ON SAINT GODRIC
THE HERMIT OF FINCHALE IN ENGLAND.
IN THE YEAR 1170.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
Concerning the Life written by Galfrid a contemporary, the age and cult of the Saint. A compendium of the said life from the Newburgh writer.
Godric the Hermit, of Finchale in England (St.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
The Life of St. Godric the Hermit which we here give, was sent to us from his Cistercian Arch-monastery by the Very Reverend Lord James Lannoy, The Life is given after Reginald, a religious of the said monastery and most studious of all antiquity, who there also rendered us singular benefits, testifying that this was dug out from a manuscript codex of an antiquity of about four hundred years. The author Galfrid confesses in the Prologue that B. Godric had been known to him, and that he composed his Life from a prolix relation of Reginald a monk of Durham, to which number 66 he dismisses the reader desiring to know more miracles, and from some writings of Germanus the Prior of the same monastery, who buried him with the Brethren: and Germanus the Prior written by Galfrid. under whose obedience and that of his predecessors he had lived, a hermit or solitary monk of the Benedictine Order. Galfrid inscribes the Life to Thomas the Prior and the Brethren constituted at Fincalich: which place seems to be the same as Finchale, where before he had lived and after death was buried the Saint, and is said in the Prologue to testify the works of virtues after death. There was there an oratory built by him in honor of St. John the Baptist, but that place, after the death of the same Father, made more glorious by the manifold glorification of signs is said number 21. There could afterward have been erected a Priory there, on account of the multiplied miracles, another is extant in Capgrave, which within a few years from his death two hundred twenty-eight were observed to have been, writes John Capgrave, in the Life of St. Godric described by him broadly in the Legend of the Saints of England: which the Reader will find there, from the already-mentioned authors, but often gathered with a different phrase of words.
[2] Matthew Paris a monk of St. Alban's, in the Anglican History drawn out to the year 1272, in the year 1170 inserted an illustrious compendium of the Life of St. Godric, adding at the end, and Matthew Paris, that his glorious sepulchre even to this present day, on which he wrote, coruscated with miracles. Moreover he indicates another writer of the life with these words: The holy man had the monks of Durham as familiars, citing the booklet of Nicholas the monk. but yet among the rest a certain monk, by name Nicholas, he loved more specially. But this one when he had been asked by many, to commit to letters the life and virtues of St. Godric to profit posterity; he himself for acquiring more certainly the truth of things, came to the man of God, wishing from him, what he ought to write, more familiarly to be instructed. But in vain, since he described himself as some worst of mortals. But after some years interposed thereafter, nothing concerning his life did the monk dare to inquire; until he himself as if pitying him, and as if repenting of the aforesaid injury, of his own accord began to say what he wished. Yet he adjured the monk, by the love by which he was joined to him, that while he lived he should show the booklet to no one. Thus there. And perhaps these are the writings, which with Germanus the Prior are said to be found, or certainly thence others drew their own. The same Life, from Matthew Paris described by Benedict Gonon, is extant book 2 on the Lives of the Fathers of the West page 102 and following. But the said Nicholas being cited as writer the Life of St. Godric was rendered into English by Jerome Porter, and among the Acts of the chief Saints of Britain struck, nay also into book 12 of the Ecclesiastical History of England by Nicholas Harpsfield inserted chapter 25. Besides the before-cited monks of Durham, and William of Newburgh. also some
Life of him was written by William of Newburgh an Englishman, a Canon under the Rule of St. Augustine, who concerning English affairs from the year 1066 to the year 1117 composed five books; and a compendium of that Life, which we prefix to the rest of the Acts, he inserted in book 2 chapter 20.
[3] The said Newburgh writer being cited, William Camden in the Bishopric of Durham, judged these things worthy to insert. The Wear leads its waters through Finchale, where Henry the second reigning, Godric, a man of ancient and Christian simplicity, wholly fixed on God, led and finished a solitary life; buried in the same place, in which (as that William of Newburgh has) he was wont either praying to lie prostrate, or sick to lie down. a church erected to him. Who excited so great admiration by this holy simplicity, that a little church Richard, the brother of that opulent Bishop Hugh du Puiset, honored his memory. These things Camden. That Hugh was Bishop of Durham, nephew of King Stephen, hand down Simeon of Durham and everywhere others. The Westminster writer at the year 1171 thus has: The miracles concerning St. Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury grew in the whole world. He did not die in the year 1171 The glorious man of venerable life Godric of Finchale the hermit, consummating the contest of his course in this world, about to receive the prize of glory in heaven, from this light migrated to the Lord: whose life and death demand special treatises. In the same manner with the Westminster writer in the Chronicle of Clairvaux the above-praised Lannoy indicated these things to be read. In the year of the Lord 1171 beginning, B. Thomas of Canterbury was martyred; and in the same year St. Gundric the hermit rested in England, whose Life is had. Hoveden, the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas being described, adds: On the same day the passion of B. Thomas was revealed to B. Godric the anchorite through the Holy Spirit at Finchale. Which same things in Baronius at the year 1170 number 49 are read. But St. Godric died before St. Thomas, but in the year 1170 of whose exequies he is said to have here celebrated the solemnities below number 63, where number 64 St. Godric foretells his martyrdom, but asserts that he himself then would not live in the flesh. Both died in the year 1170, St. Godric on this XXI of May, St. Thomas on December XXIX.
[4] The memory of Godric is inscribed on the day XXI of May in the Appendix of Molanus to Usuard, in the Anglican Martyrology of John Wilson and in the monastic ones of Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Bucelin, and chiefly of Edward Maihew, with a prolix narration of the things done by him. But he is rightly ascribed to the said Benedictine Fasti, but wrongly to the Cistercian Order, in the Calendar of the Saints of this Order struck at Dijon about the year 1615, inscribed in various fasti but wrongly Cistercian. and in another Calendar at Brussels about the year 1620 published by Chrysostom Henriquez and then in his Cistercian Menology by the Plantinian types of the year 1630, as finally by Claude Chalemot in the Series of the Cistercian Saints in the year 1666 printed at Paris. On the contrary Angelo Manrique, in tome I of the Cistercian Annals at the year 1159 number 9 and 10 clearly confesses, that he cannot be drawn to Cîteaux unless they be violated. St. Godric had with various monks of the Cistercian Order a familiar acquaintance: to one of these below number 53 he indicated their sins and lapses, and that they would be free from these he affirmed: and number 54 to Adsa Abbot of Furness he set forth the apparition of a demon under the appearance of a woman; but especially number 33 to St. Robert Abbot of Newminster, often coming down to him, he foretold his death, and saw his soul carried into heaven. If for this reason the Cistercians wish to retain his sacred memory, they will not be able to be refuted by others. These things being set, the compendium which we have added, written by the Newburgh writer also an eye-witness, because it brings light to the longer accounts, we here subjoin.
[5] At almost the same times, the venerable hermit Godric of Finchale, namely a solitary place so called, A compendium of the Life from the Newburgh writer. not far from the city of Durham upon the river Wear, mature in years and merits, rested in the Lord: in whom plainly it was to be seen the pious and deep good-pleasure of the Divinity, to the confusion of the noble and great, choosing the ignoble things of the world and the contemptible. For since he was a rustic and an idiot and knowing nothing, except Christ Jesus and Him crucified (which indeed however to the obtuse and rude in the cradles of faith is handed down) at the entrance of adolescence he began to grow fervent in spirit, and drew with all his bones the fire, which the Lord sent into the earth. At length having devoutly embraced celibacy, which he had perhaps learned to be pleasing to God and of sublime merit; in food and drink, in word and gesture a most simple man, he studied to keep a becoming measure with gravity. Swift to hear, but slow to speak, and in the very speech most sparing. Taught to weep with those weeping, but to laugh with those laughing and to jest with those jesting he knew not. As a youth he visited the Lord's sepulchre in much poverty, going with bare feet: and returned to his own, a fit place, where he might serve God, he solicitously sought: and received in dreams, as they say, that he should seek a place called Finchale, there God willing to live. Which at length after much wandering finding, there with a poor little sister at first, and she being dead alone for a long time he dwelt. But the strictness of his life is reported to have been almost above human measure. The aforementioned place indeed is woody, but has a modest plain; which he exercising by digging, exacted from it a yearly fruit, by which he might somehow be sustained: and however little he could, to those coming thence he exhibited charity. Indeed commended to the church of Durham by the merit of his most pure life, he merited such a providence of the holy college there established about himself, that a senior monk deputed for this frequently visited him, both for the instruction of his rustic simplicity, and also that by the participation of the sacred Mystery on certain days he might be fortified. Long indeed the old enemy attempted by lying in wait to circumvent the most simple man, but when he saw his ambushes proceed less, he took care at least to delude the simplicity with illusions. But the man of God both cautiously avoided the ambushes, and constantly despised and derided the illusions, the most blessed especially John the Baptist, whom he specially loved, more frequently visiting, informing, and strengthening him. In this manner living even to decrepit age, a few years before death, by the failure of his senile limbs he lay down, and for very many days the slight remains of life in his dying body he preserved by a modest draught of milk. In those days I merited to see and address him, in his own oratory, near the sacred altar continually lying down. an eye-witness. And when in almost his whole body he seemed somehow already dead; yet readily he spoke those words familiar to his mouth, namely the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit more often repeating. But in his countenance a certain wonderful dignity and unusual beauty was seen. He passed therefore an old man and full of days, and the same space of place his body now occupies, in which either praying he was wont to lie prostrate, or sick to lie down. Thus far William of Newburgh, having professed himself an eye-witness: to whose relation the subsequent Life corresponds: in which there were here and there titles with some distinction of chapters: which being omitted, since similar things are more accurately noted in the margin, after our manner into chapters and numbers we give it distinguished.
LIFE
By the Author Galfrid a contemporary monk. From a manuscript codex of the Cistercian Arch-monastery;
Godric the Hermit, of Finchale in England (St.)
BHL Number: 3602
BY GALFRID A CONTEMPORARY FROM A MANUSCRIPT
PROLOGUE.
[1] To the beloved Lords in Christ Thomas the Prior and the Brethren constituted at Finchaluch, Galfrid their fellow-servant in the Lord, The Life is written from the relation of Reginald the monk, eternal salvation in Christ. Your charity asks of me, nay compels me, to touch succinctly the divine labors of your venerable Father Godric, that more quickly in a compendium it may be able to meet the wishes of readers, to whose desire that more prolix treatise, which concerning his virtues was published by Reginald the Monk, made delay with weariness. For not in the mass of chaff are sought, but the grains. I feared indeed the mark of derogation, lest some should say that I put my sickle into another's harvest, and adorned with stolen colors sought the glory of the pallium with a borrowed honor. Yet I did it: for I could not fail the devout petition of so great men: nor as an informer do I reprehend another's things, but as a coadjutor I affirm the same. and the sheets of Germanus the Prior, But there were offered to me by a certain Brother some quires, concerning certain works of the same Father written by Germanus of good remembrance the Prior of the church of Durham: in which because I found many things to disagree with the booklet of Reginald, some things which I had before written I changed, some I added. For to him I judged it should be most especially believed, whom the holy man both from the opinion of a good life had specially had, and from the authority of his degree and the familiarity of frequent confession had made his spiritual Father in Christ. This the same Germanus testifies thus writing: O how great marvels into my ears from his mouth distilled! how great things from the chamber of his secrets by frequent conversations he set forth to me most worthy of praise. Many things to me which lie hidden from others. I slept in the bosom of his familiarity. the names of the authors being prefixed. Gathering therefore some handfuls from both, I reduced them into one bundle; those especially which could both satisfy the faith of the simple, and more agree with the truth. But let the prudence of the reader observe this, that what is established not to be had in Reginald, is found surely in the sheets of Germanus, and as a sign in the face I have prefixed the name of each to the sentence, so that the history may better shine forth divided into two, which will rest on the assertion of two. It is yours therefore, either to add what is needed to the brevity, or to apply the file of cutting to the superfluity.
[2] I saw Godric great as a little one, an old man as a little boy, and the recollection of so great a vision grows sweet to my mind. For he was in body very small, but by the loftiness of his mind raised to heaven. The author describes the stature and form of holy Godric as seen by himself. And indeed in youth with black hair, but in old age sprinkled with an Angelic whiteness; with a broad forehead, gray eyes, shaggy eyebrows almost meeting one another; a long face, a long nose, a long beard, a comely mouth, swelling lips suffused with redness, broad shoulders, a compressed belly, because continual rigor diminished him; the rest of his limbs in their order well disposed, with apt strength, and with surpassing agility he displayed the venerable habitude of a shorter stature. The whole series of his conversation he wove under the rule of the Priors of Durham. He avoided above all the vice of human presumption, while he served not his own, but rather the disposition of another. For he was a monk of Durham, having sixty years in the solitary life; he died an old man and full of days in his own place at Finchale, and the works of virtues which living he did, dead he ceases not to testify.
CHAPTER I,
His birth, trading, pilgrimages, the eremitic life fixed at Wolsingham, then at Finchale.
