Patristics

“For the robber, or ruler, or tyrant, who has unjustly put to death myriads on myriads, could not by one death make restitution for these deeds; and the man who holds no true opinion concerning God, but lives in all outrage and blasphemy, despises divine things, breaks the law, commits outrage against boys and women alike, razes cities unjustly, burns houses with their inhabitants, and devastates a country, and at the same time destroys inhabitants of cities and peoples, and even an entire nation – how in a mortal body could he endure a penalty adequate to these crimes, since death prevents the deserved punishment, and the mortal nature does not suffice for any single one of his deeds? It is proved, therefore, that neither in the present life is there a judgment according to man's deserts, nor after death.” Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead, XIX, ANF 2:160

Baier's axioms

Omnibus una salus sanctis, sed gloria dispar.

One salvation for all the saints, but unequal glory.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

Pope Nicholas I, 858-867

- he tried to demonstrate the papal power that the “Pseudo-Isidorian Decrees” claimed for the pope

- (1) Lothair II of Lorraine divorced his wife in order to marry his mistress - it was approved by bishops in France, but the wife appealed to Nicholas, who ruled the divorce void, set aside the decision for Lothair, and excommunicated the bishops who had supported the king

- (2) Hincmar of Rheims had deposed Rothad of Soissans, who appealed to the pope - quoting the Pseudo-Isidorian Decrees, Nicholas ruled that the deposition was invalid and forced Hincmar to take Rothad back

Luther quotes

“Therefore, even though outwardly everything seems to be against us, as if it would crush and devour us, there is no need to be troubled; for inwardly, in our conscience, we have peace. And this peace of conscience is the first and most immediate fruit of faith, as Paul says in Rom. [5:1], 'Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.'” Martin Luther, Sermon on St. Matthias' Day, 1525, LW, AE, 51:131

Latin proverbs

Fames est optimus coquus. (Anon.)

Hunger is the best cook.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

Pope Leo IV, 847-855

- a leader in Rome, he defeated Saracen/Muslim “pirates” and protected Rome from being captured

Imitation of Christ

Magna ars est scire conversari cum Jesu, et scire Jesum tenere, magna prudentia. Esto humilis et pacificus, et erit tecum Jesus. Sis devotus et quietus, et permanebit tecum Jesus. Potes cito fugare Jesum, et gratiam ejus perdere, si volueris ad exteriora declinare. Et si illum effugaveris et perdideris, ad quem tunc fugies, et quem tunc quæres amicum? Sine amico non potes diu vivere. Et si Jesus non fuerit tibi præ omnibus amicus, eris nimis tristis, et desolatus. Fatue igitur agis, si in aliquo altero confidis et lætaris. Eligendum est magis habere totum mundum contrarium, quam Jesum offensum. Ex omnibus ergo charis sit Jesus dilectus specialis. 
 

It is great skill to know how to live with Jesus, and to know how to hold Jesus is great wisdom. Be  humble and peaceable and Jesus shall be with you. Be godly and quiet, and Jesus will remain with you. You can quickly drive away Jesus and lose His favour if you turn away to the outer things. And if you have put Him to flight and lost Him, to whom will you flee, and whom then will you seek for a friend? Without a friend you cannot live long, and if Jesus is not your friend above all you will be very sad and desolate. You act madly if you trust or find joy in any other. It is preferable to have the whole world against you, than Jesus offended with you. Therefore of all that are dear to you, let Jesus be specially loved.

Imitation of Christ, II, 8:3

Ecclesiasticus

"Cruel is he who does not to keep words to himself; he will not hesitate to injure or to imprison. Keep words to yourself and be very watchful, for you are walking about with your own downfall." Ecclesiasticus 13:12-13

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

The Pseudo-Isidorian Decrees

- as Charlemagne's empire was collapsing, there was a group in the church that felt that if there was no help from the state, the church had to look for help and protection from Rome - from that group, around 800, someone forged the “Pseudo-Isidorian Decrees”

- these were supposedly decrees and proclamations from early popes, claiming that the pope had always had supreme jurisdiction over the whole church, everywhere - included in this was the Donation of Constantine, which supposedly was a document in which Constantine the Great ordered that all Christian bishops had to obey the pope, and “transferring” all the land in the western empire to the pope

Patristics

“It is vain, then, that some, indeed very many, make moan over the eternal punishment and perpetual, unintermitted torments of the lost, and say they do not believe it shall be so; not, indeed, that they directly oppose themselves to Holy Scripture, but, at the suggestion of their own feelings, they soften down everything that seems hard, and give a milder turn to statements which they think are rather designed to terrify and to be received as literally true.” Augustine, Enchiridion, CXII, NPNF1, 3:273

Baier's axioms

Non erit ibi invidia disparis claritatis, ubi in omnibus regnabit unitas caritatis.

