to the Faith and likewise strengthned in the same Faith and Love of Christ many who before beleived 3. Supposing it may be for the Readers edification I will not neglect to set down here at large some of those wonderfull visions which in an Excesse of mind our Lord revealed to him concerning the state of soules after death Which visions saith Saint Beda he himself would sometimes declare but only to such as out of a desire of compunction asked him 4. This holy man saith the same Authour was descended from a most Noble family among the Irish Scots but was much more Noble for the vertues of his mind then his blood From his very child-hood he carefully gave himself to reading holy Books and practising Religious austerities and which most became Gods Saints whatsoever good things he learnt by reading he was solicitous to expresse in his practise 5. To be breif in processe of time he built himself a Monastery to the end he might more freely and without interruption attend to heavenly meditations Where on a certain time falling into an infirmity he was rapt from his body and in that Extasy which continued from Evening to Cockcrowing he was favoured with the sight of troops of Angels and the hearing the Hymns of Praises which they sung to our Lord. And among other particulars he was wont to relate how he heard them distinctly to chant these verses of the Psalm The Saints shal goe from vertue to vertue And again The God of Gods shall be seen in Sion 6. Three days after being again in an Extasy he saw yet more glorious apparitions of Angels and heard Divine Lauds sung by them more solemnly Moreover there were discovered to him very earnest contentions of Wicked Spirits who by many accusations of a certain Sinner lately dead endeavoured to stop his passage to heaven but by reason the Holy Angels protected him they could not effect their desire 7. Now if any one desires to be more accuratly informed in all these particulars touching the malicious subtilty with which the Devils layd to the Mans charge all his actions idle words and even his very thoughts as if they had them written in a Book as likewise severall others some ioyfull others sad which he learnt from the Angels and glorified Saints which he saw among them let him read the Book of this Saints life and I doubt not he will receive thereby much spiritual edification Amongst all which I will select one passage to putt in this History from which many may receive proffit 8. On a certain time being elevated in Spirit he was commanded by the Angels which conducted him to look down upon the Earth whereupon bowing his eyes down ward he saw as it were a darke valley under him in a very low bottom He saw likewise in the aire four fires not much distant from one another And asking the Angels what fires those were he was told that those were the fires which now inflamed the world and would in the end consume it The first was the fire of Lying when we doe not perform what we promised in Baptism to renounce Sathan and all his works The second was the fire of Covetousnes when we preferre worldly riches before the love of heaven The third was the fire of Dissension when we are not affraid to offend our neighbours even for things of no moment The fourth was the fire of Iniquity when we make no conscience to robb or cousen those who are weaker then our selves Now these four fires encreasing by little at last ioynd together and became an immense flame And when they approached near them Fursey was afraid and sayd to the Angel Sir behold the flames come close to us But the Angel answered Fear not for since thou didst not kindle this fire it will not burn thee For though this flame seems to thee great and terrible yet it tryes every one according to his Merits so that the concupiscence which is in any one shall burn in this fire For accordingly as every one being in the body is inflamed by unlawfull pleasure so being loosd from his body shall he burn by condign torment Then he saw one of the three Angels which in both these visions had been his conductours goe before the other and divide the flame and the other two flying on each side of him which defended him from the danger of the fire He saw likewise many Devils flying through the fire and kindling war against the just These malign Spirits pursued him likewise with accusations but the good Angels defended him And after this he saw greater numbers of blessed Spirits among which some were of his own Nation Preists who had well discharged their Office as he had heard by report By these he was informed of many things very proffitable both to himself and all who are willing to attend to them When they had finished their speeches and were returned to Heaven with the rest of the Angels there remaind only with Saint Fursey the three Angels mentioned before who were to restore him to his body And when he came close to the foresaid great fire one of the Angels divided it as before But when the Man of God was come to a dore which stood open among the flames the