[3] REGINALD: The venerable Confessor of the Lord Godric, sprung from the Province which is called Norfolk, his father Ailward, and his mother Edwen; both were poor and lay, Poor parents but renowned for the religion of the Christian faith. But his boyish years being passed at home, the youth Godric began with a more prudent mind
to seek out the knowledge of secular life, and emulating the studies of a merchant, solicitous to exercise the affairs of temporal gain. Surveying the villages and castles, he raises himself by trade: he experienced fortune so propitious, that his property growing for the sake of acquiring, he exceeded his companions, and by the fruit of his merchandise supplied not so much his own as also his parents' want. On a certain day therefore about to seek a living in that place, which they call Wellestrem, he went forth to the seashores. The waves indeed drawn back into themselves for four miles by then had left dry sands, which the diligent explorer following found three dolphins; and from one, which appeared dead, cutting some pieces with a knife, he hastened his return. But the returning waves anticipate the solicitude of him running, he escapes various dangers and now the ankles, now the knees, now the legs, lastly the head they cover: and in a wonderful manner he began to struggle against the waters, and a more than one mile being accomplished under the swelling abyss, in the same place with his prey unharmed he landed, from which he had descended to the secrets of the sea's bosom; and to him deservedly that saying of the Prophet was suited, The abyss surrounded me, and the sea covered my head. Jonah 2:6 For in the crisis of many tempests he could by no infirmity of mind be cast down from the loftiness of faith, but rather amid perils of robbers, perils in the sea, perils in the journey, perils in the city, perils in the solitude, he merited to be defended by the protection of divine virtue.
[4] A course therefore of sixteen years in merchandise and the management of ships being completed, he goes on pilgrimage to the Relics of the Saints, he joined to the exercises of trading the labor of sacred pilgrimage. For the memorials of the Saints, whose benefits in perils he had experienced, he busied himself to frequent and venerate; nor did he propose only to visit their places and members corporally, but also to hear their conversation and constancy, and by the step of the heart spiritually to imitate. He began suddenly, taught by the magistral unction, to convert the love, which the wonted appetite of things displays outwardly to the eyes of beholders, inwardly with himself into a loathing of earthly ambition and a desire of voluntary poverty, and under a secular habit to set forth Monkish humility and simplicity. Already also he declined companions in almsgiving as enemies, according to that, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand does. Matt. 6:3
[5] He also went to Rome to the thresholds of the Apostles, and set out abroad to Jerusalem: likewise to Rome and Jerusalem. and his shoes being laid at the laver of the Jordan, thence with bare feet remaining until the day of his dissolution. And thence to his fatherland and his father's house (for he had not yet perfectly left the world) having returned: he subjected himself to the service of a certain Father of a family, and took the care of all his house. But there were there certain fellow-servants, who by night sought a living from the sheep and herds of others, and in the morning carried home flesh as if taken from hunting. And when Godric sometimes took food also from these, for flesh stolen and eaten and detected in it not at all the savor of game-flesh; he argued them guilty of theft, and accused them before their Lord of this worst crime. Led also by penitence, he went to the memorial of St. Giles b for the purgation of so great a transgression, and then resolved to visit Rome a second time. Whose desire when his mother had recognized, again with his mother to Rome, she bestowed company on her son, her husband permitting. Them therefore making the journey, a woman of admirable beauty adhered to them as inseparably as sociably, and most officiously ministered. The feet indeed of Godric, as often as he himself permitted, an Angel ministering to them; she washed, the bed also she made, and familiarly fitted herself to him by nights; but provoking his mind neither by sign, nor motion, nor speech to unlawful things, she rendered and exhibited herself visible only to him and his mother. Whence the man of the Lord was forced very much to hesitate, whether she were a true woman, or a phantasm lying hidden under a feminine garment. The journey of his pilgrimage therefore being accomplished, when they drew near to London, the woman bidding them farewell said: Behold the various perils of the Alps and of the longer way under my guidance you have escaped, and you have come to the desired knowledge of your native soil: but I return whence I departed, where I have the seat of perpetual rest and inhabit the house of God of heaven: but you bless the Lord and fear Him, and what you have asked from the holy Apostles in the end by the grace of God you will receive, and these things said she appeared not. And this sign of virtue agrees with the old history, that to the ignorant Tobias Raphael showed himself visible and diligently ministering in all things led him safe back to his father.
[6] By these first-fruits of signs Godric enticed to seek and procure heavenly things, was diligently revolving with himself the Lord's saying; all things distributed to the poor, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast, and come follow me. Matt. 19:21 He despised all that he had acquired; and his earthly merchandise being sold off into the use of the poor, by a happy commerce he purchased heavenly things. Deserting his parents and fatherland, he departs to the desert: he resolved to seek the deserts, and the Lord disposing came to Carlisle. And when he had made some stay there, the inhabitants began to venerate his conversation. Desiring to avoid their acquaintance, he sought the hiding-places of the woods, and inhabited the lairs of wild beasts; he abhorred neither the company of wolves, nor of serpents, nor the sight or touch of any untamed animals; nor only did these not harm their cohabitant, but also taught from heaven feared him. His food was roots and wild honey, nuts also and fruits; and in the solace of thirst the streams afforded a sweet cup. Scarcely could he accomplish the space of one stadium in walking, without either prostrate on the ground praying, or with bent knee raising tearful countenances to heavenly things: and wherever he was overtaken by the setting of the sun, passing the night he cast himself down. And so gathering the trackless places of the grove, he fell by chance into the cave of a certain solitary: and when they had not before seen each other, rushing into mutual embraces and kisses they saluted one another by their proper names; and sitting they refreshed themselves with divine discourses. Among these Godric, humbly prostrate to the old man, demanded that he grant him the grace of his society. To whom the elder replied: he dwells with Ethelric the solitary, That thou mayest instruct me, and at some time bury this aged carcase, the Lord has deigned to indicate this solitude to thee. They dwelt together therefore for two years and nine months, mutually preceding each other by examples of holiness; and the elder began suddenly to be destitute of the strength of body. But the more his infirmity grew, he serves the sick man the more vigilantly the diligence of his companion sat by him: and when he passed fifteen days and nights sleepless, he was wearied by long watchings. He resisted in every way himself, and made a covenant with his eyes that no slumber should creep upon him, by which he should not see the spirit migrating from the body. Overcome however by the desire of sleep, he slept till the morrow: and waking he found the old man dead: he laments him dead: and as if it should be imputed to his own sloth, that he had failed he vehemently grieved: and lying longer on tearful prayers, he recalled the spirit to its tabernacle, and how it again ascended the secrets of heaven he merited to behold. and sees it seek heaven. For the lifeless little body began suddenly to tremble, and in the panting breast the former inhabitant to palpitate: and after a little going forth again, wonderfully in a glassy sphere, surrounded with immense brightness, it showed itself to Godric praying; and ascending to heavenly things, of what merit and glory it was in the purity of glass it declared. The same old man was called d Ethelric, and the place of his dwelling was in e Wilsingham: the body the Brethren of f the monastery of Durham, for the grace of ancient familiarity, carried to Durham, and in their cemetery with worthy honor buried.
[7] Bereaved therefore of the solace of the venerable old man, having gone forth from that place, he walked alone through the deserts: and the divine piety, which by inspiring should anticipate his actions and by aiding dispose them unto salvation, strengthened by a heavenly voice and the admonition of St. Cuthbert, he diligently implored. And there was made a voice from heaven saying: When thou shalt return from Jerusalem, thou wilt more expeditiously war for Christ. At this voice filled with stupor, he invoked the help of the blessed Father Cuthbert, on whose patronage especially he trusted. And there stood by him suddenly one reverently clad in Pontifical garments, and professing himself to be Cuthbert, ordered him to pursue the journey commanded from heaven: and promising the solace of his guidance everywhere, set forth the place in which he was to fight against the enemy, and which was called Finchale. By the heavenly vision therefore and address strengthened, he walked exulting and giving thanks; and the grief which he had conceived from the loss of the aforesaid brother, tempering by the hope of the divine promise. he comes to the place Finchale: Running through the secrets of the Durham desert, he landed at length at a place horrid with thickets and brambles, passable for worms and serpents and hitherto frequented; whose interior he penetrated with the highest difficulty and diligently explored. But the shepherds who were in the vicinity crying out, let us go and water our flocks in Finchale; he perceived that this was the very place, which formerly to his conversation the divine revelation had foretold. But Finchale is called from a certain King of the Britons called Finch, who there with his men is reported to have dwelt. GERMANUS. But that place is situated above the bank of the river Wear, removed from the city of Durham g by two miles. This solitude therefore, h Ranulf Bishop of Durham granting, and receives it from Ranulf Bishop of Durham: he undertook to inhabit, and cutting branches from the grove, erected a small little house under a dense oak. REG. The ancient enemy therefore wishing to impede his holy endeavors, put on a wolfish image, and as if thirsting blood was borne against him with a rapid onset. But he turning to the arms of prayer, opposed the sign of the Cross, and the effort of the raging beast being curbed, as quickly as possible compelled it humbled to depart.
[8] GERM. But before he had fixed there the anchor of stability, he went to Jerusalem a second time with bare feet; and so the labors of his pilgrimage being completed, that he might more freely in mind go on pilgrimage in heavenly things, he sought again his own place; after another Jerusalem journey, and the eremitic life in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, in fastings and vigils and prayers he wove, and by the hands of patience and perseverance to the consummation he faithfully led it. The fierceness of beasts did not terrify him, there remaining intrepid not the multiplicity of worms, not the threats of robbers, not the phantasms of demons, not the sharpness of thorns, not finally the uncultivated deformity of the place itself (which so many discomforts had made uninhabitable and there had flowed together), because perfect charity casts out all fear outwards. And not only did he not dread the venomous society of serpents, but also about his feet and shins for the sake of hospitality he received them. There dwelt also with him for two years serpents of horrendous magnitude, he has serpents as familiars: entering as they wished and going out: and when a fire was kindled in the dwelling, they stretched themselves to the heat, and what sounds of congratulation they could they emitted, and laying aside their natural fierceness they appeared tame and palpable. Having at length found that the frequency of their staying or contemplation brought some injury to his meditations; with bare hands seizing them he cast them out, and under the adjuration of the divine name proclaimed perpetual exile from his hut. having passed into the plain And when for some days he had cultivated that place, and had dilated his bounds the density of the grove being plucked out; there appeared from afar
a plain not small, but by situation and aspect accommodated for inhabiting: to which transferring himself, he deserted the old little dwelling, and began to construct an oratory and the little houses necessary to himself. But time proceeding, he preaches to those coming. the fame growing with the virtue, there flowed together to him, as from remote as from neighboring parts of England, very many of diverse order and age of both sexes; and some indeed wondered at the change of the place, others venerated the novelty of the conversation in the soldier of Christ, others were kindled to the amendment of life and the imitation of holiness. To all he preached the word of salvation; and although he was a layman and had not learned letters, yet in his words he had the sentence of letters.
[9] REG. Avoiding above all the pest of boasting, he declined human sights: for he feared lest he could either be recognized by them, or also be found. But if he had foreseen any about to come, he fled to more secret places, and in pits or under thickets, until they should withdraw, He leaves to others the foods brought to him, living on roots. he lay hidden. Yet the neighbors, taught this custom, penetrated to his presence; and carrying foods with them, deposited them at his footsteps. Which abhorring he immediately rose, and went to more remote hiding-places. But them departing he came, and offering to the Lord what they had brought, and giving thanks for their salvation; to a more eminent hill, that they might pass into the uses of those passing by, he transferred them, sometimes he gave them to the poor and needy, sometimes he did not even touch them with his hands. Nothing at any time did he grant for the use of his own life: for on roots alone he still led the solitary life on earth. But in process of time that by his own labor he might help himself, he began with his hands to pluck out tamarisks, to subvert thorn-brakes with mattocks, and to commit the seeds of crops to the earth. Whence the neighborhood of the rustics being indignant called him a madman, he reaps abundantly the crops injuriously fed upon. and reproaching him out of spite fed their flocks on his crops protruding into ears. But he with silence patiently bore the injury inflicted: but at the time of harvest he not only found no scantiness, but also by a divine gift from the merit of patience received them multiplied.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
His austere life. The assaults of demons vanquished. His command over brute animals.
[10] The ancient enemy thence more keenly exercised his envy against the soldier of Christ: Tempted by a demon, for now he attacked by suggesting that he might cast him down into lasciviousness: now manifestly exhibiting himself, that he might be conquered by terror who could not be overcome by suggestion. But mostly he assumed the effigies of a roaring lion, or a laughing wolf, or a yelping little fox, or a raging bull. Sometimes with boar's teeth, with eyes extended to the dimension of one cubit, with distorted legs, with hooked feet, he set forth the deformity of a more deformed beast. The first battles against him the spirit of fornication arrayed, he conquers lasciviousness by fasting, and offered not only forms of women visible to the eyes of the flesh, but also invisible to the eyes of the heart. But the man of the Lord against the petulance of lasciviousness now continuing two-day, now three-day fasts, opposed saving abstinence: whole days also he passed without food. And when not even by these the fervor was quieted, by the example of the blessed Father Benedict, he rolled himself among the prickles of thorns and brambles, until the flesh flowed with blood and he had converted pleasure into pain. Sometimes agitated by passions he leaped into a vat filled with waters, which in his oratory he had buried more secretly. More often he passed the night praying in the river Wear freezing up to the neck, by cold. for he had prepared a suitable rock, in the manner of a wooden vessel round and hollow: and neither the harshness of winter could turn him from this custom, nor the inundation of the river, nor any intemperateness of the air. When at a certain time he persisted in prayers there the malign spirit visibly was present; and took his garments, the breastplate and the haircloth, which he had left upon the bank, and withdrew. Which being seen and he crying out "thief," confused he returned, and deposited them whence he had taken them. And when he was sitting at some time at the embers and warming himself, the tempter gave him a blow, so that headlong he rushed into the courtyard; because then he had detected idleness in him, idleness afterward was held as the greatest fault.
