Lord hath elected to be King will runne suddainly into my lappe They being called Euchodius ran vnto the Saint who kissing him sayd to his father This is he that shall suruiue and shal be King after you and his children shal raigne after him Al which fell out to be true according to the Saints prophecy 3. Domnaldus the sonne of Aydo being yet but a child was by his Nurses brought to S. Columbe who asked them Whose sonne is this you haue brought me They tould him he was Dōnaldus whome they brought to the end he might be inriched with his blessing whome when the Saint had blessed he presently adioyned This child shall ouerliue all his brethren and shall become a famous King neyther shal he euer be deliuered into the handes of his ennemyes but shall in his old age dye a quiet peacecible death in his own house Al which was fullfilled according to the Saints prophecy At the same tyme and in the same place he went to visit Scandalanus the sonne of Colmanus being then detayned prisonner by King Aydus whom when the Saint had blessed he sayd Sonne be not heauy but rather reioyce and be of good comfort King Aydus whose captiue you are will depart this life before you and after your banishment for a little tyme you shal be King in your owne country for thirty yeares then shal you againe be chased out of your kingdome and shall liue in exile for a few dayes which dayes being expired the people will proclaime you King againe ouer whome you shall beare rule for three shorte tymes All this was accomplished in forme and manner as the Saint had prophecyed for after thirty yeares reigne he was driuen out of the kingdome for a certaine space being after recalled by the people he reigned not three years as he thought but three months only and then dyed without delay Two country men brought their sonnes to the Saint in the I le of Hoy to the one he told his sonne should dye the same week and to the other that his sonne should liue to see his nephewes and that he should after a good old age be buryed in the same Iland 4. One of the Saints Monkes named Berachius being to sayle to the Iland of Ethica came to the Saint to craue his blessing to whome the Saint sayd Beware my sonne you hould not your direct course of Ethica by sayling along the wide seas but rather take your course winding about the little Iles fearing that otherwyse you should not escape by reason of the terrour of a monstruous prodigie Berachus receauing the Saints blessing departed and so getting into the ship regarding but little the Saintes admonition he sayled directly through the broad seas loe he and they that were with him saw a mighty huge Whale like to a bigge mountaine to rise vp ouer the waters whose sight strucke a great terrour into their mindes whereupon the marriners strucke downe their sayle and turning backe againe hardly could they escape that danger arising from the tempestuous agitation of the VVhale the they called to mind the Saints propheticall prediction not without admiration Bathaneus being to passe the same morning to the prementioned I le the Saint admonished him of the Whale to whome Bathaneus answered I and the beast are vnder Godes power then the Saint sayd Goe in peace thy faith in Christ will preserue thee from this danger So Bathaneus tooke the Saints benediction launced out from the hauen after sayling forth a good space into the sea he and his companions saw the VVhale which put them all in great feare only Bathaneus without any terrour lifting vp his handes blessed the seas the VVhale and loe in the selfe same moment the VVhale sunke downe vnder the waues and neuer after appeared to them The saint prophecyed of a certaine wicked man who had committed fratricide likewise incest with his owne mother that he should be slaine by his ennemyes which happened true within few daies How S. Columbe saw a citty in Italy to be strucken with thunder and admonished Cailtanus and two other Monkes of their emminent death CHAP. III. AS one of the Saints Monks named Lugbeus came vpon a tyme to the saint he could not looke vpon his face being couered ouer with a marueilous rednes whereat conceauing great feare he ran away whome the saint called backe asking him what was the cause of his running away he answeared because I was in great feare And within a little while dealing with the saint more confidently he made bould to aske of the saint whether any fearefull vision had beene manifested to him the saint then answeared A terrible vengeance hath beene now exercised in a remote part of the world VVhat vengeance was it Or in what country did it happen The Saint replyed A sulphurous flame was powred downe at this houre vpon a citty of the Romane dominion within the marches of Italy whereby three thousand men besides women and children were almost consumed and before this present yeare be expired there wil come marchants out of france who will tell you the same newes At a placed called Camprio-Regionis Lugbeus found a french pilot of whome he learned al the Saint had foretould him 2. Vpon a certaine very colde winter daye the saint sorrowed much and wept exceedingly His familiar seruant Diarmitius asked him the cause of his sorrow who receaued this answere O my little child I do not sorrow at this present without cause seeing how Laifranus toyleth my Monkes already weary in the building of a great house which disgusteth me much A wonder to be spoken in the selfe same moment Laifranus liuing in the monastery of the Oken-field being forced in a manner by coaction and inflamed as it were with fire interiourly commanded the Monkes to cease from the worke some recreation of meate to be prepared gaue them leaue to rest not only for that day but also so long as the hard season coutinued The saint hearing in spirit these comfortable words spoken by Laifranus forbere to weep reioyced exceedingly tould the brethren there present al what passed and withall gaue his benediction to Laifranus 3. As the saint sat one day vpon the top of an high mountaine hanging ouer the monastery turning to his familiar seruant Diarmitius he sayd I marueile what it is that stayes a shippe comming out of Ireland which carryeth in it a wise man who for a certaine sinne whereinto he hath falne doth bitter pennance Within a little while the familiar Brother looking towardes the South he saw the sayles of the shippe approaching to the hauen and showed it to the Saint who sayd Rise in hast and let vs go meet the proselite whose true pennance Christ hath regarded Fechnaus comming a shoare fell downe prostrate and weeping bitterly vpon his knees he confessed his sinnes in presence of all the company The Saint out of compassion weeping with him sayd Rise
determinatiō when he opened to S. German he liked well thereof and ioyned with him the seruāt of God Sergerius the Priest as a comfort in his trauailes as a faythfull witnes of his holy conuersation Setting himselfe on his way by diuine inspiration he went to a certaine Ermite of great fame sanctity and merit named Iustus liuing in an I le of the Tyrrhene Sea where after charitable saluations and some spirituall conference passing betweene them the holy man Iustus deliuered to S. Patricke a little staffe which he sayd he receaued out of our Sauiours owne handes to giue to him Saint Patricke after some dayes abod with the seruant of God Iustus went on his iourny to Rome being enriched with that holy staffe that God had sent him O singular guift descending from the Father of lights For as by Moyses Rod God wrought many prodigious wounders in bringing the Israelites out of the house of bondage so by this holy staffe which himselfe sent to his true seruant Patricke did he worke wonderful miracles in the conuersion of many Nations 4. After the Saints safe arriuall at Rome he visited with great deuotion and reuerence the memoryes of the Apostles and Martyrs comming to the Popes aquaintāce his holynes admitted him to great fauour grace There sate then in the Apostolicall chayre both by name and conuersation Pope Celestimus the first the three and fortith after S. Peeter The Popes holynes finding S. Patricke sound in fayth learning and sanctity consecrated him Bishop determined to employ him in the conuersion of Ireland His holynes had sent before into Ireland for that end another Doctour named Palladius his owne Archdeacon on whō he bestowed store of bookes with Reliques of the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul of many other Martyrs But he finding the Irish nation obstinatly bent against the doctrine of truth departed from Ireland intending to returne backe to Rome dyed in the way The Popes holynes being certifyed of Palladius death commanded S. Patricke to succeed him in that charge of preaching the Ghospell to the Irish nation S. Patricke with twenty more famous for learning and sanctity whome his holynes had giuen him as his coadiutors in that great worke he was to vndertake set himselfe on his iourney towardes Ireland In the way he repaired to his ould master and instructor S. German of whose guift he receaued chalices vestements and other like Church stuffe 5. As S. Patricke tooke shipping in England for to passe into Ireland where a poore leaper besought the Saint most earnestly to carry him into Ireland the Saint of the aboundance of his piety cōdescended to the distressed leapers request but the Mariners would not in any case admit him into the Shippe the Saint ful of confidence in God cast out into the sea a hallowed Altar stone which his holynes had bestowed vpon him and made the leaper to sit on it O prodigious wounder that stone set on loaden in that manner being supported by the Head corner stone floted on the waues against its owne nature and went side by side with the Shippe all the seas ouer and euen with it came to the shore When they came in sight of the land the Saint saw an host of Diuells inuironing the Iland and opposing themselues as a strong Bulwarke to hinder his entrance into the Country But the Saint was nothing terrifyed at the sight of these vgly spirits knowing that there were more and farre more potent with him then against him wherefore making the victorious signe of the Crosse against them he chased away all that army of diabolicall fiendes Of S. Patrickes arriuall in Ireland of the conuersent◠a noble Man named Dichum and of many miracles wrought by the Saint CHAP. IIII. SAINT Patricke with his holy family landed at Inuerds hauen in Leinster and thence hauing first refreshed him after his long nauigatiō sayled towardes the North for he had a great desire to bring Milcho in whose seruice he was all the tyme of his bondage to the knowledge of the true God and of his Religion but God disposing it so for the greater gaine of soules the Saint arriued in Vlidia where being ready to go ashore a multitude of Pagans stood there in a readines to hinder his entrance for the Magitians and Diuines of that Region prophecyed of his comming in manner following There will one come with his crowne shauen in his hand a croked staffe his 〈◊〉 shal be set in the East of his house and his people shall stand behind him from his table he wil sing blasphemies and all his family will answeare Amen Amen This man when he shal come will destroy our Gods ouerthrow our Altars and Temples seduce the people after him he will subdue or cut off our Kinges that will resist him and his doctrine shall raigne for euer Which moued Leogarius the sonne of Neil being then the Monarch of Ireland to commaunde his subiects throughout all his dominions to watch al the hauens and ports to the end they might driue S. Patricke away whersoeuer he meant to land 2. As S. Patricke went to the shoare being all alone the cruell Pagans incited a most fierce dogge to assayle the Saint but the Dogge no sooner saw Gods seruant but he became mute and as stiffe as a stone which when a certaine man of great strength of a huge stature and fierce spirit named Dichu saw he drew out his sword thinking to kill the Saint but God opposinge the sheild of his diuine protection all his strength fayled him and such a stifnes grew ouer al his body that he could neyther sturre hand nor foot The noble man seeing this great miracle wrought vpon himselfe became another man for he and al his house beleeuing in Christ were baptised Dichu hauing obtayned health both of soule and body bestowed vpon Saint Patricke the place where that miracle hapned with all the appartenances for the building of a church The place is called S. Patrickes Barne euen to this day in processe of tyme the Saint built theron a faire Monastery which he furnished with a company of perfect Monkes ouer whome he placed S. Dunnius his owne disciple as Abbot 3. One day as the Saint sayd Masse in the sayd Church a sacrilegious Magician the child of perdition stood without and with a rodd put in at the window cast down the chalice shed the holy Sacrament but God without delay seuerely punished so wicked a sacriledge for the earth opening his mouth after a most strange manner deuoured the Magician who descended a liue downe to hell the Saint sorrowed much for the effusion of the Chalice and as he afflicted himselfe with bitter teares the Chalice by diuine vertue was erected in its owne place with the sacrament so entyre that there appeared no signe nor marke of the effusion The same seuere reuenge did almighty God exercise vpon another Magitian for attempting