Vnclean Spirits snatching up one of those whom they were tormenting in the flames and casting him against him touched him and burnt his shoulder and one of his cheekes He knew the man and remembred how when he was ready to dye he had received of him a garment But the Angel laying hold of him cast him back into the fire But the Devil answered Doe not cast him back since you have once received him For as you have taken the goods belonging to a Sinner so you must be partakers of his punishment But the Angel replied He took not that out of covetousnes but for saving the mans soule After this the burning ceased and the Angel turning himself to Saint Fursey said The fire that thou hast kindled has now burnt thee For if thou hadst not received money from this man who is dead in his sins thou hadst not tasted of his torments Many other discourses he made giving him wholesom instructions how he should deale with such as repented at their death 9. Saint Fursey being afterward restored to his body caried visibly in his shoulder and cheek all his life time the marks of the burning which he had suffred in his soule c. There remains alive to this day an ancient Monk of our Monastery who is wont to tell us that a man of great integrity and veracity assured him that he saw Saint Fursey himself in the Province of the East-Angles and from his own mouth heard him relate his Visions Adding that it was in the time of a very sharp frosty winter and yet the Holy man wearing only a single sleight garment whilst he related these things yet partly by the extreme fear and sometimes great
and was signally approved by him in the Synod of Victory assembled by him ten years after his Consecration 7. Neither was his Pastoral solicitude confined to his own Province it extended it selfe abroad also and especially into Ireland From whâ—nce he was often visited and consulted with by devout men Hence Giraldus Cambrensis speaking of this age saith It was among the Irishmen in those days a frequeâ—t custom to goe in pilgrimage and their greatest devotion was to visit the monuments of the Apostles in Rome Among the rest one Barro an Abbot in the province of Cork went thither and in his return he pass'd by Menevia where he stayd till he could find the commodity of a ship and wind For such was the usuall practise of good devout Irishmen that either going or returning they would desire to enioy the conversation of the Holy Bishop David whose name like a precious fragrant Oyntment was spread all abroad 8. B. Vsher has publish'd a Catalogue of Irish Saints sorted into severall Orders according to the times wherin they liv'd The first Order was of such as liv'd either contemporaries to S. Patrick or presently after him The Second Order contain'd such Saints 〈…〉 about this age such as were S. Finaâ—â—â— caâ—â—â—d by the Irish Fin and by the Brittains Gain or Win. S. Brendan c. In which 〈◊〉 this observation is express'd The Saints of the Second Order received the Rite of 〈…〉 out of Brittany from holy men 〈◊〉 â—â—ere such as were S. David S. Gildas and S. Doc. 9. Moreover S. David sent over some of his Diâ—ciples into Ireland who grew famous there for their learning and sanctity Among which one oâ— the most illustrious as was Saint Aeâ—an concerning whom Giraldus thus wâ—ites S. Aâ—â—â—n call'd by the Irish S. Maidoc fâ—mous for his vertues and learning in Divine 〈◊〉 having received permission from his 〈◊〉 David and his Brethren with their benâ—â—◠〈◊〉 sayâ—d into Ireland Where after he had 〈…〉 fame by his piety and miracles at 〈◊〉 he built a Monastery near the Citty of 〈◊〉 where having collected a good number of 〈◊〉 Brethren he consecrated himself to the Service of God living according to the form and â—ule which he had received from his Pious Father S. David at Menevia Which Rule was the â—ame that was observed by the Monks in Aegypt as we read in the Antiquities of Glastonbury 10. This S. Aedan was afterward Bishop of Fernâ— and Metropolitain of Leinster whilst S. David was yet alive whom he used to consult in affairs of difficulty as we read in the Nameles Authour of the life of S. Lugid call'd also S. Moluca in these terms Saint Moedhog nam'd otherwise S Aedan the most Holy Bishop of Leinster would needs goe bâ—â—ond Sea into Brittany to his Master S. David Bishop there to demand of hâ—â— whom he would recommend for his Spirituall Father to heare his 〈◊〉 in Iâ—eland The life of this S. Aedan is 〈◊〉 in Capgrave where notwithstanding he is â—tiled only Abbot and not Bishop XX. CHAP. 1.2 c. Of S. Davids death and buriall The Time and Place and of his Successour 1. AFter many years spent by the Holy Bishop David at Menevia in the exercise of all Christian vertues it pleased almighty God in love to him and just anger to the ungratefull Brittains to translate this burning and shining Light from earth to heaven where it now shines most gloriously to all eternity 2. As touching the year of his death considering the great diversity in Historians about his age it must needs be involved in