Martyrs

ON THE HOLY MARTYRS,

PETER THE PRESBYTER, WALABONSUS THE DEACON, SABINIANUS, WISTREMUNDUS, HABENTIUS, JEREMIAS,

MONKS OF CORDOVA IN SPAIN.

YEAR 851.

HISTORICAL COMMENTARY.

The Acts of the Martyrdom from S. Eulogius's Memorial of Saints; the fatherland and cult of each.

Peter the Presbyter, Monk, Martyr at Cordova in Spain (S.)

Walabonsus the Deacon, Monk, Martyr at Cordova in Spain (S.)

Sabinianus, Monk, Martyr at Cordova in Spain (S.)

Wistrebundus, Monk, Martyr at Cordova in Spain (S.)

Habentius, Monk, Martyr at Cordova in Spain (S.)

Jeremias, Monk, Martyr at Cordova in Spain (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Saint Eulogius the Cordovan Presbyter, whose Life and Passion we gave on March 11, twice wrote about the Martyrs who suffered in the Saracen persecution of his time, by which he himself at last also was crowned. First (as we have said twice in passing) to Willisindus Bishop of Pamplona on the 17th Kalends of December of the same year, in which Peter the Presbyter, Walabonsus the Deacon, Sabinianus, Wistremundus, This sextet of Martyrs is venerable in the number itself, Habentius and Jeremias the Monks, on one day, in one hour, on the 7th of the Ides of June in the era 889, were killed; and some others before and after them, named by them: then he composed a complete work, under the title of Memorial of Saints, of those who suffered from the year of Christ 850 to 856 in three books, in the fifth Chapter of the second of which, of those whom the title bears he wove the narration, thus prefacing: "Let us now come to that most sacred globe of Martyrs of the mystery of the senary, who on one day and one hour, under the stroke of the raging sword, on the testimony of truth, were killed." On this occasion many things on the mysteries of the senary number Tamayus, in his Notes on his Spanish Martyrology, which can be read in him, or in Peter Bungus on the mysteries of numbers, whom he transcribes: for all let it be Hugo of S. Victor, in the book of the Sacraments thus speaking: "The senary, because it is constituted from its parts: twice three, or three times two, is a sign of perfection: and therefore God wished to complete his works in six days; that he might show, that in those things which he had made, he had set nothing superfluous, nor left anything imperfect." With this premised let us come to the individuals.

[2] "Peter the Priest, born in the Astigitan city; and S. Walabonsus the Deacon, sprung from the Elephensian city, both contemporary with the earlier Martyrs (namely SS. Isaac and Sancius, of whom we have already treated on the 3rd and 5th day), going to Cordova for the zeal of study, The first and second had studied at Cordova, were given to the liberal disciplines. But with God favoring, flourishing in knowledge and doctrine of the Scriptures, under Trugellus the Abbot, they are set over the monastery of the holy and glorious Virgin Mary, which in the village Cuteclara, not far from the city in the Western part, shines with the distinguished resolve of the handmaids of God." Astigis is noted in ancient histories, today called Ecija; about the Eliphensian city there is greater controversy, except that all agree in this, that it could otherwise be written Ilipensem or Ilipulensem; although Eulogius's Scholiast Ambrosius Morales also found a coin, and they had been set over the convent of virgins: around which these letters were inscribed MVN. that is, Municipium EPEPLA. But there were two Ilipulae, one in Lusitania, about which I think there is no need to think here, since not even Georgius Cardosus did so; the other in Baetica, which the aforesaid Morales places in the middle between Hispalis and Cordova, where now is the town of Peñaflor. Tamayus, standing for his country, refuting that which Pliny attributes to the Hispalensian Convention, another in the Turduli, where he himself says he was born, judges should be preferred, one Astigitan, the other Eliphensian: which properly was of the Cordovan Convention. Quintanadueñas contends that today's Niebla was formerly Elepla: Bermudez de Pedraza wishes Ilulupula to have been, which now is Granada.

