The holy court in five tomes, the first treating of motives which should excite men of qualitie to Christian perfection, the second of the prelate, souldier, states-man, and ladie, the third of maxims of Christianitie against prophanesse ..., the fourth containing the command of reason over the passions, the fifth now first published in English and much augemented according to the last edition of the authour containing the lives of the most famous and illustrious courtiers taken out of the Old and New Testament and other modern authours / written in French by Nicholas Caussin ; translated into English by Sr. T.H. and others.

The fourteenth SECTION. The persecution of S. Ambrose raised by the Empress Justina.

WE may well say there is some Furie, which bewitcheth the spirits of men in these la∣mentable innovations of pretended Reli∣gions, since we behold effects to arise which pass into humane passions, not by an ordinary way. Scarcely could Justina the Empress freely breath air, being, as she thought, delivered from the sword of Maximus, which hung over her head, tyed to a silken threed, when forthwith she despoiled her self furiously, to persecute the authour of her liberty. O God, what a dangerous beast is the spirit of a woman, when it is unfurnished of reason, and armed with power! It is able to create as many monsters in essence, as fan∣tasie can form in painting. Momus desired the sa∣vage bull should have eyes over his horns, and not borns over his eyes: but Justina at that time had bra∣zen horns to goar a Prelate, having eyes neither above nor beneath, to consider whom she struck. Authority served as a Sergeant to her passion, and the sword of Monarchs was employed to satisfie the desperate humours of a woman surprized with er∣rour, and inebriated with vengeance. Saint Ambrose like a sun darted rays on her, and she, as the Atlantes, who draw their bowe against this bright star, the heart of the world, shot back again arrows of oblo∣quie. As women well instructed and zealous in mat∣ter * 1.1 of Religion, are powerfull to advance the Chri∣stian cause, so when they once have sucked in any pe∣stilent doctrine, they are caprichious to preserve their own chymeraes. The mistresses of Solomon, after they had caused their beauties to be adored, made their idols to be worshipped: so Justina, when she had gain∣ed credit as the mother of the Emperour, and Regent in his minority, endeavoured to countenance the A∣rian Sect, wherein she was passionate, that the sword * 1.2 of division might pass through the sides of her own son into the heart of the Empire.

The Arians had in the Eastern parts been ill intrea∣ted under the Empire of Theodosius, and many of them were fled to Milan under the conduct of a false Bishop, a Scythian by Nation, and named Auxentius, as their head, but who for the hatred the people of Milan bore to this name of Auxentius, caused himself to be called Mercurinus.

He was a crafty and confident man, who having insinuated himself into the opinion of the Empress, failed not to procure by all possible means, the ad∣vancement of his Sect, and did among other things, very impudently demand a Church in the Citie of Milan, for the exercise of Arianism.

Justina, who in her own hands held the soul of * 1.3 her son Valentinian as a soft piece of wax, gave it such figure as best pleased her, and being very cunning, there was not any thing so unreasonable, which she did not ever colour with some fair pretext, to dazle the eyes of a child. She declared unto him, that the place she possessed near his persō, wel deserved to have a Church in Milan, wherein she might serve God ac∣cording to the Religion which she had professed from her younger days, and that it was the good of his State, peacefully to entertain every one in the Re∣ligion he should chose, since it was the proceeding of his father Valentinian, which she by experience knew had well succeeded with him.

To this she added the blandishments of a mother, which ever have much power over a young spirit: so that the Emperour perswaded by this Syren, sent to seek S. Ambrose, and declared unto him, that for the good of his State, and peace of his people, it was in agitation to accommodate his thrice-honoured mo∣ther, and those of her Sect, with a Church in Milan.

At this word S. Ambrose roared like a Lion, which made it appear he never would yield to the execution of such requests. The people of Milan, who honour∣ed their Prelate as the lively image of the worlds Sa∣viour, when they once perceived that Valentinian had suddenly called him, and that some ill affair was in hand, they left their houses, and came thundering from all parts to the Palace, whereat Justina was somewhat astonished, fearing there was some plot in it, and so instantly commanded the Captain of the Guard to go out and disperse the rude multitude, which he did, and presenting himself with the most resolute souldiers, he found no armed hands to resist him, but huge troups of people, which stretched out their necks and cried aloud, They would die for the defence of their faith and Pastour.