[11] To his bare body he applied an iron breastplate; and putting on haircloth above, clad with breastplate and haircloth, he covered both outwardly with a woolen garment. These garments he used for fifty years, and many haircloths being worn out as much by sweat as by age, he is reported to have consumed three breastplates: and it is stupendous that the hardness of stiff iron was devoured by the hardness of tender flesh. His bread was barley seasoned with ash. His drink, a very modest draught of water: for some said to the Father, that water was to be avoided. Pot-herbs, wild herbs, which gathering along the bank of the river or the solitude of the grove, he feeds on bread, water and herbs. and tearing them with a sharp stone or pounding them with wood, he put into a pot, and water being mixed cooked them with fire, from which he was wont to make little balls. Rarely in the day did he refresh himself: either praying or digging, or doing some work he protracted his fast into evening: but then on that bread and those little balls he fed, nor satisfied the gullet at all. GERM. If sometimes infirmity urging he touched fish or milk or cheese, they seemed so untouched, as if he had not touched them. His words savored of consolation and salvation. Who sad approached him, whom he did not forthwith make cheerful? Who hungry, whom he did not feed? Who naked, whom he did not cover? And if at any time the faculty of bestowing were lacking, there was in him always from charity a pious will. he lies hard; REG. His table was a broad stone, his bed the bare ground with haircloth spread over, and his pillow the stone which was also his table: from weariness sometimes overcome by slumber, leaning against the wall he lay down. To these virtues he applied also the custody of silence. On Lord's days and feast days he was free only for prayer: he keeps frequent silence. but on the second and fourth and sixth weekday he indulged in silence. From the first Lord's Day of the Lord's Advent, even to the passing of the very day of His nativity the fifth; and from the beginning of Septuagesima, even to the Octaves of Easter, and the week of the most holy solemnity of Pentecost, he had conversation with no one, unless he should make Confession, or had received license in commands from the Prior of Durham. His parents therefore he received that he might pay the debt to flesh and blood, yet not derogate from religion.
[12] For reciting the Office he receives a sign from heaven, The Canonical Hours he observed by ringing a little bell and chanting the Psalms: this custom although a layman he instituted for himself. The Psalter long before he had fully learned at Carlisle. He therefore at some time being occupied with some work, lest the appointed time of prayer should pass, a signal from heaven, no one ringing, sounded, and so he was wont to make his accustomed prayers: which many hearing were kindled to his praise. But he fearing, lest favor should induce boasting, obtained from the Lord that no one besides himself should any longer hear it. Nor is it wonderful if He gave the signal to make a sound of itself, who deigned to open the mouth of a brute animal. For forty years he waged a continuous conflict with the spirit of lust, then by the clemency of divine piety every passion of the flesh was subdued in him. GERM. Let modern hermits also hear and imitate, who, when they have scarcely yet tasted the tender first beginnings of holy conversion, betray themselves to the world, proceed to popular frequency, he remains 60 years in the desert, go about cities, require benefits for another cause of building a dwelling. Godric leading the solitary life for sixty years, fixed within himself by the foot of the heart, beyond his bounds bore not the foot of the body. REG. Yet he is reported to have come thrice to Durham, first on the Nativity, second on the Resurrection of the Lord, third at the command of Bishop Ranulf.
[13] REG. The manifold cunning of demons he often recognized in spirit, how some under nocturnal rest they enticed with delights, some they vexed with the disquietude of cares, some after many wrestlings vanquished they drove to the gulf of vices; to some of whom by forewarning he detected the same snares, and by the word of pious exhortation he recalled them to the way of salvation. he teaches that the illusions of demons are to be avoided. And although against him they directed various illusions, he himself was not deluded. For at a certain time returning from the garden, having entered the oratory he lay upon prayers: but the deluder of the human race standing by, began to rave against him with excessive fury. And when the holy man persisted immovable in prayer, seizing a box, in which the hosts of the offerings had been placed, and in these he persists unmoved: with as much strength as he could he hurled it at him lying. And when he still was not moved, with a horn with wine he struck him, and poured the liquor over him: afterward a little jug with holy water, then gathering all things which had stood upon the wood, on which the Cross was fixed, lastly plucking the wood itself from the wall, he cast it into the face of the one praying, and deluding him began with a lifted voice to sing and say: O rustic! O madman! as well do I know how to chant psalms, as thou with a crow's tongue to croak. Vanishing at length into smoke, he left after him a most foul stench. Nor even with these did he make an end of his malice.
[14] For when he had at some time gone out to dig the garden, there stood at the door one with downcast countenance, I would wish, he said, Lord, A Demon hires to him the work of a digger, to live with thee if it were lawful. Whom seeing a youth, fresh in strength and apt for labors, Remain, he said, as long as thou wilt and go work, and what shall be just I will give thee. And seizing the digging-tool from the father's hand he began to overturn the clods. But the man of the Lord returned to the oratory, and at some time returning from prayer to the workman, and detecting in him no signs of sweat, wondered at the perseverance of the digger: for in a short time the labor of one week he had completed. Who therefore he was, and is driven away by the presenting of a pious image. and what faith he professed inquiring,
the image namely of the Savior and the Crucified, and of blessed Mary and John the Evangelist, the venerable attendants of his Cross painted on parchment, he brought forth from his bosom, and hastily offered to the mouth of the seducer. But he, impatient of so great virtue, because he could not endure the kiss of the Cross, rushed upon the man of God: and tearing the same images among his hands, with the wonted stench vanished. But resolving that land to be uncultivated for seven years, as if for the purgation of the demonic stench, he frequently sprinkled it with holy water, and the seven years being completed began again to cultivate it.
[15] He added still, if he could contrive anything against the man of God. In the appearance of a pilgrim, miserable in aspect; clad in a shaggy habit, tall in stature, at another time under the appearance of an ulcerous pilgrim, with black hair bristly, he knocked at the door of the holy man; and that to his presence it might be granted him to come, he diligently implored. To whom the holy man going to meet him, sprinkled him with holy water; and prayer being made, they refreshed themselves with the obsequiousness of mutual salutation. Asked at length the dissembler who he was, A poor man, he said, inhabiting the neighboring desert, and I have found no friend there except a certain noble matron, whom in many things I remember to have obeyed me and done well: and longer sighing for thy conversation, now at last I have come to visit thee, whatever occasion of other business being put aside, that something for my want he may confer of thy mercy. To whom the holy man (for he was moved by his miseries) offered white bread and a penny lately offered. he offers himself to be felt, Which being received he offered him the ulcers of his body to be felt: Behold, he said, how great torments for Christ I have suffered. The holy man therefore skilfully explored the places of the scars, and finding the softness of the flesh fugitive at every touch, more quickly with stupor withdrew his hand. To whom the seducer, Do not abhor, he said, these my miseries, but rather study to imitate them; but in vain. always I fast and never eat, always I watch and never sleep, night and day I sustain torments, now I plunge myself in the waves of Gehenna, now I raise myself to the summits of heaven, and here and there wandering and a fugitive through the air I run. These things said he was dissolved into stench, and vanished. So great burnings invaded the man of God, that they almost rendered him unmindful of himself; but flying to the wonted instance of prayer, he vanquished all lasciviousness.
[16] Under the overflowing Wear How great he was in the summit of virtue the prepotent grace of operation testified among the peoples. For when the inundations of the river Wear had occupied all the vicinity, and had covered all his buildings, not even a drop was found to have fallen in them. The peoples from the neighborhood ran together going around the places, and concerning the death of the man of God conferring complaining to one another. he is found dry. The rage of the waters being at length calmed, they themselves wondering found the man of God prostrate in prayer; and not only unharmed and sound, but utterly afflicted by no moisture. Asked indeed why he had not fled the imminent waves, he replied, that until then he knew not that any inundation had broken in: for so far had the virtue of his mind been suspended in prayer, that the sense of the flesh was lulled in him. Let your charity weigh which of these it should choose as more stupendous, that there was dew on all the earth, and dryness in the fleece, or that the waters covered Godric's hut, and Godric was not touched. Either is the work of divine virtue, and is wonderful in our eyes. For making the greater faith of this virtue it pleases to recall to memory, what blessed Gregory reports to have happened in the church of St. Zeno a the Martyr: for the river increasing came to the windows which were next the roofs, and the open doors as if changed into the solidity of the wall it closed, and that which as water could be drawn, knew not to flow away in water. In the translation also of the blessed Father Cuthbert b it is read, that when there was the greatest serenity of the air, suddenly an inundation of rain burst forth, nor did it harm the ornaments of the church which then all were exposed, nor the garments of those who then more elegantly walked. at another time he sets a bound to the waters. At another time also, the river exceeding its channel, ruin threatened his houses; but then Godric went to the waters; and striking with a rod which he carried in his hand, by the virtue of words he repressed it: for the river at the voice of the man of God gathering its waves into itself, powerfully turned itself back against the opposite rock, and violently wrested a multitude of stones from the rock. Sometimes the waves raging he opposed a Cross made of twigs saying: Hitherto let it be permitted you to come, and let your fierceness not exceed the bounds of this sign; nor did they transgress the command.
[17] For the refreshment of the poor he had planted pot-herbs, which c a little wolf furtively fed upon. But this injury he himself longer tolerated: he corrects a hare feeding on the pot-herbs: the footsteps at length betrayed the person of the offender, and he caught the thief in his garden, and bids the one quickly fleeing to stop. But the wretched beast forthwith stuck, and fearing and trembling sustained the coming of the pursuer. Whom the holy man having seized he struck with a rod, and binding the produce of pot-herbs on its shoulders dismissed it with these words; Beware lest thou or any of thy kindred come hither henceforth, and presume to invade what is to profit the uses of the poor. And it was done so.
[18] He had planted also a shrubbery, whose flowers and extreme tendernesses a deer was wont to gnaw off: he drives away a deer and beasts harmful to the shrubbery, whom he himself at some time having found and attempting flight by a slight extension of his hand he commanded to wait; and it stood, and as if it emulated the form of human penitence with bent neck and lowered head it seemed to ask pardon at his feet. And he had pity on it, and the hand, which he extended to blows, he restrained: and placing his belt around its neck he led it outside the enclosure, and permitted it to go whither it wished. Untamed animals also brought damage to the pot-herbs and trees: to which the venerable Father going forth, as if tame and domesticated rebuked them with a rod, and threatening them beyond his bounds, forbade perpetual entrance to his garden. From which it can be gathered that in Godric there flourished again the virtue of Mennas d the solitary. For this venerable Father caught bears, and he objects their obedience to men. coming from the inmost wood that they might eat his bees, and struck them with the ferule which he was wont to carry in his hand. At his words also the monstrous beasts roared and fled: and those which could not fear swords, dreaded from his hand the blows of the ferule. These things he was wont frequently to relate for the sake of example to those coming to him, arguing the insolence of men; that whereas to man the elements and beasts are subservient, he himself disdains to obey the precept of God, to whose likeness he is made.
[19] In the Southern parts of England the Scottish rage running far and wide, The Scots plundering his furniture, devastated the country with plunderings and rapines. Some therefore of the robbers rushed to the hut of the holy man, and plundering the ornaments of the altar, trampled also the Eucharist with nefarious foot. At length plundering his furniture they provoked him with foul speeches, and lastly assailed him with deadly swords: but being yet by a certain one prohibited from perpetrating the crime, his heifer, which they could not lead away, they wickedly transfixed with their lances. But this divine vengeance forthwith followed: they are punished with death: for one of them turned into madness chewed his tongue with his teeth, and casting himself into a lake underwent perpetual death. Another intercepted in the passage of the river Wear, breathed out his spirit. But the rest as they were accomplices in the crimes, so they were made partakers of the death inflicted. Certain others had heard that some money was laid up with the man of God, others attempting the same wander all night: and that by night they might rush upon him by the instinct of the devil they gave their right hands; and wandering all night through the neighboring solitude, his cell indeed from the opposite side they beheld from afar, and supposing they were drawing near struck from heaven with blindness, they withdrew farther. Morning being made, worn out by cold and labor, they recognized that they had wandered in woody places; and confused and empty they returned to their own, and these things afterward to the man of God doing penance they humbly confessed. Here is renewed the ancient miracle of Elisha, who when he tarried in Dothaim the Syrian persecutors besieged him by night, and struck from heaven with blindness and led away, on the morrow were found in Samaria.
