The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Fulgentius
The Life of Fulgentius, who dyed An. Chri. 529.
HVnerick the Arian, King of the Vandals, having subdued Carthage, banished all the Senators thereof into Italy, amongst whom was Gordian Grandfather to Fulgentius: And after the decease of Gordian, His parentage.Claudius his son returned unto Carthage; and though his house was given to an …rian Priest, he recovered a great part of his Inheritance by some favour which he found at the Kings hands, and so departing to Lepte, he there setled his habitation: But shortly after dying, he left his son Fulgentius to the care of his Mother Mariana, who was very careful to train him up in Learning, causing him to be instructed in the Greek Tongue,His education. before he learned Latine, that thereby he might attain to the greater perfection in that Language: and as his years encreased, so did he highly profit in all sorts of Learning, to the great joy of his Mother, who exceedingly rejoyced to see his wisdom and towardness, which also much refreshed her after the loss of her dear husband: yea she was so well satisfied with his Prudence,His prudence in governing a family. that she committed to his care the government of her whole house: and he so well behaved himself therein, that he pleased his friends, silenced his il-willers, and both by direction and correction procured an awful respect from the servants: He was also very careful to preserve his Patrimony.
By this his deportment he gat so much credit and esteem, that he was made the Kings Collector, and required to be rigorous in exacting the rated payments: But after a while it pleased God, that this multiplicity and burden of worldly businesses began to be very heavy to his Soul; and the vain flattering selicity of the World yeelding disgust, by little and little the love of spiritual life seemed to take root in his heart,His Conversion. and this begat in him a desire frequently to pray, and to read, and study the holy Scriptures: Then did he often resort to such men as sequestred themselves from worldly businesses, and betook themselves to Monasteries, where he learned by experience the sweet conversation of Gods servants, those places being not yet degenerated into such superstition and profaness as afterwards they were. Amongst them he perceived that as they had no worldly solace, so had they no weariness in their present condition: as they had no temporal joyes, so neither had they that vexation of spirit which other men were subject to by reason of their worldly businesses: whereupon with himself he brake out into these words,His Speech. Why travel I in the World, which can yeeld me no future nor durable reward inswerable to my pains? Though it be better to weep well then joy ill: yet if to joy be our desire, how much excelleth their joy who have a good conscience before God; who dread nothing but sin: study to do nothing but to accomplish the Precepts of Christ? Now therefore let me change my trade; and as before I endeavoured amongst my Noble Friends to prove more Noble, so now let my care and imployment be amongst the humble and poor servants of the Highest, to become more poor and humble then they, and like S. Matthew let me turn from a Publican to a Disciple.
Thus being resolved to renounce all terrene and worldly delights, and to make himself a partaker of that kinde of life which upon mature deliberation and examination his judgement approved as most excellent:His prudence. yet withall, wisely considering that sudden changes might breed some distemperature either in body or minde, or both, he began by degrees to accustom himself to Fasting, to avoid the company and accustomed complements of his old acquaintance and familiar friends, addicting himself to solitariness, much reading and prayer Hereupon all that knew him were stricken with great wonder and amazement at this sudden and unexpected change: imputing this strict demeanor in a man so delicately brought up to proceed from necessity, and privy poverty: But he having thus made some proof of such things, wherein he conceived difficulties might occur, and now finding by experience that nothing was hard to a willing minde, as also lighting upon, and reading that Divine Treatise of St. Augustine upon the 36 Psalm, He retires himself from the world.his love to and longing after that more retired course of life much encreased in him, so that he resolved without any further delay to put his former purposes into practise, and accordingly going to Faustus, who was one of those Bishops whom the Arian Tyrant Hunerick had confined to a certain place not far from his own Country, he beseeched him to admit him into his Monastery. The prudent Bishop wel knowing the worldly conversation of the young man in times past, gave no credit to his speech, nor comfort to his request, but willed him first to learn to live less delicately before he entred upon so strict a course of life: But he humbly kissing the Bishops hand, earnestly requested him that he would not reject him, but graciously admit him for one of his Disciples; and so by importunity declaring his sincere affections, he procured admittance; The fame of this thing spreading abroad, some dispaired of his perseverance because of his former delicate life; others considering the excellency of his wit were raised in expectation of some notable and worthy consequence. Divers of his Familiars excited by his example, betook themselves to the like course of life: only his inconsiderate and worldly-minded mother grew exceedingly discontented at it, as if her Fulgentius were already dead, and so, impatiently running to the Bishop, the brawled with him,His mothers impatiency at it. crying out; Restore the Son to his Mother, the Master to his Servants and Houshold: It becomes you to comfort such disconsolate Widdows, not to destroy my forlorn house. The Bishop mildly reprehended her, but wisely concealed her son; wherefore she filled the Ayr with her exclamations, ever calling upon the name of Fulgentius: This violent temptation did he meet with at his first entrance into this strict kinde of life;Tentation resisted. but having his heart fixed in Heaven, he gave no Ear to her exclamations: so that his Mother verily thinking that he had not been there, sorrowfully departed: The Bishop having hereby had experience of the valour of his young Disciple, judged that he that could thus overcome his natural affections, no labour would be hard, nor conquest difficult for the time to come.
