CHAPTER 41: The conversion of the pagans of Selsey [681–6: cf. Bede, History iv, 13J
CHAPTER 41
The conversion of the pagans of Selsey
[681–6: cf. Bede, History iv, 13J
BUT I am making the tale drag. His release from prison and exile from his own province brought him no peace, for Ecgfrith stirred up unremitting persecution against him in every country on both sides of the Channel, as far as his power and influence extended. There was but one place free, an area of Sussex which dense forests and rocky coast had saved from conquest by other kingdoms. Up to this time it had remained persistently heathen, and thither God, when all human aid failed, directed our good bishop’s steps. He sought out King Aethilwalh and told him the whole story of his hardships and exile. Aethilwalh made a pact with him at once, swearing such friendship as neither threat nor sword of any of Wilfrid’s enemies nor any amount of bribes should ever frighten or tempt him into breaking. The holy man of God, delighted with these words of consolation, gave thanks to God and began gently to persuade the king and queen to accept the word of God, preaching to them the greatness and blessedness of God’s Kingdom, giving them, as it were milk without guile. Next, with divine permission and royal consent and at Wilfrid’s exhortation, the people, who never before had had the gospel preached to them, were gathered together. Our holy bishop standing in the midst of the pagans exclaimed in the manner of our Lord Jesus Christ and his forerunner St John the Baptist: ‘Do penance for the kingdom of God is at hand and be baptized every one of you in the Name of God the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost’ For many months he preached to them at great length and with marvellous eloquence on the wondrous doings of the Lord in the face of idolatry from the beginning of the world. He traced these dealings for them in order right up to the day of judgement when eternal punishment is prepared for the wicked and life everlasting for the elect. Then our holy bishop, God’s apostle and evangelist, found favour in the king’s sight and, as St Paul puts it, the great gate of the faith was laid open. Hosts of pagans, some freely and some at the king’s command, left their idolatry and acknowledged the Almighty God, and many thousands were baptized in one day, as once they were by the apostle Peter. The king, whom God had filled with a spirit of gentle piety, gave up an estate of his own to Wilfrid for an episcopal seat to which he later added about ninety hides of land in Selsey. This he did out of gratitude to the evangelist who had laid open by baptism the gate of eternal life to him and all his subjects. Wilfrid gathered the brethren together and founded a community there in retreat from the world. His followers have it to the present day.]