[20] In the times of Ranulf Bishop of Durham, certain of his household having gone out for the sake of hunting, a deer which they had chosen as comely above the rest, pursued with dogs. Which when by clamor and barking it was urged to the capture, fled to the asylum of Godric, and with plaintive bellowings was thought to demand help. he receives a deer fleeing to him. But the venerable man going forth, saw the beast worn out by labor and trembling standing before the doors, and pitying its bellowings ordered silence to be commanded, and opening to it the entrance of his little hut granted. Which soon rolled itself to the footsteps of the Father. But he perceiving the hunters to be at hand near, went out, and the door being closed behind his back sat down under the open sky: but the dogs, as if saddened by the loss of the prey, returned against their masters with a huge barking. But they nevertheless pursuing the footsteps of the deer surrounded the place, and penetrating the density of thorns and brambles almost inaccessible, and making a path for themselves with iron, found the man of God clothed with vile little rags; and asked about the deer, he would not be a betrayer of his guest, but prudently brought forth; God knows where it is. But they beholding in his countenance the Angelic comeliness, and venerating the holiness of his religion, fell down, and asked pardon for their rash daring. And who afterward often were wont with admiration to relate concerning what had happened to them there, and by the frequency of this relation transmitted the memory of this matter to posterity. The deer therefore dwelt with Godric until evening: whom he then permitted free to depart, and which for many years was wont to turn aside thither, and falling at his feet with what obsequiousness it could seemed to pay thanks for its rescue. likewise merciful toward other wild beasts. This sign of virtue therefore I have taken care to relate, for arguing the insolence of those, who when from perils and misery they have been rescued, of benefits are sometimes found ungrateful. Hares also and other wild beasts, avoiding the instance of hunters, taught by divine instinct turned aside to him: which he mercifully received into hospitality, and when an opportune time came dismissed. But also birds whose flight the winter rigor had taken away, in his bosom he revived, until he had repaired them to their former strength. If also he had known any bird or beast captured and hidden by his attendants, he came to the place, and rebuking their inclemency, set it free. For he so abounded in the gift of mercy, that he not only bore pious bowels [in] the care of men, but also exercised the affection of piety toward animals.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER III.
An oratory of St. John the Baptist constructed. Fish caught of their own accord. Marvels seen by him in the effigy of the Cross.
[21] [He constructs an oratory dedicated to St. John the Baptist by a heavenly admonition:] These and other works of virtues flourishing for the venerable man, the devotion of the faithful pressed, that he who had diffused his fame all around, should also make his little church greater according to the opinion. He yielded indeed, not because he desired to dilate his own straits, but that the gifts and vows of those asking should pass into perpetual remedies for them. Which when it had been for the great part constructed, he was solicited in honor of which Saint it should be dedicated. And there stood by him one coruscating with so great brightness, that the splendor took away from his eyes the knowledge of the person… and he said: I am John the Baptist, to whom the custody of thy life is delegated by the Lord: to my name this house which is being built will be consecrated, and to all invoking the name of the Lord in it through me He will be found placable. The dedication therefore being made that place in Finchale became thence most famous, but after the death of the same Father it was made more glorious by the manifold glorification of signs.
[22] To a certain boy of Godric sleeping the holy Forerunner appeared, who declares that the affairs of Godric are under his protection, and persuaded him diligently to note the things shown. He saw therefore the hedges beset with a multitude of crows, and understanding that they were evil spirits, he vehemently shuddered. Whom the Saint consoling led into the garden, and ordered him to direct his eyes to the church. Which being done he beheld three demons sitting upon the gate of the orchard, and demolishing a certain boy of Godric with various torments. When at his miseries he asked his guide to come to his aid, he replied: Fear not: Not thou, but all who plunder my things and those of my servant Godric by stealth shall sustain such punishments from demons: but he if he shall more quickly do penance, will be able to obtain both my grace and the pardon of his offenses. Defer not to persuade him this, that he may escape the miseries prepared for him.
[23] Asked also at some time, why the silences of midnight he had discharged with modulated voices; John, and there with the Saints he keeps the feast. he said, the Baptist, whose solemnity we venerate this day, deigned to visit this his church. For leading and leading back the heavenly citizens to the Oratory of B. Mary, with a solemn procession they celebrated the proclamations of the nocturnal Office: of whose delights because I a wretch was present, from the divine praises I could not abstain. These and very many other benefits in the same place the holy Herald of the Lord showed, as much for the consolation of his servant as for the glorification of the sacred place; for exciting also in modern times the devotion of the faithful, and for checking, if any injury they contrive against his servants, the malice of the wicked.
[24] The same memorable Father across the river Wear from bank to bank had constructed a pond, in which he had composed weirs apt for the capture of fish, where certain miracles are reported to have happened by the Brethren. For a certain one for the sake of conversation more frequently visited him, and at some time asking license to return was not permitted to depart empty. The attendant was therefore ordered to go down to the weirs, and to bring a fish if any should there have stuck: Godric foretells that two fish will be found. who testified that nothing was retained in the capture, since he had departed thence forthwith. To whom the Saint: Hasten as quickly as possible, because one most fresh and another lean caught await thy coming. He went down therefore, and brought back fish such as he had prophetically described. And the man of God said: Give the better to the man about to depart, but the worse reserve for thyself, because thou always murmurest against my commands.
[25] At another time, the venerable solemnity of the blessed Forerunner being at hand, there were directed who should celebrate the divine mysteries two Brethren of the monastery of Durham: which being performed, they ask leave of the Father to return. But he calling the attendant, A banquet, he said, prepare more quickly, and set on foods such as we have, because the sons of B. Cuthbert my Brethren are with me today to eat. And bread and milk being set on, beholding the table very scanty, he ordered that he should bring in also a fish. Who wondering replied: Whence to us a fish in so great dryness of heat? we can pass with dry foot where we were wont to extend the nets. To whom Godric: Go, and extend my drag-net in the dry places. Who fulfilled the commands, and no fish being found returned empty. Then the Saint: Put water into the cauldron, and set it under the fire, and return to the bank. Coming often and not finding, from the weariness at length of the ungrateful labor he refused to return further. And the holy man said to him: Go even now, because at this same hour a most excellent salmon is there shut in, which for the cause of his festival the holy Baptist has deigned to exhibit to us. He went, and with vehement stupor brought back the one found, cut it, and put it to be cooked into the boiling cauldron. And the Brethren were refreshed, filled with joy and at the same time admiration, marveling how in a dry pond a fish could be found; and the man of God speaking with them and remaining in the cell, recognized the fish retained in the drag-net.
[26] A certain robber by night went down to the same weirs as usual, and prudently perceiving very large salmons to stick in them, burned with the torches of a greater desire. But the man of the Lord, who as usual passed the night in the waves, he helps a thief in stealing a salmon: perceiving nearer an unwonted sound, secretly came, found the thief; and because he was wont to indulge in silence at the nocturnal hours, he signified by hand and nods to persist in the things begun; he began by drawing out to help the thief, to lay up the drawn-out ones in a sack, and lifting them with his shoulders to impose them. REG. He taught also the way of safety by which he might flee, and until he had passed his enclosure he ceased not to be a companion of the journey. But the attendant who lay nearer hidden in the hut, and kept the night-watch over the fishery, seeing the things which were done, restrained the impetus of his mind by fear, and presumed neither to touch the thief with his hand, nor even to argue him with words. Morning therefore being made he said to his Lord; Why dost thou bid us watch, when thou thyself this night wast the helper of thy thief? To whom he: He was more worthy to have the fish than we, because he was more diligent and more vigilant for the capture than we: for our need of it was greater. You would think also that he said, Let him have it for himself, no one will be able to argue us of severity or of sin; for in every way he labored that he might rescue the guilty from the hands of those lying in wait, and pricking him to penitence might free him also from the hand of eternal death; following the example of that Father b, from whom while thieves had taken all things, pursuing them fleeing in gentleness, he offered also the sack which remained; not only recalling them to the sack, but rather leading them back to the amendment of life.
[27] GERM. Sitting at some time at the door of his oratory, and holding the psalter in his hands, he heard behind his back suddenly a sound as of the whistle of a thin breeze. REG. He had had then a conversation with his friend. But among the words of pious confabulation his mind did not withdraw from the supernal. Looking therefore to the altar, he saw the banner of the Cross moved, he sees the Cross moved to the altar, and exhorted his friend to the spectacle of so great a novelty: and again it began to nod, and the image of the Crucified shook itself as if it lived, the third time leaping from its place upon the altar, and then upon the pavement descended: and afterward through other regions of the oratory transferring itself with a wonderful motion, lastly upon the steps with extended arms it fell down; and an interval of one hour being passed, returning in the order in which it came, into the hole in which before it had stood it betook itself. Both beholding these things with silence vehemently were amazed; and the guest withdrawing the athlete of Christ sending summoned c William the Bishop to his conversation, and set forth to him the things which he had seen, and inquired what their vision portended. GERM. But the Bishop moved into anger, and indicates to William the Bishop his death, I thought, he said, thee to be a man of great discretion; the manifold affairs of my church occupied me, in which necessarily from Pastoral solicitude I ought to have been present; but having received thy command I resolved to come, for I hoped to hear some word of edification; but now what to the matter if thy Cross has fallen, or what mystical in its fall could be understood? The exposition of this vision prefigures thy departure from the world to be imminent. But he: Not, he said, mine, but what weeping I say, thine: for that Cross is thy person, and its motion is thy migration from this life. For in the same year the Bishop died, and another into his Bishopric, namely the Lord d Hugh du Puiset, was substituted: who the Archbishop of York Henry resisting his consecration, resolved to go to Rome, and as companions of this journey he especially chose Lawrence the Prior, and master Lawrence. But master Lawrence went to the man of God, and to others future things. and indicated concerning the journey undertaken. To whom he jestingly replied: You two Lawrences dispose to go to Rome, but neither will both come thither, nor will both return to Durham. The event forthwith proved the matter, for master Lawrence on the very journey at e St. Alban's received the monastic habit, and the Prior on his return failed in Gaul.
[28] GERM. He sitting before his altar, and gazing on the Cross, of which it was said above, a little boy comely above the sons of men, from the right side of the Crucified, by a certain likeness of birth, broke forth; and descending upon the altar, came to the image of the blessed Virgin Mary, which stood nearer; and ascending into her lap made there some delay; [he sees a little boy go forth from the side of the crucified to the image of St. Mary] and going thither and remaining there poured forth a melody of so great sweetness with an ineffable song, that the holy man thought himself present at the songs of the Angels. REG. And descending upon the altar he surveyed the whole oratory here and there jestingly walking about, and at some time approaching the servant of God invoking with suppressed voice the Lord Jesus, and return: with hand lifted joyful in face and smiling with eyes he blessed him. Which being done ascending the altar he often turned back friendly glances upon him, and the side from which it went forth received the image returning, nor did any trace appear. But the boy shone, as he was wont to testify, with so great beauty, as neither the mind can conceive, nor human speech can bring forth. Since mortal infirmity is amazed at these things, let it be wise soberly with the Apostle, and what it cannot discuss, let it piously believe: nor let human reason presume to comprehend, if anything beyond the capacity of human frailty divine virtue works wholesomely. And this which I narrate it better corroborates by its own example, that B. Athanasius f commemorates wrought in an image of the Savior. For when the Jews had longer mocked Him in that image, and had fulfilled the rest of the signs of His passion, last of all they perforated the side with a lance, and as if from the flesh of Christ formerly wounded forthwith there went out
blood and water. just as from a wooden crucifix at another time blood went forth. A certain one pierced it through the middle with a sword, and the garments suddenly being sprinkled with gore he cast it into a well; but the persecutor being betrayed through the waters made bloody, it being drawn out, showed a scar in the side, and healed the scar in the one confessing. Another cut off the head, and the woody nature before the face of the point softened, and into the hard wood as if into fragile flesh the sword plunging passed through. Why therefore is it held an offense to hard ears, if now the Lord in His Cross appeared wonderful, if His own form He wonderfully filled, if from His image He wonderfully went forth; since also we read demons to have dwelt in their idols, and through wooden or stone mouths to have given responses. And indeed these things Godric did not do, but this surely was Godric's, that he merited to see these things. Those therefore who lacerate the life of the man of God and deride his virtues, I pray let them lay aside their laughter, and put on fear, lest from human presumption they offend the injury of the Creator, while they disdain to confess and venerate His power in His Saints.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER IV.
The eternal salvation of his mother, sister, brother; and the known death of many others, the foretold death of various ones.