[3] Eulogius continues further, and, "Saint," he says, "Sabinianus from the village Fronian of the Cordovan mountain, now a Monk of full youth; and Wistremundus, from Astigis, a sturdy adolescent, from the cenobium of S. Zoilus of Armilatense, the third long before, the fourth recently, to which he had given himself long under Rule or Abbot; one for a long time militating in the camps of the Lord, but Wistremundus recently himself

[4] "But the Most Blessed Habentius, now perfect in virile age, of the Cordovan citizens, delighted by the life of Monks, inhabited the monastery of S. Christopher, which is situated in view of the city, in the Southern part above the further bank of the Baetis: Habentius from the monastery of S. Christopher, and there dead to the world, but living to Christ under the strictest Rule, as if handing himself over to a voluntary prison, enclosed by high walls of mason-work, and inside fenced with iron plates against his flesh, through windows he exhibited himself to be seen by visitors. He such and so great, with the Blessed old man Jeremias (of whom we have spoken above, and who also among the rest of God's servants was struck by sharper scourges) died." Thus of Habentius Eulogius, whose monastery was in that place, where now the temple of S. Julian, of very old work, opposite almost the city is seen, Morales judges. But about Jeremias Eulogius himself, before the first book, had prefaced, as we have seen in the Passion of S. Isaac, by his example, crowned by martyrdom with the others here named, Jeremias an old man, formerly with wife and children, some leaping to the public, under the same confession were killed. But in the book chap. 10, where on S. Columba, who suffered September 17, he says to her was a sister Elizabeth, whose resolve he praises, that with her husband Jeremias still mixed with the common people had borne: "who long before they sought the monastery, with many to Christ already by religion, among the assemblies of the people, consecrated"; to whom also there was Offspring he indicates. But that we might not doubt whether one and the same is here praised, Chapter two does, holily conversing in the world; a little before what we are just treating: where the Author commends Jeremias, as the paternal uncle of Isaac himself, a man endowed with the highest reverence of the fear of God; who also distinguished in wealth and abounding in things, then he had founded the Tabulense cenobium for himself and them: and his venerable wife Elizabeth, and children, and almost his whole kindred, at their own expense having laid the foundations of that cenobium, going to adhere to the perennial service of divine laws, had long ago betaken themselves; namely to the little village Tabalos, which in the parts of the North, between the rugged of the mountains and the dense of the forests, distant by seven miles from the city, was adorned with the most famous, in the exercise of monastic life, of men and handmaids of God, provoked by such examples. And so from Eulogius himself it remains demonstrated, that SS. Sabinianus, Wistrebundus, Habentius, and Jeremias, were equally all Monks; as in the title we have set forth, and as the Roman Martyrology holds: indeed the two former Monks also seem to have been: for whom would Abbot Frugellus have set over the Holy Nuns subject to his rule, but Monks?

[5] Furthermore these, with Peter and Wallabonsus, now six, most brave and most distinguished men, descending to attack the wicked enemy, all as if from

one mouth proclaimed, saying: all 6, having publicly execrated Mahomet, "And we, O Judge, remain under the same profession, under which long ago our most holy confraters Isaac and Sanctius fell (this on the 5th, that on the 3rd of this same month and year, as we have already seen). Exercise sentence, exaggerate cruelty, and in vengeance of your prophet, Mahomet, burn with all fury: since confessing Christ truly as God, we profess your prophet as the forerunner of Antichrist and the author of profane dogma; they are ordered beheaded, and you infected with the deadly juice of his prophetism, and given to drink of the devil's poisonous teaching, and afterwards going to pay eternal torments knowing, we grieve; and your blindness and ignorance enough we weep." When they had professed these things with the courageous spirit of God's Saint, immediately they are ordered beheaded. First however the blessed old man Jeremiah, on account of some assertion I know not, with Jeremiah first cruelly scourged, on June 7 of the year 851, gravely beaten with whips, and amid the very strokes (as they say) dying, scarcely clinging to his steps, they dragged outside. Which Martyrs, while they approached the place of slaughter, mutually invited each other as to a feast. And the first indeed most reverent ministers of God, Peter and Walabonsus rushing, the rest then under the same were beheaded in the same moment, namely on the seventh Ides of June, on the first weekday (Sunday), in the Era as above cap. 2, namely 889, which corresponds to our year 851.