These out-cries proceeding as from men affrighted, terrified the young Emperour, and seeing the Cap∣tain of his Guards could use no other remedie, he besought S. Ambrose to shew himself to the people, to mollifie them, and promise, that for the business now treated, which was to allow a Church to the Hereticks, never had those conclusions been decreed, nor would he ever permit them. S. Ambrose appear∣ed, and as soon as he began to open his mouth, the people were appeased, as if they had been charm∣ed with his words; whereupon the Empress grew

very jealous, seeing with the arms of sanctity, doctrine, and eloquence, he predominated over this multitude, as the winds over the waves of the sea.

A while after to lessen the great reputation of S. Ambrose, * 1.4 she determined to oppose her Auxentius a∣gainst him in a publick reputation: and though she in her own conscience wel understood that he in know∣ledge was much inferiour to S. Ambrose, notwithstan∣ding she reputed him impudent enough, and a great talker, to stupifie weak judgements. She perswaded her self, that of two things one would happen; either that S. Ambrose, refusing disputatiō, would leave some suspition of his inability, or, accepting it, engage his authority. This powerful woman, unable to bow hea∣ven, resolved to stir hell. She obtained a Mandat from the Emperour her son, by which it was enjoyned to S. Ambrose to be on a day nominated at the Palace, to confer in his presence upon points of Religion against Auxentius, on this condition, that Judges should be appointed for both parts, to decide their difference. The Tribune Dalmatius was the bearer of this Man∣dat, who wished S. Ambrose by word of mouth, that he should hasten to name the Judges, which he inten∣ded to choose for his party; and that Auxentius had already nominated his, who were all Pagans, to take away thereby the suspition might be framed against those of his Sect. He caused also certain words silent∣ly to slip from him by the subtility of Justina, by the which he advised him handsomly to escape, and go whither he thought good, if he would not accept of this challenge. S. Ambrose had a strange horrour upon this Mādat, seeing how the cunning of a passionate wo∣man, & the impudence of a shameless Heretick tyran∣nized over the feeble spirit of an infant, enforcing him to demand this hateful Conference, which seemed to be permitted for nothing, but to expose the venerable Mysteries of our Religion to the scorn of Pagans. He would by no means go to the Palace to excuse him∣self, fearing he might seem to transfer a cause meerly Ecclesiastical, to a Princes Court: but he made a grave answer to the Emperour, which is now extant in his Works, where among other things, the Arians condemning his refusal, and taxing him of contuma∣cy for giving occasion of jealousie to the Emperour, * 1.5 upon the over-great authority of S. Ambrose, he saith:

Sacred Majesty, He that accuseth my refusal of * 1.6 contumacy, accuseth the law of your father of inju∣stice. He, who was a man most accomplished in arms and great affairs, who signed his faith with the seal of his constancy, and the wisdom of his counsels by the happiness of his State, ever witnessed both by his words and Edicts, that it appertained to none but Bishops to judge of Bishops. You, who are tender of age, little experienced, nay, a Catechumene in faith, will judge of mysteries, which you have not yet learned. If this seem reasonable unto you, the laity may hereafter mount into the Chair, and have those for their flock, whom they have had for their Pastours, which can never be done but by perverting the order of this Universe. God forbid I should choose Judges of the laity, to make them either Pre∣varicatours of faith, or victims of the vengeance of our enemies. It sufficeth me to leave my life therein, which I so long have consecrated to the defence of the Church, and not engage others in the peril. I hold the faith of the Nicene Councel, from which neither the sword nor death shall ever separate me. I am ready to defend it at the Church, not in the Court, where never had I been, but for you; and whereof I better love not to know the customs, than learn the cunning. As concerning this which I hear, that your Majesty offereth me peaceably to retire where I shall think good; God himself knows with how much endeavour I avoided the burden your father himself, of glorious memory, laid on my shoulders: Now I cannot with freedom dis∣charge my self in conscience, since the Bishops, my associates, crie out aloud unto me, that it were one and the same crime in my person, either to leave or betray the Altars.

Justina, much moved with the liberty of these words, complained in her Palace, that among so ma∣ny Legions there could not be a man so faithfull, as to deliver her from the importunities of a Priest, pro∣mising offices and singular favours in Court, to any that would lead him into exile.