vp euen to the eares for attempting some mischeefe against the Saint to the detestation of Idolatry and how by rowling a stone which a hundred men could not stirre he drew a grat multitude to beleeue in the corner stone our deare Sauiour Iesus Christ. 2. The glorious bishop S. Patricke ceased not in all places to enlighten the hartes of such as were blinded with Idolatry so that the number of the faythfull increased dayly One day cōming to a place called Fearta he found two womē dead ouer whom inuocating the name of Christ he restored them againe to life who being reuiued exclaymed against the Idols panyme Gods in the hearing of all the company proclaymed Christ to be the true and only God all who were present gaue glory to God deuoutly receaued the sacrament of Baptisme A certaine woman named Fidelina dyed in trauayle of child birth her friendes brought her dead corps layd it before the glorious Bishop requesting him with teares in their eyes to restore her to the number of the liuing which the B. Saint did by vertue of his feruent prayers the woman after her restoring to life againe was deliuered of a sonne both of them were christned within a few dayes The woman relating what she had seene of the glory of heauen and paynes of hell excited many thousands to become Christian this miracle the Saint reiterated in another woman 3. The holy Saint trauailed about all Connact neuer ceasing from preaching or working of miracles vntill such tyme as he brought all the coūtrey to imbrace the fayth of Christ. In many places he builded Churches appointed Priests other ecclesiasticall persons to direct them in the way of saluation to sing the diuine office In a fayre and spatious field farre distant from woods quarryes he built by miracle a fayre Church which standeth to this day Of two riuers that were in those quarters one called Dubh aboūding with fish another called Drobhois which wanted that commodity the holy Bishop requested some Fishers who drew in their nets full of Fish to help him to some but the Fisher men deuoyd of all charity dismissed the faythfull seruant of our Lord empty but God the louer and author of charity depriued Dubh of that benefit bestowed it vpon Drobhois which vntill that tyme had beene barren Hereby the prudent Reader may learne how meete it is to entertaine with all charity the true members of Christ and faythful seruants of Almighty God 4. In regard of the great scarsity of Churches in Ireland in the infancy of Christian Religion the Blessed Saint ordained that at the sepulcher of euery Christian who could not be buryed in a Church-yeard a Crosse should be erected the better thereby to distinguish the faythfull sheep from the vnbeleeuers as also to excite the faythfull who suruiued to impart their charitable suffrages to their deceased Brethren It happened that at what tyme the Saint departed Connact he saw the head of one at the tombes of two lately interred a crosse standing The Saint bid his coach man make a stand then turning himselfe to the graue where the crosse was he questioned with the dead What sect or Religion he was Who answered that he was a Pagan ignorant of the Christian Religion To whome the Saint replyed what then haue you to doe with the Crosse of Christ The dead man answered He that is buried neere vnto me was a Christian one of your Religion bringing a crosse by mistaking fixed it ouer our graue The Saint without delay descended out of his coach to put the Crosse ouer the Christians graue and after departed Of S. Patrickes iourney into Leinster of his prophecy of Dublin and conuersion of that Citty CHAP. VIII SAINT Patricke hauing confirmed the inhabitants of Connact in the Christian Religion made a iourney into Dalnardia in the North wher with his doctrine example miracls he brought the inhabitants of that Country to the profession of Christianity thence he departed and passing through Meath Leinster in all places he preached the Ghospell kingdome of heauen in places cōuenient he ordayned Bishops It would be a worke able to blunt the penne of the most eloquent Oratour to set downe the stupendious miracles which he wrought in that iourney for euen like another S. Peter with the very shadow of his body did he worke miraculous cures so many as he receaued to Baptisme knowing that our aduersary would labour to entangle them in his snares he endeauoured to confirme in fayth fearing their relapse into infidelity And because as witnesseth S. Iames the Apostle Faith without good workes is dead yea which is more that a dead fayth is not fayth The glorious Saint laboured to excite in them that pure and sincere fayth which through loue performeth good workes 2. When S. Patricke came in his iourney so farre as Finglas a place distant a mile from Dublin being then but a little village and contemplating the place territory there about blessing it he prophetically broke forth into these wordes That village which now is very small shal be hereafter very eminent it shal be enlardged in riches and dignity neyther will it cease to increase vntill such tyme as it become the principall seate of all the kingdome The inhabitants of that village hearing what great miracles and signes God had wrought by the meanes of his faythfull seruant Patricke went forth with great ioy to meet him The Lord of that places only sonne lay sicke euen ready to yeild vp his Ghost the Saint being intreated by his father and all the assembly thereunto went to the place where the sicke was and by prayer restored him to perfect health the people seeing this miracle beleeued in the author of life our Sauiour Iesus 3. In that village an honest matron in whose house then the Saint lodged complained to him of the penury of fresh water The B. Bishop taking pitty of her as also what the whole multitude newly regenerated there suffered that he might inkindle their thirst after the fountaine of life our dearest Sauiour he deemed it expediēt to mainfest his vertue and power The next day in the presence of many he went to a commodious place where stricking the earth with the end of the staffe of IESVS and making his prayer he produced thence a faire Well full of sweet and pleasant water and soueraigne in curing many diseases which well to this day is called S. Patrickes Well 4. Here the course of my history requires that I declare how the glorious Bishop S. Patricke came to the famous citty of Dublin which he foūd lying in the suddes of Paganisme and Idolatry but the Saint washed it with the pure waters of euangelicall doctrine and that with great facility by reason of a memorable accidēt that happened the which was this The King and all the Cittizēs were drowned in sorrow anguish for the death of the two flourishing
God the second tyme the mountaine did forthwith swell vp to its former height greatnes 2. A wicked Tyrant named Euchodius who liued in the country of Vlibia caused two holy Virgins to be stiffled and misprised S. Patricks intercession for them The Saint denounced prophetically to him That none of his posterity should succeed him but that his Lordship should be transferred to his younger brother The Tyrants wife came begged the Saintes blessing both for her selfe for the child which she carried in her wombe which the Saint gaue her and foretould that she should be deliuered of a most holy issue The childe being borne was named Douengardus and was most renowned both for sanctity miracles Euchodius within a few dayes was depriued both of life and of his lordship which his yonger brothers posterity inioyed according to S. Patrickes prophecy 3. S. Patricke founded an Episcopall sea in a place called Achadfouiur where he made one of his disciples namned Sennachus Bishop a man of admirable purity and innocency S. Patticke blessed him and all his family prophecying that many Saintes and holy Pristes should spring out of it in which place Sennachus ended his daies in great sanctity 4. As S. Patricke passed through a wood in Midernia he found there a great company of men cutting downe of great oaken trees in regard their axes were edge-lesse and that they had no whetstons to whet thē the poore mē were quite wearied out of breath the skin flesh was torne from their handes euen to the sinewes bones The Saint compassionating their distresse gaue them his blessing wherupon they recouered their strength their hands were healed vp their hatchets so well edged that they cut the solid oake trees with as little difficulty as if they had beene tender twigges This prodigious effecte of the Saints blessing did perseuer in them vntill such tyme as the Saint procured their release for which end he went to their cruell Lord named Tremei but he wold not admit the Saints intercessiō The Saint after three dayes fast prayer came againe with great submission to procure their exemption from bondage but this cruell man he found to be āother Pharao who presētly got vp into his coach with purpose to agg rauate their yoake of affliction but God reuenged the contempt offered his new Moyses for loe the horses precipitated themselues with great violence into a standing water nere by the man of Belial being drowned the captiues were restored to their long expected and wished liberty 5. S. Patricke intended to erect an episcopal sea in a place called Luda but an Angell wished him to desist from that worke for that S. Micheus who came out of England in pilgrimage into Ireland should there build and inhabit that place which fell out accordingly One day as Saint Patricke and Micheus were in spiritual conference an Angell tendered them a letter wherin S. Patricke was commaunded to bestow that place with all the appartenaunces vpon S. Micheus and himselfe to erect his Archepiscopall sea at Ardmach The Saint obeyed willingly the diuine commandement committing to S. Micheus his care of twelue leapers whome himselfe was accustomed to tend and so departed 6. Twelue brethren whose Father was lately deceased made a meeting for the parting of their portions and excluded their younger brother named Fergusius from any share in that diuision who had recourse to Saint Patricke by whose intercession he receaued a competent portion of his fathers inheritance the young noble man bestowed one halfe of his estate vpon S. Olcan who erected an Episcopall sea in a place called Derkan S. Patricke blessed Fergusius prophetically sayd vnto him Albeit thou seemest now humble and contemptible in the eyes of thy brethren yet thou shalt be shortly prince ouer them and many good Kings will descend from thee which shall not only reigne in their owne country but also in foraine Kingdomes This prophecy of the Saint was fullfilled for from him descended Edanus the sonne of Gabranus who subdued Scotland and whose posterity reigneth yet in that kingdome How S. Patricke gaue Prince Conall his benediction and the Crosse for his armes and of many remarkable miracles CHAP. XV. SAINT Patricke came to his deare ghostly child Prince Conall demanding of him whether he would be content or no to be cloathed with a Monkes weede the Prince answered that his hart was ready to performe what the Saint would inioyne him The holy Bishop reioycing much at his deuotion is reported to haue sayd to him Thou shalt carry a sheild and staffe as the markes of soueraigne power and as the signes of thy great merit Thou shalt represent the person and habit of a lay man but shalt enioy the merit and dignity of a Monke many Saints shall spring from thee and many nations of the earth shal be blessed in thy seed Moreouer with the rodde of Iesus the Saint made the signe of the Crosse vpon Prince Conals shield which he and his posterity euer after tooke for their armes 2. A certaine man named Victor hid himselfe in the night fearing that if he appeared in the Saints presence he should be forced by the euidence of his doctrine and signes to renounce Idolatry The Saint comming to the place where Victor was so bright subtill a light issued from him that the splendour thereof pearced euen to the secret place where Victor lay lurking Victor being conuicted or rather attracted by so euident a signe became a Christian bestowed all his estat vpon the Saint and made himselfe the Saints disciple who in processe of tyme attayned to such learning and sanctity that he was made a Bishop 3. S. Patricke had a disciple named Volchanusa a man of great vertu but specially of most remarkeable obedience The Saint being desirous that his vertue knowne only to God should be manifested to the world for the edificatiō exāple of others cōmanded Volchan to go build a church wheresoeuer God would vouchsafe to prouide him a place he without delay taking an axe vpon his shoulders went his way The Saint seeing the alacrity and promptnes of his obedience sayd to him Doe not despayre my most deare Volchan of finding a place wheresoeuer the Axe shall fall build in that place for there thou shalt increase into a great nation After Volchan had walked on all day long towardes the euening the Axe by chance slipped off his shoulder in which place the obedient Volchan builded a Monastery wherein himselfe and many others liued and dyed in great perfection 4. S. Patricke had a Drouer named Rodanus who after became very learned and a Bishop of great merit and miracles the Saint likewise preferred S. Reuternus to the episcopall sea of Ciocher and when he had consecrated him Bishop he bestowed vpon him a Chrismatory or vessell of holy oyles for extreme Onction and Confirmation that was sent him from heauen A child named Lunanus by vertue
