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* 1.1X. CHAP.
1.2. &c. The Gests of S. Paul de Leon.
1. THE same year likewise is mark'd with the happy death of S. Paul, a kinsman of S. Sampson Bishop of D••le. Con∣cerning whom we read in the Gallican Mar∣tyrologe publish'd by Andrew Saussay that he was one of the Companions of S. Sampson.* 1.2 That his Fathers name was Perfius: and that he was a Scholler to S. Iltutus, both in wit and innocence excelling all his companions. Being very young he was prevented with many Graces of Gods holy Spirit: and thereupon fearing least he should be tempted with vain glory, at the age of fifteen he retir'd into a desart, where building for himself an Oratory and a Cell, he lead there an Angeli∣call life. Thus growing every day more rich in merits, when he was arrived at mature age, he was compelled to accept the dignity of Preistly Of∣fice, which he adorned with the splendour of his Sanctity. The fame whereof being spread abroad he was sent for by King Margus, (probably the same with Malgus or Maglocunus) whom to∣gether with his people he more perfectly instru∣cted in the Mysteries of Christian Faith, to which they had lately been converted.
* 1.32. After some time by the admonition of an Angel he retired into an Island on the Coast of Lesser Brittany called Ossa, where he brought many Infidels to the heavenly Light of the Gospell. Where likewise by divine vertue he slew a mon∣strous Dragon. After which the Prince of that Region called Vintrurus (or Withurus) offred him a Bishoprick, which he with a resolute humility refused. Notwithstanding he was with a pious fraud circumvented by him. For being sent upon certain pretended affairs to Childebert King of the Franks, he caried with him private letters desiring the King to ratify his Election to the Bi∣shoprick. The King received him with great re∣verence, but withall compelled him to accept the Bishoprick which he had refused, to which he was Canonically ordained by three Bishops. The See of his Bishoprick was by the Kings decree seeled at Leon, to which he was wellcomed by all the people with wonderfull ioy. And this sublime Office he administred with admirable sanctity and Pasto∣rall prudence to his death. His sacred body many years after was thence translated by his Succes∣sour Mabbo to the Monastery of Fleury by occasion of the incursions of the Normans: where it was a long time held in great veneration.
3. The Authour of his life in the Bibliothe∣que of Fleury relates how he quitted his Bi∣shoprick three severall times,* 1.4 but was forced to resume it upon the death of his Succes∣sours. But at last when his strength was even quite spent, he ordained one of his Brethren, named Cetomerin, Bishop in his place, a certain Noble Prince called Induael being present, who came thither to recommend himself to his prayers.* 1.5 And this being performed, he retired himself into an Island called Batha, where he spent many years governing a great Congregation of Monks, and at last happily concluded his life, being more then a hundred years old. His Church is from him to this day called Saint Paul de Leon.
4. We read in Capgrave how this S. Paul on a time visiting a sister of his who devoutly served God in a Cell seated near the Sea on the Brittish shore,* 1.6 at her request he obtained of God by his prayers that the Sea should never swell beyond the bounds marked by her by placing a row of stones. By which means the sea was restrained the space of a mile from his usuall course: and continues so to this day.