Baier's axioms

Si Deus manum suam vel ad momentum rebus quibuslibet subtraheret, e vestigio reciderent in nihilum.

If God was taking away His hand from anything for a moment, it would retreat from a remnant into nothingness.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th sacred

Venerable Bede, 672-735

- an English monk, Bede was renowned for his learning (like Isidore of Seville) - he was considered to be one of the most learned and brilliant men anywhere in the west - is most famous for his History of the English People

Luther quotes

“It's to be understood thus: the Word comes first, and with the Word the Spirit breathes upon my heart so that I believe. Then I feel that I have become a different person and I recognize that the Holy Spirit is there. Accordingly these are two different things: to have the Holy Spirit and to know you have him.” Martin Luther, Tabletalk, Deitrich #402, December 1532,LW, AE, 54:63

Latin proverbs

Ira furor brevis est. (Horace)

Anger is a temporary madness.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

England

Offa II, 757-796

- king of Mercia (in southern England) - during his life he held supreme power over all the small kingdoms in England - after his death, there was chaos

- in 787, the Danes began “raiding” England, this marked the first of the Viking raids - by 794 the Norse (Norwegians and Swedes) were raiding Scotland

Imitation of Christ

Gloriari in tribulationibus non est grave amanti, Sic enim gloriari est in cruce Domini gloriari. Brevis gloria quæ ab hominibus datur et accipitur. Mundi gloriam semper comitatur tristitia. Bonorum gloria in conscientiis eorum, et non in ore hominum. Justorum lætitia de Deo et in Deo est, et gaudium eorum de veritate. Qui veram et æternam gloriam desiderat, temporalem non curat. Et qui temporalem quærit gloriam, aut non ex animo contemnit, minus amare convincitur cælestem. Magnam habet cordis tranquillitatem, qui nec laudes curat, nec vituperia. 

To glory in tribulation is not grievous to him who loves; for such glorying is glorying in the Cross of Christ. Brief is the glory which is given and received of men. Sadness always goes hand in hand with the glory of the world. The glory of the good is in their conscience, and not in the report of men. The joy of the upright is from God and in God, and their joy is in the truth. He who desires true and eternal glory cares not for that which is temporal; and he who seeks temporal glory, or who despises it from his heart, is proved to bear little love for that which is heavenly. He who cares for neither praises nor reproaches has great tranquility of heart.

Imitation of Christ, II, 6:2

Ecclesiasticus

"Who will pity a snake charmer bitten by a serpent, or any who goes near wild beasts? So no one will pity a man who associates with a sinner and becomes involved in his sins." Ecclesiasticus 12:13-14

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Spain

- the Visigothic kingdom had degenerated to a king having virtually no power - in 711, a mixed group of Arabs and Berbers (North African tribesman) under Tariq defeated the last Visigothic king, Roderick, and drove the Christians into the northwest corner of Spain (which became the kingdom of Castile) - by 719, the Islamic forces had reached the border between France and Spain, though they were defeated by Charles Martel in 732

- the Omayyad Dynasty of Cordova (756-1031) ruled over most of Spain for almost three centuries - by 777, Charlemagne was invading Spain, and by 801 he had captured much of

northeastern Spain

Patristics

“Your schism has subverted [the faith of] many, has discouraged many, has given rise to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And still your sedition continueth.” Clement, First Epistle, XLVI, ANF 1:18

Baier's axioms

Dicuntur mali angeli non ortu, sed lapsu, non entitate, sed qualitate.

The evil angels are not called [evil] by origin, but by a fall, not by character of being, but by quality.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Charles the Great, Charlemagne, 768-814

- was one of Pepin's sons - wanted to bring to all Germans under Frankish control - worked to keep close ties with the pope and supported the reform of the church

- in order to “protect” the pope, in 773-774, he defeated the Lombards and took over the control of Italy - in 785, after thirty years of bitter fighting the Saxons were defeated, and forcibly

converted the Saxons to Christianity - in 787-788, Bavaria was conquered

Luther quotes

“So Christ was patient with his apostles in many things which were not right, as when they wanted to destroy the Samaritans with fire (Luke 9[:54ff.]). Or, when they quarreled about superiority (Matthew 20[:24ff.]) This and similar things he overlooked, since at that time they were unable to do or know better. They had not yet received the Holy Spirit, they were afraid of death, and for fear of the Jews did not confess Christ when he died.” Martin Luther, Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors in Electoral Saxony, LW, AE,40:291

Latin proverbs

Absentem laedit, cum ebrio qui litigat. (Pub. Syrus)

Who argues with a drunken man harms one who isn't really there.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Carloman, 741-747, and

