Patristics

“Just in the same way, what are called vices in the soul are nothing but privations of natural good.” Augustine, Enchiridion, XI, NPNF 1, 3:240

Baier's axioms

Deus factum infectum facere nequit.

God is unable to do the undone deed.

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th secular

Justin II, 565-578

- the nephew of Justinian, along with Tiberius the commander of the imperial guard, he seized the throne, and attempted to rebuild the imperial economy - from 568-571, the small German tribe of the Lombards invaded Italy and took over the northern and central sections, and the empire was too weak, Italy too exhausted, to defeat them - in 574, Justin became insane, and the empire went to his wife, Sophia, and Tiberius

Luther quotes

“The freedom of the gospel is valid only in matters relating to the relationship between you and God, and not in matters between you and your neighbor.” Martin Luther, Judgment of Martin Luther on Monastic Vows,LW, AE, 44:313

Latin proverbs

Saepe tacens vocem verbaque bultus habet. (Ovid)

Often a silent face has voice and words.

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th secular

Justinian, 527-565

- the nephew of Justin - considered to be one of the outstanding Roman/Byzantine emperors - partially known because of his wife Theodora - from the lower classes (an actress, prostitute?) when Justinian fell for her, here persuaded her uncle to change the centuries old law forbidding the nobility (and royal family) from marrying one of the lower classes

- for the first few years of his reign, Justinian had to fight against the Persians, but in 532 a “Perpetual Peace” agreement was signed - that left Justinian free to look west (where the barbarians were in charge) - also in 532 was the “Nike” Insurrection, a rebellion in Constantinople amongst the “circus factions” - according to contemporary histories, Justinian wanted to flee from the revolt, but Theodora said that purple (the royal color) was a good color to die in - Justinian stayed, called in the army,and after 30,000 people were killed, things settled down

- 533-534, Justinian sent his best general, Belisarius, to conquer the Vandals, which was accomplished easily - 535-554, having taken Northern Africa back for the empire, Justinian sent Belisarius to try and take back Italy - most of Italy had been taken back from the Ostrogoths when Belisarius left to take care of other problems and the Ostrogoths took back what they had lost - Belisarius returned and retook Italy, but was then recalled again and the Ostrogoths retook it all - Justinian sent another army under Narses and the Ostrogoths were finally defeated, but Italy was completely devastated

- 540, the “Perpetual Peace” with Persia ended when Persia attacked, and peace on the eastern frontier wasn't restored until 562 - in the midst of the Persian war and attempting to retake Italy, in 542-546, a deadly form of bubonic plague struck the empire 

- Justinian also attempted to “interfere” with the church and though that, as emperor, he had the right and ability to make theological statements - he was also one of the great imperial builders, constructing many buildings - one of the most important things he did was to order a reform and  review of Roman law, and it was set down in a definite form in the Code of Justinian which became the form of Roman law that was inherited by the modern world - unfortunately, with his wars and building, he nearly bankrupted the empire and severely strained the Byzantine economy for decades

Imitation of Christ

Non magni pendas qui pro te vel contra te fit, sed hoc age, et cura, ut Deus tecum sit in omni re quam facis. Habeas conscientiam bonam, et Deus bene te defensabit. Quem enim adjuvare voluerit, nullius perversitas nocere poterit. Si tu sci tacere et pati, videbis proculdubio auxilium Domini. Ipse novit tempus, et modum liberandi te, et idea debes te illi resignare. Dei est adjuvare, et ab omni confusione liberare. sæpe valde prodest ad majorem humilitatem conservandam, quod defectus nostros alii sciunt, et redarguunt. 

Make no great account who is for you or against you, but mind only the present duty and take care that God be with you in whatsoever you do. Have a good conscience and God will defend you, for he  whom God will help no man's perverseness shall be able to hurt. If you know how to hold your peace and to suffer, without doubt you shall see the help of the Lord. He knows the time and the way to deliver you, therefore you must resign yourself to Him. To God belongs to help and to deliver from all confusion. Oftentimes it is very profitable for keeping us in greater humility, that others know and rebuke our faults.

Imitation of Christ, II, 2:1

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not answer before you have heard, nor interrupt a speaker in the midst of his words." Ecclesiasticus 11:8

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th secular

Justinus I, 518-527

- a soldier born to very humble parents, he eventually worked his way up in rank to become the commander of the imperial bodyguard - when Anastasius died, Justin became the emperor

Patristics

“And reckon ye that it is for your sakes we have been saying these things; for it is in our power, when we are examined, to deny that we are Christians; but we would not live by telling a lie.” Justin, First Apology, VIII, ANF 1:165

Baier's axioms

Ea Deus tantum potest, quae sunt possibilia.

