* 1.1XII. CHAP.
1.2. The Gests of the holy Abbot Easterwin: his death.
1. BEcause we will not interrupt this narration touching the foundation of those two Monasteries of S. Peter and Saint Paul, with the discipline and government of them for severall years under the dire∣ction of S. Benedict and other Abbots subor∣dinate to him, we will proceed in setting down a summary of the Treatise of S. Beda touching that argument, in which is con∣tained an abstract of the lives and actions of the said Abbots, beginning with him who dyed first, which was the Venerable Abbot Easterwin.
* 1.2[2. He was born of a Noble extraction, but was far from making that an argument of pride and contempt of others, as some doe: but as became a true servant of God, he used it as a motive to aspire to true Nobi∣lity of soule, consisting in Piety and humi∣lity. He was cousin germain to his Abbot S. Benedict, but in both of their minds there was such a contempt of worldly respects or priviledges, that neither did Easterwin at his first admission into the Monastery expect any preeminence in consideration of his birth, nor any priviledge or favour for his propin∣quity to the Abbot, who likewise for his part did not at all consider these relations: but he lived in the Monastery in an equall state with the meanest.
3. Add hereto, that whereas he had been an Officer in the Court of King Egfrid, assoon as he had quitted secular employments, and undertaken a spirituall warfare onely, he continued always like the rest of his poor brethren, humble and obedient, and not only willingly but ioyfully, would he win∣now or thrash corn, milk the ewes or hey∣fers, and labour in the bake-house, garden or kitchen, and any other painfull or mean services of the Monastery.
4. Yea after he had unwillingly under∣taken the degree and Office of Abbot, he re∣mained in the same mind he was before towards all, according to the Wise mans admo∣nition, saying, They have made thee a Ruler, be not lifted up, but be amongst them as one of them, mild, affable and kind to all. Whensoe∣ver upon occasion he was obliged to exer∣cise Regular Discipline or correction towards any of his brethren, after a fault committed, he so behaved himself, as rather to prevent any future recidivation, then to expresse an∣ger for what was past, neither did he sh••w a countenance clouded with any passion. Whensoever the necessity of busines called him abroad, which often hapned, if he found any of his brethren at labour, he would presently ioyne himself with them, either holding the plough, or turning the van to winnow, or hammering iron and the like: For in his youth he was robustious and fitt for any labour. He had a sweet and winning speech, a cheerfull heart, a liberall hand, and well conditioned aspect. Whilst he was Abbot he contented himself with the same dyet he used before, and as the rest of his Community used, he lay in the same Common Dormitory, insomuch as when the disease of which he dyed seised on him, so that, as he perceived by certain signs, it would prove mortall, he continued two dayes re∣sting in the Dormitory: For the five remai∣ning dayes before his death he made him∣self to be removed to a more retired lodging in the Monastery: And one of those dayes co∣ming abroad into the aire, he sent for all his Brethren, and with great compassion and kindnes gave to each of them the kisse of peace, they all the while weeping & beway∣ling the departure of so good and great a Father and Pastour.
5. He dyed the night before the Nones of March, whilst the Monks were exer∣cised in singing Martins. He was four and twenty years old when he first entred the Monastery, in which he lived twelve years: seaven of which were spent in his Preistly duty, and four in governing the Convent: after which leaving his earthly corruptible body, he went to receive his reward in the heavenly kingdom.] Having premised this short account of the life of the Venerable Abbot Easterwin, we will return to the order of our Narration.