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.

Observations upon ENVY Which draweth along with it Iealousie, Hatred, and Sadnesse.

WE enter into black and Saturnian Passi∣ons, which are Envie, Jealousie, Fear, Sadnesse, and Despair, wherein we shall observe a venemous malignity which replenisheth the heart with plagues, the life with furies, and the world with Tragedies. I will begin this order with two Court-Monks who in their time made a great noyse: one of which being born for cruelty, and bred in mas∣sacres; his life was a continuall crime, and his me∣mory a perpetually execration.

But the other (profiting by the experience of his e∣vils) opened himself a way unto glory, and drew upon him the blessings of posterity. Under the reign of Clo∣tharius the third, Ebroin governed the State in the qua∣lity of the Major of the Palace, who was of a spirit ambitious, cruell, and subtle; valuing nothing above his own ends, and placing conscience under all things in the world. He entred into this charge like a Fox, and swayed therein like a Lion; doing nought else but roar against some, and devour others; there being no po∣wer able enough to bend his pride, as if there were not ri∣ches enough in all the world to satisfie his avarice. God (who often-times suffereth not things violent to be long-lasting) gave an end to his tyranny by the death of his Master, whose reign was short, and life most ob∣scure. He left two sons, the eldest of which bare the name of Childeric, and the youngest was called Thi∣erry. Ebroin seeing himself, like creeping Ivie, (which seeks a pillar for support) not to stand fair in Childerics mind, whether this Prince were too clear sighted, to dis∣cover his jugglings; or whether under the reign of his Father, he had otherwise used him then his condition deserved; it made him arrogantly to adhere to Thier∣ries faction, thinking he had power and credit enough to make an alteration both in nature, and State-affairs. He then raiseth a controversie in a matter which was sufficiently decided by birth, and assembleth the Estates to deliberate upon it; where there were so many crea∣tures, whom he accounted to be obliged to follow his liking, that the palm of so doubtfull a battell seemed to him already absolutely gained.

There was then in France one Leger, a man of great birth, of an excellent spirit, of an eminent virtue, ac∣companied with grace of body, and other parts which made him fit for the Court.

His Uncle, who was a great Prelate, had very nobly bred him, giving him admittance into the Palace and his affairs; but, the sweetnesse of his nature, not born for much trouble, made him addict himself to the Church, and become a religious man, but was after∣ward taken out of his Monastery to be Bishop of Autun.

His degree and merit then obliged him to be present at this Assembly, where it was treated of making a new King: and seeing Ebroin insolently supported the younger to the prejudice of Nature, and the laws of the Kingdome; he undertook to dissolve his busie pra∣ctise, and to reduce misled minds, unto reason. Not∣withstanding this violent Mayor of the palace ceased not openly to declare his design in full Assembly, in favour of Thierry; using many pretexts and co∣lours which put a quite other face upon a businesse so unreasonable. Good men, who more feared his bloudy countenance and his irreconcileable enmities, then approved his reasons; looked one upon another, expecting that some generous soul should stand for truth: and all of them imagined, that having declared themselves with much weaknesse, and small effect; they might not serve so much for a support to Chil∣deric's cause, as for an object of Ebroins revenge. Cruelties and Jealousies often ruine many good af∣fairs; and they took the way to overthrow this, if Leger had not risen up, who spake with so much reason, grace, authority and courage, that he alone gave a countrepoise to Ebroins malice, and drew all the sound∣est in the Assembly to his side: where Ebroins adherents (seeing Truth carried as in Triumph by hands so cou∣rageous) did disband, studying more their own pre∣servation, then to serve his ambition.

