he was High Bishop over the whole world and appointed Governour of the Churches newly converted he made our Nation the Church of Christ which till then had been the bondslave of Idols so that we may truly make good the saying of the Apostle that although he were not an Apostle to others yet to us he was for the seale of his Apostleship we are in the Lord Laying aside his worldly Nobility by special grace from God he turn'd it to the purchasing of eternal glory in Heaven Putting off his secular habit he betook himself unto a Monastery where he liv'd in that perfection that as he was wont to witnesse with tears all transitory things became subject to him undervaluing the world and thinking on nothing but heavenly things and though immur'd in an earthly body by contemplation he surpast the natural bounds of flesh loving death as an entrance unto life All this he telleth of himself not boasting of his encrease in virtue but rather lamenting the want and decay thereof He swarv'd not from Monastical perfection by any occasion or trouble of his Ecclesiastical charge His House was like a well ordered Monastery for although he was taken thence and made Bishop and ordain'd to the Ministery of the Altar and sent Legat from the See Apostolike to Constantinople yet he never intermitted his wonted course of life but had with him Religious of the Monastery for the better keeping regular observance that by their example he might be fastned as with a strong Anchor to the pleasant port of prayer strengthening his soul by daily reading and conferring with them Whereas other Bishops took pains in building Churches and beautifying the same with gold and silver he altogether was employ'd in gaining souls What money he had he carefully distributed among the poor He made our Nation by Preachers sent hither partakers of eternal liberty This holy Pope ordain'd that in the Chappel of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul Masses should be said at their Bodies To the Canon of the Masse he added these words which still appear in our Mass dispose our dayes in peace free us from eternal damnation and number us in the stock of thine Elect. He was buried in S. Peters Church before the Vestrie T is reported that seeing British children sold at Rome he inquired what was the name of that nation they told him they were called Angels or English with good reason quoth he for they have an Angels face and it is fitting they should be inheritors with the Angels in Heaven Then he ask't the Name of the Province the Merchants said they were called Deires they may so quoth he for they shall be delivered from the Ire or anger of God and call'd to the mercy of Jesus Christ Then he asked the Kings Name they answered his Name was Alle St. Gregory alluding to his Name said Alleluja must be sung in that Princes Dominions Hereupon he besought the Bishop of the Roman Apostolike See for he was not then Bishop thereof to send into Britany Ministers of the Word for their conversion offering himself ready for that work if so it had pleas'd the Apostolick Pope but the Citizens of Rome would not let him goe so far from them Afterwards being Pope he accomplisht this good work so long desired sending thither divers Preachers he himself helping at home by Prayer and wholesome instructions Chap. 2. About this time Augustine call'd together the Bishops and Doctours of the greatest Province which was of the Britans perswading them as a Brother to Catholick unity and to hold communion with him For as yet they kept not Easter Sunday in due time but from the 14. to the 20. Moon They used also many other things contrary to the Unity of the Church which being shew'd unto them and that neither for entreaty nor rebukes of Augustine they would assent preferring their own traditions before all other Churches which through the whole world agreed with them This Father said unto them let us pray to God that he will vouchsafe to signifie unto us by some heavenly sign which tradition is to be followed Let some sick body be brought and by whose prayers he shall be healed let his Faith be believed His Adversaries granting unto it there was brought forth a blinde man who first presented to the British Priests when by them he was not cured Saint Augustine on his knees besought our Lord to restore sight unto him that so his grace might be enkindled in the hearts of many and forthwith the blind-man saw and Augustine was held of the people as the true Teacher For all this they assembled a second and greater Synod to which t is said seven British or Welch Bishops carne with many learned men especially from the chiefest Monastery of Bangor whereof Dinoch was Abbot All these openly refusing subjection to Augustine he said to them Although deare brethren in many points you do contrary to us or rather contrary to the custome of the Vniversall Church yet if you will in these things agree with us viz. To celebrate Easter in due time to administer baptism according to the manner of the holy Roman and Apostolike Church preaching with us the word of the Lord to this English Nation All your other Ceremonies Rites Observances and Customs though contrary to ours we will willingly bear with But they replyed they would doe none of these things nor hold him for their Archbishop Whereupon the man of God Augustine threatningly prophesied that since they waved peace with their brethren they should have war from their enemies and since they refus'd