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 eighth EXAMPLE upon the eighth MAXIM. Of the admirable change of worldly love * 1.1 into the love of Jesus Christ. S^t. BONIFACE.

IT is a thing very rare, to see worldly love sudden∣ly transported from the visible to the invisible, from the temporal to eternal, from errour to truth, and from wretched passion to perfect charity. Notwithstanding Histories furnish us with some ex∣amples, and we often observe, those who were very sensible in worldly affections, when they found a good object, were more fervent and couragious in the love of God. Such were the heart of Saint Augustine, * 1.2 such likewise of generous Magdalene. For both of them knew so well to make use of their losses, that they seemed to have served their apprentiship unto creatures, to learn how the Creatour ought to be beloved.

Architects, when they build vaults and arches, * 1.3 make certain counterfeits of wood, which they call Centries, to serve as preparatives for their designs: but so soon as they thereon have raised true and so∣lid works, they destroy fiction to admit veritie. Much so it happeneth to souls as yet sensual; they are taken with sleight affections, which many times are not dishonest, but ever light, and far distant from perfection. Yet therein is to be learned what we should do for a God immortal, since we undertake so much for a mortal man. But Jesus insensibly buil∣ding his architecture in these loving hearts, ruineth all these feignings of amity, there to establish his love.

This which I say, is evidently to be seen in the per∣son * 1.4 of Aglae, and S. Boniface, whose acts I will here produce to give instruction how to sanctifie world∣ly love by the love of Jesus Christ. This Aglae was a Roman Dame, of prime quality, having a delicate wit in a beautifull body, and powerfull passions in a great fortune. She had been married, but becoming a wi∣dow in an age as yet furnished with verdant fresh∣ness, grace, and beauty, she had not buried all her affe∣ctions in the tomb of her husband.

After she had a little wiped away the first tears, which nature exacteth as tribute in such like acci∣dents, she quickly plaid so much the Courtier in her slight sorrow, that she seemed greatly to desire, as soon as might be, to finish what she had never well begun. She failed not to be sought unto by many gentlemen, * 1.5 who saw her to be accomplished with all parts desi∣red in an eminent marriage; and although she denied not to like their services, yet making no resolution to marry, she was all for her self, and for none else; so much she feared to take a master, in stead of a husband.

It is nothing commendable in a Christian widow, * 1.6 to make a shew no longer to have a heart for the world, so to draw all the world into her heart, to change a moaning life into perpetual chatter, & turn her widow-hood into a petty Empire. Aglae was not yet entered into vice, but pleased her self so much to afford the love of her person, and receive none, that ere aware she was surprized, and having disdained ma∣sters, saw her self become the slave of a servant.

She had a Steward in her house named Boniface, a * 1.7 witty man, and of a good presence, who manna∣ging the affairs of his Mistress discreetly, forgat not his own. He so well knew how to please her, to * 1.8 conform to her humours, to feed her with glorie, whereof she was very ambitious, to free her from cares, and fill her heart with joy, that he already possessed no ordinary place in her favours: besides that, he was handsom, he had a singular grace in jesting with∣out offence to any, to utter good conceits, and en∣tertain his Mistress with all the delightfull occur∣rents of the Citie. Love entereth in very far by this gate. It is not always beauty which surprizeth, for if it be not joyned with promptness of wit, and discourse, it is a bait which floats on the water with∣out a hook.

Familiar conversation with an Officer so pleasing, * 1.9 was no slight snare in the house of a young widow, who lived easily, and loved pleasure. It is not with∣out cause Saint Hierom would not endure to see a∣bout widows, servants so frizled and quaint, fear∣ing lest love might render them Masters over their proper Mistresses. Aglae began with pretty love∣tricks, which are the little idols of affection, not observing, that all these gentle daliances in a carriage too free, still thought to be constant in innocency, are not without danger. But by success of time she felt her passion so much enkindled towards this Steward, that she neither thought, spake, nor lived but for him, not daring to discover her fancies, so much is vice ashamed of its own conscience.

Boniface, who had an intelligent and ready wit, * 1.10 well enough imagined from whence these extraordi∣nary favours proceeded, which he received from his Mistress; but the more he saw her grow passionate for him, the more he persisted in his duty; whether that he in the beginning would divert this affection, which he perhaps thought not firm enough, or whether he was willing to kindle the fire by a slight resistance. His Mistress beholding him more serious in this mat∣ter than she wished, let him plainly enough under∣stand, that having had the stewardship of her estate, he should have the like of her heart, and entertained him with more courtesie, than was fit for a man of his em∣ployment and condition.

