ON S. GUALTERIUS OR GAUTERIUS
ABBOT AND CANON OF LESTERP
IN THE DIOCESE OF THE GAULS OF LIMOGES.
IN THE YEAR MLXX
PrefaceGualterius or Gauterius, Abbot and Canon of Lesterp in Gaul (S.)
G. H.
Geoffrey, a cenobite of the monastery of S. Martial of Limoges and Prior of the Vosiense monastery, in book I of the Chronicle chapter 12, describes the kingdom English to William the Conqueror brought, in the year namely MLXVII: and adds in that century to have flourished three men in sanctity illustrious, of whom the first is named S. Odilo of Cluny, in the year MXLIX dead, whose Acts we gave on the very Kalends of January. He is held a Saint. Then is subjoined Gauterius of Lesterp, to whom sick through the winter desired strawberries beyond custom the Divine prepared clemency. Afterward the third is added Robert, who built Casa-Dei: whose Acts we illustrated at the day XXIV of April. The same Geoffrey chapter 15 treats of the Saints in the Bishopric of Limoges more illustrious: where among other things he relates these things hither pertaining: Gauterius the people of Lesterp honor, who in modern time by deed and miracles glorious appeared, that is the next century after the death of S. Gualterius, in which flourished Geoffrey the writer. Other things in the Chronicle of S. Maxentius or Malleacense of S. Gualterius are read: and first of his death these things are handed down: In the year MLXX the Lord Gauterius, Abbot and Canon of the Church of S. Peter of Lesterp, slept in peace eternal, on the fifth of the Ides of May. Then at the year MXCI these things it has: In the same year the blessing was of the monastery of S. Peter of Lesterp, and the festivity of B. Gauterius was instituted to be celebrated of his passing. and his feast celebrated: In the Life of B. Israel, Canon of Dorat in the Marche, by Philip Labbe among the Lives of the Saints to Aquitaine pertaining published, these things are inserted: Of this most holy man a disciple was the Holy Gauterius, a man with piety and mercy's works abounding: who when of the Church of Dorat he was a Canon, of Lesterp Abbot by God was instituted. There died B. Israel on the XI of the Kalends of January in the year of the Lord one thousand fourteenth.
[2] From thus far related it is clear first the time of life and death. He seems born about the year nine hundred ninety, The time of his life and death. and about the death of B. Israel to have come to the years XXIV of his age, and then still for some time to have lived in the said Dorat Church, and afterward in the Lesterp college or monastery to have flourished; and there created Abbot or Rector or Provost in the year MXXXIV: in which dignity he lived years thirty-eight: and at length, when for seven years blind he had been, full of days and merits an old man, he died in the year of Christ one thousand seventieth, these happened in the year 1070 the 11th of May. aged about eighty years. Secondly it is established from the Chronicle of S. Maxentius, that S. Gualterius died on the fifth of the Ides of May, and on the same day is celebrated the festivity of the passing of the same: which from the Chronicle of Limoges confirm the Sammarthani in volume 4 of the Gallia Christiana page 850, where they treat of the monastery Lesterp, in the diocese and dominion of Limoges situated; and the same day of veneration to us indicated John Collinus in a Catalogue submitted. Saussay in the Supplement of the Gallican Martyrology, seems a slight of this Saint to have had notice, related the 13th of May and the 13th of April. while at the day third of the Ides of May these things only he has: In Aquitaine of S. Galtherus the Abbot. Besides S. Galtherus, Abbot of Lesterp in the diocese of Limoges, of distinguished sanctity a man, is inscribed at the XIII of April in a MS. Kalendar of the Order of S. Benedict among the Premonstratensians at Antwerp in the monastery of S. Michael kept. But that neither ancient is, nor with great prudence and knowledge collected. Gabriel Pennottus in the History of the Order of the Clerics Canons book 2 chapter 23 no. 14 from one monastery two makes, while he asserts in the Bishopric of Limoges to be monasteries of Canons, the first of S. Galterius or of Stupenum, the second of S. Peter of Lesterp, which one and the same is, and even now to be of the Order of S. Augustine an Abbey assert Claude Robert and the Sammarthani above cited: commonly Lesterp in the Marche of Limousin, six leagues from Dorat, from Limoges eight. There is besides in the borders of the diocese of Bourges, above the Creuse river near Argenton, of S. Gualterius' name a parish and town, where him as Patron to be venerated I think.
