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Article THE LIFE OF XIMENFS, ARCHBISHOP OF TOLEDO. ← Page 6 of 8 →
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The Life Of Ximenfs, Archbishop Of Toledo.
Characters , exemplary for singular piety ancl enlarged abilities , were the objects of his diligent research ; some of whom he employed , by directing appeals to their judgment , and occupied othtrs in the moral reformation of his diocesans . He wore the habit of his order , and used neither tapestry , nor silver plate : when he travelled he rode upon a mule , but oftener walked on foot . His table was remarkably fru -al : during his repast some pious book was readand the conversation
, turned upon some passage of scripture . His domestic household consisted of ten monks of his own order , with whom he lived according to his discipline . His palace had the form of a convent . He so divided his revenue , that the greatest portion of it was dedicated to the relief of the poor ; the remainder he sunk iu subsisting himself , in the support or construction of public edificesin promoting religious woiksor the
, , study of sacred literature . Such a course of life , so much beneath a situation so exalted , gave rise to murmurs against him . That which proceeded from a princi ple of real religion , the envious attributed to meanness or hypocrisy . ' Even his friends accused him of lessening his dignity , and affirmed ' tbat the retinue of the Archbishop of Toledo ought to be very different
from that of a Provincial cf the Cordeliers . These complaints were carried to Rome , andbrouglitfrom Pope Alexander Vi . the following epistle . 'To our well-beloved Son , Francis , Archbishop of Toledo , Alexander VI . Health and Apostolical benediction ! Our dear Son , you
are not ignorant that the Holy Church is an anuype of the heavenly Jerusalem : however she may be distinguished for modest }' and humility , we have the authority of scripture to sanction her decorations and ornaments . ' if too much attention to these may involve the charge of impropriety , so the total rejection of them may argue a disrespectful contempt . To every condition of life certain rules and considerations are
attached , which are approved by God ; ancl to which , if we would accommodate ourselves to human custom and moral frailty , necessity obliges us to conform . Thus it is incumbent on clergymen and bishops , especially , to avoid all singularities ; to be so careful of their manner of life , that , by the exhibition of too much exterior pornp , they may not be chargeable with pride ; and , on the other hand , to be
careful , lest by sacrificing too much to simplicity , they incur the imputation of superstition . Both of these extremes equally undermine the authority of the minister of Jesus Christ and affect ecclesiastical discip line . Wherefore we exhort ancl warn you to live conformably to the rank that you sustain ; and since the Holy Seat has , from an inferior order , exalted you to the aichbishoprical dignity , it is reasonable to
expect that , as you serve God agreeably to your conscience , in the thought of which we feel an extreme joy , you will observe in your dress , in your suite , in your household furniture , in all jour external appearance , the decency of your situation . Rome , 15 th Dec . 149 6 , and the 4 th of our Pontificate . ' Ximenes yielded to these remonstrances of the Holy Father ; and , however repugnant it was to his feelings , relaxed from his former se
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Life Of Ximenfs, Archbishop Of Toledo.
Characters , exemplary for singular piety ancl enlarged abilities , were the objects of his diligent research ; some of whom he employed , by directing appeals to their judgment , and occupied othtrs in the moral reformation of his diocesans . He wore the habit of his order , and used neither tapestry , nor silver plate : when he travelled he rode upon a mule , but oftener walked on foot . His table was remarkably fru -al : during his repast some pious book was readand the conversation
, turned upon some passage of scripture . His domestic household consisted of ten monks of his own order , with whom he lived according to his discipline . His palace had the form of a convent . He so divided his revenue , that the greatest portion of it was dedicated to the relief of the poor ; the remainder he sunk iu subsisting himself , in the support or construction of public edificesin promoting religious woiksor the
, , study of sacred literature . Such a course of life , so much beneath a situation so exalted , gave rise to murmurs against him . That which proceeded from a princi ple of real religion , the envious attributed to meanness or hypocrisy . ' Even his friends accused him of lessening his dignity , and affirmed ' tbat the retinue of the Archbishop of Toledo ought to be very different
from that of a Provincial cf the Cordeliers . These complaints were carried to Rome , andbrouglitfrom Pope Alexander Vi . the following epistle . 'To our well-beloved Son , Francis , Archbishop of Toledo , Alexander VI . Health and Apostolical benediction ! Our dear Son , you
are not ignorant that the Holy Church is an anuype of the heavenly Jerusalem : however she may be distinguished for modest }' and humility , we have the authority of scripture to sanction her decorations and ornaments . ' if too much attention to these may involve the charge of impropriety , so the total rejection of them may argue a disrespectful contempt . To every condition of life certain rules and considerations are
attached , which are approved by God ; ancl to which , if we would accommodate ourselves to human custom and moral frailty , necessity obliges us to conform . Thus it is incumbent on clergymen and bishops , especially , to avoid all singularities ; to be so careful of their manner of life , that , by the exhibition of too much exterior pornp , they may not be chargeable with pride ; and , on the other hand , to be
careful , lest by sacrificing too much to simplicity , they incur the imputation of superstition . Both of these extremes equally undermine the authority of the minister of Jesus Christ and affect ecclesiastical discip line . Wherefore we exhort ancl warn you to live conformably to the rank that you sustain ; and since the Holy Seat has , from an inferior order , exalted you to the aichbishoprical dignity , it is reasonable to
expect that , as you serve God agreeably to your conscience , in the thought of which we feel an extreme joy , you will observe in your dress , in your suite , in your household furniture , in all jour external appearance , the decency of your situation . Rome , 15 th Dec . 149 6 , and the 4 th of our Pontificate . ' Ximenes yielded to these remonstrances of the Holy Father ; and , however repugnant it was to his feelings , relaxed from his former se