IX. Of the signs which were shown from Heaven when
the mother of that community departed this life. [675 A.D.?]
CHAP. VIII.
How a little boy, dying in the same monastery, called upon a virgin that was to
follow him; and how another nun, at the point of leaving her body, saw some
small part of the future glory. [675 A.D.?]
THERE was, in the same monastery, a boy, not above three years old, called
Aesica; who, by reason of his tender age, was being brought up among the virgins
dedicated to God; there to learn his lessons. This child being seized by the
aforesaid pestilence, when his last hour was come, called three times upon one
of the virgins consecrated to Christ, speaking to her by her own name, as if she
had been present, Eadgyth! Eadgyth! Eadgyth! and thus ending his temporal life,
entered into that which is eternal. The virgin, to whom he called, as he was
dying, was immediately seized, where she was, with the same sickness, and
departing this life the same day on which she had been summoned, followed him
that called her into the heavenly kingdom.
Likewise, one of the same handmaids of God, being smitten with the same disease,
and reduced to the last extremity, began on a sudden, about midnight, to cry out
to them that ministered to her, desiring they would put out the lamp that was
lighted there. And, when she had done this many times, and yet no one did her
will, at last she said, "I know that you think I am raving when I say this, but
be assured that it is not so; for I tell you truly, that I see this house filled
with so great a light, that that lamp of yours seems to me to be altogether
dark." And when still no one replied to what she said, or did her bidding, she
added, "Burn your lamp, then, as long as you will; but know, that it is not my
light, for my light will come to me at the dawn of day." Then she began to tell,
that a certain man of God, who had died that same year, had appeared to her,
telling her that at the break of day she should depart to the eternal light. The
truth of which vision was speedily proved by the maiden's death as soon as the
day appeared.
CHAP. IX.
Of the signs which were shown from Heaven when the mother of that community
departed this life. [675 A.D.?]
Now when Ethelburg herself, the pious mother of that community devoted to God,
was about to be taken out of this world, a wonderful vision appeared to one of
the sisters, called Tortgyth; who, having lived many years in that monastery,
always endeavoured, in all humility and sincerity, to serve God herself, and to
help the mother to maintain regular discipline, by instructing and reproving the
younger ones. Now, in order that her virtue might, according to the Apostle, be
made perfect in weakness, she was suddenly seized with a most grievous bodily
disease, under which, through the merciful providence of our Redeemer, she was
sorely tried for the space of nine years; to the end, that whatever stain of
evil remained amidst her virtues, either through ignorance or neglect, might all
be purified in the furnace of long tribulation. This woman, going out of the
chamber where she abode one night, at dusk, plainly saw as it were a human body,
which was brighter than the sun, wrapped in fine linen, and lifted up on high,
being taken out of the house in which the sisters used to sleep. Then looking
earnestly to see what it was that drew up that appearance of the glorious body
which she beheld, she perceived that it was raised on high as it were by cords
brighter than gold, until, entering into the open heavens, it could no longer be
seen by her. Reflecting on this vision, she made no doubt that some one of the
community would soon die, and her soul be lifted up to heaven by the good works
which she had wrought, as it were by golden cords. And so in truth it befell;
for a few days after, the beloved of God, Ethelburg, mother of that community,
was delivered out of the prison of the flesh; and her life is proved to have
been such that no one who knew her ought to doubt that an entrance into the
heavenly country was open to her, when she departed from this life.
There was also, in the same monastery, a certain nun, of noble origin in this
world, and still nobler in the love of the world to come; who had, for many
years, been so disabled in all her body, that she could not move a single limb.
When she heard that the body of the venerable abbess had been carried into the
church, till it should be buried, she desired to be carried thither, and to be
placed bending towards it, after the manner of one praying; which being done,
she spoke to her as if she had been living, and entreated her that she would
obtain of the mercy of our pitiful Creator, that she might be delivered from
such great and long-continued pains; nor was it long before her prayer was
heard: for being delivered from the flesh twelve days after, she exchanged her
temporal afflictions for an eternal reward.
For three years after the death of her Superior, the aforesaid handmaid of
Christ, Tortgyth, was detained in this life and was so far spent with the
sickness before mentioned, that her bones scarce held together. At last, when
the time of her release was at hand, she not only lost the use of her other
limbs, but also of her tongue; in which state having continued three days and as
many nights, she was, on a sudden, restored by a spiritual vision, and opened
her lips and eyes, and looking up to heaven, began thus to speak to the vision
which she saw: "Very acceptable to me is thy coming, and thou art welcome!"
Having so said, she was silent awhile, as it were, waiting for the answer of him
whom she saw and to whom she spoke; then, as if somewhat displeased, she said,
"I can in no wise gladly suffer this;" then pausing awhile, she said again, "If
it can by no means be to-day, I beg that the delay may not be long;" and again
holding her peace a short while, she concluded thus; "If it is certainly so
determined, and the decree cannot be altered, I beg that it may be no longer
deferred than this next night." Having so said, and being asked by those about
her with whom she talked, she said, "With my most dear mother, Ethelburg;" by
which they understood, that she was come to acquaint her that the time of her
departure was at hand; for, as she had desired, after one day and night, she was
delivered alike from the bonds of the flesh and of her infirmity and entered
into the joys of eternal salvation.