God is able [to do] as many things as are possible.

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th secular

Anastasius I, 491-518

- married Zeno's widow - his main claim to fame is that he built a new wall around Constantinople and fought the Persians

Luther quotes

“Christian or evangelical freedom, then, is a freedom of conscience which liberates the conscience from works. Not that no works are done, but no faith is put in them.” Martin Luther, Judgment of Martin Luther on Monastic Vows, LW, AE, 44:298

Latin proverbs

Inter caecos regnat luscus. (Anon.)

Among the blind the one-eyed is king.

Murphysboro Centuries, 6th secular

Spain

- the Visigoths now controlled most of Spain, but there was no strong or important king - Spain could have been taken by almost anyone, but no one had the resources to do so

England/Britain

- after Arthur had defeated the German tribes and stopped their expansions, things were quiet for a while, but by the sixth century the Roman citizens were driven out of Britain by the German tribes and they settled in Wales and Brittany

- during the sixth century seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms developed, and the kingdom of Kent became the strongest of the kingdoms in Britain

France

- Clovis (481-511) arranged for the Franks to become catholic Christians and moved his capital to the city of Paris - when he died, he divided his kingdom up among his four sons - these parts were  Austrasia (NE France and NW Germany), Neustria (NW France), and Burgundy (SE France)

- these kingdoms were later reunited (because the other brothers had died) under Lothair (558-561) briefly, but Lothair also divided up his kingdom up amongst his sons - this kind of thing became normal, the Frankish rulers spending more time fighting each other than anything else

Imitation of Christ

Si recte tibi esses, et bene purgatus esses, omnia tibi in bonum cederent, et profectum. Ideo multa tibi sæpe displicent et sæpe conturbant, quia adhuc non es perfecte tibi mortuus, nec segregatus ab omnibus terrenis. Nihil sic maculat et implicat cor hominis, sicut impurus amor in creaturis. Si renuis consolari exterius, poteris speculari cælestia, et frequenter interius jubilare. 

If it were well with you, and you were purified from evil, all things would work together for your good and profiting. For this cause do many things displease you and often trouble you, because you are not yet perfectly dead to yourself nor separated from all earthly things. Nothing so defiles and entangles the heart of man as impure love towards created things. If you reject outward comfort you will be able to contemplate heavenly things and frequently to be joyful inwardly.

Imitation of Christ, II, 1:8

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not find fault before you investigate; first consider, and then reprove." Ecclesiasticus 11:7

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th sacred

Leo I, “the Great”, pope 440-461

- one of the “greatest” early popes - by this time the emperor no longer resided in Rome and the bishop of Rome was perhaps the most powerful individual in town - among other things, Leo, in 445, managed to get from the emperor an edict that those involved in church courts in the Western empire could appeal to the bishop of Rome for a final decision

- in 452, Leo persuaded Attila the Hun to leave Rome alone and not attack it - in 455, he persuaded Gaiseric the Vandal to be content with 'only' a 2-week sack of Rome, rather than totally destroying it

Patristics

“But every lie must be called a sin, because not only when a man knows the truth, but even when, as a man may be, he is mistaken and deceived, it is his duty to say what he thinks in his heart, whether it be true, or whether he only thinks it to be true.” Augustine, Enchiridion, XXII, NPNF1, 3:245

Baier's axioms

Deus, qui legem a superiore latam non habet, ipse sibi lex est.

God, who doesn't have a broad law from a superior, is a law to himself.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th sacred

Cyril of Alexandria, 378(?)-444

- Cyril, nephew of the former bishop of Alexandria, became bishop in 412 and one of the more powerful men in the church - the diocese of Alexandria was one of the largest in the world (it had more churches and priests than all of the Western empire) and one of the wealthiest

- accused of being guilty of a number of criminal actions (as was Athanasius), Cyril is most often accused of being motivated only by “politics” in bringing down Nestorius, the bishop of Constantinople

- in actuality, Cyril and Nestorius were part of the ongoing argument about how Jesus was both God and man - the “orthodox” teaching on Christ accepted by the church is the position that Cyril defended, i.e., that God and man are “personally united” so closely in Jesus that you can't really talk about God or man separately

Luther quotes

“Inasmuch, however, as no one is to be forced to believe, or driven by command or force from his unbelief, since God likes no forced service and wants only those who are his servants by their own free will, and in view of the fact that people are confused and uncertain, it has been and still is impossible to establish a rule concerning persons to whom both kinds are to be offered or from whom they are to be withheld according to the teaching of Christ.” Martin Luther, Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors, LW, AE, 40:290

Latin proverbs

Longum iter est per praecepta, breve et efficax per exempla. (Seneca)