The envy of unequal brightness will not be there, where oneness of love will reign in all things.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

Gottschalk of Orbie, 808?-868?

- the son of a Saxon duke, he was an “oblate,” that is, he was sent to the monastery as a child - later on, perhaps because he wanted to inherit his father's position, he wanted to leave the monastery - at that time and place, it was believed that monastic vows were permanent, and he was not allowed to leave

- perhaps because of this disappointment, he began teaching “double predestination,” the idea that God predestines some people to heaven and some to hell, and there is no way people can struggle against God's will - he was condemned for his opinion and spent the last twenty years in a monastic prison

Luther quotes

“This is what we have often said; at first the gospel terrifies and is contrary to the flesh, the word says that all our efforts are nil, our holiness and goodness count for nothing, everything that is in us is condemned, we are children of wrath and indignation. And this is hard on the flesh, an intolerable burden; this is why he calls it a burden or yoke.” Martin Luther, Sermon on St. Matthias' day, 1525, LW, AE, 51:130

Latin proverbs

Qui multum habet, plus cupit. (Seneca)

He who has much desires more.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

Ratramnus, ?

- around 844, he was commissioned by Hincmar to answer Paschasius - he emphasized that the Lord's Supper didn't “work” by going through the motions, but that faith was necessary - however, he also tried to say that it wasn't really Christ's body, but some kind of “power” or “spiritual body”

Imitation of Christ

Quid habet mundus conferre sine Jesu? Esse sine Jesu est gravis infernus, et esse cum Jesu dulcis paradisus. Si fuerit tecum Jesus, invenit thesaurum bonus, immo bonum super omne bonum. Et qui perdidit Jesum, perdidit nimis multum et plus quam totum mundum. Pauperrimus est qui vivit sine Jesu, ditissimus est qui bene est cum Jesu. 

What can the world profit you without Jesus? To be without Jesus is the lowest hell, and to be with Jesus is sweet paradise. If Jesus were with you no enemy could hurt you. He who finds Jesus finds a good treasure, yes, good above all good; and he who loses Jesus loses exceeding much, yes, more than the whole world. Most poor is he who lives without Jesus, and most rich is he who is much with Jesus.

Imitation of Christ, II, 8:2

Ecclesiasticus

"Cruel is he who does not keep words to himself; he will not hesitate to injure or to imprison." Ecclesiasticus 13:12

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

Paschasius Radbertus, ?

- a monk who, c. 831, wrote the first detailed study of the Lord's Supper - in attempting to describe how Christ's body really was present in the Lord's Supper, he suggested what became the Roman Catholic doctrine of “transubstantiation”, that is, it only looked like bread and wine, but it really was the body and blood of Christ

Patristics

“For as for us, we reckon that no evil can be done us, unless we be convicted as evildoers, or proved to be wicked man; and you, you can kill, but not hurt us.” Justin, First Apology, II, ANF 1:163

Baier's axioms

Coelestia futurae beatae experientiae rectius reservantur, quam scrupulose disputantur.

Heavenly matters are rightly reserved to the experience of future blessedness, rather than carefully disputed.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

Hincmar of Rheims, 805?-882

- the archbishop of Rheims, one of the most influential French bishops, and also known as a theologian

Luther quotes

“For everything that we do which is not commanded by God is not done for him, but for the devil; no matter how holy it may seem, it is the devil who inspires it.” Martin Luther, Misuse of the Mass, LW, AE, 36:224

Latin proverbs

Nihil aliud est ebrietas quam voluntaria insania. (Seneca, adapted)

Drunkenness is nothing else than voluntary insanity.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

Hrabanus Maurus, 776-856

- student of Alcuin, a teacher who also wrote an encyclopedia and commentaries on Scripture - he was also the abbot of Fulda (an important German monastery) and the archbishop of Mainz (the most important church position in Germany)

Imitation of Christ

Quando Jesus adest, totum bonum est, nec quicquam difficile videtur. Quando vero Jesus non adest, totum durum est. Si autuem Jesus unum verbum loquitur tantum, magna consolatio sentitur. Nonne ne Maria Magdalena statim surreit de loco, in quo flevit, quando Martha illi dixit, Magister adet et vocat te? Felix hora quando Jesus vocat te de lacrymis ad gaudium spiritus. Quam aridus et durus es sine Jesu. Quam insipiens et vanus, si cupis aliquid extra Jesum. Nonne hoc est majus damnum, quam si totum perderes mundum? 