to preach the word of Life to the English Nation by their hands they should suffer death Which in all points came to passe as he had foretold For Edilfrid that valiant King of the English raising a mighty Army made a great slaughter of this wicked people For being about to give battel perceiving their Priests met together to pray for their Souldiers he asked who they were and to what end they met there Most of them were of the Monastery of Bangor in Wales where such a number of Monks are said to have been that their Monastery divided into seven parts with their Prelats no one of them had fewer than 300. Most of these having fasted three dayes met at the Camp to pray King Edilfrid understanding the cause of their convening If quoth he they invoke their God against us they fight against us though they bear no Arms Whereupon he commanded the charge to be made upon them and in the end though with losse he quite ruined the other Troops of this wicked Army They say there perisht in that battle about 1200 of those that were assembled to pray and so was accomplisht the Prophesie of Augustine the holy Bishop Note That these Welch Bishops living in the Faith receiv'd from Pope Eleutherius An. 156. as was said B.
See for Paulin at whose request he built a large Cathedral enclosing that of Wood where he had been Baptiz'd Paulin henceforth preacht the word of God continually and they believ'd him and were Christ'ned And the fervour of Faith and desire of holy Baptism was so great that he was staid at Court 36. dayes busied in catechizing and instructing the people in the Faith of Christ In the Countrey of the Deiri he baptiz'd in the floud Swale for as yet there could not be built Oratories Fonts or Baptisteries Yet was there built a great Church in the planes called Downs which the Pagans that slew King Edwin burnt but the Altar escaped the fire being of stone and is kept in the Monastery of the reverend Abbot Trumvulse Chap. 15. King Edwins zeal and devotion was so great towards the Christian Faith that he perswaded Carpwell King of the East English to leave the vain superstition of Idols and with his whole Realm to embrace the true Faith and receive the Sacrament of Christs Church King Redwalls Carpwels Father was Christned before in Kent but he was quickly seduced again by his Wife He seem'd to serve both Christ and his false Gods for in one Temple he erected an Altar for the Sacrifice of Christ and another for his Idols Felix Bishop and a holy Preacher being sent by Honorius Archbishop to preach the Word of God to the East-English found plenty of fruit and encrease of Believers for he brought the whole Province unto the Faith Chap. 16. Relates How Paulin the Bishop preaching the word of God in the Province of Lindesi bulit a Church in the chief City where every year some miraculous Cures were wrought Chap. 17. Relates How Honorius Bonifacius his Successor was Bishop of Rome and sate in the See Apostolick who understanding that the King of Northumberland and all his Subjects were converted to the Faith by Paulinus his preaching sent him a Pall and Letters also to King Edwin exhorting him to go forward in the true Faith To the most Puissant and his most vertuous Son in our Lord Edwin King Honorius servant of the servants of God What are we better able to offer to God than by persisting in good works to worship and render him deserved praises We exhort you dearly beloved Son with Fatherly affection c. A little after he writeth Read St. Gregorie's your Apostles works and set his doctrine ever before your eyes that his prayers may advance your kingdome and people and represent you irreprehensible unto the Almighty We have provided those things which you wisht might be ordained for your Priests We have two Palls for the Primats Honorius and Paulinus commanding that when one of them is called out of this life the surviver substitute by this our Authority another in his place Chap. 18. About this time died Justus Archbishop and Honorius succeeding was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury by Pauline He was the Fifth after St. Augustine to whom Pope Honorius sent a Pall ordaining that when either the Bishop of Canterbury or Yorke died the surviver should have power to Consecrate another in the place of the deceased that so they should not need to travell and toile by Sea and Land to Rome as often as an Archbishop was to be ordained The Copy of the Popes letter to Honorius Labour in preaching the Gospel and follow the rule and steps of your Head and Master blessed Gregory c. As for the priviledges of your Churches we have not delay'd to grant you such things as We thought fit And now We in the place of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles grant unto you Authority c. Here followeth the grant specified in the beginning of this Chapter Dated An. 633. Chap. 19. Pope Honorius sent letters to the Scots whom he understood to erre in the observation of Easter exhorting them that they would not esteem their small number wiser than the Churches of Christ either antient or newly converted in celebrating any other Easter than after the common account and according to the Uniform Decrees of all the Bishops of the world assembled in Councel Chap. 20. Relates How King Edwin was slain his Army defeated his Kingdomes over-run by Penda the Idolater and Carduëlla so that there was no safety but in flight Then Bishop Paulin return'd to Kent bringing with him