great uncertainty For Giraldus Cambrensis and Iohn of Tinmouth affirm S. David to have lived one hundred forty seaven years having been botâ— in the year of Grace four hundred sixty two and dying in the year six hundred and nine when S. Gregory the Great was Pope Pits likewise allows one hundred forty six years to his age and places his death in the year of Grace five hundred forty four By which account his birth would fall in the year of Christ three hundred ninety eight But both these assertions seem exorbitant the former placing his Death much too late and the latter his Birth as much too early 3. It is therefore more consonant to the order of Brittish affairs and story saith learned B. Vsher and better agrees with the Character of the time assign'd by Giraldus to affirm with Pits that he dyed in the year of Grace five hundred forty four and that at his death he was fourscore and two years old and no more For in that year the Calends of March fell on the third Feria as Giraldus says they did when he dyed 4. Let us now view what things are reported to have occurr'd before his death When the houre of his dissolution approached saith the Authour of his life in Capgrave the Angell of our Lord appear'd to him and said The day so much desir'd by thee is now at hand Prepare thy selfe for on the Calends of March our Lord Iesus Christ attended with a multitude of Angels will come to meet thee Whereupon he answerd O Lord dismisse now thy servant in peace The Brethren who assisted him having heard the sound of these words but not well understanding the sence fell prostrate to the ground in great feare Then the Holy Bishop cryed with a loud voyce Lord Iesus Christ receive my Spirit Whereupon when the Brethren made loud complaints he asswaged their sorrow with mild and comfortable words saying My Brethren be constant in your good Profession and beare unanimously to the end that yoke which you have undergone Observe and fulfâ—â— whatsoever things you have seen and heard from mee Aâ—d from that houre to the day of his death the week following he remained in the Church exhorting and encouraging them 5. When the houre of his departure was come our Lord Iâ—sus Christ vouch-safed his presence as he had promis'd by his Angel to the infinite consolation of our Holy Father Who at the sight of him exulted wholly in Spirit saying to him O my Lord Take mee after thee And with these words in our Lords company he gave up his Spirit to God on the Calends of March which being associated to a Troop of Angells with them mounted up to heaven in the year of his age one hundred forty seaven 6. The same Authour further adds That this Holy Bishops death by an Angel divulging it instantly was spread through all Brittany and Ireland Suitable whereto is this passage in the life of S. Kentigern Whilst the servant of God Kentigern one day continued his prayers with more then ordinary attention and devotion his face seemd as on fire the sight whereof fill'd the by standers with great amazement When Prayers were ended he began bitterly to lament And when his Disciples humbly ask'd him the reason of his sorrow he sate a while silent at last he said My dear children know for certain that
11. Her death was answerable to her life before which a wonderfull vision was shewd to her for before the Altar of the Blessed Virgin a Ladder was erected up to heaven Angels descended to comfort her She commanded her Sisters to conceale this Vision and awhile after signing her self confidently with the sign of the Crosse and lifting up her eyes hands to heaven she breathed forth her pure spirit and those who were present saw her freind the holy Bishop Genesius among troops of Angels coming to meet her on the third day before the Calends of February Her memory is celebrated the same day in the Gallican Martyrologe Her Sacred Body was afterward diligently sought and translated to a more honourable place in the time of S Lewis the Commemoration whereof is solemnised on the eight and twentieth of March. XX CHAP. 1. Anna King of the East-Angles slain by K. Penda 2.3 c The Mercian Tyrant Penda miraculously slain by K. Oswi who consecrates his daughter to God 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred fifty four saith Mathew of westminster Penda King of the Mercians a man who breathed nothing but fury and war and loved to tread in ways staind with blood invaded the Religious King of the East-Angli Anna and in a moment destroyd him and his army To him his Brother Aethelherus succeeded in the Kingdom With King Anna was slain his eldest son Firminâ—â— and both their bodies were buryed at a Town called Blithborow in Suffolk seated on the River Blith Which town saith Camden deserves to be mentioned for no other thing but that there was the Sepulcher of Anna a Christian King of the East-Angli slain in battle by Penda the Mercian King But afterward their bodies were translated to S. Edmunds-bury in the same Province 2. But the year following this bloody King Penda who seems to have been raised