She in the beginning mannaged her affections with some discretion, following the advise of Boniface, who knew how to hide the matter; his fortune not making him loose the rememberance of what he had been, nor passion, providence in what he might be. Notwithstanding, it being a thing very difficult long * 1.11 to restrain fury, all composed of fire and violence, the favours of Aglae so plainly appeared, that they no longer could be hidden from the world, which is a hundred-ey'd Argus. She occasioned speech of her even to infamy, with so much noise and scandal in the Citie, that it much abashed all such as had rela∣tion to her. But being of a haughty humour, which rather useth to irritate passion by censure, than amen∣deth manners, she neglected what was said of her, since she stood free from controul▪ For love, which had bereaved her of innocency and gravity, despoiled her likewise of the care of reputation, (one of the greatest miseries may happen to a wretched soul.) She well saw her kinred neither had the will or power to hinder her pleasure, which made her change close af∣fection into manifest whoredom.

Love sometimes is weakened by over-much easiness * 1.12 of entertaining of it. It is like the Polypus, which finding nothing to oppose nor devour, eateth it self by gnawing its feet, and fins. So this passion find∣ing no more resistance, with which it ordinarily is cherished, lessened, and lost it self. Aglae began at first to be weary of the frequency of this infamous familiarity, then recalled again into her heart the sense of honour, next of virtue, and lastly, God more fully touching her soul, set her in open view to her self, and made her entertain a great distast of this in∣ordinate life.

Boniface on the other side, felt his conscience much galled, and thought on nothing but to break his chain, which he often begged of God, giving many alms in the height of his uncleanness. Aglae called

him to her in this disposition, and said: She was was re∣solved * 1.13 to make an end of the exorbitancies of her life, that it was in conclusion to wearie heaven and earth too much by her sins, and that if love had wounded her, re∣pentance would cure her, God having left her no other remedie upon evils past, than sorrow to have committed them. As for the rest, as he had followed her with so much facilitie in wickedness, it was no reason he should forsake her in the way of repentance. That she was a woman, he a man, that his sex obliged him to take at the least so much courage as her self, in a matter which concerned eternal salvation, and that desiring to equal him in this resolution, she should have the happiness above him to have prevented him.

Boniface replied, She might confidently do what she thought good, he would ever account it his glorie to wait on her in so good a purpose, and that God could not do him a greater favour, than to change the commandments of his Mistress into precepts of salvation.

The Ladie answered, She found nothing more ne∣cessary * 1.14 than to implore the mercy of God by the bloud of his Martyrs, and therefore he should take a voyage into the Province of Cilicia, where daily ma∣ny such were made, and bring her thence some relicks. The Steward, who could not forget his sweet nature, said unto her: Madame, you would much wonder, if from the Countrey of Martyrs I return a Martyr, and that my body be brought back to serve you for relicks. Aglae replied, Mock not, but do speedily what I tell you, and think your self most happy to be at the feet of so many glorious Confessours.

He failed not to put himself quickly on the way with men, and money, handkerchiefs, and perfumes for performance of his purpose, and handled the mat∣ter so, that he was speedily in the Citie of Tharsus, at that time the Theater of Martyrs. Scarcely was he arrived, but he heard twenty Christians were led forth into a publick place to be martyred, and being alrea∣dy changed into another man, who breathed nothing at all but the glory of God, he stole from his com∣pany, and went presently into the open place, where perceiving the Martyrs, he brake through the throng, * 1.15 hastened to kiss their chains and wounds, moistening his eyes with their bloud, and earnestly beseeching them to pray unto God for him.

The President Simplicianus, seeing this young stran∣ger meddle so far in a matter whereunto he was not called, commanded him to withdraw: but he speak∣ing with a generous confidence, and publickly pro∣fessing what he was, he caused him to be apprehended, and to be put to the torture, where he was roughly handled: for the executioners not content to have pulled off his skin with iron pincers, thrust silvers of pointed reeds between the flesh and nails, which cau∣sed most exquisite torments. Notwithstanding the valorous Champion had no other words in his mouth in the extremity of his torments, but:

My Saviour Jesus, I give thee thanks for the favour thou hast done me to day, by letting me suffer for thy sake. It is good reason the bodie which hath so much offended thee, bear somewhat for thee. If executioners encrease my torments, augment the assistance of thy grace, and crown my combat with a faithfull perseverance. He spake with so much fervour, grace, and devotion, that those pre∣sent were much moved thereat, which the Judge per∣ceiving, commanded molten lead to be poured into his mouth, to enforce him to a cruel silence: but that not succeeding as he imagined, the people mutined, and brake down an Altar, set up there for sacrifice to Idols, whereat the Provost was somewhat asto∣nished, and thinking it not fit at that time any fur∣ther to incense them, he sent all the Martyrs back into prison.

