There was a man of venerable life, blessed by grace, and blessed in name, for he was
called "Benedictus" or Bennet: who, from his younger years, carried always the
mind of an old man; for his age was inferior to his virtue: all vain pleasure he
contemned, and though he were in the world, and might freely have enjoyed such commodities
as it yieldeth, yet did he nothing esteem it, nor the vanities thereof. He was born in the
province of Nursia, of honourable parentage, and brought up at Rome in the study of
humanity. But for as much as he saw many by reason of such learning to fall to dissolute
and lewd life, he drew back his foot, which he had as it were now set forth into the
world, lest, entering too far in acquaintance therewith, he likewise might have fallen
into that dangerous and godless gulf: wherefore, giving over his book, and forsaking his
father's house and wealth, with a resolute mind only to serve God, he sought for some
place, where he might attain to the desire of his holy purpose: and in this sort he
departed, instructed with learned ignorance, and furnished with unlearned wisdom. All the
notable things and acts of his life I could not learn; but those few, which I mind now to
report, I had by the relation of four of his disciples: to wit, of Constantinus, a most
rare and reverent man, who was next Abbot after him; of Valentinianus, who many years had
the charge of the Lateran Abbey; of Simplicius, who was the third General of his order;
and lastly of Honoratus, who is now Abbot of that monastery in which he first began his
holy life.
Bennet having now given over the school, with a resolute mind to lead his life in the
wilderness: his nurse alone, which did tenderly love him, would not by any means give him
over. Coming, therefore, to a place called Enside and remaining there in the church of St.
Peter, in the company of other virtuous men, which for charity lived in that place, it
fell so out that his nurse borrowed of the neighbours a sieve to make clean wheat, which
being left negligently upon the table, by chance it was broken in two pieces: whereupon
she fell pitifully a-weeping, because she had borrowed it. The devout and religious youth
Bennet, seeing his nurse so lamenting, moved with compassion, took away with him both the
pieces of the sieve, and with tears fell to his prayers; and after he had done, rising up
he found it so whole, that the place could not be seen where before it was broken; and
coming straight to his nurse, and comforting her with good words, he delivered her the
sieve safe and sound: which miracle was known to all the inhabitants thereabout, and so
much admired, that the townsmen, for a perpetual memory, did hang it up at the church
door, to the end that not only men then living, but also their posterity might understand,
how greatly God's grace did work with him upon his first renouncing of the world. The
sieve continued there many years after, even to these very troubles of the Lombards, where
it did hang over the church door.
But Bennet, desiring rather the miseries of the world than the praises of men: rather
to be wearied with labour for God's sake, than to be exalted with transitory commendation:
fled privily from his nurse, and went into a desert place called Sublacum, distant almost
forty miles from Rome: in which there was a fountain springing forth cool and clear water;
the abundance whereof doth first in a broad place make a lake, and afterward running
forward, cometh to be a river. As he was travelling to this place, a certain monk called
Romanus met him, and demanded whither he went, and understanding his purpose, he both kept
it close, furthered him what he might, vested him with the habit of holy conversation, and
as he could, did minister and serve him.
The man of God, Bennet, coming to this foresaid place, lived there in a strait cave,
where he continued three years unknown to all men, except to Romanus, who lived not far
off, under the rule of Abbot Theodacus, and very virtuously did steal certain hours, and
likewise sometime a loaf given for his own provision, which he did carry to Bennet. And
because from Romanus' cell to that cave there was not any way, by reason of an high rock
which did hang over it, Romanus, from the top thereof, upon a long rope, did let down the
loaf, upon which also with a band he tied a little bell, that by the ringing thereof the
man of God might know when he came with his bread, and so be ready to take it. But the old
enemy of mankind, envying at the charity of the one and the refection of the other, seeing
a loaf upon a certain day let down, threw a stone and brake the bell; but yet, for all
that, Romanus gave not over to serve him by all the possible means he could.
At length when almighty God was determined to ease Romanus of his pains, and to have
Bennet's life for an example known to the world, that such a candle, set upon a
candlestick, might shine and give light to the Church of God, our Lord vouchsafed to
appear unto a certain Priest dwelling a good way off, who had made ready his dinner for
Easter day, and spake thus unto him: "Thou hast provided good cheer for thyself, and
my servant in such a place is afflicted with hunger": who, hearing this forthwith
rose up, and upon Easter day itself, with such meat as he had prepared, went to the place,
where he sought for the man of God amongst the steep hills, the low valleys and hollow
pits, and at length found him in his cave: where, after they had prayed together, and
sitting down had given God thanks, and had much spiritual talk, then the Priest said unto
him: "Rise up, brother, and let us dine, because today is the feast of Easter."
To whom the man of God answered, and said: "I know that it is Easter with me and a
great feast, having found so much favour at God's hands as this day to enjoy your
company" (for by reason of his long absence from men, he knew not that it was the
great solemnity of Easter). But the reverent Priest again did assure him, saying:
"Verily, to-day is the feast of our Lord's Resurrection, and therefore meet it is not
that you should keep abstinence, and besides I am sent to that end, that we might eat
together of such provision as God's goodness hath sent us." Whereupon they said
grace, and fell to their meat, and after they had dined, and bestowed some time in
talking, the Priest returned to his church.
About the same time likewise, certain shepherds found him in that same cave: and at the
first, when they espied him through the bushes, and saw his apparel made of skins, they
verily thought that it had been some beast: but after they were acquainted with the
servant of God, many of them were by his means converted from their beastly life to grace,
piety, and devotion. And thus his name in the country there about became famous, and many
after this went to visit him, and for corporal meat which they brought him, they carried
away spiritual food for their souls.
Upon a certain day being alone, the tempter was at hand: for a little black bird,
commonly called a merle or an ousel, began to fly about his face, and that so near as the
holy man, if he would, might have taken it with his hand: but after he had blessed himself
with the sign of the cross, the bird flew away: and forthwith the holy man was assaulted
with such a terrible temptation of the flesh, as he never felt the like in all his life.
A certain woman there was which some time he had seen, the memory of which the wicked
spirit put into his mind, and by the representation of her did so mightily inflame with
concupiscence the soul of God's servant, which did so increase that, almost overcome with
pleasure, he was of mind to have forsaken the wilderness. But, suddenly assisted with
God's grace, he came to himself; and seeing many thick briers and nettle bushes to grow
hard by, off he cast his apparel, and threw himself into the midst of them, and there
wallowed so long that, when he rose up, all his flesh was pitifully torn: and so by the
wounds of his body, he cured the wounds of his soul, in that he turned pleasure into pain,
and by the outward burning of extreme smart, quenched that fire which, being nourished
before with the fuel of carnal cogitations, did inwardly burn in his soul: and by this
means he overcame the sin, because he made a change of the fire.
From which time forward, as himself did afterward report unto his disciples, he found
all temptation of pleasure so subdued, that he never felt any such thing. Many after this
began to abandon the world, and to become his scholars. For being now freed from the vice
of temptation, worthily and with great reason is he made a master of virtue: for which
cause, in Exodus, commandment is given by Moses that the Levites from five-and-twenty
years and upward should serve, but, after they came to fifty, that they should be ordained
keepers of the holy vessels. [Numbers 8:24-26]
PETER: Somewhat I understand of this testimony alleged: but yet I beseech you to tell
me the meaning thereof more fully.
GREGORY: It is plain, Peter, that in youth the temptation of the flesh is hot: but
after fifty years the heat of the body waxeth cold, and the souls of faithful people
become holy vessels. Wherefore necessary it is that God's elect servants, whiles they are
yet in the heat of temptation, should live in obedience, serve, and be wearied with labour
and pains. But when, by reason of age, the heat of temptation is past, they become keepers
of holy vessels; because they then are made the doctors of men's souls.
PETER: I cannot deny, but that your words have given me full satisfaction: wherefore,
seeing you have now expounded the meaning of the former text alleged, prosecute, I pray,
as you have begun, the rest of the holy man's life.
GREGORY: When this great temptation was thus overcome, the man of God, like unto a
piece of ground well tilled and weeded, of the seed of virtue brought forth plentiful
store of fruit: and by reason of the great report of his wonderful holy life, his name
became very famous. Not far from the place where he remained there was a monastery, the
Abbot whereof was dead: whereupon the whole Convent came unto the venerable man Bennet,
entreating him very earnestly that he would vouchsafe to take upon him the charge and
government of their Abbey: long time he denied them, saying that their manners were divers
from his, and therefore that they should never agree together: yet at length, overcome
with their entreaty, he gave his consent.
Having now taken upon him the charge of the Abbey, he took order that regular life
should be observed, so that none of them could, as before they used, through unlawful acts
decline from the path of holy conversation, either on the one side or on the other: which
the monks perceiving, they fell into a great rage, accusing themselves that ever they
desired him to be their Abbot, seeing their crooked conditions could not endure his
virtuous kind of government: and therefore when they saw that under him they could not
live in unlawful sort, and were loath to leave their former conversation, and found it
hard to be enforced with old minds to meditate and think upon new things: and because the
life of virtuous men is always grievous to those that be of wicked conditions, some of
them began to devise, how they might rid him out of the way: and therefore, taking counsel
together, they agreed to poison his wine: which being done, and the glass wherein that
wine was, according to the custom, offered to the Abbot to bless, he, putting forth his
hand, made the sign of the cross, and straightway the glass, that was holden far off,
brake in pieces, as though the sign of the cross had been a stone thrown against it: upon
which accident the man of God by and by perceived that the glass had in it the drink of
death, which could not endure the sign of life: and therefore rising up, with a mild
countenance and quiet mind, he called the monks together, and spake thus unto them:
"Almighty God have mercy upon you, and forgive you: why have you used me in this
manner? Did not I tell you before hand, that our manner of living could never agree
together? Go your ways, and seek ye out some other father suitable to your own conditions,
for I intend not now to stay any longer amongst you." When he had thus discharged
himself, he returned back to the wilderness which so much he loved, and dwelt alone with
himself, in the sight of his Creator, who beholdeth the hearts of all men.
