A Literary History of Ecclesiastical Writers

To the most esteemed Theologian William Cave, who has truly attained

every kind of learning, and the first place in sacred criticism.

Hail, man thrice-longed-for, you are heard as a friend by the blessed ones,
And you are a friend to mortals, as you are a friend to God;
Many men of old, indeed, were gentle and very learned,
Setting in order the records of the Fathers and their fair testimonies,
Distinguishing the Scriptures—which are spurious and which are genuine—
And the wretched doctrines of the heretics.
First among them was the very famous Bishop Eusebius Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–339 AD), often called the "Father of Church History.", and then after him,
The tireless voice of the presbyter Spyridon original: "Σπυριδωνός." Likely referring to a historian or perhaps a corruption in the text regarding Gennadius of Marseilles, who continued the work of Jerome and Eusebius.,
Or Gennadius Gennadius of Marseilles (5th century), author of De Viris Illustribus (On Illustrious Men)., or "Massiliensis" original: "Μαασπιλιὸς." Likely a corruption of Gennadius's title as being from Marseilles. wrestling briefly
With the authors for the sake of public benefit.
These things flourished when Justice original: "Θέμις" (Themis). and Apollo were as one,
And the Graces recognized a venerable fatherland.
Later, the Sacred Ship A common metaphor for the Church. descended into an inescapable surge of evils,
Suffering a terrible and shivering disturbance;
She was mixed with the swell of Hades, her sails loosened in the waters,
And barbarism prevailed, giving contrary signs.
Greece was taken, and venerable Rome
Became a stone to the northern portents A reference to the "Dark Ages" and the invasions that disrupted classical and patristic learning.;
And then there were Isidore Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636 AD)., Honorius Honorius Augustodunensis (12th century)., and Ildefonsus Ildefonsus of Toledo (607–667 AD).,
(Who were then the "phoenixes" Unique or rare scholars in a period of decline. of Spanish theology),
And Sigebert, a monk of the land of Gembloux Sigebert of Gembloux (c. 1030–1112), a medieval chronicler.,
And Trithemius Johannes Trithemius (1462–1516), author of the first comprehensive bibliography of ecclesiastical writers., appearing later,
(Of whose works many are not noble, but mixed with many wretched things).
Lambertius Possibly Lambert of St. Omer (c. 1061–1125). shone for a short time in that dark age.
Forgive me, blessed man, joined among the saints,
O Photius Photius the Great (c. 810–893 AD), Patriarch of Constantinople, whose Bibliotheca is a foundational work of literary history., you who are the glory of all the East—
Photius, though struck by the profane thunderbolts of the Romans,
You are all the more a friend to the heavenly ones;
You truly attained every kind of learning,
Both of the Romans and of the Greeks.
It is right to gather flowers for your crown of hymns,
Though it is like a small lamp trying to illuminate the sun.
But now, with the awakening of the Muses and of piety,
Not a few men record the lives of the Fathers:
Sixtus Sixtus Senensis (1520–1569), a Dominican who wrote the Bibliotheca Sancta., Possevino Antonio Possevino (1533–1611), a Jesuit bibliographer., Aubertus Miraeus Aubert le Mire (1573–1640), an ecclesiastical historian.,
Gesner Conrad Gessner (1516–1565), the "father of modern bibliography.", Rivet André Rivet (1572–1651), a French Huguenot theologian., and our own Robert Cooke original: "Κόκῳ ἡμεδαπῷ." Robert Cooke (1550–1615), an English theologian who wrote on the detection of forged patristic texts.,
And Bellarmine Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621), the famous Jesuit cardinal and controversialist. (a great wonder!), though an Appelline judge original: "ἀπελλινῆς... δικάζων." A reference to his role as a critic/judge of ecclesiastical literature.;
At other times he judged the writings of the Greeks with over-critical eyes.
Then came Labbe Philippe Labbe (1607–1667), a Jesuit known for his massive work on the Church Councils., a formidable and very bitter judge,
To the Greeks a stranger, but to his own, fitting.
Oudin Casimir Oudin (1638–1717), who wrote a history of ecclesiastical writers. followed, very stealthily, for in his book
He pulled away as much from others' books as he had himself,
A title-page for printers, a sign ✝ for booksellers,
Full of errors and trifles, like no others.
Even a key has been placed upon his own tongue A metaphor suggesting Oudin's work is either silenced by its own poor quality or he is being accused of plagiarism.,
He who drew so much water from the wells of others.
But you, noble man, at the end of your labor in "Sparta" original: "Σπάρτιῳ." Likely a metaphor for Cave's disciplined, rigorous scholarly life (referencing the proverb "You have obtained Sparta, now adorn it").,
Having once been a Chartophylax Archivist; literally a "guard of papers," an official in the Greek church responsible for records, and now an Oikonomos Steward; a high-ranking church administrator,
Revealing the hidden treasures of the libraries,
Discerning correctly the dogmas of the Church and of the heretics,
The ancient decrees, the laws of kings,
The letters of bishops, their sayings, and the councils.
Hail, glorious man, may you be vigorous in your deep old age,
And may all things be unbending and a possession for you.
Grow old in a long life like the thrice-aged Pylian Nestor, the wise king of Pylos in Homer's Iliad, known for his longevity and sweet speech.,
From whose tongue flowed speech sweeter than honey.