Whilst he continued in this place, he wholly abstained from Wine and Oil,His abstinence. and was so rigorous in Fasting that it much debilitated his body, and procured some diseases: but his heart being wholly set upon the working forth of his Salvation with fear and trembling,His sickness, and recovery. he committed himself to God, saying, The daintiest feeders avoid not sickness: and after he had a while been habituated to this course, he through Gods mercy recovered his health and pristine beauty.He gives away his inheritance. His Inheritance (though he had a younger Brother called Claudius) he wholly left it to his Mother, that at her decease she might leave it to Claudius, if he deserved well of her; by which means his Brother (for the Living-sake) was made more dutiful and submiss, and his Mother by this gift received no small consolation to counterpoise the sorrow of his absence.
Shortly after the Arians renewing their persecution (which for a space they had discontinued under a pretence of more moderation) Bishop Faustus was constrained by frequent removes from one place to another to hide himself,The Arians renew their persecution. and Fulgentius had no better shift then to flee to another little Monastery governed by one Felix, who having sufficiently heard of his Learning and Vertue, would have resigned the government thereof to Fulgentius; but he constantly refused it: yet at the great importunity of the Brethren, he was enforced to take part of the Government upon him: So that these two holy men equal in their love to God and their neighbors, equal in Vertue, and like in Conditions, mutually governed the place, each fearful of offending the other; each vigilantly attending the good of the Society. But the Perfecution growing more hot, they, together with their Disciples, were forced to remove into more remote and unknown parts of Africa: His remove to Sicca.and at last setled in the Territories of Sicca, where they exceedingly profited the people, and gained many Souls to Christ: But the old Enemy of mankinde envying their godly labours, stirred up an Arian Priest called Faeix, who, not far off, had corrupted many with his Heretical opinions,Heretical mallice. to molest and trouble them. This fellow, great in Power and Authority, but greater in malice, fearing lest by the means of Fulgentius (whose Learning now grew famous) many of his seduced Disciples should be reclaimed to the Truth, he caused all the ways to be beset by which these two Fathers used to go to instruct the people; and it pleased God, that as these two walked by the way, they fell into these watchmens hands, who presently loaded them with Irons, and carried them to the Arian Priest. Faelix when he saw that he was like to be apprehended, threw away some money into a bush, which he happened to have about him for the Brethrens sustenance. The Arian Priest when they came before him used them very roughly, demanding of them why they came out of their own Country to subvert his Christian hearers? And as they were about to answer, he would not hear them, but first commanded them to be scourged: whereupon Faelix requested that his Brother Fulgentius might be spared:Cruelty of Hereticks. For (saith he) he cannot endure the extremity of the torment, but in all likelihood will breath forth his innocent Soul under your hands. But … let your wrath be wholly wreaked upon me, who am most guilty of that which you charge us with: Faelix therefore was mostcruelly beaten: but not that Fulgentius should be spared, who being of Noble Parentage was of a tender constitution, and so the blows with the staves were the more grieveous to him,He is cruelly beaten. whereupon he earnestly desired to be heard having somewhat to say; and so the stripes and bastinadoes being intermitted, he began with his Eloquent mouth to relate the cause of their travel into those parts, causing his very Adversaries to wonder at his Eloquence and flowing Language So that the Priest had almost forgotten his cruelty, and shame of the injury was ready to embrace his obdurate heart: Yet least he should appear to be overcome with his words, he cryed out; Lay him on lustily, and multiplying your blows ren… this pratler. What? Thinks he by his words to seduce me also? Hereupon he was again beaten most mercilesly: then were both of them shaven deformedly, their clothes pulled off, and so they were sent packing all naked.Rejoyceth in sufferings for Christ. Forth then from the Arians house they departed no otherwise then as from a glorious combat, and as crowned with Lawrels of Victory: In their return they found the money which Faelix had hidden, which was a great refreshing to them. The fame of this detestable fact gave great offence to many, and in particular to the Arian Bishop of the Diocess, who had a good opinion of Fulgentius, and much favoured him, and would have punished the Priest, if Fulgentius had desired it of him: and indeed many urged him to seek revenge; but he gave them this humble denyal,He seeks not revenge. saying, It is not lawful for a Christian to meditate revenge: our Lora Christ well knoweth how to repay the injuries inflicted on his servants. If my case be avenged, then lose I the reward of my patience; especially seeing it might scandalize many little ones if I a Catholick should require judgement at an Arians hand.