PETER: I understand not very well what you mean, when you say that he dwelt with
himself.
GREGORY: If the holy man had longer, contrary to his own mind, continued his government
over those monks, who had all conspired against him, and were far unlike to him in life
and conversation: perhaps he should have diminished his own devotion, and somewhat
withdrawn the eyes of his soul from the light of contemplation; and being wearied daily
with correcting of their faults, he should have had the less care of himself, and so haply
it might have fallen out, that he should both have lost himself, and yet not found them:
for so often as by infectious motion we are carried too far from ourselves, we remain the
same men that we were before, and yet be not with ourselves as we were before: because we
are wandering about other men's affairs, little considering and looking into the state of
our own soul.
For shall we say that he was with himself, who went into a far country, and after he
had, as we read in the Gospel, prodigally spent that portion which he received of his
father, was glad to serve a citizen, to keep his hogs, and would willingly have filled his
hungry belly with the husks which they did eat: who notwithstanding afterward, when he
thought with himself of those goods which he had lost, it is written of him that,
returning into himself, he said: How many hired men in my father's house do abound with
bread? [Luke 15]
If then, before he were with himself, from whence did he return home unto himself? and
therefore I said that this venerable man did dwell with himself, because carrying himself
circumspectly and carefully in the sight of his Creator, always considering his own
actions, always examining himself, never did he turn the eyes of his soul from himself, to
behold aught else whatsoever.
PETER: Why, then, is it written of the Apostle, St. Peter, after he was by the Angel
delivered out of prison, that, returning to himself, he said: Now I know verily, that our
Lord hath sent his Angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the
expectation of the people of the Jews. [Acts 12:11]
GREGORY: We are two manner of ways, Peter, carried out of ourselves: for either we fall
under ourselves by sinful cogitation, or else we are, by the grace of contemplation,
lifted above ourselves: for he that kept hogs, through wandering of his mind and unclean
thoughts, fell under himself: but he whom the Angel delivered out of prison, being also
rapt by the Angel into an ecstasy, was in truth out of himself, but yet above himself.
Both of them, therefore, did return unto themselves; the one when he recollected himself,
and forsook his lewd kind of life; and the other from the top of contemplation, to have
that usual judgment and understanding, which before he had: wherefore venerable Bennet in
that solitary wilderness dwelt with himself, because he kept himself, and retired his
cogitations within the closet of his own soul: for when the greatness of contemplation
rapt him up aloft, out of all question he did then leave himself under himself.
PETER: Your discourse doth very well content me: yet I beseech you to answer me this
question, whether he could in conscience give over those monks, whose government he had
now taken upon him?
GREGORY: In mine opinion, Peter, evil men may with good conscience be tolerated in that
community, where there be some good that may be holpen, and reap commodity. But where
there be none good at all, that receive spiritual profit, often times all labour is lost,
that is bestowed in bringing of such to good order, especially if other occasions be
offered of doing God presently better service elsewhere: for whose good, then, should the
holy man have expected, seeing them all to persecute him with one consent? and (that which
is not to be passed over with silence) those that be perfect carry always this mind, that
when they perceive their labour to be fruitless in one place, to remove straight to
another, where more good may be done.
And for this cause, that notable preacher of the word, who was desirous to be
dissolved, and to be with Christ, unto whom to live is Christ, and to die is gain
[Phil.1:21]: and who not only desired himself to suffer persecution, but did also animate and
encourage others to suffer the same; yet being himself in persecution at Damascus, got a
rope and a basket to pass over the wall, and was privily let down.
[Acts 9:25] What then?
shall we say that Paul was afraid of death, when as himself said, that he desired it for
Christ's sake? not so: but when he perceived that in that place little good was to be done
by great labour, he reserved himself to further labour, where more fruit and better
success might be expected: and therefore the valiant soldier of Christ would not be kept
within walls, but sought for a larger field where he might more freely labour for his
master. And so, in like manner, you shall quickly perceive, if you mark well, that
venerable Bennet forsook not so many in one place, that were unwilling to be taught, as he
did in sundry other places raise up from the death of soul many more, that were willing to
be instructed.
PETER: It is so as you say, and plain reason teacheth it, and the example of St. Paul
alleged doth confirm it. But I beseech you to return unto your former purpose, and to
prosecute the life of the holy man.
GREGORY: When as God's servant daily increased in virtue, and became continually more
famous for miracles, many were by him in the same place drawn to the service of almighty
God, so that by Christ's assistance he built there twelve Abbeys; over which he appointed
governors, and in each of them placed twelve monks, and a few he kept with himself,
namely, such as he thought would more profit, and be better instructed by his own
presence. At that time also many noble and religious men of Rome came unto him, and
committed their children to be brought up under him, for the service of God. Then also
Evitius delivered him Maurus, and Tertullius the Senator brought Placidus, being their
sons of great hope and towardness: of which two, Maurus, growing to great virtue, began to
be his master's coadjutor; but Placidus, as yet, was but a boy of tender years.
In one of the monasteries which he had built in those parts, a monk there was, which
could not continue at prayers; for when the other monks knelt down to serve God, his
manner was to go forth, and there with wandering mind to busy himself about some earthly
and transitory things. And when he had been often by his Abbot admonished of this fault
without any amendment, at length he was sent to the man of God, who did likewise very much
rebuke him for his folly; yet notwithstanding, returning back again, he did scarce two
days follow the holy man's admonition; for, upon the third day, he fell again to his old
custom, and would not abide within at the time of prayer: word whereof being once more
sent to the man of God, by the father of the Abbey whom he had there appointed, he
returned him answer that he would come himself, and reform what was amiss, which he did
accordingly: and it fell so out, that when the singing of psalms was ended, and the hour
come in which the monks betook themselves to prayer, the holy man perceived that the monk,
which used at that time to go forth, was by a little black boy drawn out by the skirt of
his garment; upon which sight, he spake secretly to Pompeianus, father of the Abbey, and
also to Maurus saying Do you not see who it is, that draweth this monk from his
prayers?" and they answered him, that they did not. "Then let us pray,"
quoth he, "unto God, that you also may behold whom this monk doth follow": and
after two days Maurus did see him, but Pompeianus could not.
Upon another day, when the man of God had ended his devotions, he went out of the
oratory, where he found the foresaid monk standing idle, whom for the blindness of his
heart he strake with a little wand, and from that day forward he was so freed from all
allurement of the little black boy, that he remained quietly at his prayers, as other of
the monks did: for the old enemy was so terrified, that he durst not any more suggest any
such cogitations: as though by that blow, not the monk, but himself had been strooken.
Amongst the monasteries which he had built in those parts, three of them were situated
upon the rocks of a mountain, so that very painful it was for the monks to go down and
fetch water, especially because the side of the hill was so steep that there was great
fear of danger: and therefore the monks of those Abbeys with one consent came unto the
servant of God, Bennet, giving him to understand, how laborious it was for them daily to
go down unto the lake for water: and therefore they added, that it was very necessary to
have them removed to some other places. The man of God, comforting them with sweet words,
caused them to return back again; and the next night, having with him only the little boy
Placidus (of whom we spake before), he ascended up to the rock of that mountain, and
continued there a long time in prayer; and when he had done, he took three stones, and
laid them in the same place for a mark, and so, none of them being privy to that he had
done, he returned back to his own Abbey. And the next day, when the foresaid monks came
again about their former business, he said thus unto them: "Go your way to the rock,
and in the place where you find three stones laid one upon another, dig a little hole, for
almighty God is able to bring forth water in the top of that mountain, and so to ease you
of that great labour which you take in fetching it so far." Away they went, and came
to the rock of the mountain according to his direction, which they found as it were
sweating drops of water, and after they had with a spade made an hollow place, it was
straightways filled, and water flowed out so abundantly, that it doth plentifully, even to
this day, spring out and run down from the top to the very bottom of that hill.
At another time, a certain Goth, poor of spirit, that gave over the world, was received
by the man of God; whom on a day he commanded to take a bill, and to cleanse a certain
plot of ground from briers, for the making of a garden, which ground was by the side of a
lake. The Goth as he was there labouring, by chance the head of the bill slipped off, and
fell into the water, which was so deep, that there was no hope ever to get it again. The
poor Goth, in great fear, ran unto Maurus and told him what he had lost, confessing his
own fault and negligence: Maurus forthwith went to the servant of God, giving him to
understand thereof, who came straightways to the lake: and took the handle out of the
Goth's hand, and put it into the water, and the iron head by and by ascended from the
bottom and entered again into the handle of the bill, which he delivered to the Goth,
saying: "Behold here is thy bill again, work on, and be sad no more."
On a certain day, as venerable Bennet was, in his cell, the foresaid young Placidus,
the holy man's monk, went out to take up water at the lake, and putting down his pail
carelessly, fell in himself after it, whom the water forthwith carried away from the land
so far as one may shoot an arrow. The man of God, being in his cell, by and by knew this,
and called in haste for Maurus, saying: "Brother Maurus, run as fast as you can, for
Placidus, that went to the lake to fetch water, is fallen in, and is carried a good way
off."
A strange thing, and since the time of Peter the Apostle never heard of! Maurus,
craving his father's blessing, and departing in all haste at his commandment, ran to that
place upon the water, to which the young lad was carried by force thereof, thinking that
he had all that while gone upon the land: and taking fast hold of him by the hair of his
head, in all haste he returned back again: and so soon as he was at land, coming to
himself he looked behind him, and then knew very well that he had before run upon the
water: and that which before he durst not have presumed, being now done and past, he both
marvelled, and was afraid at that which he had done.
