Bede: The Life and Miracles of St. Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindesfarne
(721)
Author
Bede was born in 673, in Northumberland, became a monk and died at Jarrow in 735. His
modern feast day is May 25. He was one of the most important intellects, and most prolific
writers of his time. Among his other accomplishments was in becoming the only Englishman in
Dante's Divine Comedy. His most important work his is History of the English Church and
People, but he wrote many others - biblical commentaries and hagiography in particular.
Saint Bede's Life of St. Cuthbert, given here complete in the translation by J.A. Giles, recounts the life
of Cuthbert, famed in his time as a miracle worker. Cuthbert was probably born in
Northumberland circa 634. He was educated by Irish monks at Melrose Abbey. At various times
in his life, Cuthbert was a monk, a solitary, and - briefly - a bishop. He died on Farne Island in
687. His feast day is March 20. An early anonymous Life of Cuthbert was written about 700, but
the discovery of Cuthbert's uncorrupt body gave a new impetus to the cult, and Bede used the
earlier Life to write his own verse Life, around 716, and this, longer, prose Life around 721. This
includes ten chapters of new material, derived from Herefrith (3, 6, 8-9, 19, 23, 31, 35, 43, and
46). Both the anonymous (in 7 manuscripts) and Bede's life (in 38 manuscripts) survive. Bede's
version was used for two famous 12th-century illuminated [Oxford, Univ. Col MS 165, and Brit.
Mus. Yates Thompson MS 26]. [Farmer, 16-17].
Relics
The relics of St. Cuthbert have a particularly well documented history. As indicated it was the
discover of the incorrupt body which led Bede to write. In 875, after the second Viking raid on
Lindesfarne, the body was moved to Northumbria, and rested at several sites until in 995 the
casket was moved to Durham, and enshrined there on September 4, 999. There it was visited by
William the Conqueror in 1069. Later it was moved to Durham Cathedral. In 1104, when
Cuthbert had been dead 418 years, the casket was opened, and the body was found to be still
smelling sweet, and uncorrupt. Throughout the middle ages, Durham was the major pilgrimage
center of the North of England, and Cuthbert the most famous saint.
The commissioners of Henry VIII were sent to destroy the tomb in 1537. Archbishop Charles of
Glasgow, who wrote a History of St. Cuthbert, (London: New York: 1887) reports that:-
[Dr. Lee, Dr. Henly and Mr. Blythman on approaching the Shrine] found many valuable
and goodly jewels…After the spoil of his ornaments and jewels they approached near his
body, expecting nothing but dust and ashes: but, perceiving the chest he lay in strongly bound
with iron, the goldsmith…broke it open, when they found him lying whole uncorrupt with his
face bare, and his beard as of a fortnight's growth, and all the vestments about him as he was
accustomed to say mass.
The monks were allowed to bury him on the ground under where the shrine had been. This was
opened again in 1827, at which time a skeleton, swathed in decayed robes, was found. The
designs matched those described in the 1104 accounts, although some argued the real body was
elsewhere. [Cruz, 54-55].
The question of how one tackles stories like those of Cuthbert's relics is an important one for
historians of sanctity.
In the late 19th century, St. Cuthbert's name became attached to the co-operative retail society of
Southeast Scotland, and his name still adorns countless store fronts, being among the most
familiar of all early English saints.
PREFACE
To the holy and most blessed Father Bishop Eadfrid, and to all the Congregation of Brothers
also, who serve Christ in the Island of Lindisfarne, Bede, your faithful fellow-servant, sends
greeting.
INASMUCH as you bade me, my beloved, prefix to the book, which I have written at your
request about the life of our father Cuthbert, of blessed memory, some preface, as I usually do,
by which its readers might become acquainted with your desire and my readiness to gratify it, it
has seemed good to me, by way of preface, to recall to the minds of those among you who know,
and to make known to those readers who were before ignorant thereof, how that I have not
presumed without minute investigation to write any of the deeds of so great a man, nor without
the most accurate examination of credible witnesses to hand over what I had written to be
transcribed. Moreover, when I learnt from those who knew the beginning, the middle, and the
end of his glorious life and conversation, I sometimes inserted the names of these my authors, to
establish the truth of my narrative, and thus ventured to put my pen to paper and to write. But
when my work was arranged, but still kept back from publication, I frequently submitted it for
perusal and for correction to our reverend brother Herefrid the priest, and others, who for a long
time had well known the life and conversation of that man of God. Some faults were, at their
suggestion, carefully amended, and thus every scruple being utterly removed, I have taken care
to commit to writing what I clearly ascertained to be the truth, and to bring it into your presence
also, my brethren, in order that by the judgment of your authority, what I have written might be
either corrected, if false, or certified to be true. Whilst, with God's assistance, I was so engaged,
and my book was read during two days by the elders and teachers of your congregation, and was
accurately weighed and examined in all its parts, there was nothing at all found which required
to be altered, but every thing which I had written was by common consent pronounced worthy to
be read without any hesitation, and to be handed over to be copied by such as by zeal for religion
should be disposed to do so. But you also, in my presence, added many other facts of no less
importance than what I had written, concerning the life and virtues of that blessed man, and
which well deserved to be mentioned, if I had not thought it unfitting to insert new matter into a
work, which, after due deliberation, I considered to be perfect.
Furthermore, I have thought right to admonish your gracious company, that, as I have not
delayed to render prompt obedience to your commands, so you also may not be slow to confer
on me the reward of your intercession; but when you read this book, and in pious recollection of
that holy father lift up your souls with ardor in aspiration for the heavenly kingdom, do not
forget to entreat the Divine clemency in favor of my littleness, in as far as I may deserve both at
present with singleness of mind to long for and hereafter in perfect happiness to behold the
goodness of our Lord in the land of the living. But also when I am defunct, pray ye for the
redemption of my soul, for I was your friend and faithful servant; offer up masses for me, and
enrol my name among your own. For you, also, most holy prelate, remember to have promised
this to me, and in testimony of such future enrolment you gave orders to your pious brother
Guthfrid, that he should even now enrol my name in the white book of your holy congregation
And may your holiness know that I already have written in heroic verse, as well as in this prose
work, which I offer to you, the life of this same our father beloved by God, somewhat more
briefly indeed, but nevertheless in the same order, because some of our brethren entreated the
same of me: and if you wish to have those verses, you can obtain from me a copy of them. In the
preface of that work I promised that I would write more fully at another time of his life and
miracles; which promise, in my present work, I have, as far as God has allowed me, done my
best to perform.
Wherefore it is my prayer for you, that Almighty God may deign to guard your haleness in peace
and safety, dearest brethren and masters of mine.-Amen !
CHAPTER I
HOW CUTHBERT, THE CHILD OF GOD, WAS WARNED BY A CHILD OF HIS
FUTURE BISHOPRIC
THE beginning of our history of the life of the blessed Cuthbert is hallowed by Jeremiah the
prophet, who, in exaltation of the anchorite's perfect state, says, " It is good for a man, when he
hath borne the yoke from his youth; he shall sit alone, and shall be silent, because he shall raise
himself above himself." For, inspired by the sweetness of this good, Cuthbert, the man of God,
from his early youth bent his neck beneath the yoke of the monastic institution; and when
occasion presented itself, having laid fast hold of the anchoritic life, he rejoiced to sit apart for
no small space of time, and for the sweetness of divine meditation to hold his tongue silent from
human colloquy. But that he should be able to do this in his advanced years, was the effect of
God's grace inciting him gradually to the way of truth from his early childhood; for even to the
eighth year of his life, which is the first year of boyhood succeeding to infancy, he gave his mind
to such plays and enjoyments alone as boys delight in, so that it might be testified of him as it
was of Samuel, " Moreover Cuthbert knew not yet the Lord, neither had the voice of the Lord
been revealed to him. " Such was the panegyric of his boyhood, who in more ripened age was
destined perfectly to know the Lord, and opening the ears of his mind to imbibe the voice of
God. He took delight, as we have stated, in mirth and clamor; and, as was natural at his age,
rejoiced to attach himself to the company of other boys, and to share in their sports: and because
he was agile by nature, and of a quick mind, he often prevailed over them in their boyish
contests, and frequently, when the rest were tired, he alone would hold out, and look
triumphantly around to see if any remained to contend with him for victory. For in jumping,
running, wrestling, or any other bodily exercise, he boasted that he could surpass all those who
were of the same age, and even some that were older than himself. For when he was a child, he
knew as a child, he thought as a child; but afterwards, when he became a man, he most
abundantly laid aside all those childish things.
And indeed Divine Providence found from the first a worthy preceptor to curb the sallies of his
youthful mind. For, as Trumwine of blessed memory told me on the authority of Cuthbert
himself, there were one day some customary games going on in a field, and a large number of
boys were got together, amongst whom was Cuthbert, and in the excitement of boyish whims,
several of them began to bend their bodies into various unnatural forms. On a sudden, one of
them, apparently about three years old, runs up to Cuthbert, and in a firm tone exhorts him not to
indulge in idle play and follies, but to cultivate the powers of his mind, as well as those of his
body. When Cuthbert made light of his advice, the boy fell to the ground, and shed tears bitterly.
The rest run up to console him, but he persists in weeping. They ask him why he burst out crying
so unexpectedly. At length he made answer, and turning to Cuthbert, who was trying to comfort
him, "Why," said he, "do you, holy Cuthbert, priest and prelate ! give yourself up to these things
which are so opposite to your nature and rank? It does not become you to be playing among
children, when the Lord has appointed you to be a teacher of virtue even to those who are older
than yourself." Cuthbert, being a boy of a good disposition, heard these words with evident
attention, and pacifying the crying child with affectionate caresses, immediately abandoned his
vain sports, and returning home, began from that moment to exhibit an unusual decision both of
mind and character, as if the same Spirit which had spoken outwardly to him by the mouth of the
boy, were now beginning to exert its influence inwardly in his heart. Nor ought we to be
surprised that the same God can restrain the levity of a child by the mouth of a child, who made
even the dumb beast to speak when He would check the folly of the prophet: and truly it is said
in his honor, " Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast you perfected praise
CHAPTER II
HOW HE BECAME LAME WITH A SWELLING IN HIS KNEE, AND WAS CURED
BY AN ANGEL
BUT because to every one who hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; that is, to
every one who hath the determination and the love of virtue, shall be given, by Divine
Providence, an abundance of these things; since Cuthbert, the child of God, carefully retained in
his mind what he had received from the admonition of man, he was thought worthy also of being
comforted by the company and conversation of angels. For his knee was seized with a sudden
pain, and began to swell into a large tumor; the nerves of his thigh became contracted, and he
was obliged to walk lamely, dragging after him his diseased leg, until at length the pain
increased, and he was unable to walk at all. One day he had been carried out of doors by the
attendants, and was reclining in the open air, when he suddenly saw at a distance a man on
horseback approaching, clothed in white garments, and honorable to be looked upon, and the
horse, too, on which he sat, was of incomparable beauty. He drew near to Cuthbert, and saluted
him mildly, and asked him as in jest, whether he had no civilities to show to such a guest. " Yes,"
said the other, " I should be most ready to jump up and offer you all the attention in my power,
were I not, for my sins, held bound by this infirmity: for I have long had this painful swelling in
my knee, and no physician, with all his care, has yet been able to heal me. " The man, leaping
from his horse, began to look earnestly at the diseased knee. Presently he said, "Boil some
wheaten flour in milk, and apply the poultice warm to the swelling, and you will be well."
Having said this, he again mounted his horse and departed. Cuthbert did as he was told, and after
a few days was well. He at once perceived that it was an angel who had given him the advice,
and sent by Him who formerly deigned to send his archangel Raphael to restore the eyesight of
Tobit. If any one think it incredible that an angel should appear on horseback, let him read the
history of the Maccabees, in which angels are said to have come on horseback to the assistance
of Judas Maccabaeus, and to defend God's own temple.
CHAPTER III
HOW HE CHANGED THE WINDS BY PRAYER, AND BROUGHT THE SCATTERED
SHIPS SAFE TO LAND
FROM this time the lad becoming devoted to the Lord, as he afterwards assured his friends,
often prayed to God amid dangers that surrounded him, and was defended by angelic assistance;
nay, even in behalf of others who were in any danger, his benevolent piety sent forth prayers to
God, and he was heard by Him who listens to the cry of the poor, and the men were rescued out
of all their tribulations. There is, moreover, a monastery lying towards the south, not far from the
mouth of the river Tyne, at that time consisting of monks, but now changed, like all other human
things, by time, and inhabited by a noble company of virgins, dedicated to Christ. Now, as these
pious servants of God were gone to bring from a distance in ships, up the above-named river,
some timber for the use of the monastery, and had already come opposite the place where they
were to bring the ships to land, behold a violent wind, rising from the west, carried away their
ships, and scattered them to a distance from the river's mouth. The brethren, seeing this from the
monastery, launched some boats into the river, and tried to succor those who were on board the
vessels, but were unable, because the force of the tide and violence of the winds overcame them.
In despair therefore of human aid, they had recourse to God, and issuing forth from the
monastery, they gathered themselves together on a point of rock, near which the vessels were
tossing in the sea: here they bent their knees, and supplicated the Lord for those whom they saw
under such imminent danger of destruction. But the Divine will was in no haste to grant these
vows, however earnest; and this was, without a doubt, in order that it might be seen what effect
was in Cuthbert's prayers. For there was a large multitude of people standing on the other bank
of the river and Cuthbert also was among them. Whilst the monks were looking on in sorrow,
seeing the vessels, five in number, hurried rapidly out to sea, so that they looked like five
sea-birds on the waves, the multitude began to deride their manner of life, as if they had
deserved to suffer this loss, by abandoning the usual modes of life, and framing for themselves
new rules by which to guide their conduct. Cuthbert restrained the insults of the blasphemers,
saying, "What are you doing, my brethren, in thus reviling those whom you see hurried to
destruction ? Would it not be better and more humane to entreat the Lord in their behalf, than
thus to take delight in their misfortunes? " But the rustics, turning on him with angry minds and
angry mouths, exclaimed, " Nobody shall pray for them: may God spare none of them ! for they
have taken away from men the ancient rites and customs, and how the new ones are to be
attended to, nobody knows. " At this reply, Cuthbert fell on his knees to pray, and bent his head
towards the earth; immediately the power of the winds was checked, the vessels, with their
conductors rejoicing, were cast upon the land near the monastery, at the place intended. The
rustics blushing for their infidelity, both on the spot extolled the faith of Cuthbert as it deserved,
and never afterwards ceased to extol it: so that one of the most worthy brothers of our
monastery, from whose mouth I received this narrative, said that he had often, in company with
many others, heard it related by one of those who were present, a man of the most rustic
simplicity, and altogether incapable of telling an untruth.
