which difficulty he made knowne to S. Patricke who offered deuout and feruent prayers vp to God for this effect And loe the next night after God trāsferred the water and the pallace so farre of that it wrought his seruant no annoye who afterwardes though very much against his will was ordained Bishop departed this life shining with vertues and miracles How S. Patricke penetrated S. Fiechus his conscience of S. Fiecus his sanctity and some great miracles wrought by S. Patricke CHAP. XIII A Young gentleman of excellent education and learning named Fiechus had marryed a wife which within few dayes dyed As this man came where S. Patricke was the Saint by inward illustration of the holy Ghost penetrating his conscience said Behould a man or one wife who according to the Apostle may be worthely aduanced to the sacred order of preisthood and Episcopall diginty The younge gentle man admiring how he came to see the secrets of his hart receiued the lauer of regeneration and by vertue of Saint Patricks blessing made such progresse in learning that in one day he learned the whole Psalter and in a short time attayned to the vnderstanding of sacred Scriptures he was successiuely inuested with holy orders and in fine made Bishop in the Church of Sclepten who in his episcopall sea erected a faire conuent of Monkes 2. Because this holy Bishop in regarde of his many infirmityes weakning by long fasts could not visite his Diocesse on foote or exercice his Bishop-like function S. Patricke sent him a Coach which S. Secundinus being ouercome by humane frailty tooke ill thinking that himselfe deserued it better S. Patrike knowing of the trouble Secundinus was in sayd vnto him fearing that by following of our own iudgmēt we may erre let vs leaue the discussiō of the matter to the arbitremēt of an Angel With that the Saint prayed to God who sent an Angel by whose order the horses were put into the coach dismissed without any to driue thē adding further that they were sent to him with whome they would make a stay The horses being harnished and dismissed in manner as the Angell had set downe the first night they came to S. Secūdinus dwelling place the next night to another Saints house and the third night to S. Fiechus house where they stayed giuing therby to vnderstand that they were chiefly sent to him 3. Another tyme the Angell commanded S. Fiechus to build a monastery and the Angell himselfe designed the Refectory Oratory all other houses belonging thereunto This holy Bishop was accustomed in the beginning of lent to retire himselfe to a solitary place bringing with him for his sustenance but fiue barly loaues mingled with ashes On Palme Sunday or Maundy Thursday he would returne bringing with him halfe of one of the loaues vneaten this Blessed Fiechus sent before him to heauen 60. Saintes whome himselfe followed being renowned both for sanctity and miracles 4. Some wicked men sent the Saint as it were by way of present some poysoned cheses which to the great astonishment of many he conuerted into hard stones wherwith they were nothing reclaimed from their malice but rather became more obstinate for conspiring together against him they sent fifty men to kill him As they entred a certaine Forde to passe ouer it the Saint seeing them and knowing by diuine instinct what mischiefe they intended sayd vnto them with a loud voyce You shall neyther come hither to vs nor yet returne backe to your owne people for your bodyes shal remaine in that water vntill the day of iudgment According to the Saints censure they were without delay drowned neither could their bodyes be euer after found albeit great and diligent search had beene made after them 5. Another tyme some children of Beliall digged vp deep pits and holes in the way which the Saint with al his retinue was to passe couering them ouer with greene grasse The Saint full of confidence in God gaue his benediction to his holy family and so he and they passed without receauing any hurt or detriment the green grasse like solid earth yealding them firme passage The Saint commanded a yong mayd who gaue them notice of the ambush layd for to call her Father whome with his ten sonnes and three daughters he conuerted to the Christian faith the daughters became Nunnes and were vayled with the Saints owne handes Of the sonnes fiue florished in the world in great prosperity and the fiue others became Monkes of great perfection and sanctity as the Saint had prophecied of them 6. A certaine mā named Domnardus being blind for a long time hearing that S. Patricke passed by went forth to meet him hoping by the Saints merits to recouer his eye-sight As the blind came along in the way he stunbled very often which moued a cleargy man who was in the Saints cōpany to laughter which when the Saint vnderstood that none of his cōpany should euer after presume to do the like he spoke as followeth to the Clergy mā Amen I say to thee that the eyes of this blind shal be opened thy eyes excyting to thee irrilegious laughter shal be stricken with blindnes with that making the signe