[6] "The Saracens, fixing the bodies on stakes, after an interval of some days, The bodies are cremated consumed them with a most vast fire, and gave their ashes to the river to be lost," says Eulogius, and finishes this chapter. But in book 1, which is not divided into Chapters, and is as it were a preparation for the second, in genus almost treating of the Martyrs, whom in the second more singularly he was to praise. "Of the same," he says, "Saints, who were killed in the first conflict, the Gentiles, fixing them to gibbets with feet reversed, after the sixth day of their dashing-down, that is on the day before the Ides of June, by an unexpected cruelty of crime, with all now dissolved by putrefaction, consigned to atrocious flames. Indeed even, lest the emoluments of virtues should be able to be conferred on Christians, the deformed ashes, which they had ceased to gather from the furnace, are buried in the lowest abyss of the menacing channel." The said Ides fell that year, having Dominical letter D, the 12th of the same. on Saturday; so that these things are indicated to have been done on Friday, which cannot be called the sixth day after the day of dashing-down or martyrdom of these six Martyrs, unless counting from both extremes. So also in the Preface of book 1, after the fifth day of the Martyrdom endured by S. Isaac (this had fallen on the 3rd Nones of June Wednesday, as has been said) he reports the matter done on Sunday, the seventh of the Ides of June. It is notable however by what small interval the martyrdoms succeeded each other in turn. For S. Sanctius was crowned on the Nones of June, Friday; but our six, the 7th of the Ides of June Sunday; whence it is to be wondered at that Galesinius, Canisius and Dorganius could be deceived, to note this martyrdom on the following day: when even Usuard, who first brought them into the Martyrology, in all exemplars I have seen, writes on this day, also "At Cordova of SS. Peter Presbyter, Habentius, Jeremias, and three others": whom besides the Roman Martyrology names.

[7] John Mabillon, in part 2 of the 4th century Benedictine page 580, instituted a particular treatment, of the Monks, who in this century are reported among Martyrs, The truth of their Martyrdom defended by S. Eulogius: in Gaul, England, Italy; and before all observes, that this was the custom among the ancients, that those would be held in the number of Martyrs, who by violent death innocent had fallen; but that those, who by the Normans and Danes plunderers were killed, only with that vague custom are called Martyrs; but the Spaniards killed by the Moors, of whom S. Eulogius treats, he denies to be called into doubt

[8] He had given, from the 19th day of our February, the Life of S. Beatus the Presbyter, with the title of Hispanic Abbot, among his Benedictines: of whom because Henschenius seemed after Tamayus to have doubted, from the very writings of Beatus, that he was a Monk, he tries to prove, with Henschenius not much opposing in this; but desiring it to be more certainly proved that he was a Benedictine. In this then Mabillon insists, Benedictine profession ascribed to the same by Mabillon. that at least in the 9th century, all or most of the cenobia of Spain held the Benedictine rule; when those few monuments of the old monasteries, which alone the Moorish barbarism has left us, name only that. But in the aforesaid Part 2 he weighs those things which seem to indicate, that the same Rule until the 11th century was unknown to the Spaniards; and he sustains that these pertain only to the Cluniac reformation, indeed very probably. Let it be permitted to the Benedictines here to abound in their own sense; but let me be excused, that I do not define this in particular of individual monasteries, which among the ancients I have not yet found; nor in the writings of my predecessors change anything, before I come to retracting the preliminary Commentary before the life of S. Benedict of Aniane Abbot on February 12. There may have been some, there may have been even many at that time Benedictine cenobia among the Spaniards; that all were such, I have not yet found what convinces.

ON THE BLESSED MARTYRS,

GODESCHALCUS PRINCE OF THE SLAVS, EPPO THE PRESBYTER, AND OTHER CLERICS AND LAYMEN.