CHAPTER IV
HOW, IN COMPANY WITH SHEPHERDS, HE SAW THE SOUL OF BISHOP AIDAN
CARRIED TO HEAVEN BY ANGELS
BUT whereas the grace of Christ, which is the directress of the life of the faithful, decreed that
its servant should encounter the merit of a more rigid institution, and earn the glory of a higher
prize, it chanced upon a time that he was tending a flock of sheep entrusted to his care on some
distant mountains. One night, whilst his companions were sleeping, and he himself was awake,
as he was wont to be, and engaged in prayer, on a sudden he saw a long stream of light break
through the darkness of the night, and in the midst of it a company of the heavenly host
descended to the earth, and having received among them a spirit of surpassing brightness,
returned without delay to their heavenly home. The young man, beloved of God, was struck with
the sight, and, stimulated to encounter the honors of spiritual warfare, and to earn for himself
eternal life and happiness among God's mighty ones, he forthwith offered up praise and
thanksgivings to the Lord, and called upon his companions, with brotherly exhortations, to
imitate his example. "Miserable men that we are," said he, "whilst we are resigning ourselves to
sleep and idleness, we take no thought to behold the light of God's holy angels, who never sleep.
Behold, whilst I was awake and praying, during a moderate portion of the night, I saw such great
miracles of God. The door of heaven was opened, and there was led in thither, amidst an angelic
company, the spirit of some holy man, who now, for ever blessed, beholds the glory of the
heavenly mansion, and Christ its King, whilst we still grovel amid this earthly darkness: and I
think it must have been some holy bishop, or some favored one from out of the company of the
faithful, whom I saw thus carried into heaven amid so much splendor by that large angelic choir.
" As the man of God said these words, the hearts of the shepherds were kindled up to reverence
and praise. When the morning was come, he found that Aidan, bishop of the Church of
Lindisfarne, a man of exalted piety, had ascended to the heavenly kingdom at the very moment
of his vision. Immediately, therefore, he delivered over the sheep, which he was feeding, to their
owners, and determined forthwith to enter a monastery.
CHAPTER V
HOW, ON HIS WAY, HE WAS SUPPLIED WITH FOOD BY GOD
AND when he now began with care to meditate on his intended entrance to a more rigid course
of life, God 's grace was revealed to him, whereby his mind was strengthened in its purpose, and
it was shown to him by the clearest evidence, that to those who seek the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, the bounty of the Divine promise will grant all other things also, which are
necessary for their bodily support. For on a certain day, as he was journeying alone, he turned
aside at the fourth hour into a village which lay at some distance, and to which he found his way.
Here he entered the house of a pious mother of a family, in order to rest himself a little, and to
procure food for his horse rather than for himself, for it was the beginning of winter. The woman
received him kindly, and begged him to allow her to get him some dinner, that he might refresh
himself. The man of God refused, saying, " I cannot yet eat, for it is a fast-day." It was the sixth
day of the week, on which many of the faithful, out of reverence to the Lord's passion, are
accustomed to extend their fasting even to the ninth hour. The woman, from a motive of
hospitality, persisted in her request. "Behold," said she, "on the way you are going there is no
village, nor house; you have a long journey before you, and cannot get through it before sunset.
Let me entreat you, therefore, to take some food before you go, or else you will be obliged to fast
all the day, and perhaps even till to-morrow." But though the woman pressed him much, his love
of religion prevailed, and he fasted the whole day until the evening.
When the evening drew near, and he perceived that he could not finish his intended journey the
same day, and that there was no house at hand in which he could pass the night, he presently fell
upon some shepherds' huts, which, having been slightly constructed in the summer, were now
deserted and ruinous. Into one of these he entered, and having tied his horse to the wall, placed
before him a handful of hay, which the wind had forced from the roof. He then turned his
thoughts to prayer, but suddenly, as he was singing a psalm, he saw his horse lift up his head and
pull out some straw from the roof, and among the straw there fell down a linen cloth folded up,
with something in it. When he had ended his prayers, wishing to see what this was, he came and
opened the cloth, and found in it half of a loaf of bread, still hot, and some meat, enough of both
to serve him for a single meal. In gratitude for the Divine goodness, he exclaimed, "Thanks be to
God, who of his bounty hath deigned to provide a meal for me when I was hungry, as well as a
supper for my beast." He therefore divided the piece of bread into two parts, of which he gave
one to his horse and kept the other for himself; and from that day forward he was more ready
than before to fast, because he now felt convinced that the food had been provided for him in the
desert by the gift of Him who formerly fed the prophet Elias for so long a time by means of
ravens, when there was no man to minister unto him, whose eyes are upon those that fear Him,
and upon those who trust in his mercy, that He may save their souls from death, and may feed
them when they are hungry. I learnt these particulars from a religious man of our monastery of
Weremouth, a priest of the name of Ingwald, who now, by reason of his extreme old age, is
turning his attention, in purity of heart, to spiritual things rather than to earthly and carnal
affections, and who said that the authority on which his relation rested was no less than that of
Cuthbert himself.
CHAPTER VI
HOW, AS HE WAS COMING TO A MONASTERY, BOISIL, A HOLY MAN, BORE
TESTIMONY TO HIM BY PROPHESYING IN SPIRIT
MEANWHILE this reverend servant of God, abandoning worldly things, hastens to submit to
monastic discipline, having been excited by his heavenly vision to covet the joys of everlasting
happiness, and invited by the food with which God had supplied him to encounter hunger and
thirst in his service. He knew that the Church of Lindisfarne contained many holy men, by whose
teaching and example he might be instructed, but he was moved by the great reputation of
Boisil, a monk and priest of surpassing merit, to choose for himself an abode in the abbey of
Melrose. And it happened by chance, that when he was arrived there, and had leaped from his
horse, that he might enter the church to pray, he gave his horse and traveling spear to a servant,
for he had not yet resigned the dress and habits of a layman. Boisil was standing before the doors
of the monastery, and saw him first. Foreseeing in spirit what an illustrious man the stranger
would become, he made this single remark to the bystanders: " Behold a servant of the Lord ! "
herein imitating Him who said of Nathaniel, when he approached Him, " Behold an Israelite
indeed, in whom there is no guile ! " I was told this by that veteran priest and servant of God, the
pious Sigfrid, for he was standing by when Boisil said these words, and was at that time a youth
studying the first rudiments of the monastic life in that same monastery, but now he is a man,
perfect in the Lord, living in our monastery of Yarrow, and amid the last sighs of his fainting
body thirsting for a happy entrance into another life. Boisil, without saying more, kindly received
Cuthbert as he approached; and when he had heard the cause of his coming, namely, that he
preferred the monastery to the world, he kept him near himself, for he was the prior of that same
monastery.
After a few days, when Eata, who was at that time priest and abbot of the monastery, but
afterwards bishop of Lindisfarne, was come, Boisil told him about Cuthbert, how that he was a
young man of a promising disposition, and obtained permission that he should receive the
tonsure, and be enrolled among the brethren. When he had thus entered the monastery, he
conformed himself to the rules of the place with the same zeal as the others, and indeed, sought
to surpass them by observing stricter discipline; and in reading, working, watching, and praying,
he fairly outdid them all. Like the mighty Samson of old, he carefully abstained from every drink
which could intoxicate; but was not able to abstain equally from food, lest his body might be
thereby rendered less able to work: for he was of a robust frame arid of unimpaired strength, and
fit for any labor which he might be disposed to take in hand.
CHAPTER VII
HOW HE ENTERTAINED AN ANGEL, AND WHILST MINISTERING TO HIM EARTHLY
BREAD, WAS THOUGHT WORTHY TO BE REWARDED WITH BREAD FROM HEAVEN
SOME years after, it pleased King Alfred, for the redemption of his soul, to grant to Abbot Eata
a certain tract of country called Inrhipum, in which to build a monastery. The abbot, in
consequence of this grant, erected the intended building, and placed therein certain of his
brother-monks, among whom was Cuthbert, and appointed for them the same rules and
discipline which were observed at Melrose. It chanced that Cuthbert was appointed to the office
of receiving strangers, and he is said to have entertained an angel of the Lord who came to make
trial of his piety. For, as he went very early in the morning, from the interior of the monastery
into the strangers' cell, he found there seated a young person, whom he considered to be a man,
and entertained as such. He gave him water to wash his hands; he washed his feet himself, wiped
them, and humbly dried them in his bosom; after which he entreated him to remain till the third
hour of the day and take some breakfast, lest, if he should go on his journey fasting, he might
suffer from hunger and the cold of winter. For he took him to be a man, and thought that a long
journey by night and a severe fall of snow had caused him to turn in thither in the morning to
rest himself. The other replied, that he could not tarry, for the home to which he was hastening
lay at some distance. After much entreaty, Cuthbert adjured him in God's name to stop; and as
the third hour was now come, prayer over, and it was time to breakfast, he placed before him a
table with some food, and said, " I beseech thee, brother, eat and refresh thyself, whilst I go and
fetch some hot bread, which must now, I think, be just baked. " When he returned, the young
man, whom he had left eating, was gone, and he could see no traces of his footsteps, though
there had been a fresh fall of snow, which would have exhibited marks of a person walking upon
it, and shown which way he went. The man of God was astonished, and revolving the
circumstances in his mind, put back the table in the dining-room. Whilst doing so, he perceived
a most surprising odor and sweetness; and looking round to see from what it might proceed, he
saw three white loaves placed there, of unusual whiteness and excellence. Trembling at the
sight, he said within himself, " I perceive that it was an angel of the Lord whom I entertained,
and that he came to feed us, not to be fed himself. Behold, he hath brought such loaves as this
earth never produced; they surpass the lily in whiteness, the rose in odor, and honey in taste.
They are, therefore, not produced from this earth, but are sent from paradise. No wonder that he
rejected my offer of earthly food, when he enjoys such bread as this in heaven." The man of God
was stimulated by this powerful miracle to be more zealous still in performing works of piety;
and with his deeds did increase upon him also the grace of God. From that time he often saw and
conversed with angels, and when hungry was fed with unwonted food furnished direct from God.
He was affable and pleasant in his character; and when he was relating to the fathers the acts of
their predecessors, as an incentive to piety, he would introduce also, in the meekest way, the
spiritual benefits which the love of God had conferred upon himself. And this he took care to do
in a covert manner, as if it had happened to another person. His hearers, however, perceived that
he was speaking of himself, after the pattern of that master who at one time unfolds his own
merits without disguise, and at another time says, under the guise of another, " I knew a man in
Christ fourteen years ago, who was carried up into the third heaven."
CHAPTER VIII
HOW CUTHBERT WAS RECOVERED FROM SICKNESS, AND BOISIL, ON HIS
DEATH-BED, FORETOLD TO HIM HIS FUTURE FORTUNES
MEANWHILE, as every thing in this world is frail and fluctuating, like the sea when a storm
comes on, the above-named Abbot Eata, with Cuthbert and the other brethren, were expelled
from their residence, and the monastery given to others. But our worthy champion of Christ did
not by reason of his change of place relax his zeal in carrying on the spiritual conflict which he
had undertaken; but he attended, as he had ever done, to the precepts and example of the blessed
Boisil. About this time, according to his friend Herefrid the priest, who was formerly abbot of
the monastery of Lindisfarne, he was seized with a pestilential disease, of which many
inhabitants of Britain were at that time sick. The brethren of the monastery passed the whole
night in prayer for his life and health; for they thought it essential to them that so pious a man
should be present with them in the flesh. They did this without his knowing it; and when they
told him of it in the morning, he exclaimed, " Then why am I lying here ? I did not think it
possible that God should have neglected your prayers: give me my stick and shoes." Accordingly,
he got out of bed, and tried to walk, leaning on his stick; and finding his strength gradually
return, he was speedily restored to health: but because the swelling on his thigh, though it died
away to all outward appearances, struck into his inwards, he felt a little pain in his inside all his
life afterwards; so that, as we find it expressed in the Apostles, " his strength was perfected in
weakness."
When that servant of the Lord, Boisil, saw that Cuthbert was restored, he said, " You see, my
brother, how you have recovered from your disease, and I assure you it will give you no further
trouble, nor are you likely to die at present. I advise you, inasmuch as death is waiting for me, to
learn from me all you can whilst I am able to teach you; for I have only seven days longer to
enjoy my health of body, or to exercise the powers of my tongue." Cuthbert, implicitly believing
what he heard, asked him what he would advise him to begin to read, so as to be able to finish it
in seven days. "John the Evangelist," said Boisil. "I have a copy containing seven quarto sheets:
we can, with God's help, read one every day, and meditate thereon as far as we are able. " They
did so accordingly, and speedily accomplished the task; for they sought therein only that simple
faith which operates by love, and did not trouble themselves with minute and subtle questions.
After their seven days' study was completed, Boisil died of the above-named complaint; and
after death entered into the joys of eternal life. They say that, during these seven days, he
foretold to Cuthbert every thing which should happen to him: for, as I have said before, he was a
prophet and a man of remarkable piety. And, moreover, he had three years ago foretold to Abbot
Eata, that this pestilence would come, and that he himself would die of it; but that the abbot
should die of another disease, which the physicians call dysentery; and in this also he was a true
prophet, as the event proved. Among others, he told Cuthbert that he should be ordained bishop.
When Cuthbert became an anchorite, he would not communicate this prophecy to any one, but
with much sorrow assured the brethren who came to visit him, that if he had a humble residence
on a rock, where the waves of the ocean shut him out from all the world, he should not even then
consider himself safe from its snares, but should be afraid that on some occasion or other he
might fall victim to the love of riches.