When Jesus is present all is well and nothing seems hard, but when Jesus is not present everything is hard. When Jesus speaks not within, our comfort is worth nothing, but if Jesus speaks but a single word great is the comfort we experience. Did not Mary Magdalene rise up quickly from the place where she wept when Martha said to her, The Master is come and calls for you?Happy hour when Jesus calls you from tears to the joy of the spirit! How dry and hard you are without Jesus! How senseless and vain if you desire anything beyond Jesus! Is not this greater loss than if you should lose the whole world?

Imitation of Christ, II, 8:1

Ecclesiasticus

"Take care not to be led astray, and not to be humiliated in your feasting. Do not push forward, lest you be repulsed; and do not remain at a distance, lest you be forgotten." Ecclesiasticus 13:8, 10

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th sacred

John Duns Scotus, ?-877?

- a Scot, he was the “resident” theologian and translator at the court of Charles the Bald - famous as an important philosopher and thinker, he was also renowned for his wit - “What's the difference between a sot and a Scot?” he was asked one day as he sat across from Charles, who was drinking heavily; his answer was “A table”

Patristics

“As much as in us lies, let us meditate upon the fear of God, and let us keep His commandments, that we may rejoice in His ordinances. The Lord will judge the world without respect of persons. Each will receive what he has done; if he is righteous, his righteousness will precede him; if he is wicked, the reward of wickedness is before him.” Barnabas, Epistle, IV, ANF 1:139

Baier's axioms

Permittet Deus peccata, cum impedire non teneatur.

God permits sins, when He decides not to hinder.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Alfred the Great, 871-899

- another “high king” in England - bought peace from the raiders for a time and built up a navy - though almost overwhelmed by a great invasion in 878, he finally defeats the Danes - the country is divided between Alfred and the Danes - the Danes get the north and east of England, Alfred gets the south and west

- in 878-900, the Danes turn their attention north and begin uniting Scotland - Alfred concentrates on defense, and fortifies and garrisons London - he also reorganized the army, built little forts all over, reorganized the fyrd (militia, national guard), and forced those who were wealthy enough to afford a horse to become thegns (knights, mounted infantry) which formed the core of Alfred's army

Luther quotes

“It is a satanic lie to call such outward pomp spiritually good and useful works. A miller's maid, if she believes, does more good, accomplishes more, and I would trust her more, if she takes the sack from the horse, that all the priests and monks, if they kill themselves singing day and night and torment themselves to the quick.” Martin Luther, Kirchenpostil, 1 Advent

Latin proverbs

Perdit majora qui spernit dona minora. (Werner)

Who scorns the smaller gifts loses the bigger ones.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

England

Egbert, 802-839

- had served under Charlemagne, becomes “high king” of England - on his death the small English kingdoms break apart again

865-875, the first great wave of Viking raids hits England

Imitation of Christ

Cito deciperis, si ad externam hominum apparentiam tantum aspexeris. Si autem tuum in aliis quæris solatium, et lucrum, sæpe senties detrimentum. Si quæris in omnibus Jesum, invenies utique Jesum. Si autem quæris te ipsum, invenies etiam te ipsum, sed ad tuam perniciem. Plus enim homo nocivior est sibi, si Jesum non quærit, quam totus mundus, et omnes sui adversarii. 

You will be quickly deceived if you look only upon the outward appearance of men, for if you seek your comfort and profit in  others, you also will often experience loss. If you seek Jesus in all things you will truly find Jesus, but if you seek yourself you will also find yourself, but to your own hurt. For if a man seeks not Jesus he is more hurtful to himself than all the world and all his adversaries.