Pepin the Short, 747-768

- had been “mayor of the palace” - was elected king of the Franks in 752 - in 754, Pope Stephen anointed him king, and made him a “patrician” of the Roman empire (because Rome was being threatened by the Lombards) - in 756, Pepin invaded Italy and defeated the Lombards and made the Donation of Pepin (officially giving land directly into the control of the pope, something that he had no right to do) - by 759, he had extended the Frankish kingdom to the border of Spain

Imitation of Christ

Gloria bonis hominibus testimonium bonæ conscientiæ. Habe bonam conscientiam et semper habebis lætitiam. Bona conscientia valde multa potest portare, et valde læta est inter adversa. Mala conscientia semper timida, et inquieta. Suaviter requiesces, si te cor tuum non reprehenderit. Noli lætari, nisi cum benefeceris. Mali nunquam habent veram lætitiam, nec internam sentiunt pacem, quia non est pax impiis, dicit Dominus. Et si dixerint: in pace sumus, non venient super nos mala; et quis nobis nocere audebit? non credas eis, quoniam repente exsurget ira Dei, et in nihilum redigentur actus eorum, et cogitationes eorum peribunt. 

The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good conscience and you will always have joy. A good conscience is able to bear exceeding much, and is exceeding joyful in the midst of adversities; an evil conscience is ever fearful and unquiet. You will rest sweetly if your heart doesn't condemn you. Never rejoice unless when you have done well. The wicked have never true joy, nor feel internal peace, for there is no peace, says my God, to the wicked. And if they say "we are in peace, there shall no harm happen unto us, and who shall dare to do us hurt?" believe them not, for suddenly shall the wrath of God rise up against them, and their deeds shall be brought to nought, and their thoughts shall perish.

Imitation of Christ, II, 6:1

Ecclesiasticus

“A friend will not be known in prosperity, nor will an enemy be hidden in adversity.” Ecclesiasticus 12:8

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Charles Martel, 714-747

- his name meant Charles “the Hammer,” was the son of Pepin II, and ally of the Lombard dukes in Italy - in 732, the Arabs came boiling up out of Spain (which they had recently conquered from the Visigoths), aiming to conquer the Frankish empire as well - Charles Martel met them outside the town of Tours and defeated the Arabs - in the West this was the high point of the Muslim advance

- he continued to consolidate his power - in 739 Pope Gregory III appealed to him for help against the Lombards

Patristics

“And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men. For there is in them hope of repentance that they may attain to God. See then, that they may be instructed by your works, if in no other way. …. While we take care not to imitate their conduct, let us be found their brethren in all true kindness;....” Ignatius, Ephesians, X, ANF 1:52-53

Baier's axioms

Angeli sunt incorporei prÕj ¹m©j, sed corporei tamen respectu Dei.

Angels are incorporeal towards us, but corporeal in respect to God.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Irene, 797-802

- the first empress - she did not want to fight and so “bought off” the Arabs and others - there was a lot of discontent about her rule and she was eventually deposed

Luther quotes

“There is no need to force anyone to disclose secrets of his heart. As the saying goes, no one shall be compelled to faith; he is only called to it.” Martin Luther, An Instruction to Penitents, LW, AE, 44:224

Latin proverbs

Nihil est... simul et inventam et perfectum. (Cicero)

Nothing is at the same time both discovered and perfected.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Leo IV, 775-780

- son of Constantine, won victories against the Arabs, but died early

Constantine VI, 750-797

- son of Leo, who came to the throne as a child, under the influence of his mother, Irene - in 787 Irene brought another council together that condemned Iconoclasm, which placed the monks on her side, but the army mutinied and forced her to “retire”  

- in 792, Constantine brought his mother back - she arranged a divorce and remarriage for him which upset all his supporters - then she arranged an army revolt in her favor and had her son blinded

Imitation of Christ

Multum proinde proficies, si te seriatum ab omni temporali cura conserves. Valde deficies, si aliquid temporale reputaveris. Nihil altum, nihil magnum, nihil gratum, nihil acceptum tibi sit, nisi pure Deus, aut de Deo sit. Totum vanum exstima, quidquid consolationis occurrit de aliqua creatura. Amans Deum anima sub Deo contemnit, despicit universa. Solus Deus æternus et immensus, implens omnia, solatium est animæ et vera mentis lætitia.

Then you will make great progress if you keep yourself free from all temporal care. You will lamentably fall away if you set a value upon any worldly thing. Let nothing be great, nothing high, nothing pleasing, nothing acceptable unto you, save God Himself or the things of God. Reckon as altogether vain whatsoever consolation comes to you from a creature. The soul that loves God looks not to anything that is beneath God. God alone is eternal and incomprehensible, filling all things, the solace of the soul, and the true joy of the heart. 