CHAPTER IX
HOW CUTHBERT WAS ZEALOUS IN THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
AFTER the death of Boisil, Cuthbert took upon himself the duties of the office before
mentioned; and for many years discharged them with the most pious zeal, as became a saint: for
he not only furnished both precept and example to his brethren of the monastery, but sought to
lead the minds of the neighboring people to the love of heavenly things. Many of them, indeed,
disgraced the faith which they professed, by unholy deeds; and some of them, in the time of
mortality, neglecting the sacrament of their creed, had recourse to idolatrous remedies, as if by
charms or amulets, or any other mysteries of the magical art, they were able to avert a stroke
inflicted upon them by the Lord. To correct these errors, he often went out from the monastery,
sometimes on horseback, sometimes on foot, and preached the way of truth to the neighboring
villages, as Boisil, his predecessor, had done before him. It was at this time customary for the
English people to flock together when a clerk or priest entered a village, and listen to what he
said, that so they might learn something from him, and amend their lives. Now Cuthbert was so
skillful in teaching, and so zealous in what he undertook, that none dared to conceal from him
their thoughts, but all acknowledged what they had done amiss; for they supposed that it was
impossible to escape his notice, and they hoped to merit forgiveness by an honest confession. He
was mostly accustomed to travel to those villages which lay in out of the way places among the
mountains, which by their poverty and natural horrors deterred other visitors. Yet even here did
his devoted mind find exercise for his powers of teaching, insomuch that he often remained a
week, sometimes two or three, nay, even a whole month, without returning home; but dwelling
among the mountains, taught the poor people, both by the words of his preaching, and also by his
own holy conduct.
CHAPTER X
HOW CUTHBERT PASSED THE NIGHT IN THE SEA, PRAYING; AND WHEN HE
WAS COME OUT, TWO ANIMALS OF THE SEA DID HIM REVERENCE; AND HOW
THE BROTHER, WHO SAW THOSE THINGS, BEING IN FEAR, WAS ENCOURAGED
BY CUTHBERT
WHEN this holy man was thus acquiring renown by his virtues and miracles, Ebbe, a pious
woman and handmaid of Christ, was the head of a monastery at a place called the city of Coludi,
remarkable both for piety and noble birth, for she was half-sister of King Oswy. She sent
messengers to the man of God, entreating him to come and visit her monastery. This loving
message from the handmaid of his Lord he could not treat with neglect, but, coming to the place
and stopping several days there, he confirmed, by his life and conversation, the way of truth
which he taught.
Here also, as elsewhere, he would go forth, when others were asleep, and having spent the night
in watchfulness return home at the hour of morning-prayer. Now one night, a brother of the
monastery, seeing him go out alone followed him privately to see what he should do. But he
when he left the monastery, went down to the sea, which flows beneath, and going into it, until
the water reached his neck and arms, spent the night in praising God. When the dawn of day
approached, he came out of the water, and, falling on his knees, began to pray again. Whilst he
was doing this, two quadrupeds, called otters, came up from the sea, and, lying down before him
on the sand, breathed upon his feet, and wiped them with their hair after which, having received
his blessing, they returned to their native element. Cuthbert himself returned home in time to
join in the accustomed hymns with the other brethren. The brother, who waited for him on the
heights, was so terrified that he could hardly reach home; and early in the morning he came and
fell at his feet, asking his pardon, for he did not doubt that Cuthbert was fully acquainted with all
that had taken place. To whom Cuthbert replied, " What is the matter, my brother ? What have
you done? Did you follow me to see what I was about to do? I forgive you for it on one
condition,-that you tell it to nobody before my death." In this he followed the example of our
Lord, who, when He showed his glory to his disciples on the mountain, said, " See that you tell
no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead." When the brother had assented to this
condition, he give him his blessing, and released him from all his trouble. The man concealed
this miracle during St. Cuthbert's life; but, after his death, took care to tell it to as many persons
as he was able.
CHAPTER XI
HOW, WHEN THE SAILORS WERE PREVENTED FROM SAILING BY BAD
WEATHER, HE PREDICTED THAT IT WOULD BE FINE ON A CERTAIN DAY, AND
HOW HE OBTAINED FOOD BY PRAYER
MEANWHILE the man of God began to wax strong in the spirit of prophecy, to foretell future
events, and to describe to those he was with what things were going on elsewhere. Once upon a
time he left the monastery for some necessary reason, and went by sea to the land of the Picts,
which is called Niduari. Two of the brethren accompanied him; and one of these, who
afterwards discharged the priest's office, made known to several the miracle which the man of
God there performed. They arrived there the day after Christmas-day, hoping, because the
weather and sea were both tranquil, that they should soon return; and for this reason they took no
food with them. They were, however, deceived in their expectations; for no sooner were they
come to land, than a tempest arose, and prevented them from returning. After stopping there
several days, suffering from cold and hunger, the day of the holy Epiphany was at hand, and the
man of God, who had spent the night in prayer and watching, not in idleness or sloth, addressed
them with cheerful and soothing language, as he was accustomed: "Why do we remain here idle?
Let us do the best we can to save ourselves. The ground is covered with snow, and the heaven
with clouds; the currents of both winds and waves are right against us: we are famished with
hunger, and there is no one to relieve us. Let us importune the Lord with our prayers, that, as He
opened to his people a path through the Red Sea, and miraculously fed them in the wilderness,
He may take pity on us also in our present distress. If our faith does not waver, I do not think He
will suffer us to remain all this day fasting-a day which He formerly made so bright with his
heavenly majesty. I pray you, therefore, to come with me and see what provision He has made
for us, that we may ourselves rejoice in his joy." Saying these words, he led them to the shore
where he himself had been accustomed to pray at night. On their arrival, they found there three
pieces of dolphin's flesh, looking as if some one had cut them and prepared them to be cooked.
They fell on their knees and gave thanks to God. "You see, my beloved brethren," said Cuthbert,
"how great is the grace of God to him who hopes and trusts in the Lord. Behold, He has prepared
food for his servants; and by the number three points out to us how long we must remain here.
Take, therefore, the gifts which Christ has sent us; let us go and refresh ourselves, and abide here
without fear, for after three days there will most assuredly be a calm, both of the heavens and of
the sea." All this was so as he had said: three days the storm lasted most violently; on the fourth
day the promised calm followed, and they returned with a fair wind home.
CHAPTER XII
HOW HE FORETOLD THAT, ON A JOURNEY, AN EAGLE WOULD BRING HIM
FOOD, AND HOW THIS TOOK PLACE ACCORDINGLY
IT happened, also, that on a certain day he was going forth from the monastery to preach, with
one attendant only, and when they became tired with walking, though a great part of their
journey still lay before them ere they could reach the village to which they were going, Cuthbert
said to his follower, "Where shall we stop to take refreshment? or do you know any one on the
road to whom we may turn in ? "-" I was myself thinking on the same subject," said the boy; "for
we have brought no provisions with us. and I know no one on the road who will entertain us, and
we have a long journey still before us, which we cannot well accomplish without eating. " The
man of God replied, " My son, learn to have faith, and trust in God, who will never suffer to
perish with hunger those who trust in Him." Then looking up, and seeing an eagle flying in the
air, he said, " Do you perceive that eagle yonder? It is possible for God to feed us even by means
of that eagle." As they were thus discoursing, they came near a river, and behold the eagle was
standing on its bank. "Look," said the man of God, "there is our handmaid, the eagle, that I spoke
to you about. Run, and see what provision God hath sent us, and come again and tell me." The
boy ran, and found a good-sized fish, which the eagle had just caught. But the man of God
reproved him, " What have you done, my son? Why have you not given part to God's handmaid?
Cut the fish in two pieces, and give her one, as her service well deserves." He did as he was
bidden, and carried the other part with him on his journey. When the time for eating was come,
they turned aside to a certain village, and having given the fish to be cooked, made an excellent
repast, and gave also to their entertainers, whilst Cuthbert preached to them the word of God,
and blessed Him for his mercies; for happy is the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord,
and who has not looked upon vanity and foolish deceit. After this, they resumed their journey, to
preach to those among whom they were going.
CHAPTER XIII
HOW HE FORESAW A VISION OF A FIRE COMING FROM THE DEVIL WHILST
HE WAS PREACHING, AND HOW HE PUT OUT THE SAME
ABOUT the same time, as he was preaching the word of life to a number of persons assembled
in a certain village, he suddenly saw in the spirit our old enemy coming to retard the work of
salvation, and forthwith began by admonitions to prevent the snares and devices which he saw
were coming. "Dearest brethren," said he, "as often as you hear the mysteries of the heavenly
kingdom preached to you, you should listen with attentive heart and with watchful feelings, lest
the devil, who has a thousand ways of harming you, prevent you by superfluous cares from
hearing the word of salvation." As he said these words, he resumed the thread of his discourse,
and immediately that wicked enemy, bringing supernatural fire, set light to a neighboring house,
so that flakes of fire seemed to fly through the air, and a storm of wind and thunder shook the
sky. Nearly the whole multitude rushed forward, to extinguish the fire, (for he restrained a few
of them himself,) but yet with all their real water they could not put out the false flames, until, at
Cuthbert's prayer, the author of the deceit was put to flight, and his fictitious fires dispersed
along with him. The multitude, seeing this, were suffused with ingenuous blushes, and, falling
on their knees before him, prayed to be forgiven for their fickleness of mind, acknowledging
their conviction that the devil never rests even for an hour from impeding the work of man's
salvation. But he, encouraging them under their infirmity, again began to preach to them the
words of everlasting life.
CHAPTER XIV
HOW, WHEN A HOUSE WAS REALLY SET ON FIRE, HE PUT OUT THE FLAMES
BY PRAYER
BUT it was not only in the case of an apparition of a fire that his power was shown; for he
extinguished a real fire by the fervency of his tears, when many had failed in putting it out with
all the water they could get. For, as he was traveling about, preaching salvation, like the apostles
of old, he one day entered the house of a pious woman, whom he was in the habit of often
visiting, and whom, from having been nursed by her in his infancy, he was accustomed on that
account to call his mother. The house was at the west end of the village, and Cuthbert had no
sooner entered it to preach the word of God, than a house at the other end of the place caught
fire and began to blaze most dreadfully. For the wind was from the same quarter, so that the
sparks from the kindled thatch flew over the whole village. Those who were present tried to
extinguish it with water, but were driven back by the heat. Then the aforesaid handmaid of the
Lord, running to the house where Cuthbert was, besought him to help them, before her own
house and the others in the village should be destroyed. " Do not fear, mother," said he; " be of
good cheer; this devouring flame will not hurt either you or yours." He then went out and threw
himself prostrate on the ground before the door. Whilst he was praying, the wind changed, and
beginning to blow from the west, removed all danger of the fire assailing the house, into which
the man of God had entered.
And thus in two miracles he imitated the virtues of two of the fathers. For in the case of the
apparition of fire above mentioned, he imitated the reverend and holy father Saint Benedict, who
by his prayers drove away the apparition of a fire like a burning kitchen, which the old enemy
had presented before the eyes of his disciples: and, in the case of the real fire which he thus
extinguished, he imitated that venerable priest Marcellinus of Ancona, who, when his native
town was on fire, placed himself in front of the flames, and put them out by his prayers, though
all the exertions of his fellow-countrymen had failed to extinguish them with water. Nor is it
wonderful that such perfect and pious servants of God should receive power against the force of
fire, considering that by their daily piety they enable themselves to conquer the desires of the
flesh, and to extinguish all the fiery darts of the wicked one: and to them is applicable the saying
of the prophet, [Is. 43:2] " When you walk through the fire, you shalt not be burned; neither shall
the fire kindle upon thee." But I, and those who are, like me, conscious of our own weakness and
inertness, are sure that we can do nothing in that way against material fire, and, indeed, are by no
means sure that we shall be able to escape unhurt from that fire of future punishment, which
never shall be extinguished. But the love of our Savior is strong and abundant, and will bestow
the grace of its protection upon us, though we are unworthy and unable in this world to
extinguish the fires of vicious passions and of punishment in the world which is to come.
CHAPTER XV
HOW HE CAST OUT A DEV1L FROM THB PREFECT'S WIFE, EVEN BEFORE HIS
ARRIVAL
BUT, as we have above related how this venerable man prevailed against the false stratagems of
the devil, now let us show in what way he displayed his power against his open and undisguised
enmity. There was a certain prefect of King Egfrid, Hildemer by name, a man devoted with all
his house to good works, and therefore especially beloved by Saint Cuthbert, and often visited by
him whenever he was journeying that way. This man's wife, who was devoted to almsgiving and
other fruits of virtue, was suddenly so afflicted by a devil, that she gnashed her teeth, uttered the
most pitiable cries, and, throwing about her arms and limbs, caused great terror to all who saw
or heard her. Whilst she was lying in this state, and expected to die, her husband mounted his
horse, and, coming to the man of God, besought his help, saying, "My wife is ill, and at the point
of death: I entreat you to send a priest to visit her before she dies, and minister to her the
sacrament of the body and blood of Christ; and, also, that when she is dead, she may be buried in
this holy place." He was ashamed to say that she was out of her senses, because the man of God
had always seen her in her right mind. Whilst the holy man was going to find out a priest to send
to her, he reflected in his mind that it was no ordinary infirmity, but a visitation of the devil; and
so, returning to the man who had come to entreat him in his wife's behalf, he said, " I will not
send any one, but I will go myself to visit her."
Whilst they were going, the man began to cry, and the tears ran down his cheeks, for he was
afraid lest Cuthbert, finding her afflicted with a devil, should think that she had been a false
servant of the Lord, and that her faith was not real. The man of God consoled him: " Do not
weep because I am likely to find your wife otherwise than I could wish; for I know that she is
vexed with a devil, though you are afraid to name it: and I know, moreover, that, before we
arrive, she will be freed, and come to meet us, and will herself take the reins, as sound in mind
as ever, and will invite us in and minister to us as before; for not only the wicked but the
innocent are sometimes permitted by God to be afflicted in body, and are even taken captive in
spirit by the devil." Whilst he thus consoled the man, they approached the house, and the evil
spirit fled, not able to meet the coming of the holy man. The woman, freed from her suffering,
rose up immediately, as if from sleep, and, meeting the man of God with joy, held the bridle of
his horse, and, having entirely recovered her strength, both of mind and body, begged him to
dismount and to bestow his blessing upon her house; and ministering sedulously to him, testified
openly that, at the first touch of the rein, she had felt herself relieved from all the pain of her
former suffering.