A while after Fulgentius having heard and read much of the strict lives of the Monks in Egypt, had a great minde to see the same, and so leaving his Monastery, he took shipping for Egypt: but a storm meeting him by the way,He sails into Sicily▪ he was driven into the Haven of Syracuse, the chief City of Sicily: At this time Eusalius was Bishop there, who very curteously entertained Fulgentiu, and upon converse, finding his sufficiency, enquired the cause of his voyage, and understanding by him the cause, he much disswaded him from it, and perswaded him to continue at Syracuse that winter: which when he consented to, he maintained him all that time, and Fulgentius out of that little allowed him, carefully ministred somewhat to the necessities of others. Summer being come,He goes to Rome. he failed to Rome, where beholding the glory of the Romane Nobility, the triumphant pomp of King Theodorick, and the universal splendor and joy of the City, he was so far from being taken with such worldly toys and delights, that it raised up his desires after heavenly joys, saying thus to some of his friends that accompanied him;Heaven more glorious. How beautiful may the Caelestial Hierusalem be, when Terrestial Rome so glittereth? If such honour be given to lovers of vanity, what glory shall be imparted to the Saints who are lovers and followers of Truth? His return into Africk.Then did he return into Africa to the incredible joy of his Brethren; but after a while, finding the distractions which necessarily attended his abode there, partly by reason of his care in Government, and partly by reason of much resort of Noble men, and others that dayly repaired to him (his fame being now spread abroad) he privily stole away,He obscures himself. and went to another Monastery far off, amidst the shelly Rocks of the Sea, destitute in a manner of all humane solace and necessaries, where being with all courtesie received, as much as he excelled others in Learning and Eloquence, so far subjected he himself to all in humility and obedience. Many Books he there copied out fair with his own hands, and for his recreation made many necessary implements for the house of Palm-leaves: His great industry.But at last his old society gained knowledge of the place of his abode, and presently sent to request his return: Hereupon great contention arose between the two houses, whilst one sought to retain, the other to regain him. The Controversie at last came before Bishop Faustus, who Decreed his return to his first place;He is ordained a Presbyter. and that he might be imployed for the publick good, he ordained him a Presbyter: At which time sundry Cities wanting Pastors (for the King had forbidden the Ordination of any more Bishops) many of them sought and sued to Fulgentius to undertake that charge, and some proceeded to Elect him outright; yet thought he himself secure by reason of the Kings prohibition, till at last the persecuted Bishops, who yet survived, resolved rather to incur the displeasure of the King then to suffer the people any longer to want Bishops; and thereupon meeting together, they Decreed that Bishops should be ordained for all the vacant places; and forthwith (least the Arian King hearing of it, should prevent them) they sought out godly Presbyters whom they might appoint to this Office,His humility. but then Fulgentius, who was most of all sought for, could no where be found; for he had hid himself to avoid that imployment, and so continued till all the solemnities were over passed, and then returned hoping now to live in quiet. But it pleased God otherwise to dispole of it: For it so fell out that the City of Ruspa remained as yet unfurnished,He is made a Bishop. the Citizens whereof getting inkling that Fulgentius was discovered, they came unto him, laid hold upon him, carryed him with them, and not request, but constrain him to be their Bishop: Yet in this dignity he nothing forget his former integrity:His moderation. he still used mean and simple attire, went many times barefoot, wholly abstained from Flesh, Wine, and Oil, and always kept about him some of his former associates: But he, with his fellow Bishops enjoyed not long their places: for that fell out which was easily foreseen to be a likely consequent, yet was contemned in respect of the Churches necessity and want, which was that the Arian King enraged by this act, banished about 60 Bishops into Sardinia, He is banished.amongst whom Fulgentius was one, who joyfully ascended the Ship, being heartily glad that he had a share in such a glorious confession: Divers of his Clergy and Friends followed him, and being arrived at Calaris in Sardinia, he there lived with them at the same Table,He converts many. and by his Sermons converted many.