Imitation of Christ, II, 5:3

Ecclesiasticus

"If you do a kindness, know to whom you do it, and you will be thanked for your good deeds. Do good to a godly man, and you will be repaid – if not by him, certainly by the Most High." Ecclesiasticus 12:1-2

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Constantine V, 741-755

- Leo's son, began an offensive against the Arabs - in 746 he defeated them and regained the island of Cyprus, but in the same year the plague struck the empire again - he was successful in defeating the Arabs to the east and the Bulgars to the north

- 753, the Iconoclastic controversy heated up when a council of the church said that icons were incompatible with Christianity - monks, who supported icons, were imprisoned, exiled or killed, and some monasteries were closed and their property taken

Patristics

“Moreover also, that His power is sufficient for the raising of dead bodies, is shown by the creation of the same bodies. For if, when they do not exist, He made at their first formation the bodies of men, and their original elements, He will, when they are dissolved, in whatever manner that may take place, raise them again with equal ease: for this, too, is equally possible to Him.” Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead, III, ANF 2:150

Baier's axioms

Macrocosmus in gratiam microcosmi est conditus.

The macrocosm was established for the sake of the microcosm.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Leo III, 717-741

- a great general and organizer - he rewrote military regulations and brought the army back under control - he reorganized the government and imposed heavy taxes, but tried to protect the poor - he had the law code simplified and easier for all to understand

- 726, Leo began the Iconoclastic controversy - icons were “holy pictures” very loved in the east, but Leo outlawed them as idolatry - reasons for this include (1) Muslim accusations of idolatry, (2) the rise of superstition in general and (3) the alarming spread of monasticism (thousands of men were leaving the economy and the army to become monks, and the monasteries were becoming very wealthy)

Luther quotes

“For faith is a free act, to which no one can be forced. Indeed, it is a work of God in the spirit, not something which outward authority should compel or create. Hence arises the common saying, found also in Augustine, 'No one can or ought to be forced to believe.'” Martin Luther, Temporal Authority, LW, AE, 45:108

Latin proverbs

Paratae lacrimae insidias, non fletum, indicant. (Pub. Syrus)

Contrived tears indicate treachery, not grief.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Philippicus, 711-713
Anastasius II, 713-715

Theodosius III, 715-717

- all basically incompetent, unable to defend the empire

Imitation of Christ

Internus homo sui ipsius curam omnibus curis anteponit: et qui sibi ipsi diligenter intendit, faciliter de aliis tacet. Nunquam eris internus et devotus, nisi de aliis silueris et ad te ipsum specialiter respexeris. Si tibi ipsi et Deo totaliter intendis, modicum te movebit, quod foris percipis. Ubi es, quando tibi ipsi præsens non es? Et quando omnia percurristi, quid te neglecto profecisti? Si debes habere pacem et unionem veram, oportet, quod totum adhuc postponas et te solum præ oculis habeas.

The spiritually-minded man puts care of himself before all cares; and he who diligently attends to himself easily keeps silence concerning others. You will never be spiritually minded and godly unless you are silent concerning other men's matters and take full heed to yourself. If you think wholly upon yourself and upon God, what you see out of doors shall move you little. Where arr you when you are not present to yourself? and when you have overrun all things, what has it profited you, yourself being neglected? If you would have peace and true unity, you must put aside all other things, and gaze only upon yourself.

Imitation of Christ, II, 5:2

Ecclesiasticus

"From a spark of fire come many burning coals, and a sinner lies in wait to shed blood." Ecclesiasticus 11:32

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Justinian II, 705-711

- was returned to the throne (for the second time) with the aid of the Bulgar king - he sought revenge on all who had opposed him, which resulted in a reign of “insane terror” - he was killed in a revolt

Patristics

“And when we say that those women who use drugs to bring on abortion commit murder, and will have to give an account to God for the abortion, on what principle should we commit murder? For it does not belong to the same person to regard the very fetus in the womb as a created being, and therefore an object of God's care, and when it has passed into life, to kill it; and not to expose an infant, because those who expose them are chargeable with child-murder, and on the other hand, when it has been reared to destroy it.” Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians, XXXV, ANF 2:147

Baier's axioms

Caetera Deus non jussisset fieri, nisi decrevisset hominem facere.

God would not have commanded the rest to be made, unless He had determined to create man.

