DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20917#0173
LANTHONY. 143
an asylum ; which he repaired, and commenced
anchorite. Whether our hermit felt an attach-
ment to the military life, or whether he repented
his acts as a soldier, doth not appear. It is,
however, certain, that he retained his armour;
and wore it night and day, either as a trophy of
past deeds, or as penance for them. But time and
rust, enemies to every coat of mail, kindly and
gradually released him from the weight of this
voluntary burthen. Sanctity, like the rich per-
fume, spreads through the air; and, penetrating
the apertures of the brain, produces a sweet
intoxication. Thus, particles of holiness ssoated
from William ; and, meeting a proper receptacle
in the pericranium of Ernesi, chaplain to the
Queen of Henry I. the same effects ensued. He
therefore determined to join the hermit. Which
having effected, they erected a small chapel;
afterwards dedicated by them to St. John Bap-
tist; and consecrated by Urban, bishop of the
d'rocese, in 1108. Ernesi, more ambitious or
more pious than William, subsequently prevailed
on Hugh Laci, earl os Hereford, to found a
priory of canons regular of the order of St. Au-
gustine, of which he was appointed prior. But
the two brethren appear to have been determined
on inssexible poverty, as they ressfled every at-
tempt to prevail on them to receive presents.
Indeed^
an asylum ; which he repaired, and commenced
anchorite. Whether our hermit felt an attach-
ment to the military life, or whether he repented
his acts as a soldier, doth not appear. It is,
however, certain, that he retained his armour;
and wore it night and day, either as a trophy of
past deeds, or as penance for them. But time and
rust, enemies to every coat of mail, kindly and
gradually released him from the weight of this
voluntary burthen. Sanctity, like the rich per-
fume, spreads through the air; and, penetrating
the apertures of the brain, produces a sweet
intoxication. Thus, particles of holiness ssoated
from William ; and, meeting a proper receptacle
in the pericranium of Ernesi, chaplain to the
Queen of Henry I. the same effects ensued. He
therefore determined to join the hermit. Which
having effected, they erected a small chapel;
afterwards dedicated by them to St. John Bap-
tist; and consecrated by Urban, bishop of the
d'rocese, in 1108. Ernesi, more ambitious or
more pious than William, subsequently prevailed
on Hugh Laci, earl os Hereford, to found a
priory of canons regular of the order of St. Au-
gustine, of which he was appointed prior. But
the two brethren appear to have been determined
on inssexible poverty, as they ressfled every at-
tempt to prevail on them to receive presents.
Indeed^