Not long after King Thrasamund amongst the crafty fetches, and persecutory drifts whereby he endeavoured to allure the Catholicks to the Arian Heresie,Hereticks subtilty. used this Policy: He feigned a desire to become a Catholick, and setting down divers captious and deceitful questions, pretended that he could not finde any that could sufficiently answer those questions, whereupon hearing the fame of Fulgentius, he hastily sent for him: who with an undaunted courage came to Carthage, He comes to Carthage.and not being presently called to the King, endeavoured seriously to confirm the Catholicks in their Faith; and with much curtesie and affability answered all questions, rejecting no man; whereby he reclaimed many from their Errors,Doth good. admonishing them to repent of, and to bewail their fall: others he exhorted not to hazard the damnation of their Souls for temporal advantages: and whom he saw in danger of perdition, with milde, yet effectual words he stayed and encouraged to a noble and generous resolution, animating them to suffer any dangers or torments rather then to deny the Truth: and it pleased God so to bless his labors, that some who before were staggering, were now by his means imboldned plainly to reprove the weak-grounded impudence of the Arian party: And thus the Omnipotent God turned the Enemies device to the advancement of his own glory. Then did the King send for him,He is sent for to the King. and questioned with him, and met with such solid and judicious answers, that he was forced to acknowledge that he found him every way to answer the report which he had heard of his Wisdom and Learning, and withall he proposed sundry difficult questions to which he required his answer in writing, Fulgentius having drawn up his Answer, communicated it to the most learned Catholicks, and after their approbation, to the people, before it was delivered to the King, Thrasamund having with great diligence perused it, praised his Wisdom, wondred at his Eloquence, commended his Humility; yet had his heart so hardened that he could not understand and submit to the Truth.
Fulgentius could not be suffered to stay long at Carthage, for the Arians with their clamors incensed the King,He is envyed and complained of. complaining that he had already gained from them some of their Ministers, and that the people fell apace to him, so that their whole Religion stood in great hazard by his means: Then the King to quiet them,Is sent back into Sardinia. sent him back into Sardinia. Late in the night was he carryed aboard the Ship, that his departure might be the better concealed from the people: but it pleased God by contrary windes long to detain the Ship in the harbor, so that for many days almost the whole City flocked to him to take their farewel, and many communicated at his hands: And when great lamentation was made for his departure, he took one Juliates (a very godly man) apart, and told him he should shortly again return,He prophesies. and that the Church should enjoy peace; which also came to pass: When he was requested to pray for any that were sick or in misery, he commonly used this Petition: Thou (O Lord) knowest best what will make for our Souls health: Grant of thy mercy a supply unto our necessities, so far forth as shall not hinder our spiritual profit: And when God graciously answed his Prayers in their behalf, he used to say,His humility. That God did it for their sakes, not for his: He commonly said that Miracles make not a man just or righteous, but famous.
