Gratiarum actiones ac benivola vota post pacem seu victoriam Deo reddenda.
Sacred vows and thanksgiving after peace or victory
Holy rulers attribute peace and victory entirely to God's grace, offering thanks and vows, with scriptural testimony that God gives salvation to kings, protects those who love him, and calls his people to hope, praise, and fulfilled vows.
Glorious princes and kings and leaders, keeping the fear of the Most High before their eyes, claimed for themselves neither the peace of a quiet life nor the triumphs of victory, but attributing everything to the grace of the Almighty, they rendered to the Lord worthy acts of thanksgiving and sacred vows, whether for the state of peace or for victory once granted — the Lord who gives salvation to kings and glory to those who place their hope in him, who will fulfill the desire of those who fear him, hear their prayers, and bring salvation to them; he guards all who love him, but destroys all sinners — with Wisdom herself also bearing witness and saying this: "You who fear the Lord, hope in him, and mercy will come to you with delight." And so it is said through the prophet Joel: "The Lord is the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel." We must admire him for the multitude of his mercies and the abundance of his consolations and the generosity of his blessings, with which he cares for the human race with unspeakable goodness, and extol him with proclamations of praise and honor with devout devotion — as the psalmist urges us on, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord for his mercy, and for his wonders to the children of men."✦ To him also agrees what is read in Deuteronomy: "He is your praise and your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your eyes have seen."✦ And the people of Israel, led by Moses, after crossing the Red Sea and with the Egyptians drowned in the deep, raised a song of rejoicing to the Lord, because they had experienced his wonderful blessings toward them. But why should I say more about the renowned and holy leaders and kings of that same people, who, as often as they were freed from the hands of enemies or proved victorious over their foes, offered back to their deliverer and protector as many songs of praise as peace offerings and other acceptable vows to the Lord? Among them, that devout singer David, rejoicing spiritually over the blessings granted to him by the Lord, used to say: "I will sing to the Lord, who has given me good things, and I will make melody to the name of the Lord Most High." From this, that people is admonished through the prophet Nahum, who says: "Celebrate, Judah, your festivals, and pay your vows."
Constantine's confession and imperial thanksgiving
By the example of Constantine, the text shows that even the most glorious Christian emperor recognized every triumph and wide dominion as divine grace, confessing God in letters of praise and carrying God's sign in battle.
How great were the blessings the Lord's own people obtained through such vows is briefly described through the prophet Joel, in these words: "You will eat and be filled, and you will praise the name of your God, who has done wonderful things with you, and my people will not be put to shame forever." But in the time of the new covenant too, many most holy rulers were not unmindful of the Most High's favors; rather, the stronger and more glorious they stood out above others by grace divine, the more worthily they repaid fitting honors to the Almighty. Such was the great and excellent emperor Constantine, who, adorned with remarkable piety and with heavenly providence guiding him, gained possession of all Europe and Libya as well, and in addition, holding the greatest part of Asia, kept peoples everywhere devoted and submissive. But even among the barbarians, some served willingly, while others had been conquered. Everywhere triumphs were visible and the conqueror was evident in all things — an emperor who, recognizing and marveling at the power of divine majesty, and recounting such great benefits bestowed on himself and on the human race through the grace of the Almighty, wrote letters filled with divine praise and the glory of honor, in these words: "Guarding the most holy faith of truth, I have partaken of the light of truth; guided by the truth of the light, I acknowledge the holy faith." In short, by these things — just as the facts themselves confirm — I observe that venerable religious life is, and that the teaching of the knowledge of the most holy God is offering itself to all. This is the worship I profess to have, because, relying on the power of this God for help — beginning from the ends of Ocean — I have gained the whole circle of lands with the most firm hope of salvation. This is the God I worship, whose sign — dedicated to God — my army carries on its shoulders, and from whom, while something is asked with a righteous plea, it is obtained. Indeed, from the very insignia of the trophy, I suddenly receive benefits.
The emperor's prayer, virtue, and humble obedience
The devout emperor professes everlasting remembrance of God, prays with bended knee for a pure life, gives thanks for restored peace, and is contrasted with pagan kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander who honored God, as well as with Theodosius and Eudoxia who offered thanks and honored churches.