of the crosse he opned the blind mās eyes shut the eyes of the cleargy man The same day did the Saint erect vpon their feet three criples 7. Nine Magitians cōspired the Saints death to haue the more free accesse to him they coūterfeited thēselues to be Monks putting on religious weeds The Saint by diuine inspiration knew thē to be wolues wraped in sheeps cloathing making therfore the signe of the crosse against the childrē of Satan behould fire descended from heauen consumed them all nine The Saint lifting vp his hāds anathematized anidolatrous wood dedicated to Idols O most strāge remarkable miracle all the wood like vnto the figge tree spoken of in the holy Ghospel withered by by and neuer after was seruiceable for any other vse then the fire Of a mountaine swallowed downe by the earth and cast vp againe at the Saints intercession and of seueral other great miracles CHAP. XIIII ONE of the noble men of Munster named Coruallus would not permit S. Patricke to build a Church within his territoryes Not farre from the noble mans house was a faire spacious poole very pleasāt to behold but the house by the interposition of a great mountayne was depriued of the pleasure of that gratful prospect the Saint vrged the noble mā very much to giue him leaue to build a church who answeared If you remoue this great mountaine that depriues my house of the pleasāt prospect of the broad spatious poole that lyes on the further side I will then yeild to your request The Saint offered his prayers vp to God and with that the earth swallowed downe the mountaine notwithstanding the wicked man would not stand to his former promise wherefore the Saint prayed to
her parents laboured very much but could not nether by faire or foule meanes enforce her euer to contract with any of the great Lordes that were suters to her so constant she was in her purpose of dedicating her virginity to her maker her parents seeing nothing could preuaile with her sent her into Ireland to S. Patricke who instructed her in the Christian religion and after receiuing the blessed Sacrament being in prayer she yeilded vp her pure soule which was carried betweene Angells into the bed chamber of her heauenly spouse Holy water made by the Saint was no sooner besprinkled vpon a noble man named Darius who lay sicke vpon a dead horse but the noble man recouered his health and the horse his life Of a vision S. Patricke had touching the building of Ardmuch and of the cure of 16. Leapers CHAP. XVII THE formentioned noble man Darius being willing to gratify the Saint bestowed vpon him a faire pleasant and delightfull peece of ground antiently called Druimsallac and now Ardmuch the next night after the saint saw the Angells squaring the forme and compasse of a faire Citty that was to be built in that pleasant and delightful field One of the Angels commanded him the next day to goe to a place called S. Patrickes well where he should cure 16. leapers couered ouer with vgly soares the Saint did accordingly and baptized the leapers in the well aforesayd which miracle comming to the notice of the people was a mayne helpe towardes the building of the citty At the Saints request an Angel remoued out of his place a great rocke that was like to make the entrāce into the citty very cumbersome and difficulte 2. The glorious Bishop with Gods help and fauour begun throughly built a citty faire for the situation greatnes and compasse brought many principall cittizens to inhabit therein The citty it selfe was adorned with faire and decēt churches wherin were ordained by the Saint Cleargy men for the singing of the diuine office the gouernement of soules and instruction of the people There were besides Monasteryes furnished with Monkes and others replenished with sacred Virgins In a monastery of holy Virgins liued a virgin the King of Englands daughter nine other ladyes which accompanyed her when she came to S. Patricke the Saint saw with his owne eyes three of his holy number ascend vp to heauen In this Citty did the Saint erect his Archepiscopall sea intending to make it the principall and metropolitan Church of all Ireland and that this his intention might be established for all succeeding ages he purposed to make a iourney to Rome there to haue it confirmed and ratifyed by Apostolicall authority The Angell appearing liked well thereof and because for the present the Saint wanted horses he prouided him miraculously of coaches to carry him and his retinue to the water side 3. The glorious Bishop after that with infatigable trauaile of preaching marueilous plēty of miracles he had conuerted the kingdome to the Christian religion hauing ordained Bishops Priests and other Cleargy men in all places that he thought conuenient blessing and taking his leaue of them all he went with some of his company to Rome Comming thither he acquainted the Popes holines with the affaires of Ireland and the cause of his iourney His holynes imbracing the Saint as the Apostle of Ireland honoured him with a palle and constituted him as his owne Legate ouer all Ireland