When he was come back to Sardinia, he returned to his former strict course of life, with his Associates, who had all things in common; and when he distributed more to one then to another by reason of sickness or weakness, he used thus to say to them; Who taketh of the common so much, becometh debtor to all, which debt he can only pay by humility. It was very pleasing to him when any of the Brethren proposed any hard question; and gladly he hearkened to the doubts of any though they were never so simple; neither would he through weariness or tediousness cease to give them answers, until they confessed them selves to be satisfied:His meekness. Though he was sometimes severe towards the obstinate, yet he remained even when he seemed most displeased and angry, nothing at all in minde troubled or disquieted.
Thrasamund the King being shortly after taken away by death, Hilderick succeeded him, who restored peace and liberty to the Catholicks, recalling their Bishops from Exile, and amongst the rest Fulgentius, who was received with great devotion by the Africans, He is restored to his place.no less in every City then if he had been their peculiar Bishop: Everywhere they met him with tokens of joy, with whom now rejoycing he rejoyced, as before with them lamenting he had lamented: Yea, their love was so great to him, that a showre of rain falling, they held their garments over his head to keep him dry. Then did he return to his proper seat, where he would do nothing without the advice of his Clergy.
In the Council of Vincensa, he was by the common suffrage of the Bishops chosen President: Though Bishop Quodvultdeus claimed that preheminence as belonging to his Sea: and though Fulgentius for the present would not oppose this choice, yet at the next Sessions, he procured that the Bishop Quodvultdeus was restored to his right. A year before his death he retired with some Brethren into the Island of Circina, His humility.and there lived a most strict life: But the necessities of his people requiring, and their importunity prevailing, he returned to them,His sickness. and shortly after fell into grievous pangs of sickness, wherein he continued sixty days,His deportment. often crying out, O Lord give me patience and pardon. Physitians perswading him to make use of a Bath, he answered; Can Baths make that man who hath accomplished the course of Nature that he shall not dye? Why then do you go about to perswade me now at my last end to remit of that rigor which I have always used? Lastly, calling together the Brethren about him, he thus spake to them; Dear Brethren, having been careful of your Souls health, perhaps I have been austere and harsh towards you: If any one be offended, I beseech him to pardon me: and if my severity have possibly passed measure, and due moderation, pray ye to God that he may impute it not to me. They all kneeling down acknowledged him to have been always loving, gentle, and milde towards them. Then did he pray for his people,A good Pastor. that God would provide for them a Pastor after his own heart: After this he called for a sum of money, which as a faithful Steward he daily used to distribute amongst the Poor,His charity. willing it all to be presently divided; and reciting by name the Widdows, Orphans, and Poor, he allotted to every one his portion. Soon after in the midst of his Prayers dyed this blessed servant of God,His death. and famous Doctor of the Church, in the 65. year of his Age, Anno Christi 529. having been Bishop about 25 years.
He was very powerful in Prayer,Prayer prev… lent. as may appear by this example: Some time before his death the Moores invaded the Territories of Ruspa, filling all places with Rapines, Murthers, Burnings, and Devastations, not sparing the Churches themselves, but murthering such as fled to them for refuge: But yet so long as Fulgentius lived, the City of Ruspa remained in safety, and when all the rest of the Province was under miserable Captivity, that City alone enjoyed an happy Peace.
He wrote many excellent Treatises against Hereticks, His works.besides sundry Sermons and Epistles: His moving and affectionate Eloquence was such, as that the Bishop of Carthage hearing him Preach two days together in his Church, could not refrain from tears; Rejoycing that God had given to his Church in those afflicted and comfortless times such a worthy Instrument of his Glory.
He used to say, His sayings.Christ dyed for Men, and Angels; for Men, that they might rise from sin: and for Angels, that they might not fall into sin. And, If they go to Hell that do not feed the hungry, cloath the naked,Covecousness. &c. what will become of them that take away bread from the hungry, cloaths from the naked? &c. If want of charity be tormented in Hell, what will become of covetousnass?
His Mother having committed the charge of her house to him in his youth, he so mannaged it that he gat this testimony that he was Matri praefidium, domesticis solatium, &c. A safeguard to his Mother, a comfort to the Family, and to all with whom he conversed, a rare example. In the midst of his greatest sufferings he used to say, Plura pro Christo toleranda: We must suffer more then this for Christ.
His Works are Printed at Lyons, His works.Anno Christi 1633.