XXX. How the East Saxons, during a pestilence,
returned to idolatry, but were soon brought back
from their error by the zeal of Bishop Jaruman. [665 A.D.]
CHAP. XXX. How the East Saxons, during a pestilence, returned to idolatry, but
were soon brought back from their error by the zeal of Bishop Jaruman. [665
A.D.]
AT the same time, the Kings Sighere and Sebbi, though themselves subject to
Wulfhere, king of the Mercians, governed the province of the East Saxons after
Suidhelm, of whom we have spoken above.When that province was suffering from the
aforesaid disastrous plague, Sighere, with his part of the people, forsook the
mysteries of the Christian faith, and turned apostate. For the king himself, and
many of the commons and nobles, loving this life, and not seeking after another,
or even not believing in any other, began to restore the temples that had been
abandoned, and to adore idols, as if they might by those means be protected
against the plague. But Sebbi, his companion and co-heir in the kingdom, with
all his people, very devoutly preserved the faith which he had received, and, as
we shall show hereafter, ended his faithful life in great felicity.
King Wulfhere, hearing that the faith of the province was in part profaned, sent
Bishop Jaruman,who was successor to Trumhere, to correct their error, and recall
the province to the true faith. He acted with much discretion, as I was informed
by a priest who bore him company in that journey, and had been his fellow
labourer in the Word, for he was a religious and good man, and travelling
through all the country, far and near, brought back both the people and the
aforesaid king to the way of righteousness, so that, either forsaking or
destroying the temples and altars which they had erected, they opened the
churches, and gladly confessed the Name of Christ, which they had opposed,
choosing rather to die in the faith of resurrection in Him, than to live in the
abominations of unbelief among their idols. Having thus accomplished their
works, the priests and teachers returned home with joy.
