History of the FranksGregory, Bishop of Tours, Saint
History
History of the Franks
Gregory, Bishop of Tours, Saint
France -- Church history -- To 987; France -- History -- To 987; Franks -- History -- To 768
The killing of bishop Sagittarius and Mummolus.
40. Mummolus’s treasures.
41. A giant.
42. A miracle of St. Martin.
43. Desiderius and Waddo.
44. The woman with a spirit of divination.
45. The famine in this year.
46. Death of Christofor.
47. Civil war among the citizens of Tours.
HERE END THE CHAPTERS
HERE BEGINS THE SEVENTH BOOK
1. Though it is my desire to continue the history which the previous
books have left untold, still affection requires me first to tell
somewhat concerning the death of the blessed Salvius, who, as is
well known, died in this year.[60] As he himself was wont to relate
he continued for a long time in the secular garb and with secular
judges devoted himself to worldly cases, but yet he never entangled
himself in the passions in which the mind of the young is usually
involved. And finally when the odor of the divine breath had touched
his inward parts, he left the warfare of the world and sought a
monastery, and being even then devoted to godliness he understood
that it was better to be poor with the fear of God than to pursue
the gains of the perishing world. In this monastery he continued a
long time under the rule established by the fathers. And when he
had reached a more mature strength both of understanding and of
life, the abbot who was over this monastery died and he took up
the task of feeding the flock; and whereas he should have shown
himself more commonly among his brethren for their correction, after
he had attained this honor he was more retiring; and so he sought
for himself a more secluded cell; now in the former, as he himself
told, he had changed the skin of his body more than nine times, from
scourging himself with too great determination. Then after receiving
the office, while he devoted himself to prayer and reading, contented
with this abstinence, he kept considering whether it was better
for him to be hidden among the monks or to take the name of abbot
among the people. Why say more? He said farewell to his brethren
and they to him, and was immured. While thus immured he continued
in all abstinence more than before;[DS] and in his love of charity
he sought when any strangers came to bestow his prayers on them and
administer the grace of the blessed bread[DT] abundantly, which
brought sound health to many who were infirm. And once he lay panting
on his bed worn out by a high fever, and behold his cell was suddenly
brightened by a great light and quivered. And he lifted his hands to
heaven and breathed out his spirit while giving thanks. With mingled
cries of mourning the monks and his mother took the dead man’s body
out [of the cell], washed and clothed it and placed it on a bier
and spent the night in weeping and singing psalms. In the morning
while preparations for the funeral went on the body began to move
on the bier. And behold his cheeks regained color and, as if roused
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