Episodes 75 & 76 St. Ambrose and the Arians

Maker of all things, God most high, Great ruler of the starry sky, Who, robing day with beauteous light, Hast clothed in soft repose the night.

That sleep may wearied limbs restore, And fit for toil and use once more, May gently soothe the careworn breast, And lull our anxious griefs to rest.

We thank Thee for the day that’s gone; We pray Thee now the night come on; O help us sinners as we raise To Thee our votive hymn of praise.

To Thee our hearts their music bring; Thee our united praises sing; To Thee our rapt affections soar, And Thee our chastened souls adore.

So when the parting beams of day In evening’s shadows fade away, Let faith no wildering darkness know, But night with faith effulgent glow.

O sleepless ever keep the mind, But guilt in lasting slumber bind! Let faith our purity renew And temper sleep’s lethargic dew.

From every carnal passion free O may our hearts repose in Thee! Nor envious fiend, with harmful snare, Our rest with sinful terrors share.

Christ with the Father ever one, Spirit! the Father and the Son, God over all, the mighty sway, Shield us, great Trinity, we pray. (A Hymn of St. Ambrose)

St. Ambrose’s Defiance

“If you require me, I am ready to submit: take me to prison or death, I shall not resist you; but I will never hand over to you the Church of Christ. I will not summon the faithful people to help me, but I will die before the altar rather than hand it over. I will not incite the people to violence, but you are left in the hands of God otherwise on their part.”

The Te Deum Laudamus (attributed to St. Ambrose)

We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship Thee, the Father everlasting. To Thee all Angels cry aloud, the Heavens and all the Powers therein. To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy Glory, The glorious company of the Apostles praise Thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise Thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise Thee. The Holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge Thee. The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honorable, true, and only Son. Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man, Thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb. When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the Glory of the Father. We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge. We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in glory everlasting. O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up forever. Day by day, we magnify Thee. And we worship Thy Name ever, world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us. O Lord, let Thy mercy be upon us as our trust is in Thee. O Lord, in Thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.

St. Ambrose on the Martyrs Gervase and Protasius

“Now you all see; these are the comrades whom I choose. . . . Such men have I won for you, my holy people, as your helpers, men who are profitable to all, and harmful to none! . . . Lord Jesus, thanks to thee, that thou hast raised up again at such a time the strong spirit of the holy martyrs; for more than ever thy church needs thy protection today”