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Bede:
The Life and Miracles of St. Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindesfarne (721)
CHAPTER XXVIII
HOW HE FORETOLD HIS OWN DEATH TO HEREBERT, THE HERMIT, AND
BY PRAYERS TO GOD OBTAINED HIS ATTENDANCE
NOT very long afterwards, the same servant of God, Cuthbert, was
summoned to the same city of Lugubalia, not only to consecrate
priests, but also to bless the queen herself with his holy conversation.
Now there was a venerable priest of the name of Herebert, who
had long been united to the man of God, Cuthbert, in the bond
of spiritual friendship, and who, leading a solitary life, in
an island in the large marsh from which the Derwent rises, used
to come to him every year, and receive from him admonitions in
the way of eternal life. When this man heard that he was stopping
in that city, he came according to his custom, desiring to be
kindled up more and more by his wholesome exhortations in aspiring
after heavenly things. When these two had drunk deeply of the
cup of celestial wisdom, Cuthbert said, among other things, "Remember,
brother Herebert, that you ask me now concerning whatever undertaking
you may have in hand, and that you speak to me about it now, because,
after we shall have separated, we shall see each other no more
in this life. I am certain that the time of my death approaches,
and the time of leaving my earthly tenement is at hand."
Upon hearing these words, he threw himself at his feet with tears
and lamentations, saying, " I beseech you by the Lord not
to leave me, but be mindful of your companion, and pray the Almighty
Goodness that, as we have served Him together on earth, we may
at the same time pass to heaven to see his light. For I have always
sought to live according to the command of your mouth; and what
I have left undone through ignorance or frailty, I have equally
taken care to correct, according to your pleasure." The bishop
yielded to his prayers, and immediately learnt in spirit, that
he had obtained that which he had sought from the Lord. "Arise,
my brother," says he, "and do not lament, but rejoice
in gladness, for his great mercy has granted us that which we
asked of Him." The event confirmed his promise and the truth
of the prophecy; for they never met again, but their souls departed
from their bodies at one and the same moment of time, and were
joined together in a heavenly vision, and translated at the same
time by angels to the heavenly kingdom. But Herebert was first
afflicted with a long infirmity, perhaps by a dispensation of
holy piety, in order that the continual pain of a long sickness
might supply what merit he had less than the blessed Cuthbert,
so that being by grace made equal to his intercessor, he might
be rendered worthy to depart this life at one and the same hour
with him, and to be received into one and the same seat of everlasting
happiness.
Source.
From: Bede, Life of St Cuthbert
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