YEAR 1066.

HISTORICAL COMPILATION.

From Saxon Writers, of the same and near age.

Godescalcus the Prince, in Northern Germany, M. (S.)

Eppo Presbyter, in Northern Germany, M. (S.)

Other Clerics, in Northern Germany, MM. Other Laymen, in Northern Germany, MM.

G. H. & D. P.

§. I. Birth of the Saint, return to Paganism, and penitence for evils inflicted on the Christian people.

When was published at Cologne in 1515 the Martyrology of Usuard, with the illustrious Auctarium of Greven or the Carthusian Fathers of Cologne, and again with Additions here and there new in 1521 reprinted; the Brussels Carthusians were excited to gather a new addition, but hitherto not printed: in which on this 7th of June they noted these things: According to Acts described by the ancients, "The Passion of Blessed Godscalcus Prince of the Western Wends, who was as another Maccabee, and with Ippo the Presbyter and other innumerable of both sexes, were killed by the infidel rebellious Wends." This martyrdom of theirs happened in the year 1066, when Albert or Adalbert Archbishop of Hamburg presided over the Church of Bremen, under whom Adam of Bremen was made Canon: from whose Ecclesiastical History we excerpt what he has about the life and death of B. Godscalcus and his companions: and confirm them both from the Chronicle of the Slavs, which Helmold the Presbyter brought down to the year 1168, when he flourished; and from the Chronicle of Albert Abbot of Stade, created in the year 1232. But from these Albert Krantz Dean of Hamburg perfected his History, who died in 1517.

[2] Godeschalcus was growing up under the rule of Conrad the Salian, who had succeeded S. Henry dead in 1024; Godeschalcus, educated in a monastery, with King of the English, Danes and Norwegians being Knut or Canute the Great, and Bernard Duke of the Saxons neighboring the Elbe. At that time, says Adam lib. 2 cap. 48, "by the virtue of King Knut and Duke Bernard a firm peace was across the Elbe, when even Caesar had tamed the Winuli by war. For their princes Gneus and Anatrog, were Pagans; but Uto the third, son of Misliwooi, a bad Christian. Whence even on account of his cruelty by a certain Saxon deserter he was killed; having a son Gotescalcus, who through the same time at Lumburg monastery of the Duke was instructed in literary studies, in revenge for paternal death, with Godeschalcus the Bishop of the Goths having care of the same cenobium. But he, having learned the death of his parent, was so moved with fury, that, with faith and letters rejected, he seized arms, and with the river crossed, joined himself to the Winuli enemies of God: whose help relying on, attacking Christians, Made Prince of Robbers: he laid low many thousands of Saxons in vengeance of his father. Him at last, as Prince of robbers, Duke Bernard capturing, held in custody: and judging the man most brave, with a league joined with himself, dismissed him. Who coming to King Knut, set out with him to England, and there remained for a long time."

[3] These things Adam, all of which in the same words Albert of Stade wrote in his Chronicle on the year 1032. Brings very many losses to Christians. Helmold lib. 1 cap. 19 at the beginning indicates the same things: "and with a multitude of robbers gathered, struck in vengeance of his father all the land of the Nordalbingians; and made such slaughter of the Christian people, that his cruelty exceeded all measure: and nothing remained in the province of the Holsatians and Stormarians, or of those who are called Dithmarsians, which the hand

[4] One day, when the commemorated Prince in robber fashion was carried through fields and tamarisks, seeing the region, once full of men and churches, lying in vast solitude, he shuddered at the work of his own cruelty; Touched by conscience, and touched with intrinsic pain of heart, he deliberated at length to restrain his hands from nefarious enterprises. Drawn apart a little from his companions, and as if going out to ambushes, he unexpectedly met a certain Christian Saxon. Who when he fled the armed man coming from afar, he raising a shout exhorts that he stop: and swears he will harm him in nothing. And when the timorous man, having received confidence, had stopped; he began to inquire from him, who he was, or what rumors he knew. But he, "I am," he says, "a poor man, born in Holstein: but daily we experience adverse rumors: because this Prince of the Slavs Godescalcus inflicts many evils on our people and land, and desires to slake the thirst of his cruelty with our blood. It would be time indeed, that an avenging God should avenge our injuries."