Coming back to the father, and telling him what had happened, the venerable man did not
attribute this to his own merits, but to the obedience of Maurus: but Maurus on the
contrary, said that it was done only upon his commandment, and that he had nothing to do
in that miracle, not knowing at that time what he did. But the friendly contention
proceeding of mutual humility, the young youth himself that was saved from drowning did
determine: for he said that he saw when he was drawn out of the water the Abbot's garment
upon his head, affirming that it was he that had delivered him from that great danger.
PETER: Certainly they be wonderful things which you report, and such as may serve for
the edification of many : for mine own part, the more that I hear of his miracles, the
more do I still desire.
CHAPTER EIGHT: HOW A LOAF WAS POISONED, AND CARRIED FAR OFF BY A CROW.
GREGORY: When as the foresaid monasteries were zealous in the love of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and their fame dispersed far and near, and many gave over the secular life, and
subdued the passions of their soul, under the light yoke of our Saviour: then (as the
manner of wicked people is, to envy at that virtue which themselves desire not to follow)
one Florentius, Priest of a church hardby, and grandfather to Florentius our sub-deacon,
possessed with diabolical malice, began to envy the holy man's virtues, to back-bite his
manner of living, and to withdraw as many as he could from going to visit him : and when
he saw that he could not hinder his virtuous proceedings, but that, on the contrary, the
fame of his holy life increased, and many daily, upon the very report of his sanctity, did
betake themselves to a better state of life : burning more and more with the coals of
envy, he became far worse; and though he desired not to imitate his commendable life, yet
fain he would have had the reputation of his virtuous conversation.
In conclusion so much did malicious envy blind him, and so far did he wade in that sin,
that he poisoned a loaf and sent it to the servant of almighty God, as it were for an holy
present. The man of God received it with great thanks, yet not ignorant of that which was
hidden within. At dinner time, a crow daily used to come unto him from the next wood,
which took bread at his hands; coming that day after his manner, the man of God threw him
the loaf which the Priest had sent him, giving him this charge: "In the name of Jesus
Christ our Lord, take up that loaf, and leave it in some such place where no man may find
it." Then the crow, opening his mouth, and lifting up his wings, began to hop up and
down about the loaf, and after his manner to cry out, as though he would have said that he
was willing to obey, and yet could not do what he was commanded. The man of God again and
again bade him, saying: "Take it up without fear, and throw it where no man may find
it." At length, with much ado, the crow took it up, and flew away, and after three
hours, having dispatched the loaf, he returned back again, and received his usual
allowance from the man of God.
But the venerable father, perceiving the Priest so wickedly bent against his life, was
far more sorry for him than grieved for himself. And Florentius, seeing that he could not
kill the body of the master, laboureth now what he can, to destroy the souls of his
disciples; and for that purpose he sent into the yard of the Abbey before their eyes seven
naked young women, which did there take hands together, play and dance a long time before
them, to the end that, by this means, they might inflame their minds to sinful lust: which
damnable sight the holy man beholding out of his cell, and fearing the danger which
thereby might ensue to his younger monks, and considering that all this was done only for
the persecuting of himself, he gave place to envy; and therefore, after he had for those
abbeys and oratories which he had there built appointed governors, and left some under
their charge, himself, in the company of a few monks, removed to another place.
And thus the man of God, upon humility, gave place to the other's malice; but yet
almighty God of justice did severely punish [Florentius'] wickedness. For when the
foresaid Priest, being in his chamber, understood of the departure of holy Bennet, and was
very glad of that news, behold (the whole house besides continuing safe and sound) that
chamber alone in which he was, fell down, and so killed him: which strange accident the
holy man's disciple Maurus understanding, straightways sent him word, he being as yet
scarce ten miles off, desiring him to return again, because the Priest that did persecute
him was slain; which thing when Bennet heard, he was passing sorrowful, and lamented much:
both because his enemy died in such sort, and also for that one of his monks rejoiced
thereat; and therefore he gave him penance, for that, sending such news, he presumed to
rejoice at his enemy's death.
PETER: The things you report be strange, and much to be wondered at: for in making the
rock to yield forth water, I see Moses; and in the iron, which came from the bottom of the
lake, I behold Eliseus; in the walking of Maurus upon the water, I perceive Peter; in the
obedience of the crow, I contemplate Elias; and in lamenting the death of his enemy, I
acknowledge David: and therefore, in mine opinion, this one man was full of the spirit of
all good men.
GREGORY: The man of god, Bennet, had the spirit of the one true God, who, by the grace
of our redemption, hath filled the hearts of his elect servants; of whom St. John saith:
"He was the true light, which doth lighten every man coming into this world,"
[John 1:9]. Of whom, again, we find it written: "Of his fulness we have all
received,"
[John 1:16]. For God's holy servants might receive virtues of our Lord,
but to bestow them upon others they could not; and therefore it was he that gave the signs
of miracles to his servants, who promised to give the sign of Jonas to his enemies
[Matt. 12:40]:
so that he vouchsafed to die in the sight of the proud, and to rise again before
the eyes of the humble: to the end, that they might behold what they contemned, and those
see that which they ought to worship and love: by reason of which mystery it cometh to
pass that, whereas the proud cast their eyes upon the contempt of his death, the humble
contrariwise, against death, lay hold of the glory of his power and might.
PETER: To what places, I pray you, after this, did the holy man go: and whether did he
afterward in them work any miracles, or no?
GREGORY: The holy man, changing his place, did not for all that change his enemy. For
afterward he endured so much the more grievous battles, by how much he had now the master
of all wickedness fighting openly against him. For the town, which is called Cassino,
standeth upon the side of an high mountain, which containeth, as it were in the lap
thereof, the foresaid town, and afterward so riseth in height the space of three miles,
that the top thereof seemeth to touch the very heavens: in this place there was an ancient
chapel in which the foolish and simple country people, according to the custom of the old
gentiles, worshipped the god Apollo. Round about it likewise upon all sides, there were
woods for the service of the devils, in which even to that very time, the mad multitude of
infidels did offer most wicked sacrifice. The man of God coming thither, beat in pieces
the idol, overthrew the altar, set fire to the woods, and in the temple of Apollo, he
built the oratory of St. Martin, and where the altar of the same Apollo was, he made an
oratory of St. John: and by his continual preaching, he brought the people dwelling in
those parts to embrace the faith of Christ.
The old enemy of mankind, not taking this in good part, did not privily or in a dream,
but in open sight present himself to the eyes of that holy father, and with great outcries
complained that he had offered him violence. The noise which he made, the monks did hear,
but himself they could not see: but, as the venerable father told them, he appeared
visibly unto him most fell and cruel, and as though, with his fiery mouth and flaming
eyes, he would have torn him in pieces: what the devil said unto him, all the monks did
hear; for first he would call him by his name, and because the man of God vouchsafed him
not any answer, then would he fall a-reviling and railing at him: for when he cried out,
calling him "Blessed Bennet," and yet found that he gave him no answer,
straightways he would turn his tune, and say: "Cursed Bennet, and not blessed: what
hast thou to do with me? and why dost thou thus persecute me?" Wherefore new battles
of the old enemy against the servant of God are to be looked for, against whom willingly
did he make war, but, against his will, did he give him occasion of many notable
victories.
CHAPTER NINE: HOW VENERABLE BENNET, BY HIS PRAYER, REMOVED AN HUGE STONE.
Upon a certain day, when the monks were building up the cells of the same Abbey, there
lay a stone which they meant to employ about that business: and when two or three were not
able to remove it, they called for more company, but all in vain, for it remained so
immovable as though it had grown to the very earth: whereby they plainly perceived that
the devil himself did sit upon it, seeing so may men's hands could not so much as once
move it: wherefore, finding that their own labours could do nothing, they sent for the man
of God, to help them with his prayers against the devil, who hindered the removing of that
stone. The holy man came, and after some praying, he gave it his blessing, and then they
carried it away so quickly, as though it had been of no weight at all.
CHAPTER TEN: OF THE FANTASTICAL FIRE, WHICH BURNT THE KITCHEN.
Then the man of God thought good that they should presently before his departure dig up
the ground in the same place; which being done, and a deep hole made, the monks found
there an idol of brass, which being for a little while by chance cast into the kitchen,
they beheld fire suddenly to come from it, which to all their sight seemed to set the
whole kitchen on fire; for the quenching whereof, the monks by casting on of water made
such a noise, that the man of God, hearing it, came to see what the matter was: and
himself beholding not any fire at all,which they said that they did, he bowed down his
head forthwith to his prayers, and then he perceived that they were deluded with
fantastical fire, and therefore bad them bless their eyes, that they might behold the
kitchen safe and sound, and not those fantastical flames, which the devil had falsely
devised.
CHAPTER ELEVEN: HOW VENERABLE BENNET REVIVED A BOY, CRUSHED TO DEATH WITH THE RUIN OF
A WALL.
