sordid; but that the spirit of luxury and lust was more beautiful
than others in appearance, though in fact most foul. If the evil
spirits oppressed him too much, the Gospel of St. John was placed on
his bosom, when, like birds, they immediately vanished; but when
that book was removed, and the History of the Britons, by Geoffrey
Arthur, {75} was substituted in its place, they instantly reappeared
in greater numbers, and remained a longer time than usual on his
body and on the book.

It is worthy of remark, that Barnabas placed the Gospel of St.
Matthew upon sick persons, and they were healed; from which, as well
as from the foregoing circumstance, it appears how great a dignity
and reverence is due to the sacred books of the gospel, and with
what danger and risk of damnation every one who swears falsely by
them, deviates from the paths of truth. The fall of Enoch, abbot of
Strata Marcella, {76} too well known in Wales, was revealed to many
the day after it happened, by Melerius, who, being asked how he knew
this circumstance, said, that a demon came to him disguised as a
hunter, and, exulting in the prospect of such a victory, foretold
the ruin of the abbot, and explained in what manner he would make
him run away with a nun from the monastery. The end in view was
probably the humiliation and correction of the abbot, as was proved
from his shortly returning home so humbled and amended, that he
scarcely could be said to have erred. Seneca says, "He falls not
badly, who rises stronger from his fall." Peter was more strenuous
after his denial of Christ, and Paul after being stoned; since,
where sin abounds, there will grace also superabound. Mary Magdalen
was strengthened after her frailty. He secretly revealed to Canon,
the good and religious abbot of Alba-domus, his opinion of a certain
woman whom he had seen; upon which the holy man confessed, with