confirming with his apostolicall authority all what the Saint had ordered disposed or done in Ireland His holynes gaue him rich presents and pretious guifts among other his guifts were relicques of the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul and S. Stephen the Protomartyr and that which passeth all his Holynes bestowed vpon him a certaine sheet died with our Sauiours blood The Blessed Bishop after his returne placed all these rich relicques behinde the high Altar in the Metropolitan Church of Ardmuch It was the custome in that church euery yeare to expose these relicques at Easter and at Whitsontide to be seene and honoured of the people 4. It passeth our abilityes to set downe the innumerable signes which he wrought in his iorney going and comming from Rome for in all places did he manifest signes of his sanctity In Englād his natiue soyle he made some stay where he built many Monasteryes and repaired many more destroyed by the Pagans which he furnished with Monkes which liued according to the forme of religious discipline life that the Saint prescribed them he also prophetically foretould many aduerse and prosperous euents that should happen in England In like manner did he forsee and fortell the sanctity of S. Dauid being as yet in his mothers wombe After his returne from his tedious paynefull iourney bringing with him from beyond the seas thirty Bishops whome he sent to labour in the feild of our Lord he began in time conuenient to celebrate solemne councells in which he cut off any thing he found to be preiudiciall to Christian religion or contrary to the churches canons placed established such constitutions as were conformable to the holy Canons and made for the aduancement of religion piety and good life in the meane space he dayly shined with the splendour of infinite miracles whereof this insuing as it cannot but be deemed most stupendious so questionles is to be accounted most beneficiall How S. Patricke freed Ireland from the encombrance of Diuels Magitians and venemous beasts And how he fasted 40. dayes without corporall food CHAP. XVIII IRELAND since its first inhabitation was pestered with a triple plague to wit with great aboundance of venemous beastes copious store of Diuells visiblely appearing and infinit multitudes of Magitians that the like is not recorded of any other country or kingdome The glorious and most holy Bishop laboured by intercession of most feruent prayers and other exerecices of deuotiō to deliuer the Iland of that triple pestilēce the most excellent Prelate taking the staffe or wand of Iesus into his sacred hand and eleuating it after a threatning manner as also by the fauourable assistance of Angels he gathered together in one place all the venemous beastes that were in Ireland after he draue them vp before him to a most high mountaine hanging ouer the sea called then Cruachanailge and now Cruach Padruig that is S. Patrickes mountaine from thence he cast thē downe in that steepe precipice to be swallowed vp by the sea O singuler signe O magnificent miracle vnseene vnheard of since the beginning of the world now known spoken of by al nations after directing his face towards the I le of Man blessing it with all the other Isles by him conuerted to Christ by help of his prayers he procured them the same singuler benefit Of the Magitians he conuerted and reclaimed very many and such as persisted incorrigible he rooted them out from the face of the earth By his prayers
malediction he stretched out his left hand whōsoeuer he blessed Gods blessing did light vpon him and whomesoeuer he cursed Gods curse came vpon him 3. And though in all vertues he did match or rather surpasse other Saints yet in humility he did farre surpasse himselfe hence it came that in his missiue letters he styled himselfe The greatest sinner in the world the least and most despiceable among them and setting little by the signes he wrought he deemed himselfe vnworthy to be compared to any perfect man He exercised himselfe in the manuall workes as S. Paul did of tilling the ground and fishing but especially in building of Churches three hundred and fifty Bishops did he consecrate with his owne handes fiue hundred did he inuest with the holy functiō of Priesthood the number of them that were ordayned in inferiour orders as also of Monkes Nunnes is so numberlesse that God alone doth know them 4. The Blessed Bishop liuing and leading a life of this tenour shined with so many and so great miracles that in them he was not inferiour to any of the Saints that went before him It was in a manner a dayly exercise with him to cleanse leapers cripels deafe dumbe to cure palseies lethurgies lunatickes epilephies to erect cripls to restore sight to the blind speach to the dumbe to the deafe hearing in a word to heale all diseases he merited to be the magnificent reuiuer of three and thirty dead persons threescore and six treatises were written of his giftes vertues and miracles a great part of them perished by fire vnder the Pagan Princes Iurmundus Turgesius Foure volumes are