up for the destruction of good Kings received at last the reward of his cruelty by the hands of Oswi King of the Northumbers The particular Narration we receive from S. Beda In those times saith he King Oswi having received intolerable vexations from Penda King of the Mercians who formerly slew his Brother King Oswald at last was forced to promise him incredibly rich gifts to obtain a peace for a cessation of the ruines of his Provinces But the perfidious King Penda would accept of no conditions being determined to exterminate his whole Nation Whereupon King Oswi had his recourse to the Divine Protection only to deliver him from the barbarous impiety of his enemy Wherefore he obliged himself by vow saying since this Pagan King refuses our gifts let us offer them to our Lord God who will graciously accept tâ—em He vowed therefore that in case he gott the victory he would consecrate his daughter to serve our Lord in perpetuall Virginity and withall bestow twelve possessions of farms for building and endowing Monasteries After which vow he marched with a very small army to combat him 3. Such a wonderfull inequalâ—ty there was between the two Armies that the Pagans had a thirty fold greater army then the Christian King Oswi for they had thirty Legions conducted by as many Generalls against whom notwithstanding Oswi with his Son Alcfrid trusting only in Christ their conductour with very small forces adventured to combat King Oswi his Son Egfrid was not present there for he was then kept as an hostage by King Penda's wife And Edilwald son of King Oswald who ought to have assisted him was on the Enemies side being one of Penda's Captains to fight agaâ—nst his Vncle and countrey Though true it is that in the time of battell he withdrew himself into a safe place there expecting the event Yea we read in the History of the Brittains that Alcfrid also the Son of King Oswi rebelling against his Father was ioynd with King Penda 4. Yet notwithstanding all these disadvantages as soon as the combat began the thirty Pagan Generalls of King Penda were putt to flight and slain and almost all their auxiliaries Among which was also Edilhere Brother and Successour of Anna late King of the East-angles who was the authour of the war he together with the forces attending him was likewise slain And because the battell was fought near the River Iuwet which by reason of great raines had overflowed its banks the waters consumed more in the flight then swords had in the combat 5. This wonderfull victory was gaind in the thirteenth year of King Oswi his raign and on the seaventeenth day before the Calends of December in the region of Loidis now called Leeds io Yorkshire were above thirty years before King Edwin had overcome the Brittains The River which in S. Beda is called Iuwet Mathew of Westminster more properly calls Winwed adding that thence the Proverb came That in the River Winwed were revenged the slaughters of five Kings Anna Sigebirt Egric Oswald and Edwin And near the place is yet extant a village either from this or King Edwins victory called Winfeild 6. This victory brought incredible proffit to both the Nations for the Northumbers were secured from the hostile incursions of their Enemies and the Nations both of the Mercians and other confining Provinces became converted to the Christian Faith assoon as their perfidious Head was cutt off For immediatly after the most Christian King Oswi took possession of Penda's kingdom by whose order the Holy Preist Diuma was ordaind by Finan Bishop both of the Mercians and Midland-Angli for by reason of the scarcity of Preists one Prelate was obliged to govern two Nations And now also the Conversion of the East-Saxons under their King Sigebert of which we treated before was perfected 7. King Oswi having thus by divine assistance gaind so miraculous a victory forgot not his Vow But saith the same S. Beda according to his promise made to our Lord and in thanks-giving for his victory he gave his daughter Elsleda scarce then a year old to be consecrated in perpetual Virginity to our Lord and moreover twelve possessions of lands for the maintaining Religious persons to pray dayly for the perpetual peace of his Nation Of which each possession was ten families The foresaid daughter of King Oswi therefore entred into the Monastery calld Heortsig or the Island of the Hart which was governed by the Holy Abbesse Hilda And two years after having obtaind a possession of ten families in a place calld Streneshalch she there built a Monastery in which the foresaid Kings daughter first learnt and afterwards taught Regular observance till having spent three-score years in our Lords service the happy Virgin hastned to the embraces of her heavenly Bridegroom XXI CHAP. i. 2 c. The Gests and happy death of the Holy Abbesse S. Hilda 1. AS for S. Hilda mentiond by S. Beda she was the daughter of Hereric Grand child of King Edwin by his son Egfrid