[5] To whom Godescalcus: "Greatly," he says, "do you accuse that Prince of the Slavs: he indicates that he wishes to be reconciled to them. for truly he has stirred up many oppressions on your people and land, being a magnificent avenger of paternal slaughter. But I am that man, of whom now the discourse is: and I have come that I might speak with you. For I grieve to have committed so great a crime against the Lord and the worshippers of Christ, and vehemently desire to return into the grace of those whom I recognize myself to have so unjustly afflicted with so much. Take therefore my words, and returning to your people, announce to them, that to the appointed place they should send faithful men, who may treat with me about a league and condition of peace. With which done all this multitude of robbers, with whom rather by necessity than by will I am held, I shall hand into their hands." And these things saying, he designated to him the place and time. Meanwhile he is captured by Duke Bernard, Who when he had come to the fortress, in which the surviving Saxons with great fear were standing, announced to the Elders this hidden word, suggesting in all ways, that they should transmit men to the appointed place of colloquy. But they did not attend, reckoning a deceit fit for snares. After several days then the same Prince was captured by the Duke, and as Prince of robbers cast into chains. But the Duke reckoning a brave man, and sturdy in arms, would be useful to himself; entered with him into a league, and honorably endowed permitted him to depart. and dismissed he betakes himself to the King of the Danes. But he dismissed, went to the King of the Danes, and remained with him for many days or years, with various exercises of wars in Normandy or England acquiring for himself the glory of virtue; whence even with the King's daughter he was honored.

§. II. Deeds of Godeschalcus now converted, zeal for the conversion of his people.

[6] Thus Helmold, and from him Krantz lib. 2 Wandalia cap. 46, at the place of Helmold already reported in his Notes. Henry Bangertus, adds these: "Godeschalcus, returning from Duke Bernard, was excluded from his land and paternal dominions by Ratibor, who meanwhile had invaded the Principality of Wagria, professing the Christian religion, and of great authority and power among the barbarians. Therefore Goeschalcus brought to Denmark, to King Canute in Norway first renders distinguished service militating. strenuously conducts the matter in Norway and England: Such there shone the man's prudence and fortitude, that the King sent him with Sweno, his nephew by his sister, to England for war. Here again with bright deeds performed, also bound to himself Sweno, soon after King, that he should give Syritha his daughter to him in marriage." Thus there. But after the death of King Knut and his sons, says Adam cap. 59, "Goteschalcus returning from England, came hostile against Slavonia, attacking all, and striking great terror into the Pagans." Which Albert of Stade reports on the year 1042. Furthermore Adam lib. 3 cap. 21 and following thus pursues his deeds.

[7] and as a prudent and brave man "Across the Elbe indeed and in Slavonia our affairs were still being conducted with great prosperity. For Godeschalcus, of whom above was said, a man to be praised for prudence and fortitude, having received in marriage the daughter of the King of the Danes, so tamed the Slavs, that fearing him as a King they offered tribute, and sought peace with subjection. By which time's occasion our Hamburg had peace, and Slavania was full of Priests and churches. Godeschalcus therefore, a religious man and fearing God, also familiar with the Archbishop, converts many pagans, revered Hamburg as a mother: to which, for the sake of fulfilling vows, he was wont frequently to come. In further Slavania no one ever rose up more powerful, and so fervid a propagator of the Christian religion. For if a longer life had been conceded to him, he had disposed to compel all Pagans to Christianity, since he had converted nearly a third part of those who before under his grandfather Mistiwoi had relapsed into Paganism. So all the peoples of the Slavs who look to the Hammaburg diocese, serving the Priests as interpreter, under that devout Prince cultivated the Christian faith, that is the Wagiri, Obotriti or Reregi, and Polabingi, also Linoges, Warnabi, Chissini and Circipani, up to the river Penis. The provinces were now full of churches, but the churches of Priests: but the Priests freely acted in those things which pertained to God. Of whom the industrious Prince Godeschalcus, burned with such zeal of religion, that forgetful of his order, he often in the church made a sermon of exhortation to the people, which were said mystically by the Bishops and Presbyters, desiring to render them plainer in Slavic words.