Long is the joumey through advice, short and efficient through example.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th sacred

Patrick, 389-461

- captured as a slave and taken to Ireland, Patrick returned later to Ireland (on behalf of the English “king”?) and worked to convert the Irish to Christianity - although strongly opposed by the Druids, Patrick was successful (supposedly he even was able to drive the snakes out of Ireland) - during the “Dark Ages” while the rest of Europe was in decay, Ireland was a center of culture, learning and religion

Imitation of Christ

Cui sapiunt omnia prout sunt non ut dicuntur, aut æstimantur, hic vere sapiens est, et doctus a Deo magis, quam ab hominibus. Qui ab intra scit ambulare et modicum res ab extra ponderare, non reqirit loca, nec tempora expectat ad habenda devota exercitia. Homo internus cito se recolligit, et nunquam se totum ad exteriora effundit. Non illi obest labor exterior, aut occupatio ad tempus necessaria. Sed sicut res eveniunt, sic se illis accommodat. Qui intus bene dispositus est et ordinatus, non curat mirabiles et perversos hominum gestus. Tantum homo impeditur, et distrahitur, quantum sibi res attrahit. 

He who knows things as they are and not as they are said or seem to be, he truly is wise, and is taught of God more than of men. He who knows how to walk from within, and to set little value upon outward things, requires not places nor waits for seasons, for holding his intercourse with God. The inward man quickly recollects himself, because he is never entirely given up to outward things. No outward labour and no necessary occupations stand in his way, but as events fall out, so he fits himself to them. He who is rightly disposed and ordered within cares not for the strange and perverse conduct of men. A man is hindered and distracted in so far as he is moved by outward things.

Imitation of Christ, II, 1:7

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not boast about wearing fine clothes, nor exalt yourself in the day that you are honored; for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works are concealed from men." Ecclesiasticus 11:4

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Southern France

- from 419-507, the Visigoths ruled a large part of France, having been given 2/3rds of the land by Honorius - this, however, did not make the Roman inhabitants of Gaul/France happy, especially since the Visigoths were Arian

 

Northern France

- the Franks moved into northern France c. 430, were defeated occasionally by the Romans, but by the 480's, the Franks were fighting with the Romans against other Germanic tribes - in 481, the Frankish king Clovis became the most powerful individual in northern France, and in 496, he converted from paganism to Catholicism, which made him very popular with the Roman inhabitants as well as the Franks

- France gets its name from the Franks - in 1996, the French had a big argument as to whether or not they should celebrate the 1500^th anniversary of Clovis' conversion - it marked the beginning of the French nation, but it was also a religious event that some wanted to ignore

 Clovis

Patristics

“Let this, therefore, in the first place, be laid down as an unassailable position, that the virtue which makes the life good has its throne in the soul, and thence rules the members of the body, which becomes holy in virtue of the holiness of the will; and that while the will remains firm and unshaken, nothing that another person does with the body, or upon the body, is any fault of the person who suffers it, so long as he cannot escape it without sin.” Augustine, City of God, I:16, NPNF1, 2:12

Baier's axioms

Deus ita misericors est, ut sit etiam simul iustus.

Thus God is merciful although he is also just at the same time.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Spain-Africa

- the Vandals had moved into Spain in 409, then in 429 crossed into Africa - under Gaiseric the Vandals attacked everyone and took everything they could - in 455 the Vandals captured Rome, and for two weeks systematically looted it of everything they could find - the “destruction” was so great that to “vandalize” something became a recognized word in most European languages

Gaiseric the Vandal

Luther quotes

“Still, it is not right, and I truly grieve, that these miserable folk should be so lamentably murdered, burned, and tormented to death. We should allow everyone to believe what he wills. If his faith be false, he will be sufficiently punished in eternal hell-fire. Why then should we martyr these people also in this world, if there error be in faith alone and they are not guilty of rebellion or opposition to the government? Dear God, how quickly a person can become confused and fall into the trap of the devil! By the Scriptures and the Word of God, we got to guard against and withstand him. By fire we accomplish little.” Martin Luther, Concerning Rebaptism,LW, AE, 40:230

Latin proverbs

Caelum, non animum, mutant qui trans mare currunt. (Horace)

Those who cross the sea change their environment, not themselves.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Britain

- with the departure of the Roman troops from Britain (c. 410-411), Irish invaders began raiding British towns - a Vortigern (British name, he was probably a Roman who also claimed to be an Augustus) invited the Saxons to be “federate” allies (and to live in Britain) in order to protect the island from Irish raiders - eventually the Irish problem was ended by marrying Vortigern's daughter to the Irish king and sending (?) Patrick as a missionary to Ireland to convert them