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th secular

Tiberius III, 698-705

- brought to power by another army revolt - his reign marked by revolts and Arab raids

Luther quotes

“This is what we think. When the Holy Spirit makes us aware of the work of Christ and of his merit, outwardly through the gospel and inwardly through his gift, when he bestows this merit upon us and causes us to believe in it, then this faith is nothing else than a living trust and confidence in the merit that Christ has bestowed upon us. We rely upon it from the bottom of our hearts, without doing any works of our own.” Martin Luther, The Adoration of the Sacrament, LW, AE, 36:301-2

Latin proverbs

In virtute posita est vera felicitas. (Seneca)

True happiness is placed in virtue.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th sacred

the Synod of Whitby, 663

- England was the first “clash” of Irish and Roman Christianity - Irish Christianity was coming down from Scotland and was centered around monasteries - the most important leaders were the abbots of monasteries (the bishops were under their authority)

- Roman Christianity was coming from the continent, especially Rome and France - it was centered around the churches in the towns and cities - the most important leaders were the bishops of the larger churches (abbots of monasteries were under the authority of the bishops)

- there were also disagreements about the right date for Easter and the proper kind of “tonsure” (haircut) for monks

- at the Synod of Whitby, both sides presented their arguments to King Oswy of Northumbria, who decided that Roman Christianity was the one that would be supported in England (mostly because Rome insisted Christ had given the keys of heaven to Peter and hence to the popes)

Imitation of Christ

Non possumus nobis ipsis nimis credere, quia sæpe gratia nobis deest, modicum lumen est in nobis, et hoc cito per negligentiam amittimus. Sæpe etiam non advertimus, quod tam cæci intus sumus. Sæpe male agimus, et peius excusamus. Et passione interdum movemur, et zelum putamus. Parva in aliis reprehendimus, et nostra maiora pertransimus. Satis cito persentimus et ponderamus quid ab aliis sustinemus; sed quantum alii de nobis sustinent, non advertimus. Qui bene et recte sua ponderaret, non esset quid de alio graviter iudicaret. 

We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves, because grace and understanding are often lacking to us. Little light is there within us, and what we have we quickly lose by negligence. Oftentimes we perceive not how great is our inward blindness. We often do ill and excuse it worse. Sometimes we are moved by passion and count it zeal; we blame little faults in others and pass over great faults in ourselves. Quickly enough we feel and reckon up what we bear at the hands of others, but we reflect not how much others are bearing from us. He who would weigh well and rightly his own doings would not be the man to judge severely of another.

Imitation of Christ, II, 5:1

Ecclesiasticus

"Call no one happy before his death; a man will be known through his children." Ecclesiasticus 11:28

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th sacred

Theodore of Tarsus, 602-690

- from Tarsus in the east (St. Paul's home town), Theodore was sent to England as a missionary by the pope and became the archbishop of Canterbury (which became the most important church position in England)

- after the Synod of Whitby, Theodore was able to introduce centralized church government by the bishops into England, as well as fairly regular “synods” meeting to consider problems - it has been suggested that this Roman system of church government greatly influenced the development of the modern ideas of royalty and legislative power

Patristics

“For when they know that we cannot endure even to see a man put to death, though justly, who of them can accuse us of murder or cannibalism? Who does not reckon among the things of greatest interest the contests of gladiators and wild beasts, especially those which are given by you? But we, deeming that to see a man put to death is much the same as killing him, have abjured such spectacles. How, then, when we do not even look on, lest we should contract guilt and pollution, can we put people to death?” Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians, XXXV, ANF 2:147

Baier's axioms

Opera Dei ad extra sunt indivisa.

The works of God are indivisible from the outside.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th sacred

Aidan, 600?-651

- a monk under Columba at Iona (6^th century), in 634 Aidan set up a monastery at Lindisfarne, an island off the northeast coast of England and began the work of converting northern England to Christianity

Luther quotes

“Why, the whole Scripture is concerned with provoking us to faith; now driving us with commands and threats, now drawing us with promises and consolations.” Martin Luther, Babylonian Captivity, LW, AE, 40:124

Latin proverbs

Vox audita perit, littera scripta manet. (Anon.)

The spoken word vanishes but the written letter remains.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th sacred

Isidore of Seville, 560-636

- bishop of Seville, Spain, influential in his country and one of the outstanding intellects of his day - recognized as theologian, historian, scientist and writer, his great work was the Etymologiae, which was basically an encyclopedia, passing on much ancient learning to medieval Europe - the Etymologiae was a standard reference book for more than 500 years in Europe

Imitation of Christ

Quando homo incipit tepescere, tunc parvum metuit laborem, et externam accipit consolationem. Sed quando perfecte incipit se vincere, et viriliter in via Dei ambulare, tunc minus ea reputat, quæ sibi prius gravia esse sentiebat. 

When a man begins to grow lukewarm, then he fears a little labor, and willingly accepts outward consolation; but when he begins perfectly to conquer himself and to walk manfully in the way of God, then he counts as nothing those things which before seemed to be so grievous to him.