So I declare that this God should be honored with everlasting remembrance, and I believe with the highest and purest conviction that he is above all things. On bended knee I will call upon him, since all he demands of anyone is a pure soul and an unsullied life. He seeks deeds of virtue and devotion, delights in the practice of gentleness and mercy, loves the upright, holds the turbulent in dishonor, cherishes faithfulness, punishes treachery, and looks down on all arrogance and pride. Having considered all these things, I return many thanks to God, because with wholehearted care for all humanity as they honor his divine law, he fittingly rejoices when peace is restored to him. And this indeed the most devout and most Christian emperor, giving glory to God for his immense blessings, used to say. But what leader who bears the name of Christian, raised from infancy under the care of the mother Church, nourished at her breast and in her bosom, and advanced by divine grace to the highest pinnacle of principal rank—will not continually offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Almighty, will not strive to obey his will humbly and earnestly, and to please his holy servants? If the impious king Nebuchadnezzar honored the God of Israel; if Alexander the Great, though deeply pagan, entered his revered temple, bowed his neck before its majesty, prostrated himself on his knees, begged for help from it, offered sacrifices to it, and furthermore raised the holy high priest of the temple, Jaddua, with the highest honors— Theodosius too, the most sacred light of imperial dignity, returned the most frequent thanks for the blessings bestowed on him by God, counterbalancing his vows to Christ with many honors. He sent his wife Eudoxia to Jerusalem—she who was so filled with love for Christ that she greatly honored the churches established in Jerusalem as well as those located in every city, both as she traveled to Jerusalem and as she returned again.
Humility, praise, and joy in God alone
The chapter warns against proud self-glory in victory, declares that God despises the ungrateful and proud but loves the gentle who thank him, and calls rulers to offer hymns, vows, and joyful praise to God amid peace, abundance, and the opening of heavenly kingdoms.
If peace should come, or if ample trophies bring applause, let no one who is reckless claim such things for himself. For God, who creates all things, despises everywhere in his heart those leaders who are ungrateful and proud. But he loves those who are gentle and give thanks to the Lord, whose manifold riches work on their behalf. For neither riches nor kingdoms make people blessed, if praise and honor are not on high for the Father. For this reason, a ruler distinguished by God's gift should bring hymn-like praises, vows, and offerings to God—while peace smiles on him, while the swollen enemy is laid low, while the land is strong with an abundance of good things, while God magnificently exalts king and people in triumphs, glorifying his own people. Let there be no murmuring among the people when manna abounds, with the manifold blessing of tranquil peace. Let songs of joy instead be raised to the stars, for it is fitting to arrange such great gifts in praise—while the almighty Spirit of the world fills its climes, and while heavenly kingdoms also lie open to earthly-born rulers.
Read the original Latin
Gloriosi principes et reges atque duces timorem Altissimi ante oculos habentes neque de pacis tranquillitate neque de triumphis victoriae sibimet arrogabant, sed totum Omnipotentis gratiae deputantes, dignas gratulationes sacraque vota, seu pro statu pacis, seu pro transacta victoria Domino persolvebant, qui dat salutem regibus et gloriam in ipso fiduciam spei habentibus, qui voluntatem timentium se faciet et orationes eorum exaudiet et salvos faciet eos, qui custodit omnes diligentes se et omnes peccatores disperdet, Sapientia quoque hoc ipsum attestante atque dicente: "qui timetis Dominum, sperate in illum, et in oblectatione veniet vobis misericordia". Unde et per Iohel prophetam dicitur: "Dominus spes populi sui, et fortitudo filiorum Israhel". Quem pro multitudine misericordiarum suarum et abundantia consolationum et largitate beneficiorum, quibus humano generi ineffabili bonitate consulit, admirari et praeconiorum laudibus ac benignis devotionibus exaltare et honorare oportet, psalmista nos exhortante atque dicente: "confiteantur Domino misericordiae eius, et mirabilia eius filiis hominum". Cui et illud concinit quod in Deuteronomio legitur: "ipse est laus tua et Deus tuus, qui fecit tibi haec magnalia et terribilia, quae viderunt oculi tui". Unde et populus Israhel duce Moyse pertransito mari rubro submersisque pelago Aegyptiis canticum exultationis domino personuit, quia eius magnifica in se beneficia persensit. Quid autem referam de famosis et sanctis ducibus ac regibus eiusdem populi, qui, quotiens de manibus inimicorum liberati vel de hostibus fuerunt victoriosi, liberatori et protectori suo tam hymnidicas laudes quam pacificas hostias ceteraque vota Domino acceptabilia retribuebant? Inter quos ille devotus hymnidicus David pro collatis sibi a Domino beneficiis spiritualiter exultans aiebat: "cantabo Domino qui bona tribuit mihi, et psallam nomini Domini altissimi". Hinc ille populus per Naum prophetam admonetur dicentem: "celebra, Iudaea, festivitates tuas, et redde vota tua".