[29] No small time being elapsed from when he began to dwell in Finchale, there came to him his uterine sister, with a spiritual desire of dwelling there with him. His sister, whom he had removed far from himself, For whom her venerable brother constructed a little cell not far from the oratory, in which dedicated to chastity, and intent on vigils and fastings and the studies of good works she led for some years a life. Afterward, whether from his own deliberation, I know not, or by another's counsel, fearing, lest from her cohabitation an occasion of temptation should arise, or he should suffer the harm of his fame, he began to loathe the nearness of contiguity, after the example of B. Augustine the Bishop, who did not consent to dwell with his sister, saying: Those who are with my sister, are not my sisters. Which being learned the Brother of good remembrance Radulf the almoner transferred her to Durham, dead at Durham, where she herself in the hospital house, the rest of the time of her days being completed in holiness and chastity, with a blessed end rested. Of whose death the man of the Lord vehemently grieved, and although of the perseverance of her virginity he doubted less; yet what sentence according to her merits she had received from the supreme Judge, by continual prayers and tears he labored to obtain some knowledge. When therefore he clung unceasingly to vigils and prayers, he saw two old men of venerable whiteness, the blessed Mother of God Mary preceding, enter the church of the same Virgin: who led between them a most noble matron, in countenance and the adornment of garments shining above the ray of the sun, whom he sees with the Mother of God and lifting her between their hands, upon the base of the altar reverently placed her. Whom the holy man diligently beholding, was amazed; and recognizing the same as his sister, he burst into tears of exultation. GERM. O sister, he said, most sweet, what is the cause of thy coming, or from what shores hast thou come hither? To whom she: God has sent me to thee for this, that henceforth thou be not solicitous concerning me, for not torments but joys eternal hold me, and wonderfully He so makes a footstool of my feet, that with them to touch the earth even if I wished it is not permitted. She therefore raised her voice, and with a sweet modulation of song soothed the attentive hearing of her wondering brother. and understands that she is saved, But the song was:
That I might not with foot tread the contagions of the world's earth, Thus my Lady holy Mary led me.
The two men also, of whom one held the right of the altar, the other the left, having booklets in their hands, applauded also with a voice of jubilation and said, Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison. And they being silent, she repeated her song; and she falling silent they subjoined, Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison. When therefore for a very long time with alternate proclamations of praises they had served, upward into the air they ascended, and whither they turned aside no traces they left. But Godric on bent knees gave thanks to almighty God, and most certainly knew that the soul of his sister had been joined to the heavenly spirits.
[30] REG. That he might rescue the soul of his mother lately deceased from punishments, thus also he knew his mother loosed from purgatory: he implored the Lord with continual prayers; and afflicting himself more grievously for her deliverance, in the river Wear, no inclemency of the air keeping him from the waters, often passing the night he prayed. On a certain night therefore, when the night was performing the middle journey in its course, having gone out from the waves, he detected human footsteps in the fresh snow, preceding him to the oratory; but the persons through the shadows he could not recognize: and having entered the oratory he beheld two men holding the horns of the altar. And when longer he gazed at them, he who had occupied the right of the altar, said: Knowest thou, Godric, who I am? He answering, No, he subjoined, I am John the Baptist, to whom many prayers for the soul of thy mother thou hast offered; and this night I have rescued her from the lake of misery, and brought her hither for thy consolation. The man of the Lord therefore beholding more diligently the image shown, and truly recognizing his mother, rejoiced with great joy; and gave thanks to God and the most holy Forerunner.
[31] and his brother drowned freed by his prayers, But his brother sailing on the aforementioned river, a tempest suddenly arising overturned the little boat, and he absorbed by the waters perished. Whom being buried Godric with so great desolation of soul, for his so horrible death, was wearied, that he was scarcely believed able to breathe for any consolation: and as if he had undertaken to wash away all his sins, with sharper vigils and fastings he afflicted his body, and with many torments to slay himself in the sight of the Lord ceased not: for he applied a fresher breastplate and the sharpness of a more rigid haircloth. God had pity on his tears and labors, and deigned to bind up the contritions of his heart. For when on a certain night he was lying down at his wonted prayers, and for the spirit of his brother fixed his chin from the ground; there stood by him the same his brother saying; Lo Godric, how great torments hitherto have I run through? but now through thee rescued in the heavenly Jerusalem to the assemblies of good spirits I am joined. And these things said from his eyes he vanished. Godric therefore gave thanks to almighty God, and the sorrow of desolation, which from his brother's death he had put on, by the consolation of so great a vision he laid aside. GERM. There came on the following day the Prior of Durham, namely Germanus and some brethren, the word of life (as they were wont) to receive from him: but beholding him among the words, they wondered that he was both more pleasant in his accustomed speech, and appeared more cheerful in face. To whom he: Wonder not, he said, if my countenance smiles more joyfully, if my mind protests joy; because the past night the Lord wonderfully by His mercy regarded me. after 16 years he knew: For when I prayed I heard on high the voice of those singing, and beheld an ineffable splendor shining from above. And wishing more certainly to know what it was, I rose, raised my ears, directed my eyes to heaven, and saw the soul of my brother, deceased sixteen years before, carried by Angels to the heavenly things. This is the cause of the new joy, this the solemnity of internal gladness, because I give thanks to almighty God, and my spirit exults in God my salvation.
[32] absent he knows another slain, There was a certain bailiff with the Bishop defamed as if he had dissipated his goods. The day was at hand, on which by the mediation of a duel a proof should make faith to the truth, and the combat being begun the innocent man succumbing to frequent blows perished. Which the man of the Lord remaining in his cell having learned in spirit, rings the little bell, calls his attendants, saying I beseech you remember Ethelwold, who yesterday came to us, and just now fighting in the hands of his adversary failed. They were amazed, and said he was raving. To whom he: I do not rave, but again the same things I affirm. There came meanwhile a Cleric from the city, and as the holy man had foretold at the same hour he professed it to have happened. GERM. But when he prayed, and commended the soul to God with devout prayers, a miracle unheard of from the world happened. For the spirit of the dead man hastened, and came with so great a crash, that as if by one onset the magnitude of the whole grove plucked from its foundations had made a ruin. It stood by him emitting miserable groans: Woe to me, crying out, who then himself appears. Woe to me; and as if passing in the twinkling of an eye, it slipped away to the place destined for it. Wonderful to say and stupendous to hear, that that spirit, which yesterday in the body invisibly lying hidden, to him from whom it sought the benefit of prayer, today without body visible immediately exhibited itself. But by divine mercy it was permitted, that while it showed of what merit he had been, it might manifestly admonish to the works of assistance; and he who for the rescue of mortal life was heard, for the salvation of the soul could be heard. And not to the punishments of the lower regions, but to the places of those to be purged is he to be believed to have come, for whom by the authority of so great a vision the holy man was ordered to pour forth prayers. For manifoldly the manifold mercy of God consults for the human race: for to His goodness it is to be attributed, that [for] the consolation and admonition of the living the spirits of the dead exhibit themselves; that while from the quality of the visions the causes of necessities have become known, to the remedies of benefits they may be excited.
[33] REG. A man of venerable life b Robert, Abbot of Newminster, about to receive the nourishments of pious consolation, he foretells his death to St. Robert the Abbot, more often came down to Finchale: to whom once about to depart the man of the Lord Godric forewarned by the spirit of prophecy said: Remember me, Father, because
in this corruption of the flesh thou wilt see my face no more. The Abbot therefore departed, and falling on a bed of sorrow migrated from the world. And when Godric was remaining in his cell, and he sees his soul carried into heaven he saw two white walls extended to heaven, in which three Angelic spirits appeared, who bore the spirit of the aforesaid Abbot in a fiery globe to the supernal things. Which when at some time to the Brethren secretly he related, sighing, he burst into tears and sobs, although he taught them by the example, with how great desire they ought to pant for the heavenly fatherland. It happened also that certain ones from the city came for the sake of visitation, from whom he began to inquire what news was being said in it. But they said, that both to the people and to the Bishop, a huge sadness had emerged concerning the death of a certain Abbot Robert; for on the second weekday he died. To whom he: Not so, sons, but on the preceding Sabbath he began to be urged to his departure: together with the soul of Editha dead at the same hour for not by the Lord's disposition could he alone migrate, because with him a woman of good life departed from Hastings: he added also that she was called Editha c. And although they were deceased separated by a long space of lands, yet at the same hour in the same lot of beatitude they are joined, and still are vigorous the eyes which merited to behold this. But wicked spirits rushed to meet the spirit of the same Abbot, but the Angels contending for him, the devil is confounded in his presumption, and into the bosom of Abraham that blessed one is received. To certain Fathers we read it was granted by God to see similar things with the eyes of the flesh. For the venerable Father Cuthbert saw the soul of St. Aidan, and Blessed Benedict the soul of Germanus Bishop of Capua carried by Angels into heaven; nor is it wonderful if Godric saw similar things, from whose life his conversation was not dissimilar.
[34] he foretells the death of a monk. When the Abbot Ethelred of holy remembrance was speaking with the man of God Godric, a certain Brother of the monastery of Durham, who had come with the same Abbot, went around the holy places; and the circuit being made at length upon the tomb, which the holy man had hewn for himself out of stone, he sat down. Which he beholding, said to the Abbot: Deservedly that brother draws near the tomb, because the day of his deposition is at hand close by. Returning therefore to Durham, suddenly seized by fever, within fifteen days (according to the word which the Saint spoke) he was brought to his last.
[35] GERM. So when still a younger hermit he cultivated his solitude, not caught by the elation of a hypocrite did he hand himself over to be ruled by himself, but to the magistery of the venerable Roger Prior of the monastery of Durham he subjected the service of his mind: from whom he received both the instruction of the regular life and the form of the spiritual warfare: for he was a monk of renowned religion and continence, and to the man of God bound by the grace of special friendship. of Roger the Prior his master This man therefore, when on a certain day he had come to him by custom, and the obsequiousness of the sacred admonition being completed had returned to the monastery, the ancient enemy found him resting on his couch, and with great rancor of voice and mind assailed him with reproaches. Why, he said, didst thou come to that madman today, and detect to him my snares? in vain dost thou labor on that rustic: and on this occasion have this as the reward of thy labor. And this said with a noise from his hinder parts he cast out a smoke of intolerable stench, which the same Prior bearing with huge anguish of heart and spirit, the sign of life being impressed on his senses, scarcely escaped. he indicates eternal salvation to others. The same Father therefore when he had completed the course of the present life, in good old age was taken from the world: whose deposition to many was an occasion of moderated grief: for he was not only a pious receiver of the poor, but also the only consoler of the rich, whence the whole company of the peoples conjectured that no one like him would rise in the Priorate. Some one therefore of those grieving hastened to the asylum of B. Godric, and disclosed how lamentable a discord of religion had befallen the Brethren of Durham. To whom the Saint: The hour of his dissolution before almost the fourth day I evidently understood, and his spirit led to the beatitude of paradise I truly recognized. He therefore being dead the man of the Lord Godric chose the Priors of Durham as set over him, and under their rule as long as he lived he warred.
[36] REG. Also in the first time of his conversation, content with only one little boy, he dwelt as a solitary: to whose custody he had commended one cow, which for the sustenance of life he had. Which he, whether because he was very tender, or was wont to be detained by morning slumber, more often neglecting the office passed it over. Which the holy Father understanding, came, he commands the cow to go out to pasture and to return and placing his girdle around the neck of the brute animal, the boy hearing said: Come and follow me, and with me proceed to the pasture; but at sunrise henceforth without a leader go forth alone, and at noon or evening when an opportune time shall come return to me to be milked. It did as he had commanded, as if he had commanded this not a beast but a man: and if perhaps he had been in the church, it stood at the door, and uttered a bellowing as if calling him; and he going out it offered its udders to be milked, and then went away whither it wished. And he who saw these things by his relation bore testimony, how mature in morals and grave in age he was.
[37] A certain inhabitant of Durham complained to the holy man, that he had longer fasted from his conversation. To whom he, As now first, so thou seest me last. Faith follows the words straightway: for that man is seized by a sudden sickness, and sending consulted the saint if from that sickness he could recover. And he answered: Dispose for thy house, and hasten to give thy faculties to the poor, because thou wilt die and not live. Which heard he did as he received in commands, and forthwith departed from human affairs. For the man of God foresaw and foretold the departure of many, beheld the spirits of many carried to joys, the souls of many bought with his prayers and tears he rescued from torments.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER V.
Health conferred on the sick. By the spirit of prophecy future things foretold, things far absent known. Temptations overcome.
[38] REG. But neither did the grace of cures fail him. For a certain Cleric, afterward Archdeacon of Durham, labored by the force of fevers: the desperation at length of the languishing one more gravely urged fear. A wholesome counsel therefore being found, He heals several with blessed bread. he ordered himself to be carried by horse to the Hermit, who dwelt nearby. And being placed at the Father's blessing, and at his command receiving of the fruits of the little garden and of bread, soon he understood himself healed; and returning needed no support of his men, by whose lifting carried he had come. A certain Abbot about to depart from the Blessed man, asked some little gift to be given him, to whom he offered bread brought forth from the basket: of which, as the same Abbot was wont to relate, fifteen sick who worn out by various labors had failed took, and were restored to their former health without delay. a dying man: A certain one likewise of a neighbor and friend dying brought to the father pitiable complaints; whose grief he compassionating, signed bread with the sign of life: who hesitating nothing concerning the merits of the venerable man, attempted to taste the bread first, and forthwith by the merit of his faith recovered.
