, a learned Spanish ecclesiastic, flourished in the fifth century,
, a learned Spanish ecclesiastic, flourished in the fifth century, and was born at Tarragona in
Catalonia. He was a disciple of St. Augustin; and, in the
year 414, was sent to Africa by Eutropius and Paul, two
Spanish bishops, to solicit Augustin’s assistance against
heretics who infested their churches. He continued a year
with this doctor, and in that time made a great proficiency
in the knowledge of the Scriptures. In the year 415,
Augustin dispatched him to Jerusalem, to consult St. Jeroni
upon the origin of the soul; and Orosius on his return
brought into Africa the relics of the martyr St. Stephen;
whose body, as well as those of Nicomedes, of Gamaliel,
and his son Abiba, had been found during Orosius’s residence in Palestine. At length, by the advice of Augustin,
our author undertook the history we have of his in seven
books, under the title, as is said, of “Miseria humana;
”
containing an account of the wars, plagues, earthquakes,
floods, conflagrations, thunder and lightning, murder, and
other crimes, which had happened from the beginning of
the world to the year of Christ 416. The purpose of it
was to shew, against some heathen objectors, that these
calamities had not been more frequent, after the commencement of Christianity, than before; and farther, that
it was owing to the Christian religion, that the Roman
Cpmrnonwealth, which did not deserve to continue, was
nevertheless then still subsisting. It has gone through several editions: as, Paris, 1506, 1524, and 1526, folio; Cologne, 1536, 1542, 1561, and 1572, 8vo, with the “Apologia de Arbitrii libertate;
” at Mentz, in
, a learned Spanish ecclesiastic of the Augustine order, was born
, a learned Spanish ecclesiastic of the
Augustine order, was born at Haro about 1730, and acquired such reputation for knowledge in ecclesiastical
history, that he was appointed by the king, Charles III.
to continue that history of which Florez published 29 Vols.
4to. To these he accordingly added six volumes more,
written, according to our authority, with equal ability, and
equal liberality of sentiment. Some notice of this work,
entitled “Espana Sagrada,
” is taken in our account of
Florez. Risco died about the end of the last century, but
the exact time is not specified.
, a learned Spanish ecclesiastic, was born at Vigo in Gallicia in
, a learned Spanish ecclesiastic, was born at Vigo in Gallicia in 1740. After
the preparatory studies of divinity, &c. he entered into the
church, and obtained a canonry in the cathedral of St.
James, and was likewise appointed professor of divinity in
that city. His fame procured him admission into many
learned societies, and he became one of the most celebrated preachers of the last century, nor was he less admired for his benevolence. He obtained the honourable
title of the father of the unfortunate, among whom he spent
the whole profits of his canonry, and at his death in 1806,
left no more than was barely sufficient to defray the expences of his funeral. The leisure he could spare from his
professional duties was employed in the study of the ecclesiastical history of his country, which produced several
works that are highly esteemed in Spain. Some of them
were written in Latin, and some probably in Spanish, but
our authority does not specify which. Among them are,
1. “Summa theologize sacrse,
” Madrid, Annales sacri,
” ibid. ibid. 1784, 8vo, a work abounding in learned research. 4.
” A treatise on Toleration in
matters of Religion,“ibid. 1783, 3 vols. 4to, rather a singular subject for a Spanish divine. 5.
” An essay on the
eloquence of the pulpit in Spain,“ibid. 1778, 8vo. This
is a history of sacred oratory in that country in various ages,
with the names of those who were the best models of it.
The restoration of a true taste in this species of eloquence
he attributes to his countrymen becoming acquainted with
the works of those eminent French preachers Bossuet, Massillon, Bourdaloue, &c. 6.
” A collection of his Sermons,“ibid. 3 vols. 4to. These were much admired in Spain, and
were the same year translated into Italian, and printed at
Venice in 4 vols. 4to. 7.
” A paper read in the Patriotic
Society of Madrid in 1782, on the means of encouraging
industry in Gallicia," ibid. 1782, 8vo. This being his native country, Dr. Sanchez had long laboured to introduce
habits of industry, and had influence enough to procure a
repeal of some oppressive laws which retarded an object of
so much importance.