Again, as the monks were making of a certain wall somewhat higher, because that was
requisite, the man of God in the meantime was in his cell at his prayers. To whom the old
enemy appeared in an insulting manner, telling him, that he was now going to his monks,
that were a-working: whereof the man of God, in all haste, gave them warning, wishing them
to look unto themselves, because the devil was at that time coming amongst them. The
message was scarce delivered, when as the wicked spirit overthrew the new wall which they
were a building, and with the fall slew a little young child, a monk, who was the son of a
certain courtier. At which pitiful chance all were passing sorry and exceedingly grieved,
not so much for the loss of the wall, as for the death of their brother: and in all haste
they sent this heavy news to the venerable man Bennet; who commanded them to bring unto
him the young boy, mangled and maimed as he was, which they did, but yet they could not
carry him any otherwise than in a sack: for the stones of the wall had not only broken his
limbs, but also his very bones. Being in that manner brought unto the man of God, he bad
them to lay him in his cell, and in that place upon which he used to pray; and then,
putting them all forth, he shut the door, and fell more instantly to his prayers than he
used at other times. And O strange miracle! for the very same hour he made him sound, and
as lively as ever he was before; and sent him again to his former work, that he also might
help the monks to make an end of that wall, of whose death the old serpent thought he
should have insulted over Bennet, and greatly triumphed.
CHAPTER TWELVE: HOW BY REVELATION VENERABLE BENNET KNEW THAT HIS MONKS HAD EATEN OUT
OF THE MONASTERY.
Among other miracles which the man of God did, he began also to be famous for the
spirit of prophecy: as to foretell what was to happen, and to relate unto them that were
present, such things as were done in absence. The order of his Abbey was, that when the
monks went abroad (to deliver any message) never to eat or drink anything out of their
cloister: and this being diligently observed, according to the prescription of their rule,
upon a certain day some of the monks went forth upon such business: and being enforced
about the dispatch thereof to tarry somewhat long abroad, it fell so out that they stayed
at the house of a religious woman, where they did eat and refresh themselves. And being
late before they came back to the Abbey, they went as the manner was, and asked their
father's blessing: of whom he demanded where they had eaten: and they said nowhere.
"Why do you," quoth he, "tell an untruth? for did you not go into such a
woman's house? and eat such and such kind of meat, and drink so many cups?" When they
heard him recount so in particular, both where they had stayed, what kind of meat they had
eaten, and how often they had drunk, and perceived well that he knew all whatsoever they
had done, they fell down trembling at his feet, and confessed that they had done wickedly:
who straightways pardoned them for that fault, persuading himself that they would not any
more in his absence presume to do any such thing, seeing they now perceived that he was
present with them in spirit.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: OF THE BROTHER OF VALENTINIAN THE MONK, WHOM THE MAN OF GOD BLAMED
FOR EATING IN HIS JOURNEY.
A brother also of Valentinian the monk, of whom I made mention before, was a layman,
but devout and religious: who used every year, as well to desire the prayers of God's
servant, as also to visit his natural brother, to travel from his own house to the Abbey:
and his manner was, not to eat anything all that day before he came thither. Being
therefore upon a time in his journey, he lighted into the company of another that carried
meat about him to eat by the way: who, after the day was well spent, spake unto him in
this manner: "Come, brother," quoth he, "let us refresh ourselves, that we
faint not in our journey": to whom he answered: "God forbid: for eat I will not
by any means, seeing I am now going to the venerable father Bennet, and my custom is to
fast until I see him." The other, upon this answer, said no more for the space of an
hour. But afterward, having travelled a little further again he was in hand with him to
eat something: yet then likewise he utterly refused, because he meant to go through
fasting as he was. His companion was content, and so went forward with him, without taking
anything himself. But when they had now gone very far, and were well wearied with long
travelling, at length they came unto a meadow, where there was a fountain, and all such
other pleasant things as use to refresh men's bodies. Then his companion said to him
again: "Behold here is water, a green meadow, and a very sweet place, in which we may
refresh ourselves and rest a little, that we may be the better able to dispatch the rest
of our journey." Which kind words bewitching his ears, and the pleasant place
flattering his eyes, content he was to yield unto the motion, and so they fell to their
meat together: and coming afterward in the evening to the Abbey, they brought him to the
venerable father Bennet, of whom he desired his blessing. Then the holy man objected
against him what he had done in the way, speaking to him in this manner: "How fell it
out, brother," quoth he, "that the devil talking to you, by means of your
companion, could not at the first nor second time persuade you: but yet he did at the
third, and made you do what best pleased him?" The good man, hearing these words,
fell down at his feet, confessing the fault of his frailty; was grieved, and so much the
more ashamed of his sin, because he perceived that though he were absent, that yet he did
offend in the sight of that venerable father.
PETER: I see well that the holy man had in his soul the spirit of Eliseus, who was
present with his servant Giezi, being then absent from him.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: HOW THE DISSIMULATION OF KING TOTILAS WAS DISCOVERED AND FOUND OUT
BY VENERABLE BENNET.
GREGORY: You must, good Peter, for a little while be silent, that you may know matters
yet far more important. For in the time of the Goths, when Totilas, their king, understood
that the holy man had the spirit of prophecy, as he was going towards his monastery, he
remained in a place somewhat far off, and beforehand sent the father word of his coming:
to whom answer was returned, that he might come at his pleasure. The king, as he was a man
wickedly disposed, thought he would try whether the man of God were a prophet, as it was
reported, or no. A certain man of his guard he had, called Riggo, upon whom he caused his
own shoes to be put, and to be apparelled with his other princely robes, commanding him to
go as it were himself to the man of God; and to give the better colour to this device, he
sent three to attend upon him, who especially were always about the king: to wit,
Vultericus, Rudericus, and Blindinus; charging them that in the presence of the servant of
God, they should be next about him, and behave themselves in such sort as though he had
been king Totilas indeed: and that diligently they should do unto him all other services,
to the end that both by such dutiful kind of behaviour, as also by his purple robes, he
might verily be taken for the king himself. Riggo, furnished with that brave apparel, and
accompanied with many courtiers, came unto the Abbey: at which time the man of God sat a
little way off, and when Riggo was come so near that he might well understand what the man
of God said, then, in the hearing of them all, he spake thus: "Put off, my good son,
put off that apparel, for that which thou hast on, is none of thine." Riggo, hearing
this, fell straightways down to the ground, and was very much afraid, for presuming to go
about to mock so worthy a man, and all his attendants and servitors fell down likewise to
the earth, and after they were up again, they durst not approach any nearer to his
presence: but returned back to their king, telling him with fear, how quickly they were
discovered.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: HOW VENERABLE BENNET PROPHESIED TO KING TOTILAS, AND ALSO TO THE
BISHOP OF CAMISINA, SUCH THINGS AS WERE AFTERWARD TO FALL OUT.
Then Totilas himself in person went unto the man of God; and seeing him sitting afar
off, he durst not come near, but fell down to the ground: whom the holy man (speaking to
him twice or thrice) desired to rise up and at length came unto him, and with his own
hands lifted him up from the earth, where he lay prostrate: and then, entering into talk,
he reprehended him for his wicked deeds, and in few words told him all that which should
befall him, saying: "Much wickedness do you daily commit, and many great sins have
you done: now at length give over your sinful life. Into the city of Rome shall you enter,
and over the sea shall you pass: nine years shall you reign, and in the tenth shall you
leave this mortal life." The king, hearing these things, was wonderfully afraid, and
desiring the holy man to commend him to God in his prayers, he departed: and from that
time forward he was nothing so cruel as before he had been. Not long after he went to
Rome, sailed over into Sicily, and, in the tenth year of his reign, he lost his kingdom
together with his life.
The Bishop also of Camisina used to visit the servant of God, whom the holy man dearly
loved for his virtuous life. The Bishop, therefore, talking with him of King Totilas, of
his taking of Rome, and the destruction of that city, said: "This city will be so
spoiled and ruined by him, that it will never be more inhabited." To whom the man of
God answered: "Rome," quoth he, "shall not be utterly destroyed by
strangers: but shall be so shaken with tempests, lightnings, whirlwinds, and earthquakes,
that it will fall to decay of itself." The mysteries of which prophecy we now behold
as clear as the day: for we see before our eyes in this very city, by a strange whirlwind
the world shaken, houses ruined, and churches overthrown, and buildings rotten with old
age we behold daily to fall down. True it is that Honoratus, by whose relation I had this,
saith not that he received it from his own mouth, but that he had it of other monks, which
did hear it themselves.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: OF A CERTAIN CLERGYMAN, WHOM VENERABLE BENNET FOR A TIME DELIVERED
FROM A DEVIL.
At the same time a certain clergyman, that served in the church of Aquinum, was
possessed: whom the venerable man Constantius, Bishop of the same city, sent unto many
places of holy martyrs for help: but God's holy martyrs would not deliver him, to the end
that the world might know what great grace was in the servant of God, Bennet: wherefore at
length he was brought unto him, who, praying for help to Jesus Christ our Lord, did
forthwith cast the old enemy out of the possessed man's body, giving him this charge:
"Go your way, and hereafter abstain from eating of flesh, and presume not to enter
into holy orders, for whensoever you shall attempt any such thing, the devil again will
have power over you." The man departed safe and sound, and because punishment fresh
in memory useth to terrify the mind, he observed for a time what the man of God had given
him in commandment. But after many years, when all his seniors were dead, and he saw his
juniors preferred before him to holy orders, he neglected the words of the man of God, as
though forgotten through length of time, and took upon him holy orders: whereupon
straightways the devil that before had left him entered again, and never gave over to
torment him, until he had separated his soul from his body.
PETER: This holy man, as I perceive, did know the secret counsel of God: for he saw
that this clergyman was delivered to the power of the devil, to the end he should not
presume to enter into holy orders.
GREGORY: Why should he not know the secrets of God, who kept the commandments of God:
when as the scripture saith: "He that cleaveth unto our Lord, is one spirit with
him?" [1 Cor. 6:17]
PETER: If he that cleaveth unto our Lord, be one spirit with our Lord, what is the
meaning of that which the Apostle saith: "Who knoweth the sense of our Lord, or who
hath been his counsellor?"
[Rom. 11:34],
for it seemeth very inconvenient to be
ignorant of his sense, to whom being so united he is made one thing.