Imitation of Christ, II, 7:3

Ecclesiasticus

"A rich man will exploit you if you can be of use to him, but if you are in need he will forsake you." Ecclesiasticus 13:4

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Spain

Al-Hakan I, 796-822

Abd-ar-Rahman II, 822-852

- the Vikings begin raiding in Spain during his reign

Muhammad I, 852-886

Al-Mundhir, 886-888

Abdallah, 888-912

- in 899, Spanish Christians “discovered” the bones of St. James - James becomes the patron saint of Spain, and a rallying point, the shrine of Santiago (St. James) de Campostello, is built

Patristics

“Now the daily prayer of the believer make satisfaction for those daily sins of a momentary and trivial kind which are necessary incidents of this life. For he can say, 'Our Father which art in heaven,' saying that to such a Father he is now born again of water and of the spirit. And this prayer certainly takes away the very small sins of daily life.” Augustine, Enchiridion, LXXI, NPNF1, 3:260

Baier's axioms

Voluntas Dei mensura rerum est, sermo ejus finis est operis.

The will of God is the measure of things, His word is the end of work.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Louis II, 855-875

Charles the Bald, 875-877

- from 887-881, there was anarchy in what had been Charlemagne's empire (caused by weak or nonexistent descendants and the Viking raids)

885 - Count Odo of Paris wins great fame by defending Paris against a massive Viking raid

 

Louis the German

 Charles the Bald

Count Odo of Paris

Luther quotes

“Indeed the best way of giving alms is to employ the sword against murder.” Martin Luther, Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors in Electoral Saxony, LW, AE, 40:305

Latin proverbs

Fontibus ex modicis concrescit maximus amnis. (Werner)

From small springs grows the largest river.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Lothair I, 840-855

- officially emperor, but spent much of his time fighting with his brothers, Charles the Bald and Louis the German

- in 842, the followers of Charles and Louis gathered and forced the two to support each other - this “Treaty of Verdun” is important because it's considered the first example of “modern” French and German (i.e., the languages that these two groups spoke were recognizably different and recognizably related to the French and German we hear today)

- Charles the Bald controlled what is today called France, Louis what is today most of Germany, and Lothair the land in between (Holland, the Netherlands, Switzerland) - historians believe that the actions taken during this century led directly to the modern countries of today

Imitation of Christ

Tene te apud Jesum vivens et moriens et illius fedelitati te committe, qui omnibus deficientibus solus potestte adjuvare. Dilectus tuus talis est naturæ, ut alienum non velit admittere, sed solus vult cor tuum habere, et tanquam rex in proprio throno sedere. Si scires te ab omni creatura evacuare, Jesus libenter tecum habitaret. Pene totum perditum invenies, quidquid extra Jesum in hominibus posueris. Non confidas, nec innitaris super calamum ventosum, quia omnis caro fœnum, et omnis gloria ejus et flos fœni cadet. 
 

Cleave to Jesus in life and death, and commit yourself unto His faithfulness, who, when all men fail you, is alone able to help you. Your Beloved is such, by nature, that He will suffer no rival, but alone will possess your heart, and as a king will sit upon His own throne. If you would learn to put away from you every created thing, Jesus would freely take up His abode with you. You will find all trust little better than lost which you have placed in men, and not in Jesus. Trust not nor lean upon a reed shaken with the wind, because all flesh is grass, and the goodliness thereof falls as the flower of the field.

Imitation of Christ, II, 7:2

Ecclesiasticus

"A rich man does wrong, and he even adds reproaches; a poor man suffers wrong, and he must add apologies." Ecclesiasticus 13:3

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Louis the Pious, 814-840

- a very religious man, but not a very good king or soldier - even before he died, he divided the kingdom up amongst his sons, and when he did die, they began fighting with each other

Patristics

“Now, those who were baptized in the baptism of John, by whom Christ was Himself baptized, were not regenerated; but they were prepared through the ministry of His forerunner, who cried, 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord,' for Him in whom only they could be regenerated. For His baptism is not with water only, as was that of John, but with the Holy Spirit also;....” Augustine, Enchiridion, XLIX, NPNF1, 3:253

Baier's axioms

Non restituitur homo sanitati per herbas, sed per Dei verbum.