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
present falling downe prostrate vpon the ground wept bitrerly Fintenus demanded further of them saying whome did he ordaine his successour they made answere his disciple Bathaneus with that Columbus asked Fintenus what he ment to do who answered I will with Gods grace repaire ouer to the wise and holy man Bathaneus and will take him for my Abbot then taking his leaue of Columbus he imbarked himselfe without delay for the I le of Hoy where he was intertained with great charity as an vnknowne guest 3. The next day after his arriuall he made it knowne to Bathaneus that he had a desire to confer with him who presently sent for him Fintenus being brought to Bathaneus his presence fell downe vpon his knees but the Saint made him rise and sit downe with him Then did Fintenus recount to the saint his name countrey kindred conuersation what had moued him to vndertake that paineful nauigation and lastly closed vp his discourse with an humble request in behalfe of his admittance Bathaneus vnderstanding all sayd My child I am bound to render many thankes to God for your arriuall but know this for certaine that you cannot be a monke of ours Fintenus hearing this became very heauy and sadd saying Perchance I am vnworthy to be your monke To whome the old Senior replyed It is not as you say for albeit I had rather detaine you with me then otherwise yet can I not prophane the commandement of my patron S. Columbe by whose mouth the holy Ghost hath prophecyed of you in manner following saying to me O Bathaneus you must listen to these my wordes with great attention for presently after my wished and long desired departure out of this life to Christ a certaine brother named Fintenus will come to you out of Ireland and begge earnestly to be receaued of you among the other monkes but it is not preordained for him in the prescience of God that he become a monke to be subiect for he is preelected for the Abbot of monkes and for a captaine to leade many soules to heauen doe not therefore detaine the foresaid man with you in our Ile but send him backe againe into Ireland that he may build a monastery in Leynster on the bancke of the sea where feding a flocke of Christs sheep he may conduct innumerable soules to the ioyes of paradise The young Saint hearing this and powring out aboundance of tears with thāks giuing to God sayd Be it done to me according to the propheticall marueilous prescience of S. Columbe so taking S. Bathaneus his benediction he returned backe into Ireland 4. About that tyme that the holy man was founding by diuine inspiration the monastery of Diarmag in the midle region of Ireland he purposed to visit the holy company that liued in S. Kiaranus monastery at Cluayre They vnderstanding of his approach went all forth in company of their Abbot Alitherus to meet him and lead him honorably singing of Psalmes Hymnes to the Church At the same tyme a certaine despicable familiar youth came behind the Saint and hiding himselfe so much as he could he thought to touch at vnawares the Saint and without his feeling the hem of his exteriour garment but what the Saint could not see with his corporall eyes he saw with his interiour and mentall eyes for making a stand he put his hand behind him so taking hold of the youth by the necke he placed him in presence of all the people Then all that were there present sayd Dismisse him dismisse him why doe you detaine that vnhappy boy The Saint breathing out from his pure breast these propheticall wordes sayd Giue ouer now brethren giue ouer And then turning to the youth that trembled and quaked for feare he sayd O child open your mouth and put out your tongue The youth did accordingly then the Saint extending his holy hand and blessing his tongue diligently pronounced this prophecy of him Albeit this youth seemeth to you vilde and despiceable let none therefore contemne him for from henceforth he wil not only displease you but he will proue very pleasing to you in vertue and holy conuersation he will dayly goe forward and from hence forth his wisedome and prudence will more and more increase and in this our congregation he shall become a worthy member and his tongue shal be indued by God both with wholesome doctrine and eloquence This youth was Ereneus who afterwards was so famous and well knowne throughout all the Churches of Ireland How S. Columbe foresaw the danger and comming of S. Chamnechus and Columbanus the victory of King Aldan and other remarkable thinges CHAP II. THE saint being in his monastery of Hoy one day that the seas were very rough and the windes blew boisterously commanded the monkes to make ready the guest-roome and to draw water for some that were to come One of the Brothers asked who can haue a prosperous nauigation such a day as this though the passage be neuer so short The saint answered God will prepare a calme amidst this tempest for a Saint and for one of his elect that shall come to vs before euening And loe the expected ship wherin S. Chamnechus was arriued according to the saints prophecye Another tyme likewise the saint being in his owne great Church he brooke forth after a smiling manner into these wordes Columbanus sayling towards vs is in danger amidst the swelling waues the Abbot fitting in the foredecke eleuateth his handes to heauen and blesseth the fearefull and swelling sea whome our Lord doth terrify not that the shipp shall suffer shipwracke but to excite him to pray more feruently and so to come safe to vs. 2. Of Cormarus that holy man who so often sought for a wildernes in the sea S. Columbe prophecyed in this manner This Cormarus hoping to find a desert set out this day from that region that lyeth beyond the riuer Moda and is called Ircos yet shall he not find what he desires for no other fault of his but that he brought with him in his company a mōk belonging to a Religious Abbot without his leaue Another tyme the Saint commanded his seruant to ring the bell in hast to call the Monkes to the Church where falling vpon his knees he sayd Now let vs offer our prayers very earnestly for this people and King Alban for at this present they begin to fight a battaile Within a little while going out of the oratory and casting his eyes towards heauen he sayd Now the ennemyes are put to flight for the victory is granted to King Aldan Before the beginning of the foresayd warre the Saint questioned with King Aldan touching his successour who answeared that he knew not which of his three sonnes should raigne after him The saint consequently prophecied in this manner None of these three shal be your successour for they shall be all slaine by their ennemyes now if you haue any younger children send for them and he whom our
my sonne and be of good cheare for your sinnes are forgiuen you because it is written A contrite and humble hart God wil not despise who afterwardes being very louingly intertained of the Saint he sent him to Bathaneus liuing at a place called Lungefield Another tyme the Saint sent two monkes for one of his Monks named Cailtanus biding him to repaire in al hast to him Cailtanus vnderstanding of the Saintes pleasure came speedily in company with the Mōkes that went for him VVhen the Saint saw Cailtanus he spoke to him in manner following O Cailtanus you haue done very well in hastning to me so obediently rest you a little Louing you as a friend I inuited you to come that you might finish the course of your mortall life heere with me in true obedience for before this weeke come to an end you shall render your soule in peace to God Then Cailtanus with thankes to God kissed the saint and to receauing his benediction went to the guest roome the night following he sickned and according the saints word departed the selfe same weeke to a better life 4. On a certayne Sunday some cryed from the further side of the often mentioned sea The Saint hearing the cry sayd to the brethren Goe in all hast and bring the pilgrimes that come frō a farre Country they went as the saint appointed them and brought them to his presence whom when he had saluted he began to question with them concerning their iourney they tould him they came to seiourne with him for that yeare to whome the saint replyed You may not liue with me a yeare as you desire vnlesse you tye your selues to the obseruance of the monasticall vowes The eldest made answere Truely we had no such intention hetherto notwithstanding we will embrace your counsell inspired by God as we beleeue To be short they followed the Saint deuoutly into the oratory and there on their knees obliged themselues to the monasticall vowes Then the saint conuerting his speach to the brothers there present sayd These two proselites exhibiting thēselues a liuing hoste to God and accomplishing in a few dayes the course of Christian perfection shall yield vp their soules to Christ before this present month run to an end and so it fell out for both of them fell sicke one after another and departed to a better life within the tearme prophecyed and perfixed by the saint How S. Columbe foretould the baptisme of a certain Pagan knew by diuine reuelation the death of two Irish noble men and by prayer obtained the life of Diarmitius his familiar seruant CHAP. IIII. WHILST the saint for the space of some few dayes remayned in Ireland being at a place bordering on the sea he struck the earth with his staffe saying to the Monkes that were with him Behould my little children a certaine Gentil who al his life tyme followed the good instincts and propensions of nature shall this day be baptized dye and be buryed in this place and loe within the space as it were of an houre a shippe strucke into the same hauen in whose foredecke sate an ancient Pagan named Geone whome two young men lifted vp between them brought him to the saints presence the old man ēbraced presently the Christiā doctrin the saint preached to him by an interpreter at whose handes he receaued the grace of regeneration Immediatly after the receipt of holy baptisme he gaue vp his ghost and was buryed in the same place by the Saints companions 2. During the Saints aboade in the foresayd region he went one Sunday to a neighbour monastery named Trioint and seeing the same day a certaine Priest celebrating the holy misteryes of the Eucharist whome the Monkes made choise of for that purpose for that they deemed him a man of a very holy and religious life he suddainly pronounced this fearefull sentence Cleane and vncleane thinges are now mingled togeather to wit the cleane misteryes of the sacred oblation handled by an vncleane man who hideth in his conscience some enormious sinne the party of whō he had spoken in this kind confessed his sinne before all the company which with great astonishement admired in the Saint this stupendious knowledge penetrating euen to the secrets of mens harts 3. Another time the Saint being in the Iland of Hoy he called to him two of his Monkes named Lugbeus and Silnanus and sayd to them sayle ouer into the I le of Malea and neere the sea banke seeke out the theefe Ertus who lurketh there expecting in the night tyme to get ouer to the little I le where our sea-calues breed to steale some away and bring them home to his house They did accordingly and found the theefe in the place premonstrated whome they brought to the saint as he had commanded The saint seeing him sayd Wherefore dost thou trespasse against the diuine commandement in stealing away other mens goods so often when thou art driuen to any necessity come to vs and we will releeue thy wantes And with this he appointed that some weathers should be kild and giuen to the miserable theef that he might not return home to his house with empty handes Within a short tyme the saint knew by reuelation that the theeues death drew neere he sent him therefore a fat Cow seauen measures of corne which were spent at his funerailles In like manner the saint foresaw and foretould the death of a Scottish poet named Coronanus 4. It happened another tyme in the same Iland of Hoy as the saint was at his booke reading that he cast out deep and sorrowfull sighes Lugbeus who was present began to demande the cause of his suddaine griefe the Saint made this answere In Scotland two noble men of the bloud royal haue kild one another at a place not farre distant from the Monastery of Cellarois in the Prouince of the Magdeni and the eight day hence there will come one out of Ireland who wil report the truth of al this The man whose comming the Saint foresaw came on the presaged day and among many other newes reported that Colmancanus and Romanus had slaine one another After this Lugbeus the souldier of Christ getting the Saint at his leasure sayd to him I beseech you let me know how in what manner these propheticall reuelations are manifested to you whether you know them by an intuition of your eyes or by the help of your ears or after some strange manner vnknowne of to other men The Saint answered I cannot acquaint you with any thing touching this subtile matter you inquire after vnlesse you first take an othe on your knees neuer to speake of this obscure sacrament all the dayes of my life Lugbeus swore as the saint would haue him then the saint spoke as followeth There are some albeit they be but few in number that by Godes speciall grace clearely contemplate with one single aspect and in one momēt the compasse of the whole world the heauens the sea and
