be extracted from the Nobility, which is ordinarily full of generosity, being derived from a father, ho∣noured with one of the chief charges of the Empire, which was the Lieutenancy over the Gauls. Besides, he came into the world first breathing French air, which hath been esteemed (according to S. Hierom) the Countrey of the most noble and learned spi∣rits of the earth: and Sidonius another Prelate hath said, the valour of a French-man extendeth fur∣ther than his life; for he liveth even then, when the soul and body are divided. Secondly, as we have observed before, God many times declared the cal∣ling of infants by sundry presages: It was a great sign of the eloquence of Saint Ambrose, to behold a swarm of bees all together settle on his cradle, which was at that time brought out into a court of his fathers Palace, that the child might thereby take a little fresh air. The nurse seeing these little honey-creatures buzze about him, much nearer than she could have wished, coming and going to his lips, was affrighted, and thought to drive them away; but the father, who walking in the same place with his wife and daughter, beheld this pretty sport, made a sign she should hold her hands, lest by exasperating these little creatures, she might provoke their stings. In the end, they peaceably forsook the place, and soa∣red away so high, that they lost sight of them. At that time Ambrose, father of our great Prelate, spake aloud, as with the spirit of prophesie: This infant shall be great. And verily, these bees much better alluded to S. Ambrose than to Plato, who is said to have had the like hap in his infancy. For we must affirm, the eloquence of Plato had honey in it, and no sting: but this of S. Ambrose, besides the exceeding sweetness thereof in peaceable arguments, had, when there was occasion of combate, stings that pierced to the quick.
We may well say, he was the most elaborate in his style of all the Doctours of the Church, especially if we speak of the Latins. For many, as S. Hierom, and S. Augustine, oftentimes dictated with much vehe∣mency of spirit, what came to their mind: but S. Am∣brose did not so much accustom himself to dictate to a writer; for he in composing ever had his pen in hand, to polish his works at leisure, and as we say, lick his own bear.
Adde hereunto another sign of his vocation, in the childish sports he exercised without consideration, as did heretofore Saint Athanasius, being then, as he, an infant, which was, to cause his sister, and the children which attended her, to kiss his hand; as the hand of a Bishop, he therein taking much plea∣sure. It seemeth, God sometimes sheweth children as with his finger, the way they should pursue. It is an admirable thing, that ther•• was in Paris found a young begger, called Mauritius, so far transport∣ed in his own fancy, that he one day might become Bishop of Paris, that many offers being jestingly made unto him in his infinite necessity, to move him to renounce the right he pretended to the Bishop∣rick of this ample Citie, it proved meerly impossi∣ble: which a wealthy man perceiving, he so further∣ed him in studie, as in the end he came to the de∣gree, which to himself he had prefigured. What shall we say? God unlooseneth even the tongues of mothers, to speak prophetically touching the state of their children. Witness a most honourable La∣die, named Ida, mother of three sons, Baldwin, Godfrey, Eustace, who one day sporting with her, and hiding themselves under her gown, and many times shewing their heads with diverse pretty child∣ish dalliances, the father casually coming thither in the midst of their play, as they were all covered with their mothers garment, demanded, Who have we there? The Ladie readily answered, not knowing what she should say, It is a King, a Duke, and a Count. So it proved: Baldwin was King of Jerusalem, God∣frey succeeded in the Dutchy of Lorrain, to his fa∣ther the great Godfrey of Bouillon, and Eustace was Earl of Boloigne. God made use of this womans tongue, as of the hand of a dyal, which pointeth out the hours as the great wheel guids it, leaving no memory where it touched. Ambrose did the like at that time, directed by the spirit of God. He made himself Bishop in his own imagination, but when he pursued the way of his proper reason and natural judgement, he therein used all resistance, not thinking he was called thereunto.
In the third place, his calling was altogether ex∣traordinary and miraculous, in that being sent into the Territory of Milan in the quality of a Gover∣nour, Probus, who substituted him, merily said: Go, rule like a Bishop, rather than a President, recom∣mending mildness unto him, that he might apply a le∣nitive to the great rigours that were used in matter of justice. This fell out much otherwise than Pro∣bus and Ambrose had projected, for as the history tel∣leth, Auxentius, an Arrian Bishop, who had much lon∣ger lived than was fit for a man so wicked, some little time before deceased at Milan, the Metropolitan place of his Diocess, and when there was question to pro∣ceed to election, there were many difficulties between the Catholicks and Arrians, every one coveting to create a Bishop of his own party. The emulation which was much enkindled, threatned to draw bloud from the veins of both sides before it could be quen∣ched. Ambrose, as a Magistrate, went thither to re∣dress it. And behold at the same instant a little child, as if it had been an Angel, descended from Heaven, cried out in the midst of the assembly, Ambrose must be created Bishop. This loud voice was seconded by all men, as a voice sent from the mouth of God. The fire of dissention was quenched in an instant, the most outragious courages forsook their arms, and thought on nothing but to raise Ambrose, who was not as yet baptized, to bear him by ordinary degrees to the E∣piscopal chair.
There were some obstacles herein on every side. For first, it was against the laws of the Church to choose a Bishop, since the Councel of Nice condemn∣eth those Prelates, who give Orders to Priests pre∣sently after baptism. Secondly, there was an Edict of the Emperour, which forbade the advancement of his Officers and civil Magistrates, without his express consent. In the third place, Ambrose, who was whol∣ly dedicated to a secular life, had neither vein nor artery which enclined to election. But who can re∣sist the spirit of God, when he is pleased to strike a stroke with his own hand beyond the imagination and judgements of men? All difficulties one after another, were taken away: and this election was ap∣proved, not onely by the holy See, but of all the Ea∣stern and Western Bishops, who much rejoyced and congratulated with S. Ambrose, by their letters. The Emperour Valentinian gave his assent thereunto, boa∣sting, he had sent such good Governours to Provin∣ces, that they were thought capable of Bishopricks. There was no body but Ambrose to subdue, who used all sort of engines and practises to divert this pur∣pose. He, who ever of his own nature was exceed∣ing mild, feigned himself bloudy, causing racks and tortures to bepublickly exercised on offenders, yet needs would they have him for Bishop. He, who was most chaste, made men and women of ill life haunt his house and descended even to the shadow of sin, to flee the light of glory, yet ceased they not to pursue him. He fled, and after he had for a whole night travelled hard, thinking he was far off, found himself at the gates of Milan, from whence he de∣parted. In the end he was forced to yield to the spi∣rit of Almighty God who gave him such evident tokens of his calling. Needs must he undergo the