Man is not restored to health through medicine, but through the word of God.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Charlemagne, 771-814

- Charlemagne came to Rome in 800, because the Pope had been accused of all sorts of crimes and corruption - rather than putting the Pope on trial, Charlemagne allowed him to take an oath that he was innocent of all these things

- because of that support, when Charlemagne came to church on Christmas, 800, Pope Leo placed a crown on his head, proclaiming him a Roman emperor - Charlemagne wasn't happy that it looked like the Pope was giving the crown to him, and the Eastern empire wasn't happy about it either

Luther quotes

“But then many clamor: good works are not meritorious. It would be much better to teach people to do good works and drop the sharp disputes. For the truth is that God gives blessings because of his promise, not because of our works, yet the good works which God has commanded must be done.” Martin Luther, Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors in Electoral Saxony, LW, AE,40:280

Latin proverbs

Melior est canis vivus leone mortuo. (Ecclesiastes)

A live dog is better than a dead lion.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Basil, 867-886

- in 867, Basil kills Michael and takes the throne for himself

- his reign considered to be the “most glorious” period of Byzantine history - he rebuilt the army and navy and began taking the offensive against Islam

Imitation of Christ

Beatus qui intelligit quid sit amare Jesum, et contemnere se ipsum propeter Deum? Oportet dilectum propter dilectum relinquere, quia Jesus vult solus super omnia amari. Dilectio creaturæ fallax et instabilis, dilectio Jesu felix et perseverabilis. Qui adhæret creaturæ, cadet cum labili, qui amplectitur Jesum, firmabitur in Eum. Illum dilige, et amicum tene tibi, qui omnibus recedentibus te non relinquet, nec patietur in fine perire. Ab omnibus oportet aliquando te separari, sive velis, sive nolis. 

Blessed is he who understands what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus' sake. He must give up all that he loves for his Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of created things is deceiving and unstable, but the love of Jesus is faithful and lasting. He who cleaves to created things will fall with their slipperiness; but he who embraces Jesus will stand upright for ever. Love Him and hold Him for your friend, for He will not forsake you when all depart from you, nor will He allow you to perish at the last. You must one day be separated from all, whether you want to or not.

Imitation of Christ, II, 7:1

Ecclesiasticus

"Do not lift a weight beyond your strength, nor associate with the man might here and richer than you. How can the clay pot associate with the iron kettle? The pot will strike against it, and will itself be broken." Ecclesiasticus 13:2

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Michael III, 842-867

- at first his mother Theodora was regent, then later her brother Bardas was the power behind the throne - 843, the Iconoclastic controversy ended and icons were allowed again

- 856, Russians (Varangians) appear in history for the first time, appearing in Constantinople - beginning in 863, two missionaries, Cyril and Methodius, are sent to the Slavs to convert them - they also invent a new alphabet (the Cyrillic alphabet) in order to write down the Slav languages

- in 866, Michael had his favorite, Basil, kill his uncle so that he can gain full power

Patristics

“For from the infant newly born to the old man bent with age, as there is none shut out from baptism, so there is none who in baptism does not die to sin.” Augustine, Enchiridion, XLIII, NPNF1, 3:252

Baier's axioms

Conservatio est creationis continuatio.

Conservation is the continuation of creation.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Theophilus, 829-842

- best known for his violent persecution of those in favor of icons

Luther quotes

“Therefore, to destroy such works of ours as well as the Old Adam in us, God overwhelms us with those things which move us to anger, with many sufferings which rouse us to impatience, and last of all, even with death and the abuse of the world. By means of these he seeks nothing else but to drive out of us anger, impatience, and unrest, and to perfect his own work in us, that is, his peace.” Martin Luther, Treatise on Good Works, LW, AE, 44:77

Latin proverbs

Inter dominum et servum nulla amicitia est. (Curtius)

There is no friendship between master and slave.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Michael II, 820-829

- succeeded to the throne when Leo was murdered by conspirators - during his reign, Crete (826) and Cyprus (829) were lost to Muslim pirates

Imitation of Christ

Qui nullum extrinsecus pro se testimonium quærit, liquet quod Deo se totaliter commisit. Non enim, qui se ipsum commendat, ille probatus est, ait beatus Paulus, sed quem Deus commendat. Ambulare cum Deo intus, nec aliqua affectione teneri foris, status est interni hominis. 

He who seeks no outward witness on his own behalf, shows plainly that he has committed himself wholly to God. For not he that commends himself is approved, as St. Paul saith, but whom the Lord commends. To walk inwardly with God, and not to be held by any outer affections, is the state of a spiritual man.