[3] And these are which thus far published into light of this Saint we found, to which we add another hitherto hidden treasure. We have a codex of parchment in which are contained Lives of some Saints, by Marbodus Archdeacon of Angers written; The Life from Marbodus. therefore before the year MXCVI, in which he was created Bishop of Rennes, and in this Order are reckoned, of S. Florentius Martyr, to be given on the XXII of September; of S. Licinius Bishop of Angers, illustrated at the day XIII of February; of S. Magnobodus, also Bishop of Angers, to be published at the XVI of October, of S. Gualterius of Lesterp, which now we give; of S. Robert Abbot of Casa-Dei, at the day XXIV of April printed. The Passion of SS. Felix and Adauctus, to be given the XXX of August; and then are added various of the same poems, of which some are indicated by Sigebert of the Ecclesiastical writers chapter 158. Is this codex very ancient, so that it seems either in the time of Marbodus and perhaps by his care diligently written, or at least not long after his death. He alleges in the Prologue the prior of the Life of S. Gualterius writer, from whom he selects what to him to the thing to pertain seemed of dignity: from a more ancient writing published. in which manner also the Lives of S. Licinius and S. Robert already published he polished. Perhaps there will be one who the prior Life will obtain, and, if he shall see worth the effort, will publish it. He is called in this writing Gualterius, by others Gauterius, Galterus, and Galterius.
Life By the Author Marbodus Archdeacon of Angers, afterward Bishop of Rennes in Brittany Armorica.
Gualterius or Gauterius, Abbot and Canon of Lesterp in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 8802
BY THE AUTHOR MARBODUS FROM A MS.
PROLOGUE.
[1] The Life for the fruit of posterity. Of blessed Gualterius the life to be written I undertook, not indeed of my faculty which is small, or of merits which are none, by confidence; but of obedience rather and charity by regard: whereby both of the religious Brethren's petition I might not be lacking and to very many's utility I might serve. In which also for me under Christ's help to be I do not doubt a part of the reward, if from my labor both honor to God and to those reading some of emolument shall come. For neither can it be done, that from frequent of the good hearing no one be edified: but can it be done that either to the present or future generations from this relation to many of holy imitation fruits may come. Since also in this to profit we would wish even to the unknown, to profit we would wish even to the not yet born. With this therefore intention the offered I undertook business, to which to fulfill it is necessary for me by the same Saint's prayers to be helped, that what are to be said briefly and clearly, nor inornately altogether, I may be able to explain. For if even in fictions or trifling things the convenience of speaking is wont to obtain the souls of hearers; much more in true and necessary things one must be zealous, lest of vicious speech the wickedness of the undertaken cause (which be far) diminish the dignity. For who would strive to please by rusticity of discourse? I will strive therefore as I can this in speaking mediocrity to keep, in a clear style written, that neither abject, nor too much elaborated may seem the speech; since equal either has offense. Besides lest it be superfluous or obscure, of which by the one weariness, by the other hatred is wont to be procured. I wish moreover from the reader's indulgence by prayers to obtain, that with a good mind hither he come, that is, not as a calumnious or a hunter of words; but a defender rather of truth, and of the words a friendly interpreter. But if even to me, either from inexperience or from infirmity, the superfluous things of the superior Life cut away. less to fulfill the promises it shall befall, not difficultly let him pardon: since both my infirmity the human condition, and inexperience excuses of obedience the aforesaid devotion. Nor indeed all things, which in the prior of this Life's writer are found, to be executed I judged: but those only, which to the thing to pertain seemed of dignity. Whosoever indeed about vile little bundles is occupied, seems this to do by penury of better things, especially when also some good things are to be passed over, where of better there abounds the choice. Some things indeed more strictly and some more widely I will explain, as each more or less of weight to have it seemed. In which last I trust me against brevity's reason to do let no one think: for neither necessary things, but those only which are empty, the law of brevity excludes. Now if these are enough, to the narration let us hasten.
CHAPTER I.
Birth, studies of virtues and sciences. Migration to Lesterp.
