A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

CHAP. XII. (Book 12)

Of the Greek Ecclesiastical Writers who flourish'd in the Eleventh Century.

LEO, the Grammarian, is the Author of a Continuation of Theophanes's Chronicle, * 1.1 from A. C. 813. to 1013. which is apparently the Year when he wrote. It was publish'd by Father Combefis, in the end of Theophanes's Works; Printed at Paris, A. D. 1655.

ALEXIUS, a Monk of the Monastery of Studa, and afterward Patriarch of the Church * 1.2 of Constantinople, which he govern'd from A. D. 1025. to 1043. compil'd certain Constitutions relating to Ecclesiastical Affairs, which are referr'd to in the Collection of the Greek and Ro∣man Law.

EUGESIPPUS, an Author very little known, compos'd a Geographical Treatise of the Holy Land, publish'd by Allatius, in his Collection of the Greek and Latin Writers. 'Tis reported that this Treatise was written about A. D. 1040.

THEOPHANUS the Ceramean, Arch-bishop of Tauromenium in Sicily, liv'd in this * 1.3 Century, although we have already made mention of him in the Ninth Age, to which he is generally referr'd; but two Reasons invincibly prove, that he belongs to the Eleventh: The first is, That he cites Metaphrastes; and the other, that 'tis express'd, That the Homely on Palm-Sunday, was made in the Presence of King Roger, who could be no other Person but the Count of Sicily, whom he stiles King and Emperor, according to the usual Custom of the Greeks. The Homelies attributed to Gregory the Ceramean, in some Manuscripts, are not different from those of Theophanes; insomuch, that it must either be an Error of the Tran∣scribers, or else Theophanes had two Names. Let the Case be how it will, these Homelies be∣ing 72 in Number, are not Contemptible; in which the Author explains the literal Sense of the Gospels, and afterwards enlarges on the Allegorical and Moral; but his Style is plain, without any manner of Ornament, or loftiness of Expression.

At the same time likewise flourish'd NILUS DOXOPATRIUS, Archimandrita or Abbot of his Convent; who by Count Roger's Order, compos'd a Treatise of the five Patri∣archal * 1.4 Sees, and of the Arch-bishopricks and Bishopricks under their Jurisdiction; as also con∣cerning the Institution of those Patriarchs, their Ranks, Titles, Rights and Privileges. Al∣latius has produc'd many Fragments of this Piece; and it was publish'd entire by M. Le Moine, in the first Tome of his Sacred Varieties.

NICETAS PECTORATUS, besides the above-mention'd Treatise against the * 1.5 Latins, compos'd also some other Works; particularly a Treatise of the Soul, of which Al∣latius set forth a Fragment; an Hymn in Honour of St. Nicolas; and another in Commen∣dation of Metaphrastes, referr'd to by the same Author.

MICHAEL PSELLUS, descended of a noble Family in Constantinople, made so * 1.6 great Progress in the Studies to which he apply'd himself, that he became one of the most learn'd Men of that Age: He exercis'd the Office of a Senator, and was highly esteem'd by the Emperors: He was one of those Deputies whom Michael sirnam'd Stratioticus, sent to Isaac Comnenus to treat with him, and the latter made use of his Service against Michael Ceru∣larius;

afterward he was chosen Tutor to Michael Ducas, who was advanc'd to the imperial Throne by his means, A. D. 1071. He follow'd the Fortune of that Emperor; and was oblig'd, when the same Prince was depos'd in 1078. to retire to a Monastery, where he died a little while after. The Greek Writers, who succeeded him, made many Encomium's on his profound Skill in all manner of Sciences; more especially Allatius, who gives us a very par∣ticular Character of him; and says, That none in that Age nor in the following, was ever more successful in inventing; nor observ'd a more regular Method; nor wrote with so ad∣mirable Eloquence, and discuss'd Matters so thoroughly; and lastly, that there is no Science, in which he has not written Commentaries, Abridgments or Treatises.