a fair golden Cross and Chalice consecrated to the use of the Altar which are to be seen in the Cathedral of Canterbury There he govern'd the See of Rochester and left his Pall which he had receiv'd from the Pope of Rome James the Deacon left by Paulin at York set up a School for Church Musick according to the fashion of Rome and Diocess of Canterbury The Third Book Chap. 1. RElates how the Kings Osrich and Eandfrid fell to Idolatry whereupon they deserved not to be accounted to our Kings but their years are numbred to holy King Oswald next following Chap. 2. The place is shew'd untill this day and had in great veneration where Oswald who slew Carduëlla before the battell set up the signe of the holy Cross beseeching God humbly on his knees to succour them in their distress Having with his own hands set up the Crosse he said to the Army Let us all kneâ—l down and pray the Almighty to help us In the place where he made his prayer many miraculous Cures are known to be done in token of his Faith Untill this day many doe usually cut chips from the wood of that holy Cross which casting into water and giving the sick thereof both men and beasts to drink or sprinkling them therewith they are restored to health The place is called Heavenfield signifying that in that place a heavenly memorial should be set up and heavenly miracles be wrought even till our daies The Religious of Hagulsden Church for a long time have us'd to come every year upon the Eve and Day that King Oswald was slain to keep Dirges for his soul and in the morning after Psalms solemnly to offer for him the Sacrifice of the holy Oblation By continuance of this custome the place is become more holy and is now honored by all for the Church dedicated in the same place We shal relate one of many miracles wrought at this Crosse One of the Religious of Hagulsden by name Bothelmus who liveth yet when by chance going on the Ice by a fall broke his Arm in so much that he could not lift it to his mouth prayed one of the brethren to bring him a piece of that blessed wood saying that by Gods grace he might finde help thereby He did so giving the party some of the Moss wherewith the wood was covered which putting into his bosome in the night he found himself soon after whole and sound Chap. 3. Relates how Aidan the Bishop being sent from the Scots to King Oswald the King himself became
of three dayes humbly to implore Gods mercy There was in the house at that time a little Boy lately converted who was taken with the sickness When the second day of Fasting and Prayer was come it hapned that in the morning there appeared unto him the two most blessed and chief Apostles St. Peter and Paul for the boy was innocent and endow'd with the Sacrament of Faith The Apostles saluted him saying Son fear not death for we will this day bring thee to Heaven but thou shalt stay till the Masses be said and after thou hast received the Viaticum or journey-earnest of the body and blood of our Lord thou shalt be convey'd to everlasting joyes Call Eappa the Priest and tell him thus Our Lord hath heard your prayers and looked mercifully upon your fasting there shall not one more dye of the plague in this Monastery and they that are sick shall recover But thou alone said they shalt be set free and go unto the Lord whom thou haft served Tell them it hath pleased God to doe thus for them through the intercession of the dear servant of God King Oswald For on this day was he Martyred by the Infidels and taken up to Heaven Let them look their Book wherein are registred the departed and they shall find it so Let them therefore say Masses through all the Oratories of the Monastery giving thanks as well that their prayer is heard as also in the memory of the said King who formerly was their King and therefore earnestly prayed for them as for those of his Nation And when all the brethren are come together to Church let them be partakers of the heavenly sacrifice and so end their fast All this being related by the boy the Priest enquired after what manner they appear'd He answered They were comely and resplendent in habit and countenance above any he had ever seen the one with the celestial Tonsure the other with a long Beard and they said they were Peter and Paul servants of Christ sent for the defence of the Monastery The Priest believing the words by the Boy seeking in the Records found that Oswald was slain that day calling therefore together the brethren he commanded Masses to be said and that all should communicate after the accustomed manner and also caused a particle of the same sacrifice of the Lords Oblation to be brought to the sick Boy which done he died the same day confirming by his death the truth of the Apostles words for no more but he dyed out of the Monastery By this Vision many were stirred up to pray and call for mercy in adversity as also to use the wholsome help and medicine of fasting And from that time as well in the Monasteries as in very many other places the Birth-day of the said King began yearly to be kept holy with celebration of Masses The 15. Chapter nothing but Civil Affairs Chap. 16. Relates How King Cedwall though not yet Christned bound himself by Vow that if he took the Isle of Wight he would give unto God the fourth part thereof which he perform'd He gave it Wilfrid for the service of our Lord Thus this Island after all the Provinces of Britany was converted Chap. 17. At this time Theodore the Archbishop hearing