- while that was going on, by the 460's, the Saxons, Angles and Jutes were beginning to be too “expensive” to protect Britain, and the British tried to send them away - Vortigern wanted to keep them, and so the British turned to Ambrosius Aurelianus and later his successor, Artorius (470?-490?, better known as King Arthur), to drive out the Germans settling in the land - he at least was able to stop the spread of the German settlers, and seems to have been recognized as the great king or emperor in England

Imitation of Christ

Non est magna fiducia ponenda in homine fragili et mortali, etiamsi utilis fit et dilectus, neque tristitia multa capienda ex hoc, si interdum adversetur et contradicat. Qui hodie tecum sunt, cras contrariari possunt. Et e converso sæpe ut aura vertuntur. Pone fiduciam tuam totam in Domino; et sit ipse timor tuus, et amor tuus. Ipse pro te respondebit, et faciet bene sicut melius fuerit. Nonhabes hic manentem civitatem, et ubicumque fueris, extraneus es et peregrinus, nec requiem aliquando habebis, nisi Christo intime fueris unitus. 
 

There is no great trust to be placed in a frail and mortal man, even though he be useful and dear to us, neither should much sorrow arise within us if sometimes he oppose and contradict us. They who are on your side today, may tomorrow be against you, and often are they turned round like the wind. Put your whole trust in God and let Him be your fear and your love, He will answer for you Himself, and will do for you what is best. Here you have no continuing city, and wheresoever you are, you are a stranger and a pilgrim, and you shall never have rest unless you are closely united to Christ within you.

Imitation of Christ, II, 1:3

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not praise a man for his good looks, nor loathe a man because of his appearance." Ecclesiasticus 11:2

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Zeno, 474-491

- originally a “junior” Augustus to his son, but Zeno became sole emperor - is credited with “solving” the problem with the Goths in the East and the Germans in Italy - in 481, Zeno recognized Theodoric the Amal as king of the Ostrogoths (East Goths) and a Roman nobleman

- in 488, Theodoric was commissioned to rescue Italy from the Germans under Odoacer, and did so, taking control of Italy in 493

Patristics

“The good servant receives the bread of his labor with confidence; the lazy and slothful cannot look his employer in the face. It is a requisite, therefore, that we be prompt in the practice of well-doing; for of him are all things.” 1 Clement, XXXIV, ANF 1:14

Baier's axioms

Voluntas Dei semper impletur, aut de nobis, aut a nobis.

The will of God is always fulfilled, either about us or by us.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Romulus Augustus, 475-476

- the son of Orestes, Master of Soldiers, only lasted about ten months - German soldiers wanted to take over a large part of the land in Italy to and Orestes didn't move fast enough so there was a rebellion by Odoacer who removed both Orestes and his son - Odoacer didn't think there was any need to have an emperor in the west anymore and so sent the “imperial regalia” (robe, crown, etc.) to Constantinople - Italy supposedly remained under the control of the Eastern emperor - 476 is a traditional date for the fall of the Roman empire in the West

Luther quotes

“Each is a most free judge of all who teach him, if he himself is inwardly taught by God, as John 6[:45] says. For you will not be damned or saved by the teaching of another, be it true or false, but by your faith alone. Anyone may teach as he pleases, but what you believe is your responsibility whether it results in your peril or your benefit.” Martin Luther, Concerning the Ministry, LW, AE, 40:32

Latin proverbs

Post cineres est verus honor, est gloria vera. (Med.)

After ashes (death) comes true honor and true glory.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Julius Nepos, 474-475

- became emperor because he was married to the niece of the Eastern empress - struggled to reassert Roman authority, but wasn't successful - one of the more “important” events of his reign was the declaration of Euric, king of the Visigoths, that his kingdom in Gaul was a fully independent state (like the Vandals) and not a “federate” ally of Rome - was “deposed” by Orestes, the new Master of Soldiers

Imitation of Christ

Memento semper finis, et quia perditum non redit tempus, sine sollicitudine, et diligentia nunquam acquires virtutes. Si incipis tepescere, incipis male habere. Si autem dederis te ad fervorem, invenies magnam pacem, et senties leviorem laborem propter Dei gratiam et virtutis amorem. Homo fervidus et diligens ad omnia est paratus. Major labor est resistere vitiis et passionibus, quam corporalibus insudare laboribus. Qui parvos non devitat defectus, paulatim labitur ad majora. Gaudebis semper de vespere, si diem expendes fructuose. Vigila semper te ipsum et quidquid de aliis sit non negligas te ipsum. Tantum proficies, quantum tibi ipsi vim intuleris. Amen.
 