[2] Gualterius therefore, by nation an Aquitanian, by race Consular, was born of honored parents, of a father Raimundus, an Aquitanian, of a Consular father, of a mother Gualburga: whose maternal great-grandfather, from the nobility of the Franks descending, over three not lowest of Aquitaine cities ruled. Who of so great is handed down to have been abstinence, that in the lot placed conjugal, from a holy widowhood's purpose only by habit she seemed to differ. The expense and ornaments and delights of matrons to the cultivation rather of the inner man to transfer she cared; prudently attending, nothing to profit temporal glory to those about to perish. Of the goods therefore temporal this only for herself sparing, what to nature would suffice, all the rest into the uses of the poor more willingly she expended. to her mother pious by an Angel foretold: who as often as to the conjugal due to be paid, by the sole namely of offspring desire, she was drawn; of the inborn pleasure the offense, with following in footsteps tears and prayers she expiated. Whence it was done, that by God in dreams through an Angel visited, according to her soul's vow, not so much of possessions, as of sanctity an heir she conceived: of whom to the custody, from the very mother's womb, the same Angel deputed, by an evident afterward miracle became clear: which not foreign it seems briefly to recite.
[3] For while her her husband, to a place which fit for one about to give birth he had chosen, with cavalry led; and now either the journey's length, or the slowness of the departure the night's darkness on the travelers had brought; the horse, on which the matron sat, with eager step the way which it knew taking, the meeting of the Taurio a river the bridge, first ascended. And when some part of the very long bridge having measured, to an unknown precipice it had come, which namely of the overflowed river the rapid whirlpool, with her from the peril of submersion is preserved: the broken off and scattered planks, recently had made; wonderful to be told, with so great ease it passed through, that no of the pregnant woman mind unaware even from fear of trouble suffered. The inhabitants indeed of the place, with a board half a foot the broken parts had joined: but which to no quadruped passable, only foot-travelers not without caution and of peril fear would transpose. There followed after a little the company, single things explores, the crisis recognized: and the Lady absorbed believing, with sad howlings cried out. But when herself she unharmed by mutual cries had indicated, with joy were at once and with astonishment filled: then the unburdened horses precipitating into the whirlpool, they themselves through the narrow passage scarcely creeping, by a difficult swimming led them across.
[4] By this therefore sign of the holy boy the foreshown nativity joy to many brought, and of a future certain great good a presage. Which if anyone to the pregnant woman's merit to refer would prefer, so also to the famous pledge the grace we believe to be commended: for of whom had been the common peril, of these also of the liberation the miracle is made common: the cause however appears greater in the one, since to the mother nothing such befell before the conception. But also of the following his life the advancement, because it surpassed even the mother, seems to itself the preceding miracle to claim. For that from his first years I may begin, the boyhood itself and of youth the times so he passed, that even then it could be made to old men an example. For when after the education of tender infancy, as most of the nobles' children are wont, into the study of letters he was sent; there straightway of a singular wit the liveliness, and elegant sweetness of manners to lie hidden could not. a young man he is imbued with studies of letters and morals. The obscure of sentences with an understanding easy comprehending, to tenacious memory he committed: nor by the sole of the teacher authority content, of reason he consulted the examination of single things; and in a short after time both of rudiment as and of age the measure exceeding, when to the hearers' exemplar like things many he sought, so to say, more than was taught he learned. Nor indeed, as is wont to be done, did he need sometime by a whip to be restrained: since to him a spontaneous love of science of study more increased. Not him called away the game or trifling boyish, that less to books or tablets he should wish to lean. Meanwhile under the profession of a disciple, of morals a certain magistry he exercised; base too much esteeming, if of words the laws learning, the more useful by far of living rules he should be ignorant. He guarded therefore base things, not only of works, but also of words: nor anything easily he brought forth, in which not something of utility he attended. Wrath and envy and the mother of either pride he knew to abhor, he abhors from vices: and even to a light of anyone detraction the ear he denied and the tongue. He was subject to inferiors both by race and science, and of all even in himself rivals he provoked the affection. Enough to all now lay open, this to the boy conversation, not from nature, but by grace so to be disposed. Felt Hervaeus of Tours, a whose then fame of sanctity flourished, he is esteemed by Hervaeus of Tours, when by chance he passed through the place; and he indicated to the bystanders, what in that already little age of imitable perfection lay hidden. For that greater things we may conjecture from the least, under a bench, to which himself the same Hervaeus to make prayers had leaned, the boy lurked, by a laudable theft desiring from the mouth of so great a man of holy entreaty the form to steal. But, as afterward by him indicating it was learned, without any of words noise, that Saint much more efficaciously with tears and groans entreated: which form also this one afterward to have followed we have received. In this therefore of the little one already then not little to be weighed seems the intention, that while of other boys the license by the occasion of the venerable guest abused to play; this one alone by the maturity of counsel of the religious man, the brief though presence, to himself to pass over he did not suffer useless. Rejoiced the Scotorensis c church of so great a happy nursling; and whom to be instructed it had undertaken, a distinguished for itself to be it presumed Doctor.