yet extant written by foure of his disciples S. Benignus S. Mell S. Lumanus S. Patricke the yonger who lyes buried in Glastenbury monastery in England S. Euinus compiled his actes and miracles partly in Irish and partely in Latin out of which holy authors we haue extracted what we thought good and digested it into this volume 5. The most glorious bishop being loaded with yeares and abounding with merits knew by diuine reuelation that the dissolution of his earthly tabernacle was neere at hand which moued him to goe towardes the citty of Armuch thinking to inrich that his Metropolitā Church with the pretious depositum of his sacred body but the Angell Victor appearing to him tould him that it was the diuine pleasure he should expect the generall resurrection in the Cittie of Downe in Vlidia The Saint embracing with great resignation the disposition of the diuine prouidence returned backe againe to Vlidia 6. Within a few dayes after as the most holy Prelate S. Patricke preached of the glory of heauen to a great multitude of religious and ecclesiasticall men there descended from thence an immense splendour that illustrated a place in the east part of the Church-yeard the pearle of Ireland S. Brigit being present The Saint commanded her to declare the mistery of that diuine light she tould in the hearing of all the assembly how that celestial light sanctifyed and designed the place where a Saint most glorious most deare vnto God shold be shortly interred then rounding S. Ephembria in her eare she tould it was the patron Apostle of Ireland S. Patrik adding further that she would account her selfe happy if his sacred body might be wraped in a winding sheet which she had spunne and weaued with herown hands had prepared for that purpose 7. The Blessed Saint knowing by diuine inspiration the holy Virgins desire commanded her to go and bring that sheet wherein for the most tender loue he carryed to the most blessed vigin he would haue his sacred body wrapt himselfe went to the Monastery of Sauall where sickning he expected the end of this life or rather the beginning of the other life that hath no end the B. virgin Brigit was so ouer wearied with the length and difficulty of the iourney that she could not come so soone as she purposed The Blessed Bishop knowing in what distresse the holy virgin was in he sent his coach-man to meet her the sacred virgins that came in her company so the virgins comming to Sauall where the Saint laye sicke she presented him with the sheet which he receaued very gratefully then kissing his feet handes she and her virgins receaued his benediction Of S. Patrickes death of the Angelicall obsequies exhibited to him and of his entertainment at Downe CHAP. XXII THE Blessed Saint being brought very low by his infirmity as the Angell had admonished receaued the holy Sacraments at the hādes of his disciple S. Tasach Bishop eleuating his eyes he saw Iesus standing in the midst of a multitude of Angels then blessing his disciples and rendring thankes to God he passed out of this life his blessed soule was receaued into the ioyes of his Lord by the all-immaculate Virgin the Mother of God and sacred quires of virgins with the Patriarkes Apostles Martyrs Confessours and Angels no maruaile that he was honored of all Saints sith there shined in him the vertue of all Saints an Angell he was not by nature but by office since his lips did keep science and the law of life a Prophet since few of the Prophets were indued with the foresight of future thinges so copiously as he was an Apostle he was since Ireland and the neighbour Ilands are signes of his Apostleship a Martyr he was in regard of the many coflicts he had against Kings Magitians Idolaters and Diuels A confessour he was since that he neuer ceased from the preaching and confessing the name of Christ. A virgin he was for as much as he kept the integriof fayth in body soule The glorious Saint deceased at the age of a hundred and twenty three yeares he was sixteene yeares old when he was carryed away by the Pirates six yeares did he serue in captiuity eightene yeares did he liue with S. German in France he was fiue and fifty when he came into Ireland to preach the Ghospell fiue and thirty yeares did he imploy in the conuersion of Ireland and the adioyning Iles afterwardes for three and thirty yeares he gaue himselfe to the sweet rest of contemplation eyther at Ardmuch or at Sauall monastery during which tyme he neuer came abroad vnles it were for great affaires or keeping a Councel once a yeare for the redresse of abuses 2. After his departure his sacred body was wrapt vp in the sheet which the blessed virgin S. Bridgit had prepared and a great multitude of cleargy men and seculers came to bemone the death of their common father and Apostle and to solemnize his funerals The night following a brightsome quier of Angels that kept watch at his body with their sweet harmony cast all the multitude into an extaticall sleepe vntill their departure the next morning the Angels left so fragrant an odour behind them that it continued for the space of twelue daies whilst the holy body was vnburied during which time in all that region