death and dyed The Saint saw the Angells and Diuells fighting about the possession of his soule At last the Angells preuayled and conducted the soule to the ioyes of Paradise All this the saint tould one of his Monkes charging him not to reueale it all the dayes of his life Whilest the Saint liued in Leinster to be trayned vp in wisedom learning it fortuned that a wicked man a cruell persecutor of the good pursued in a certain place a yong Damsell who fled from him she by chance espyed her brother an old man who was master to S. Columbe to whome she made all haste possible for rescue The old man called on S. Columbe to the end that they might both iointly defend her from the cruell persecutors hands who came no sooner to the place but in their eyes he slue her without regarding them any whit whereat the good old monke was so grieued and strucke with anguish that turning to S. Columbe he sayd How long o holy youth Columbe will God the iust iudge suffer this wickednesse ioyned with our dishonour to passe vnpunished The Saint pronounced this iust though dreadfull sentence against the flagitious murderer The selfe same houre that the maydens soule shal ascend vp to heauen his soule shall descend downe to hell And loe without delay the wicked man fell downe dead The report of this fearefull and suddaine vltion was blowen ouer many Churches of Scotland to the great honour and veneration of the holy Deacon 2. A certaine pilgrime came to seiourne with the Saint in the I le of Hoy for some monethes to whome the Saint sayd This day a certaine cleargie man of your prouince whose name I know not is now a carrying betweene the Angels to heauen The brother hearing this began to muse with himselfe and to call to mind the mans name so after a litle while he sayd to the saint I know a seruant of Christ named Diarmitius who built him a little monastery in the selfe same territory wherein I kept my residence It is the selfe same party you name answered the Saint whome the celestiall spirits bring to the ioyes of Paradise Neyther is it negligently to be obserued how that the glorious Saint kept from the notice of men many secrets that were reuealed to him and this for two reasons as himselfe signifyed to a few of his monks First to auoyde ostentation and selfe esteeme secondly to auoyd the molestation that the multitudes would put him in inquiring after seuerall affaires and matters 3. Another tyme the saint sought in the woodes a solitary place vnfrequented by men commodious for the exercise of holy prayer whē he began to pray suddenly he saw an vgly and deformed army of Diuells to fight against him with Iron spits who intended as the Saint knew by the inward illustration of the holy Ghost to assaile his monastery to kill with their pointed stakes many of his monkes But he albeit all alone tooke S. Pauls armour and fought couragiously against the whole host of his infernal aduersaries and so the conflict continued for the most part of the day neither could they ouercome him nor yet he driue them out of his Ile vntill the Angells came to his helpe whose terrour made the Diuels depart After their departure the saint prophecyed how they would inuade the monasteryes of Ethica and inflict pestilent diseases on the inhabitants wherof many would dye Within two dayes likewise the saint foretould how Bathaneus by the help of prayers and fasts preserued his monastery from their inuasion in so much that none dyed but one 4. In the middle region of Ireland liued a certaine Smith a man much addicted to almes deeds and other good workes when this vertuous Artizan came to the finall period of his mortall life the Saint spoke to a few that were about him in this manner The Smith did not labour in vaine who with the labour of his handes hath purchased euerlasting rewardes his soule is now carryed by the Angels to the ioyes of the heauenly Country Another tyme did he see the soule of a poore but very holy woman comming in company of the Angells to meete her husbands soule at his decease and this he made knowne to one of his Monkes named Genereus a Saxon by birth How S. Columbe knowing by reuelation of the death of S. Brendan and S. Columbanus the Bishop sayd masse in honour of them and how a certaine Monke saw him conuersing with the Angels CHAP II. ANother tyme likewise whilest the saint siued in the I le of Hoy in the morning very earely he called vpon his familiar tender Diarmitius and sayd to him Let the sacred misteryes of the Eucharist be made ready in all haste for this day is the deposition of S. Brendan Why quoth Diarmitius doe you command such solemnityes of masses to be made ready this day seeing none came out of Ireland that might bring vs newes of that holy mans death Goe sayd the Saint and obey my word for this last night I saw the heauens open and quires of Angels descending downe to meet S. Brendans soule with whose bright and incomparable splendour the compasse of al the world was enlightned and illustrated 2. Another day also as the monkes put themselues in a readinesse for the seueral works of the monastery the saint cōmanded them to rest that day to make ready the furniture of the sacred oblation and their portions to be encreased as on Sunday For sayd he albeit I be altogether vnworthy yet must I this day celebrate the sacred mysteryes of the Eucharist in honour of that soule which this night hath been carryed among the holy quires of Angells to the interminable ioyes of Paradise These things being spoken the Religious obeyed very promptly and all thinges for the celebrating of the diuine seruice were prepared After they went with their holy Abbot to the Church where after singing part of the office they came to the Hymne where mention is made of S. Martin The Saint sayd to the singers This day you must sing of Columbanus the Bishoppe Then all the Monkes who were present vnderstood Columbanus the Bishop of Leynster S. Columbs deare friend to be translated to a better life Within a few dayes there came out of Leynster who reported that he departed the self same night that his death was reuealed to the Saint 3. Another tyme when the Saint sate writing in his cell his face was suddenly altered he pronounced this voyce from his pure breast Helpe helpe two brothers who stood at the doore to wit Colgus and Lugneus demanded the cause of that suddaine voice To whome the venerable Abbot made this answeare I commanded an Angel of our Lord who stood with you to succour one of the brothers falling downe from the toppe of a great house that is now building in the monastery of the Oaken-field The Saint added further Very admirable and scarce ineffable is the
in the meane tyme these many dayes I haue deuoutly begged of God that he would be pleased in the end of this 30. years to finish my earthly pilgrimage and to call me to his heauenly mansion this was the cause of my ioy for I saw the Angels sent frō the throne of glory to meet my soule after its departure out of my body loe being now suddenly stayd they stand on the rocke at further side of our sea would come in hast for my soule but they are not permitted to approach neerer for what our Lord hath graunted he hath now suddēly altered hearing the prayers of many churches for me who haue obtained a thing against my will that foure yeares more may be added to the tearm of my mortall pilgrimage this sorrowfull delay is the cause of my present griefe which foure years when they shall come to an end I shall without any precedent sicknesse of body passe to the euerlasting ioyes of Paradise 2. The tearme of the prementioned years now drawing on the true Prophet and very noble Abbot being loaden with yeares went forth in a waggon one day to visit the Brothers that were at worke to whome he sayd I conceaued an earnest desire to go to our Sauiour who granted it me if my selfe would on Easter day which we haue lately celebrated but because I would not haue the ioy of that festiuity conuerted into heauinesse I chose rather to diferre my departure out of this world a little longer With this the Monkes fell into great heauinesse whome their pious Father begon to animate with very comfortable words and sweete exhortations as much as he could Then cōuerting his face to the Orient he blessed the Iland with all the inhabitants From that tyme forwards the Iland was neuer molested with the annoy of vipers within a few dayes after whilest the masses were a celebrating as the Saint eleuated vp his gracious countenance it was suddenly dyed with a most delectable and liuely rednes for at that houre he saw the Angell of our Lord flitting vp and downe in the Oratory and in regard the admirable aspect of an Angel instilleth ioy into the harts of the elect the Saint therfore here abounded with ioy and when some that were present enquired after the cause of his ioy he answered Loe an Angell of our Lord sent to require a certaine depositum very deere to God came into the Church and after looking downe ouer vs and blessing vs departed None of them that were present vnderstood what depositum was that the Angell came for But our holy Patron called his owne soule which God committed to his charge by the name of depositum which he rendred vp within six dayes after 3. On the next Saturday the holy Abbot and his faythfull tender Diarmitius went out to blesse a Barne where the Saint seeing two heaps of grayne sayd I congratulate much with my monkes for if I must needs depart this yeare they haue sufficient prouision Diarmitius hearing this sentence became very heauy you constristate vs so often this yeare because you speake so often of your departure to whome he sayd I will acquaint you with a secret touching my death so that you promise faythfully not to disclose it before I dye Diarmitius gaue him his faithfull word and promise Then the glorious Saint added This day in the sacred volumes is called Sabbaoth that is interprettd rest and truly this day is a Sabbaoth to me because it is the last of my laborious life wherein after the paines of my trauailes I sabbaoth and this next ensuing midnight of the venerable Sunday I shall be gathered to the holy Fathers for now our Lord Iesus vouchsafeth to inuite me to whome I shal depart at night as himselfe hath reuealed to me After this he returned backe towardes the Monastery In the way he ascended a little mountaine ouerlooking the monastery standing on the top of the hill eleuating his handes he blessed his monastery saying The Kinges not only of Scotland with their subiects but euen the Kinges of foraine nations with their vassalls will honor much this place though it be now narrow and despiseable and the Saints of other Churches will giue no small veneration to it How S. Columbe approching to the houre of his death made a mysticall diuision of the Psalme Inquirentes Dominum Lastly of his death buriall and some visions of his happy passage CHAP. VI. AFTER he had bestowed his sacred benediction he returned to his monastery and sate him downe to write the Psalter and comming to that verse of the 33. Psalme Inquirentes Dominum non minuentur omni bono They that seeke after our Lord shall not be diminished of any good Here must I pause in the end of this page Let Bathaneus write what followeth The last verse which the Saint wrote befitteth him very much since he shall neuer be depriued of the interminable riches of heauen and the subsequent verse Come childrē heare me I wil teach you the feare of our Lord becommeth his successor Bathaneus as being his successor not only in the office of teaching but also in the charge in writing After the Saint had giuen a stoppe to his pen at the foresayd verse he entred into the Church to heare sundayes euening masse which being done he came backe to his cell and sate in his bed where he had insteed of a bed a bare stone and another stone in lieu of a bolster sitting in that place he bequeathed to his ghostly children these his last precepts in the hearing only of Diarmitius I commend to you my children these my last wordes conserue true and vnfained charity and peace among you and if you obserue this according to the example of the Saints God the comforter of the good will help you and I being with him will intercede for you and he will affoarde you both what you all want in this life and likewise the ioyes which are prepared for them that keepe his Commandements 2. After finishing these sacred documents the glorious Saint held his peace at midnight when the bell rung to matines he rose going sooner then any of the company to the Church he fell downe on his knees before the Altar Diarmitius following slowly after saw all the church illustrated with Angelicall splendour which at his approach disappeared entring in therfore into the Church he called oft to the Saint with a weeping voice saying O father where are you And so groping vp and downe in the darke he found him lying prostrate before the Altar Diarmitius sate him downe by the Saint and laid his head in his sacred lappe in the meane tyme the Monkes came who seeing their holy Father ready to dye began to lament euen at the very instant of the separation of his soule as we heard from some who were eye-witnesses he looked about him with a viuacious and pleasant countenance contemplating the holy Angells that came to fetch