[5] In this therefore study the boyhood run through, the more robust of youth years having entered, greater he began of virtues an army to meditate; nor, as most are wont, the prone into worse age to leisure he gave or to luxury. But fit now for the warfare Christian's labors his members, with arms of justice, against spiritual wickednesses, strongly about to fight, he instructed. And, lest any perchance to himself to hurt could of the crafty enemy the creeping-up, to fortitude he joined prudence; by which not only acts he might avoid unlawful, but also causes all and opportunities of sinning for himself utterly might cut off; wisely understanding, to the recruits of the camps spiritual a safer to be sought, than a more glorious victory. For one thing it is for life, another for glory to fight: for though it be distinguished, in readiness placed a sin to decline, and to transgress to be unwilling when thou canst; it is however safer the very of sinning to flee the power; this indeed caution no one ever deceived, in that moreover experience very many fell. By this therefore reason, the worst of vices the germs easily he subdued. The ardor indeed of lust (by which most is imperiled adolescence, when an inexperienced before of the body the motions to incautious minds of bland suggestion fixes the goads, by the fastings' chastisement and prayer's instance and perpetual chastity's love) in the very, so
so to say, conception, before it arose, he extinguished. Blessed plainly, who held and dashed the little ones of iniquity against the rock. from avarice's filths he declines: The cupidity of money and of base avarice's filths, which vice almost nothing is from man's dignity more remote, not only he himself never was deigned to admit, but also in others by his own liberality's example either he extirpated utterly or wore away. To the Brethren with whom he lived to all a pure he exhibited love, and of them nothing from himself alien he thought. He studied to imitate the special of single ones virtues, from all virtue he learns: that in himself one the good things of all he might gather. Nor only from others' virtues, but, what wonderful may seem, also he profited from vices; since these to himself for imitation, those indeed he proposed for caution.
[6] Of impatience by the goads agitated and by the spirit of fury unbridled, with tranquillity of mind and of words' sweetness either he mitigated, or tolerated. Whence it was done, that the Abbot of the place, with a bestial ferocity into the Brethren more immoderately raging, while blandly to appease he attempts, more he kindled, so far that the too pertinacious of the wretched old man fury, the simple of the holy youth correction to his contempt interpreting, to contrive for him ambushes did not cease, and of the innocent, as of a rebel, sought vengeance. To be yielded therefore to the time esteeming, the place he dismissed, and migrated into a castle, which Confluentium e is named, where in that time of his race the nobility very much excelled: in which tarrying for a time, not only to the domestics and by sanctity and the prerogative of science in a short time he became known. Whence also the Lesterp Church's Clergy, which to the aforesaid castle neighboring is, in the College of Lesterp he is received: to whom also divinely he was due, by the frequent of his colloquy delighted, with many prayers him into of their community the college received; the hope namely this fostering, that, if anything to their Abbot by human lot should happen, this one for themselves Father and Doctor unanimously they would demand. In whose ascribed College, with so great toward single ones discretion himself he bore, that when all him with common love loved, each however best of himself to have merited esteemed.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
The pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Miracles on the journey wrought.