The Printed Works of Michael Psellus, are a Paraphrase in Verse on the Canticles, dedi∣cated to Nicephorus Botoniata, which was publish'd in Greek by Meursius, and Printed at Ley∣den, A. D. 1617. and in Latin at Venice in 1573. A Commentary on the same Book, taken out of St. Gregory Nyssen, St. Nilus and St. Maximus, which is extant among Theodoret's Works: Certain Questions about the Holy Trinity and the Person of Jesus Christ, Printed at Augsburg in 1608. Iambick Verses on the Vertues and Vices: Moral Discourses on Tan∣talus and Circe, and an Allegory of Sphinx, Printed at Basil in 1545. A Dialogue of the Operation of Demons, Printed at Paris in 1615. with M. Gaulmin's Notes: A Scholion or brief Commentary on the Chaldaick Oracles, Printed at Venice in 1593. and at Paris in 1599. A Treatise of the Faculties of the Soul, Printed at Paris in 1624. with Origen's Philocalia: Annotations on some Passages of St. Gregory Nazienzen, publish'd by Billius: The Panegyrick and Office of Simeon Metaphrastes, set forth by Allatius: And a Treatise of the Seven general Councils, publish'd with several Poems by M. Bosquet, and Printed at Paris in 1632. Not to mention a great number of Books of Philosophy and Commentaries on Aristotle, which bear the Name of this Author, and are Printed at several Places.

Allatius likewise produces a Catalogue of many other Treatises written by Psellus, which are only extant in Manuscript; particulary, a Treatise against Eunomius; an Epitome of the Books of Moses; certain Theological Questions; divers Tracts about the Mysteries of Je∣sus Christ; many Homilies and some Letters: Notwithstanding the high esteem that Allatius has for this Author, his Works do not appear to be very useful, nor very learn'd, in respect of Ecclesiastical Matters, nor very eloquent. Although he was no Friend to Michael Ceru∣larius, yet he maintain'd the Opinion of the Greeks concerning the Procession of the Holy Ghost.

In the end of the same Century liv'd SIMEON sirnam'd the Younger, Abbot of the * 1.7 Monastery of Xerocerce, of whom we have 33 Orations or Sermons on Faith, and on the Christian and Monastick Manners; as also a Pious Treatise call'd, Hymns of Divine Love, in measur'd Prose, which the Greeks call Politick or Blank Verse; and 228 moral Maxims, which Jacobus Pontanus translated into Latin from the Manuscripts of the Libraries of Bava∣ria and Augsburg, and caus'd to be Printed at Ingolstadt in Quarto, A. D. 1603. Allatius gives us a Catalogue of 79 Homilies, 58 Hymns, and some Instructions by this Author, with the Titles and Beginings of them: Of the Homilies there are only Fifteen among those of Pon∣tanus, and of the Hymns there are Twenty, which Pontanus has not publish'd, no more than the Instructions of which he makes mention. These Works are full of Moral and Ascetick Precepts; but there are also certain Maxims of the Hesychasts or Quietists: So that perhaps it may not be amiss, here to shew after what manner he lays down those Principles of Quietism, in his third Discourse of Prayer.

In the first place (says he) three Things are to be Practis'd, in order to attain to what you desire, viz. the Contempt of all Rational and Irrational Creatures, Mortification, and a pure Conscience, free from all manner of Passions and particular Interests. After∣wards sitting alone in Tranquility in a Corner of your Cell, do what I am now about to tell you: Keeping your Door shut, lift up your Mind above all Vanities; that is to say, above all temporary and transitory Things, and bowing your Head to your Belly, hold your Breath; seek your Heart in Mind: At first you'll find thick Darkness, but by con∣tinuing this practice Day and Night, you will discover Wonders and meet with endless Consolation: For when the Mind has once found out the place of the Soul, it clearly per∣ceives things which it never comprehended before; it discerns Air round about the Heart, and becomes altogether Luminous and full of Wisdom: And when a Man is arriv'd to that height of Perfection, if any evil Thought intervenes, it is expell'd and immediately dis-appears, before it can make any Impression; so that the Mind being exasperated drives away the Devil: You may learn the rest with God, by preserving Jesus Christ in your Heart.

This is the Model of Quietism fram'd by that Monk, who talks of nothing for the most part in his System of Divine Love, but Divine Illuminations and Lights, Divine Unions, Essen∣tial Unions with God; the Transformation of our Members into those of Jesus Christ, and other Matters of the like Nature. However it must be acknowledg'd, That otherwise the Works of this Author are full of most excellent Maxims, solid Principles, and very useful Instructions for promoting the Spiritual Life. There are also two other small Tracts by the same Author, viz. one of the alteration and impressions which the Elements make on the

Bodies and Souls of Men; and the other, of the manner of God's Omnipresence in all Places, and how his Light is dispers'd every where. The same Method of Writing, and the same Principles are observable in these Pieces: But Simeon was cast into Prison in the end of his Life, for reproving the Emperor too freely (as some say) or as others will have it, upon account of his Erroneous Doctrins. He is also reputed to have first broach'd the Error of those Greek Monks, who imagin'd, That the Light which appear'd on Mount Tabor, was the uncreated and eternal Light of the Divine Majesty; and that all Happiness consisted in the Contemplation of it.