Remember always your end, and how the time which is lost returns not. Without care and diligence you shall never get virtue. If you begin to grow cold, it shall begin to go ill with you, but if you give yourself unto zeal you shall find much peace, and shall find your labour the lighter because of the grace of God and the love of virtue. A zealous and diligent man is ready for all things. It is greater labour to resist sins and passions than to toil in bodily labours. He who shuns not small faults falls little by little into greater. At eventide you shall always be glad if you spend the day profitably. Watch over yourself, stir yourself up, admonish yourself, and howsoever it be with others, neglect not yourself. The more violence you do to yourself, the more you shall profit. Amen.

Imitation of Christ, I, 25:11(10?)

Ecclesiasticus

"Who will justify the man that sins against himself? And who will honor the man that dishonors his own life?" Ecclesiasticus 10:29

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Anthemius, 467-472

- emperor in the West, chosen by Leo because the Vandal raids were getting to be a nuisance - originally had Ricimer's support, but defeats by the Vandals and Visigoths led Ricimer to oppose (and behead) him

Patristics

“Let testimony to our good deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers. Boldness, and arrogance, and audacity belong to those that are accursed of God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.” 1 Clement, XXX, ANF 1:13

Baier's axioms

Deus vult seipsum ut finem, creaturas ut media.

God wills himself as the end, creation as the means.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Majorian, 457-461

- made emperor in the West by Leo - did a good job, defeated the Visigoths in southern Gaul, defeated a band of Vandals pillaging in Italy - tried to kick the Visigoths out of Spain but couldn't - real power was the German Ricimer, the Master of Soldiers

Luther quotes

“Therefore, each one of us must have the kind of body God has created for us. I cannot make myself a woman, nor can you make yourself a man; we do not have that power. But we are exactly as he created us: I a man and you a woman. Moreover, he wills to have his excellent handiwork honored as his divine creation, and not despised.” Martin Luther, Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 45:17

Latin proverbs

Non lupus ad studium sed mentem vertit ad agnum. (Werner)

The wolf turns his attention not to study but to the lamb.
[A 'lupus' was a student 'overseer' in medieval schools. 
Curiously, 'lupus' was also Classical Latin slang for 'prostitute.']

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Leo I, the Great, 457-474

- emperor in the East, a good emperor and diplomat - one of the more important things Leo did was to start phasing out the use of German mercenaries - he began recruiting the Roman army from among the Isaurians, a bunch of tough mountaineers in Turkey

Imitation of Christ

Religiosus negligens et tepidus habet tribulationem super tribulationem et ex omni parte patitur angustiam, quia interiori consolatione caret, et exteriorem quærere prohibetur. Religiosus extra disciplinam vivens gravi patet ruinæ. Qui laxiora quærit et remissiora, semper in angustiis erit, quia unum aut reliquum displicebit sibi.
 

He who is earnest receives and bears well all things that are laid upon him. He who is careless and lukewarm has trouble upon trouble, and suffers anguish upon every side, because he is without inward consolation, and is forbidden to seek that which is outward. He who is living without discipline is exposed to grievous ruin. He who seeks easier and lighter discipline shall always be in distress, because one thing or another will give him displeasure.

Imitation of Christ, I, 25:7

Ecclesiasticus

"My son, glorify yourself with humility, and ascribe to yourself honor according to your worth." Ecclesiasticus 10:28

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Marcian, 450-457

- emperor in the East, selected by the childless Theodosius II - good emperor and a very quiet reign (everybody was heading west to pick over that part of the empire)

Patristics

“Since then all things are seen and heard [by God], let us fear Him, and forsake those wicked works which proceed from evil desires; so that, through His mercy, we may be protected from the judgments to come.” 1 Clement, XXVIII, ANF 1:12

Baier's axioms

Extra Deum nihil existere potest, quod effectum in Deo producat.

Outside of God nothing is able to exist that produces an effect in God.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Valentinian III, 423-455

- emperor in the west, son of Constantius III - his mother was regent for his first 12 years - the real power was the general Aetius - his reign mostly known for the enemies he had

- (1) the Vandals, a Germanic tribe that wandered down to Spain, crossed over to North Africa and made themselves an independent country there - they also started raiding everywhere

- (2) the Huns were an Asiatic/Germanic tribe that had been supplying lots of mercenary soldiers to the Roman empire - by the late 430's the Huns had a huge empire in central and eastern Europe - under their new king, Attila (434-453), the Huns extorted bribes from the Eastern empire - when the bribes stopped, the Huns moved west to try and take a part of the West for themselves - defeated by Aetius in Gaul, Attila moved into Italy and thought about taking Rome, but was somehow talked out of it by Pope Leo I

- Valentinian was a devout Christian, but had little interest in governing - with his death the imperial dynasty was gone and also the stability of the empire

Luther quotes

“That Samuel was brought up by a medium or wizard [1 Samuel 28:8-14] was surely a spectre of the devil, not only because the Scriptures in that place declares that it was done by a woman who was filled with devils (…), but also because Saul and the woman when they inquired of the dead were clearly acting contrary to this divine commandment. Against this commandment the Holy Spirit cannot and may not act, nor let his saints act; nor yet help or approve those who do act against it.” Martin Luther, Misuse of the Mass, LW, AE, 36:196

Latin proverbs

Non est vir fortis ac strenuus qui laboremn fugit. (Seneca)

The man who shuns work is not brave and vigorous.