Childeric mounts up to the Throne which nature had prepared for him; Ebroin, who knew the main and manifest contradictions he had framed against his right, hath a soul full of affrightments, and al∣ready accounts himself for a dead mad; he searcheth for some sanctuary to hide himself, but findeth none more safe then Religion. Necessity makes a Monk, where piety could never make a Christian. He comes and throweth himself at Childeric's feet, offers him his head and life with most humble submission, by which he begged of the young King, that (if his goodnesse permitted him not to moisten the entrance into his Throne with the bloud of the guilty) his Majesty would please to confine him to a Mona∣stery, to bewail his sinnes, and daily to die as many times, as he should call to mind his own Ingratiude. Childeric (who was not born to bloud, and who at that time had his heart busied enough with the joy of his victory (which is a time when Mildnesse costs him least) permitted him to retire into the Mo∣nastery of Luxeuil in Burgundy. Mean time, Le∣ger (who had given such testimonies of his capacity, Courage, and fidelity) is put into Ebroins place, and undertaketh the absolute government of all the affairs of the Kingdome.

His virtue should have dispensed with him at this time, not to give others occasion to think that he had beaten down Ebroins tyranny, of purpose to raise him∣self upon his ruines. But there are certain chains of Adamantin charges, and Court-dignities, which often∣times captive the most austere. His Rivall bursts with anger to see him lifted up to this dignity, when his ca∣lamity enforced him to be tyed to a Coul, which is a piece he never had thought was for his purpose. He was a strange Hermit, like to Nicephorus (Gregoras his fox) who, being blacked over with ink, counter∣feited the Monk, and told the poultrey, he much re∣pented him to have used them so ill, but that hereafter they might confidently converse with him, since his habit and condition permitted him not to live other∣wise then innocently. This miserable man had no other repentance, but that he had not prospered in his ambition; no other poverty, then the impotency of taking away others mens goods; no other obedience, then the hypocrisie of his submission; no other singing, then the sorrows of his fortune; and no other Reli∣gion, but his habite. All his prayers tended to no∣thing else but to demand some change of State, that he might change his fortune; whereas Leger (taking wayes quite contrary in his government) made Religi∣on, Justice, and Peace to flourish.

His zeal opposed impiety; his equity, injustice; his sweetnesse, violence; and his authority carried all that was reasonable. But, there is a certain unhappinesse in the mannage of state-affairs which makes a man hate his own quiet; and virtue too regular, is often trouble∣some even to those it intends to oblige.

Leger is offensive to some, because he makes them more honest then they would be: to others, because his lights manifest their darknesse; whilst others think that, in the newnesse and change of a Minister of State, they shall better make up their own reckoning. Childeric himself takes a distaste against the faithfullest of his ser∣vant; and whether that Ebroins faction breathed this passion into him, or whether it proceeded from his li∣centious youth, or whether his humour felt too much constraint in the innocent severity of the manners of his Mayor of the Palace; he shewed him not so pleasing a look as he had accustomed. He, desirous more effi∣catiously to sound the Kings opinion, most humbly be∣sought him to give him leave to passe the Feast of Easter in the city whereof he was Bishop, which Childeric easily assented to. But perverse souls (who enkindled the fire of division, under colour of friend∣ship) told the good Prelate, that the easinesse his Prince had witnessed in this late occasion, was but a bait to undo him, and that he had resolved to cause his person be seized on, of purpose to murder him. One fears all from a power that taketh the liberty to do all; which was the cause that Leger entred into great affrightments noon this news, and resolved to leave the Court, to free himself from Envy and the dan∣gers which threatned him. He communicateth his intention with his greatest confidents, who are no∣thing of his opinion, and they shewed him he must not yield to a little stormy gust, but rather die in the midst of the waves (holding the helm in his hand) then to forsake the vessel: that his flight would give matter of suspicion to the King; of advantage to his enemies; and of confusion to his own friends: and that (hitherto) there was not any sign of disgrace which might make him to begin, where the onely ex∣tremity of evils might constrain him to end. Not∣withstanding, whether fear had taken too much hold upon this good Prelates mind, or whether his con∣science reduced into his imagination the repose of those innocent dayes he had spent in the Monastery; he takes a sudden resolution, not to forsake the world by halves; but by laying down the government of the affairs of the Kingdome, to rid himself also of his Bishoprick. The conclusion of this businesse is fol∣lowed by a speedy dispatch; which made the King wonder, who sent trusty persons to invite him to re∣turn, and to give him assurance of his good affecti∣on towards him; but his zeal had its ear in heaven, not to hearken to the perswasions of the earth. He goes to the Monastery of Luxeuil, where he sees Ebroin, who was there held as a fettered beast, and not in a condition to bite. The Abbot, who knew the differences that were in Court, fearing, lest hatred might hatch its egg by the help of a religious habit, caused them to be reconciled, and to talk together, although he had separated their abode, fearing that too fiequent conversation might in them awaken their former aversions. Time slideth away very qui∣etly with them, untill the arrivall of a very unexpected accident. Childeric (after the departure of S. Leger)