The next day he went to the place with more vio∣lence and terrour, and thinking to terrifie Boniface, he shewed him a cauldron of hot scalding pitch, threatening withal to burn him, if he obeyed not the Emperours Edicts. To which the Martyr answer∣ed, There was neither fire, sword, nor any horrid tor∣ture able to separate him from Jesus Christ; he then shewing himself very resolute, without leisure gi∣ven to say any more, was plunged into the cauldron, from whence he by miracle came forth entire, to the admiration of all the world, which began to work great conversions among the people.

Simplicianus fearing a second sedition, caused his head speedily to be cut off with an ax, and to con∣summate a glorious Martyrdom. In the mean space they who were of his company, sought round about for him, at which time they heard there was a young Christian stranger to be executed, who had shewed very much constancy in his punishment. They thinking nothing less than of him, said, it was not their Boniface, who ever would more readily be found among Courtisans, than the executioners of Tharsus. Yet coming to the place for curiositie, they found his head upon one side, his body on the other, extreamly amazed at what was passed. They bought his body for five hundred liures, and having it in their hands, they asked him mercy with weeping tears, for the rash judgement they had given to the prejudice of his virtue.

Upon this, they had nothing so much in their de∣sires, as to carry back the body to their Mistress Ag∣lae, supposing they could not give her any relicks, ei∣ther more undoubted or acceptable. The holy wo∣man had already had a revelation from the mouth of an Angel of the glory of Boniface, and being on the way to encounter him, so soon as she met him, she pro∣strated her self before his body, and said:

My dear Boniface, I shed not tears over thee, they * 1.16 would fall too low to bewail such a death, as thine. Thou wentest out a penitent from me, and returnest a Martyr, thou art become a Master from the first day of thy apprentiship, thou hast vanquished, ere scarce seen, the enemie; yea, the Crown wherewith thou soughtest to glorifie other Martyrs, is fallen on thy own head. Ah, how many bloudie gates were to be opened to thy gene∣rous soul, to afford a large passage to its triumphs. Iron hooks which have dissevered thy holy members, have u∣nited thy heart to Jesus. Reeds thrust under thy nails, have confirmed thy constancie. Boyling cauldrons found in thy heart a love more fervent than their flames, and the ax which separated the head from thy bodie, pla∣ced a Crown on thy head. I behold thee with an eye wholly rapt with the beauties of thy glorie. I a thousand times kiss thy wounds, and take part in thy tropheys, and sanctifie my self by loving thee, as a Martyr of Je∣sus Christ. What then remains, O blessed soul, but that I imitate thee, and though executioners forbear my bodie, never to spare my pains? That all my life may be but a martyrdom, and that there be not any part in me, which serves not as a victim to the sacrifice of my patience.

Aglae, having performed her duties, and caused a Church to be built, dedicated to God in memory of the Martyr S. Boniface, entered into a Monastery, and perfected her self in the glorious travels of pe∣nance, finishing her course near her well-beloved, and entombing her ashes at his feet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Drawn from the Ecclesia∣stical history.
• * 1.2

  Worldly lo∣vers being cōverted, are the most fer∣vent in the love of God.
• * 1.3

  A goodly comparison.
• * 1.4

  Aglae a noble dame.
• * 1.5

  She is a worldly wi∣dow.
• * 1.6

  Superfluities of widows.
• * 1.7

  Boniface Ag∣laes Steward.
• * 1.8

  His sweet be∣haviour.
• * 1.9

  Dispositions to love should be avoided.
• * 1.10

  Aglae in love.
• * 1.11

  Disorder of love.
• * 1.12

  Love is weak∣ned by too much easiness
• * 1.13

  Admirable conversion.
• * 1.14

  Devotion of Aglae in en∣quiry after Martyrs.
• * 1.15

  Boniface mar∣tyred.
• * 1.16

  Speech of Ag∣lae to Boni∣face.