Fuga sæculi. Or The holy hatred of the world Conteyning the liues of 17. holy confessours of Christ, selected out of sundry authors. Written in Italian by the R. Fa. Iohn-Peter Maffæus of the Society of Iesus. And translated into English by H.H.

S. Antony being now come to the end of his dayes, presageth his death. With his happy departure out of this life. Chap. 22.

THe holy Old man, was now arriued to the age of one hun∣dred and fiue yeares old, with a great ability of body. He wā∣ted not a tooth, though his gumms indeed were somwhat fallē: He had his sight very excellent good; hauing his eyes yet sound, and quite without blemish: his feete, and armes he had still very actiue, and that which is more to be merueyled at, was this; that notwith∣standing he was so giuen, from his childhood, to Fastings, Vigils, Solitudes, Cloysters, with other of the sharpest penances that are, without shifting (as we sayd aboue) his garments, or euer bathing himself; he had yet, so fresh, and fayre a skynne, as if he had beene alwayes trayned vp in feasts, and banquets, stoues, and baths, and other addresses of human delicacyes. In this state, had he an interi∣our feeling in himselfe, of the speedy approach of his last dayes. Wherupon going forth againe from the in most part of the wilder∣nes to reuisite and comfort the Conuents abroad, and causing the Brothers to be assembled together as to a Congregation, he cleerly spake to them in this sort.

This is the last visit, and surely is it much, that in this present life, we haue enioyed one another so long. But now it is tyme at last, that I goe my wayes. For I haue liued in the world my part

already. The disciples in hearing this, beganne to weep, and to giue very deare imbraces, and holy kisses of peace to their Mayster, Who being now very glad to go forth of this exile, and to passe into his Countrey, in the meane while he went about, to put them in mynd, that they would not suffer the trauayles of Religion to seeme tedious to them, but dayly seeme to expect death: that they endeauour to keep, the soule from vncleane thoughts: that they purpose to imitate the manners of Saints, and wholy fly the cōmerce of Schismatiques, and Heretiques, not suffering themselues to bend this way, or that way; through feare of Magistrates, or Princes, whose forces are but little, and not durable.

With these, and other such like aduises, making an Epilogue as it were of the rest, he tooke leaue of his children, who vsing all violence to reteine him there, that they might be receiuing his last spirit, they could not procure the fauour, as well for many respects which he cōcealed, as principally, to auoyd a certayne abuse, which the Egiptians had, to conserue with some art or other, the bodyes of persons of quality, vpon certaine beds, in performing their wonted Exequies indeed, & en wrapping them after their manner in sheetes, but yet auoyding to put them vnder the ground, as a thing wholy vnworthy of them. Now was this abuse alwayes very much dis∣pleasing to S. Antony, and he had been reprehending the people for it at sundry tymes, and intreated the Bishops, often to remedy the same: alleadging that euen from the auncient Prophets themselues, were seen to bee sepulchers extant, yea that the body of Christ our Lord himselfe, had beene put in to a Monument, and was couered with a great stone, who arose the third day With which examples, howbeyt already, he had reduced many persons, to bury their dead; yet neuerthelesse, knowing the custome, and inclination of that people, he would not trust the multitude with his spoyles, but re∣tiring himselfe into his Cell, from whence had he departed, within few months after fell sicke: and calling his two disciples to him, who had now some fifteene yeares been present with him, he spake to them in manner following.

I am now (my deerest) vpon walking the way of my Fathers, and I feele my selfe to be called of our Lord. As for you be you wary and vigilant, and take heed, you loose not the labours of so long a tyme: but as if you had but now begunne, do you enforce yoursel∣•…•…es to maynteynly out wonted feruour and study. Then know yo•…•…

the snares, and rages of the inuisible Enemies, and know you like∣wise, how through diuine Iudgment, they haue lost their forces. Do you not feare them then, but alwayes aspire to Christ, and fixing a •…•…iuely fayth in him, expect euery moment to be cited before him, & so attend to your selues, still remembring the rules, and documents, you haue had from me; especially to fly as fyre, the conuersation of Arrians, and Meletians, and whosoeuer shall haue seuered themsel∣ues from the Fayth, and communion of the Catholique Church, since you know, how I no lesse haue alwayes abhorred them. But rather seeke to vnite your selues with Christ, and with his Saints; that after death, they may acknowledge you as Friends, and be re∣ceyuing you into the Eternall tabernacles. Be this your opinion then, and this your discourse.

And if you haue any care of me also, as of a Father, doe not suffer my Corps, by any meanes, to be carryed to Egypt, with the hazard of being put vp in some house, according to the peruerse cu∣stome of the Country there; but hide me rather in the earth, in a place, where no person of the world, may know besids your sel∣ues, because if it be cōsumed for the present, it shall yet be restored agayne very glorious in the Resurrection. You shall distribute my Garments in such sort, as that Athanasius the Bishop may haue one of my Melots (which were only poore sheep skins sowed together) and the Mantle whereupon I was wont to lye. To the Bishop Sera∣pion, you shall giue the other Melot: and you, in memory of mee shall keep the Cilice: and with this my Sonnes, remayne in peace, for Antony passeth, and shall be no more abiding with you.

These were his last words, and then with a cheerefull counte∣nance, shewing the Angels and Saints to reioyce, who came to meete him, he gaue vp the Ghost. And the disciples, though sad for loosing such a Father on earth, neuerthelesse being recomforted, for hauing purchased such an Intercessour in Heauen, did bury him, according as he had ordyned. And to the Bishops, they gaue the garments, as welcome, and as much esteemed of them, as those who had gotten a very rich inheritance. And the great Athanasius, recounts of him∣selfe, how he wore the same afterwards, very willingly: whereby it seemed to him, that he carryed about him, a perfect Memorial of the wholesome aduises, and documents of S. Antony. Such a course, and end, made the great Seruant of Christ: whose life (as we insinuated aboue) Athanasius himselfe first wrote, in the Greeke tongue; who

though he were of another vocation, notwithstanding in fayth & will was he most vnited with him. The blessed Euagrius translated the same into latin, who liued very neere those tymes, and was the disciple of both the Macarius, enriching the same with some things receiued, as it is probable, of such as had much familiarity & conuer∣sation with the Man of God. Moreouer, as many as haue framed the Ecclesiasticall History, and other most graue Authours besides, haue likewise touched his acts, and made very pious, and honourable mē∣tion of him: God vndoubtedly so disposing the same, not so much in recompence of the labours of S. Antony (who enioying eternall felicity in heauen, should seeme to care very little to be renowned in earth) as for the profit of all man kind. To the end, so perfect, and noble deeds, words, and manners, might not seeme to be shut vp within the termes of one people, or of one age only; but should dilate themselues into all parts, and serue for instruction, glasse, & incitement to all Nations, and to all posterity.