GREGORY: Holy men, in that they be one with our Lord are not ignorant of his sense: for
the same Apostle saith: "For what man knoweth those things which belong to man, but
the spirit of man which is in him ? Even so, the things which belong to God, no man
knoweth, but the spirit of God." And to show also that he knew such things as belong
to God, he addeth straight after: "But we have not received the spirit of this world,
but the spirit which is of God." And for this cause, again he saith: "that eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor it hath ascended into the heart of man, those things
which God hath prepared for them that love him, but God hath revealed to us by his
spirit."
[1 Cor. 2:9-12]
PETER: If, then, the mysteries of God were revealed to the same Apostle by the spirit
of God, why did he then, entreating of this question, set down these words beforehand,
saying: "O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God: how
incomprehensible be his judgments, and his ways investigable?"
[Rom. 11:33]
And again, whiles I am thus speaking of this matter, another question cometh to my
mind: for the prophet David said to our Lord: "With my lips have I uttered all the
judgments of thy mouth,"
[Ps. 119:13 / Ps. 118:13].
Wherefore, seeing it is less to know,
than to utter: what is the reason that St. Paul affirmeth the judgments of God to be
incomprehensible; and yet David saith that he did not know only them, but also with his
lips pronounce them?
GREGORY: To both these questions I have already briefly answered, when I said that holy
men, in that they be one with our Lord, are not ignorant of the sense of our Lord. For all
such, as do devoutly follow our Lord, be also by devotion one with our Lord; and yet for
all this, in that they are laden with the burthen of their corruptible flesh, they be not
with God: and so in that they be joined with him, they know the secret judgments of God,
and in that they be separated from God, they know them not: for seeing they do not as yet
perfectly penetrate his secret mysteries, they give testimony that his judgments be
incomprehensible.
But those that do with their soul adhere unto him, and cleaving unto the sayings of the
holy scripture, or to secret revelations, acknowledge what they receive: such persons both
know these things and do utter them: for those judgments which God doth conceal they know
not, and those which he doth utter they know: and therefore the prophet David, when he had
said: "I have with my lips uttered all the judgments;"
[Ps. 119:13 / Ps. 118:13],
he addeth immediately, "of thy mouth:" as though he should plainly say: Those
judgments I may both know and utter, which I knew thou didst speak, for those things which
thou dost not speak, without all question, thou dost conceal from our knowledge.
Wherefore the saying of David and St. Paul agree together: for the judgments of God are
incomprehensible; and yet those which himself with his own mouth vouchsafeth to speak, are
uttered with men's tongues: because men may come to the knowledge of them, and being
revealed, they may be uttered, and by no means can be kept secret.
PETER: Now I see the answer to my question. But I pray you to proceed, if anything yet
remaineth to be told of his virtue and miracles.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: HOW THE MAN OF GOD, BENNET, DID FORETELL THE SUPPRESSION OF ONE OF
HIS OWN ABBEYS.
GREGORY: A certain noble man called Theoprobus was by the good counsel of holy Bennet
converted: who, for his virtue and merit of life, was very intrinsical and familiar with
him. This man upon a day, coming into his cell, found him weeping very bitterly. And
having expected a good while, and yet not seeing him to make an end (for the man of God
used not in his prayers to weep, but rather to be sad), he demanded the cause of that his
so great heaviness, to whom he answered straightway, saying: "All this Abbey which I
have built, and all such things as I have made ready for my brethren, are by the judgment
of almighty God delivered to the gentiles, to be spoiled and overthrown: and scarce could
I obtain of God to have their lives spared, that should then live in it." His words
Theoprobus then heard, but we see them to be proved most true, who know that very Abbey to
be now suppressed by the Lombards. For not long since, in the night time, when the monks
were asleep, they entered in, and spoiled all things, but yet not one man could they
retain there, and so almighty God fulfilled what he promised to his faithful servant: for
though he gave them the house and all the goods, yet did he preserve their lives. In which
thing I see that Bennet imitated St. Paul: whose ship though it lost all the goods, yet,
for his comfort, he had the lives of all that were in his company bestowed upon him, so
that no one man was cast away.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: HOW BLESSED BENNET KNEW THE HIDING AWAY OF A FLAGON OF WINE.
Upon a certain time, Exhilaratus our monk, a lay-brother, whom you know, was sent by
his master to the monastery of the man of God, to carry him two wooden bottles, commonly
called flagons, full of wine: who in the way, as he was going, hid one of them in a bush
for himself, and presented the other to venerable Bennet: who took it very thankfully,
and, when the man was going away, he gave him this warning: "Take heed, my son,"
quoth he, "that thou drinkest not of that flagon which thou hast hidden in the bush:
but first be careful to bow it down, and thou shalt find what is within it." The poor
man, thus pitifully confounded by the man of God, went his way, and coming back to the
place where the flagon was hidden, and desirous to try the truth of that was told him, as
he was bowing it down, a snake straightways leaped forth. Then Exhilaratus perceiving what
was gotten into the wine, began to be afraid of that wickedness which he had committed.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: HOW THE MAN OF GOD KNEW THAT ONE OF HIS MONKS HAD RECEIVED CERTAIN
HANDKERCHIEFS.
Not far from his Abbey, there was a village, in which very many men had, by the sermons
of Bennet, been converted from idolatry to the true faith of Christ. Certain Nuns also
there were in the same town, to whom he did often send some of his monks to preach unto
them, for the good of their souls. Upon a day, one that was sent, after he had made an end
of his exhortation, by the entreaty of the Nuns took certain small napkins, and hid them
for his own use in his bosom: whom, upon his return to the Abbey, the man of God very
sharply rebuked, saying: "How cometh it to pass, brother, that sin is entered into
your bosom ?" At which words the monk was much amazed for he had quite forgotten what
he had put there; and therefore knew not any cause why he should deserve that
reprehension: whereupon the holy man spake to him in plain terms, and said: "Was not
I present when you took the handkerchiefs of the Nuns, and put them up in your bosom for
your own private use?" The monk, hearing this, fell down at his feet, and was sorry
that he had behaved himself so indiscreetly: forth he drew those napkins from his bosom,
and threw them all away.
CHAPTER TWENTY: HOW HOLY BENNET KNEW THE PROUD THOUGHT OF ONE OF HIS MONKS.
Upon a time, whiles the venerable Father was at supper, one of his monks, who was the
son of a great man, held the candle: and as he was standing there, and the other at his
meat, he began to entertain a proud cogitation in his mind, and to speak thus within
himself: " Who is he, that I thus wait upon at supper, and hold him the candle? and
who am I, that I should do him any such service?" Upon which thought straightways the
holy man turned himself, and with severe reprehension spake thus unto him: "Sign your
heart, brother, for what is it that you say? Sign your heart": and forthwith he
called another of the monks, and bad him take the candle out of his hands, and commanded
him to give over his waiting, and to repose himself: who being demanded of the monks, what
it was that he thought, told them, how inwardly he swelled with pride, and what he spake
against the man of God, secretly in his own heart. Then they all saw very well that
nothing could be hidden from venerable Bennet, seeing the very sound of men's inward
thoughts came unto his ears.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: OF TWO HUNDRED BUSHELS OF MEAL, FOUND BEFORE THE MAN OF GOD'S
CELL.
At another time, there was a great dearth in the same country of Campania: so that all
kind of people tasted of the misery: and all the wheat of Bennet's monastery was spent,
and likewise all the bread, so that there remained no more than five loaves for dinner.
The venerable man, beholding the monks sad, both rebuked them modestly for their
pusillanimity, and again did comfort them with this promise: "Why," quoth he,
"are you so grieved in your minds for lack of bread? Indeed, today some want there
is, but tomorrow you shall have plenty": and so it fell out, for the next day two
hundred bushels of meal was found in sacks before his cell door, which almighty God sent
them: but by whom, or what means, that is unknown to this very day: which miracle when the
monks saw, they gave God thanks, and by this learned in want, not to make any doubt of
plenty.
PETER: Tell me, I pray you, whether this servant of God had always the spirit of
prophecy, when himself pleased, or only at certain times?
GREGORY: The spirit of prophecy doth not always illuminate the minds of the prophets;
because, as it is written of the Holy Ghost that "he breatheth where he will"
[John 3:8], so we are also to know that he doth breathe likewise for what cause, and when
he pleaseth. And hereof it cometh, that when king David demanded of Nathan whether he
might build a temple for the honour of God, the prophet Nathan gave his consent; and yet
afterward utterly forbad it. From hence likewise it proceedeth that, when Eliseus saw the
woman weeping, and knew not the cause, he said to his servant that did trouble her:
"Let her alone, for her soul is in grief, and God hath concealed it from me, and hath
not told me."
[2 Kings 4:27] Which thing almighty God of great piety so disposeth:
for giving at some times the spirit of prophecy, and at other times withdrawing it, he
doth both lift up the prophets minds on high, and yet doth preserve them in humility: that
by the gift of the Spirit, they may know what they are by God's grace: and at other times,
destitute of the same Spirit, may understand what they are of themselves.
PETER: There is very great reason for that you say. But, I pray you, let me hear more
of the venerable man Bennet, if there be anything else that cometh to your remembrance.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: HOW, BY VISION, VENERABLE BENNET DISPOSED THE BUILDING OF THE
ABBEY OF TARACINA.