purer times of christianity let them examine it let them search it point vs out what they shall find in it to couÌ„tenance their cause or to aduance their religion but sure I am they will shrincke from such a disquisition as would turne to their notable preiudice and open confusion by discouering the fondnes and nouelty of their religion For nothing will occure heere but quires of sacred virgins cap. 17. § 2. and cap. 18. § 4. and troupes of holy monkes ibid. c. 13. § 5. cap. 12. § 3. They will admire at the frequent mention of holy Vayles cap. 10. § 1. c. 13. § 5. and Ecclesiasticall tonsure cap. 4. § 1. Holy water cap. 16. § 5. Vessels of holy oyles cap. 15. § 4. Hallowed fire cap. 5. § 2. The signe of the Crosse cap. 18. § 2. alibi sound very harshly in Protestants eares Our wiuing Ghospellers hold no commerce or society with a contineÌ„t and chast Monke cap. 20. § 3. cap. 22. § 1. The refined Ritualists of Geneua will neuer acknowledge our glorious Prelate walking in the maiesty of a Romaine Pallium These delicate reformers wil neuer challenge a religious consumed with fasts and weakned with hayre-cloath cap. 1. § 7. cap. 20. § 3. as a disciple of their sensuall Palenesse comming of long standing in cold water cap. 20. § 3. a thing neuer practised by our tender â—olifidians Short and broken sleepes taken all alone on a hard flint cap. 20. § 3. seeme strange and absurd in the Theology of our libidinous Ministers who lie immersed in beds of downe not alone but embracing their sweet harts with greater deuotion then euer any Genua Bible This rigid tenor of life sauoureth much of Martin and German those austere old men whome S. Patricke glorieth to haue been his masters instructors c. 3. § 1. This child of grace glorieth to haue had so worthy educators whose liues if any list to peruse he shal quickly discerne how far they were from impressing in his hart any thing that relisheth to Lutheranisme or Caluinisme But what need I run so far into these proportionles parales WheÌ„ as the monasteries our glorious Apostle erected the Churches he fouÌ„ded the Cloisters he gouerned the Bishops he coÌ„secrated the Priests he ordained the Virgins he vayled the pennance he preached the mortificatioÌ„ he exersiced the progeny froÌ„ him descended proclaime to the world that he aduaÌ„ced no other colors of religioÌ„ theÌ„ those vnder which Christs militant spouse the Catholike Roman Church marcheth at this present day And though the whole body of the reformed religioÌ„ lyeth a bleeding at al her veynes and had been long since buryed in the cenders of obliuioÌ„ did it receaue no more support from the teÌ„poral sword then it doth froÌ„ the sword of the spirit being so deeply lanced cruelly wounded by the irresistable weapons wherwith Ekius Castro Bellarminus Baronius FeuardeÌ„tius Becanus Cano Stapleton Panagaroll other valiant chaÌ„pions of the Catholike cause haue copiously stored the Arsenals of their famous writings yet wil I here to remoue all ambiguity in behalfe of S. Partrick furnish the scrip of your memoryes with fiue most bright stons taken vp out of the torrent of our glorious Apostles life wherwith if you charge the sling of your tongues the weakest among you shal be able to encounter cast downe any temerarious Goliah-harted protestant that should vndertake to renew the lost field or to recouer the gayned breach or to breath life a new into these fiue for exaÌ„ples sake death-sicke members of the fift Ghospell Euery King teÌ„porall Prince is head of the Church within his own dominions and signeories The holy SacrameÌ„t of the Eucharist is but a bare type naked figure no religious worship is to be exhibited to the sacred reliques of Saints the Masse deserueth not the honour or name of a sacrifyce it being but a phantastical stage-show fraught with ridiculous gesticulatioÌ„s sole naked fayth is able to traÌ„port vs to the hauen of interminable happines What is this the symbole that Patricke hath planted with infatigable paynes roborated with stupendious miracles Is this the forme of belief that hath ingendred in our worthy Ancestors such contempt of sublunar felicity such detestation of sensuall blandishments such thirst of heauenly beatitudes Why then did Patrike seeke and accept of his mission from the Roman chaire c. 3. § 2. 4 Why did he procure her priuiledges and indults c. 17. § 2 Why did he not misprize the title of Apostle the office of Legat the Pallium of Bishop she bestowed of him c. 17. § 33 Where doth he treate with Kinges touching the vndergoing this care of preaching Or where is the least mentioÌ„ to be fouÌ„d that he was emploied by them in this charge We find in this volume c. 10 § 2. 