[8] also constructs many cenobia, "Infinite was their number, who daily were converted to the Lord, so that for Priests there were sent into whole provinces. Then also through individual cities were made cenobia of holy men living canonically: also of Monks and Holy Nuns, as these testify, who at Lübeck, Aldinburg, Leontium, Ratzeburg, and in other cities saw them severally. But at Magnopolis, which is the city of the Obotriti, three congregations of those serving God are said to have been. The Archbishop therefore rejoiced over the new plantation of Churches, and sent from his Bishops and Presbyters wise men to the Prince, who might comfort the peoples rude in Christianity. He ordained at Aldinburg, with Abelinus dead, Eizo the Monk: he constituted John Scotus at Magnopolis; at Ratzeburg he disposed to be a certain Aristo, coming from Jerusalem, and others elsewhere. Besides when he himself came to Hamburg, he invited the same Prince Godeschalcus to a colloquy, greatly exhorting that the begun labor for Christ he constantly bring to an end, animated by the Archbishop promising him victory in all to be at hand: finally, if he should suffer any adversity

[9] After the death of King Canute then, Godescalcus returned to the land of his fathers: resolves to seek God's glory alone for himself. and finding his inheritance invaded by certain tyrants,

decided to fight: and with victory accompanying, he recovered his possessions with the Principality in full. And at once, for acquiring for himself with the Lord glory and honor, intending his soul, he strove to rouse the peoples of the Slavs, whom now the forgetfulness of Christianity once received was holding, to receive again the grace of faith, and to bear the care of the Church. And the work of God prospered in his hands, so that an infinite multitude of nations flowed together to the grace of baptism. And through the whole province of the Wagitorians, and also of the Polabingians and Obotritians, were rebuilt the churches, formerly destroyed. And now was sent into all provinces for Priests and ministers of the word, with Priests called to it from everywhere. by whom they might imbue the rude manners of the Gentiles with the doctrine of faith. The faithful then rejoiced at the increase of the new plantation: and it happened that the provinces were full of churches, but the churches full of Priests. But also the Kycini and Circipani, and whatever peoples dwell about the Panis, received the grace of faith. But the Panis is a river, at whose mouth is situated the city of Dimine: thither once was extended the boundary of the Aldenburg parish. The same Helmold cap. 22 describes the new Episcopates erected by Albert Archbishop of Hamburg, among whom, he says, "John he destined for Mecklenburg. This John for the love of pilgrimage going out from Scotia, came to Saxony: and clemently, like all, received by the Archbishop, not long after into Slavia was sent to Godeschalcus: with whom staying, in those days he is described to have baptized many thousands of Pagans."

§. III. Martyrdom endured for the faith: for the ancient cult a just presumption.