[39] After these things an ulcerous tetter had clothed the whole soldier of Christ, He rubs his ulcers with straw, so that from himself he unceasingly vomited venomous putrefaction: but he applied dire solaces to the dire gapings, which salt being put in he rubbed with twists of straw to the effusion of blood, saying: If God punishes in me what I have offended, I also will punish that I may escape what I have merited. And when more by the weariness of the labor than by the anguish of the pain he was wearied, he cruelly applied an attendant to the same work: who being fatigued, to his torments he himself heavier than his tormentor returned, having his hand for a physician and his nails for ointments. Nor did he desist from this custom, until all the infirmity utterly vanished, and the newness of the growing skin put on an infantile evenness. Another Job therefore I would call Godric, for that one scraped the gore with a potsherd, this one wiped it off with twisted straw.
[40] Among the other gifts of divine power he had received also the gift of prophecy. he knew of disputes arisen far off: For there arose in the eastern parts of England, between the ministers of the King and of the Bishop of Durham, over the royal lodgings violently occupied a dispute: now and now swords being drawn wounds and contumelious blows of words had come. Which Godric, lying hidden in the corner of our West, having learned in spirit, sending the monks of Durham persuaded them, to pray incessantly for their Bishop, lest perhaps against him the indignation of the King had blazed up. But the Bishop returning it was so known to have happened, as formerly it became known by the forewarning of the blessed man.
[41] A certain friend of his, sick in the parts of London, inquiring, if he should die, promising health, foretold a future pilgrimage to St. James. he foretells health to a sick man: To whom when he himself afterward directed a boy, excusing himself, that he had never seen the man nor his house; the village in which he dwelt and the site of the house, which he himself had not seen, he so described, that he came thither without a guide, and without an informer fully proved both.
[42] The Prior of the monastery of Durham coming to him he rebuked, because he neglected the care of that place delegated to him, while he permitted the crops destined for the needy to be consumed by the not-needy. And when he hesitated, and from amazement was silent; he said that he had had three men meet him in the wood, he indicates who met others on the way and the riding-beast and the appearance of the horses, and their salutations, and his silence he plainly taught. Such, he said, are they who here consume all things. To a certain Brother he made complaint concerning his attendant, that he had carried a sack full of grain, and secretly sent it to his wife: and gave a sign that before he had reached the end of the grove, he had met a certain red horse and a bald man sitting on it, who carried the sack. And he asserting it to be so, the attendant who stood nearer confused was afraid, and for his rash presumption did penance.
[43] Another about to return to Durham the same day by the precept of the Father went, and what had happened. and from a certain man of Durham received a cheese to be carried to the Father, which in the evening turning aside home he showed to his wife. She forthwith burned with desire of that food, and through the concupiscence of the gullet exhibited a new Eve. Morning being made the Father rebuked him coming for the delay, and disclosing (he wondering and worn out with trembling) what on the way he had done, ordered the cheese to be carried to the woman. It is better, he said, that she refresh thence a hungry and saddened soul, than that we afford superfluous provision to our stores. Wherefore he represented another Elisha by the likeness of the work,
who being placed far off recognized what Gehazi had offended on the journey. And it was brought about that individuals feared to presume, when they understood that nothing lay hidden from him.
[44] To 2 monks he foretells ruin. There came to him two twin brothers, with two Lay-brothers, of whom he diligently contemplating the face, began with tears to groan, and to foretell the coming dangers of religion. O how great, he said, a ruin threatens some of us! Watch therefore, and pray, that you enter not into temptation, but anticipate the face of the Lord in confession. But they noted the dire prophecies, but more negligently than was fitting strove to avoid them: for not the middle of that year being passed one of the Lay-brothers returned to the world, and the other caught in adultery received the mutilation of his genitals.
[45] and he knew the safety of an absent one: Two brothers in the flesh had withdrawn into Norway, of whom the elder his mother bewailed as dead. But she went to the father with tears, about to seek the solace of her grief. To whom he: Be consoled, and be not disturbed, daughter, because thy son lives: for now I have been in Norway, and I beheld both to be well. But some days being elapsed a certain one came from Norway, and as the man of God had said so it had been the woman joyful learned.
[46] There came thither also a certain Soldier of the Nobles of England, about to set out to the Court of the King. likewise that a boy would reign in England: And when concerning the King and the state of the kingdom discourse was made, Godric foretold that a boy would reign in England. And then those who were present, concerning whom he spoke, hesitated: but the younger son of Henry the second being crowned shortly by Henry, they proclaimed his prophecies to have been true. Wonderful therefore is the grace in the spirit of prophecy, because both future things as past he knew, and absent things by his virtue he penetrated.
[47] A certain brother after the disease of dysentery fell into the discomfort of lientery. and to a friend a girdle being sent health To whom the man of the Lord sending his girdle, said; Gird thyself with this girdle and thou shalt be healed; and health being received remember to hasten to me. He wondered, and trusting in the Lord girded with it his weak limbs, and escaped from the confine of death, and ascended a little boat: for he was Provost of Lindisfarne: and landed on the territory of the church of Jarrow, and seeking the girdle found it not; and long pondering with himself whither it had come, he recognized it taken away divinely: for if, according to the example of the most reverend Father Cuthbert, any weak ones should run to it, and not bring back the wished-for health, they would derogate from the power of the man of God.
[48] A certain woman bewailed herself impeded by the vice of grave misfortune, the same facilitates childbirth because giving birth she had brought forth three abortive sons. To whom the holy man condoling, girding himself with his girdle, gave it to her husband; commanding that at the hour of giving birth his wife should gird herself, and be free in perpetuity from the wonted loss of her offspring. Another also was wearied by a similar accident, and girded with that girdle experienced in herself the miracle of the same virtue.
[49] A noble matron after childbirth oppressed by a grave sickness, by bread sent from himself he restored to health. Another also, and he heals other sick: girded with the strap with which he had girded his loins, he healed from a constipation of the side. To a certain friend also, asking some little gift to be given him for a blessing, he handed a little portion of the girdle, which was sewn from the fissures of old cloths; admonishing that he reserve it for himself, although an ignoble gift, because to certain infirmities it would be acceptable. But there was a Cleric, from whom so unceasing a flux of blood had flowed from the nostrils, that not so much by himself as by his people he lay despaired of. But the girdle being girded around his head, forthwith the blood stopped, and he recovered from all languor. Thence it was placed around none of the pregnant, who was not at his touch freed from the danger of childbirth.
[50] GERM. There came from afar a certain Soldier and his wife; and with groans and tears prostrate at the footsteps of the holy man, they besought if there were any remedies of their sorrows. But he inquiring the cause of so long a journey and so great a bitterness, the Soldier replied, that he had had several sons from his wife, and none, who should console their aged old age, and close their eyes, and succeed into the inheritance, had received the grace of living: for when scarcely the very first beginnings of light they had tasted, snatched away by an unhappy disaster individuals brought to us individual bitternesses. Whom the servant of Christ compassionating their sorrows, ordered to wait, that if any consolation should become known divinely, returning from prayer he might indicate it. And returning forthwith he said to the man: the same being offered he foretells healthy children to be born, Go, and in the place of thy dwelling prepare a new little house; in which thy wife may remain about to give birth: and he commanded the attendant to bring a girdle. And when one of white wool had been brought: Bring forth, he said jestingly, another: for it befits a noble woman, to have a nobler girdle. And giving it to the woman, he exhorted her to gird her little body, when she should perceive the wonted fears of giving birth to be imminent. The blessing of the venerable Father being received therefore with thanksgiving, to their own they returned, refreshed by the sweetness of his words and the saving instruction and the gift. The woman therefore conceived and bore a son, and afterward had much offspring from her husband, nor did any annoyance of the old presumption follow the birth. But the man of God being dead, which also was done after his death, the ancient enemy thought (as from that which I relate the work makes clear) that his virtue with his life had failed. For when she had come to the eighth birth, and had brought forth a son who still survives, there stood by her by night lying as a woman in childbed a certain red one, of horrid countenance and terrible aspect: and seizing her with his hands, and above the women, whom the longer watches then had compelled into sleep, leading her on high, cast her into the courtyard. But they awakened by the noise which by the fall he had made, began suddenly with feminine amazement to tremble, and learning what had been done to the Lady, vehemently to be afraid. And now the same enemy had proceeded to the door, and holding in his hands the fringes of the girdle which in lifting he had broken, and not prevailing to carry them outside, there with indignation he left them; the demon snarling. and turning back terrible glances at her, he departed; manifestly teaching, that concerning the woman's victory and his own confusion he grieved, and had henceforth no powers of raging against her by the merits of her protector. The same girdle still, preserved among posterity with worthy veneration, in place of Relics perseveres; and if at any time among conversations there is treatment concerning the works of the man of God, this virtue also to those desiring to know it, as a witness is brought forth into the midst; but also the fringes, which are sewn to it, attribute a more evident faith to the truth.
[51] A certain youth had served for some years the blessed old man, who resolved in mind and confirmed by a vow to set out to Jerusalem. Whose desire when the same Father had recognized, he exhorted him to the pilgrimage; to one about to go on pilgrimage he prescribes Confession. asserting nothing in this life more blessed, than to seek the author of life there, where for the life of men He deigned to exhibit His life as the price. But he admonished him to consult some Priest, and in the laver of Confession to wash his conscience from dead works. The labor, he said, is without fruit, to wish to profit by the feet, and to limp with the step of the heart. The servant therefore did as the Lord commanded, and returned to the Father asked license with a blessing. To whom Godric: Why didst thou not do as I commanded? But he: Truly I did: I diligently swept the whole house of my heart, and all the offenses of my youth and the ignorances, which the lamp of memory being kindled I could scrutinize, through the door of Confession I cast out. To this the Saint: Thou didst not do it: and afterward he indicates an omitted sin. still remains one: For when in a great multitude the King of the Scots met his enemies, thou and thy accomplices violently plundered the crops of a certain poor hermit, and to your contemporaries, to whom the means had failed, you afforded fodder. And when he had laid a complaint concerning these things before the King, the troubled King ordered them to be inquired after by his ministers and being seized to be exhibited to his presence. You therefore the hermit being leader and informer being found, and set before the King, he proposed one of two to be chosen, either by an oath to purge the imposed mark of infamy, or with right hands cut off to receive the penalty of so great an iniquity. But you chose rather by perjury to offend your Creator, than to sustain in everlasting reproach the mutilation of your members: and in this you committed two evils, because to the sin of robbery you associated the sin of perjury: this is that one which the contrition of the heart has not yet excited, nor the confession of the mouth brought forth. Which heard the youth vehemently was amazed, and falling at the feet of the Father, with tears asserted it so to have happened: My heart, he said, was hardened, nor could the memory of these things open the gaze of the heart. Since therefore it is written; Man sees in the face, but God in the heart, it is to be asked how in the heart of another what lay hidden he could see, which lay hidden from him in whom it lay hidden. 1 Kings 16:7 But if we behold the virtue of the Holy Spirit, the obscurity of the question is removed: because the eye of the breast which He had filled He could direct into the secret of another's heart, to whom every heart lies open, and (the sacred word testifying) no secret lies hidden. in the Mass of the Holy Spirit
[52] He extinguishes a fire by prayers. Sitting at some time at the fire and warming himself, he ordered the boy to cast out the smoking wood and to put under drier. Which being cast to the wall of the next house, to which a chapel constructed of twigs and covered with hay was contiguous adhering, that house is set on fire, and the flame rising on high it is wholly covered with flying sparks. The old man therefore went out, and looking to heaven gave himself with tears to prayer; and in a wonderful manner by the virtue of compunction extinguished the fire, as if from his eyes a river of water had flowed down upon the conflagration.
[53] A certain Brother of the Cistercian Order, vexed by a grave temptation of the flesh, at length slipped into the pit of a depraved custom. Who although he had often fled to the remedies of Confession, and had purged his spirit with tears and fastings; yet the article of temptation succeeding he polluted again those washings, and from the wonted lapse of the flesh could not abstain. There coming therefore to the man of God his Abbot, there came likewise also he himself: and sitting before him, he reproves the hidden sins of a certain one, he pretended that he brought to him the long misery of a certain friend's sin and his desperation, asking that if he had any answer of salvation, he should transmit it to him. Upon whom fixing his eyes; Why, he said, Brother, didst thou wish to perpetrate such things? Cease now at last, cease: for the fault is no more to be repeated, which is to God and men alike abominable. To this the Brother: Lord I am not that one, another is he of whom I spoke. To whom Godric: Truly thou art that very one, who hast done this thus and thus. Understanding therefore himself detected, wholesomely blushing, he fell at the footsteps of the Father, and he promises perseverance to the penitent: and asked mercy: and a blessing being given, he said to him, Rise, and with thy Abbot set out. Further God almighty will remit this great sin to thee, and henceforth
He will not permit thee to be polluted by it: but many burnings from the flesh, goads from the heart, and darts from the enemy thou wilt suffer. He departed therefore, and many times struck by the breeze of temptation, according to the word of the man of God was not again polluted: as if he should say with the prophet: Being thrust I was overturned that I should fall, and the Lord upheld me. Ps. 117:13 This man afterward was made Abbot: and he who long since could not rule himself, the prayers of the holy Father cooperating with him by the merit of his life merited to be the Father of many.
