CAP. VI.
Of Gregorius who succeeded Anastasius in the seae of Antioch.
GRegorius after the depriuation of Anastasius, was preferred to the holye Byshopricke of Antioch, a man of great fame for his gift in poetrie. He led a monasticall life of a childe, be∣haued him selfe therein so vprightly, and so stoutly, that he was no sooner come to mans e∣state, but he attained vnto the highest and most perfecte degree, and was made gouernour of the monasterye in Constantinople, where he led a poore and an austere life. After that againe by the commaundement of Iustinus, he was appointed chiefe of the monasterye in mount Sina, where he stood in great perill, by reason the Barbariās Scenetae, a nation of Arabia besieged that place. And whē as by his meanes peace was there concluded, he was called from thence to be a Byshop. He was a man that excelled and passed others, both for wisedome and vertue, what thinge so euer he tooke in hand, that would he doe with great diligence, and as no feare could dismay him, so coulde no other means allure him to contrary his owne saying, no not the threats & autority of the higher power▪ furthermore he was wont to distribut such large summs of money (his liberality, & bounti∣fulnes extended vnto euery man) that whither so euer he went, a marueilous great multitude be∣sides his ordinarie traine followed after him, & they that either heard or sawe, he would go to any place, came flocking after. this one thing againe may be added as a second ornament vnto his dig∣nity & calling, that the people were oftentimes very desirous of them selues, either to beholde his goodly person, or to heare the notable grace he had of vtterance and pronunciation, he was of all o∣thers the man yt soonest could bringe men in loue with him, reasoned they with him of what matter so euer they would, he had an amiable & a gracious face, his talke very gētle & pleasant. And as he was quick witted to perceaue any matter, were it neuer so profound, so passed he in wise counsel & graue iudgement, belonged it either to him selfe or to others. And thereof it came to passe y• he com∣passed so many noble acts, he was the man y• would post ouer no busines vnto the next day. he made not onely y• emperours of Rome, but also y• kings of Persia to haue him in great admiratiō because he knewe howe to vse all men, as both necessity constrained, & occasion which he neuer omitted did require. euery his rare & singuler acts can testifie this which I say to be no lesse then true. He was very seuere & sometimes angry, againe somwhat, nay very gentle and meeke, yt the witty saying of Gregorie the diuine was liuely expressed in him, to wit, the seuerity was so tempered with shame∣fastnes yt nothinge coulde take hurt by reason of either of them, but both, because both were iointly linked together, purchased great commendation.