dangers of the sea to these our shores with whole troupes of Philosophers and the more skillfull any of them is so much the more willing is he to vndertake a voluntary banishment that he might serue our most sage Salomon at will And Iocelinus beneath in this volume sayth Within a short space there was not a wildernesse noe nor scarce any corner nor place in all the Iland but was replenished with perfect Monkes and holy Nunnes so that Ireland by a peculiar name was iustly called all the world ouer The Iland of Saints They liued according to the prescript and tenour of life which S. Patricke set thē down for contempt of the world desire of heauenly thinges mortification of the flesh abdication of selfe will they matched the monkes of Egipt both in merit and number Many forraine regions were by them illustrated with doctrine and religion Theodorus Abbot sayth This iland as it surpasseth all the world for fertility of soyle so is it more blessed for the glorious simplicity of Saints Gaufridus likewise testifyeth Scotland which is also called Ireland is a fertile I le of Saints and equalling almost the number of starres with the patronages of Saints Marianus Scotus sayth Ireland is an Iland full of saints and very wounderfull men Gulimanus Ireland is the shoppe of most holy and learned men Ionas Abbot sayth Ireland for fayth excelleth all the Neighbour Countryes Baronius Ireland is most constant in the Catholike Religion Doctor Sanders The people of that Country are farre more Catholike then many other Nations Flodoardus sayth Ireland for fayth surpasseth all the neighbour Nations Ioannes Maginus The Irish maint aine the Christian religion purely These then be the testimonyes deere Country men that learned and graue Authors giue to the sanctity fayth and learning of Ireland But perchance your pious curiosity will not be satisfyed with these generall notions therefore I will descend to some particulers and giue a sight of a few of the many trompets of truth preachers of the ghospell and mirors of sanctity which Ireland hath dispersed all Europe ouer as witnes Ioannes Mōlanus Antonius Yepes Venerable Bede Wyon the English martyrologe Cambden and others Ireland hath sent S. Columbe the Great with his twelue holy companions into Scotland S. Columban with his twelue companions into France S. Clement with his twelue companions into Almaine S. Buan into Island S. Kilian into Franconia S. Scruan into the Orcades S. Brendan into the fortunate Iles. S. Aydan into Northumberland S. Finian into Marcia or the kingdome of the middle Englishmen S. Albuin into Lorraine S. Gallus into Switzerland S. Virgile into Carinthia S. Cathald into Tarentum Ireland hath giuen the Diocesse of Cambray S. Etton Adalgisus Mombulus And the Archbishop of Rhemes S. Abel She hath giuen to the Diocesse of Mecklin S. Pumold Archbishop of Dubline and King of Irelands sonne and S. Hiniclin To the Diocesse of Liedge S. Moman Martyr S. Foylan Vltan and Bertuin To the Diocesse of S. Omers S. Luglius King of Ireland and S. Luglianus Archbishop To the Diocesse of Gaunt S. Liuin and Columban To the Diocesse of Antwerp S. Fredegand To the Diocesse of Namures S. Foranan and S. Eloquius To the Diocesse of Bruges S. Guthagon To the Diocesse of Harlem S. Geron. To the Diocesse of Ruremond S. Wiron and Plechelmon To the Diocesse of Balduke S. Dymphna and Oda Martyrs and Virgins of roiall blood and S. Gereberne These were the masters of fayth the Embassadors of Religion the Euangelistés of peace Ireland emploied in illustrating forraine Countryes not to speak of Iliades millions that shined at home like so many meridian sunnes Pastors and Bishops to vse S. Augustines phrase who were graue learned holy earnest defendors of the truth who sucked the Catholicke fayth with their milke and tooke it with their meate whose milke and meate they ministred to the little and great Hitherto deere Countrymen I haue exhibited Ireland to your consideration giuing you rather a transitory sight then a full vieu of the beauty and maiesty the finger of the Almighty hath imprinted on her face Now it resteth that I present to your fauourable aspects another no lesse gratefull and eysome an obiect S. Patricke your glorious Abbot from whom Ireland receaued fayth religion piety and whatsoeuer els in this kind she holdeth glorious deemeth deere or accounteth honorable I doe not deny that S. Iames the Great came long before S. Patricke to plant the Christian Religion in Ireland as Flauius Dexter an anciēt Author liuing in the same age with Ierom Ioannes Gill and Vincentius Bellouacensis teach Grant S. Mansuetus an Irish man by birth and disciple to S. Peter the Apostle was sent by S. Peter himselfe in the yeare of our Lord 49. to preach the Ghospell in Ireland as it pleaseth Fisingrēnsis Admit Palladius suppose Cataldius grant Derlanus Ytarus Riaranus Hildebertus for the reduction of Irelād from paganisme this notwithstanding the full reclaime and entiere conuersion of Irelād was reserued for S. Patricke who won her to the detestation of Idols and worshipp of one true and liuing God and this none will controll or gayne stand but such as are possessed with the spirit of contradiction and who are more earnest to iangle thē desirous to be informed of the truth His life which heere we offer you will aboundantly teach how stupendious he was in perpetrating of miracles how admirable in al kind of sanctimony and how enflamed with the zeale of gayning soules He wrote as Pitseus witnesseth many workes Of the future life of the Elect one booke Of the three habitacles one booke A Iournall of Confession one booke The history of Ireland one booke Offermons one booke One booke of Epistles against the superstitions of the Gentils An epistle to the inhabitants of Aualon Seuerall epistles to the Brittons Seuerall epistles to the Churches of Ireland Hodeoporicon or Itinetarium of Ireland one booke He liued an hundred and two and twenty yeares most part of which tyme he spent in reclayming the Irish from idolatry to the agnition of one true God during the course of so many yeares so fruitfully spent among vs his pen neuer deliuered his tongue neuer vttered nor himselfe neuer practifed indeed any thing that might haue the least colour of fauouring or establishing that Religion which the preachers of the fift Ghospel proudly vaunt and vainely boast to be the doctrine and fayth of the Primitiue Church And since they obtrude their new found Ghospell on you vnder the specious vizard of venerable antiquity loe we offer heere S. Patrickes life written by a learned pen 400. yeares agoe and extracted out of the seuerall volumes S. Luman S. Benignus S. Mel S. Patricke the yonger and S. Leuinus haue compiled of his famous acts and stupēdious signes Loe I say we offer them Saint Patrickes life who liued in the
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
three holy Bishops Malâ—â— Moch and Munis who also following their Oncle became diligent worke men in our Lords vineyard â— S. Patricke departing Vlidia came by sea vp to Meath and strucke in at Brine-mouth where leauing his Nepheu S. Lumanus to keep the ship he hastned into the country to preach the Ghospell S. Lumanus added forty dayes more to the forty dayes which S. Patricke had commaunded him to expect his owne returne then being weary of his longe abode in that place one day the windes being contrary he commanded the shipp in the name of God and of S. Patricke to conuey him to some commodious place O miracle the ship without any pilot sayled against the wind water and carryed him so farre as Trim into the Country there did he conuert to the Catholicke Religion a young noble man named Forkernus afterward his Father named Feleminus baptised him with many others in a fountaine which in their presence he produced out of the earth by his prayers There by furtherance of Feleminus Gods seruant he builded a Church some twenty fiue years before the foundatioÌ„ of Ardmach where himselfe was installed Bishop his Nephew hauing beene well trayned vp in learning he inuested with the holy order of Priesthood at his death he commanded him to take the gouernement of that Bishopricke vpon him which he did for the space of three dayes of obedience to his spirituall Father then resigned it ouer to one Cathladius an English man 3. King Leogarius had two brothers the eldest named Coibre was like himselfe in wickednes infidelity The other brother called Conall tooke no more of his brothers nature then the fish taketh of the salt sea nor the rose of pricking thorn The child of perdition Coibre would not listen to the Saints doctrine but threatned to kill him and whipped his seruants The Saint perceauing him to be obstinate in his infideliry and reproued of God sayd to him by way of prophecy In regard thou hast cast off the sweete yoke of Christ none of thy posterity shall enioy thy Kingdome but it shal be transferred to thy youÌ„ger brother Which afterward fell out to be most true 4. S. Patricke left the children of darknes repayred to the place where Conall liued who receaued the Saint with great ioy and exultation and opening his eares and hart to the doctrine of life was incorporated to Christ by the lauer of regeneration Conallus the child of grace bestowed his court with all the adioyning territory vpon the Saint whom he besought most earnestly that for the better enlargeing of Christian Religion he would be content to build a citty for himselfe and for his holy company in that place The Saint accepted thereof and congratulating much at his charity yelded to his louing request and built the citty which now is called Domnach Phadruig that is Saint Patrickes citty and not farre off appointed a place for the building of a new pallace for Conall as himselfe desired Then giuing his benedictioÌ„ by way of prophecy he sayd Happy and fortunate shall his pallace be and many shal liue happily in it Gods blessing will blesse thee and will establish thy throne he will enlarge thy dominion and thy Brethrens ofspring shall serue thy posterity for ener 5. S. Patricke determined with himselfe to go into Connact there to preach the Ghospell to the inhabitants of that Prouince By the way he went to a place where King Leogarius had an Idol gilded magnificently ouer with gold and siluer called Ceancrochie that is the head of the Gods This Idoll was compassed about with diuers petty Gods made of brasse that inclined towardes it in signe of subiection 6. The Saint seeing he could neyther by feruent Sermons nor great miracles reclayme the people from the madnes of their Idolatry had his recourse to his wonted weapons of holy prayers no sooner did he then eleuate his pure handes in prayer for the subuersion of the Idol and had after a threatning manner lifted vp the rod of IESVS against it but it fell downe vpon the left side and all the gold and siluer dissolued into dust the litle Gods were swallowed vp by the earth euen to their neckes Hervpon many who saw that prodigious accident belieued in the true and liuing God and were baptized in a fountaine which the Saint by his prayers produced out of the earth 7. After the subuersion of the Idols the S. held on his intended iorney but when he drew neare the frontiers of Connact two Magitians their magicall charmes ouer cast all the region with a horrible darcknes for the space of three dayes hoping by that meanes to debar his enterance into the country but the Saint with fastes and prayers chased away that diabolical obscurity and so got into the country King Leogarius so often spoken of had two daughters one was named Ethne and the other Fedella both of them were fostered by these Magitians One daye that these yong ladies walked abroad for their pastime to a fountaine hard by there they found the Saint with his holy retinue who indeuoured to bring them into the waye of saluation promising that if they yelded to his persuasion they should contract a holy matrimony with the heaueÌ„ly spouse with which diuine exhortation the virgins were so inflamed that they imbraced without all delay the Christian Religion and were baptised Then they requested the Saint in performance of his promise to exhibit to them the sight of their heauenly spouse The Saint answeared you must first receyue the B. blood and flesh of your spouse to the end that being strenghtned by tasting of that diuine viaticum yow may passe to his heauenly mansion The holy virgins belieuing the Saint craued with great feruour the holy Eucharist receyued it with no lesse deuotion then giuing nature her due they ascended to their heauenly spouses nuptiall feast the Magitians who fostered them were also conuerted to the Christian Religion and receyued the grace of regeneration Of the Conuersion of Connact and of some miracles wrought by the Saint during his abode there CHAP. VII AFTER this a great and solemne Councell of all the prouince was assembled whether came with a great retinue the seauen sonnes of Amlaic a potent and rich noble man who liued in that prouince To this assembly the Saint repaired hoping to gayne many of that great multitude to Christ A certaine Magitian opposed himselfe against the Saint and laboured extremely to dispatch him out of the way but Almighty God stretched out his potent arme with lightning of thunder cut off the child of perdition in the presence of all the assembly This great terrible miracle induced the sonnes of Amlaic with twelue thousand more to embrace the Christian Religion wherein they persisted firme constant euer after Heere I forbeare to treat how the Saint conuerted the two holy Virgins daughters to Gauranus how he brought a Magitian whome the earth had swallowed