Imitation of Christ, II, 4:3

Ecclesiasticus

"The misery of an hour makes one forget luxury, and at the close of a man's life his deeds will be revealed." Ecclesiasticus 11:27

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th sacred

Columbanus, 543?-615

- an Irish monk who did mission work on the European continent, especially in southern and central Germany - along with other Irish missionaries (like Kilian and Virgil), Columbanus made great strides toward converting the Germans to Christianity

- Irish Christianity emphasized private confession (Rome did not, originally), and these mission activities mark the beginning of the Roman practice of private confession - the Irish monks were also the ones who came up with “penitential” books, listing all the sins that people could do, and what “penances” should be done to show that you were sorry for them

Patristics

“For if we believed that we should live only the present life, then we might be suspected of sinning, through being enslaved to flesh and blood, or overmastered by gain or carnal desire; but since we know that God is witness to what we think and what we say both by night and by day, and that He, being Himself light, sees all things in our heart, we are persuaded that when we are removed from the present life we shall live another life, better than the present one, and heavenly, not earthly (since we shall abide near God, and with God, free from all change or suffering in the soul, not as flesh, though we shall have flesh, but as heavenly spirit), or, falling with the rest, a worse one and in fire; for God has not made us as sheep or beasts of burden, a mere by-work, and that we should perish and be annihilated. On these grounds it is not likely that we should wish to do evil, or deliver ourselves over to the great Judge to be punished.” Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians, XXXI, ANF 2:146

Baier's axioms

Ex discrimine personarum reali oritur earum ordo cum in subsistendo tum in operanda.

From the discerning of persons arises the real order of them not only in existence but also in operation.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Italy

the Lombards, 568-

- the Lombards, a small tribe, had moved into Italy beginning in 568 - they never made any agreement with the empire and were resented by the Italians - they split up into a number of little stated led by dukes

- under Duke Agilulf of Turin, 590-615, the number of dukedoms were reduced, the Lombards became either friendly toward the Pope or converted to Catholicism - a system of “episcopal immunities” was set up, by which bishops (especially of larger cities) became secular rulers as well, taking the place of vanished Roman officials

Luther quotes

“For faith is a work of God, not of man, as Paul teaches [Ephesians 2:8]. The other works he works through us and with our help, but this one alone he works in us and without our help.” Martin Luther, Babylonian Captivity, LW, AE, 40:62

Latin proverbs

Omnes una manet nox. (Horace)

One night (of death) awaits for all.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Grimoald, d. 656

- son of Pepin - tried to take the throne for himself, which resulted in his death

Pepin II, 687-714

- grandson of Pepin I, in 687 he became the most influential nobleman in France - because the kings were powerless, Pepin began to try and reduce the power of other nobleman (while retaining the power for himself)

Imitation of Christ

Si tu esses intus bonus, et purus, tunc omnia sine impedimento, et caperes bene. Cor purum penetrat cælum, et infernum. Qualis unusquisque est intus, taliter iudicat exterius. Si est gaudium in mundo, hoc utique possidet cordis puri homo. Et si est alicubi tribulatio et angustia, hoc melius novit mala conscientia. Sicut ferrum missum in ignem amittit rubiginem et totum candens efficitur, sic homo ad Deum integre se convertens, a torpore exuitur, et in novum hominem transmutatur. 

If you were good and pure within, then you would look upon all things without hurt and understand them aright. A pure heart sees the very depths of heaven and hell. Such as each one is inwardly, so he judges outwardly. If there is any joy in the world surely the man of pure heart possesses it, and if there is anywhere tribulation and anguish, the evil conscience knows it best. As iron cast into the fire loses rust and is made altogether glowing, so the man who turns himself altogether unto God is freed from slothfulness and changed into a new man.

Imitation of Christ, II, 4:2

Ecclesiasticus

"In the day of prosperity, adversity is forgotten, and in the day of adversity, prosperity is not remembered." Ecclesiasticus 11:25

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Spain

Visigothic kings continued to rule, but few, if any, of them are considered important

France

Dagobert, 629-639

- son of Lothair II, who united all of the Frankish kingdoms under his own rule - Dagobert was the last strong ruler of the Merovingians (descendants of Clovis) - his descendants were nonentities, and another position, the “mayor of the palace,” became more and more powerful

- his great advisers were Bishop Arnulf of Metz and Pepin I, the “mayor” of Austrasia

Patristics

“...; even so with matter and God – the glory and honor of the orderly arrangement of the world belongs of right not to matter, but to God, the Framer of matter.” Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians, XV, ANF 2:135

Baier's axioms

Quid sit nasci, quid processus, me nescire sum professus.