CHAPTER XVI
HOW HE LIVED AND TAUGHT IN THE MONASTERY OF LINDISFARNE
WHILST this venerable servant of the Lord was thus during many years, distinguishing himself
by such signs of spiritual excellence in the monastery of Melrose, its reverend abbot, Eata,
transferred him to the monastery in the island of Lindisfarne, that there also he might teach the
rules of monastic perfection with the authority of its governor, and illustrate it by the example of
his virtue; for the same reverend abbot had both monasteries under his jurisdiction. And no one
should wonder that, though the island of Lindisfarne is small, we have above made mention of a
bishop, and now of an abbot and monks; for the case is really so. For the same island, inhabited
by servants of the Lord, contains both, and all are monks. For Aidan, who was the first bishop of
that place, was a monk, and with all his followers lived according to the monastic rule.
Wherefore all the principals of that place from him to the present time exercise the episcopal
office; so that, whilst the monastery is governed by the abbot, whom they, with the consent of
the brethren, have elected, all the priests, deacons, singers, readers, and other ecclesiastical
officers of different ranks, observe the monastic rule in every respect, as well as the bishop
himself. The blessed pope Gregory showed that he approved this mode of life, when in answer to
Augustine, his first missionary to Britain, who asked him how bishops ought to converse with
their clerks, among other remarks he replied, " Because, my brother, having been educated in the
monastic rule, you ought not to keep aloof from your clerks: in the English Church, which,
thanks be to God, has lately been converted to the faith, you should institute the same system,
which has existed from the first beginning of our Church among our ancestors, none of whom
said that the things which he possessed were his own, but they had all things common." When
Cuthbert, therefore, came to the church or monastery of Lindisfarne, he taught the brethren
monastic rules both by his life and doctrines, and often going round, as was his custom, among
the neighboring people, he kindled them up to seek after and work out a heavenly reward.
Moreover, by his miracles he became more and more celebrated, and by the earnestness of his
prayers restored to their former health many that were afflicted with various infirmities and
sufferings; some that were vexed with unclean spirits, he not only cured whilst present by
touching them, praying over them, or even by commanding or exorcizing the devils to go out of
them; but even when absent he restored them by his prayers, or by foretelling that they should be
restored; amongst whom also was the wife of the prefect above mentioned.
There were some brethren in the monastery who preferred their ancient customs to the new
regular discipline. But he got the better of these by his patience and modest virtues, and by daily
practice at length brought them to the better system which he had in view. Moreover, in his
discussions with the brethren, when he was fatigued by the bitter taunts of those who opposed
him, he would rise from his seat with a placid look, and dismiss the meeting until the following
day, when, as if he had suffered no repulse, he would use the same exhortations as before, until
he converted them, as I have said before, to his own views. For his patience was most
exemplary, and in enduring the opposition which was heaped equally upon his mind and body he
was most resolute, and, amid the asperities which he encountered, he always exhibited such
placidity of countenance, as made it evident to all that his outward vexations were compensated
for by the internal consolations of the Holy Spirit.
But he was so zealous in watching and praying, that he is believed to have sometimes passed
three or four nights together therein, during which time he neither went to his own bed, nor had
any accommodation from the brethren for reposing himself. For he either passed the time alone,
praying in some retired spot, or singing and making something with his hands, thus beguiling his
sleepiness by labor; or, perhaps, he walked round the island, diligently examining every thing
therein, and by this exercise relieved the tediousness of psalmody and watching. Lastly, he
would reprove the faintheartedness of the brethren, who took it amiss if any one came and
unseasonably importuned them to awake at night or during their afternoon naps. "No one," said
he, "can displease me by waking me out of my sleep, but, on the contrary, give me pleasure; for,
by rousing me from inactivity, he enables me to do or think of something useful." So devout and
zealous was he in his desire after heavenly things, that, whilst officiating in the solemnity of the
mass, he never could come to the conclusion thereof without a plentiful shedding of tears. But
whilst he duly discharged the mysteries of our Lord's passion, he would, in himself, illustrate that
in which he was officiating; in contrition of heart he would sacrifice himself to the Lord; and
whilst he exhorted the standers-by to lift up their hearts and to give thanks unto the Lord, his
own heart was lifted up rather than his voice, and it was the spirit which groaned within him
rather than the note of singing. In his zeal for righteousness he was fervid to correct sinners, he
was gentle in the spirit of mildness to forgive the penitent, so that he would often shed tears over
those who confessed their sins, pitying their weaknesses, and would himself point out by his own
righteous example what course the sinner should pursue. He used vestments of the ordinary
description, neither noticeable for their too great neatness, nor yet too slovenly. Wherefore, even
to this day, it is not customary in that monastery for any one to wear vestments of a rich or
valuable color, but they are content with that appearance which the natural wool of the sheep
presents.
By these and such like spiritual exercises, this venerable man both excited the good to follow his
example, and recalled the _wicked and perverse from their errors to regularity of life.
CHAPTER XVII
OF THE HABITATION WHICH HE MADE FOR HIMSELF IN THE ISLAND OF FARNE,
WHEN HE HAD EXPELLED THE DEVILS
WHEN he had remained some years in the monastery, he was rejoiced to be able at length, with
the blessing of the abbot and brethren accompanying him, to retire to the secrecy of solitude
which he had so long coveted. He rejoiced that from the long conversation with the world he was
now thought worthy to be promoted to retirement and Divine contemplation: he rejoiced that he
now could reach to the condition of those of whom it is sung by the Psalmist: " The holy shall
walk from virtue to virtue; the God of Gods shall be seen in Zion. " At his first entrance upon the
solitary life, he sought out the most retired spot in the outskirts of the monastery. But when he
had for some time contended with the invisible adversary with prayer and fasting in this solitude,
he then, aiming at higher things, sought out a more distant field for conflict, and more remote
from the eyes of men. There is a certain island called Farne, in the middle of the sea, not made
an island, like Lindisfarne, by the flow of the tide, which the Greeks call rheuma, and then
restored to the mainland at its ebb, but lying off several miles to the East, and, consequently,
surrounded on all sides by the deep and boundless ocean. No one, before God's servant Cuthbert,
had ever dared to inhabit this island alone, on account of the evil spirits which reside there: but
when this servant of Christ came, armed with the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, all the fiery darts of the wicked were
extinguished, and that wicked enemy, with all his followers, were put to flight.
Christ's soldier, therefore, having thus, by the expulsion of the tyrants, become the lawful
monarch of the land, built a city fit for his empire, and houses therein suitable to his city. The
building is almost of a round form, from wall to wall about four or five poles in extent: the wall
on the outside is higher than a man, but within, by excavating the rock, he made it much deeper,
to prevent the eyes and the thoughts from wandering, that the mind might be wholly bent on
heavenly things, and the pious inhabitant might behold nothing from his residence but the
heavens above him. The wall was constructed, not of hewn stones or of brick and mortar, but of
rough stones and turf, which had been taken out from the ground within. Some of them were so
large that four men could hardly have lifted them, but Cuthbert himself, with angels helping him,
had raised them up and placed them on the wall. There were two chambers in the house, one an
oratory, the other for domestic purposes. He finished the walls of them by digging round and
cutting away the natural soil within and without, and formed the roof out of rough poles and
straw. Moreover, at the landing-place of the island he built a large house, in which the brethren
who visited him might be received and rest themselves, and not far from it there was a fountain
of water or their use.
CHAPTER XVIII
HOW BY HIS PRAYERS HE DREW WATER FROM THE DRY GROUND, AND HOW HE
GOT ON DURING HIS RETIREMENT
BUT his own dwelling was destitute of water, being built on hard and stony ground. The man of
God, therefore, sent for the brethren, for he had not yet withdrawn himself entirely from the
sight of visitors, and said to them, " You see that my dwelling is destitute of water; but I pray
you, let us beseech Him who turned the solid rock into a pool of water and stones into fountains,
that giving glory, not to us, but to his own name, He may vouchsafe to open to us a spring of
water, even from this stony rock. Let us dig in the middle of my hut, and, I believe, out of his
good pleasure, He will give us drink." They therefore made a pit, and the next morning found it
full of water, springing up from within. Wherefore there can be no doubt that it was elicited by
the prayers of this man of God from the ground which was before dry and stony. Now this water,
by a most remarkable quality, never overflowed its first limits so as to flood the pavement, nor
yet ever failed, however much of it might be taken out; so that it never surpassed or fell short of
the daily necessities of him who used it for his sustenance.
Now when Cuthbert had, with the assistance of the brethren, made for himself this dwelling with
its chambers, he began to live in a more secluded manner. At first, indeed, when the brethren
came to visit him, he would leave his cell and minister to them. He used to wash their feet
devoutly with warm water, and was sometimes compelled by them to take off his shoes, that
they might wash his feet also. For he had so far withdrawn his mind from attending to the care of
his person, and fixed it upon the concerns of his soul, that he would often spend whole months
without taking off his leathern gaiters. Sometimes, too, he would keep his shoes on from one
Easter to another, only taking them off on account of the washing of feet, which then takes place
at the Lord 's Supper. Wherefore, in consequence of his frequent prayers and genuflexions,
which he made with his shoes on, he was discovered to have contracted a callosity on the
junction of his feet and legs. At length, as his zeal after perfection grew, he shut himself up in
his cell away from the sight of men, and spent his time alone in fasting, watching, and prayer,
rarely having communication with any one without, and that through the window, which at first
was left open, that he might see and be seen; but, after a time, he shut that also, and opened it
only to give his blessing, or for any other purpose of absolute necessity.
CHAPTER XIX
HOW HE SOWED A FIELD WITH BARLEY, AND KEPT OFF THE BIRDS FROM THE
CROP BY HIS MERE WORD
AT first, indeed, he received from his visitors a small portion of bread, and drank water from the
fountain; but afterwards he thought it more fitting to live by the labor of his own hands, like the
old fathers. He therefore asked them to bring him some instruments of husbandry, and some
wheat to sow; but when he had sown the grain in the spring, it did not come up. At the next visit
of the monks, he said to them, "Perhaps the nature of the soil or the will of God, does not allow
wheat to grow in this place: bring me, I beg of you, some barley: possibly that may answer. If,
however, on trial it does not, I had better return to the monastery than be supported here by the
labor of others." The barley was accordingly brought, and sown, although the season was
extraordinarily late; and the barley came up most unexpectedly and most abundantly. It no
sooner began to ripen, than the birds came and wasted it most grievously. Christ's holy servant,
as he himself afterwards told it, (for he used, in a cheerful and affable manner, to confirm the
faith of his hearers by telling them the mercies which his own faith had obtained from the Lord,)
drew near to the birds, and said to them, " \0lhy do you touch that which you have not sown ?
Have you more share than I in this ? If you have received license from God, do what He allows
you; but if not, get you gone, and do no further injury to that which belongs to another." He had
no sooner spoken, than all the flock of birds departed, and never more returned to feed upon that
field. Thus in two miracles did this reverend servant of Christ imitate the example of two of the
fathers: for, in drawing water from the rock, he followed the holy St. Benedict, who did almost
the same thing, and in the same way, though more abundantly, because there were more who
were in want of water. And in driving away the birds, he imitated the reverend and holy father
St. Antony, who by his word alone drove away the wild asses from the garden which he had
planted.
CHAPTER XX
HOW THE CROWS APOLOGIZED TO THE MAN OF GOD FOR THE INJURY WHICH
THEY DID HIM, AND MADE HIM A PRESENT IN COMPENSATION
I AM here tempted to relate another miracle which he wrought in imitation of the aforesaid
father St. Benedict, in which the obedience and humility of birds are a warning to the perversity
and pride of mankind. There were some crows which had long been accustomed to build in the
island. One day the man of God saw them, whilst making their nests, pull out the thatch of the
hut which he had made to entertain the brethren in, and carry it away to build with. He
immediately stretched out his hand, and warned them to do no harm to the brethren. As they
neglected his command, he said to them, " In the name of Jesus Christ, depart as speedily as
possible, and do not presume to remain any longer in the place, to which you are doing harm."
He had scarcely uttered these words, when they flew away in sorrow. At the end of three days
one of the two returned, and finding the man of God digging in the field, spread out its wings in
a pitiable manner, and bending its head down before his feet, in a tone of humility asked pardon
by the most expressive signs it could, and obtained from the reverend father permission to
return. It then departed and fetched its companion; and when they had both arrived, they brought
in their beaks a large piece of hog's lard, which the man of God used to show to the brethren who
visited him, and kept to grease their shoes with; testifying to them how earnestly they should
strive after humility, when a dumb bird that had acted so insolently, hastened by prayers,
lamentation, and presents, to obliterate the injury which it had done to man. Lastly, as a pattern
of reformation to the human race, these birds remained for many years and built their nests in
the island, and did not dare to give annoyance to any one. But let no one think it absurd to learn
virtue from birds; for Solomon says, "Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider her ways, and be
wise."
CHAPTER XXI
HOW EVEN THE SEA WAS SUBSERVIENT TO HIS WANTS
BUT not only did the animals of the air and sea, for the sea itself, as the air and fire, on former
occasions which we have mentioned, exemplified their obedience to the venerable man. For it is
no wonder that every creature should obey his wishes, who so faithfully, and with his whole
heart, obeyed the great Author of all creatures. But we for the most part have lost our dominion
over the creation that has been subjected to us, because we neglect to obey the Lord and Creator
of all things. The sea itself I say, displayed the most ready obedience to Christ'› servant, when he
had need of it. For he intended to build a little room in his monastery, adapted to his daily
necessities: and on the side towards the sea, where the waves had scooped a hollow, it was
necessary to put some support across the opening, which was twelve feet wide. He therefore
asked the brethren, who came to visit him, when they returned the next time, to bring him a
beam twelve feet long, to support his intended building. They readily promised to bring it, and
having received his blessing, departed; but by the time they reached home they had entirely
forgotten the matter, and on their next visit neglected to carry the timber which they had
promised. He received them mildly, and giving them welcome in God's name, asked them for the
wood which he had requested them to bring. Then they, remembering what they had promised,
apologized for their forgetfulness. Cuthbert, in the most gentle manner, pacified them, and
requested them to sleep there, and remain till the morning; "for," said he, " I do not think that
God will forget my service or my necessities." They accepted his invitation; and when they rose
in the morning, they saw that the tide had, during the night, brought on shore a beam of the
required size, and placed it exactly in the situation where the proposed chamber was to be built.