[7] Meanwhile, when with the process of age, of virtues to himself succeeding by increments, although even among his own a stranger himself and a pilgrim, By the love of Christ to Jerusalem setting out as all the Fathers ancient, he reputed; to go on pilgrimage however to Jerusalem, by the holy places' desire led, he resolved; that what spiritually of Christ often he had sung, also corporally he might fulfill; We will adore in the place where stood His feet: at the same time also, that since to himself for the faith of Christ penalties and death by the hand of the executioner the reckoning of times denied, from the journey's necessity through tribulations and straits a certain for himself martyrdom he might find; whence it happened, that he who for the Lord, to suffer graver things had resolved, a greater from the Lord grace might merit. Ps. 131, 7 Attest this not small nor few miracles, which for him or through him on the same pilgrimage Christ showed. Of which some we will recite, from which the rest will be able to be esteemed. Sailing he with companions of the journey through the Adriatic gulf, in the Adriatic gulf by a grave tempest and famine vexed, by which to those to Jerusalem tending the passage lies open, so great suddenly a tempest pressed, that in despair of life for three days continuously by winds and waves they were tossed. But when the imminent peril by prayer's instance he had driven away, the shore scarcely reached, round about dispersed, of whatever sustenance the necessaries they sought: since they by the long of death fear worn out, by the tempest also vexed by violence, by famine also long had wasted away. But so great of the region had happened a solitude, and sterility of the sands, that neither human labor, nor nature's fecundity in those places anything tastable had brought forth. The labor therefore of the rest being frustrated, and again all of the famine's tempest terrified, to the blessed man alone his faith's constancy by a wonderful virtue answered. For behold of an unknown form a bird, where the Saint in a part alone had remained, he receives a great fish by a bird to him brought: with a placid flight gliding in, before his feet a huge fish deposited; which when alone to lift he could not, one being applied with himself who nearer stood of the companions, of divine bounty the dainty, thanks to the Lord rendering, he carried to the ship. Marveled the companions at the fish's greatness: but recognized what had happened, with greater them admiration struck the of the unusual order greatness: truly for at wonderful merits it had happened beyond custom, that a recent of the sea prey to the hungering through a bird was rained from heaven. But who once to those under the law placed wonderfully had rained a bird, now also to one under grace placed His servant more wonderfully rains a fish: less indeed it seems unusual, if a bird, than if a fish slip from the air. Astounded therefore those who were present at so great a virtue's sight, and from the wonderful event of the wonderful man's merits weighing, with knees bent to the ground they adored: and whom thus far a Saint they had held; from then also illustrious and magnificent they held; nor undeservedly to the ancient Fathers him they compared, in whom they saw of the ancient miracle the appearance to shine again. Fed once the Lord Elias through a raven, now also both him and his companions by a repeated example through a bird He fed: and although this one much inferior is to Elias, in one however this deed of both to itself answers the equality.
[8] Likewise at another time, while through waterless plains they went, and as much by the day's heat as by the journey's labor worn out, an intolerable of thirst they suffered straits, the man holy, of his own secure peril, began of the safety of his companions more to fear. Soon poured with tears prayer, with all confidence turned to the Lord, in a great thirst a fountain he draws out, named after Gualterius. with the staff which he held, the earth he struck. There followed waters continually salutary and clear, which not only to the thirsty would suffice to be refreshed, but also of a new fountain a vein perpetual would bubble forth. For lest the deed's memory to delete could oblivion, to the same fountain Gualterius' name imposed, even today to remain assert, those who saw. O how great is faith's virtue, to which even the very nature's impossibility resists not! Now if, the ancient of the striking through Moses in the desert made we should regard miracle, the majesty of the mystery being safe, not far unequal to see one can of similar things the comparison: indeed at diverse times, under two and unlike Testaments, works like things the same Lord of both. Let us compare water to water, the staff to the rod, the rock to the dry; let answer the thirsting to the thirsting, the stroke to the stroke be associated, in turn there allude of causes and places the equality.