4. that he reuoked to life enspirited againe the dead bodyes of Kinges but neuer that he entituled them heads of the Church surely he was no lesse faythful in designing of these liuing vnder one supreme and soueraigne Pastour then he was fortunate in reuiuing them By S. Patrickes verdict then not Kings but Bishops are gouernors of the Church Presidents of fayth The moderne sect masters depriue you of the substaÌ„ce and substitute but a bare shadow of Christs body in the holy Eucharist But more liberall is Patricke who confidently teacheth q the bloud body of our spouse to be shrouded vnder these visible symbols c. 6. § 6. c. 16. § 5. and stileth it a diuine Viaticum c. 10. § 2. These pure Gospellers daigne not scarce the honor of sepulture to sacred bodies of whose cinders S. Patrick deliuereth magnificent eulogies prophecieth gloriously c. 12 § 5. and brought himselfe froÌ„ Rome reliques of the Apostles Martyrs togeather with a sheet died with our Sauiours bloud causing theÌ„ to be shrined sumptuously worshiped religiously c. 17. § 3. Calum Luthers progeny are so incensed against the holy sacrifice of masse that they are not only coÌ„tent to abrogat the vse therof but they would haue the very name obliterated But S. Patrike was a most earnest establisher of the Masse by the coÌ„fessioÌ„ of protestants theÌ„selues so that with the bare instrumeÌ„ts used in that misterious oblatioÌ„ he wrought stupeÌ„dious signes c. 11. § 2. deliuered many honorable encomioms of it Now as for saluatioÌ„ attained by sole fayth the Proto-patriark of the fift gospell is so serious to establish this wicked Theorem that in fauour of it he shameth not to discard canonicall Scripture thinking perchance that himselfe being the Apostle of a god goddes Bacbus Venus might by authority down waigh ouer the Apostle of Iesus Christ. S. Patricke was so farre from allowing of this exoticall and vnchristian paradoxe the sluce to all flagitiousnesse that he tearmeth with S. Iames Fayth that is not animated by good workee a dead and life-lesse fayth nay no fayth
to kill the Saint 4. S. Patricke leauing his furniture in the custody of Dichu his first be gotten in Christ wēt himselfe as he had purposed often to visit his old Master Milchoe in hope by his preaching to subdue him to the sweet yoke of our Sauiour but the wicked wretch fearing that S. Patrickes efficacious preaching should soften his stony hart and withal disdayning to submit himselfe to the doctrine of him who in former tymes had beene his slaue when he heard of the Saints approching being giuen ouer into a reprobate sense and gatheringe all his substance in a heap togeather he set fire to it and after cast himselfe into the midest of the flames as a sacrifice to the infernall Furyes But Milchoes two Daughters were conuerted to the faith by Saint Patricke and receaued the grace of Baptisme wherein both were named Emeria These holy virgins were endued in their life with many ornaments both of grace and vertue and the many miracles wherewith according to S. Patrickes prophecie God honoured their sepulcher in Cluainbron giue euident testimony that they are translated to a better life 5. As S. Patricke passed through the coūtry sowing the seed of euangelicall doctrine he became acquainted with a youth named Mochna whome by diuine inspiratiō he knew would proue a chosen vessell the holy youth Mochna imbraced willingly S. Patrickes doctrine the Saint himselfe baptised him and taught him his crosse row The youth within the compasse of one month learned all the psalter and before a yeare came to an end attayned the vnderstanding of holy Scriptures After a while as S. Patricke passed by that place Mochna repaired to him and being both in talke of diuine matters a pastorall staffe sent from heauen fell iust betweene them S. Patricke tooke great ioy in that miraculous guift turning to Mochna sayd to him Know my deerest child that by this pastorall staffe you are designed to take vpon you the charge of soules promoting him therefore though much against his will to holy orders at last he installed him Bishop of Edruim S. Mochna did great good in the Church of God by meanes of his holy conuersation and singular doctrine and ascended to the triumphant being indued with the ornaments of rare vertues and glory of many miracles 6. Leogarius the Monarch to keepe his subiectes in awe and subiection constrayned all his Princes and great Lords to giue him hostages of their loyalty amōg others he had Dichues sonnes as pledges of their Fathers fidelity when King Leogarius who was wholly addicted to superstitiō and idolatry heard that Dichu and all his family was conuerted to the Christian Religion he fell into a great rage and chafe against him commaunded that his two sonnes who where hostages should be put to death by keeping all manner of liquour and drinke from them The Saint knowing by diuine reuelation of that most cruel commandement had his recourse to his wonted weapons of holy prayer and loe the night following an Angell comming into the prison presented to the young noble men a soueraigne liquor that quenched their present thirst and which is farre more strange extinguished in them all appetit of drinking vntil within a few dayes he came againe and released them at S. Patrickes intercession How S. Patricke prophecyed that S. Benignus