When they saw this, they marveled at the holiness of the venerable man, for that even the
elements obeyed him, and took much shame to themselves for their forgetfulness and sloth, who
were taught even by the senseless elements what obedience Ought to be shown to God's holy
saints.
CHAPTER XXII
HOW HE GAVE SALUTARY ADMONITIONS TO MANY WHO CAME TO HIM, AND
EXPOSED THE IMPOTENT SNARES OF THE OLD ENEMY
BUT many came to the man of God, not only from the furthest parts of Lindisfarne, but even
from the more remote parts of Britain, led thither by the fame of his virtues, to confess the errors
which they had committed, or the temptations of the devil which they suffered, or the adversities
common to mortals, with which they were afflicted, and all hoping to receive consolation from a
man so eminent for holiness. Nor did their hope deceive them For no one went away from him
without consolation, no one returned afflicted with the same grief which had brought him
thither. For he knew how to comfort the sorrowful with pious exhortation; he could recall the
joys of celestial life to the memory of those who were straitened in circumstances, and show the
uncertainty of prosperity and adversity in this life: he had learnt to make known to those who
were tempted the numerous wiles of their ancient enemy, by which that mind would be easily
captivated which was deprived of brotherly or Divine love; whereas, the mind which,
strengthened by the true faith, should continue its course, would, by the help of God, break the
snares of the adversary like the threads of a spider's web. "How often," said he, "have they sent
me headlong from the high rock ! How many times have they thrown stones at me as if to kill me
! Yea, they sought to discourage me by various trials of apparitions, and to exterminate me from
this scene of trial, but were never able to affect my body with injury, or my mind with fear."
He was accustomed to relate these things more frequently to the brotherhood, lest they should
wonder at his conversation as being peculiarly exalted, because, despising secular cares, he
preferred to live apart. " But," said he, "the life of monks may well be wondered at, who are
subjected in all things to the orders of the abbot, the times of watching, praying, fasting, and
working, being all regulated according to his will; many of whom have I known far exceed my
littleness, both in purity of mind and advancement in prophetic grace. Among whom must I
mention, with all honor, the venerable Boisil, servant of Christ, who, when an old man, formerly
supported me in my youth at Melrose Abbey, and while instructing me, he foretold, with
prophetic truth, all things which would happen to me; and of all things which he foretold to me,
one alone remains which I hope may never be accomplished." Cuthbert told us this was a
prophecy of Boisil, that this, our holy servant of Christ, should attain to the office of a bishop;
though he, in his eagerness after the heavenly life, felt horrified at the announcement.
CHAPTER XXIII
HOW ELFLED THE ABBESS AND ONE OF HER NUNS WERE CURED
BUT though our man of God was thus secluded from mankind, yet he did not cease from
working miracles and curing those who were sick. For a venerable handmaid of Christ, Elfled by
name, who, amid the joys of virginity, devoted her motherly care and piety to several companies
of Christ's handmaids, and added to the luster of her princely birth the brighter excellence of
exalted virtue, was inspired with much love towards the holy man of God. About this time, as
she afterwards told the reverend Herefrid, presbyter of the church of Lindisfarne, who related it
to me, she was afflicted with a severe illness and suffered long, insomuch that she seemed
almost at the gates of death. The physicians could do her no good, when, on a sudden, the Divine
grace worked within her, and she by degrees was saved from death, though not fully cured. The
pain in her inside left her, the strength of her limbs returned, but the power of standing and
walking was still denied her; for she could not support herself on her feet, nor move from place
to place, save on all fours. Her sorrow was, therefore, great; and she never expected to recover
from her weakness, for she had long abandoned all hope from the physicians. One day, as she
was indulging her bitter thoughts, she turned her mind to the holy and tranquil life of the
reverend father Cuthbert; and expressed a wish that she had in her possession some article that
had belonged to him; "for I know, and am confident," said she, "that I should soon be well." Not
long after this, there came a person who brought with him a linen girdle from Saint Cuthbert: she
was overjoyed at the gift, and perceiving that Heaven had revealed to the saint her wish, she put
it on, and the next morning found herself able to stand upon her feet. On the third day she was
restored to perfect health.
A few days after, one of the virgins of the same monastery was taken ill with a violent pain in
the head; and whilst the complaint became so much worse that she thought she should die, the
venerable abbess went in to see her. Seeing her sorely afflicted, she brought the girdle of the
man of God to her, and bound it round her head. The same day the pain in the head left her, and
she laid up the girdle in her chest. The abbess wanted it again a few days after, but it could not
be found either in the chest or anywhere else. It was at once perceived that Divine Providence
had so ordered it, that the sanctity of the man of God might be established by these two miracles,
and all occasion of doubting thereof be removed from the incredulous. For if the girdle had
remained, all those who were sick would have gone to it, and whilst some of them would be
unworthy of being cured, its efficacy to cure might have been denied, whereas their own
unworthiness would have been to blame. Whereof, as I said before, Heaven so dealt forth its
benevolence from on high, that when the faith of believers had been strengthened, all matter for
detraction was forthwith removed from the malice of the unrighteous.
CHAPTER XXIV
OF HIS PROPHECY IN ANSWER TO THE SAME ELFLED, CONCERNING THE LIFE OF
KING EGFRID AND HIS OWN BISHOPRIC
AT another time, the same Elfled, who was a most holy virgin, and mother of the virgins of
Christ, sent for the man of God, adjuring him in the name of our Lord that she might be all:)wed
to see him and to speak about certain things of importance. He therefore entered with the
brethren into a ship, and went over to an island which is situated in the mouth of the river
Coquet, from which it received its name. The island was also remarkable for the number of its
monks. The abbess, who had requested him to meet her in this island, when she had enjoyed his
conversation for some time, and the man of God had answered many questions that she put to
him; on a sudden, in the midst of his conversation, she fell at his feet and adjured him, by the
terrible and sacred name of our heavenly King and his angels, that he would tell her how long
her brother Egfrid would live and govern the English nation. " For I know," she said, " that you
abound in the Spirit of prophecy, and that, if you are willing, you are able to tell me even this. "
But he, shuddering at the adjuration, and yet not being willing openly to reveal the secret which
she had asked him, replied, " It is a wonderful thing that you, being a wise woman and skilled in
sacred Scriptures, should call long the duration of human life: the Psalmist says, that ' our years
shall perish like a spider's web,' and Solomon advises, that if a man shall live many years, and
shall have been prosperous in all of these, he ought to remember the gloomy time of many days,
which when it shall come, the past is convicted of folly; how much more then ought that man, to
whose life one year only is wanting, to be considered as having lived a short time when death
stands at his door ! "
On hearing these words she lamented the dreadful prophecy with many tears- but then having
wiped her face. she with feminine boldness adjured him by the majesty of the Holy One, that he
would tell her who would be the heir to the kingdom, seeing that Egfrid had neither sons nor
brothers. After a short silence, he said, " Do not say that he is without heirs, for he shall have a
successor, whom you shall embrace like Egfrid himself with the affection of a sister."-"But,"
said she, "I beseech you to tell me where he may be found." He answered, "You behold this great
and spacious sea, how it abounds in islands. It is easy for God out of some of these to provide a
person to reign over England. " She therefore understood him to speak of Alfrid, who was said to
be the son of her father, and was then, on account of his love of literature, exiled to the Scottish
islands. But she was aware that Egfrid proposed to make him a bishop, and wishing to know if
the effect would follow the intention, she began by inquiring in this manner: "Oh, with what
various intentions are the hearts of men distracted ! Some rejoice in having obtained riches,
others always eager after them are still in want: but you rejects the glory of the world, although it
is offered thee; and although you might obtain a bishopric, than which there is nothing more
sublime on earth, yet you prefer the recesses of thy desert to this rank."-" But," said he, " I know
that I am not worthy of so high a rank; nevertheless, I cannot shun the judgment of the Supreme
Ruler, who, if he decreed that I should subject myself to so great a burden, would, I believe,
restore me after a moderate freedom, and perhaps after not more than two years would send me
back to my former solitude and quiet. But I must first request you in the name of our Lord and
Savior that you do not relate to any one before my death the things which I have told you. "
When he had expounded to her the various things which she asked, and had instructed her
concerning the things which she had need of, he returned to his solitary island and monastery,
and continued his mode of life as he had commenced it.
Not long after, in a full synod, Archbishop Theodore of blessed memory presiding in the
presence of God's chosen servant, the holy King Egfrid, he was unanimously elected to the
bishopric of the see of Lindisfarne. But, although they sent many messengers and letters to him,
he could not by any means be drawn from his habitation, until the king himself, above
mentioned, sailed to the island, attended by the most holy Bishop Trumwine, and by as many
other religious and influential men as he could: they all went down on their knees before him,
and adjured him by the Lord, with tears and entreaties, until they drew him away from his
retirement with tears in his eyes and took him to the synod. When arrived there, although much
resisting, he was overcome by the unanimous wish of all, and compelled to submit to undertake
the duties of the bishopric; yet the ordination did not take place immediately, but at the
termination of the winter which was then beginning. And that his prophecies might be fulfilled
in all things, Egfrid was killed the year afterwards in battle with the Picts, and was succeeded on
the throne by his illegitimate brother Alfrid, who, a few years before, had devoted himself to
literature in Scotland, suffering a voluntary exile, to gratify his love of science.
CHAPTER XXV
HOW, WHEN ELECTED TO THE BISHOPRIC, HE CURED A SERVANT OF ONE OF THE
KING S ATTENDANTS BY MEANS OF HOLY WATER
WHEN Cuthbert, the man of God, after having been elected to the bishopric, had returned to his
island, and for some time had served God in secret with his accustomed devotion, the venerable
Bishop Eata called him and requested him to come to an interview with him at Melrose. The
conversation being finished, and Cuthbert having commenced his journey homewards, a certain
attendant of King Egfrid met him, and besought him that he would turn aside and give a
benediction at his house. When he had arrived there, and had received the grateful salutations of
all, the man pointed out to him one of his servants who was infirm, saying, " I thank God, most
holy father, that you have thought worthy to enter our house to see us, and, indeed, we believe
that your arrival will afford us the greatest profit both of mind and body. For there is one of our
servants tormented with the worst infirmity, and is this day afflicted with such great pain that he
appears more like a man dying than sick. For his extremities being dead, he seems only to
breathe a little through his mouth and nostrils." Cuthbert immediately blessed some water, and
gave it to a servant whose name was Baldhelm, who is still alive and filling the office of
presbyter in the bishopric of Lindisfarne, which he adorns by his good qualities. He also has the
faculty of relating in the sweetest manner the virtues of the man of God to all who are desirous
of knowing, and it was he that told me the miracle which I relate. The man of God, then, giving
him the holy water, said, " Go and give it to the sick man to drink." In obedience to these words
he brought the water to the sick man, and when he poured it into his mouth the third time, the
sick man, contrary to his usual custom, fell asleep. It was now evening, and he passed the night
in silence, and in the morning appeared quite well when his master visited him.
CHAPTER XXVI
OF HIS MANNER OF LIFE IN HIS BISHOPRIC
THE venerable man of God, Cuthbert, adorned the office of bishop, which he had undertaken, by
the exercise of many virtues, according to the precepts and examples of the Apostles. For he
protected the people committed to his care with frequent prayers, and invited them to heavenly
things by most wholesome admonitions, and followed that system which most facilitates
teaching, by first doing himself what he taught to others. He saved the needy man from the hand
of the stronger, and the poor and destitute from those who would oppress them. He comforted
the weak and sorrowful; but he took care to recall those who were sinfully rejoicing to that
sorrow which is according to godliness. Desiring still to exercise his usual frugality, he did not
cease to observe the severity of a monastic life, amid the turmoil by which he was surrounded.
He gave food to the hungry, raiment to the shivering, and his course was marked by all the other
particulars which adorn the life of a pontiff. The miracles with which he shone forth to the world
bore witness to the virtues of his own mind, some of which we have taken care briefly to hand
down to memory.
CHAPTER XXVII
HOW, THOUGH AT A DISTANCE, HE SAW IN SPIRIT THE DEATH OF KING EGFRID,
AND THE END OF HIS WARFARE, WHICH HE HAD FORETOLD
Now, when King Egfrid had rashly led his army against the Picts, and devastated their territories
with most atrocious cruelty, the man of God, Cuthbert, knowing that the time was now come,
concerning which he had prophesied the year before to his sister, that the king would live only
one year more, came to Lugubalia (which is corruptly called by the English Luel) to speak to the
queen, who was there awaiting the result of the war in her sister's monastery. But the next day,
when the citizens were leading him to see the walls of the town, and the remarkable fountain,
formerly built by the Romans, suddenly, as he was resting on his staff, he was disturbed in spirit,
and, turning his countenance sorrowfully to the earth, he raised himself, and, lifting his eyes to
heaven, groaned loudly, and said in a low voice, " Now, then, the contest is decided ! " The
presbyter, who was standing near, in incautious haste answered, and said, " How do you know it
? " But he, unwilling to declare more concerning those things which were revealed to him, said, "
Do you not see how wonderfully the air is changed and disturbed? Who is able to investigate the
judgments of the Almighty? " But he immediately entered in and spoke to the queen in private,
for it was the Sabbath-day. "Take care," said he, "that you get into your chariot very early on the
second day of the week, for it is not lawful to ride in a chariot on the Lord 's day; and go quickly
to the royal city, lest, perchance, the king may have been slain. But I have been asked to go
to-morrow to a neighboring monastery, to consecrate a church, and will follow you as soon as
that duty is finished."
But when the Lord's day was come, whilst he was preaching the word of God to the brethren of
the same monastery, the sermon being finished, he began again to teach his listening
congregation, as follows:-" I beseech you, my beloved, according to the admonitions of the
Apostle, to watch, remain steadfast in the faith, act manfully, and be comforted, that no
temptation may find you unprepared, but rather that you may be always mindful of the precept of
the Lord Himself, ' Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.' " But some thought he said this
because a pestilence had not long before afflicted them and many others with a great mortality,
and that he spoke of this scourge being about to return. But he, resuming his discourse, said,
"When I formerly lived alone in my island, some of the brethren came to me on the day of the
Holy Nativity, and asked me to go out of my cabin and solemnize with them this joyful and
hallowed day. Yielding to their prayers, I went out, and we sat down to feast. But, in the middle
of the banquet, I suddenly said to them, ' I beseech you, brethren, let us act cautiously and
watchfully, lest, perchance, through carelessness and a sense of security, we be led into
temptation.' But they answered, ' We entreat you, let us spend a joyful day now, for it is the
birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ ! ' To which I agreed. Some time after this, when we were
indulging ourselves in eating, merriment, and conversation, I again began to admonish them that
we should be solicitous in prayer and watchfulness, and ever prepared to meet all temptations.
