by conjunction, and collision:Faith and works. So, nor by Faith alone, nor by good Works alone is Salvation attained, but by joining both together, And, As the Clouds darken Heaven, so intemperate Banquetting the Minde: as the violence of windes and waves sinks a Ship;Drunkeness and gluttony. so drunkenness and gluttony, our souls and bodies in the depth of hell. And, Virtues separated, are annihilated: Equity without goodness is severitie; and Justice without Piety cruelty. And, some that lived commendably before they attained to dignity, being set in the Candlestick of the Church, turn their light into darkness: It had been better for such lights still to have been hidden under a bushel, &c.
He was a man of an Excellent Wit, and by his Ministry, and example won many to a love of the Truth.
He wrote 176.His works. Homilies: Lib. ad Eutychen, & Epistoles alias.
PROSPER
The Life of Prosper, who dyed Anno Christi 466.
PRosper was born in Aquitane, His birth and education.and preferred to be Bishop of Rhegium in France; He was Scholar to S. Augustine, famous for Learning and Piety; learnedly confuted the Pelagian Heresie: Scriptures delighted in.He was assiduous in reading, especially of the Scripture: He usually had the four Evangelists in his hands: He distributed his goods freely to the Poor:His charity. His special care was to take away all strife and contentions from amongst his people.A peace-maker. He was a Father to all ages and sexes that were in the City: He much addicted himself to Watching, Fasting, Prayer, and Meditation. He continued Bishop there twenty years: flourished under Martianus. Upon his death-bed, speaking to many of his people that wept sore,His speech at death. he said, The Life which I have enjoyed was but given me, upon condition to render it up again, not grutchingly, but gladly: For me to have stayed longer here, might seem better for you, but for me it is better to be dissolved, &c.His death. And so Praying and lifting up his hands to God before them all, he departed Anno Christi 466.
He was excellently versed in the Sacred Scriptures:His character. and no less famous in Humane Learning: He was a very good Poet, and an Eloquent Orator: of a profound Judgement, subtile Wit, a nervous Writer, and holy Liver.
His Works are all printed in Octavo at Cullen, His works.Anno Christi 1609.
He used to say, His sayings.Thou shalt neither hate the man for his vice; nor love the vice for the mans sake. And, Thou boastest of thy wealth,Pride. honour, strength, beauty, &c. consider what thou ar… by sin, and shalt be in the grave, and thy plumes will fall: for every proud man forgets himself. And, As the Soul is the life of the Body, so the life of the Soul is God: when the Soul departs the Body dies, and when God departs the Soul dies. And, Those things which God would have searched into, are not to be neglected; but those which God would have hidden, are not to be searched into: by the later we become unlawfully curious, and by the neglect of the former, damnably ingrateful. And, The envious man hath so many tortures, as the envied hath praisers: Its the Justice of envy to kill and torment the envious. And, The Life to come is blessed Eternity, and Eternal blessedness: there is certain security, secure quietness, quiet joyfulness, happy Eternity, eternal Felicity.