What might be begotten, what [might] proceed, I am unable to  profess.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Leontius II, 695-698

- the army came to dominate the state during this period, although he was not tremendously successful - in 698, the Arabs took Carthage and Byzantine rule in North Africa ended

Luther quotes

“For if you ask: What is the Gospel? you can give no better answer than these words of the New Testament, namely, that Christ gave his body and poured out his blood for us for the forgiveness of sins.” Martin Luther, Misuse of the Mass, LW, AE, 36:183

Latin proverbs

Perpetuo lignis crescit crescentibus ignis. (Werner)

A fire keeps increasing as the fuel increases.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Justinian II, 685-695

- son of Constantine IV, became emperor at 16 and showed himself “harsh and cruel, though energetic and ambitious” - a revolt against him led by Leontius began Justinian's exile and the start of twenty years of anarchy

Imitation of Christ

Duabus alis homo sublevatur a terrenis, scilicet simplicitate et puritate. Simplicitas debet esse in intentione, puritas in affectione. Simplicitas intendit deum, puritas apprehendit et gustat. Nulla actio te impediet, si liber intus ab omni inordinato affectu fueris. Si nihil aliud quam Dei beneplacitum, et proximi utilitatem intendis et quæris, interna libertate frueris. Si rectum cor tuum esset, tunc omnis creatura speculum vitæ, et liber sanctæ doctrinæ esset. Non est creatura tam parva et vilis quæ bonitatem Dei non repræsentet. 

By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection. Simplicity reaches towards God, purity apprehends Him and tastes Him. No good action will be distasteful to you if you are free within from inordinate affection. If you reach after and seek, nothing but the will of God and the benefit of your neighbor, you will entirely enjoy inward liberty. If your heart is right, then every creature should be a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. There is no creature so small and vile but that it shows us the goodness of God.

Imitation of Christ, II, 4:1

Ecclesiasticus

"The blessing of the Lord is the reward of the godly, and quickly God causes his blessing to flourish." Ecclesiasticus 11:22

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Constantine IV, 668-685

- son of Constans, he was an able soldier - his reign witnessed the height of the Arab attack on Byzantium - from 673-678, the Arabs blockaded and attacked Constantinople - the city survived because of its strong walls and because the Arabs had turned down a new invention, “Greek fire” which Constantine used in the first flamethrowers to destroy the Arab fleet

- in 679, the Bulgars, a Turkish people, left southern Russia, crossed the Danube and began setting up (after first merging with the Slavs) the first Slavic empire in what is now Bulgaria

Patristics

“But far be it from Christians to conceive any such deeds; for with them temperance dwells, self-restraint is practiced, monogamy is observed, chastity is guarded, iniquity exterminated, sin extirpated, righteousness exercised, law administered, worship performed, God acknowledged: ….” Theophilus, To Autolycus, III, 15, ANF 2:115

Baier's axioms

Filius, ut est persona, est ex alio; ut simplicissimum ens, non est ex alio.

The Son, as a person, is from another; as a most simple being, he is not from another.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Heraclius Constantinus II, 641 and Heracleonas, 641

- sons of Heraclus who died within a few months, either from assassination or military revolt

Constans II, 641-668

- a grandson of Heraclius, an able and energetic ruler - most of his reign was spent in trying to fight off the Arabs - the Arabs took Alexandria (the most important city in Egypt) in 643, invaded North Africa in  647, captured Cyprus in 648 and Armenia in 653 - he was murdered during a military mutiny in Sicily

 Constans II

Luther quotes

“Although the fathers were often wrong, they ought nevertheless to be honored on account of their testimony to faith. So I venerate Jerome and Gregory and others inasmuch as one can sense [from their writings], in spite of everything else, that they believed as we do, as the church from the beginning believed, and as we believe. So Bernard was magnificent when he taught and preached. However, when he engaged in dispute, he assailed what he had before preached. Consequently the fathers aren't worth much for controversy, but on account of their testimony to faith they ought all to be honored.” Martin Luther, Tabletalk, Deitrich #584, summer/fall 1533, LW, AE, 54:104-5

Latin proverbs

Non redit unda fluens; non redit hora ruens. (Werner)

The flowing wave returns not, nor does the passing hour.

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Heraclius, 610-641

- a rebellion led by Heraclius, one of the empire's best generals, led to a mob uprising in Constantinople, which led to Phocas' death - Heraclius was the founder of a new dynasty, and faced huge military  problems, especially in the east with the Persians - in 614 the Persians had captured Jerusalem, in 619  Egypt

- he reorganized the army and, with a burst of patriotic and national enthusiasm, the Byzantine army destroyed Persia in 628, leaving the former Persian empire in chaos

- unfortunately, that left no strong power in place to deal with the Arabs who came boiling out of the desert on a mission to spread Islam - Damascus was captured in 635, Jerusalem in 647, all of  Mesopotamia in 639 and Egypt in 642

Imitation of Christ

Sed sunt qui se ipsos in pace tenent, et cum aliis etiam pacem habent. Et sunt qui nec pacem habent, nec alios in pace dimittunt. Aliis sunt graves, sed sibi sunt semper graviores. Et sunt qui se ipsos in pace retinent, et ad pacem alios reducere student. Et tamen tota pax nostra in hac misera vita potius in humili sufferentia ponenda est, quam in non sentiendo contraria? Qui melius scit pati, pacem tenebit maiorem. Iste est victor fui, et dominus mundi, amicus Christi, et hæres cæli. 