But they replied, ' You teach well; nevertheless, as the days of fasting, watching, and prayer are
numerous, let us to-day rejoice in the Lord. For the angel manifested great joy to the shepherds
when the Lord was born, and told them that it was a day to be celebrated by all people !'' Well, '
said I, ' let us do so. ' But when I repeated the words of the same admonition the third time, they
perceived that I would not have suggested this so earnestly for no purpose, and said to me in
fear, ' Let us do as you teach, for it is incumbent on us to watch in spirit, armed against the
snares and temptations of the devil. ' When I said these things, I did not know any more than they
that any new temptation would happen to us; but I was only admonished, as it were instinctively,
that the state of the heart is to be always fortified against the storms of temptations. But when
they returned from me to their own home, that is, to the monastery of Lindisfarne, they found
that one of their brethren was dead of a pestilence; and the same disease increased, and raged so
furiously from day to day, for months, and almost for a whole year, that the greater part of that
noble assembly of spiritual fathers and brethren were sent into the presence of the Lord. Now,
therefore, my brethren, watch and pray, that if any tribulation assail you, it may find you
prepared. '
When the venerable man of God, Cuthbert, had said these things, the brethren thought, as I have
before stated, that he spoke of a return of the pestilence. But the day after, a man who had
escaped from the war explained, by the lamentable news which he brought, the hidden
prophecies of the man of God. It appeared that the guards had been slain, and the king cut off by
the sword of the enemy, on the very day and hour in which it was revealed to the man of God as
he was standing near the well.
CHAPTER XXVIII
HOW HE FORETOLD HIS OWN DEATH TO HEREBERT, THE HERMIT, AND BY
PRAYERS TO GOD OBTAINED HIS ATTENDANCE NOT
very long afterwards, the same servant of God, Cuthbert, was summoned to the same city of
Lugubalia, not only to consecrate priests, but also to bless the queen herself with his holy
conversation. Now there was a venerable priest of the name of Herebert, who had long been
united to the man of God, Cuthbert, in the bond of spiritual friendship, and who, leading a
solitary life, in an island in the large marsh from which the Derwent rises, used to come to him
every year, and receive from him admonitions in the way of eternal life. When this man heard
that he was stopping in that city, he came according to his custom, desiring to be kindled up
more and more by his wholesome exhortations in aspiring after heavenly things. When these two
had drunk deeply of the cup of celestial wisdom, Cuthbert said, among other things, "Remember,
brother Herebert, that you ask me now concerning whatever undertaking you may have in hand,
and that you speak to me about it now, because, after we shall have separated, we shall see each
other no more in this life. I am certain that the time of my death approaches, and the time of
leaving my earthly tenement is at hand." Upon hearing these words, he threw himself at his feet
with tears and lamentations, saying, " I beseech you by the Lord not to leave me, but be mindful
of your companion, and pray the Almighty Goodness that, as we have served Him together on
earth, we may at the same time pass to heaven to see his light. For I have always sought to live
according to the command of your mouth; and what I have left undone through ignorance or
frailty, I have equally taken care to correct, according to your pleasure." The bishop yielded to
his prayers, and immediately learnt in spirit, that he had obtained that which he had sought from
the Lord. "Arise, my brother," says he, "and do not lament, but rejoice in gladness, for his great
mercy has granted us that which we asked of Him." The event confirmed his promise and the
truth of the prophecy; for they never met again, but their souls departed from their bodies at one
and the same moment of time, and were joined together in a heavenly vision, and translated at
the same time by angels to the heavenly kingdom. But Herebert was first afflicted with a long
infirmity, perhaps by a dispensation of holy piety, in order that the continual pain of a long
sickness might supply what merit he had less than the blessed Cuthbert, so that being by grace
made equal to his intercessor, he might be rendered worthy to depart this life at one and the
same hour with him, and to be received into one and the same seat of everlasting happiness.
CHAPTER XXIX
HOW, THROUGH HIS PRIEST, HE CURED THE WIFE OF AN EARL WITH HOLY
WATER
WHEN he was one day going round his parish to give spiritual admonitions throughout the rural
districts, cottages, and villages, and to lay his hand on all the lately baptized, that they might
receive the Holy Spirit, he came to the mansion of a certain earl, whose wife lay sick almost
unto death. The earl himself, meeting him as he entered, thanked the Lord on his knees for his
arrival, and received him with kind hospitality. When his feet and hands were washed, according
to the custom of hospitality, and the bishop had sat down, the man began to tell him about the
sickness of his wife, who was despaired of, and besought him to consecrate some water to
sprinkle on her. " I believe," said he, " that by-and-by she will either, by the grace of God, be
restored to health, or else she will pass by death to life eternal, and soon receive a recompense
for so heavy and long-continued trouble." The man of God assented to his prayers, and having
blessed the water which was brought to him, gave it to the priest, directing him to sprinkle it on
the patient. He entered the bedroom in which she lay, as if dead, and sprinkled her and the bed,
and poured some of the healing draught down her throat. Oh, wonderful and extraordinary
circumstance ! the holy water had scarcely touched the patient, who was wholly ignorant what
was brought her, than she was so restored to health, both of mind and body, that being come to
her senses she blessed the Lord and returned thanks to Him, that He thought her worthy to be
visited and healed by such exalted guests. She got up without delay, and being now well,
ministered to those who had been instrumental in curing her; and it was extraordinary to see her,
who had escaped the bitter cup of death by the bishop's benediction, now the first of the
nobleman's family to offer him refreshment, following the example of the mother-in-law of the
Apostle Peter, who, being cured of a fever by the Lord, arose forthwith and ministered unto Him
and his disciples.
CHAPTER XXX
HOW HE CURED A GIRL OF A PAIN IN THE HEAD AND SIDE BY ANOINTING HER
WITH OIL
BUT the venerable Bishop Cuthbert effected a cure similar to this, of which there were many
eye-witnesses, one of whom is the religious priest, Ethelwald, at that time attendant on the man
of God, but now abbot of the monastery of Melrose. Whilst, according to his custom, he was
traveling and teaching all, he arrived at a certain village, in which were a few holy women, who
had fled from their monastery through fear of the barbarian army, and had there obtained a
habitation from the man of God a short time before: one of whom, a sister of the
above-mentioned priest, Ethelwald, was confined with a most grievous sickness; for during a
whole year she had been troubled with an intolerable pain in the head and side, which the
physicians utterly despaired of curing. But when they told the man of God about her, and
entreated him to cure her, he in pity anointed the wretched woman with holy oil. From that time
she began to get better, and was well in a few days.
CHAPTER XXXI
HOW HE CURED AN INFIRM MAN BY CONSECRATED BREAD
I MUST not here pass over a miracle which was told to me as having been worked by his
holiness, though he himself was absent. We mentioned a prefect of the name of Hildemer, whose
wife the man of God freed from an unclean spirit. The same prefect afterwards fell seriously ill,
so that his malady daily increased, and he was confined to his bed, apparently near death. Many
of his friends were present who had come to console him in his sickness. Whilst they were
sitting by the bedside, one of them mentioned that he had with him some consecrated bread
which Cuthbert had given him: "And I think," said he, "that if we were in faith to give him this to
eat, nothing doubting, he would be well." All present were laymen, but at the same time very
pious men, and turning to one another, they professed their faith, without doubting, that by
partaking of that same consecrated bread he might be well. They therefore filled a cup with
water, and putting a little of the bread into it, gave it him to drink: the water thus hallowed by the
bread no sooner touched his stomach than all his inward pain left him, and the wasting of his
outward members ceased. A perfect recovery speedily ensued, and both himself and the others
who saw or heard the rapidity of this wonderful cure were thereby stirred up to praise the
holiness of Christ's servant, and to admire the virtues of his true faith.
CHAPTER XXXII
HOW, BY PRAYER, HE RESTORED TO LIFE A YOUNG MAN WHOM HE FOUND AT
THE POINT OF DEATH ON A JOURNEY
As this holy shepherd of Christ's flock was going round visiting his folds, he came to a
mountainous and wild place, where many people had got together from all the adjoining
villages, that he might lay his hands upon them. But among the mountains no fit church or place
could be found to receive the bishop and his attendants. They therefore pitched tents for him in
the road, and each cut branches from the trees in the neighboring wood to make for him self the
best sort of covering that he was able. Two days did the man of God preach to the assembled
crowds; and minister the grace of the Holy Spirit by imposition of hands upon those that were
regenerate in Christ; when, on a sudden, there appeared some women bearing on a bed a young
man, wasted by severe illness, and having placed him down at the outlet of the wood, sent to the
bishop, requesting permission to bring him, that he might receive a blessing from the holy man.
When he was brought near, the bishop perceived that his sufferings were great, and ordered all to
retire to a distance. He then betook himself to his usual weapon, prayer, and bestowing his
blessing, expelled the fever, which all the care and medicines of the physicians had not been
able to cure. In short, he rose up the same hour, and having refreshed him self with food, and
given thanks to God, walked back to the women who had brought him. And so it came to pass,
that whereas they had in sorrow brought the sick man thither, he now returned home with them,
safe and well, and all rejoicing, both he and they alike.
CHAPTER XXXIII
HOW, AT A TIME OF SICKNESS, HE RESTORED A DYING BOY IN HEALTH TO HIS
MOTHER
AT the same time the plague made great ravages in those parts, so that there were scarcely any
inhabitants left in villages and places which had been thickly populated, and some towns were
wholly deserted. The holy father Cuthbert, therefore, went round his parish, most assiduously
ministering the word of God, and comforting those few who were left. But being arrived at a
certain village, and having there exhorted all whom he found there, he said to his attendant
priest, " Do you think that any one remains who has need that we should visit and converse with
him? or have we now seen all here, and shall we go elsewhere? " The priest looked about, and
saw a woman standing afar off, one of whose sons had died but a little time before, and she was
now supporting another at the point of death, whilst the tears trickling down her cheek bore
witness to her past and present affliction. He pointed her out to the man of God, who
immediately went to her, and, blessing the boy, kissed him, and said to his mother, " Do not fear
nor be sorrowful; for your child shall be healed and live, and no one else of your household shall
die of this pestilence." To the truth of which prophecy the mother and son, who lived a long time
after that, bore witness.
CHAPTER XXXIV
HOW HE SAW THE SOUL OF A MAN, WHO HAD BEEN KILLED BY FALLING FROM A
TREE, ASCEND TO HEAVEN
BUT now this man of God, foreseeing his end approaching, had determined to lay aside the
duties of his pastoral office, and return to his former solitary life, that by shaking off the cares of
this life he might occupy himself amidst unrestrained psalmody and prayer in preparing for the
day of his death, or rather of his entrance into everlasting life. He wished first to go round his
parishes, and visit the houses of the faithful in his neighborhood; and then, when he had
confirmed all with such consolatory admonitions as should be required, to return to the solitary
abode which he so longed after. Meanwhile, at the request of the noble and holy virgin, the
Abbess Elfleda, of whom I have before made mention, he entered the estate belonging to her
monastery, both to speak to her and also to consecrate a church therein; for there was there a
considerable number of monks. When they had taken their seats, at the hour of repast, on a
sudden Cuthbert turned away his thoughts from the carnal food to the contemplation of heavenly
things. His limbs being much fatigued by his previous duties, the color of his face changed, his
eyes became unusually fixed, and the knife dropped from his hands upon the table. The priest,
who stood by and ministered to him, perceiving this, said to the abbess, "Ask the bishop what he
has just seen: for I know there was some reason for his hand thus trembling and letting fall the
knife, whilst his countenance also changed so wonderfully: he has surely seen something which
we have not seen." She immediately turned to him and said, "I pray you, my lord bishop, tell me
what you have just seen, for your tired hand did not let fall the knife just now without some
cause." The bishop endeavored to conceal the fact of his having seen any thing supernatural, and
replied in joke, "I was not able to eat the whole day, was I? I must have left off some time or
other." But, when she persisted in her entreaty that he would tell the vision, he said, " I saw the
soul of a holy man carried up to heaven in the arms of angels."-" From what place," said she, "
was it taken ? "-" From your monastery," replied the bishop; upon which she further asked his
name. " You will tell it me," said he, "to-morrow, when I am celebrating mass." On hearing these
words, she immediately sent to the larger monastery to inquire who had been lately removed
from the body. The messenger, finding all safe and well, was preparing to return in the morning
to his mistress, when he met some men carrying in a cart the body of a deceased brother to be
buried. On inquiring who it was, he found that it was one of the shepherds, a worthy man, who,
having incautiously mounted a tree, had fallen down, and died from the bruise, at the same time
that the man of God had seen the vision. He immediately went and told the circumstance to his
mistress, who went forthwith to the bishop, at that time consecrating the church, and in
amazement, as if she were going to tell him something new and doubtful, " I pray," said she, "
my lord bishop, remember in the mass my servant Hadwald," (for that was his name,) "who died
yesterday by falling from a tree." It was then plain to all that the holy man possessed in his mind
an abundant spirit of prophecy; for that he saw before his eyes at the moment the man's soul
carried to heaven, and knew beforehand what was afterwards going to be told him by others.
CHAPTER XXXV
HOW HE CHANGED WATER BY TASTING IT, SO THAT IT HAD THE FLAVOR OF WINE
WHEN he had gone regularly through the upper districts, he came to a nunnery, which we have
before mentioned, not far from the mouth of the river Tyne; where he was magnificently
entertained by Christ's servant, Abbess Verca,-a woman of a most noble character, both in
spiritual and temporal concerns. When they rose from their afternoon repose, he said he was
thirsty, and asked for drink. They inquired of him what he would have, whether they should
bring him wine, or beer. " Give me water," said he; and they brought him a draught from the
fountain. But he, when he had given thanks and tasted it, gave it to his attendant priest, who
returned it to the servant. The man, taking the cup, asked if he might drink out of the same cup
as the bishop. " Certainly," said the priest, "why not? " Now that priest also be longed to the
same monastery. He therefore drank, and the water seemed to him to taste like wine. Upon
which he gave the cup to the brother who was standing near, that he might be a witness of so
great a miracle; and to him also the taste seemed, without a doubt, to be that of wine. They
looked at one another in amazement; and when they found time to speak, they acknowledged to
one another that they had never tasted better wine. I give this on the authority of one of them,
who stopped some time in our monastery at Weremouth. and now lies buried there.