same purpose and that they having received his Benediction were returned full of sorrow the Monk who had heard the celestiall Musick went to the Bishop and prostrating himself to the ground before him said Venerable Father may it be permitted mee to ask you a question The Bishop answered Ask freely whatsoever thou wilt Then said he I beseech you tell mee What meant that ioyfull song which I heard sung by many with great ioy who came from heaven to this Oratory and after a while returned back to heaven again The Bishop replyed If thou hast indeed heard that Musick and perceived the heavenly company which came hither I command thee in the Name of our Lord that thou acquaint none with it before my death The truth is they were Angells and celestiall Spirits which came to call mee to receive those heavenly rewards which I always loved and desired and they have promised mee to return seaven dayes hence and conduct mee with them to heaven And indeed thus it came to passe as he had foretold For presently after a languishing infirmity came upon him which dayly encreased and on the seaventh day as had been promised him after he had armd himself against death by receiving devoutly the Body and blood of our Lord his soule was freed from the prison of his body and as we may piously beleive accompanied by Angells to celestiall ioyes Of whose glory S. Egbert was a witnes as we have already shewed in his Gests related by the same Authour 5. It is no wonder if he entertained with ioy the day of his death saith the same Authour since through the whole course of his life his cheif solicitude was to prepare himself for it insomuch as when any great wind or thunder hapned he would presently lay aside all other busines in hand and prostrating himself on his face pour forth his soule to God in prayer For as he told his Disciples the reason why God sends forth those voyces of terrour is to imprint his fear in mens minds and make them mindfull of those storms and tempests which shall be raised in the last dayes before the Generall Iudgment This S. Beda relates from the testimony of a Religious Monk called Trumbert his Master in Divine learning who had been a Disciple of this Holy Bishop 6. Now S. Ceadda dyed on the sixth day before the Nones of March and was first buried near the Church of our Blessed Lady But afterwards a magnificent Church having been built to the honour of the Prince of the Apostles his Sacred bones were translated thither And in both places for a proof of his Sanctity frequent miracles and cures were wrought 7. The place where he was buried was covered with a woodden tomb built in the form of a little house having a window in the wall through which such as in devotion came thither were accustomed to putt in their hand and take thence some part of the dust Which they mingled with water and gave to be tasted to sick men or cattell also by which their infirmities were presently taken away 8. We may with more assurance relate these Miracles because even the Lutheran Centuriators of Magdeburg acknowledge their beleif of them For thus they write Ceadda the Brother of Ced succeeded Iarumannus in the Bishoprick of the Mercians He received from King Wulfere his Episcopal See in a town of Lindissi called Lichfeild and governed the Churches of the Midland-English and Lindesfarians After his death he was renouned for Miracles insomuch as a man who was frantick and slept only at his tomb was restored to health and others afflicted with any manner of diseases by tasting the dust of his monument were perfectly cured 9. His Memory was with great devotion celebrated in all succeeding ages insomuch as the Cathedrall Church of his Bishoprick being raised with greater magnificence took its appellation from him This came to passe in the dayes of King Edward the second at which time saith B. Godwin Walter Langton Bishop of that See of Lichfeild bestowed two thousand pounds to enrich the Chest which contained the Body of his Predecessour S. Ceadda or Chad and likewise encompassed the precincts of the Church with a wall and ditch adding thereto two gates one very magnificently built toward the west and a lesser one to the East 10. To conclude this Narration we must not omitt one late memorable example of a wonderfull iudgment of God against the professed Enemies of his Saints In the beginning of the late rebellious warr a warr undertaken as much against Gods departed Saints as living Governours one of the most zealous Leaders of a Sacrilegious faction conducting his Army to this Citty of Lichfeild with an intention to break into the Inclosure of S. Ceadda's Church fortified by a Royal party whilst compleatly armed he pulled up the visour of his helmet that he might better view how to place his Ordinance against the wall was mortally wounded in the eye being the only part of his body exposed to danger by a bullet short at random Thus he perished in the heat of his fury whilst he assaulted the Church of S. Ceadda and upon the very Feast day of S. Ceadda 11. In the place of S. Ceadda the Arch-bishop Theodore ordained Bishop of that See a good and modest