JOHN, Arch-bishop of Euchaita in Paphlagonia, compos'd in the middle of this Century, * 1.8 certain Poetical Pieces in Iambick Verse, on the principal Histories of the Festivals of the Year, Printed at Eton, A. D. 1610. As also a Relation of the Lives of St. Eusebius and St. Dorotheus the Younger; some Extracts of which are produc'd by Allatius, in his Book of the Agreement of the Greek and Latin Churches, concerning Purgatory.

JOANNES THRACESIUS SCYLITZES, † 1.9 Curopalata, who flourish'd un∣der * 1.10 Alexis Comnenus, wrote a Continuation of Theophanes's History, from the Year 813. to 1081. when Alexis Comnenus was advanc'd to the imperial Dignity. It was Printed at Ve∣nice in Latin, of Gabius's Translation; and Peter Goar publish'd it in Greek, at the end of Cedrenus's Chronicle, part of the same History by Scyletzes, which begins at A. D. 1057. and ends in 1081.

GEORGIUS CEDRENUS, a Monk, flourish'd in like manner in the end of the Century, and wrote Annals or an Epitome of History, from the beginning of the World to the Year 1057. It is only a Collection of divers Authors, more especially of George the * 1.11 Syncellus, whose Chronography he Copied out from the Creation of the World, to the Reign of Diocletian; of Theophanes, from Diocletian to Michael Curopalata; and of Joannes Thracesius Scylitzes, afterward Curopalata, to his time. In a word, his whole History is taken out of the Works of several Writers, the Extracts of which he has drawn up without much Judgment or Skill, in the Art of Critick. These Annals were Translated by Xylander, and Printed at Basil, A. D. 1566. and afterward at Paris in the Royal Printing-House, with the Notes of Fabrot and James Goar, in 1647.

CONSTANTINUS LICHUDES, who succeeded Michael Cerularius, A. D. 1058. in the Patriarchal See of Constantinople, compil'd certain Synodal Constitutions, which are contain'd in the Collection of the Greek and Roman Law, as well as a Synodal Decision of Michael Cerularius about Marriages, to the seventh Degree of Consanguinity; and some other Fragments of Constitutions by the same Patriarch, relating to forbidden Mar∣riages.

JOHN XIPHILIN, of Trebisond or Trapezut, a Monk of Mount Olympus, succeed∣ed Constantin Lichudes, A. D. 1066. and died in 1078. We have still in our Possession his Homily on the Cross, or on the third Week of Lent, cited by Gretzer, and certain Decrees about Marriage inserted in the Collection of the Greek and Roman Law. 'Tis also reported, That there are to be seen in some Libraries, certain Homilies by this Patriarch, on all the Sun∣days of the Year; and some have imagin'd him to be the Author of the Epitome of Dion Cassius's History, but the latter assures us himself, That he was his Nephew, and that he compos'd that Abridgment under the Emperor Michael Ducas.

SAMONAS, Arch-bishop of Gaza, flourish'd (as 'tis suppos'd) in the end of this Cen∣tury, and wrote a small Tract in form of a Dialogue, between Himself and a Saracen; in which he proves, That the Bread and Wine in the Eucharist, are chang'd into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This Piece is extant in the Bibliotheca Patrum; but 'tis more probable, that that Arch-bishop did not live till the Thirteenth Century.

NICOLAS, Bishop of Metone, is also referr'd to the Eleventh Century: He compos'd a Treatise of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, like that of Samonas, against those who * 1.12 doubted that the Consecrated Bread and Wine, were really his Body and Blood: But there is yet a much greater probability that this Author belongs to the Twelfth Century. He like∣wise compos'd three Treatises of the Procession of the Holy Ghost against the Latins, of which some Manuscript-Copies (as we are inform'd by Allatius) are preserv'd in the Vatican Library: His Treatise of the Eucharist is in the Bibliotheca Patrum.

THHOPHYLACT, Arch-Bishop of Acris in Bulgaria, flourish'd under the Emperors * 1.13 Romanus Diogenes, Michael Ducas and Nicephorus Botoniata. He took a great deal of pains in explaining the Holy Scripture, by making an Abridgment of St. Chrysostom's Commenta∣ries, and after that manner compos'd his Commentaries on the four Gospels, on the Acts of the Apostles, on St. Paul's Epistles, and on four of the lesser Prophets, viz. Habakkuk, Jonas, Nahum and Hosea.