that the Faith was much opposed at Constantinople by the Heresie of Eutichus and desiring that the English Church which he govern'd might continue free from any such spot gathered an Assembly of many Reverend Priests and Doctours where he found an uniform consent of them in the Catholike Faith Theodore By the grace of God Archbishop of the Isle of Britany and with him sitting the other Bishops at Hetfield c. After debate and conference We have set forth the true Catholike Faith in such sort as our Lord delivered it c. We have received the five holy and general Synods of the blessed and beloved Fathers of God viz. of 318. assembled at Nice against the wicked Arius and his opinions and of 150. at Constantinople against the fond Sect of Macedonins and that at Ephesus the first time of 200. against wicked Nestorius and that of Calcedon of a 130. against Eutichus and at Constantinople the second time where was assembled the fifth Councell against Theodore and others Also we receive the Synod held at Rome in the time of the most holy Pope Martin We worship and glorifie our Lord as those men have done neither adding nor diminishing and we excommunicate with heart and mouth those whom they excommunicate and whom they have received we receive Chap. 18. At this Synod was present and confirm'd the Catholike Faith a Reverend man nam'd John the cheif Chantour of St. Peters and Abbot of the Monastery of St. Martins who was come from Rome by command of Pope Agatho having for his guide the Reverend Abbot Benedict For having built a Monastery in England in honour of the Prince of the Apostles he came to Rome as often before with Ceolfrid his companion in the same work after Abbot and was receiv'd most honourably by the Pope of whom he obtain'd Letters of Priviledge by Apostolike Authority as he knew King Egfrids will was by whose liberal gift he had erected it He brought this John with him into England to teach the Abbeyes the yearly course and order of singing as it was taught at St. Peters in Rome which he did teaching the Chantours and Choristers of the Abbey the order and form of singing and reading committing to writing thosethings which appertain'd to the celebration of the high Feasts and Holy-dayes through the year which have been hither kept in the same Abbey and are now in all places copied out They came to hear him from all the Monasteries of the Province and many invited him to come unto them He had in charge from the Apostolike Pope diligently to observe what Faith the Church of England profest and bring him word thereof to Rome So the Copy of the foresaid Synod was given to him to carry to Rome wherein the Catholike Faith was found sound and uncorrupt but in his return he died His body for the love he bore to St. Martine whose Monastery he govern'd was honourably buried at Towers Neverthelesse the Copy of the Catholike Faith was brought to Rome and joyfully received by the See Apostolike Chap. 19. King Egfrid took to wife Ediltrude daughter of the King of the East-Saxons yet she remain'd twelve years a Virgin as Bishop Wilfrid a man of holy memory did inform me enquiring purposely thereof because some doubted it And that such things may be done in our time as formerly as Histories witness we may not question This also was a signe of the divine Wonder that the body of the same Virgin being buried remain'd uncorrupt which shews she ever lived untoucht And t is well known she long besought the King that she might
resorting to that place where King Oswald shed his bloud were there cured Chap. 11. Among other miracles I cannot omit to relate what hapned when King Oswalds bones were translated to the Church where they now are When towards Evening the Charriot was come wherein the bones were they of the Monastery of Beandaman were unwilling to receive them for although they had known him for a blessed man yet by reason he was a Forreigner born and had subdued them by Conquest they hated his memory So it fell out that the Reliques remain'd abroad all night yet was there a great Pavilion extended over the Chariot where the Reliques were But a Miracle from heaven declared with how great reverence those Bones were to be receiv'd of all faithfull people for all night long a pillar of light stood reaching from the Chariot wherein they were unto Heaven clearly beheld almost in all places of the Province which made the Brethren of the Monastery now earnestly desire that those holy Reliques might be laid up in their House They were therefore enclos'd in a shrine and placed with honour in the Church The water wherewith his bones were washt being poured out in a corner of the Vestry from that day forward the earth which receiv'd it had a speciall virtue in driving Devils out of possest bodies An Abbesse who is yet alive desir'd some of the Earth to be given her upon which this water was poured out and with it returned home It hapned that a stranger came to her Monastery who was wont to be vext with an unclean Spirit and at night began to foame gnash his teeth and rage no body being able to hold him The Abbess repaires to that quarter where the Men lodg'd and calling the Priest went with him to the Patient Where the Priest began to say the exorcisme That not sufficing the Abbess commanded her Maid to go bring her the little cabbinet wherein that Earth we spoke of was reserv'd As soon as the Maid was come with it from the Nunns quarter into the Court of that House where the