[9] Nor with many interposed days, when by chance the companions contrary to custom on the sixth feria flesh ate; [on the 6th feria those eating flesh he excuses on account of the feast of S. Martin;] (since to them the daily labor's intention the reckoning of the days had shaken off) suddenly supervening their negligence he rebuked, why with exterior only necessities occupied of the sacred day the reverence they had not guarded. But when all confused he saw, and of heart the penitence with tears protesting; by fraternal moved compassion, Do not, he said, too much be saddened, venial it is indeed what not knowing you did. The clement Lord to your ignorance provided, while, if any of fault there was, the present Martin's feast you should know to be celebrated. For today of the most blessed Confessor Martin's feast know to be celebrated. Wherefore in holy charity's confidence you I exhort, that the begun feast you take intrepid. These said himself the flesh placed tasted, that their fear by his deed's authority he might confirm. All therefore the rest without delay obeying, one only there was: who not so much by religion's love, as by obstinacy of superstition resisted, and to consenting by no reason could be brought. But this his consequently was noted rebellion, that evidently to all, how great was charity, might appear. On the very indeed day the gold all, which with himself for the journey-money he carried, he lost. Which by a just of God it is established to have been done judgment, that he who of charity's food alone had rejected, the lost money of another he finds: of necessary sustenance the price should be deprived also alone. But, after by the loss's admonition rebuked, the fault he recognized, and himself to have sinned confessed; the man holy with mild words his consoled sadness, secure the way to take with the companions he bids, all to him lost soon to restore promising. Finally alone he himself through some returned of the journey, the found without delay by God's will money restored to its possessor.
[10] A fourth also to recite it pleases miracle, which above the mentioned not far may seem inferior. When by chance near the sea to the travelers a seat in the sand to place the night coming on had persuaded, disturbed suddenly the sky, of storm-clouds a tempest grew rough, so that even if by houses they were covered scarcely the tiles could of the flowing-down rains the injury drive away. Here the man most patient, from the shower is protected by a very large leaf from heaven fallen. when the rest as they could each for himself consulted, in the same in which he had measured place persisting, with the wonted of prayer shield he protected himself. To whose petition, sent from heaven of unheard greatness and of unknown appearance a leaf, of a herb uncertain whether of a tree, or perchance of neither, all marveling, not only from the rain himself defended, but also from the same a bed for himself most soft he prepared. Nor indeed could any underlie of a fortuitous event suspicion, in so great especially of divine gift novelty; since neither small even either herbs or trees of that sandy soil's sterility nourishments afforded. These therefore and others; after returned those who had seen, divulged, in a short time through all Aquitaine famous of the most holy man the name shone.
CHAPTER III.
The Lesterp Rectorate and the rest of his deeds with his pious death.
[11] Under nearly the same time of the Lesterp Church the Rector had died, whence it was done, He is chosen Rector of the Church of Lesterp: that by the Clergy and the Prince of the region Amardus, of the highest virtue a man, of the same Church the care to undertake with many prayers
he was asked. But when earnestly he resisted, nor to them however did they cease from prayers, lest confused altogether he should send them away, a day he set, on which to them by counsel he would answer. On the set day while himself humbly about to excuse he returns, dissenting however certain Clerics and Soldiers, who with him went, to whom rather that he should consent it pleased, suddenly a little bird a certain, which the rapacious which is called Nisus pressed, to him about to escape death fled; which he willingly gathering from the imminent peril freed. Then indeed they the occasion snatched to urge more vehemently, affirming God by a manifest sign of their sentence to have judged: by which namely sign openly it was proved, that to fail those imperiled he ought not. So by the Lesterp Clerics and the aforesaid Prince a little less compelled, lest to the divine will to be contrary he should seem, all rejoicing, the care which he was asked he undertook.
[12] in clothing and food moderate, Now indeed in the governance placed, how he bore himself, scarcely to execute in words anyone can. For neither turned to him, as to some is wont, the prelacy into elation; nor for himself for the dignity's place in clothing or food more anything or better usurped: nay indeed much now more sparing and more modest, the greater he had attained license, the more to himself less to be lawful he understood: on this account that of those in an eminent place placed, as to several profit virtues, so vices very much hurt. 1 Pet. 5, 3. Not therefore as lording over the Clergy, but according to the Apostle a form made to the flock from the soul, by love rather and benignity, than by terror or punishments to well acting his subjects he incited; a more pleasing to the Lord judging the voluntary devotion, than the compelled servitude: that for from free charity proceeds, this indeed a servile fear extorts. Nor however where there was need was zeal to him lacking, or a competent on rebels strictness: but at length these and necessarily as iron and fire he applied, lest perchance a neglected part of putrefaction, by creeping more widely, the parts entire should vitiate. But what human perversity under so great a leader unwilling the Lord would war, his subjects he helps by doctrine, example, and prayer, whose both doctrine would drive away ignorance, and life would afford for indeed three things to the committed flock the Father best provided, that instructed by preaching, by example animated, by prayer helped, against the enemy ancient to fight both they should know and should wish and should be able. to all all things made, Besides with so great about single ones solicitude he watched, that for of each either nature or age or condition a competent to each care he might apply: in the manner of a best certain physician, who, whence one is helped, another knows to be hurt; and whence this one is healed, that one to be imperiled he is not ignorant. To all therefore and to single ones congruous things he provided, to all all things made was, and so many of himself, so to say, men he made, as many as diversities he exhibited to men. Between vice and nature so subtly he discerned, and in the same person so the one he segregated from the other, that neither to this by sparing that he fostered, nor that by prosecuting this he wore away. Of no one even the lowest the necessity he neglected, to no one help asking he was not present. Of all the inconveniences through compassion his own he made: the prosperous things of all through charity to his gains he numbered.
