Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ... SAINT PETER, THE ANCHORITE. 147 phere was divided into two sections, the right and the left. Future events in the church, or with respect to the souls of particular persons still alive, were decided by the nature and number of the birds which passed through the space, marked out by the Augur. This was the whole art. Most of the clergy condemned this sorcerer. In many towns they would not allow him to practise his art. But many of the people were very friendly to him, and were fond of witnessing his performances. SAINT PETER, THE ANCHORITE. This hermit was bom in the neighbourhood of the Black Sea, about the year 450. His parents were people of opulence; but had embraced the Christian faith late in life, but whether after the birth of their son, St. Peter, is uncertain. After obtaining a good education, he went to Syria to follow the profession of a merchant, but he remained there only about three years. His attention having been directed to religious topics, he became extremely pious; and devoted himself night and day to perusing the Holy Scriptures, and reading Church history. He also cultivated a pretty extensive acquaintance with the philosophy and literature of the times. When in his fortieth year, he betook himself to a solitary life, and built a hut upon the skirts of a barren desert. He gave himself to contemplation and reading, and followed the most rigorous modes of bodily mortification and austerity. See Les Vies dh S.S. Peres, in 4 Vol. folio, with many engravings. Bruxelles, 1610. Osservazioni sulla morale Cattolica. 1 fol. Ven. 1604. But though he lived this austere life for more than forty years, he still retained a partial communication with the Christian world. He left his solitary abode at various intervals to attend...