useth the greatnesse of his power licentiously, and soil∣eth both his Name and Dignity with inconsiderate actions; which quickly made this great Minister of State to be deplored, and all the Envy to be cast upon the King, for having so easily dismissed him. The contempt of his person began so to creep into the minds of his subjects, that defamatory Libels went abroad upon his Passions and Government, which seemed to have no other aim, but the weakning of his Authority. He thought to quench a coal with flames, and entreth into outrageous anger against those whom he suspected to raise any question upon his actions.

He causeth a gentleman named Bodil to be taken, and having caused him to be tyed to a post, he com∣mandeth him to be ignominiously whipped, contrary to the manner of ordinary punishments; which oc∣casioned so much acerbity in the Nobility, that all in an instant rebelled against him. Bodil, transported by the fury of his Passion, and encouraged by the number of his Complices, out of a horrible attempt, kills Childeric whilst he was a hunting: and passing on to the Palace, extendeth his revenge (like a devil fleshed in massacres) to the person of the Queen (great with child) whom he murdered. The Court is drench∣ed in deep desolation; the pillars of the State totter; there is need of able men to free them from this dan∣ger. The friends of Ebroin and S. Leger (who sought their own ends in the employment of these two) invi∣ted them with urgent reasons (covered with the good of the State) to return to the world; assuring them that all France went to ruine, if they supported it not. Ebroin (to whom South-sayers promised wonders, and who, under hope he had to forsake the Monks Coul, had already suffered his hair to grow, to be the better disposed for all occasions) shewed himself nothing hard to be perswaded.

S. Leger therein used more resistance; but in the end suffered himself to be overcome, leaving the sweetnesse of Solitude to enter again into the troubles of the world; which never passeth unpunished, but in such as do it by the Laws of pure Obedience. He is received into his Bishoprick as an Angel, and his friends do all they can to bring him to the Court, and to gain him a good esteem in the Kings mind, who seemed to stand in need of such a servant, to purchase the more authority among the people who with much satisfaction had tasted the sweetnesse of his Government. Ebroin (on the other side) seeing Thierry (Childeric's brother) had taken possession of the Kingdome, was very confident of his return; having formerly been of the faction of the young King: But he being neglected; Leudegesillus, an an∣tient favourite of Thierry's, had undertaken the govern∣ment of affairs. The furious Monk storms like a mad∣man for the dignity of Master of the Palace which he had possessed; and being unable to creep into it by mildnesse, he entreth thereinto by open violence. He rallieth together all his antient friends; in this new change of State, he gathereth a tumultuary ar∣my, and flyeth into the field with so much speed, that he almost surprized the King with his Favourite, to use them at his discretion. Necessity enforceth to offer candles and incense to this devil; he is sought unto for peace; great recompences are proposed to his crimes: his ambition takes no satisfaction but in the object of his design. He draweth Leudegesillus to a Conference under shew of accommodation; and (being a man without Faith or Soul) he killeth him, emptying his place by a murder, to replenish it by a Treachery. Notwithstanding, he lets Thierry know, his arms were not taken but for his service, and that he had no other purpose, but to reduce all powers under his Sceptre. The other was in a condition of inability to defend himself; which made him resolve rather to take him for a servant, then to have him for a master. In the end; this horrible fury (hidden un∣der the habit of a Monk) never ceased until it carried him to the nearest place of a Royall Throne. So soon as he was possessed of his former dignity, he bent all his powers to vengeance, and thought upon no∣thing but of ridding his hands of such as had cros∣sed his fortune. S. Leger was the very first he aim∣ed at in his wicked plots; he dispatcheth troops to make havock about the city of Autun, and gives com∣mands to murderers, (executioners of his revenge) to lay hold of his person.