One named Euthymius offered himself, who having purposely hired a house near to the Church, provi∣ded a Coach well furnished to carry away S. Ambrose at his coming from divine Service: but never was i•• possible for him to perform his promise, by reason of the great press of the people, which perpetually en∣vironed their Pastour. But much otherwise, this mi∣serable undertaker, the year circumvolving, the same day whereon he resolved to execute his design upon the holy man, after he had shamefully been disgraced, was banished, and carried away in the same Coach he had prepared for S. Ambrose; as it is said, Perillus Authour of Phalaris his bull, was the first that han∣selled it; and Hugh Ambriot, who caused the Bastille to be built, was the first that went into it in the qua∣lity of a Prisoner, there to end his days. Another na∣med Caligo••ius, a Groom of the Chamber to the Em∣perour, threatned S. Ambrose to cut off his head with his own hands; the holy man answered: If God per∣mit * 1.7 thee to execute what thou sayest, thou will act but what Eunuchs do, and I shall endure that which ordina∣rily the Bishop suffer.

Some time after, as if Heaven had fought against the Prelates enemies, this wicked man, although an Eunuch, being accused of some impurity by a Cur∣tezan, passed the dint of the sword, which he would have drawn against his Bishop. In the end, the Em∣press resolved to play out the rest of her game, and exercise the whole extent of her power. She obtain∣ed bloudy Edicts, which she her self made to satisfie her own passion: She armed her Auxentius, as the in∣strument of her fury: She caused it to be published aloud, that all Ecclesiasticks, who would not deliver the Church which was in question, should be held as criminals of treason. She caused Squadrons of inso∣lent souldiers to run up and down the streets, and cast terrour into the minds of the most confident. That was the time, when the bruit of peril wherein S. Am∣brose was, being spred through the Citie, universally drew all the people to the Church, each one endea∣vouring to make a bulwark for him of his own body, and never forsaking him either day or night. Tri∣bunes and Captains were dispatched to him, who sig∣nified the Emperours pleasure, which consisted of three articles. The first was, he should speedily deliver the holy vessels, and all the moveables of the Church. The secōd, he should leave the place questioned in the Empresses dispose. The third, that in all haste he must go out of Milan, and that he should have free liberty to travel whither he pleased. The Bishop made answer, That those holy vessels were the inheritance of Jesus Christ, and as the Emperour had not abandoned the state of his Ancestours to Tyrants, so Ambrose would never betray the patrimony of his Master. Were gold and sil∣ver demanded which were his own proprieties, be would make no difficulty to afford them, but as for the goods of the Church, they were sacred pledges, which the Empe∣rour had no right to require, nor he to give. Then, for the Church demanded, It was the house of God, which his Predecessours Dionysius, Eustorgius, Myrocles, and others had couragiously defended & conserved, not to be profaned by Arians, but reverenced by Catholicks. More∣over, for that which concerned his banishment, it was a thing now incompatible with his life, for he more feared God, who had given him this charge, thā the Emperor, who would take it away; and that if Valentinian were ready

to do that which an exorbitant power permitted, Am∣brose was bent on his part to suffer whatsoever a good Pastour ought to endure for his flock, yea, should his body be torn piece-meal under the rack of persecution, yet his spirit should remain fast fixed to the Altar.

The history of the vine of Naboth was then read in the Church, and one part of it, where there passed in figure, was here expressed in verity. The denial of Saint Ambrose being reported in the Palace, the souldiers had commandement to invade the Church on every side, like a Town besieged. Never was a * 1.8 spectacle beheld more intermingled with terrour and piety. The Church of Milan was then as a Taberna∣cle of the Lord of hosts, which marched between the battalions under the conduct of the burning Pillar. There was nothing without, but souldiers, lances, pikes, and swords; within, but prayers, sermons, hymns, and canzonets. One while this admirable Pre∣late offered Sacrifice at the Altar, with great effusion of tears; then he mounted into the Chair, to encou∣rage and consolate the people; presently he introdu∣ced the symphony of Psalms; anon he gave answers to the Emperours Deputies. He travelled indefati∣gably, and appeared as another Judas Machabaeus, sometimes in the head, sometimes in the rere, and sometimes in the midst of the Army. He was in his Church like the Patriarch Noe in his Ark, confident in perils, peaceable in tempests, immoveable in all vio∣lences conspired to his ruin. The people by his ex∣ample in the tumult of the whole Citie, and deluge of roaring waters, were in this Tabernacle of peace, as if they had enjoyed the antipasts of Heaven. All were divided by companies to pray and watch, as in Heaven the Quires of Angels.