man saith S. Beda named Winfrid or Wilfrid who was Deacon to his Predecessour and at that time lived in the Monastery of Athburn Of whom we shall speak more hereafter X. CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of severall Saints Of King Oswi Of Abbot Boisilus Of Oswin a Monk of Diman and Adammannus 1. IN the six hundred and seaventieth year of our Lords Incarnation saith S. Beda which was the second year after the coming of Theodore into Brittany Oswi King of the Northumbers in the fifty eighth year of his age fell sick of an infirmity of which he dyed At the same time he was so affectionatly desirous to receive more perfect Instruction in Religion from the Apostolick See of Rome that he was determined in case he had recovered of that disease to goe thither and end his days at the Sacred places of the Apostles for which purpose he had desired the Holy Arch-bishop Wilfrid to be his guide in that journey for which he designed him a great summe of money He dyed the fifteenth day before the Calends of March and left his Son Egfrid heyr of the Kingdom He was buried in the Monastery of Strenshalch to which he had long before consecrated his daughter Edelfleda from her first infancy as hath been declared 2. That he dyed in general opinion of Sanctity appears in that his Name is read among the Saints in our Martyrologe on the fiâ—teenth of February And William of Malmsbury recounts how his body together with the bodies of many other Saints was removed three hundred years after his death For thus he writes At Streneshalt in the Quire
due punishment For the very next year the same King leading forth his army to wast the Province of the Pâ—â—sts was slain by them 2. Among others who fearfully apprehended Gods revenge upon this unjust cruelty of King Egfrid was his devout Sister Edelfleda who lately succeeded the Holy Abbesse Saint Hilda in the government of the Monastery of Streneshalâ— Therefore in great solicitude she consulted with S. Cuthbert then a Monk and famous for the gift of Prophecy concerning her Brother and whether the imprecations of the Irish nation ahainst him would not proove too successfull And from him she understood that the King her Brother should not out-live the following year The particular narration of these things is thus compiled by Saint Beda 3. On a certain time saith he the most Venerable Virgin and Mother of our Lords Virgins Elfleda or Edilfleda sent to the man of God Cuthbert adjuring him in the name of God that she might have the happines to see him and to speak with him about matters of necessary importance He therefore accompanied with some of his Brethren took ship and came to an Island which receives its name from a River called Coqued before whose entrance into the Sea it was situated For the foresaid Abbesse had desired him to meet her there When they were come together she proposed many questions to him whereto he gave her satisfactory answers And upon a sudden in the midst of their discourse she cast her self prostrate at his feet and adjured him by the terrible name of the Almighty and of his Angells to tell her plainly how long a time the life and raign of her Brother was to last For said she I am assured that if you will you can tell mee this by the Spirit of Prophecy which God has given you But he astonished at this adjuration yet unwilling to give her a plain discovery of the secret thus answered her It is a strange thing that you being a prudent woman and skillfull in the Scriptures will call the time of mans life long whereas the Psalmist sayes Our years are like a spiders webb and Salomon admonishes us If a man live many years and has spent in mirth all his life he ought to be mindfull of the time of darknes and the many dayes following which when they shall come all that is passed will appear to be vanity How much more truly may this be applied to him who has but one year more to live 4. When the devout Abbesse heard this answer she fell a weeping bitterly bewayled this ominous presage But at last wiping her eyes she again with a woman-like boldnes adiured him by the Majesty of God to tell her who should succeed him in the Kingdom for said she you know he has no children and I have never a brother besides him The Holy man continuing silent awhile at last said Doe not say that you want Brethren for you shall see one to succeed him whom you will affect with as tender and sisterly a love as you now doe Egfrid himself She replied I beseech you tell mee in what countrey he now lives He answered Doe you see this Vast Sea abounding with Islands It is an easy thing for God out of some one of them to provide a man whom he may sett over this Kingdom By this she understood that he spoke of Alfrid who was reputed to be her Fathers naturall Son and at that time lived as a banished man in one of those Scottish Islands where he addicted himself to the study of learning After many discourses he said to her I command you in the name of our Lord and Saviour that you reveale to none before my death what you have heard from mee After this he returned to his solitary Island and Monastery 5 Before this year was ended King Egfrid whose disafâ—ection to S. Wilfrid still continued was so far from any intention to recall him to his See of York that when there was a vacancy in any of his Bishopricks by the death of any who possessed his place he would take care that some other should be substituted in their room as he did this year in which S. Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury at the said Kings request assembled a Synod of Bishops at a place called Twiford in Northumberland in which the famous Saint Cuthbert was notwithstanding his earnest resistance elected and the year following consecrated Bishop of Lindesâ—arn But of this we will treat more largely when we come to the Gests of the said glorious Bishop We will now declare the successe of his Prophecy touching the approaching death of King Egfrid XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 King Egfrid slain by the Picts 4.5 Different censures of him 6. Bishop Trâ—mwin driven out of Pictslands 1. THE year after the forementioned invasion of Ireland saith S. Beda King Egfrid would himself conduct an army to spoyle and wast the Province of the Picts though his freinds and especially S. Cuthbert lately ordaind a Bishop earnestly dissâ—aded him Being entred the Province with his army the enemies conterfeâ—â—ing fear fled from him whom he pursuing was lead into streits of inaccessible mountains and there with the greatest part of his forces slain on the thirteenth day befoâ—e the Calends of Iune in the fortieth year of his age and fifteenth of his raign Now as I said his freinds earnestly opposed his undertaking this warr But as the year before he would not hearken to the most Reverend Father Egbert who dissâ—aded him from invading Ireland Scotiam from whence he had received no injury So now by Gods just iudgment for punishment of that crime he was hindred from hearkning to those who desired to with-hold him from his destruction 2. Whilst King Egfrid was fighting against the Picts S. Cuthbert anxious about the successe went to Lugubalia or Carlile to comfort his Queen Ermenburga and there God revealed to him the death of the King and defeat of his army The particulars are thus related by S. Beda Whilst King Egfrid saith he rashly adventured the invasion of the Picts and with horrible cruelty wasted their countrey the man of God Cuthbert knowing that the time drew near which he had foretold his Sister that the King should live but one year longer he went to the Citty Lugubalia corruptly named by the inhabitants Luel to speak with the Queen who there expected the event of this warr in a Monastery of her Sister The day after as the Cittizens were honourably leading him to see the walls of the Citty and a fountain in the same of a wonderfull structure according to the Roman manner the Holy Bishop on a suddain as he was leaning on his staff became troubled in mind and with a sad countenance cast his eyes on the ground and presently raising himself up again and looking to heaven he said not very loud Now is the combat decided A Preist-standing by who understood his meaning suddenly and indiscreetly said to him How doe
torments which soules would sometimes sitt on the brink of the pitts in some refreshment and anon with great wayling fall into the flames again And one of the Angells told him that such a short vicissitude of rest did signify that God after the last iudgment would give perpetuall rest to those poor soules 11. Now under those Pitts there were others infinitly lower whence said he I heard a most dreadfull and inexpressibly horrible groning and shreiking of soules such as to which our Lord would never extend his mercy but everlasting flames shall torment them 12. He saw likewise a place of admirable deliciousnes in which there was a glorious multitude oâ— persons wonderfully beautifull and reioycing with inexpressible ioy who invited him if it were possible to come to them and partake of their happines And from that place there was exhaled a most odoriferous fragrancy which was nothing but the breath issuing from those happy and ioyfull soules This place the Angells sayd was that so much spoken of Paradise of God 13. And not far from this delicious place he saw a terrible River which flowed with fire and pitch over which there lay a narrow plank instead of a bridge towards which those happy soules made great hast to the end that passing over it they might arrive on the other bank to another place infinitly more glorious and happy then the former And some of them without any wavering or difficulty soon passed over but others slipping aside fell into that horrible River some only to the knees others to the arm-pitts others quite plunged over head yet every one of them came out much more beautifull and glorious then before they fell in And one of the Blessed Angells said These are such â—oules as when they ended their mortall life were staind with some