Bede Ecclesiastical History Book I Chapter Nineteen

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The History of the Primitive Church of England.
Book I, Chapter XIX
Translated by Rev. William Hurst, 1814.

Chapter XIX

The holy Prelate, being detained by an accident in the place just mentioned, extinguishes by his prayers a fire, which was burning some houses; and is himself cured of his distemper by a vision.

The insidious enemy of mankind, laying his snares for them on their return, occasioned St. Germanus to slip and hurt his foot considerably by a sprain: not knowing that his merits would be increased, as were those of holy Job were, by corporeal afflictions. Whilst he was detained here awhile through this accident, it happened that a fire broke out in a neighbouring cottage; which, having consumed several houses that were covered with reeds, was carried on by the wind to the dwelling where he lay. The people all flocked to the prelate, entreating him, with hands lifted up, to avoid the impending danger. But he, having rebuked them, relying with a firm faith and confidence on the Almighty, would not suffer himself to be removed. The crowd, terrified almost to despair, ran from all quarters to oppose and quench the fire; however, for the greater manifestation of the divine power, whatever they endeavoured to save was destroyed; but the dreadful flames flew over the house in which the Saint lay disabled, as if revering the habitation in which hospitality was exercised on so holy a guest, who thus preserved the place in which he was confined from the devouring fury of the raging element, which spread devastation on every side. The people exult at the sight of this miracle, and congratulate each other on this interposition of the divine power in their behalf, after all their exertions had proved fruitless. Then an immense multitude of them assembled, and watched whole days and nights by the door of the poor cottager; some seeking to be cured, by the holy bishop, of their corporeal, and others of their spiritual infirmities. It is impossible to relate what Christ wrought by his servant, or what wonders, though infirm, his servant performed. In the mean time, suffering no remedies to be applied to himself, to cure him of his lameness, he saw in the night a person, clothed in garments as white as snow, standing by him, and who, giving him his hand, seemed to raise him from the ground, and bid him stand boldly on his feet. From which time, his pain ceasing, he was perfectly healed; and next day, without hesitation, undertook the fatigue of a journey.

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