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Of the lyfe of Aidan the bishop.
FROM this yle therefore and from this co∣uent of monkes founded by holy Colum∣ban, Aidan was sent and consecrated bishop to instructe Englande in the fayth of CHRI∣STE, at what tyme Segenius abbot and priest
was head of the same monasterie. Wherein among other les∣sons of liuing he left the Clerkes a most holsome example of abstinence, and continence. This thing did chiefely com∣mend his doctrine to all men, that the learning whiche he taught was correspondent to the life that he lead. And why? He was not desyrous after wordly goods, he was not ena∣moured with present Vanitees. His ioye and comforte was foorthwyth to distribute to the poore that mette him all that was geuen him of kinges or other wealthy men of the worl∣de. He vsed to trauayle continually bothe in the citye and in the countrey, neuer on horse backe, but allwayes on foote, except peraduenture greate neede had forced him to ryde. And in his trauaile what dyd he? Forsoothe who∣me so euer he mette, riche or poore, incontinent abyding for a time with them, either he allured them to receiue the faythe if they were out of the faythe, or strengthened them in the faythe, if they were in it, exhorting them eftsoones no les∣se in workes then wordes to almesse geuing and other good deedes. And his religious lyfe so farre passed the slackenes and key colde deuotion of oure time, that all they whiche went with him, were they professed into religion, or were they laye brethern, gaue them selfes continually to contem∣plation, that is to saye, bestowed all their tyme either in rea∣ding scripture, or in learning the psalter. This was the dayly ex∣ercise of him and his brethren to what place so euer they came. And if by chaunce it had happenned (whiche yet happened seldome) that he were bidden to the kinges banket, he went in accompained with one or two clerkes, and taking a shorte re∣past, he made spedely hast to read with his brethren, or els wēt other where forth to pray. Euery deuout mā and womā being at that time taught by his ensamples tooke vp a custome al the whole yere through, sauing betwene Easter and whitsonty∣••e apon wensday and friday to continew in fasting vntill
three of the clocke in the after none. If rych men had done any thing amysse, he neuer for hope of honour, or feare of displea∣sure spared to tel them of it, but with sharpe rebuking amended them. If any gesse or straunger had come vnto him, were he neuer so worshipful, he neuer gaue mony but only made them good chere. As for suche gyftes as in monye were liberally geuen him by ryche men, he dyd eyther (as we haue sayed) geue them in a dole for the reliefe of the poore, or els he la∣yed it out for the raunsomyng of those that had been wrong∣fully solde: finally many of such, as by mony he had redemed, he made after his scholers, bringing them vpp in learning and vertue and exalting them to the highe dignite of priesthod. The report is that (when kynge Oswald desired first to haue a Prelate out of Scotland, who might preach the fayth to him and his people) an other man of a more austere stomacke was first sent: Who when after a lyttell while preaching to the Englishe nacion, he did nothing preuaile ne yet was wyllingly heard of the people, he returned into his country, and in the assemble of the elders, he made relacion, how that in teaching he could do the people no good to the which he was sent, for as much as they were folkes that might not be reclaymed, of a hard capacite, and fierce nature. Then the elders (as they say) began in counsaile to treate at lōge what were best to de done, being no lesse desyrous that the people should attayne the sal∣uation whiche they sought for, then sory, that the preacher whom they sent, was not receiued. When Aidan (for he also was present at the coūsaile) replyed against the priest of whom I spake, saying. Me thinketh brother, that you haue ben more rigorous, then reason would with that vnlerned audience, and that you haue not according to the Apostles instruction, first geuen them milke of milde doctrine, vntell being by litle and litle nourished and weaned with the worde of God, they were able to vnderstand the more perfect misteries, and fulfill the
greater commaundementes of God. This being saied, al that were at the assemble, looking vpon Aidan debated diligently his saying, and concluded that he aboue the rest was worthy of that charge and bishopricke, and that he shoulde be sent to in∣struct those vnlerned paynims. For he was tried to be chiefely garnished with the grace of discretion, the mother of all ver∣tues. Thus making him bishop they sent him forthe to preach. Who when he had taken his time, euen as before he was kno∣wen to be endued withe discretion, so did he afterward shewe him selfe to be beautified with all other vertues.
The exā∣ple of a true prea∣cher, and avertuous Bishop.
Siue adiōsi siue Laici.
VVensday and frida∣yes fast.