The good Prelate (who heard the lamentable cryes of the people) afflicted by the detestation of these ho∣stilities, went forth, and presents himself before these barbarians, as a victime of expiation, to deliver him∣self over to death, and to stay the stream of the mi∣series which overflowed his diocesse. He was prepa∣red to make an Oration, but (they as Tygres, which had no commerce with musick) presently fell upon him; and having taken him, they pulled out his eyes, to lead him in triumph to Ebroin. He had already poisoned the ear of the young King, having set forth this sage Bishop, as the most execrable man on earth, and the most capitall enemy he had in the world. There remained nothing (but to produce him in this state) fully to accomplish the contentment his bruitish∣nesse did aim at.

He at the same time caused Guerin (S. Legers bro∣ther) to be taken; doubly to torment him in that he most loved: and having presented them both before the King; he beginneth to charge them with injuries and scorns; the Saints eclipsed eyes, and faces cover∣ed all over with bloud nothing mollifyed the heart of this Polyphemus. Captivity tyed not the tongues of the two brothers, nor excesse of miseries dejected their courages. They spake with all liberty what might be expected from their constancy; rendering thanks to God, that he in this world had chastised them with temporall punishments, as true children; and menacing Ebroin with an eternity of torments, which, the anger of God reserved for the exorbitancy of his wickednesse. This cruel creature, who expe∣cted some more pliantnesse in so great a misery, was immeasurably offended, and instantly comman∣ded them to be separated, and Guerin to be speedily put to death.

He received the sentence of death with great forti∣tude, embracing his blind brother with all unexpressi∣ble tendernesse, and encouraging him to the last con∣flict, with words full of the spirit of God. After this, he is bound to a pillar, and knocked down with stones. Ebroin, who would relish his revenge by long draughts, found out in his heart inventions of a hangman, to torment Saint Leger, causing him to walk on stones as sharp as razours, and appointing his face to be disfigured, by cutting out his tongue, his nose, and lips, to send him from thence a prisoner to the Monastery of Fecan. All this was executed, yet the patience of this incomparable man (by so hideous torments) no whit shaken, blessing God for all these things, and incessantly praying, and forming some stut∣tering inarticulate sounds, to instruct and exhort those who visited him.

A while after, he is called again before this Ty∣rant, who made a sport of his pains, and sought to make him end his life by despair, to kill the soul with the body. But when he perceived his heart was of so strong a temper, and that the dreadfull horrour of a

poor body (carried up and down among so many tor∣tures) made nothing for his reputation, he gave order to Chrodobert to put him to death; and instantly he was delivered to four executioners who led him forth into a forrest, which retaineth the name of S. Leger. The blessed blind man perceiving his hour approached, said to them, I see what you go about to do; Trouble not your selves, I am more ready to die, then you to execute me. Thereupon, three of the murderers relent∣ing, prostrated themselves at his feet, and craved par∣don, which he very freely granted, and putting him∣self upon his knees prayed for his persecutours, recom∣mending his soul to the Father of souls; at which time one of these four executioners persisting in his obdurate∣nesse cut off his head. The wife of Chrodobert took the body, and interred it in a little Chappel, where it did great miracles which have deserved the veneration of people. Some time after, the detestable Ebroin (con∣tinuing the wickednesse of his bloudy life) was slain in his bed like another Holophernes, and suddenly taken out of the world, not shewing any sign of repentance; to be reserved for an eternall torment.

Behold all which Envy, Jealousie, and the Rage of a man abandoned by God can do; which letteth us mani∣festly see, that there are not any men in the world worse then those, who, degenerating from a religious profes∣sion, return to the vices of the world. And on the other side, we may behold in the person of S. Leger, that there is not any Passion which may not be over∣come; nor honour which may not be trodden under∣foot; nor torments which a man is not able to set at naught, when he with strong confidence throws himself between the arms of the Crosse, there to find those of Jesus Christ.

Notes

• Lamentable envy and enmity of Ebroin a∣gainst S. Le∣ger.