[13] Among these of abstinence a follower most strong, of alms a distributor most generous, his body he chastises with hair-shirt and scourges, the famished fasting he refreshed, the naked freezing he covered, to those of a roof lacking he hired lodgings, to the stipendiaries prices he conferred. To all others propitious, to himself one difficult, what to all others he bestowed, to himself alone he denied the service. Nay indeed, as if not he were great now long since of the body a triumpher, his flesh with hair-shirt he wore assiduously; and what more may seem unusual, in the dead of night rising, his stripped in the church body to scourges he exposed: not that any was felt, but lest any could be felt of the afflicted flesh a rebellion: which that secretly to be done could and frequently, a faithful to himself torturer for a price he hired. Nor only to the needy, as is said, of the body the necessaries he ministered: but much more of souls' salvation solicitous, whomsoever he could, to gain to the Lord he busied. He rebuked the just one in mercy sinners, he received in indulgence penitents: since indeed, for of his merit sanctity, from the Roman See's Bishop b Victor c, the power he had received, from the Pontiff he receives the power of the keys, even of crimes to judge, and to penitents the church for of his discretion the arbitration either to close or to open. By this therefore license to of many the salvation he used: by this license very many, under a grave now of crimes burden despairing, by an injunction portable to of pardon hope he raised, and drew as dead out of the sepulchres. Several torpid by negligence, and too much of pardon presuming, by this same power as to be sequestered he terrified, and excited as those sleeping from sleep. A faithful servant and prudent, whom had constituted the Lord over the household His: faithful plainly, who not his own, but his Lord's gains he sought: nor his own praise, but his Lord's he thought honor. Plainly faithful, who of the Lord's truth the money not hiding, freely to all the precepts of the Lord preached; nor any powerful and rich, by fear of penalty or by love of reward, in their iniquities he flattered. Besides of the Catholic faith an asserter unconquered, to heretics and Jews, by the authority of the speaking in him spirit, quickly silence he imposed. He was also prudent: since in doctrine not only the person, but also the time he considered and the place.
[14] Of how great moreover long-suffering, of how great he was amid adverse things constancy, amid adverse things strong, the hostile slaughters and of wars the conflagrations prove, by which through of Princes' dissension, not only the church itself by a sacrilegious burning was deleted, but also a great part of the people with almost the whole Clergy by the same fire consumed. Since indeed the Prince of the land, by name Gordianus, resisting and crying out the blessed Man, with a nefarious daring, the very of the church enclosures had fortified, and a placed of armed men garrison with frequent incursions the neighbors devastated. This was the cause, that of the wicked by the merit the place innocent by the enemies was burned. the burned church But when neither so the mentioned Prince a depraved intention laid down, and the fortifications being rebuilt, among the sacred once walls his former sacrileges exercised, by divine at length terrors, through horrendous of nights visions, he was expelled: and the Saint being summoned, who not far thence with a few of his disciples, who from the conflagration had survived, lurking the divine clemency awaited, swears himself nothing such thenceforth about to presume, and the purged walls to the blessed Man restored. Who of the received calamity's toil, not to the cause of despair, but to the merit of proving converting; the restoration's work with the highest zeal he undertook, resisting certain Bishops, who the place, by blood and slaughter polluted, to be consecrated longer not to be able contended. But obtained at length of the blessed man the sound sentence, in a better manner he restores: not only by a synodal of Bishops approved decree, but also by Apostolic letters confirmed. The work therefore begun strenuously he consummated, and the invited of the neighboring cities' Bishops of Dedication the feast with the highest glory he celebrated. Then in the place of the consumed Clerics being substituted, the former of the church state both in number he increased and in merit; from tribulation of virtue taking matter, that deservedly a fortunate misfortune might be thought, which to the greater of the place glory had happened.