Imitation of Christ, II, 5:4

Ecclesiasticus

"Whoever touches pitch will be defiled, and whoever associates with a proud man will become like him."   Ecclesiasticus 13:1

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Staurakios, 811

- son of Nicephorus, reigned only a few months

Michael I, 811-813

- brother-in-law to Staurakios, incompetent

Leo V, 813-820

- was put on the throne by the army - the army believed that the monks were trying to take

control of the government - Leo wasn't really concerned about religion, but in 815, the icons

were banned again

Patristics

“This was the man [Quintus, a Phrygian] who forced himself and some others to come forward voluntarily [for trial]. Him the proconsul, after many entreaties, persuaded to swear and to offer sacrifice. Wherefore, rather, we do not commend those who give themselves up [to suffering], seeing the Gospel does not teach to do so.” Martyrdom of Polycarp, IV, ANF 1:40

Baier's axioms

Deus novit quiescens agere, et agens quiescere.

God knows [how] to do [while] resting, and [how] to rest [while] doing.

Murphysboro Centuries, 9th secular

Nicephorus, 802-811

- Irene was deposed by a group of officials, and Nicephorus became emperor - in 803 he made peace with Charlemagne without really recognizing him as co-emperor

Luther quotes

“I lift my voice simply on behalf of liberty and conscience, and I confidently cry: No law, whether men or of angels, maybe rightfully imposed on Christians without their consent, for we are free of all laws.” Martin Luther, Babylonian Captivity, LW, AE, 40:72

Latin proverbs

Jucundi acti labores. (Cicero)

Pleasant are past labors

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th sacred

Alcuin, 735-804

- another British monk who was selected by Charlemagne to lead the reform of the Frankish

church and school system - he is considered to be the leader of a great revival of learning and

education, the first such revival to take place since the “fall” of the Roman empire

- he was helped by Paul the Deacon (720-795), a Lombard; Einhard the Frank (770-840); and

Theodulf the Visigoth (760-821) - his helpers show that Charlemagne sought for scholars

everywhere, and that Charlemagne's court was known for appreciating scholarship

- the invention of small letters (miniscule) to go along with capital letters (majuscule) is

attributed to Alcuin - during his years, Charlemagne made it a law that Christians had to pay

10% (a tithe) of their income to the church every year

Imitation of Christ

Facile erit contentus et pacatus, cuius conscientia munda est. Non es sanctior, si laudaris, nec vilior, si vituperaris. Quod es hoc es, nec melior dici vales, quam Deo teste sis, si attendis quid apud te sis intus, non curabis quid de te loquantur homines foris. Homo videt in facie, Deus autem in corde. Homo confiderat actus, Deus pensat intentionem. Bene semper agere, et modicum de se tenere humilis animæ indicium est. Nolle consolari ab aliqua creatura magnæ puritatis, et internæ fiduciæ indicium est. 
 

He will easily be contented and filled with peace, whose conscience is pure. You are none the holier if you are praised, nor the viler if you are reproached. You are what you are; and you can not be better than God pronounces you to be. If you consider well what you are inwardly, you will not care what men will say to you. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart: man looks on the deed, but God considers the intent. It is the token of a humble spirit always to do well, and to set little by oneself. Not to look for consolation from any created thing is a sign of great purity and inward faithfulness.

Imitation of Christ, II, 6:3

Ecclesiasticus

"An enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, but in his mind he will plan to throw you into a pit; an enemy will weep with his eyes, but if he finds an opportunity his thirst for blood will be insatiable." Ecclesiasticus 12:16

Murphysboro Centuries, 8th sacred

Boniface, 680-754

- another Anglo-Saxon monk from England, Boniface was moved to do missionary work on the European continent - in 718-719, he was commissioned by Pope Gregory to work in Germany

- in 747, Boniface was made the archbishop of Mainz (which became the most important church position in Germany)

- Boniface worked at evangelizing Germany until his death, and he is regarded as the one individual who, more than any other, brought the Germans to Christianity

Patristics

“For some are in the habit of carrying about the name [of Jesus Christ] in wicked guile, while yet they practice things unworthy of God, whom you must flee as ye would wild beasts. For they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom ye must be on your guard, inasmuch as they are men who can scarcely be cured.” Ignatius, Ephesians, VII, ANF 1:52

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