[There is not a brave and vigorous man who flees from work.]

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Constantius III, 421

- had married the sister of Honorius and had been the Master of Soldiers (commanding general) in the west - only lived seven months after he officially became emperor

Imitation of Christ

Ubique profectum tuum capies ut si bona exempla videas vel audias, de imitandis accendaris. Si quid autem reprehensibile confideraveris, cave ne idem facias, aut si aliquando fecisti, citius emendare te studeas. Sicut oculus tuus alios confiderat, sic iterum ab aliis notaris. Quam jucundum et dulce est videre fervidos et devotos Fratres bene morigeratos et disciiplinatos. Quam triste est et grave videre inordinate ambulantes, qui ea ad quæ vocati sunt non exercent. Quam nocivum est negligere vocationis suæ propositum, et ad non comissia sensum inclinare.

Gather some profit to your soul wherever you are, and wherever you see or hear good examples, stir yourself to follow them, but where you see anything which is blameworthy, take heed that you do not the same; or if at any time you have done it, strive quickly to amend yourself. As your eye observes others, so again are the eyes of others upon you. How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate and of good discipline; and how sad is it and grievous to see them walking disorderly, not practising the duties to which they are called. How hurtful a thing it is to neglect the purpose of their calling, and turn their inclinations to things which are none of their business.

Imitation of Christ, I, 25:5

Ecclesiasticus

"Better is a man who works and has an abundance of everything, than one who goes about boasting, but lacks bread." Ecclesiasticus 10:27

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Theodosius II, 408-450

- emperor in the east, son of Arcadius, 7 years old when he came to power - other people were the power in the empire, especially Anthemius (408-414) and from 414 on, his sister Pulcheria

- was personally kind, generous, devout, high-minded and have very good people under him

Patristics

“Let us reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us; let us esteem those who have the rule over us; let us honor the aged among us; let us train up with the young men in the fear of God; let us direct our wives to that which is good.” 1 Clement, XXI, ANF 1:11

Baier's axioms

Für Gott stehet es alles in einem Augenblick.

For God everything exists in the blink of an eye.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Constantine II, 407-11

- a rival emperor in the West - Britain had not been protected, so they set up Constantine II as their emperor - he moved his headquarters and most, if not all, of the troops left in Britain over to Gaul - this did two things (1) it got people to thinking that Gaul was “separate” from Rome and (2) it left Britain totally unprotected from raiding German tribes

Luther quotes

“One should be glad, therefore, to have a brother who says, 'Brother, do this, for it is the call of your superior or of God (which is a call of faith) or of an equal (which is a call of love).' Nobody realizes how great and how necessary a place is occupied by the calling, by saying to someone, 'Do this.'” Martin Luther, Tabletalk, Deitrich #518, spring 1533, LW, AE, 54:95

Latin proverbs

Nemo... patriam quia magna est amat, sed quia sua. (Seneca:)

No one loves his country because it is great but because it is his.

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Honorius, 395-423

- younger son of Theodosius the Great, was only 12 when his father died - the real power in the West for years was Stilicho, a Vandal(German)-Roman - Stilicho was suspected of not trying very hard to eliminate one big German menace, Alaric, king of the Visigoths - in 408, an anti-German movement came to power, Stilicho was killed and many of the Germans who had been serving in the Roman army were either killed or forced to flee

- with Stilicho gone, no one could do anything about Alaric, who demanded more money from the emperor, and, when he didn't get it, captured Rome in 410 and plundered it - Augustine had to write the City of God as a defense against the pagan accusation that Christianity and the abandoning of the old Roman gods were the cause of the sack of Rome

- looking back, people noticed that the West Roman army lost half or more of its strength in the

various disasters under Honorius

Apology

Sorry for not posting yesterday, but I had some problems with my computer and it took most of the day to get it running again.