should succeed him in the Primacy of Ireland and of many hard conflictes the Saint had with King Leogarius and his Magitians CHAP. V. THE solemne feast of our Sauiours triumphant Resurrection approached which S. Patricke determined to celebrat with great solemnity in a fayre and spatious field called Breage and there by euangelizing the Kingdome of heauen and administring the sacrament of holy Baptisme to encrease the number of the faythful for which end he went to a certaine noble mās house hard by the field aforesayd The noble man whose name was Sesgnen entertayned the Saint very courteously and was himselfe with all his house conuerted to the true fayth This noble man had a Son whom at the sacred font the Saint called Benignus a name rightly beseeming him for in his life and demeanour he was most benigne and sweet being beloued both of God men worthy of eternall glory in heauen and to be reuerenced of all men vpon earth This holy child could not be separated from the company of the Saint for when the Saint layd him downe to rest the child stealing from his Father and Mother fell downe at his feet imbracing thē very louingly and fixing many a sweete kisse vpon them The next morning as the Saint got vp into his Coach hauing one foot in the boote of his Coach another vpon the ground the child tooke him by the feet beseeching him after a most earnest manner not to leaue him behind and returning to his Parents that laboured to detayne him he sayd weeping crying out aloud Get you hence Get you hence dismisse me I pray you that I may follow my spirituall Father The Saint behoulding admiring such great deuotion in such a tender breast gaue the child his benediction prophecied that he should be his Successour in the Primatship of Ireland which thing fell out accordingly 2. The holy Bishop solemnised the Paschall feast in the foresayd field and according to the custome of holy Church did light the candells with hallowed fire The Idolatrous people celebrating at that tyme a great solemne feast of theirs called Rach in which feast dedicated to the Prince of darknes the children of darcknes vsed no light for it was the custome with them to quench the fire in all places thereaboutes and it was treason for any to light it before it were seene lighted in the Kings pallace King Leogarius with all his nobility then kept court at Tarach his principall howse from whence seeing the fire which the Saint had kindled he raged extremely and diligently inquired who presumed to attempt such a matter One who was in the company presently answeared as it were by way of prophecy If this fire be not extinguished this night the kindler of it with his followers shal beare rule in all this kingdome The King being wholly incensed hereat hastned with all expedition to quench the same taking with him thrice nine that is 27. chariots in regard that his Magicians put him in the head that that number was fortunate and prosperous Vpō the sight of all these chariots the Saint sung that verse of the psalme These in charriots and these in horses but we will inuocate in the name of the Lord our God When the King came neere the place he sent for the Saint cōmanding him to make his appearance before him The diuine office being ended the Saint came but none of the Courtiers as the King commanded exhibited him any reuerence or honour except one Hercus who rose saluted the Saint very officiously The Saint gaue him his benediction and promised him life euerlasting Hercus receiuing the
a desire to compose a hymne in honour of a Saint that yet was liuing and because it was S. Patricke himselfe he ment he concealed the Saints name the glorious Bishop answered it is iust and reasonable that people display the vertues of Saintes and that the Church declare their prayses which yet is more securely done after their deaths when all occasion of sinning is cut off but if you will put in execution what you entende do it quickly loe death is at the doore of all the Bishops that are in Ireland you are the first that shal depart this life Secundinus made the hymne and within a few dayes after he dyed at Donnachseachluin his episcopall citty showing by frequent miracles that he reigneth with Christ. 4. S. Kennechus saw a company of Diuels to go fetch the soule of a flagitious sinner who for his many misdeedes deserued to be buryed in Hell The Saint abiurde them at their returne to let him vnderstand the successe of the matter After a little respit the Diuels comming againe tould S. Kennechus how S. Patricke defended the sinners soule from thē in regard that he was accustomed vpō the Saints day to keep a great feast in honor of him euery day to sing some chapter of that hymne S. Kennechus reioyced much thereat and by telling that miracle excited many to sing that hymne very deuoutly in honour of the Saint An Abbot S. Patrickes disciple named Colmanus did sing the foresayd hymne very often being demanded the cause he answered that whilest he sung it he enioyed stil the Saints presence before him and that his eyes could neuer be