possess'd Person was he grew silent and began to rest and as it were sleep and soon after rising up he said I feel my self whole They asked him how this came to pass And he answered As soon as this Virgin with the Cabinet which she brought approch't the Court of the House all the wicked Spirits that molested me departed Then the Abbess gave him of that dust and the Priest saying some Prayers he past over the night most quietly and was perfectly freed Chap. 12. In the same Monastry a little Boy had been long sick of an ague and was expecting his fit when one of the Brethern comming in said My Son I le tell thee how thou mayest be cured rise and go sit thee down at the Tombe of Oswald and be sure thou stirrest not thence till the howre be over in which thy fit useth to leave thee then I will come and bring thee forth The Boy did so and his Ague durst not presume to seize upon him at the Tombe of the Saint That this hapned thus a Brother who came from thence told me adding how at that very hower the youth was living in that Monastery who was thus cured by Miracle It is not to be wondred that the Prayers of that King now in Heaven may obtain much of God who having a Temporall Kingdome accustomed himself to continuall Prayer even died praying for as he was slain he prayed to God for the Soules of his Souldiers whereupon arose that old Proverbe God have mercy on their souls quoth Oswald when he dyed himself Chap. 13. The Reverend Bishop Acca used to tell how he heard Willebrord that holy Bishop of Frizeland report what had been done abroad by the wonderous Reliques of this Vertuous King A certain Scholler careless in his life being at the point of death with great remorse of his sins made a purpose if he recovered to amend saying If God of his mercy grant me to escape death I resolve to mend my life yet I know I have deserv'd no truce except by the help of such as have faithfully served God he of his mercy will pardon mee We have heard there hath been a King of wonderfull holiness called Oswald the Excellency of whose Faith and Vertue even after his death was well known by working frequent Miracles I beseech you speaking to the standers by if you have any of his Reliques bring me them It may be God will have mercy on me through his Merits to whom I made answer saith Willebrord I have of the tree whereupon his head was stuck after he was slain and if thou wilt beleeve assuredly God by the Merits of so worthy a Person may grant thee longer life Who answering he did believe I blest saith Willebrord some water casting into it a shiver of the said Oake giving it the sick man to drink and forthwith he recovered and reform'd his life and living long after declar'd to all men the favour of our Maker and the glory of his servant Chap. 14. Relates how Oswin was slain by Osway where afterward in satisfaction for the sin there was a Monastery built wherein daily Prayers were offered up to God for Redemption of both the Kings souls the Murderer and murdered It Relates also the admirable Vertue of King Oswin how Aidan the Bishop foretold his death and twelve days after died himself Chap. 15. Relates How God by many Miracles declared to the world how worthy a Man Aidan the Bishop was and how Vtta a Priest being sent into Kent to fetch Eansled King Edwins Daughter the Bishop at his setting forth blessing him gave him hallowed oile saying I know that at your taking ship you will have a Tempest But remember to cast into the sea this oile that I give you All which hapning as Aidan had foretold the Priest takeing the oile cast of it into the sea and immediately there ensued a Calme This I had saith Bede from the faithfull relation of Cinimond Priest of our Church who said he had it from Vtta himself to whom this hapned Chap. 16. Relates How by the Prayers of Aidan Bishop the fire which the Enemy had defigned to burne a Towne besieg'd returned upon themselves making them quit the siege Chap. 17. Relates How the Vertuous Bishop Aidan departed this life the 17th year of his Bishoprick Not long after a Church being dedicated to the honour of the most blessed Prince of the Apostles his bones were translated thither and placced on the right side of the Altar with much honor as he deserved When King Penda set fire on the Church that Post onely whereunto this holy Bishop leaned at his death could by no force of fire be consum'd The Miracle being known and spread abroad the Church was again built but the like hapned the second time
words though afterward plainly understood To others he openly manifested the same Chap. 29. Relates How Herebert a Priest of great perfection and friend to Cuthbert led a solitary life to whom Cuthbert revealing his own death he fell downe at his feet requesting him to obtaine that he might passe to Heaven with him Cuthbert having made his prayer told him his request was granted The event confirmed the Prophesie for they died both upon one day Chap. 30. God being pleas'd to manifest in how great glory Cuthbert lived after his death whose godly life cxcelled in many Miracles inspired the Brethren a eleven years after to remove his bones Opening the Tombe they found the body all whole as if it were alive the 〈◊〉 joynts sinues pliable the garments also seemed fresh and resplendent They went to the Bishop who was then in a solitary place incompast with the sea For there was he wont alwayes to keep the time of Lent and forty dayes also before Christmas in devotion abstinence