Imitation of Christ

Cum enim quidam anxius inter metum et spem frequenter fluctuaret, et quadam vice moerore confectus in ecclesia ante quoddam altare se in oratione prostravisset, hæc intra se resolvit dicens: O, si scirem, quod adhuc perserveratus essem; statimque audivit divinum intus responsum. Quid, si hoc scires, quid facere velles? Fac nunc quod facere velles, et bene securus eris. Moxque consolatus et confortatus divinæ se commisit voluntati, et cessavit anxia fluctuatio. Noluitque curiose se investigare, ut sciret quæ sibi essent futura, sed magis studuit inquirere quæ esset voluntas Dei beneplacens et perfecta ad omne opus inchoandum et perficiendum. 
 

A certain man being in anxiety of mind, continually tossed about between hope and fear, and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief, cast himself down in prayer before the altar in a church, and meditated within himself, saying, "Oh! if I but knew that I should still persevere," and presently heard within him a voice from God, "And if you did know it, what would you do? Do now what you would do then, and you will be very secure." And straightway being comforted and strengthened, he committed himself to the will of God and the perturbation of spirit ceased, neither had he a mind any more to search curiously to know what should befall him hereafter, but studied rather to inquire what was the good and acceptable will of God, for the beginning and perfecting of every good work.

Imitation of Christ, I, 25:2

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not make a display of your wisdom when you do your work, nor glorify yourself at a time when you are in want." Ecclesiasticus 10:26

Murphysboro Centuries, 5th secular

Arcadius, 395-408
- oldest son of Theodosius the Great, was only 18 when came to the throne - he took the East, his younger brother Honorius took the West - the halves of the empire were later briefly rejoined, but some consider that from this time on, the division is permanent, and so some see Arcadius as the first Byzantine emperor

- was an enthusiastic Christian, but not believed to be a very forceful personality - others were the “power behind the throne” - Rufinus (apparently killed on orders of Stilicho, the regent in the West), then Eutropius (ran afoul of the empress and was executed), Gainas (a German general who was killed in an anti-German revolt), and then the empress Eudoxia

Patristics

“Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness, and not to those who hypocritically profess to desire it.” 1 Clement, XV, ANF 1:9

Baier's Axioms

Supra et extra omnes creaturas nihil est, quam solus Deus.

Nothing is above and outside of all creation, except God alone.

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Augustine of Hippo, 354-430

- the greatest theologian of the ancient Western church - pagan father, devout Christian mother

- lived a fairly “wild” life for a while, studied to be a lawyer and government official - came to Milan as a teacher of rhetoric (speech)

- influenced greatly by Ambrose, converted in 386 by a child's voice saying “take and read” - was baptized, returned to Africa and was planning to start a monastery, but was forced to become a priest and in 395 became the bishop of Hippo

- wrote much against the Donatists, the Manichaeans (good and evil of equal power in a struggle for the world) and the Pelagians (5^th century)

- greatly influenced the Western church, and was “the spiritual ancestor, no less, of much in the Reformation”

Luther quotes

“On the other hand, masters and mistresses should not govern their servants, maids and workers high-handedly. They should not scrutinize everything, but occasionally overlook some things and wink at their faults for the sake of peace. For as long as we live on earth in imperfection it is not possible for everything to go according to the rules in any class of men.” Martin Luther, Treatise on Good Works, LW, AE, 44:98

Latin proverbs

Felix, quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum. (Binder)

Happy is he whom other people's dangers make cautious.

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Jerome, 340-420

- one of the greatest “scholars” of the ancient Western church - studied in Rome, Antioch and Constantinople - in 382-384 was in Rome working for Pope Damasus, but was so “vindictive” in his arguing that when Damasus died, Jerome had to leave Rome and he eventually settled in Bethlehem, where he founded a monastery

- Pope Damasus suggested that Jerome revise the Latin version of the Bible that the Roman church was using at the time - instead, going back to the original Greek and Hebrew, Jerome came up with a “new” translation, the Vulgate, which was used by the Roman church until the 1960's

Imitation of Christ

Si usque in hodiernum diem semper in honoribus et voluptatibus vixisses, quid totum tibi profuisset, si jam in instanti mori contingeret? Omnia ergo vanitas, præter amare Deum, et illi foli servire. Qui enim Deum ex toto corde amat, nec mortem, nec supplicium, nec judcium, nec infernum metuit, quia perfectus amor securum ad Deum accessum facit. Quem adhuc peccare delectat, non mirum, si mortem, judicium timeat. Bonum tamen est ut, si necdum amor a malo te revocat, saltem timor gehenæ te coerceat. Qui vero timorem Dei postponit, diu stare in bono non valebit, sed diaboli laqueos citius incurret. 