satiated with the contemplation of his delectable face wherby it is cleare how faythful a friend this blessed Saint is to all those who frequent his memory or haue him for their patron Of the Saints admirable contemplations reuelations mortifications and prayers CHAP. XX. OFtentims did the glorious Saint see our Sauiour the heauens open our Lord Iesus stāding in the midst of the multituds of Angels this sometimes whē he sayd masse other times when he deuoutly sung S. Iohns reuelatiōs besides the Angel Victor so often mētioned in this volum was wont to appeare to him thrice euery week for to recreate him with his diuine colloquies discourses Of soules departing this life our B. Saint saw ful often some to go to endure the paynes of hel others to be sent to enioy the ioyes of heauen one example very remarkable which the Saint himselfe for edificatiōs sake was wont to recite I will here recount A great noble man who liued in much prosperity dyed with no lesse glory was accounted by them that knew his life end most happy pleasing vnto God wheras a poore indigēt lazar who liued al his life in great misery after his death wanting the honour of burial became a prey to the fouls of the ayre was esteemed most wicked before God but the B. Bishop seeing the blindnes of humane iudgement tould them that he saw the rich mans soule to be buryed in hell and the poore mans soule to be carryed vp to heauen and this which the Saint saw concerning these two he was wonte to recite of many other 2. The fame of S. Patrickes vertues excited a holy man of great merit and vertue named Vinuualoeus who liued in Britany in France to leaue his natiue soyle and to go for Ireland there to become S. Patrickes disciple scholler The night before he was to begin his iourney he saw in a vision a most venerable man attyred in episcopal robes who tould him that himselfe was S. Patrike know my dearest Vinuualoeus that I am Patricke to whō you repaire know that the time of my resolutiō is neere at hand so that before you can come where I am I shall depart this life it is the wil of God that you forsake not this place with that the vision disappeared 3. The course which the Saint held in his deuotion as it was most admirable so did he continue it daly without any intermission euery day was he wont to say deuoutly the whole Psalter with canticles hymnes and S. Iohns reuelation besides two hundred other prayers three hundred times in the day did he prostrate himselfe in adoration before God and in singing euery canonicall hower he was accustomed to blesse himselfe a hundrd times with the signe of the Crosse moreouer it was his wont euery day to say masse with great deuotion and reuerence neither did he omit to preach to the people or to teach his disciples The night tyme which he deuided into three partes he spent after a most heauenly manner the former part he imployed in reciting twice fifty Psalmes and in making two hundred genuflexions the second part he spent in saying of the third quinquagenary of psalmes and of other prayers all which time he stood immersed in colde water the third part he allotted to his sleep hauing for his bed a bare stone another stone in steede of a bolster giuing himselfe in this manner to his rest he would girde his loines with a roughe and course haire cloath steeped in cold watter to keepe his body in due subiection fearing it should stirr vp any dishonest motions against the spirit in this manner did the blessed Bishop offer himselfe a holy liuing and gratfull victime vnto God Of Saints Patrickes most profound humility and of his many miracles CHAP. XXI THE glorious Bishop ouer his other attire wore a white robe repesenting by the forme and colour of his attire the candour of his inward powers nay he would accept of no guifts or presents esteeming it happier to giue then to receaue and if sometymes rich men did bestow any present vpon him he would without delay giue it to the poore easing himselfe of it as of a heauy burthen In his countenance in his aspect in his talke in his gate euen in the motion of his members and deportement of all his body the beholders might see and learne lessons of edification his speech being tempered with sweetnes and seasoned with the salt of discretion he accomodated himself to al sexes people occasions he was wel seene in foure languages the English Irish French and Latin attained to good insight in the Greeke he wrote a volume called S. Patrickes canons which is furnished with excellent doctrine for all sorts of people 2. When any difficulte or obscure questions were put vnto him he was wont of his profound humility first to answeare I know not God knowes He was indued with the gift of prophecy whatsoeuer he foretould fell out without any ambiguity He did prophecie of the Saints of Ireland and especially of all the Saints of Munster Connact that were to be borne within the compasse of one hundred yeares so clearly that he fortould their names liues and places of their habitation In giuing his benediction he extended his right hand and in bestowing his