[15] it for 38 years he presides over, of these 7 blind. In adverse therefore proved and prosperous, in these cautious and humble, in those indeed strong and constant, in both by the merit of sanctity imitable himself he showed. A cedar he was of Lebanon, to firm clinging roots. A house he was of the Lord, upon a firm rock well founded. There overflowed the flood, there rushed the wind, and he remained immovable. In this therefore course the Lord being author the committed to him for thirty-eight years he ruled church, so that by no he was delayed of events variety, but always to good better, to better he added best. Nor him either old age's weakness, or the plague hurt of blindness, by which his patience seven before his death years was proved, the less the former of abstinence laws he should serve. But neither of the long course of prosperity, nor of signs frequent showing, by which in the world widely and long he was illustrious, any his soul with vanity tempted; but always amid miracles more humble, amid prosperous things more timid, the enemy's snares Christ leading he wore away.
[16] by corporeal miracles illustrious, And his exterior miracles, partly I have touched, partly prudent I pass over. As of the demoniac woman, whom at Vercelliacum d, in the church of Mary Magdalene, the people being present, on the holy day of Easter he purged. Of another likewise a noble and religious matron, whose death far placed through a revelation he knew. These therefore I pass over, lest in such things the chief I should seem to have placed. But those which spiritually he wrought miracles, neither to be passed over ought, because most worthy, nor to be explained can, because innumerable. If indeed just as in the body diseases, so vices to be are recognized in the soul; he who innumerable vicious ones corrected, certainly innumerable diseases put to flight. And, more he is praised for the spiritual cures. if a more perilous sickness a more glorious makes the cure, so much certainly a greater merits praise of vices the healing, the more grave the soul's peril, than of the body to be is recognized. And so the Father holy spiritual chiefly to put to flight studied sicknesses, and spiritual chiefly bestowed healths: to the proud humility, to the lascivious chastity, to the prodigal he conferred sparingness, generosity to the avaricious, meekness to the irascible, to the luxurious abstinence he delivered, to the envious charity he restored. But in single things why do we delay? Let him enumerate the remedies, who to number can the inconveniences, or who cannot the sicknesses, neither to number let him think the healings.
[17] Now to his passing let us come. Already a good soldier in the tabernacle of the Lord even to old age had dwelt, and entered without spot, and worked justice, worthy he was to receive his discharge, and to rest in His holy mountain. with the sacraments fortified: Seized therefore by fevers desired, he felt of the Lord knocking on him the coming; and the disciples being called together, the imminent to them of his death day glad he foretold. And consoled the mourning ones and to better things exhorting, that also of dying the order he might demonstrate, to whom of living the form he had delivered; to be led in first the Presbyters and the sacred to himself Unction to be made he asked. Then received with the highest of heart and body humility the Eucharist, stripped of the linen, the hair-shirt, which always to the flesh he used, he opened; of which deed the reason, when by the bystanders it was asked: Naked, he said, with a naked one ought to wrestle, lest he have whence he can be held. So into the church by the Brethren carried, in the church, with ash and hair-shirt covered, he dies, and before the altar of the mother of the Lord deposited, his exit in ash and hair-shirt, with raised to the Lord of the mind eyes, he awaited. There wept with silence those who were present, and prayed, in the ears of him, as he had bidden, the sacred reading resounded. And when the lector to the extreme of the book's clause had come, by which is said; The end of speaking all together let us hear, the Lord fear and His commandments observe, this is indeed every man; with a fitting enough event, with the end of speaking, the man holy the end made of living: and proceeded to the Lord, whom truly he had feared, and whose commandments he had observed, to which without doubt every man it is established to be created. But how much we think of reading and prayer by the zeal living he had adhered,
from which not even dying could he abstain? or when from preaching did he cease, who even in his exit edifying sentences brought forth? there also he is buried. Eccl. 12, 13 His body with a great of peoples frequency in the same church honorably was buried, where even today he rests: at whose sepulchre many are done miracles, many faithfully asking receive benefits: the Lord bestowing our Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns through all the ages of ages.