GREGORY: At another time he was desired by a certain virtuous man, to build an Abbey
for his monks upon his ground, not far from the city of Taracina. The holy man was
content, and appointed an Abbot and Prior, with divers monks under them: and when they
were departing, he promised that, upon such a day, he would come and shew them in what
place the oratory should be made, and where the refectory should stand, and all the other
necessary rooms: and so they, taking his blessing, went their way; and against the day
appointed, which they greatly expected, they made all such things ready as were necessary
to entertain him, and those that should come in his company. But the very night before,
the man of God in sleep appeared to the Abbot and the Prior, and particularly described
unto them where each place and office was to be builded. And when they were both risen,
they conferred together what either of them had seen in their sleep: but yet not giving
full credit to that vision, they expected the man of God himself in person, according to
his promise. But when they saw that he came not, they returned back unto him very
sorrowfully, saying: "We expected, father, that you should have come according to
promise, and told us where each place should have been built, which yet you did not."
To whom he answered: "Why say you so, good brethren? Did not I come as I promised
you?" And when they asked at what time it was: "Why," quoth he, "did
not I appear to either of you in your sleep, and appointed how and where every place was
to be builded? Go your way, and according to that platform which you then saw, build up
the abbey." At which word they much marvelled, and returning back, they caused it to
be builded in such sort as they had been taught of him by revelation.
PETER: Gladly would I learn, by what means that could be done: to wit, that he should
go so far to tell them that thing in their sleep, which they should both hear and know by
vision.
GREGORY: Why do you, Peter, seek out and doubt, in what manner this thing was done? For
certain it is, that the soul is of a more noble nature than the body. And by authority of
scripture we know that the prophet Abacuck was carried from Judea with that dinner which
he had, and was suddenly set in Chaldea; by which meat the prophet Daniel was relieved
[Daniel 14:32-39] :
and presently after was brought back again to Judea. If, then, Abacuck could in a moment
with his body go so far, and carry provision for another man's dinner: what marvel is it,
if the holy father Bennet obtained grace to go in spirit and to inform the souls of his
brethren that were asleep, concerning such things as were necessary: and that as Abacuck
about corporal meat went corporally, so Bennet should go spiritually about the dispatch of
spiritual business?
PETER: I confess that your words have satisfied my doubtful mind. But I would know what
manner of man he was in his ordinary talk and conversation.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: OF CERTAIN NUNS ABSOLVED AFTER THEIR DEATH.
GREGORY: His common talk, Peter, was usually full of virtue: for his heart conversed to
above in heaven, that no words could in vain proceed from his mouth. And if at any time he
spake aught, yet not as one that determined what was best to be done, but only in a
threatening manner, his speech in that case was so effectual and forcible, as though he
had not doubtfully or uncertainly, but assuredly pronounced and given sentence.
For not far from his Abbey, there lived two Nuns in a place by themselves, born of
worshipful parentage: whom a religious good man did serve for the dispatch of their
outward business. But as nobility of family doth in some breed ignobility of mind, and
maketh them in conversation to show less humility, because they remember still what
superiority they had above others: even so was it with these Nuns: for they had not yet
learned to temper their tongues, and keep them under with the bridle of their habit: for
often did they by their indiscreet speech provoke the foresaid religious man to anger; who
having borne with them a long time, at length he complained to the man of God, and told
him with what reproachful words they entreated him: whereupon he sent them by and by this
message, saying: "Amend your tongues, otherwise I do excommunicate you"; which
sentence of excommunication notwithstanding, he did not then presently pronounce against
them, but only threatened if they amended not themselves.
But they, for all this, changed their conditions nothing at all: both which not long
after departed this life, and were buried in the church: and when solemn mass was
celebrated in the same church, and the Deacon, according to custom, said with loud voice:
"If any there be that do not communicate, let them depart": the nurse, which
used to give unto our Lord an offering for them, beheld them at that time to rise out of
their graves, and to depart the church. Having often times, at those words of the Deacon,
seen them leave the church, and that they could not tarry within, she remembered what
message the man of God sent them whiles they were yet alive. For he told them that he did
deprive them of the communion, unless they did amend their tongues and conditions. Then
with great sorrow, the whole matter was signified to the man of God, who straightways with
his own hands gave an oblation, saying: "Go your ways, and cause this to be offered
unto our Lord for them, and they shall not remain any longer excommunicate": which
oblation being offered for them, and the Deacon, as he used, crying out, that such as did
not communicate should depart, they were not seen any more to go out of the church:
whereby it was certain that, seeing they did not depart with them which did not
communicate, that they had received the communion of our Lord by the hands of his servant.
PETER: It is very strange that you report: for how could he, though a venerable and
most holy man, yet living in mortal body, loose those souls which stood now before the
invisible judgment of God?
GREGORY: Was he not yet, Peter, mortal, that heard from our Saviour: "Whatsoever
thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in the heavens: and whatsoever thou
shalt loose in earth, shall be loosed also in the heavens?"
[Matt. 16:19] whose place
of binding and loosing those have at this time, which by faith and virtuous life possess
the place of holy government: and to bestow such power upon earthly men, the Creator of
heaven and earth descended from heaven to earth: and that flesh might judge of spiritual
things, God, who for man's sake was made flesh, vouchsafed to bestow upon him: for from
thence our weakness did rise up above itself, from whence the strength of God was weakened
under itself.
PETER: For the virtue of his miracles, your words do yield a very good reason.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: OF A BOY THAT AFTER HIS BURIAL WAS CAST OUT OF HIS GRAVE.
GREGORY: Upon a certain day, a young boy that was a monk, loving his parents more than
reason would, went from the Abbey to their house, not craving the father's blessing
beforehand: and the same day that he came home unto them, he departed this life. And being
buried, his body, the next day after, was found cast out of the grave; which they caused
again to be put in, and again, the day following, they found it as before. Then in great
haste they went to the man of God, fell down at his feet, and with many tears beseeched
him that he would vouchsafe him that was dead of his favour. To whom the man of God with
his own hands delivered the holy communion of our Lord's body, saying: "Go, and lay
with great reverence this our Lord's body upon his breast, and so bury him": which
when they had done, the dead corpse after that remained quietly in the grave. By which you
perceive, Peter, of what merit he was with our Lord Jesus Christ, seeing the earth would
not give entertainment to his body, who departed this world out of Bennet's favour.
PETER: I perceive it very well, and do wonderfully admire it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: HOW A MONK, FORSAKING THE ABBEY, MET WITH A DRAGON IN THE WAY.
GREGORY: A certain monk there was so inconstant and fickle of mind, that he would needs
give over the Abbey; for which fault of his, the man of God did daily rebuke him, and
often times gave him good admonitions: but yet, for all this, by no means would he tarry
amongst them, and therefore continual suit he made that he might be discharged. The
venerable man upon a time, wearied with his importunity, in anger bad him depart; who was
no sooner out of the Abbey gate, but he found a dragon in the way expecting him with open
mouth, which being about to devour him, he began in great fear and trembling to cry out
aloud, saying: "Help, help! for this dragon will eat me up." At which noise the
monks running out, dragon they saw none, but finding him there shaking and trembling, they
brought him back again to the Abbey, who forthwith promised that he would never more
forsake the monastery, and so ever after he continued in his profession: for by the
prayers of the holy man, he saw the dragon coming against him, whom before, when he saw
not, he did willingly follow.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: HOW HOLY BENNET CURED A BOY OF LEPROSY.
But I must not here pass over with silence that which I had by relation of the
honourable man, Anthony, who said that his father's boy was so pitifully punished with a
leprosy, that all his hair fell off, his body swelled, and filthy corruption did openly
come forth. Who being sent by his father to the man of God, he was by him quickly restored
to his former health.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: HOW BENNET FOUND MONEY MIRACULOUSLY TO RELIEVE A POOR MAN.
Neither is that to be omitted, which one of his disciples called Peregrinus used to
tell: for he said that, upon a certain day, an honest man, who was in debt, found no other
means to help himself, but thought it his best way to acquaint the man of God with his
necessity: whereupon he came to the Abbey, and finding the servant of almighty God, gave
him to understand, how he was troubled by his creditor for twelve shillings which he did
owe him. To whom the venerable man said that himself had not so much money, yet giving him
comfortable words, he said: "Go your ways, and after two days come to me again, for I
can not presently help you": in which two days, after his manner, he bestowed himself
in prayer: and when upon the third day the poor man came back there were found suddenly
upon the chest of the Abbey, which was full of corn, thirteen shillings: which the man of
God caused to be given to him that required but twelve, both to discharge his debt, and
also to defray his own charges.
But now will I return to speak of such things as I had from the mouth of his own
scholars, mentioned before in the beginning of this book. A certain man there was who had
an enemy that did notably spite and malign him, whose damnable hatred proceeded so far
that he poisoned his drink, which, although it killed him not, yet did it change his skin
in such sort that it was of many colours, as though he had been infected with a leprosy:
but the man of God restored him to his former health: for so soon as he touched him,
forthwith all that variety of colours departed from his body.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: HOW A CRUET OF GLASS WAS THROWN UPON THE STONES, AND NOT BROKEN.
At such time as there was a great dearth in Campania, the man of God had given away all
the wealth of the Abbey to poor people, so that in the cellar there was nothing left but a
little oil in a glass. A certain sub-deacon called Agapitus came unto him, instantly
craving that he would bestow a little oil upon him. Our Lord's servant, that was resolved
to give away all upon earth that he might find all in heaven, commanded that oil to be
given him: but the monk that kept the cellar heard what the father commanded, yet did he
not perform it: who inquiring not long after whether he had given that which he willed,
the monk told him that he had not, adding that if he had given it away, that there was not
any left for the Convent. Then in an anger he commanded others to take that glass with the
oil, and to throw it out at the window, to the end that nothing might remain in the Abbey
contrary to obedience. The monks did so, and threw it out at a window, under which there
was an huge downfall, full of rough and craggy stones upon which the glass did light, but
yet continued for all that so sound as though it had never been thrown out at all, for
neither the glass was broken nor any of the oil shed. Then the man of God did command it
to be taken up again, and, whole as it was, to be given unto him that desired it, and in
the presence of the other brethren he reprehended the disobedient monk, both for his
infidelity, and also for his proud mind.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: HOW AN EMPTY BARREL WAS FILLED WITH OIL.