 

There are who keep themselves in peace and keep peace also with others, and there are who neither have peace nor suffer others to have peace; they are troublesome to others, but always more troublesome to themselves. And there are who hold themselves in peace, and study to bring others unto peace; nevertheless, all our peace in this sad life lies in humble suffering rather than in not feeling adversities. He who best knows how to suffer shall possess the most peace; that man is conqueror of himself and lord of the world, the friend of Christ, and the inheritor of heaven.

Imitation of Christ, II, 3:3

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not wonder at the works of the sinner, but trust in the Lord and keep at your toil; for it is easy in the side of the Lord to enrich a poor man quickly and suddenly." Ecclesiasticus 11:21

Murphysboro Centuries, 7th secular

Phocas, 602-610

- a general of the troops located on the Danube, Phocas led a rebellion against Maurice (probably  because Maurice had to be economical after Justinian) - Maurice and all his supporters were executed

- Phocas was a powerful soldier, but was also considered to be uneducated, cruel and incompetent - he wasn't able to drive back either the Avars (invading from the north) or the Persians (who renewed the  war in the east)

Patristics

“For as the soul in man is not seen, being invisible to men, but is perceived through the motion of the body, so God cannot indeed be seen by human eyes, but is beheld and perceived through His providence and works. For in like manner, as any person, when he sees a ship on the sea rigged and in sail, and making for the harbor, will no doubt infer that there is a pilot in her who is steering her; so we must perceive that God is the governor [pilot] of the whole universe, though He be not visible to the eyes of the flesh, since He is incomprehensible.” Theophilus, To Autolycus, I, 5, ANF 2:90

Baier's axioms

Qeoà gšnnhsij siwpÍ tim£sqw.

Honor the beginning of God in silence.

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th sacred

Gregory of Tours, d. 594

- bishop of Tours in France, had admitted that he didn't know Latin very well, but there was nobody else around able to do a better job, so he wrote a History of the Franks which is our only source for what the early Frankish kings (the Merovingian dynasty) did

Luther quotes

“In the church nobody can be absolved unless he promises to amend his life. Absolution consists, first, of belief in Christ, and second, of amendment of life.” Martin Luther, Tabletalk, Deitrich #582, summer/fall 1533, LW, AE, 54:104

Latin proverbs

Non est ad astra mollis e terris via. (Seneca)

The journey from the earth to the stars is not easy.

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th sacred

Martinus Capella, ?

- wrote the book on the “seven liberal arts” (learning) that was most popular during the dark ages

Donatus and Priscian, ?

- wrote Latin grammars which kept the knowledge of Latin alive (which enabled people to hang on to a relatively unchanging international language of scholarship and knowledge)

Orosius, ?

- a student of Augustine and a very bad historian, he wrote a famous book “summarizing” ancient history and showing how bad paganism was

Imitation of Christ

Tu bene facta scis excusare, et tolerare, et aliorum non vis accipere excusationes. Justus esses, si te accusares, et fratrem tuum excusares. Si portari vis, porta alium. Vide quam longe es adhuc a vera charitate, et humilitate, quæ nuli novit indignarei vel irasci, nisi tantum sibi ipsi. Non est magnum cum bonis, et mansuetis conversari. Hoc enim omnibus naturaliter placet, et unusquisque libenter pacem habet, et secum sentientes magis diligit. Sed cum duris, et perversis aut indisciplinatis aut nobis contrariantibus pacifice posse vivere, magna gratia est, et laudabile nimis virileque factum.

You know well how to excuse and to color your own deeds, but you will not accept the excuses of others. It would be more just to accuse yourself and excuse your brother. If you want others to bear with you, bear with others. Behold how far you art as yet from the true charity and humility which knows not how to be angry or indignant against any save self alone. It is no great thing to mingle with the good and the meek, for this is naturally pleasing to all, and every one of us willingly enjoys peace and likes best those who think with us: but to be able to live peaceably with the hard and perverse, or with the disorderly, or those who oppose us, this is a great grace and a thing much to be commended and most worthy of a man.