hopes of the kingdome the Kinges only sonne who dyed of a naturall death in his bed roome and the Kinges daughter who was drowned in the adioyning riuer the young ladyes body was drawne out of the waters and layd by her brothers dead corps to solemnise their obsequies both together In the meane time newes was spread ouer ouer all the Citty that S. Patricke of Ardmuch the potent reuiuer of many dead to life was seene in the towne The King hearing thereof reioyced much and caused him to come where his two children were dead full of fayth promised that if God by his prayers did restore his children to life he himselfe with all the Citty would become Christians The Saint seeing such gayne of soules in a readines in the sight of the King his Nobles and all the communalty raysed from death to life the princely children whose corporall resurrection cooperated much to the spirituall resurrection of their Father with the rest of the people The King was named Alphinus his sonne Cochad his daughter Dublinia who gaue her owne name to the Citty The King and all the Citty being astonished at this great miracle abiured the worship of Idols and were baptised in S. Patrickes Well which to encrease the beliefe of the faythful the Saint made to gush out by stricking the point of the staffe of Iesus in the earth From that day forwards King Alphinus with all the Cittizens of Dulbin obliged themselues by vow and their posterity to the seruice of Saint Patricke and the Primates of Ardmach moreouer as a perpetuall gage of their seruice ordained that euery company of trades-men should pay a yearely annuity to the Primat of Ardmach The King and the Princes offering each of them a talent of pure refined gold to the Saint al which liberall guifts the true professour of pouerty bestowed vpon the poore reseruing ōly a part which he kept for the building of Churches 5. The glorious Bishop gaue his benedictiō to the people of Dublin and taking his leaue of them he went to a towne called Cnoc where he sent often for one named Murinus a man of Belial who would not in any wise present himselfe before the Saint whose wisedome he deemed able to conquere the hardest hart the Saint sent for him often but all in vaine for he caused answer to be made that the S. should suffer him to sleep The Saint knowing by inspiration of the holy Ghost that he was a child of perdition adioyned therunto saying Let him sleep let him sleep and before the generall day of iudgment let him not awake or arise Which being sayd the Saint hastned on his iourney and the wicked wretch dyed a double death both of soule and body 6. A wicked man named Foilge carryinge great malice and spite to the Saint for the destruction of the formentioned idoll called the head of the Godes attempted to lay violent handes vpon the Saint and being not able to compasse his wicked intent he rushed very violently vpon Odranus the Saints Coachman and murdered him in the Saints sight the Saint stunge at the hart thundred out his malediction against the man of Belial who being stricken therwith yelded vp his wicked spirit to be ingulfed in hell fire But as for Odranus his soule the Saint saw it carryed vp betweene Angels to heauen where it was ranged among the triumphant hostes of Martyrs Of S. Patrickes iourney into Munster and of the miraculous refection of 1400. with many other miracles wrought by the Saint in those quarters CHAP. VIIII THE Saint leauing Leinster tooke his iorney towards Mounster The King of that Country named Oengus hearing of the approach of the glorious Bishop went to meet him and receaued him with great honour and exultation A principall motiue of the Kinges ioy and of receauing the Christian fayth was that hauing entred his Idolatrous temple that morning to adore his false Gods he found them all prostrate vpon the ground and albeit he did set them often vp in their owne place yet still they tumbled downe for as Dagon could not stand before the Arke of Gods couenant so could not these Idols stand in their place whē the Blessed Bishop Patricke drew neere vnto them who deseruedly we may call the Arke of the couenant seeing in his cleane hart he carryed as in a golden vessel the diuine Manna of contemplatiue sweetnes the table of the diuine Law and the Rod of heauenly discipline The aforesayd King led the Saint with great reuerēce and honour to his Court at Cashell where vpon the Saints preaching he beleeued in the most holy Trinity and receaued the grace of regeneration 2. As the Saint gaue the King his benediction by laying his sacred handes vpon his head the King requiring it often with great deuotion it happened that the point of the Saints staffe wounded the kinges foot which yet put him to no payne in regard that his hart being wounded with ardent charity expelled all sense feeling of that bodily sore but whē the Saint saw in what case the kinges foote was blessing it with the figure of Christs bāner he cured it perfectly The king reioycing giuing thankes vnto God for so great a signe wrought vpon him the holy Prelate ful of the spirit of prophecy spake to the king as immediatly followeth The blood of no King of thy stocke who shall fit in this place vpon thy throane shal be shed but of one only Which prediction the inhabitants of that Country constantly auerre to haue proued true in as much as no king of his posterity was euer kild vnto the tenth generation but only one 3. From Cayshell the holy Saint went into Ormand there to extirpate roote out the briers of Idolatry and to sow in steed thereof the pure wheate of Euangelicall doctrine where God with suddaine death seuerely punished a wicked wretch with al his complices for disgorging impious obloquies against the Saint At what time the Angell of peace S. Patricke passed through the country of Ciarragi he saw two brothers named Bibradius and Locradius at mortall debate about the parting of their Fathers inheritance in so much that from high words they fell to bloody blowes and stroakes the Saint fearing least so heinous a sinne as fratricide should be cōmitted in his presence with his holy prayers he so benummed their handes that they hunge stiffe and inflexible in the ayre vpon sight of that stupendious miracle the two brethren referred their cause to be decided by the Saints arbitrement who not only reneued between them the league of brotherly loue but also restored to them the perfect vse both of their armes hands the place where this miracle hapned the two brothers was bestowed vpon the Saint towardes the building of a Church there 4. After that the blessed Bishop had confirmed the people of Munster in the knowledge and loue of the true God he tooke his iourny towards the North king
taking in euill part prophecied That none of his posterity should inherit his liuing or thriue in any other Country except the infant yet shut vp in his Mothers wombe which fell out accordingly As the Saint for the like respect was to giue his curse vpon two brothers named Fiechus and Enda his disciple S. Secundinus requested him not to lay his curse vpon the man but vpon the stones that in great heaps layd hard by wherto the Saint condescended A marueilous thing ensued for from that tyme forwardes those stones proued vnseruiceable for any building or structure Enda did pennance for the iniury offered to the Saint presented his ninth sonne named Cormacus with the ninth part of all his liuing to S. Patrike the child grew vp in years and grace and ended his dayes in great sanctity How Saint Mell and S. Lupita cleared themselues before S. Patricke and of some miracles wrought by the Saint CHAP. XII SAINT Lupita S. Patrickes sister liued in one house with S. Mell her nephew by occasion whereof some suspected the holy Bishop S. Mell with committing of incest with her which aspersion the holy Bishop remoued by taking many great Fishes on the dry land in S. Patrickes sight Lupita in like manner to declare her innocency carryed hoate embers in her lappe without signe or token of any burning S. Patricke seeing such great miracles pronounced them both innocent yet to cut off all occasion of scandall he ordayned that the men should liue in houses apart from the women building for them distinct houses and Churches 2. S. Patricke being to passe the Sinny a deep and vnwadable riuer that runeth betweene Meath and Connact could not get a boate to ferry him ouer he prayed therfore to God for help loe the earth did ryse vp so high in the riuer that it gaue a dry passage ouer to the Saint all his cōpany The Saint thought it expedient for the aduancement of Religiō to build a Church there in a certaine field but the Lord who owed the place gaue him a repulse would not giue way to the building vnles the Saint bought it with gold The S. offering his prayers to God went to a place wher Swine had rooted vp the ground and found there so much as was sufficiēt to purchase the field Another tyme also did he find in the same place so much gold as serued to buy a peece of ground whereupon he ment to built a Church 3. In that Church called Ellfin S. Patricke installed one of his disciples named Asicus who was a Monke making him a Bishop S. Asicus as Saint Patricke had appointed brought thither a great company of Monkes whom himselfe gouerned as Abbot This holy man vpon a certaine tyme told a lye when he should haue vttered the truth sincerely which ouerlashing of his tongue he so seuerely chastised in himself that he retyred himself from the company of men and liued in a desert 7. years vnknowne vnseene to any person where he might be foūd at last by his Mōks they requested him that he wold returne home to his Bishopricke but he would not yeild to their persuasion iudging pronouncing himselfe vnworthy to exercise episcopall authority since his tongue had beene defiled with a witting vntruth which in the mouth of a Priest is as the holy Canons declare sacriledge the forsayd Monkes would not in any case depart from S. Asicus but liued within that place all the dayes of his life after whose death they builded a monastery there wherein they serued Almighty God in iustice and sanctity 4. As some of S. Patrickes disciples came by sea to visite him there arose a great tēpest which moued the Saint to great compassion for his beloued children some who were with him said that the ship was not able to sustayne so boysterous a storme The Saint immediatly betooke himselfe most feruently to his prayers and then within a little while in the hearing of all them who were present he commanded the windes waues to become calme O stupendious euent Without delay the wind was allayd the seas ceased to boyle and there ensued a great calme the same day the disciples arriued and tould how they escaped that eminent danger Another tyme the disciples aforesayd comming to visit their holy father and traualing by the sea side they were encompassed by the tide before they were aware which put them in great feare of death The Saint knowing in spirit what danger his children were in commanded the sea in the name of God to giue his disciples a free passage the sea obeyed the Saints commandment so that his discipls returned to their father to their great ioye and to the vnspeakable admiration of all those who heard of so prodigious a miracle 5. S. Patricke of his profound humilty and charity kept alwaies in his company some leaper or other whome himself tended most carefully washing with his owne hands his vlcerous soares and prouiding him of al his necessities A certain leaper that liued with the Saint being depriued of his bodily health laloured by frequent prayers and other exercises of piety to procure and conserue the health of his soule This leaper fearing to be offensiue to others withdrew himself from the cōpany of men liuing solitary in a great hollow tree One day he requested a Christiā that passed by to bring him out of a place hard by a bundell of reedes the man went to the place and as he pluckte vp the reedes a faire fountaine gushed out whereof he gaue notice to the leaper when he brought him the reedes who replied Know then my deare brother that God sent thee hither to wash me in that fountaine and lastly to bury me in that place which said he gaue vp the ghost as the Christian washed the leaper in that miraculous water there remained not a spot of leprosy vpon him and so burying him he departed It hapned that S. Munis much about that time bringing from Rome many relikes with him was forced to lodge neare that place In the night he saw squadrons of Angells to descend from heauen and to keep watch and warde about the leapers sepulcher vntill it was moring al which visiō he related to S. Patricke signifying that he intended to remoue that holy body out of that solitary place S. Patricke forbid him so to do fortelling that a sonne of light not yet borne whose name should be Keranus would inhabit in that place which he would furnish with a holy company of Saints and that he would exhibit great honour to that leaprous body all which fel out to be true in processe of tyme. 6. The foresayd S. Munis with S. Patrickes leaue made him a cell in a certaine place where he suffered great distraction and disturbance of mind by reason of the frequent cōcourse of courtiers who came oftē to visite him from the kings pallace being built ouer a great water that lay hard by the place where S. Munis liued