After which reprehension, with the rest of his brethren he fell to praying, and in the
place where they were, there stood an empty barrel with a cover upon it: and as the holy
man continued in his prayers, the oil within did so increase, that the cover began to be
lifted up, and at length fell down, and the oil, that was now higher than the mouth of the
barrel, began to run over upon the pavement, which so soon as the servant of God, Bennet,
beheld, forthwith he gave over his prayers, and the oil likewise ceased to overflow the
barrel. Then he did more at large admonish that mistrusting and disobedient monk, that he
would learn to have faith and humility, who upon so wholesome an admonition was ashamed,
because the venerable father had by miracle shown the power of almighty God, as before he
told him when he did first rebuke him: and so no cause there was why any should afterward
doubt of his promise, seeing at one and the same time, for a small glass almost empty
which he gave away, he bestowed upon them an whole barrel full of oil.
CHAPTER THIRTY: HOW BENNET DELIVERED A MONK FROM THE DEVIL.
Upon a certain time, as he was going to the oratory of St. John, which is in the top of
the mountain, the old enemy of mankind upon a mule, like a physician, met him, carrying in
his hand an horn and a mortar. And when he demanded whither he was going: "To your
monks," quoth he, "to give them a drench" [i.e. a large dose of veterinary
medicine].
The venerable father went forward to his prayers, and when he had done, he returned in
all haste, but the wicked spirit found an old monk drawing of water, into whom he entered,
and straightways cast him upon the ground, and grievously tormented him. The man of God
coming from his prayers, and seeing him in such pitiful case gave him only a little blow
with his hand, and at the same instant he cast out that cruel devil, so that he durst not
any more presume to enter in.
PETER: I would gladly know, whether he obtained always by prayer, to work such notable
miracles; or else sometimes did them only at his will and pleasure.
GREGORY: Such as be the devout servants of God, when necessity requireth, use to work
miracles both manner of ways: so that sometime they effect wonderful things by their
prayers, and sometime only by their power and authority: for St. John saith: "So many
as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God." [John 1:12] They,
then, that by power be the sons of God, what marvel is it, if by power they be able to do
wonderful things? And that both ways they work miracles, we learn of St. Peter: who by his
prayers did raise up Tabitha; and by his sharp reprehension did sentence Ananias and
Sapphira to death for their lying. For we read not, that in the death of them he prayed at
all, but only rebuked them for that sin which they had committed. Certain therefore it is
that sometimes they do these things by power, and sometimes by prayer: for Ananias and
Sapphira by a severe rebuke, St. Peter deprived of life: and by prayer restored Tabitha to
life. And for proof of this, I will now tell you of two miracles, which the faithful
servant of God, Bennet, did, in which it shall appear most plainly that he wrought the one
by that power which God gave him, and obtained the other by virtue of his prayers.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: OF A COUNTRY FELLOW, THAT, WITH THE ONLY SIGHT OF THE MAN OF GOD,
WAS LOOSED FORM HIS BANDS.
A certain Goth there was called Galla, an Arian heretic, who, in the time of King
Totilas, did with such monstrous cruelty persecute religious men of the Catholic church,
that what priest or monk soever came in his presence, he never departed alive. This man on
a certain day, set upon rapine and pillage, pitifully tormented a poor country man, to
make him confess where his money and wealth was: who, overcome with extremity of pain,
said that he had committed all his substance to the custody of Bennet, the servant of God:
and this he did, to the end that his tormentor, giving credit to his words, might at least
for a while surcease from his horrible cruelty.
Galla hearing this tormented him no longer: but binding his arms fast with strong
cords, drave him before his horse, to bring him unto this Bennet, who, as he said, had his
wealth in keeping. The country fellow, thus pinioned and running before him, carried him
to the holy man's Abbey, where he found him sitting before the gate, reading upon a book.
Then turning back to Galla that came raging after, he said: "This is father Bennet,
of whom I told you": who looking upon him, in a great fury, thinking to deal as
terribly with him as he had with others, cried out aloud to him, saying: "Rise up,
sirrah, rise up, and deliver me quickly such wealth as thou hast of this man's in
keeping."
The man of God, hearing such a noise, straightways lifted up his eyes from reading, and
beheld both him and the country fellow; and turning his eyes to his bands, very strangely
they fell from his arms, and that so quickly as no man with any haste could have undone
them. Galla, seeing him so wonderfully and quickly loosed, fell straight a-trembling, and
prostrating himself upon the earth bowed down his cruel and stiff neck to the holy man's
feet, and with humility did commend himself to his prayers. But the venerable man for all
this rose not up from his reading, but calling for some of his monks commanded them to
have him in, and to give him some meat. And when he was brought back again, he gave him a
good lesson, admonishing him not to use any more such rigour and cruel dealing. His proud
mind thus taken down, away he went, but durst not demand after that anything of the
country fellow, whom the man of God, not with hands, but only with his eyes, had loosed
from his bands.
And this is that, Peter, which I told you, that those which in a more familiar sort
serve God, do sometime, by certain power and authority bestowed upon them, work miracles.
For he that sitting still did appease the fury of that cruel Goth, and unloose with his
eyes those knots and cords which did pinion the innocent man's arms, did plainly shew by
the quickness of the miracle, that he had received power to work all that which he did.
And now will I likewise tell you of another miracle, which by prayer he obtained at God s
hands.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: HOW BY PRAYER VENERABLE BENNET RAISED UP A DEAD CHILD.
Being upon a day gone out with his monks to work in the field, a country man carrying
the corpse of his dead son came to the gate of the Abbey, lamenting the loss of his child:
and inquiring for holy Bennet, they told him that he was abroad with his monks in the
field. Down at the gate he laid the dead body, and with great sorrow of soul ran in haste
to seek out the venerable father. At the same time, the man of God was returning homeward
from work with his monks: whom so soon as he saw, he [the country man] began to cry out:
"Give me my son, give me my son!"
The man of God, amazed at these words, stood still, and said: "What, have I taken
away your son?" "No, no," quoth the sorrowful father, " but he is
dead: come for Christ Jesus' sake and restore him to life."
The servant of God, hearing him speak in that manner, and seeing his monks upon
compassion to solicit the poor man's suit, with great sorrow of mind he said: "Away,
my good brethren, away: such miracles are not for us to work, but for the blessed
Apostles: why will you lay such a burthen upon me, as my weakness cannot bear?" But
the poor man, whom excessive grief enforced, would not give over his petition, but swore
that he would never depart, except he did raise up his son.
"Where is he, then?" quoth God's servant.
He answered that his body lay at the gate of the Abbey: to which place when the man of
God came with his monks, he kneeled down and lay upon the body of the little child, and
rising, he held up his hands towards heaven, and said: "Behold not, O Lord, my sins,
but the faith of this man, that desireth to have his son raised to life, and restore that
soul to the body, which thou hast taken away."
He had scarce spoken these words, and behold the soul returned back again, and
therewith the child's body began to tremble in such sort that all which were present did
behold it in strange manner to pant and shake. Then he took it by the hand and gave it to
his father, but alive and in health. Certain it is, Peter, that this miracle was not in
his own power, for which prostrate upon the ground he prayed so earnestly.
PETER: All is most true that before you said, for what you affirmed in words, you have
now verified by examples and works. But tell me, I beseech you, whether holy men can do
all such things as they please, and obtain at God's hands whatsoever they desire.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: OF A MIRACLE WROUGHT BY HIS SISTER SCHOLASTICA.
GREGORY: What man is there, Peter, in this world, that is in greater favour with God
than St. Paul was: who yet three times desired our Lord to be delivered from the prick of
the flesh, and obtained not his petition? Concerning which point also I must needs tell
you, how there was one thing which the venerable father Bennet would have done, and yet he
could not.
For his sister called Scholastica, dedicated from her infancy to our Lord, used once a
year to come and visit her brother. To whom the man of God went not far from the gate, to
a place that did belong to the Abbey, there to give her entertainment. And she coming
thither on a time according to her custom, her venerable brother with his monks went to
meet her, where they spent the whole day in the praises of God and spiritual talk: and
when it was almost night they supped together, and as they were yet sitting at the table,
talking of devout matters, and darkness came on, the holy Nun his sister entreated him to
stay there all night, that they might spend it in discoursing of the joys of heaven. But
by no persuasion would he agree unto that, saying that he might not by any means tarry all
night out of his Abbey.
At that time, the sky was so clear that no cloud was to be seen. The Nun, receiving
this denial of her brother, joining her hands together, laid them upon the table: and so,
bowing down her head upon them, she made her prayers to almighty God: and lifting her head
from the table, there fell suddenly such a tempest of lightning and thundering, and such
abundance of rain, that neither venerable Bennet, nor his monks that were with him, could
put their head out of door: for the holy Nun, resting her head upon her hands, poured
forth such a flood of tears upon the table, that she drew the clear air to a watery sky,
so that after the end of her devotions, that storm of rain followed: and her prayer and
the rain did so meet together, that as she lifted up her head from the table, the thunder
began, so that in one and the very same instant, she lifted up her head and brought down
the rain. The man of God, seeing that he could not by reason of such thunder and lightning
and great abundance of rain return back to his Abbey, began to be heavy and to complain of
his sister, saying: "God forgive you, what have you done?" to whom she answered:
"I desired you to stay, and you would not hear me, I have desired our good Lord, and
he hath vouchsafed to grant my petition: wherefore if you can now depart, in God's name
return to your monastery, and leave me here alone."