not very heynous sins and therefore stand in need of Gods mercy that they may be perfectly purified before they be admitted to his presence 14. Beyond that River he saw the walls of a Citty of an unmeasurable length height shining like the Sun and he heard the Angells saying This is that Holy and glorious Citty the Heavenly Ierusalem in which those pure soules shall reioyce for ever and their glory therein shall be so immense that for the incomprehensible splendour no eye can look upon them 15. The man likewise told mee that among others he saw the soule of a certain Abbot lately dead which seemed of great beauty which notwithstanding was seised on by the Wicked Spirits crying out earnestly that he belonged to them But one of the Angells sayd O you wicked wretches I will presently shew you that you can have no power ovrr him Then immediatly there appeared a great multitude of white shining soules which cryed out saying This man was our Teacher and Instructour and by his exhortation gained us to God by the merit of which charity he is rescued from you and therefore manifestly can not belong to you And with these soules the Angels ioynd in their contention with the other infernall Spirits by which assistance of the Angels that soule was delivered Then one of the Angels shâ—rply rebuking the Devills sayd Take notice that without any right or title at all you have layd hold on this soule therefore be gone from hence into everlasting fire Assoon as he had sayd this immediatly those Wicked Spirits with greivous houling cast themselves into those horrible pitts But a while after there came out others which renewed the contention about the merits or demerits of soules 16. He sayed moreover that at that time he could discern the different merits and condition of men yet alive And that those who kept themselves free from crimes were manifestly in Gods favour and defended from all danger by Angells to whom they were united and in a sort allyed by Charity But to those who polluted themselves by heynous sins there was continually associated a Wicked Spirit always inâ—iting them to sin And after every sin committed by them in thought word or deed this Wicked Spirit would make it known to other Infernall Spirits at which they would reioyce and immediatly the former Evill Spirit would return to his Office oâ— tempting 17. Particularly he told mee that he then saw a mayd yet alive who grinding in a mill saw near her lying a new distaffe curiously carved which belonged to another woman and this distaffe because it pleased her she stole Then those wicked spirits with ioy declared this theft to their companions bidding them take notice of it 1â— He added saying I saw the soule of a certain Brether newly dead to whom I gave assistance during his sicknes and assisted at his buriall and he at his death charged mee to require in his name of his brother that for the comfort of his soule he would give freedom to a certain captive mayd But his Brother through avarice refused to perform his request for which the foresaid soule with greivous sighs complaind of his brothers hard-heartednes 19. He likewise testified concerning Ceolred King of the Mercians who at the time of these visions was certainly alive Him he saw defended from the violence of Devills by Angells who held over his head a certain Vmbrella like a large book But the Devills panting with earnestnes besought the Angells to take away that defence and give him up to their fury for they layd to his charge a multitude of most horrible crimes for which sayd they he is designed to everlasting torments in Hell Then the Angells with sad countenances sayd Alas alas this wretched sinner can be defended no longer neither can we afford him any further assistance so great and unpardonable is his guilt and impenitence Having sayd this they removed the defence from over his head and immediatly those infernall spirits more in number then all creatures now alive in the world with shoutings and ioy layd hold on him tore him incessantly with severall sorts of torments 20. At length the Angels commanded the person who being rappd from his body saw and heard all these things in a spirituall vision that he should without delay return to his own body and that he should confidently manifest all these things to such as with a good intention asked him but by no means to unbeleivers or deriders They likewise charged him to discover particularly to a certain woman dwelling a great way off all her sins committed by her withall signifying to her that if she would she might yet by Pennance and satisfaction recover the favour of Gtd. But in the first place they commanded him to reveale all these visions distinctly to a certain Preist named Buggan and according to his instructions declare them to others That he should also confesse to the same Preist all those his own sins of which he had been accused by the Vnclean Spirits and according to his iudgment correct and amend them And for a proof that it was by an Angells command that he