CHAPTER XXXVI
HOW SOME OF THE BRETHREN, FOR DISOBEDIENCE TO HIM, WERE DETAINED BY
A STORM AT SEA
WHEN Cuthbert had passed two years in the episcopal office, knowing in spirit that his last day
was at hand, he divested himself of his episcopal duties and returned to his much-loved solitude,
that he might there occupy his time in extracting the thorns of the flesh, and kindle up to greater
brightness the flame of his former humility. At this time he was accustomed to go out frequently
from his cell, and converse with the brethren, who came to visit him. I will here mention a
miracle which he then wrought, in order that it may be more evident to all men what obedience
should be rendered to his saints, even in the case of commands which they seem to have given
with carelessness or indifference. He had one day left his cell, to give advice to some visitors;
and when he had finished, he said to them, " I must now go in again; but do you, as you are
inclined to depart, first take food; and when you have cooked and eaten that goose, which is
hanging on the wall, go on board your vessel in God's name, and return home." He then uttered a
prayer, and, having blessed them, went in. But they, as he had bidden them, took some food; but
having enough provisions of their own, which they had brought with them, they did not touch the
goose.
Now when they had refreshed themselves, they tried to go on board their vessel, but a sudden
storm utterly prevented them from putting to sea. They were thus detained seven days in the
island by the roughness of the waves, and yet they could not call to mind what fault they had
committed. They therefore returned to have an interview with the holy father, and to lament to
him their detention. He exhorted them to be patient, and on the seventh day came out to console
their sorrow, and give them pious exhortations. When, however, he had entered the house in
which they were stopping. and saw that the goose was not eaten, he reproved their disobedience
with mild countenance and in gentle language. " Have you not left the goose still hanging in its
place? What wonder is it that the storm has prevented your departure ? Put it immediately into
the caldron, and boil and eat it, that the sea may become tranquil, and you may return home."
They immediately did as he had commanded; and it happened most wonderfully that the
moment the kettle began to boil, the wind began to cease, and the waves to be still. Having
finished their repast, and seeing that the sea was calm, they went on board, and, to their great
delight, though with shame for their neglect reached home with a fair wind. Their shame arose
from their disobedience and dullness of comprehension, whereby, amid the chastening of their
Maker, they were unable to perceive and to correct their error. They rejoiced, because they now
saw what care God had for his faithful servant, so as to vindicate him from neglect, even by
means of the elements. They rejoiced, too, that the Lord should have had so much regard to
themselves, as to correct their offences even by an open miracle. Now this, which I have related,
I did not pick up from any chance authority, but I had it from one of those who were present,-a
most reverend monk and priest of the same monastery, Cynemund, who still lives, known to
many in the neighborhood for his years and the purity of his life.
CHAPTER XXXVII
OF THE TEMPTATIONS WHICH HE UNDERWENT IN HIS SICKNESS, AND HIS
ORDERS CONCERNING HIS BURIAL
THE solemn day of the nativity of our Lord was scarcely over, when the man of God, Cuthbert,
returned to his dwelling on the island. A crowd of monks were standing by as he entered into the
ship; and one of them, an old and venerable monk, strong in faith but weak in body, in
consequence of a dysentery, said to him, " Tell us, my lord bishop, when we may hope for your
return. " To this plain question, he replied as plainly, "When you shall bring my body back here."
when he had passed about two months in the enjoyment of his rest, and had as usual subdued
both his body and mind with his accustomed severity, he was suddenly seized with illness, and
began to prepare for the joy of everlasting happiness, through pain and temporal affliction. I will
describe his death in the words of him who related it to me, namely, his attendant priest
Herefrid, a most religious man, who also at that time presided over the monastery of Lindisfarne,
in the capacity of abbot.
"He was brought to the point of death," said he, "after having been weakened by three weeks of
continued suffering. For he was taken ill on the fourth day of the week; and again on the fourth
day of the week his pains were over, and he departed to the Lord. But when I came to him on the
first morning after his illness began - (for I had also arrived at the island with the brethren three
days before) - in my desire to obtain his blessing and advice as usual, I gave the customary signal
of my coming, and he came to the window, and replied to my salutation with a sigh. ' My lord
bishop,' said I, ' what is the matter with you ? Has your indisposition come upon you this last
night?'' Yes,' said he, ' indisposition has come upon me. ' I thought that he was speaking of an old
complaint, which vexed him almost every day, and not of a new malady; so, without making any
more inquiries, I said to him, ' Give us your blessing, for it is time to put to sea and return home.''
Do so, ' replied he; ' go on board, and return home in safety. But, when the Lord shall have taken
my spirit, bury me in this house, near my oratory, towards the south, over against the eastern side
of the holy cross, which I have erected there. Towards the north side of that same oratory is a
sarcophagus under the turf, which the venerable Abbot Cudda formerly gave me. You will place
my body therein, wrapping it in linen, which you will find in it. I would not wear it whilst I was
alive, but for the love of that highly favored woman, who sent it to me, the Abbess Verca, I have
preserved it to wrap my corpse in.' On hearing these words, I replied, ' I beseech you, father, as
you are weak, and talk of the probability of your dying, to let some of the brethren remain here
to wait on you." Go home now,' said he' but return at the proper time.' So I was unable to prevail
upon him, not withstanding the urgency of my entreaties; and at last I asked him when we should
return to him. ' When God so wills it,' said he, ' and when He Himself shall direct you.' We did as
he commanded us; and having assembled the brethren immediately in the church, I had prayers
offered up for him without intermission; ' for,' said I, ' it seems to me, from some words which he
spoke, that the day is approaching on which he will depart to the Lord.'
"I was anxious about returning to him on account of his illness, but the weather prevented us for
five days; and it was ordered so by God, as the event showed. For God Almighty, wishing to
cleanse his servant from every stain of earthly weakness, and to show his adversaries how weak
they were against the strength of his faith, kept him aloof from men, and put him to the proof by
pains of the flesh, and still more violent encounters with the ancient enemy. At length there was
a calm, and we went to the island, and found him away from his cell in the house where we were
accustomed to reside. The brethren who came with me had some occasion to go back to the
neighboring shore, so that I was left alone on the island to minister to the holy father. I warmed
some water and washed his feet, which had an ulcer from a long swelling, and, from the quantity
of blood that came from it, required to be attended to. I also warmed some wine which I had
brought, and begged him to taste it; for I saw by his face that he was worn out with pain and
want of food. When I had finished my service, he sat down quietly on the couch, and I sat down
by his side.
"Seeing that he kept silence, I said, ' I see, my lord bishop, that you have suffered much from
your complaint since we left you, and I marvel that you were so unwilling for us, when we
departed, to send you some of our number to wait upon you. ' He replied, ' It was done by the
providence and the will of God, that I might be left without any society or aid of man, and suffer
somewhat of affliction. For when you were gone, my languor began to increase, so that I left my
cell and came hither to meet any one who might be on his way to see me, that he might not have
the trouble of going further. Now, from the moment of my coming until the present time, during
a space of five days and five nights, I have sat here without moving.' -' And how have you
supported life, my lord bishop? asked I; ' have you remained so long without taking food? ' Upon
which, turning up the couch on which he was sitting, he showed me five onions concealed
therein, saying, ' This has been my food for five days; for, whenever my mouth became dry and
parched with thirst, I cooled and refreshed myself by tasting these; '-now one of the onions
appeared to have been a little gnawed, but certainly not more than half of it was eaten;-' and,'
continued he, ' my enemies have never persecuted me so much during my whole stay in the
island, as they have done during these last five days. ' I was not bold enough to ask what kinds of
persecutions he had suffered: I only asked him to have some one to wait upon him. He
consented, and kept some of us with him; amongst whom was the priest Bede the elder, who had
always been used to familiar attendance upon him. This man was consequently a most faithful
witness of every thing which he gave or received, whom Cuthbert wished to keep with him, to
remind him if he did not make proper compensation for any presents which he might receive,
that before he died he might render to every one his own. He kept also another of the brethren
with him, who had long suffered from a violent diarrhea, and could not be cured by the
physicians; but, for his religious merit, and prudent conduct, and grave demeanor, was thought
worthy to hear the last words of the man of God, and to witness his departure to the Lord.
"Meanwhile I returned home, and told the brethren that the holy father wished to be buried in his
own island; and I added my opinion, that it would be more proper and becoming to obtain his
consent for his body to be transported from the island, and buried in the monastery with the
usual honors. My words pleased them, and we went to the bishop, and asked him, saying, ' We
have not dared, my lord bishop, to despise your injunction to be buried here, and yet we have
thought proper to request of you permission to transport your body over to the monastery, and so
have you amongst us.' To which he replied, ' It was also my wish to repose here, where I have
fought my humble battles for the Lord, where? too, I wish to finish my course, and whence I
hope to be lifted up by a righteous Judge to obtain the crown of righteousness. But I think it
better for you, also, that I should repose here on account of the fugitives and criminals who may
flee to my corpse for refuge; and when they have thus obtained an asylum, inasmuch as I have
enjoyed the fame, humble though I am, of being a servant of Christ, you may think it necessary
to intercede for such before the secular rulers, and so you may have trouble on my account. '
When, however, we urged him with many entreaties, and asserted that such labor would be
agreeable and easy to us, the man of God at length, after some deliberation, spoke thus: -' Since
you wish to overcome my scruples, and to carry my body amongst you, it seems to me to be the
best plan to bury it in the inmost parts of the church, that you may be able to visit my tomb
yourselves, and to control the visits of all other persons. ' We thanked him on our bended knees
for this permission, and for his advice; and returning home, did not cease to pay him frequent
visits.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
HOW, DURING HIS ILLNESS, HE CURED ONE OF HIS ATTENDANTS OF A DIARRHEA
" His malady now began to grow upon him, and we thought that the time of his dissolution was
at hand. He bade his attendants carry him to his cell and oratory. It was the third hour of the day.
We therefore carried him thither, for he was too feeble to walk himself. When we reached the
door, we asked him to let one of us go in with him, to wait upon him; for no one had ever
entered therein but himself. He cast his eyes round on all, and, fixing them on the sick brother
above mentioned, said, ' Walstod shall go in with me.' Now Walstod was the man's name. He
went in accordingly, and stayed till the ninth hour: when he came out, and said to me, ' The
bishop wishes you to go in unto him; but I have a most wonderful thing to tell you: from the
moment of my touching the bishop, when I supported him into the oratory, I have been entirely
free from my old complaint. ' No doubt this was brought about by the effect of his heavenly
piety, that, whereas in his time of health and strength he had healed many, he should now heal
this man, when he was himself at the point of death, that so there might be a standing proof how
strong the holy man was in spirit, though his body was at the lowest degree of weakness. In this
cure he followed the example of the holy and reverend father and bishop, Aurelius Augustine,
who, when weighed down by the illness of which he died, and lying on his couch, was entreated
by a man to lay his hand on a sick person whom he had brought to him, that so he might be made
well. To which Augustine replied, ' If I had such power, I should first have practice it towards
myself.' The sick man answered, ' I have been commanded to come to you: for some one said to
me in a dream, Go to Bishop Augustine, and let him place his hand upon you, and you shall be
well.' On hearing this, Augustine placed his hand upon him, gave him his blessing, and sent him
home perfectly recovered.
CHAPTER XXXIX
HIS LAST INSTRUCTIONS TO THE BRETIIREN; AND HOW, WHEN HE HAD RECEIVED
THE VIATICUM, HE YIELDED UP HIS SOUL IN PRAYER
" I WENT in to him about the ninth hour of the day, and found him lying in one corner of his
oratory before the altar. I took my seat by his side, but he spoke very little, for the weight of his
suffering prevented him from speaking much. But when I earnestly asked him what last
discourse and valedictory salutation he would bequeath to the brethren, he began to make a few
strong admonitions respecting peace and humility, and told me to beware of those persons who
strove against these virtues, and would not practice them. ' Have peace,' said he, ' and Divine
charity ever amongst you: and when you are called upon to deliberate on your condition, see that
you be unanimous in council. Let concord be mutual between you and other servants of Christ;
and do not despise others who belong to the faith and come to you for hospitality, but admit
them familiarly and kindly; and when you have entertained them, speed them on their journey:
by no means esteeming yourselves better than the rest of those who partake of the same faith and
mode of life. But have no communion with those who err from the unity of the Catholic faith,
either by keeping Easter at an improper time, or by their perverse life. And know and remember,
that, if of two evils you are compelled to choose one, I would rather that you should take up my
bones, and leave these places, to reside wherever God may send you, than consent in any way to
the wickedness of schismatics, and so place a yoke upon your necks. Study diligently, and
carefully observe the Catholic rules of the Fathers, and practice with zeal those institutes of the
monastic life which it has pleased God to deliver to you through my ministry. For I know, that,
although during my life some have despised me, yet after my death you will see what sort of man
I was, and that my doctrine was by no means worthy of contempt. '
" These words, and such as these, the man of God delivered to us at intervals, for, as we before
said, the violence of his complaint had taken from him the power of speaking much at once. He
then spent the rest of the day until the evening in the expectation of future happiness; to which
he added this also, that he spent the night in watchfulness and prayer. When his hour of evening
service was come, he received from me the blessed sacrament, and thus strengthened himself for
his departure, which he now knew to be at hand, by partaking of the body and blood of Christ;
and when he had lifted up his eyes to heaven, and stretched out his hands above him, his soul,
intent upon heavenly praises, sped his way to the joys of the heavenly kingdom.