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
of the Saints blessing learned all the Psalter in fiften dayes who after led a most holy life and dyed glorious for vertue and miracles The Saint by reuiuing a noble mans wife named Ethra gayned the noble man himselfe with all his followers vnto Christ. 5. Some wicked men enuying the progresse of Christian religion and the Saints glory suborned a woman that vsed to beate and to dresse flax in the way the Saint was to passe to hide a great quantity of the flax in a hollow tree not farre off and when the Saint should passe that way they wished her to exclaime against him and his holy company as hauing stolne the flaxe The womā did as she was put in the head by those wicked men who rushed out of their dennes when the woman began to crye and flocking about the Saint and his companions they accused them as theeues guilty of torments and of death Neere the place where this tumult was excited there was one buryed whome the Saint reuiued the reuiued man by his testimony cleared the innocency of the Saint and freed him from that slaunder shewing where the flaxe was hidden The contriuers of this mischiefe were by this miraculous euent reclaymed from idolatry to the acknowledgement of the true God 6. A man of Iueach hauing stolne eaten a he-Goate S. Patricke had and thinking by oath to cleare himselfe of all suspition swore that he had no hand at all in the theft loe the eaten goate by a hideous noyse made in his belly bewrayed him to be the author of the theft whose posterity euer after wore goates beardes It was S. Patrickes custome to keepe company to loue and frequent the society of vertuous and holy men which custome how gratefull it was in the eyes of the Almighty himselfe vouchsafed to manifest by this insuing miracle For as he and a man of a most venerable life named Vinnocus were in conuersatiō together of diuine matters and hauing bestowed their garmentes vpon the poore behold there came from heauen a cloake that fell iust between them both Each of the Saintes alleadged that it was sent to the other they being in this humble and charitable debate the cloake disappeared and two others were brought by an Angell for each of them one 7. In that part of Britanny which is now called VVales there reigned a wicked Tyrant a cruell persecutour and ennemy of Christians named Cereticus The Saint directed to him a commonitory epistle hoping thereby to reclaime him from his wicked courses but he derided the Saint and became more obstinate in mischiefe and iniquity which when the Saint vnderstood he prayed to God in manner following Our Lord God omnipotent cast this foxe-natured man who is so monstruous in vices after a monstruous manner from the face of the earth Our Lord inclined his eares to the voyce of his seruant for he transformed him into a fox who flying away was neuer seene afterwards Of S. Machaldus conuersion and most rigid pennance and of S. Memessaes holy life CHAP. XVI A Wicked man named Machaldus the prince of theeues and robbers seeing S. Patricke passe by the way determined to kill him but after holding it a disgrace to shed the blood of so poore weake and seeble a man as the Saint was he and his ruffian like company thrōged about the Saint and by way of contempt and derision requested him to reuiue againe one of his company named Garbanus whome they had couered with a cloake counterfeiting him for dead The Saint could them that their iest was turned into a truth and so departed The theeues found their companiō dead and fearing that the like mischance might fall vpon themselues they rann apace after the Saint prostrated themselues before him acknowledging their heynous offence they became Christians The Blessed Bishop at their request restored againe their dead companiō to the number of liuing 5. Machaldus hauing confessed his sinnes requested the Saint to set downe for him some course of pennance by which he might purchase eternall life the holy Bishop being inspired from aboue inioyned him to forsake his natiue soyle for euer and to bestow all his substance vpon the poore then did he attyre himselfe in a course and despiceable weed and locked his feet in fetters casting the key into the sea after he commanded him to enter all alone into a boate whither soeuer the boate should carry him there to liue all the dayes of his life The truely penitent Machaldus followed the Saints direction and so committing himself to the sea he lāded in the Isle of Man The two holy Prelates Counidrius and Romulus whome S. Patricke sent to succeed S. German in the gouernement of that Isle seeing the man in so miserable a plight knowing the cause intertayned him very charitably detayning him with themselues After the compasse of many yeares in the belly of a fish that by diuine prouidence was brought to Machaldus was found a key which vnlocked his fetters S. Machaldus attayned to such eminent sanctity that after the death of the two forementioned Bishops he was created Bishop of the Iland and ended his dayes there in great sanctity being famous both for vertue and miracles 3. The glorious Saint by conuerting stones into milke milke into stones conuerted a Magitian from the worshiping of stones to the seruice of the true and liuing God Such reuerence did the Blessed Saint carry to Sunday in honour of our Sauiours triumphant resurrection that he was neuer accustomed to trauaile vpon Sonday for wheresoeuer he was belated vpon Saterday there did he stay vntill Munday morning giuing himselfe wholy to diuine contemplation 4. One Saterday he was benighted in a great field farre from any shelter it began to rayne heauily but not a drop did touch the Saint or any of his company This miracle was seconded with a farre greater for euen that night the Saint was thus sheltred miraculously from the rayne the plane was ouercast with so thicke a mist that the Saints coach-man could not find the coach horses which he let out to pasture The Saint knowing in what affliction his faithfull seruant was of cōpassion towardes him he stretched out his sacred hand and loe an vnseene and neuer heard of prodigy his fiue fingers like fiue brightsome Sunne beames illuminating all the country ouer conuerted the darknes into light and the night into day By helpe of this immense splendour the coach man found his horses and so returned ioyfull and greatly conforted to his good Father Whiles the Saint preached the Ghospell to a certaine noble man there came a flame out of the Saints mouth which entered in at the noble mās mouth and eares heating therewith his hart and also all his inward powers 5. A yong Lady named Memessa daughter to a great Prince in England by contemplation of the creatures attayned to such perfect knowledge and loue of the Creator that for his loue she misprised all the world
he obtayned of God that the apparitions and illusions should not molest the Christians from thence forwardes 2. To the end that Ireland neuer after should be molested with venemous beasts nor yet encō with the accustomed habitatiō of Diuels the most excellent Bishop fasted forty dayes without any corporall food imitating in that holy fast Moyses who obserued it in the law of nature and Elias who obserued it in the written law and especially our deare Sauiour who consecrated in his person that mysticall fast The Saint therfore ascended the high mountaine of Cruachanailge where he disposed fiue stones in forme of a Crosse and in the midst of them he placed himselfe shewing aswell by the forme and manner of his sitting as by the mortification of his abstinence himselfe to be the true seruant of Christs crosse The Diuels grieuing much that their power and dominion in Ireland had beene ouerthrowne and weakned thronged about the Saint in the shap of most vgly and deformed birdes labouring with their horrid skrikes to annoy and hinder the Saint in his holy prayers but he being preuented by the grace of God and assisted by his power making the signe of Christes triumphant banner against those fowle fiendes he chased them away farre from him and with frequent percussion of his cymball he draue them out of all the coastes of Ireland so that from that tyme euen to this present day no venemous beastes were seene in Ireland nor yet are the inhabitants since molested with illusory apparitions of Diuells as they be in other countryes the Saints cymball being broken with often playing vpon it was amended by an Angell 3. By Gods fauour whose wont it is after a storme to cause a calme the Diuels being chased and driuen away a great multitude of Angels illustrated the mountaine with heauēly splendour and recreated the Saint with their sweetest harmony the Saint after immolating the hostes of thankesgiuing and prayses to God for inabling him to performe so long a fast for conferring such admirable fauours to Ireland at his intercession descended from the mountaine and played on his cymball the sound wherof was heard ouer all the kingdome then eleuating his handes he blessed all Ireland with the inhabitants thereof and commended them to Christ then did he make glad all the Church with his presence solemnizing with great deuotion our Sauiours triumphant Resurrection 4. The paschall festiuityes being duely and deuoutly accomplished the Saint with a great traine of spirituall children in his company made a circuit about the land teaching the wayes of Lord in al places with his efficacious sermons strēghtning the inhabitāts in the faith of Christ. The people being incited by that admirable and most prodigious signe of chasing away the diuels venemous beasts and Magitians flocked from al parts to the saint submitted thēselues al they had to his holy will pleasure embracing with great deuotiō his doctrine precepts The Saint seeing what disposition our Lords field was in to yeild not only the 30. or 60. but euē the hundred fold fruit caused al the land to be deuided and equally distributed being deuided to be tithed with al the inhabitāts of both sexes euery tēth head aswel in men women as cattle and moueables did he separate for our Lords part al the mē he made Monks al the women he consecrated Nunnes building innumerable monasteryes for thē assigning them the fifthes of lands cattle other moueable goods for their sustentation within a short space there was not a wildernes no nor skarce any corner or place in all the Ilād but was replenished with perfect Mōks holy Nunnes so that Ireland by a peculier name was iustly called al the world ouer The Iland of Saints They liued according to the prescript tenour of life which S. Patrick set thē downe for cōtempt of the world desire of heauenly things morrtification of the flesh abdication of self wil they matched the Monks of Aegypt both in merit number Many foraine Regions were by thē illustrated with doctrine religion How the present future state of Ireland was reuealed to S. Patricke and of the patronage the Saint affoordeth them who are deuout vnto him CHAP. XIX THE B. Saint with great instāce of praiers beged of God to know in what estate Irelād was in his Maiestyes eyes God did heare the desire of his hart for being in prayer he saw al Irelād on a flame of fire flaming vpward euen to heauen an Angel telling him that such was the estate of Ireland in the eyes of God for that present Within a little while he saw mountaines as it were of fire ascending to the cloudes a short while after he saw brightsome torches shining afterwardes small lightes and lastly a few coals raked in ashes but yet aliue to whome the Angell appearing said That by that variety was expressed the seuerall estats Ireland should vnder go in the succeeding time Saint Patricke bathing his face in tears often redoubled that of the Royall Prophet VVil God reiect for euer Or will he not add to be better pleased Or will be cut off his mercy for euer from generation to generation Or will God forget to haue mercy Or will be in his wrath keep in his mercyes The Angell sayd looke towardes the North thou shalt see the mutation of the right hand of the highest The Saint lifted vp his eyes and saw a little light arising in Vlidia which striuing for a long space with the darknes chased it away and after illuminated all the Country neuer ceasing to increase vntill it brought Ireland to its free resembling and florishing estate By the Saints interpretation the fiery ardour designed the present deuotion and zeale of Religion and charity wherewith the inhabitants were inflamed in the Saints dayes The flaming mountains the Saints who were conspicuous for miracles vertuous life and learning The diminution of light the decrease of sanctity and the mist ouerclouding all the land the infidelity that should preuaile in the Country 2. As some of S. Patrickes disciples discoursed together of his guiftes vertues one of them sayd he was the holiest man breathing vpon the face of the earth to whom S. Secundinus answered Truly he had beene most holy had he not beene indued with lesse fraternall charity then it behoueth him Which comming to S. Patrickes hearing he asked Secundinus what moued him to vtter such censure against him Secundinus answered because you accept not of the liuinges and rich presents that are offered you with which you might maintaine great multitude of holy men To whome S. Patricke replyed Charity makes me not to accept of such great charity for if I did accept of what would be giuen me I should leaue not so much as the pasture of two horses for the Saints who shall liue after vs. 3. The aforesaid S. Secundinus being of great learning and wisedome signifyed to S. Patricke that he had