[54] To Adsa Abbot c of Furness coming to him the same Father with joy ran to meet, and prayer being made according to custom received him in the kiss of peace. They sitting and the religious men who had come with the Abbot sitting around, the man of the Lord desiring to know, [he sets forth to the Abbot the apparition of a demon under the appearance of a woman:] if any grace of consolation or instruction prevailed in the Abbot, thus began: To me indeed praying, Father, today, a certain one as it seemed stood by, a woman, unlike in womanly things those whom this world nourishes, clothed with green garments, with the head also uncomposed, a black linen wrapped about the neck: with a simple eye and humble gait she set forth an appearance of piety: for she bent her knees, kissed the earth, beat her breast, and in all things presented a true body. I was wearied exceedingly by her vision, and rising I wished to cast her out; Go, I said, outside, depart from me, depart food of death, and tinder of sin, and head of all iniquity. But the more anxiously I insisted, the more boldly she pressed herself in. When therefore speech did not avail, I added that in the name of the holy Trinity she should depart. Which said soon she vanished. Before she had entered it was well with me, no commotion in thought, no disquiet beat from the flesh: but as long as she was with me, I became more negligent for praying and meditating, and affected by a certain weariness of mind heavier to myself: but she withdrawing I returned to myself and was restored to myself. To you therefore, on whom from Pastoral care it lies to cherish our simplicity by the examples of the holy Fathers, and to instruct it by authorities, it befits to say, what our frailty ought to do if any novelty of a temptation like this should emerge. And the Abbot said: What seemed a woman, was not; for the malign spirit therefore in the form of a woman appeared, that from her contemplation he might kindle a spark of the flesh, and through the fervor of the flesh extinguish the fervor of thy devotion. Perceiving also our coming, he was contriving something, by which he might impede the spiritual edification, or something else which would not at all suit your salvation. To this Godric: Truly, Father, it is so. Hearing these things the Brethren wondered, saying: Truly this man is a servant of God.
[55] REG. There came to the cell of Godric a certain rustic and his wife, carrying with them their daughter dead: whom indeed in a sack, that they might anticipate her going out by that craftiness, they had wrapped, and stood before the doors waiting with silence. He at length having gone out they met him with tears, and cast the sack with the little body before his feet, beseeching that he would condescend to piety, while he should resuscitate their daughter. The Father stopped at these things, and abhorring vehemently was afraid: He resuscitates a girl, and saying the grace of so great virtue unequal to his merits, he repulsed their tears and prayers and ordered them to withdraw. But they brought the body into the church, and leaving it near the altar, protested, that either he should restore her to them alive divinely, or bury her dead humanly. Evening therefore being made the holy man returned from labor, and the body being found prayers being poured to the Lord he prayed, that He should not regard his sins, but approve the faith of those men by the gift of His virtue. The dawn therefore of the third day shining, the Saint rising from prayer, perceived a certain sound nearer: and looking to the altar, he saw the girl gone out from the sack walking through the wall; and the parents being called secretly he restored to them their daughter living; and of this miracle as long as he lived he proclaimed perpetual silence. This when he often related to Brother Reginald, he testified, that he had never been in so great contrition of body and heart.
[56] The ancient enemy put on the beauty of a fair woman, and going alongside the religious man sitting, fixing his face boldly upon him, he puts to flight a demon appearing in the form of a woman: at length broke into bombast: O Godric, what dost thou make thyself, unworthily usurping the name of solitary and seducing the hearts of the simple? To whom he: To my merits no praises are due, because I am a sinful man. But she: Why dost thou so decline the company of women, thou who wast conceived in their filths, and by thy own sordidness wast made detestable? And he replied: The handmaids of Christ I follow with all honor, but the unchaste as daughters of perdition I abhor and abominate, and if thou art something other than thou pretendest to be, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I proclaim flight to thee. And straightway it appeared not, and that it was truly a diabolic appearance by the swiftness of its withdrawal it betrayed.
[57] Godric slept at some time, and there stood by him one saying: Rise and dig, he conquers the spirit of avarice, and the treasure which thou shalt find in that place take, for to thee we have kept it. He revolved with himself waking what he should do: he knew indeed it to be good from the mammon of iniquity to make friends. A pious ambition at length urged: he rose and dug, and penetrated deeper the secrets of the earth. And behold black little boys broke forth from the dug-up sods, and laughing at him threw smoking little balls. Whom he perceiving to be not infants, but demons, Withdraw, he said, withdraw: what is yours receive and possess: the money of your treasure be with you in perdition. And so after these things he subdued ambition in himself, that he never wished to lay up for himself any gold or silver nor to touch it, and so the spirit of avarice which once attempted to delude him, was always by his own attempt vanquished.
[58] In autumn time he walking in his orchard, and gathering the apples which he might bestow on the needy who had assembled, there was present among them also satan, being asked by the same for charity something, and going around the hedges and diligently exploring the place of inspection cried: O hermit, O hermit, of thy apples give us. Whose voice when he heard, and understood it not to be the prayer of a poor man, but the illusion of the betrayer, he replied: In vain dost thou ask unless thou ask for charity (pro caritate). But he: For charity I demand, for charity I demand: but not "Charity," but "Carah" breaking rather than uttering he emitted; because charity he could not say, whose virtue he knew not to have. The holy man hesitated in this, and weighed with himself what he should do: thus thou givest it, he feared to give and could not deny: for if he should give, he would in a manner obey the command of the tempter; but if he should deny, he would seem to offend against the charity which he held. Yet he knew it written, To everyone asking thee give: whence he judged charity to be denied to none, not even to the very enemy, although in the cause of charity he sought out guiles. Three apples therefore he offered him under the name of the holy Trinity, saying: Take, and eat, and give thanks to God. that by humility he may overcome: Which being received the tempter looked at him with terrible eyes, and with a laugh said: Art thou the Lord of this estate? But he; not I but Christ. Again the tempter: Art thou the holy Hermit? But he: I am not holy, but a useless and unworthy servant; who that I may bewail my sins, inhabit this vast solitude. At these answers of humility the enemy vanquished departed, and filled all that place with a huge stench, and after him exhibited so great a tallness of his shameful parts, that the holy man while he saw these things inwardly received immense annoyances from the magnitude of horror.
[59] Because he had borne innumerable triumphs over the enemy, innumerable engines of harming he directed against him. at another time he puts him to flight through the boy by holy water, He was present therefore in that magnitude of body which he was wont, and there hung for him many before and behind as if connected by little cords flasks. And having entered the cell, now one now another he brought forth, and offered to the holy man to taste. Whose efforts he perceiving, manfully he spat out, and to the boy standing by said: Go, and with holy water perfuse him, and when thou shalt see him go out from the church, beware lest thou pursue him beyond the thresholds. He did as he had commanded, sprinkled the enemy; and unmindful of the Father's command, ran after him outside: whom he with indignation looking back at, into his mouth poured a drop of one flask, and with a laugh insulting vanished. And the neck with the throat began more keenly to swell, and the mouth with the tongue and jaws, as if poison being taken, for three days to grow bitter as unto death. To the Father therefore he came, and for his disobedience doing penance, and the blessing being received forthwith free from sin, from the languor also he recovered.
[60] There was wont also so great a throng of demons to enter his cell, that for multitude they exceeded number. For no forms they had: he sustains various annoyances from the tempter: human nature and bestial with a various unlikeness according to poetic figments they confounded: and sometimes neither like men nor beasts, but like sacks full of some heap by hurling and leaping they bore themselves, and words of blasphemy they hurled. But it was his custom as often as they were present to roar sighing, and whither they turned aside by directing his gaze to teach. The aforesaid youth also likewise saw them at some time, and learning with how various forms they deluded his Lord, fortified himself with the banner of the Cross: and believing he could rush upon them with a seized axe, the Brethren who were present wondering at his constancy and seeing nothing, he fixed the iron strongly in the wall. The same boy also sat by the sick Father, and offered a dish of coarser bean. But the wicked spirit rushing in, overturned the dish from the hand of the one holding it; and he being turned into pallor and trembling, with the greatest noise it was resolved into thin air. There stood by him also at some time a terrible spirit and said: Because, Godric, power to rage upon thee is not granted me, of the peoples of this region through pestilence and famine to triumph it is permitted: for all things born from the earth I will crush and destroy. And it went out forthwith, and from its mouth vomited black and dense clouds, and so great an inundation of rains followed, that the crops of the earth being absorbed the wonted fertility perished; and the people of Northumbria, because ungrateful for the benefits of God by sinning they had been, by a strong famine wasted away. A certain woman of ineffable form appeared to him after these things, he is strengthened by a vision of Angels. and provoked him to foul sights: but he praying the diabolic appearance confounded in itself withdrew. For he said that he was often in prayer strengthened by an Angelic vision, and that his cell sometimes shone with celestial light: and that this sign was so heard by him, as often as he merited the coming of the divine light. But being asked at some time why wicked spirits could enter the bounds of the church, he asserted that he had seen demons ascend upon the holy altar, frequently break forth from the sacrarium, and heap themselves at the sides of the altar within the sacred solemnities of the Masses impudently. The holy water also
them sometimes did not put to flight, but its sprinkling and contact patiently received. A great virtue therefore in putting to flight unclean spirits was conferred on him by the Lord, and the whole course of his life with them and their prince had been a conflict.
[61] The Holy Spirit and Christ under the Mass. Amid the most sacred solemnities of the Mass he saw in spirit a palm tree from the supernal regions beside the horns of the altar descend, on whose top a bird of incomparable beauty sat, and applauding the celestial Mysteries more studiously gazed: but the Mass being performed the bird with the tree likewise ascending on high, withdrew itself from the gaze of the holy man. Nor wonder if he merited to contemplate this vision, because often amid the secrets of the Masses he beheld the Lord Jesus clad in flesh on the altar descending to him, and thence to the heavens ascending to sit at the right hand of the Father. So also at some time from His form d wonderfully gone forth, sprinkled with blood wholly he beheld Him, just as for us made a victim on the gibbet of the cross He had been fixed.
[62] he knew a wife injured by her husband. A poor man, compelled by cold, the work being left returned from the woods, and wounded with a staff the head of his murmuring wife. Whom in the morning coming to him the blessed man rebuked, and how violently he had blazed against his wife fully taught. He was amazed not moderately, wondering how these things became known to the absent man; and for his guilt obtained pardon under this condition, that henceforth against the companion of his bed he should presume nothing such.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER VI.
Various things foretold to St. Thomas Bishop of Canterbury. Celestial visitations. Sickness, Death, Burial.
[63] REG. There came to the servant of the Lord Godric a certain monk from the monastery of Westminster, After certain other things and beyond more inquiries of those things which had moved his mind he added to inquire; what event would come to his attendant about to engage in a duel, and if joined to the hanging of a gibbet he would receive an end. To whom the man of the Lord: He will not, he said, lose his members as thou thinkest or his inheritance, but peace being more quickly reformed with his adversaries, all that tumult of war will be quieted. And he began at these things, being now made cheerful, to ask, if he were known to him who lately had been ordained, namely Thomas the Bishop of Canterbury. But he, because concerning a man wholly unknown to him he was inquiring wondered, and that he both knew him, and was known by him confessed; and said, Father knowest thou too him? the exile of St. Thomas of Canterbury foretold, To whom the man of the Lord: I indeed with bodily eyes have not seen the man, but with the eye of the heart frequently have I beheld him; and if I had gazed on his face, by no informer would I recognize him even placed among many. He was amazed, and fear acting he dared not put a question upon these things. But at last the holy man brought forth: I have certain things to reveal to that Archbishop, which to thy faith as a secret that thou announce to him I have resolved to commit. Which he willingly assenting, since it was good and useful, the elder smiling said: I always wish all good things for him, nevertheless in my stead remember to salute him, and instantly to suggest, that what in mind he has determined to do he omit not; because pleasing to God and acceptable let him weigh it to be, and many hard and harsh things he will suffer. Because expelled from his Church in foreign regions he will long be an exile, and the time of his penitence being performed, with greater honor than he went out to his See he will return. All these things that Brother related to the Archbishop: who devoutly receiving the commands of the venerable man, sent him a Letter, suffused with the sweetness of much love, with the absolution of his sins, which he had asked to be acquired for him through the aforementioned Brother, and commended himself diligently to his brotherhood and prayers. Within therefore the six following months, a contention having arisen between the King and the Archbishop over the liberties of the Church, the Archbishop with his men into exile was condemned a, and that the prophecies of the man of God were true by many miseries he experienced. And he through b some years being an exile, the aforementioned Brother directed to the Western parts, and at length the return from the same: sought the conversation of the memorable Father; and how long the Archbishop would protract the loathings of exile, when daily with the growing increases of greater evils to his life there was no hope of reconciliation or return to his people, he inquired. To this the holy man: Long always does each one deem it, who laboring under the yoke of adversity awaits the benefit of rest: yet first he will complete the time of his penitence, and so confederated with the King to his own he will return. The day before therefore the passion of the glorious Pontiff that Brother came to Canterbury, and inquired of the Lord Archbishop if he remembered any of those things which the Hermit Godric had before commanded him through his own mediation. To whom the Lord Archbishop: Very well, but he has now migrated from the world to the Lord, and we have paid the solemnities of the exequies, although of our goods he has no need, because with Christ he happily reigns in the heavens, and each thing has happened to me as he foretold: because I being Archbishop only of Canterbury underwent exile, but now Legate of all England into England I have returned.