[10] "Firm peace was in all the kingdom, because the most brave Emperor Henry had coerced with a powerful hand the Hungarians, Bohemians, Slavs, and all neighboring kingdoms. With him translated to the Heavens, With Emperor Henry 2 dead succeeded in the scepter his son Henry, a boy of eight years: and at once various perturbations boiled up in the kingdom: because the Princes, who affected contentions, despised the infancy of the King. After not much time also Bernard Duke of the Saxons died: who administered the affairs of the Slavs and Saxons for 40 years strenuously, and with Duke Bernard of the Saxons, whose inheritance Ordulf and Hermann his sons divided between themselves. And indeed Ordulf took up the Duchy to govern, although in fortitude and use of warfare he far diverged from paternal felicity. Finally after the death of his father scarcely five years passed, immediately the Slavs preparing to rebel, first of all killed Godeschalcus. And indeed the man memorable in every age, is killed by the rebellious Slavs for the faith, on account of the faith shown to God and Princes, was killed by the barbarians, whom he himself strove to convert to the faith. For not yet were completed the iniquities of the Amorites, nor did the time of mercy on them come. Therefore it was necessary that scandals should come, that the approved should be made manifest. But that other Maccabee suffered in the city of Leontium (which by another name is called Lenzin) on the 7th Ides of June with the Presbyter Eppo, with Eppo the Presbyter and others, who was immolated upon the altar, and others both Laymen and Clerics, who endured various punishments for Christ." Thus Helmold: Adam the contemporary author describes the same things almost in the same way: "Across the Elbe came great vengeance, since Prince Godeschalcus was killed by the Pagans, whom he himself strove to convert to Christianity. And indeed the man memorable in every age, had a great part of Slavania converted to divine religion. But our Maccabee suffered in the city Leontium on the 7th Ides of June, with the Presbyter Ippo, who was immolated upon the altar; and with many others both Laymen and Clerics, who endured various punishments for Christ everywhere." The same has Albert Abbot of Stade on the year 1066: in the year 1066. but the Saxon Chronologist Ms. in our parchments on the following year. Krantz lib. 3 of Wandalia, in the first four chapters describes the exceptional zeal of Godeschalcus in promoting the faith, and other things, until he too and the others, Martyrs of Christ, meet death, as the Scholiast in the margin appended. But those whom Krantz calls Wandali, Adam and Albert call Winuli, and Helmold calls Slavs, peoples on the Baltic sea, in today's Wagria and the Mecklenburg Duchy.

[11] From what has been said the cause of Martyrdom seems indubitable; yet for the title in this work, perhaps the proof of cult will seem to be lacking, having no other testimony than the Ms. Additions of the Brussels Carthusians, Of their ancient cult a reasonable presumption, confirmable thus far by no older copies of Martyrologies. But if to Baronius, recognizing and augmenting the Roman Martyrology, it was permitted, from similar Additions of Molanus to the same Usuard, to which these Carthusians prepared theirs, to augment the Roman, by supposing he wrote nothing (as that most upright man, having prefaced this very thing, should altogether be supposed), unless with the example of some older and publicly used Martyrology shining before; why cannot and ought we, of the Brussels Carthusians, having followed the example of the Cologne ones, suppose what Molanus did of these, and Baronius did of Molanus; having prefaced before the Roman Martyrology, that he would not equanimously suffer the brief schedule of so great a man to perish?

[12] Besides as we receive the Saints of the Eastern Churches, even on the faith of one Ms. Synaxarium, which is presumed to have had public use, also from a single testimony. besides another proof; because they are worthy of that favor, those Churches under infidels dissipated and trampled, that all the fragments of the ancient religion among them be gathered, lest they perish; why with the same favor are the Northern, having suffered a similar lot under heretics, whose ancient rituals had to perish in such various ways, not also be judged worthy, that from some Kalendar or Martyrology of them now similarly lost, those Carthusians whom I have said be believed to have received that addition? But this once posited, and considering the time of martyrdom, then endured, when it itself alone did not suffice for Catholics, that they should decree some public cult, either from the judgment of the Prelates, or from the suffrage of the people proven by their long-continued connivance; but besides miracles were required, testifying that such cult was pleasing to God; it consequently happens that it must even be presumed, that those were not lacking, in the very place where the bodies were buried; then at least when to Christ the whole people returned, and those whom by hatred of faith they had made Martyrs, by zeal of religion began to invoke as Patrons? If to S. Godescalcus and his companions it did not happen, that the place of their burial should be converted into a monastery, and so more certainly the cult of the same should be perennial, as happened to the Ebbeckesdorp Martyrs, around the year 1080 similarly killed, and on February 2 reported on the faith of Acts, very confusedly after several centuries gathered; this at least they have above such, that their history was consigned by the writings of contemporary authors with more certain credit, as we have seen.