called to our Sauiour for his help then ascending the ship he caused the sayles to be hoysed vp which being done in sight of all the company the ship sayled extreame swiftly against the wind and within a little space the contrary winds to the great astonishment of all turned to serue the saint in his voyage so that hauing a pleasant gayle of wind all day the saint came towardes euening to the wished hauen 3. When the saint went first to King Brudeus court the King being puffed vp with pride arrogancy caused the gates of his Pallace to be shut against him Gods true seruant Columbe vnderstanding therof came to the gates and first in drawing the figure of Christs victorious signe or crosse vpon the doores and then after pulling them with his handes loe they opened of themselues and so the saint and his holy family got in The King perceauing what had passed went forth to meet the holy man and euer after had him in great veneration Another tyme being in Ireland he went to visit the Monkes liuing in the monastery of the Holy-field the monkes conducted the Saint to the church doore where the keyes could not be found the Saint sayd Our Lord is able to open the doores of his house for his seruants And loe suddainly the leaues of the doore opened wide and so the Saint entered not without admiration of all the company 4. Another time a very poore and needy man came to the Saint bemoning himselfe that he had nothing wherewith to sustaine his wife children Goe sayd he and cut in the next woode a longe pole and bring it vnto me in haste Which he brought without delay and sharpened it with his owne handes forming it into a sharp poynted spit and blessing it likewise he deliuered it to the poore man saying Keepe this spit for so long tyme as you inioy it your house shall neuer want copious prouision of venision The poore man reioyced not a little thereat and returned home to his house then bringing the spit with him he fixed it in a place where wild beasts haunted and comming the next morning to see it he found a great stagge pierced therewith Euery day he found a stagge Roe or some other wilde beast stucke on the spit by meanes whereof he got such store of that he was glad to sell great quantity thereof to his neighbours at last the man being seduced by his wiues councell cut the spit in peeces and burnt it whereupon he fell into his former want and misery How S. Columbe succoured a woman in trauaill how he reconciled a marryed couple and foresaw the danger Cormarus was in CHAP. VI. THE Saint being in the often mentioned Iland of Hoy he interrupted suddenly the studdy of holy reading and after a smilling māner sayd I must now hasten to pray in behalfe of a poore kinswoman of myne who existing in Ireland calleth often on the name of Columbe hoping confidently by his intercessiō to be deliuered from the bitter paines and griping conuulsions of child-birth wherewith she is cruelly tormented After making an end of this speech the B. Prelate of tender pitty to his poore distressed kinswomā ranne to the church falling ō his knees directed his feruēt prayers to our sweet Sauiour for the ease of the womans distresse After finishing his prayer he went out of the Oratory saying Our Lord Iesus who daigned to be borne of a woman hath beene fauourable and propitious to this woman whome he hath eased of her anguishes for she is safely deliuered of a sonne At the selfe same houre the saint prophecied in this kind the afflicted womā recouered her health as it was after reported by some that came out of Scotland 2. When the holy man liued in the Iland Rechrea a certaine Peasant came to him complaining that his wife would not lye in bed with him The Saint hearing therof sent for the woman and spoke to her as followeth Wherfore woman dost thou striue to put away thyne owne flesh since our Lord sayth They shall be two in one flesh The woman made answere All thinges you please to commande me how painefull soeuer they be I am willing to performe this only excepted that you will not compell me to lie in bed with Lugneus so her husband was called I doe not refuse to take on me the care of all the house or if you wil haue it so I am content to crosse the seas liue in a Monastery of holy virgins What you propoūd replyed the saint cannot be lawfully done as long as your husband liues And added further This day will we three your husband your selfe and I fast pray for the happy successe of this affaire So they all three condescended with one accord to fast pray The night following the Saint offered his prayer deuoutly for them the next morning he called for the woman saying Tell vs o woman whether this day you be of the same mind you were yesterday of going to liue in a monastery of women I know your prayers haue beene heard for whome I hated yesterday I loue most tenderly this day my hart I know by what meanes I know not is wholy changed in me From that day forwards to her last gaspe her soule was linked with indissoluble affection to her husband so that she neuer after refused to discharge the behoofes of a wife 3. The holy man Cormacus of whome we spoke in the first booke laboured the second tyme to find a wildernes in the Ocean whome S. Columbe commended to the King of the Orcades in presence of King Brudeus with whome the Saint was at that tyme and requested King Brudeus to do the same This the Saint did because he knew by reuelation that Cormacus after a long and painefull nauigation should be driuen to the Orcades and so he was and for respect of the former commendation he escaped the danger of death As some of the Saints Monks fell in talke of Cormarus saying it was not knowne what issue good or bad his nauigation had The saint ouer-heard them talking in this manner and sayd Cormacus of whome you speake now you shall see this very day And so within one houres space Cormacus arriued to the great ioy and admiration of all the company 4. The third tyme that the sayd venerable man Cormacus attempted to find out a wildernes in the sea he fell into great dangers for being driuen by a strong south-wind that blew for fourteene dayes without intermission he sayled into the North seas beyond the course and limits of human nauigation and in these vnknowne seas there arose most fearefull and vnsupportable affrightments certaine vnseene and terrible beasts assailed the shippe furiously were euen ready and like to pierce it through With the sight of these and other monsters Cormacus and the Mariners were so amated amazed that with tears trickling downe their face they addressed their prayers to God who alone is the
quicknesse of the angelicall motion for that heauen-dweller who flew away from vs when yonder man began to fall as it were in the shutting of an eye preuented him before he touched the earth neither could the party that fell feele ane bruse or payne O how stupendious is this most swift and oportune subuention that could so speedily be performed such spaces of sea and land lying in the way 4. The Saint on a tyme called all the company togeather and straightly charged them in this manner I meane to go out all alone to the western field of this I le let none therfore presume to follow me They all obeyed excepting one brother who went another way and hid himselfe on the top of a little hillocke whence he might espy the cause of the Saints solitary retyre whom the prementioned brother saw standing on a little hill with his hands and eyes cast towardes heauen lo suddenly a strange thing appeared for the holy Angels the inhabitants of the heauenly citty being all white flow downe and enuironed the Saint as he prayed and after some conference with him that heauenly squadron returned soon againe to their heauenly mansions The Saint likewise after that angelicall meeting returned to the monastery and calling all the company together againe not without a seuere reprehension he began to examine which of them had trespassed against his commandement The guilty party being not able to conceale what he had done fell prostrate before the saint acknowledging his fault begging pardon very humbly The saint brought him aside with great commination charged him not to reueale the matter all the dayes of his life By this we may wel coniecture the many apparitions and angelic all visitations the glorious saint had at other tymes especially in the lōg winter nights which for the most part he spent all alone without taking any rest How S. Brendanus saw a fiery piller ascending fro S. Columbes head as he sayd masse how for three entire dayes he enioyed heauenly visions and of other miracles in this kind CHAP. IIII. FOVRE holy founders of monasteryes whose names were Congellus Cahinnechus Brendanus and Cormacus comming out of Ireland to visit the Saint found him in the I le Himba these holy men with one accord did choose that S. Columbe should confecrate the holy mysteryes of the Eucharist in their presence who yeelding to their pious desire entred the church at once with them and whilest the masses were celebrating S. Brendan saw a very brightsome globe of fire shinning ouer the head of S. Columbe all the while he consecrated the sacred oblation and ascending like a piller of fire vntill he had made an end of the most holy mysteryes 2. Another tyme in the sayd I le of Himba the grace of the holy Ghost so copiously descēded on him that remayning the space of three entire dayes lockt vp in his cell he was so replenished during that tyme with diuine light that he did neyther eate or permitted any to come at him In the night two beames of immense brightnes issued out at the chinckes of the doore and holes of the locke he was likewise heard to sing most sweet and ineffable verses many secrets that were hidden from the knowledge of men since the beginning of the world were manifested to him the eyes of his most pure hart pierced into the difficultyes of the most obscure and abstruse passages of holy scriptures and he complained of the absence of Batthaneus his disciple who had he been present during those three dayes should haue described touching the forepassed or future ages many misteries vnknowne to other men 3. A Monke named Virgnous a man feruent in the loue of God entred the Church one night all alone sat him downe to pray in one of the oratories Within the space as it were of an houre S. Columbe likewise entred the sayd holy house together with him a golden light descending frō heauen was seen to replenish al the house as none can contemplate the meridiā sunne with stedfast and vndaseled eyes so could not Virgnous sustaine that heauenly splendour that blunted the quicknesse of his eyes where with he was so astonished and terrifyed that no strength remayned in him The next morning the Saint called on Virgnous speaking these comfortable wordes to him O my little child you haue pleased almighty God much yesternight by casting your eyes on the earth for had you not done so your eyes had beene blinded with the lustre of that diuine light beware you neuer bring this diuine visitation to the knowledge of men during my life Another brother named Colgus cōming that night by chance to the Church doore saw the same glistering light whome the saint admonished the next day not to speake of it to any all his life tyme. 4. Another tyme the saint charged one of his disciples named Brochanus Beware my sonne you approach not this night to my cell as you are wont Who notwithstanding the saints forbidding went to the doore and looked in at the key-hole thinking with himselfe as it fell out that the saint had within some heauenly vision for at that tyme the saints little lodging was replenished with diuine light which the disobedient young man being not able to sustaine fled way in haste The next day the Saint called Brochanus aside and he reprehended him with great seuerity speaking to him in this manner My sonne you haue sinned before God this last night in thinking it possible to conceale your crafty prying for if the holy Ghost did not yet I behould you comming returning from the doore of our lodging had not I then offered my prayers in your behalfe you would eyther haue fallen downe dead before the doore or els your eyes had fallne out of your head and know this that in your owne country of Ireland for liuing lasciuiously you shall sustaine shame and reproach all the dayes of your life yet I haue obtayned from our Lord that in regard your are our disciple that you shall do bitter pennance before your death and obtaine mercy All which happened to him afterwardes according to the Saints prophecy How S. Columbes life was prolonged by the prayers of many Churches How he foresaw his death and reuealed the tyme to Diarmitius his familiar tender CHAP. V. THE glorions Abbot being in Hoy a marueilous sweetnesse pleasantnesse appeared on his countenance and casting his eyes to heauenwardes he was wholy replenished with ioy but within a little space the sweetnes of his face was conuerted into heauines his ioy into sorrow which when two of his monkes named Lugneus and Pilu saw and perceaued they obtained of him not without great intreaty and a faythfull promise of neuer reuealing it in his life tyme the cause of that sad strange alteration to whom he spoke in this manner Loe to this present day there are runne out thrice ten years of my peregrination in Brittany