Imitation of Christ, II, 3:2

Ecclesiasticus

"The gift of the Lord endures for those who are godly, and what he approves will have lasting success." Ecclesiasticus 11:17

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th sacred

Cassiodorous, d. 580

- also a civil servant under Theodoric, he retired in 550 to a monastery and was the first to establish a scriptorium ('writing-place') in a monastery - it was partially because of his eagerness to copy books and preserve knowledge that most monasteries in the middle ages concentrated on doing that - he wrote many books on all sorts of topics (mostly just summarizing what he knew) which at least preserved some knowledge

Patristics

“...; in the same way, having been born, and through death existing no longer, and seen no longer, I shall exist again, just as before I was not, but was afterwards born. Even though fire destroy all traces of my flesh, the world receives the vaporized matter;and though dispersed through rivers and seas, or torn in pieces by wild beast, I am laid up in the storehouses of a wealthy Lord.” Tatian, Address to the Greeks, VI, ANF 2: 67

Baier's axioms

Deus in tribus personis subsistit, non ex illis componitur.

God subsists in three persons, [but] He is not composed out of them.

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th sacred

Boethius, d. 524

- a layman who loved learning but was afraid that few people would know or be able to learn in the “dark” times that were coming - he said that he wanted to translate all of Aristotle's and Plato's works into Latin, but wasn't able to accomplish all that - he was able to provide some translations of some of Aristotle, which was all that Western Europe had for centuries - he also prepared studies or summaries on the other major areas of learning - “Oxford University was still using his treatise on music in the seventeenth century.” - had worked for Theodoric the Ostrogoth and was executed by him on suspicions of treason

Luther quotes

“It shall be made clear that only if they have faith can they truly repent and grieve over their sins. Without repentance there is is an imagined faith.” Martin Luther, Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors in Electoral Saxony, LW, AE, 40:276

Latin proverbs

Post tres saepe dies vilescit piscis et hospes. (Werner)

After three days a fish and a guest start to deteriorate. [stink? ]

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th sacred

Gregory the Great, 540?-604

- born into a senatorial (noble) family in Rome, he had started a political career, becoming the city prefect (mayor) in 573, but around 574 he became a monk and became very active in founding monasteries and promoting monasticism

- in 590 he was elected Pope - was the real leader against the Lombards (a Germanic tribe that had invaded Italy beginning in about 565) - he raised troops, directed generals and negotiated treaties - he is best known as an organizer and manager, reforming the administration of the church and its property, resulting in more money for charitable uses

- he protested against the bishop of Constantinople claiming to be the “universal bishop” - all he claimed was to be “the servant of the servants of God” - was the first pope to begin the official teaching of purgatory - sent missionaries to England, to bring the Anglo-Saxons into contact with Rome, and began trying to convert the Lombards - was respected as a preacher and pastor and was (wrongly) credited with inventing Gregorian chant

Imitation of Christ

Pone te primus in pace, et tunc alios poteris pacificare. Homo pacificus plus prodest, quam bene doctus. Homo passionatus etiam bonus in malum trahit, et faciliter malum credit. Bonus homo pacificus omnia ad bonum convertit. Qui bene in pace est, de nullo suspicatur. Qui autem male contentus est, et commotus, variis suspicionibus agitatur, nec ipse quiescit, nec alios quiescere permittit. Dicit sæpe quod sibi magis facere expediret, et negligit, quod ipse facere tenetur. Habe ergo primum zelum super te ipsum, tunc zelare poteris etiam juste proximum tuum. 

First keep yourself in peace, and then you will be able to be a peacemaker towards others. A peaceable man does more good than a well-learned. A passionate man turns even good into evil and easily believes evil; a good, peaceable man converts all things into good. He who dwells in peace is  suspicious of none, but he who is discontented and restless is tossed with many suspicions, and is neither quiet himself nor suffers others to be quiet. He often says what he ought not to say, and omits what would be better for him to say. He considers to what duties others are bound, and neglects those to which he is bound himself. Therefore be zealous first over yourself, and then you may righteously be zealous concerning your neighbour.

Imitation of Christ, II, 3:1

Ecclesiasticus

"Good things and bad, life and death, poverty and wealth, come from the Lord." Ecclesiasticus 11:14

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th sacred

Columba, 521-597

- an Irish monk, related to some powerful Irish families - was already well known as a monk and founder of monasteries in Ireland when, in 563, Columba went to Scotland and founded a monastery on the island of Iona, from which he reached out to convert the Picts of Scotland to Christianity

Patristics

“Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your fight.” Ignatius, Ephesians, XIII, ANF 1:55

Baier's axioms

Qui libero naturae leges dedit, seipsum naturae legibus et ordini non obstrinxit.

The same one who freely gives the laws of nature is not bound by the laws and orders of nature.