The good mother of S. Augustine was then by chance in Milan very far engaged in the business, for she was a Mary, sister of Moses, who served as an ex∣ample to all other women. At that time it was, when God more and more to comfort his faithfull crea∣tures, discovered to S. Ambrose the sacred bodies of S. Gervasius and Protasius, who heretofore had been martyred for the faith. When the holy Reliques were seen to be drawn out of vaults still bloudy, every one was enflamed with an incredible zeal for defence of Religion, much like the Elephants in the book of Ma∣chabees, who were stirred up at the sight of the juice of grapes. There was nothing but lights, musical con∣sorts, exultations, and triumphs.

The miserable Empress, who caused all things that passed, to be hourly related unto her, was now come to the condition of rage. Nothing was heard in the Citie but prohibitions, menaces, penalties, chains and imprisonments. In the end, the Provost was sent to Saint Ambrose, to perswade him, that he at the least would allow a Church in the suburbs, to satisfie Ju∣stina, and appease the sedition. The people prevented his answer, and cried out aloud, that could not be done. S. Ambros•• stretched out his hands, and shew∣ed his neck, signifying he was ready to receive fet∣ters and swords, yea, to be sacrificed on the Altar, ra∣ther than deliver up the Altar. They went to take the Church in the suburbs by force: the people ran thither to stand upon the defence thereof. The Em∣perial Ensigns thereon already fixed, in sign of posses∣sion, were abused even by little children.

It is a strange thing that Heaven, earth, and all the elements, men and women, great and small, noble and ignoble, ranged themselves on Saint Ambrose side. Yea, the souldiers themselves who were sent to take possession of the Church where the holy man was, entered therein, which at the beginning gave occasion of much terrour to the most timorous: but they lifting up their peaceable hands, cried out aloud, They were come to pray with the Catholicks, and not exercise violence on any man; letting also the Emperour know, that the Church belonged to him, as to a Catholick Emperour, there he should pray, there receive favours from above, there be in the Communion of true Christians. If it appertained to Hereticks, it would no longer be a place where the Emperour should feed on the Lamb, which is never eaten but in the true Church. His wicked mother ceased not to bewitch his mind, and breath in his ears, that Ambrose aimed at his State: for which cause a Commissary was dispatched to the Bishop, who roundly told him, he onely desired to know one thing of him: Whether he would usurp the Empire, to the end he might hereafter be treated withal as with a Tyrant?

S. Ambrose made answer, That his tyranny was in∣firmity, and his arms prayers and tears, which made him powerfull before God. That heretofore Priests had gi∣ven Kingdoms, but not usurped them. That there were some Emperours, who had desired Priesthood, but that Bishops never had aspired to Crowns. That Priests had often felt the sword of Tyrants, but Tyrants them∣selves had not at any time seen the sword of Priests un-sheathed against them. Let Maximus be asked, whether he were a Tyrant, for he was very well able to make relation of strange things. His tyranny was to serve the Emperour at the Altar, and to be sacrificed, if God suffer, in serving him.

It well appeared this was to run his head against a rock, to think of such an affair. The Emperour fear∣ing to engage his authority any further, by the advise of some good Councellers, gently struck sayl, leaving all matters whole and entire. S. Ambrose, who then in the Church explicated the history of Jonas, much wondered, how the tempest being ceased, he in an in∣stant came out of the whales belly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Herod. lib. 4. Solem orien∣tem execran∣tur.
• * 1.2

  Sect of Ariant
• * 1.3

  Justina an A∣rian demand∣eth a Church in Milan.
• * 1.4

  Strange con∣ference pre∣tended by the Empress.
• * 1.5

  Lib. 2▪ ep. 15.
• * 1.6

  Resolution of S. Ambrose.
• * 1.7

  Genebrar. Chronic.
• * 1.8

  Strange spe∣ctacle.