CHAPTER XL
HOW, ACCORDING TO THE PREVIOUS WARNING OF THE PSALM WHICH THEY
SANG AT HIS DEATH, THE BRETHREN OF LINDISFARNE WERE ASSAILED FROM
WITHOUT, BUT BY THE HELP OF GOD WERE PROTECTED
"I IMMEDIATELY went out, and told the brethren, who had passed the whole night in
watchfulness and prayer, and chanced at that moment in the order of evening service to be
singing the 59th Psalm, which begins, ' O Lord, you hast rejected us and destroyed us; you hast
been angry, and hast pitied us. ' One of them instantly lighted two candles, and, holding one in
each hand, ascended a lofty spot, to show to the brethren who were in the monastery of
Lindisfarne, that the holy man was dead; for they had agreed beforehand that such a signal
should be made. The brother, who had waited an hour on an opposite height in the island of
Lindisfarne, ran with speed to the monastery, where the brethren were assembled to perform the
usual ceremonies of the evening service, and happened to be singing the above-named Psalm
when the messenger entered. This was a Divine dispensation, as the event showed. For, when the
man of God was buried, the Church was assailed by such a blast of temptation, that several of
the brethren left the place rather than be involved in such dangers.
" At the end of a year, Eadbert was ordained bishop. He was a man of great virtues, learned in
the Holy Scripture, and in particular given to works of charity. If I may use the words of
Scripture, The Lord built up Jerusalem, i.e. the vision of peace, and gathered together the
dispersion of Israel. He healed those who were contrite in heart, and bound up their bruises, so
that it was then given openly to understand the meaning of the hymn which was then for the first
time sung, when the death of the sainted man was known; namely, that after his death his
countrymen should be exposed to be repulsed and destroyed, but after a demonstration of his
threatening anger should again be protected by the Divine mercy. He who considers the sequel
also of the above-named Psalm will perceive that the event corresponded to its meaning. The
body of the venerable father was placed on board a ship, and carried to the island of Lindisfarne.
It was there met by a large crowd of persons singing psalms, and placed in the church of the holy
Apostle Peter, in a stone coffin on the right-hand side of the altar."
CHAPTER XLI
HOW A BOY, WHO WAS POSSESSED BY A DEVIL, WAS CURED BY SOME DIRT,
FROM THE PLACE WHERE THE WATER IN WH1CH HIS CORPSE HAD BEEN
WASHED HAD BEEN THROWN
BUT even when the servant of Christ was dead and buried, the miracles which he worked whilst
alive did not cease. For a certain boy, in the territory of Lindisfarne, was vexed so terribly by an
evil spirit, that he altogether lost his reason, and shouted and cried aloud, and tried to tear in
pieces with his teeth his own limbs, or whatever came in his way. A priest from the monastery
was sent to the sufferer; but, though he had been accustomed to exorcize and expel evil spirits,
yet in this case he could not prevail: he therefore advised the lad's father to put him into a cart
and drive him to the monastery, and to pray to God in his behalf before the relics of the holy
saints which are there. The father did as he was advised; but the holy saints, to show how high a
place Cuthbert occupied amongst them, refused to bestow on him the benefit desired. The mad
boy, therefore, by howling, groaning, and gnashing his teeth, filled the eyes and ears of all who
were there with horror, and no one could think of any remedy; when, behold, one of the priests,
being taught in spirit that by the aid of the holy father Cuthbert he might be cured, went privately
to the place where he knew the water had been thrown, in which his dead body had been
washed; and taking from thence a small portion of the dirt, he mixed it with some water, and
carrying it to the sufferer, poured it into his open mouth, from which he was uttering the most
horrible and lamentable cries. He instantly held his tongue, closed his mouth, and shutting his
eyes also, which before were bloodshot and staring hideously, he fell back into a profound sleep.
In this state | he passed the night; and in the morning, rising up from his slumber, free from his
madness, he found himself also, by the merits and intercession of the blessed Cuthbert, free from
the evil spirit by which he had been afflicted. It was a marvelous sight, and delectable to all good
men, to see the son sound in mind accompany his father to the holy places, and give thanks for
the aid of the saints; although the day before, from the extremity of his madness, he did not
know who or where he was. When, in the midst of the whole body of the brethren looking on
and congratulating him, he had on his knees offered up before the relics of the martyrs praise to
the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, he returned to his home, freed from the harassing of
the foe, and confirmed in the faith which he before professed. They show to this day the pit into
which that memorable water was thrown, of a square shape, surrounded with wood, and filled
with little stones. It is near the church in which his body reposes, on the south side. From that
time God permitted many other . cures to be wrought by means of those same stones, and the dirt
from the same place.
CHAPTER XLII
HOW HIS BODY AFTER NINE YEARS WAS FOUND UNDECAYED
Now Divine Providence, wishing to show to what glory this holy man was exalted after death,
who even before death had been distinguished by so many signs and miracles, inspired the minds
of the brethren with a wish to remove his bones, which they expected to find dry and free from
his decayed flesh, and to put them in a small coffer, on the same spot, above the ground, as
objects of veneration to the people. This wish they communicated to the holy Bishop Eadbert
about the middle of Quadragesima; and he ordered them to execute this on the 20th of April,
which was the anniversary of the day of his burial. They accordingly did so; and opening the
tomb, found his body entire, as if he were still alive, and his joints were still flexible, as if he
were not dead, but sleeping. His clothes, also, were still undecayed, and seemed to retain their
original freshness and color. When the brethren saw this, they were so astonished, that they
could scarcely speak, or look on the miracle which lay before them, and they hardly knew what
they were doing. As a proof of the uncorrupted state of the clothes, they took a portion of them
from one of the extremities,-for they did not dare to take any from the body itself,-and hastened
to tell what they had found to the bishop, who was then walking alone at a spot remote from the
monastery, and closed in by the flowing waves of the sea. Here it was his custom to pass the
Quadragesima; and here he occupied himself forty days before the birthday of our Lord in the
utmost devotion, accompanied with abstinence, prayer, and tears. Here, also, his venerable
predecessor, Cuthbert, before he went to Farne, as we have related, Spent a portion of his
spiritual warfare in the service of the Lord. The brethren brought with them, also, the piece of
cloth in which the body of the saint had been wrapped. The bishop thanked them for the gift, and
heard their report with eagerness, and with great earnestness kissed the cloth as if it were still on
the saint's body. "Fold up the body," said he, " in new cloth instead of this, and place it in the
chest which you have prepared. But I know of a certainty that the place which has been
consecrated by the virtue of this heavenly miracle will not long remain empty; and happy is he to
whom the Lord, who is the giver of true happiness, shall grant to rest therein." To these words he
added what I have elsewhere expressed in verse, and said,
" What man the wondrous gifts of God shall tell? What ear the joys of paradise shall hear?
Triumphant o'er the gates of death and hell, The just shall live amid the starry sphere," &c.
When the bishop had said much more to this effect, with many tears and much contrition, the
brethren did as he ordered them; and having folded up the body in some new cloth, and placed it
in a chest, laid it on the pavement of the sanctuary.
CHAPTER XLIII
HOW THE BODY OF BISHOP EADBERT WAS LAID IN THE GRAVE OF THE MAN OF
GOD, AND THE COFFIN OF THAT SAINT PLACED UPON IT
MEANWHILE, God's chosen servant, Bishop Eadbert, was seized by an illness, which daily
grew more and more violent, so that not long after, that is, on the sixth of May, he also departed
to the Lord. It was an especial mercy granted to his earnest prayers, that he left this life by a
gradual, and not a sudden death. His body was placed in the grave of the blessed father Cuthbert,
and upon it they placed the coffin in which the body of that saint lay. And to this day miracles
are there wrought if the faith of those who seek them admit of it. Even the clothes which had
covered his blessed body, whether dead or alive, still possess a healing power.
CHAPTER XLIV
HOW A SICK MAN WAS CURED AT HIS TOMB BY PRAYER
LASTLY, there came from foreign parts a certain priest of the reverend and holy Wilbrord
Clement, bishop of the Fresons, who, whilst he was stopping at the monastery, fell into a severe
illness, which lasted so long, that his life was despaired of. Overcome with pain, he seemed
unable either to live or die, until, thinking on a happy plan, he said to his attendant, "Lead me, I
beg of you, to-day after mass," (for it was Sunday,) "to the body of the holy man of God, to pray:
I hope his intercession may save me from these torments, so that I may either return whole to
this life, or die, and go to that which is everlasting." His attendant did as he had asked him, and
with much trouble led him, leaning on a staff, into the church. He there bent his knees at the
tomb of the holy father, and, with his head stooping towards the ground, prayed for his recovery;
when, suddenly, he felt in all his limbs such an accession of strength from the incorruptible body
of the saint, that he rose up from prayer without trouble, and returned to the guests' chamber with
out the assistance of the conductor who had led him, or the staff on which he had leaned. A few
days afterwards he proceeded in perfect health upon his intended journey.
CHAPTER XLV
HOW A PARALYTIC WAS HEALED BY MEANS OF HIS SHOES
THERE was a young man in a monastery not far off, who had lost the use of all his limbs by a
weakness which the Greeks call paralysis. His abbot, knowing that there were skillful physicians
in the monastery of Lindisfarne, sent him thither with a request that, if possible, he might be
healed. The brethren, at the instance of their own abbot and bishop also, attended to him with
the utmost care, and used all their skill in medicine, but without effect, for the malady increased
daily, insomuch that, save his mouth, he could hardly move a single limb. Being thus given over
by all worldly physicians, he had recourse to Him who is in heaven, who, when He is sought out
in truth, is kind towards all our iniquities, and heals all our sicknesses. The poor man begged of
his attendant to bring him something which had come from the incorruptible body of the holy
man; for he believed that by means thereof he might, with the blessing of God, return to health.
The attendant, having first consulted the abbot, brought the shoes which the man of God had
worn in the tomb, and having stripped the poor man's feet naked, put them upon him; for it was
in his feet that the palsy had first attacked him. This he did at the beginning of the night, when
bedtime was drawing near. A deep sleep immediately came over him; and as the stillness of
night advanced, the man felt a palpitation in his feet alternately, so that the attendants, who were
awake and looking on, perceived that the virtue of the holy man's relics was be ginning to exert
its power, and that the desired restoration of health would ascend upwards from the feet. As soon
as the monastery bell struck the hour of midnight prayer, the invalid himself was awakened by
the sound and sat up. He found his nerves and the joints of his limbs suddenly endowed with
inward strength: his pains were gone; and perceiving that he was cured, he arose, and in a
standing posture spent the whole time of the midnight or matin song in thanksgiving to God. In
the morning he went to the cathedral, and in the sight of all the congratulating brethren he went
round all the sacred places, offering up prayers and the sacrifice of praise to his Savior. Thus it
came to pass, that, by a most wonderful vicissitude of . things, he, who had been carried thither
weak and borne upon a cart, returned home sound in his own strength, and with all his limbs
strengthened and confirmed. Where fore it is profitable to bear in mind that this change was the
work of the right hand of the Most High, whose mighty miracles never cease from the beginning
of the world to show themselves forth to mankind.
CHAPTER XLV
HOW THE HERMIT FELGELD WAS CURED OF A SWELLING 1N THE FACE BY
MEANS OF THE COVERING OF THE WALL OF THE MAN OF GOD'S HOUSE
NOR do I think I ought to omit the heavenly miracle which the Divine mercy showed by means
of the ruins of the holy oratory, in which the venerable father went through his solitary warfare
in the service of the Lord. Whether it was effected by the merits of the same blessed father
Cuthbert, or his successor Ethelwald, a man equally devoted to the Lord, the Searcher of the
heart knows best. There is no reason why it may not be attributed to either of the two, in
conjunction with the faith of the most holy father Felgeld; through whom and in whom the
miraculous cure, which I mention, was effected. He was the third person who became tenant of
the same place and its spiritual warfare, and, at present more than seventy years old, is awaiting
the end of this life, in expectation of the heavenly one.
When, therefore, God's servant Cuthbert had been translated to the heavenly kingdom, and
Ethelwald had commenced his occupation of the same island and monastery, after many years
spent in conversation with the monks, he gradually aspired to the rank of anchoritish perfection.
The walls of the aforesaid oratory, being composed of planks somewhat carelessly put together,
had become loose and tottering by age, and, as the planks separated from one another, an
opening was afforded to the weather. The venerable man, whose aim was rather the splendor of
the heavenly than of an earthly mansion, having taken hay, or clay, or whatever he could get, had
filled up the crevices, that he might not be disturbed from the earnestness of his prayers by the
daily violence of the winds and storms. When Ethelwald entered and saw these contrivances, he
begged the brethren who came thither to give him a calf's skin, and fastened it with nails in the
corner, where himself and his predecessor used to kneel or stand when they prayed, as a
protection against the storm.
Twelve years after, he also ascended to the joys of the heavenly kingdom, and Felgeld became
the third inhabitant of the place. It then seemed good to the right reverend Eadfrid, bishop of the
church of Lindisfarne, to restore from its foundation the time-worn oratory. This being done,
many devout persons begged of Christ's holy servant Felgeld to give them a small portion of the
relics of God's servant Cuthbert, or of Ethelwald his successor. He accordingly determined to cut
up the above-named calf's skin to pieces, and give a portion to each. But he first experienced its
influence in his own person: for his face was much deformed by a swelling and a red patch. The
symptoms of this deformity had become manifest long before to the monks, whilst he was
dwelling among them. But now that he was living alone, and bestowed less care on his person,
whilst he practice still greater rigidities, and, like a prisoner, rarely enjoyed the sun or air, the
malady increased, and his face became one large red swelling. Fearing, therefore, lest he should
be obliged to abandon the solitary life and return to the monastery; presuming in his faith, he
trusted to heal himself by the aid of those holy men whose house he dwelt in, and whose holy
life he sought to imitate. For he steeped a piece of the skin above mentioned in water, and
washed his face therewith; whereupon the swelling was immediately healed, and the cicatrice
disappeared. This I was told, in the first instance, by a religious priest of the monastery of
Jarrow, who said that he well knew Felgeld's face to have been in the deformed and diseased
state which I have described, and that he saw it and felt it with his hand through the window
after it was cured. Felgeld after wards told me the same thing, confirming the report of the priest,
and asserting that his face was ever afterwards free from the blemish during the many years that
he passed in that place. This he ascribed to the agency of the Almighty Grace, which both in this
world heals many, and in the world to come will heal all the maladies of our minds and bodies,
and, satisfying our desires after good things, crown us for ever with its mercy and compassion,
AMEN.