[64] by a message of the same now in exile The Lord of Canterbury, worn out by the long weariness of exile, when still he protracted hanging delays in Gaul, secretly directed a messenger to the venerable Hermit; that since he had learned him to prevail with the spirit of prophecy, he might inquire of him, what at length the monstrousness of evils would find as an end of his sorrows. There stood now and now before the doors the messenger. Which the man of the Lord receiving through an intercessor, was moved in mind: What, he said, does that man of Canterbury demand of us? Does he seek here some Prophet? I wonder that a great man has fallen to so great smallness of mind. The most wise sends to the foolish, the most holy to the last sinner, the Primate of the English to a rustic. The messenger meanwhile was wearied, because to his conversation for almost eight days he had no access, and led a longer expectation in idleness, since of the labor expended he had not merited the effect. He broke then into contumelies: he affirms that he will return, Such an old man I have not seen, nor in any old man so great indignation have I found, I knock, he opens not; I cry out, and he hears not; I send, and he admits not. I will return therefore, but if I shall appear empty, ungrateful. But Godric not bearing the lit lamp of divine inspiration longer to be enclosed under the bushel of silence, ordered it to be opened to him. He having entered, Return, he said, and say to thy Lord, but soon after about to die. that with the eye of the heart he skilfully watch: nor let the breeze of coming temptation disturb him. For joy and sadness I announce to him: joy indeed, because the royal friendship he will shortly obtain, and with very much honor to his Church and his own he will be restored, and greater joys will be born to all the English at his return, than formerly at the going out of the one about to be exiled resounded the laments. But sadness, because that feigned serenity, by a cloud of unheard-of iniquity and cruelty will suddenly be overcast: but then Godric will not be living in the flesh. Repeat also and often repeat, that within the term of nine months the end with him will be ended on every part. Which when he himself shall hear, its mystery also he will understand: and the blessing being received he departed. And it was done. Almost two months being passed the man of the Lord Godric migrated from this life, and the venerable Archbishop in the bosom of mother Church cut down by the swords of the wicked, as the man of God had foretold, by a glorious passion fell: and while he alone fell, many to liberty he raised.
[65] A certain Hermit went to the memorable Father, and concerning a place, he knew in spirit all things situated round about and done. lately granted to him to inhabit by the Bishop of Durham, sought his counsel: to whom he described the site of that place, and how pleasant and how accommodated to the holy purpose it was set forth. Hearing these things he wondered, that all things, as if by bodily sight he embraced them, he discoursed. Smiling at these things the Father: Today, he said, through that place I passed, and each thing to be explored I went around. For they said of him that absent things now placed far off as present, and all the places which were round about, or within which were done through ten miles, ten years before his death he had known: those also sailing on the sea, and sometimes shipwrecked, sometimes landed on the shore with safety from heaven he had beheld; and exhorted those standing by to pray for them or give thanks.
[66] It was said that the blessed Mother of God Mary with Mary Magdalene had visited him, He is visited by the Mother of God and other Saints: and as often as some sad thing crept upon his mind, an Angelic song for his perpetual consolation had taught him, of which this is the text:
Holy Mary, pitying succor thy Godric, And render him worthy of the summit of thy throne.
They reported also that St. John the Baptist frequently instructed him concerning celestial things, and forewarned him of future things: and that many times in a corporeal appearance he had seen the Holy Spirit, visions also of Angels often he had beheld, and with them frequently sweet sounds of melody he had mingled. Of some he is said to have detected the sins, of a coming famine also to have foretold the perils. The infirmities of many, either by his prayers or by the touch of his hands, or by the breath of his mouth, he shines with miracles, or by the hairs of his beard he drove away; harmful fires also by the virtue of prayer he often repressed. The Roman tongue he frequently used, and discoursed in the unknown: in Latin speech also he answered those speaking in the English idiom, and detected their wishes. These things he who desires to know more fully, let him read the Book of Reginald, in which these and very many other things are contained, and satisfy his desire: but to me to have touched some of all, for the indication of his holiness and the imitation of his pious conversation, let it suffice: for I had not promised that I would be diffuse to you but succinct, yet I fear lest I have exceeded the measure. For as the tongue which is in fluid easily slips; so the mind which is prompt in superfluous things easily wanders.
[67] The athlete of the Lord Godric fell sick and worn out by old age lay down on a bed; and destitute of his own strength, by the hands of others he was governed. There grew daily the imbecility of his body, Sick lying down while decrepit oldness associated itself with languors: but gladly he gloried in his infirmities, because the infirmity of the flesh is the strength of perfection. The whole skin outwardly a swelling had stretched, and had taken away the agility of the sinews; and with so great pain of the bowels he was tortured, that the worms running here and there confessed to feed upon the inner parts. There were present from this often the Brethren of the monastery of Durham,
to see and console the Father. But to a certain Brother inquiring what he said concerning himself, he replied: Still a little while Godric will be with you, nevertheless to my extremity apply due custody. he is helped by 2 monks of Durham Two Brethren therefore were deputed by the Prior, who should diligently attend him, and minister as the sickness demanded. And when he lay, and now and now they believed him urged to his departure, suddenly he was made more cheerful in countenance, and in the whole body more vigorous than usual. But they were amazed. GERM. What is this? they said. Behold we have heard singing, whom a little before we held in our arms almost lifeless. and is refreshed by a celestial vision: The old man is mad, or beholds something spiritual, which we do not merit to contemplate: let us be silent until the morrow. REG. Coming therefore in the morning they said: Lord, how sweet were the things which by night thou didst hear, and how bright the things which thou didst see? To whom he: Truly, sons, whence I could not restrain my spirit from the songs; for an immense brightness through the eastern window shone, and an odor of so great sweetness suffused my breast, that I thought I had received the grace of my former health. It seemed also that I had come to the gate of the heavenly Jerusalem, and had been present at the felicity of the Angels: and the supernal citizens chanted Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison; and I joined my voice to their voices, and the same joyfully brought forth.
[68] he forewarns that one must beware of temptation: But on a certain day, the Brethren who had been deputed to his service sitting by him, he said to one of them who was more advanced in age: Dost thou not see, what I see? The enemy in the form of a beautiful woman stands by thee, who has disposed to associate herself to thee this night in thy bed; beware lest she prevail, impress the sign upon thy heart. He was afraid, and from the old man's bed dared not withdraw. But the younger Brother running sprinkled water blessed in the oratory, and drove away the enemy. Perhaps such as outwardly appeared in the woman, such with the Brother was turning in his own heart. Which being learned the Saint by foretelling repressed the burning, which he knew would be if he had not forewarned; but even if he had foreknown and been silent, to him also from the silence the tempter would have deluded.
[69] he knew women had entered the fishpond When therefore both by old age he lay oppressed and by infirmity, the eye of the heart being opened through the spirit he said to those sitting around: Why have women entered my fishery? no woman hitherto has appeared there: certainly if the wonted vigor of body would admit my strength, I would rise and expel them thence. But a certain Brother of Durham, desiring to know if the things he said were true, directed a messenger thither; and as he had foretold, the women being found he drove away: and returning he related to the Brother what had been done, and all wondered.
[70] Amid the straits of bodily sickness for eight years, he is tempted by diabolic apparitions: the monstrousness of his combatants ceased not to assail him. He often cried out, behold roaring lions run up, and ravening wolves sharpen their teeth upon me: behold hedgehogs transfix me with their spines, behold with lances and fiery darts they seek to pierce me, and cast burning torches upon me. But there stood two devils, carrying a little bed, as the cradle of a wailing child, and said: Behold we come, that with us to the lower regions we may carry thee, because thou art a doting old man, and from a wise man art made a foolish boy. But he opposed the sign of the Cross, and to the remedy of prayer he fled. Whose virtue they not bearing, straightway made headlong, into the pit whence they had come slipped away.
[71] At another time also, he in his oratory lying down, the head of all iniquity the devil from the corner of the wall broke forth, and a fiery sword over his neck seemed to brandish, and with a terrible mouth as if about to absorb him he gushed. There went forth from his mouth a most foul smoke, as from a burning furnace; and very large eyes lay open, stretched to the measure of two cubits: and he said, Behold Godric, I the prince of demons come that I may cut thee in the middle, and drag thy spirit to the lower regions with me. A wonderful thing, and to no Father before foreshown! For after the example of the strongest Samson the spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, he wrestles with the demon for some hours: and his strength being resumed he leaped from the bed, and naked with the naked entered a single combat. From the first hour of the day, even to the ninth, he protracted the wrestling. Three times the enemy assailed him, and as often the soldier of Christ resisting was vanquished. There were heard outside the voices of those crying out: for the devil said, because hitherto thou hast deluded my satellites, henceforth thou wilt not delude me, because by me by a cruel death utterly thou wilt fail. But Godric said: The Lord is my helper and the strongest triumpher, to thee and all thine, accursed one, I renounce, and no figments of thy cunning do I dread. At another time, when the tempter was alone, casting him from the bed, he is dragged from the bed by the same, he gravely dashed his head against the footstool bench. But he cried out: Monk, Monk, run. The Brother running who a little before had departed, and finding a hump on his head, was amazed. Having at length learned what had been done, he knew with how great spite the enemy had persecuted him, and how great trials the divine piety had permitted to be brought upon his servant for a proof. Amid so many combats also and vicissitudes of sorrows and tearful sighs of the heart, by the frequency of the supernal citizens he was often refreshed.
[72] For at a certain time when he sat alone, he began with a lifted voice to chant psalms and say: Welcome, by St. Peter appearing he is refreshed: Simon: and in a wonderful manner, what without the aid of servants before he could not, he turned his body to the other part; and as if congratulating at the coming of a friend he jestingly smiled, and with a moderate voice brought forth: Welcome Simon, welcome Simon. The Brethren sitting around the threshold of the church could discern the sounds of two conversing together, but the form of the words to understand, and the person of the other to perceive they could not. After a little he raised his eyes to heaven, and wholly bent himself to those things which he beheld. He at length returning to himself they came to him, and whom he had called Simon they inquired. To whom he: Simon Peter came to console my miseries; and what the tongue cannot say, certain secrets conversing with me he opened.
[73] Therefore the man of the Lord Godric foreknew his death long before, the day and hour being foretold by himself and the day and hour to a certain noble man Robert de Hamundavilla he foretold. In the year therefore in which he died, at the beginning of the Lenten fast, he began more keenly than usual to be cooked by the fire of temporal pain, and to be prepared for the joys of supernal felicity: and so great at length the force of weakness was inwardly, that it also lessened the facility of speaking. But the eighth day of the Lord's Ascension being imminent, on the Octave of the Ascension he dies. on which, as he had foretold, he would attain to the eighth of eternal beatitude, he ordered the Brethren on the preceding day diligently to attend him, and to render the due obsequies of the Christian faith, and more vigilantly awaiting the hour of his dissolution to anticipate it with devout prayers. That night being passed, and the sun of the following day now risen, the holy man migrating from the world, joined his spirit to the sun of justice: nor did the countenance of the dead man change the grace of its former ruddiness, but the comeliness which had been in the living remained. But neither is there doubt that celestial spirits were present for the reception of his spirit, of whose conversations and obsequies it is established that the living had perceived some solaces.
[74] The passing therefore of the venerable Father being heard, the whole city was moved, and in troops as much men as women flowed together to his famous exequies. There came also Germanus the Prior with the Brethren, who lifting the venerable body of the Father from the ashes washed it, and that with new linen, then with haircloth, lastly with a cowl wrapping, he is honorably buried by the Prior and monks of Durham. decently covered it: only the feet they left bare, which the frequent throng which had assembled vyingly busied itself to kiss. But there were certain of the faithful, who asked some little portion to be given them of his Relics: and the Brethren compelled cut more deeply the nails from the joints of the feet: and in a wonderful manner as from one living blood broke forth, and besprinkled the hand of the one cutting. And morning being made there stood still on the wounded foot a drop more fresh; which a certain one of the Brethren, while he kissed the holy footsteps, touching with his lips, recovered from the disease d of anatrope by which very long he had labored, nor afterward felt the pest of the aforesaid sickness. The aforesaid Prior therefore and the Monks resolved to carry around the body of the holy Father through the holy places, that the people which outside awaited, by sight at least or by touch might satisfy their desire. Which being done they placed the venerable body in a stone sarcophagus dug down in the earth, and in the same place in which the bed of the languishing man had been the dead man received the rest of burial. The man of the Lord Godric passed in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand one hundred seventieth, of his conversation in the eremitic life the sixtieth year, of the reign of King Henry the second the sixteenth, of the Episcopate of the Lord Hugh the seventeenth, the twelfth of the Kalends of June, the fifth weekday, the eighth day of the Lord's Ascension: whose merits confer on us the pardon of sins, and the Lord granting life in the future everlasting. Amen.