 

If even unto this day you had ever lived in honors and pleasures, what would the whole profit you if now death came to you in an instant? All therefore is vanity, save to love God and to serve Him only. For he who loves God with all his heart fears not death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love gives sure access to God. But he who still delights in sin, no marvel if he is afraid of death and judgment. Nevertheless it is a good thing, if love as yet cannot restrain you from evil, that at  least the fear of hell should hold you back. But he who puts aside the fear of God cannot long continue in good, but will quickly fall into the snares of the devil.

Imitation of Christ, I, 24:7

Ecclesiasticus

"Free men will be at the service of a  wise servant, and a man of understanding will not grumble."  Ecclesiasticus 10:25

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

John Chrysostom, 345-407

- born well-to-do, father died early and was raised by his mother - considered to be the best preacher of the Eastern church

- in 398 was “kidnapped” to become the bishop of Constantinople - offended many there with a strict lifestyle - was also tactless and insulting - tried to extend the influence of Constantinople (the new capital) over the rest of the East (which Alexandria and others objected to)

- insulted the empress on a number of occasions (supposedly because of her “extravagance”) - ordered to be tried and deposed by the emperor on charges of treason, was exiled and died in exile

Patristics

“They that are carnal cannot do those things which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things which are carnal; even as faith cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith.” Ignatius, Ephesians, VIII, ANF 1:52-53

Baier's Axioms

Nichts ist so klein, Gott ist noch kleiner; nichts ist so gross, Gott ist noch grösser.

Nothing is so small, [that] God is yet smaller; nothing is so large, [that] God is yet larger.

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Ambrose of Milan, 340-397

- son of an important government official, was raised and educated to be a civil servant - in the early 370's was appointed the governor of most of northern Italy, with his headquarters at Milan

- when the bishop of Milan died in 374, there was a bitter fight about who would replace him - Ambrose went to the church to quiet the “riot” and a child's voice was heard crying “Bishop Ambrose” - he was immediately elected bishop of Milan, even though he wasn't baptized yet

- was a very practical man and good administrator - was one of the great writers of the Western church (considered one of the Western “doctors” of the church)

- became renowned as a scholar and preacher - supported the Nicene faith and resisted both the Arians and pagans in Italy - was famous for rebuking Theodosius for his slaughter in Thessalonica (and amazed people that he got away with it) - did a lot to develop hymn singing (for example, “Savior of the Nations Come”)

Luther quotes

“A young man should marry at the age of twenty at the latest, a young woman that fifteen to eighteen; that's when they are still in good health and best suited for marriage. Let's God worry about how they and their children are to be fed. God makes children; he will surely also feed them.” Martin Luther, Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 45:48

Latin proverbs

Navis, quae in flumine magna est, in mari parvula est. (Seneca)

The ship that is big in the river is pretty small in the ocean.

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Martin of Tours, 344(?)-397

- born in Hungary of pagan parents - educated in Italy, forced to serve in the army (unwillingly) under Constantius and Julian

- baptized at 18, converted his mother and founded a monastery (the first) in France - c. 370 was elected (unwillingly) to be bishop of Tours

- renowned as a saint and miracle-worker - early on had cut his military cloak (capella) in half to give to a beggar and from that came the name for military “chaplaincy”

Imitation of Christ

Tunc videbitur sapiens in hoc mundo fuisse, qui pro Christo didicit stultus esse et despectus. Tunc placebit omnis tribulatio patienter perpessa et omnis iniquitas oppilabit os suum. Tunc gaudebit omnis devotus et merebit omnis religiosus. Tunc plus exultabit caro afflicta, quam si semper in deliciis fuisset nutrita. Tunc splendebit habitus vilis, et obtenebrescet vestis subtilis. Tunc plus laudabitur pauperculum domicilium, quam deauratum palatium. Tunc plus juvabit constans pacientia, quam omnis mundi potentia. Tunc amplius exaltabitur simplex obedientia, quam omnis sæcularis astutia. 

 

Then shall it be seen that he was the wise man in this world who learned to be a fool and despised for Christ. Then shall all tribulation patiently borne delight us, while the mouth of the ungodly shall be stopped. Then shall every godly man rejoice, and every profane man shall mourn. Then the afflicted flesh shall more rejoice than if it had been alway nourished in delights. Then the humble garment shall put on beauty, and the precious robe shall hide itself as vile. Then the little poor cottage shall be more commended than the gilded palace. Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of the world. Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom.

Imitation of Christ, I, 24:5

Ecclesiasticus

"It is not right to despise an intelligent poor man, nor is it proper to honor a sinful man." Ecclesiasticus 10:23

Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred

Ulfilas, 310(?)-383

- born to Gothic Christian parents - in 341 came to Constantinople, and was ordained bishop of the Goths by the Arian bishop there - spent his life trying to convert the rest of the Goths to Christianity

- majority of Goths had left paganism behind by the time he died - translated at least the New Testament into Gothic