and tears They brought him part of the Clothes that were about the Holy body which he received as an acceptable present and kissing them with great affection rejoyceth to hear of such Miracles His successor of great vertue Eadbert was laid in Cuthberts grave in which place Miracles done in restoring the sick do witness the vertuous lives of them both Chap. 31. Relates How one was cured of a Palsie at Cuthberts Tombe The Clothes also wherewith the Holy body was clad either in his life or after his death did not want the gifts of healing the sick Chap. 32. Relates How another was cured at St. Cuthberts reliques of a great sore in his eie The Monks had taken some of Cuthburts haire of his head for reliques to shew and give And as soon as part thereof was applied to thesore the partie was healed The Fifth Book Chap. 1. Relate◠How Edilwald Cuthberts successor in a solitary life alaid by prayer a great tempest at Sea wherein some of his Brethren were in danger Gutfrid saith Bede a faithfull servant of Christ who was one of the Company and after Abbot of Lindesferne declared it to me When we had said Gutfrid talkt with him much to our comfort having askt blessing we hastned home Soon after a great tempest arose Edilwald falling on his knees prayed to God to deliver us and suddenly the storme ceast and we came safe to land As soon as we were ashore the Tempest and storme began again and lasted all that day to give us to understand that the calme was given us by God at the prayers of the Holy man After his decease he was buried in St. Peter the Apostles Church Chap. 2. John Famous for integrity and purity of life was made Bishop of Hagulstad of whom his familiar acquaintance were wont to report many strange Miracles wrought at severall times cheifly Berethun who is now Abbot a man most Reverend and faithfull in his relations of which I thought fit to record some There is a private abode neer a Church-yard of St. Michael the Arch-Angell hither this holy man was wont to retire himself to pray especially in time of Lent The time being now at hand he gave command to seek out some begger towards whom he might exercise his charity They brought him one who was dumbe One week of Lent being past he call'd the dumb begger to him and bidding him put out his tongue made the signe of the Crosse upon it and then bad him speak whereupon he spoke after the Bishop all that he suggested and so perfectly recovered his speech Note that this John is he who was called John of Beverlay whence Godwin saith Bede was much to blame if these things be not true For he knew him and took holy Orders of him and lived in his Diocess Chap. 3. Relates How the said Bishop coming to a Monastery in a Town call'd Vetade where Hereburge was Abbesse she told him that one of the Nuns of the Convent was very sick and lay pining and languishing away And she besought the Bishop to go in and blesse her which he did saying prayers over her and departing blest her As we were taking our leave saith Abbot Berecht the swelling went away and the Maide was delivered from danger Chap. 4. Relates How an Earle sent his sick Lady some of the water which the said Bishop had hollowed in the dedication of a Church willing her to drink of it and wash the greived part which done saith Abbot Berecht she rose so whole and sound that she served us at the table Chap. 5. Another time when the holy Bishop had dedicated a Church an Earle called Addi intreated him to come to his House where one of his family lay so desperatly sick that his Coffin was already prepared hoping that if he had but laid his hands upon him and blessed him he should be better The Bishop enters makes his prayer blesses him saying God send you whole son Then sitting down at Table the partie sent for a Cup of wine which the Bishop blessed and sent him As soon as he drank it he arose a sound man put on his apparel came to the Table saying that he desired to eat and drink with them he sat down eat drank and was as merry as any at the Table and lived many yeares after a sound man This Miracle the Abbot Berecht said he had from those who were present Chap. 6. Herebald A faithfull servant of Christ now Abbot of a monastery was heard to say as touching John the Bishops worth I have had experience in many others but especially in my self as whom he in a manner forced from death to life by his prayer and benediction for having been sore bruised with a fall I was healed by the Bishops intercession When for age the Bishop could not preach he consecrated his Chaplin Wilfrid Arch-Bishop of Yorke and himself retiring into a Monastery there ended his dayes Chap. 7. Cedwell King of the tumultuous after he had raigned two years for hope of an eternall kingdome forsook his owne and went to Rome He thought it a singular glory to be regenerated at the holy Apostles Tombes by the Sacrament of Baptisme hoping soon after to passe to eternall life which hapned as he desired He was baptised on Easter eve An. 689 and wearing yet the robes of Innocency fell fick and died Whom the Pope at his Baptisme nam'd Peter that he might beare the holy name of the Prince of the Apostles whose Tombe he came to see with great devotion many hundred miles Hun succeeded him who having been King seven and thirty years leaving his Kingdome went to the Tombes of the Apostles in Rome having an earnest desire to live a Pilgrime on Earth for a time neer those Holy places that so he might deserve the better to be