Early Christian Biographies

Life Of St. Cyprian

THE LIFE OF CECIL CYPRIAN IJLTHOUGH CYPRIAN, a devout bishop and God's glori. ~. ous witness, wrote many works to perpetuate the memory of his worthy name, and although the abundant fruitfulness of his eloquence and God's grace is diffused through the copiousness and richness of his words in such a way that even to the end of the world he probably will never be silent, we have decided to write briefly about him. This privilege is proper to his works and merits, not because such a great man's life may be unknown to anyone, even of the pagans, but so that his incomparable and noble example may attain immortal remembrance among our pos· terity and that according to his example they, too, may be guided in learning. Our ancestors, in their reverence for martyrdom itself, honored laymen and catechumens who had gained martyrdom so highly that they recorded many details of their sufferings, or, as I almost said, practically all of them, for the instruction of us, also, who were not yet born. Certainly, then, it would be unfortunate to pass over the sufferings of such a priest and martyr. Even without his martydrom he had a lesson to teach, although during his life his accomplishments were not well known. Nevertheless, they are so important, so great, and so admirable that I am frightened by the contemplation of their greatness. More. over, I confess that I am unequal to the task of using diction In a manner worthy of the honor due his merits and that 5 6 PONTIUS I cannot relate such remarkable deeds so that they may seem as great as they really are. However, the prodigious number of his deeds is sufficient in itself and requires no other herald. The difficulty is increased by the fact that you are anxious to hear much or, if possible, everything about him. With eager longing and burning desire you wish to know his deeds, even if his actual words have meanwhile become silent. In this regard, if I say that the powers of eloquence fail us, I say too little. Even eloquence is lacking to a degree worthy of him, and which will satisfy your desires with a full spirit. So we are sorely pressed on both sides: he burdens us with his virtues; you importune us with your words. (2) Where, then, shall I begin? From what point shall I enter upon a discussion of his virtues if not from the beginning of his faith and from his heavenly birth, since, truly, a man of God's deeds should be reckoned from no other point than his birth in God? Although study and the liberal arts had imbued his devout heart, I omit these, for as yet they brought him no advantage except in the world. After he had learned Holy Writ and emerged into the light of spiritual wisdom by piercing the cloud of the world, I shall relate whatever I witnessed and whatever I have learned of his former accomplishments. This indulgence I beg, however, that whatever I minimize (as I must) be ascribed to my ignorance rather than to his lack of glory. Among the first principles of his faith Cyprian believed that nothing else than the observance of continency was worthy of God. Then, indeed, the heart and mind could become capable of a full capacity for truth, if by a strong and wholesome life of sanctity he could crush the concupiscence of the flesh. Who ever recalls so marvelous a transformation? His rebirth in faith had not yet enlightened the new man LIFE OF CYPRIAN 7 with all the splendor of divine light, but already he was conquering the fonner old shadows with only preparation for the light. Then, what is even greater, when as a result of rt·ading Scripture he had already learned certain facts, not for the conditioning of his new state but for the hastening of his faith, he immediately took advantage of what would be profitable in meriting the Lord. By distributing his goods to maintain the peace of many needy people and thus dispensing almost all his wealth, he combined two virtues: contempt of worldly ambition, than which nothing is morehannful , and the conferring of mercy. The latter God preferred even to sacrifices, and he who said that he had observed all the commandments of the Law did not fulfill it. Thus, by...