But the good father, being not able to go forth, tarried there against his will, where
willingly before he would not stay. And so by that means they watched all night, and with
spiritual and heavenly talk did mutually comfort one another: and therefore by this we
see, as I said before, that he would have had that thing, which yet he could not: for if
we respect the venerable man's mind, no question but he would have had the same fair
weather to have continued as it was, when he set forth, but he found that a miracle did
prevent his desire, which, by the power of almighty God, a woman's prayers had wrought.
And it is not a thing to be marvelled at, that a woman which of long time had not seen her
brother, might do more at that time than he could, seeing, according to the saying of St.
John, "God is charity" [1 John 4:8] and therefore of right she did more which
loved more.
PETER: I confess that I am wonderfully pleased with that which you tell me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: HOW BENNET SAW THE SOUL OF HIS SISTER ASCEND INTO HEAVEN.
GREGORY: The next day the venerable woman returned to her Nunnery, and the man of God
to his Abbey: who three days after, standing in his cell, and lifting up his eyes to
heaven, beheld the soul of his sister (which was departed from her body), in the likeness
of a dove to ascend into heaven: who rejoicing much to see her great glory, with hymns and
lauds gave thanks to almighty God, and did impart the news of this her death to his monks,
whom also he sent presently to bring her corpse to his Abbey, to have it buried in that
grave which he had provided for himself: by means whereof it fell out that, as their souls
were always one in God whiles they lived, so their bodies continued together after their
death.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: HOW HE SAW THE WHOLE WORLD REPRESENTED BEFORE HIS EYES; AND ALSO
THE SOUL OF GERMANUS, BISHOP OF CAPUA, ASCENDING TO HEAVEN.
At another time, Servandus, the Deacon, and Abbot of that monastery, which in times
past was founded by the noble man Liberius in the country of Campania, used ordinarily to
come and visit the man of God: and the reason why he came so often was, because himself
also was a man full of heavenly doctrine: and so they two had often together spiritual
conference, to the end that, albeit they could not perfectly feed upon the celestial food
of heaven, yet, by means of such sweet discourses, they might at least, with longing and
fervent desire, taste of those joys and divine delights. When it was time to go to rest,
the venerable Father Bennet reposed himself in the top of a tower, at the foot whereof
Servandus the Deacon was lodged, so that one pair of stairs went to them both: before the
tower there was a certain large room in which both their disciples did lie.
The man of God, Bennet, being diligent in watching, rose early up before the time of
matins (his monks being yet at rest) and came to the window of his chamber, where he
offered up his prayers to almighty God. Standing there, all on a sudden in the dead of the
night, as he looked forth, he saw a light, which banished away the darkness of the night,
and glittered with such brightness, that the light which did shine in the midst of
darkness was far more clear than the light of the day. Upon this sight a marvellous
strange thing followed, for, as himself did afterward report, the whole world, gathered as
it were together under one beam of the sun, was presented before his eyes, and whiles the
venerable father stood attentively beholding the brightness of that glittering light, he
saw the soul of Germanus, Bishop of Capua, in a fiery globe to be carried up by Angels
into heaven.
Then, desirous to have some witness of this so notable a miracle, he called with a very
loud voice Servandus the Deacon twice or thrice by his name, who, troubled at such an
unusual crying out of the man of God, went up in all haste, and looking forth saw not
anything else, but a little remnant of the light, but wondering at so great a miracle, the
man of God told him all in order what he had seen, and sending by and by to the town of
Cassino, he commanded the religious man Theoprobus to dispatch one that night to the city
of Capua, to learn what was become of Germanus their Bishop: which being done, the
messenger found that reverent Prelate departed this life, and enquiring curiously the
time, he understood that he died at that very instant, in which the man of God beheld him
ascending up to heaven.
PETER: A strange thing and very much to be admired. But whereas you say that the whole
world, as it were under one sunbeam, was presented before his eyes, as I must needs
confess that in myself I never had experience of any such thing, so neither can I conceive
by what means the whole world can be seen of any one man.
GREGORY: Assure yourself, Peter, of that which I speak: to wit, that all creatures be
as it were nothing to that soul which beholdeth the Creator: for though it see but a
glimpse of that light which is in the Creator, yet very small do all things seem that be
created: for by means of that supernatural light, the capacity of the inward soul is
enlarged, and is in God so extended, that it is far above the world: yea and the soul of
him that seeth in this manner, is also above itself; for being rapt up in the light of
God, it is inwardly in itself enlarged above itself, and when it is so exalted and looketh
downward, then doth it comprehend how little all that is, which before in former baseness
it could not comprehend. The man of God, therefore, who saw the fiery globe, and the
Angels returning to heaven, out of all doubt could not see those things but in the light
of God: what marvel, then, is it, if he saw the world gathered together before him, who,
rapt up in the light of his soul, was at that time out of the world? But albeit we say
that the world was gathered together before his eyes, yet were not heaven and earth drawn
into any lesser room than they be of themselves, but the soul of the beholder was more
enlarged, which, rapt in God, might without difficulty see that which is under God, and
therefore in that light which appeared to his outward eyes, the inward light which was in
his soul ravished the mind of the beholder to supernal things, and shewed him how small
all earthly things were.
PETER: I perceive now that it was to my more profit that I understood you not before:
seeing, by reason of my slow capacity, you have delivered so notable an exposition. But
now, because you have made me thrughly to understand these things, I beseech you to
continue on your former narration.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: HOW HOLY BENNET WROTE A RULE FOR HIS MONKS.
GREGORY. Desirous I am, Peter, to tell you many things of this venerable father, but
some of purpose I let pass, because I make haste to entreat also of the acts of other holy
men: yet I would not have you to be ignorant, but that the man of God amongst so many
miracles, for which he was so famous in the world, was also sufficiently learned in
divinity: for he wrote a rule for his monks, both excellent for discretion and also
eloquent for the style. Of whose life and conversation, if any be curious to know further,
he may in the institution of that rule understand all his manner of life and discipline:
for the holy man could not otherwise teach, than himself lived.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: HOW VENERABLE BENNET DID PROPHESY TO HIS MONKS THE TIME OF HIS
OWN DEATH.
The same year in which he departed this life, he told the day of his holy death to his
monks, some of which did live daily with him, and some dwelt far off, willing those that
were present to keep it secret, and telling them that were absent by what token they
should know that he was dead. Six days before he left this world, he gave order to have
his sepulchre opened, and forthwith falling into an ague, he began with burning heat to
wax faint, and when as the sickness daily increased, upon the sixth day he commanded his
monks to carry him into the oratory, where he did arm himself with receiving the body and
blood of our Saviour Christ; and having his weak body holden up betwixt the hands of his
disciples, he stood with his own lifted up to heaven, and as he was in that manner
praying, he gave up the ghost. Upon which day two monks, one being in his cell, and the
other far distant, had concerning him one and the self-same vision: for they saw all the
way from the holy man's cell, towards the east even up to heaven, hung and adorned with
tapestry, and shining with an infinite number of lamps, at the top whereof a man,
reverently attired, stood and demanded if they knew who passed that way, to whom they
answered saying, that they knew not. Then he spake thus unto them: "This is the
way," quoth he, "by which the beloved servant of God, Bennet, is ascended up to
heaven." And by this means, as his monks that were present knew of the death of the
holy man, so likewise they which were absent, by the token which he foretold them, had
intelligence of the same thing. Buried he was in the oratory of St. John Baptist which
himself built, when he overthrew the altar of Apollo; who also in that cave in which he
first dwelled, even to this very time, worketh miracles, if the faith of them that pray
requireth the same.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: HOW A MAD WOMAN WAS CURED IN HIS CAVE.
For the thing which I mean now to rehearse fell out lately. A certain woman falling
mad, lost the use of reason so far, that she walked up and down, day and night, in
mountains and valleys, in woods and fields, and rested only in that place where extreme
weariness enforced her to stay. Upon a day it so fell out, that albeit she wandered at
random, yet she missed not the right way: for she came to the cave of the blessed man
Bennet: and not knowing anything, in she went, and reposed herself there that night, and
rising up in the morning, she departed as sound in sense and well in her wits, as though
she had never been distracted in her whole life, and so continued always after, even to
her dying day.
PETER: What is the reason that in the patronage of martyrs we often times find, that
they do not afford so great benefit by their bodies, as they do by other of their relics:
and do there work greater miracles, where themselves be not present?
GREGORY: Where the holy martyrs lie in their bodies, there is no doubt, Peter, but that
they are able to work many miracles, yea and also do work infinite, to such as seek them
with a pure mind. But for as much as simple people might have some doubt whether they be
present, and do in those places hear their prayers where their bodies be not, necessary it
is that they should in those places shew greater miracles, where weak souls may most doubt
of their presence.
But he whose mind is fixed in God, hath so much the greater merit of his faith in that
he both knoweth that they rest not there in body, and yet be there present to hear our
prayers. And therefore our Saviour himself, to increase the faith of his disciples, said:
"If I do not depart, the Comforter will not come unto you," [John 16:7]: for,
seeing certain it is that the comforting Spirit doth always proceed from the Father and
the Son, why doth the Son say that he will depart that the Comforter may come, who never
is absent from the Son? But because the disciples, beholding our Lord in flesh, did always
desire to see him with their corporal eyes, very well did he say unto them: "Unless I
do go away, the Comforter will not come:" as though he had plainly told them: If I do
not withdraw my body, I cannot let you understand what the love of the spirit is: and
except you give over [cease] to love my carnal presence, never will you learn to affect me
with true spiritual love.
PETER: That you say pleaseth me very well.
GREGORY: Let us now for a while give over our discourse, to the end that if we mean to
prosecute the miracles of other Saints, we may through silence be the more able to perform
it.
The end of the Second Book