HumanitiesWeb.org - Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, Book III (Chapter XIII) by Venerable Bede
Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, Book III Chapter XIII
by Venerable Bede
OF A CERTAIN PERSON IN IRELAND THAT WAS RECOVERED, WHEN AT THE POINT OF DEATH, BY THE
BONES OF KING OSWALD. [A.D. 642.]
NOR was the fame of the renowned Oswald confined to Britain, but, spreading the rays of
his healing brightness even beyond the sea, reached also to Germany and Ireland. In short,
the most reverend prelate, Acca, is wont to relate, that when, in his journey to Rome, he
and his bishop Wilfrid stayed some time with Wilbrord, now the holy bishop of the Fresons,
he had often heard him talk of the wonders that had been wrought in that province at the
relics of that most reverend king. And that in Ireland, when, being yet only a priest, he
led a pilgrim's life therein for love of the eternal country, the fame of that king's
sanctity was already spread far and near. One of the miracles, among the rest, which he
related, we have thought fit to insert in our history.
"At the time," said he, "of the mortality which made such great havoc in
Britain and Ireland, among others, the infection reached a certain scholar of the Scottish
race, a man indeed learned in worldly literature, but in no way solicitous or studious of
his eternal salvation; who, seeing his death near at hand, began to fear, lest, as soon as
he was dead he should be hurried away to hell for his sins. He sent for me, who was in
that neighborhood, and whilst he was trembling and sighing, with a mournful voice made his
complaint to me, in this manner: 'You see that my distemper increases, and that I am now
reduced to the point of death. Nor do I question but that after the death of my body, I
shall be immediately snatched away to the perpetual death of my soul, and cast into the
torments of hell, since for a long time, amidst all my reading of divine books, I have
rather addicted myself to vice, than to keep the commandments of God. But it is my
resolution, if the Divine Mercy shall grant me a new term of life, to correct my vicious
habits, and totally to reform my mind and course of life in obedience to the Divine will.
But I am sensible, that I have no merits of my own to obtain a prolongation of life, nor
can I confide in it, unless it shall please God to forgive me, through the assistance of
those who have faithfully served Him. We have heard, and the report is universal, that
there was in your nation a king, of wonderful sanctity, called Oswald, the excellency of
whose faith and virtue is become renowned even after his death by the working of miracles.
I beseech you, if you have any relics of his in your custody, that you will bring the same
to me; in case the Lord shall be pleased, through his merits, to have mercy on me.' I
answered, 'I have indeed some of the stake on which his head was set up by the pagans,
when he was killed, and if you believe, with a sincere heart, the Divine Goodness may,
through the merit of so great a man, both grant you a longer term of life here, and render
you worthy of admittance into eternal life.' He answered immediately, 'That he had entire
faith therein.' Then I blessed some water, and put into it a chip of the aforesaid oak,
and gave it the sick man to drink. He presently found ease, and, recovering of his
sickness, lived a long time after; and, being entirely converted to God in heart and
actions, wherever he came, he spoke of the goodness of his merciful Creator, and the
honour of His faithful servant."