Quanta vero bona ipsa plebs Domini per talia vota consequebatur, per Iohel prophetam breviter ita describitur: "et comedetis vescentes et saturabimini, et laudabitis nomen Dei vestri qui fecit vobiscum mirabilia, et non confundetur populus meus in aeternum". Sed et in novi testamenti tempore multi sacratissimi rectores beneficiorum Altissimi non fuerunt inmemores, sed, quanto ceteris divina largiente gratia fortiores eminebant et gloriosiores, tanto magis Omnipotenti dignos reconpensabant honores; qualis erat magnus et optimus imperator Constantinus, qui, insigni pietate decoratus, superna disponente providentia potitus est Europam universam atque Libyam; super has etiam maximam Asiae partem tenens, subiectos habuit ubique devotos. Sed etiam barbarorum alii quidem sponte serviebant, alii devicti. Ubique triumphi videbantur et victor cernebatur in omnibus imperator, qui divinae celsitudinis potentiam cognoscens atque admirans et tanta sibi et humano generi collata per Omnipotentis gratiam beneficia enumerans, litteras divina laude atque honoris gloria refertas in hunc modum descripsit dicens: "sacratissimam custodiens fidem veritatis luce participatus sum; luminis veritate gubernatus sacram cognosco fidem. Denique per haec, sicuti res ipsae confirmant, venerabilem religionem esse conspicio et doctrinam agnitionis sanctissimi Dei omnibus offerentem. Huiusmodi cultum me habere profiteor, quia huius Dei virtutem in auxilio habens, inchoans a finibus Oceani, omnem terrarum orbem firmissima spe salutis obtinui. Hunc deum colo, cuius signum Deo dicatus meus exercitus portat in humeris, et a quo, dum iusto sermone aliquid poscitur, impetratur. Ex ipsis autem tropaei insignibus beneficia repente suscipio.
Hunc itaque deum inmortali memoria me honorare profiteor eumque summa puraque mente super omnia esse credo. Hunc inclinatis genibus invocabo, qui puram tantummodo mentem et inmaculatam animam ab omnibus exigit, virtutis et pietatis actus exquirit, mansuetudinis et clementiae delectatur operibus, mites amat, habet odio turbulentos, diligit fidem, punit perfidiam omnemque potentiam cum fastu despicit, superborum punit asperitatem, ad fastum elevatos perimit, humilibus autem ac patientibus digna retribuit. Quibus omnibus consideratis multas Deo refero gratias, quoniam integra providentia omne genus humanum colens legem divinam, reddita sibi pace, decenter exultat". Et haec quidem imperator piissimus atque christianissimus dans gloriam Deo pro inmensis beneficiis ipsius dicebat. Quis autem rector sub Christiani nominis titulo insignitus atque ab infantia sub tutela matris ecclesiae, ubere, lacte, sinu educatus et in principali dignitatis apice divina disponente gratia sublimatus, non iugiter Omnipotenti victimas gratiarum offeret, non illius voluntati humiliter atque ardenter oboedire et sanctis eius servis placere non magnopere contendet, si rex impius Nabuchodonosor deum Israhel honorat, si Alexander magnus, cum esset paganissimus, reverendum illius templum adiit, illius maiestati cervicem subdit, se genibus provolutis curvat, ab illo auxilium efflagitat, illi victimas immolat atque insuper sancti pontificem templi Iaddum plurimis honoribus sublimat? Theodosius quoque, lux imperatoriae dignitatis sacratissima, pro beneficiis a Deo sibi collatis creberrimas gratias referebat multis honoribus Christo suo vota compensans coniugemque suam Eudoxiam ad Iherosolymam destinavit, quae Christi amore referta tam Iherosolymis ecclesias constitutas quam per singulas civitates positas multum honoravit, et cum Iherosolymam pergeret et cum denuo remearet.
Si pax proveniat seu plaudant ampla tropaea, Arroget incautus talia nemo sibi. Nam Deus omnicreans ingratos atque superbos Mente sui cordis spernit ubique duces. Diligit at mites grates dominoque ferentes, Cuius multiplices gratificantur opes. Nam neque divitiae faciunt neque regna beatos, Si non celsithrono laus sit honorque patri. Ob hoc eximius divino munere princeps Hymnidicas laudes vota Deoque ferat, Dum pax arridet, tumidus dum sternitur hostis, Dum pollet terris copia plena bonis, Dum Deus exaltat regem populumque triumphis Magnifice plebem glorificando suam. Absit murmurium populo, cum manna redundet Tranquillae pacis multiplicisque boni. Cantica laetitiae potius tollantur in astra, Tantis pro donis organizare decet, Spiritus omnipotens orbis dum climata replet, Dum quoque terrigenis regna superna patent.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.106.8;Ps.108.8 — Yet he saved them for the sake of his name, to make known his mighty power. Ps.108.8 — God has spoken in his holiness: I will exult; I will divide Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth.
- ↩Deut.32.10 — He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he guarded him as the apple of his eye.
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