which flye abroad like clowds, &c? For he by a blast of wind was caried into a dry and barren land, which he presently watred and rendred fruitfull by heavenly showrs pou∣red upon it,
4. Whilst S. Wilfrid busied himself in re∣ducing to the purity of Christian Faith the Nation of the Frisons from their filthy Ido∣latry, the Devill to interrupt that good work, or to be revenged on the worker, kindled again in the minds of his Adversa∣ries among the Northumbers that envy and malice, which seemd to have been asswaged by his exile: insomuch as they became en∣raged to hear that the Holy Bishop persecuted by them should be made an instrument of good to Srangers. Hereupon by messages and gifts they solicited the Franks to pro∣cure the murder of the Apostolick Prelat.
5. There lived still in greatest power among the Franks, Ebroin, Maire of the Kings Palace, who, as hath been declared, had already embrued his hands in the blood of Dalphinus Bishop of Lyons, and severall other Prelats of the French Church. Him did the malicious Northumbers hire to this execra∣ble murder: Who immediatly by promises, gifts and menaces solicited Adalgise King of the Frisons to be the Executioner. But this barbarous, half-pagan Prince did so utterly ab∣horr this unchristian proposall, that he threw the Letters of Ebroin into the fire, after he had read them in the hearing of Saint Wilfrid who was then feasted by him, and whilst they were burning he added these words, So may he be burned, who for cove∣tousnes of gold, would dissolve the band of freindship once agreed upon.
6. Thus by the watchfull Providence of God did the Holy Bishop escape the snares layd against his life: and when the Spring had mitigated the feircenes of the aire, and opened the wayes for travelling, Saint Wilfrid renewed his iourney towards Rome, and, as William of Malmsbury relates, pas∣sing through the Kingdom of the Franks inha∣biting beyond the Rhene, came to the King of that Nation called Dagobert: Who entertained him with all kindnes and respect, calling to mind how when he himself had formerly by a faction of his Nobles been driven out of his Kingdom into Ireland, at his return this Holy Bishop had lodged him freindly, and moreover furnished him with horses and attendants to his own countrey. To expresse his gratitude therefore this King not only with extreme be∣nignity received Saint Wilfrid, but with most earnest prayers solicited him to accept the Bi∣shoprick of Strasbourg, and fixe his habita∣tion in his countrey. This kind offer the Holy Bishop thought not convenient then to accept, but deferred his resolution till his return from Rome: Whereupon he was, though unwillingly, dismissed by the King, and being accompanied with his Bishop Deodatus, prosecuted his iourney.
7. Thus writes the said Historian. But what he relates of Dagoberts expulsion into Ireland. ought to be applied to Theodoric King of the Franks who lived at this time, and being reiected by his Subjects, might have been thus hospitably entertained by S. Wilfrid. Whereas King Dagobert was dead severall years before this.
8. Saint Wilfrid being thus dismissed with recommendations, passing through Champaigne diverted out of the straight way to visit Berthaire Prince of that Province. This Prince had from the Holy Bishops enemies been informed of the cause of his journey, and moreover invited by promises to procure some mischeif to him. Where∣upon at his first coming he received him with an arrogant frowning countenance: but assoon as he had been acquainted with a true rela∣tion of the cause, his displeasure was mitigated, insomuch as he did not only abstain from doing him any hurt, but by his recommendation and assistance brought the controversy to a good end: Withall professing that he was induced hereto by the humanity of the King of the Hunns, in whose Court he had formerly lived during his banishment, who though he was a Pagan, yet could by no offers be corrupted to doe the least harm to him to whom he had once promised security.
9. The like courtesy and Civility did Saint Wilfrid find from all Princes through whose Courts and Provinces he passed: in∣somuch as at last he arrived safely at Rome, where he found Pope Agathon busily em∣ployed in repressing the Heresy of the Mo∣nothelites, who taught that our Saviour though subsisting in two Natures, yet had but one Will. This Heresy had at that time greivously in∣fected the Eastern Churches, for the extir∣pation whereof, and preventing the sprea∣ding of it in the West, that Holy Pope had at this time assembled a Synod at Rome: to which S. Wilfrid was invited, where like∣wise his cause was determined: But before we relate the successe thereof, it will be expedient to declare how in his absence almighty God justified his innocence by in∣flicting a sharp judgment on his Enemies and persecutours at home.