These Commentaries were Printed in Latin at Paris, A. D. 1554. and at Basil in 1570. The Commentaries on the Gospels were Printed in Latin at Antwerp in 1564. in Greek at Rome in 1542. and 1568. and in Greek and Latin at Paris in 1562. The Commentaries on the Acts, were Printed in Greek and Latin at Colen in 1568. The Commentaries on St. Paul's Epistles, were Printed in Latin at Rome in 1469. at Antwerp in 1564. at Colen in 1531. and at Paris in 1552. as also in Greek and Latin at London in 1536. Lastly, The Commentaries on

the four lesser Prophets were Printed at Paris in 1549. and 'tis reported that there is extant an entire Manuscript Commentary on all the lesser Prophets, in the Library of Augsburg; Meursius has publish'd 75 Letters by this Author in Greek, Printed at Leyden in 1617. which were afterward translated into Latin by Marinerius, and Printed at Colen in 1622. Gretser likewise set forth under Theophylact's Name, a Discourse of the Cross, and Father Poustin another Treatise, which is an Institution dedicated to Constantin Porphyrogenneta. Joannes Veccus has cited certain Passages of the same Arch-bishop, relating to the Procession of the Holy Ghost, against the Latins; and 'tis reported that there is to be seen in the Library of the Duke of Bavaria, a Manuscript Treatise by him, concerning the Differences between the Greeks and Latins, and a Discourse on the Emperor Alexis Comnenus. Theophylact's Com∣mentaries are very useful for the Literal Explication of the Holy Scriptures.

NICETAS SERRON, a Deacon of the Church of Constantinople, and afterward * 1.14 Arch-bishop of Heraclea, Cotemporary with Theophylact, wrote a Commentary on St. Gre∣gory Nazianzen's Homilies, which is inserted in Latin among the Works of that Father: To him likewise is attributed a Catena on the Book of Job, Printed in Latin at Venice in 1587. and at London in 1637. which nevertheless may be rather appropriated to Olympiodorus, than to this Author; but 'tis probable that the Commentary on the Poems of St. Gregory Nazian∣zen, Printed at Venice in 1563. under the name of Nicetas the Paphlagonian, belongs to this Nicetas of Heraclea.

NICOLAS, Sirnam'd the Grammarian, chosen Patriarch of Constantinople, in the * 1.15 Year 1084. wrote a large Letter to the Emperor Alexis Comnenus to prove, That 'tis not lawful to take away Bishopricks from the Metropolitans. He likewise made certain Consti∣tutions about Marriage, which are to be found with this Letter, in the Collection of the Greek and Roman Law.

PETER, Deacon and Chartophylax or Keeper of the Records of the Church of Constan∣tinople, made, A. D. 1090. his brief Answers to certain Cases that were propos'd to him: They are in like manner compris'd in the Collection of the Greek and Roman Law.

Among all these Authors may be reckon'd, a certain Jew of Africa, nam'd Samuel of Mo∣rocco, converted to the Christian Religion; who compos'd a small Tract to prove, That the Messiah was come; in which he gives us to understand, that he wrote a thousand Years after the Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem: This Piece was Printed at several times separately, and is extant in some Collections of Authors.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Leo the Gramma∣rian.
• * 1.2

  Alexius Patriarch of Con∣stantino∣ple. Eugesip∣pus.
• * 1.3

  Theopha∣nes the Cerame∣an, Arch-bishop of Taurome∣nium.
• * 1.4

  Nilus Doxopa∣trus, Ar∣chiman∣drita.
• * 1.5

  Nicetas Pectora∣tus Monk of Studa.
• * 1.6

  Michael Psellus Senator.
• * 1.7

  Simeon the Young, Abbot of Xerocer∣ce.
• * 1.8

  John Arch-bishop of Euchai∣ta.
• † 1.9

  The Name of one of the principal Ministers of State, in the Court of the Ea∣stern Em∣perors. Georgius Cedrenus.
• * 1.10

  Joannes Thracesi∣u, Scylit∣zes, Curo∣palata.
• * 1.11

  Acertain Officer un∣der the Pa∣triarch of Constan∣tinople. Constan∣tin Lichu∣des, Pa∣triarch of Constan∣tinople. John Xi∣philin Pa∣triarch of Constan∣tinople. Samonas Arch-bishop of Gaza.
• * 1.12

  Nicolas Bishop of Metone.
• * 1.13

  Theophy∣lact Bishop of Acris.
• * 1.14

  Nicetas Serron, Arch-bishop Heraclea.
• * 1.15

  Nicolas the Gram∣marian, Patriarch of Con∣stantino∣ple. Peter Charto∣phylax, of the Church of Constan∣tiople. Samuel of Morocco, a convert∣ed Jew.