they inioyed the brightnes of the day light without the interposition of any night By occasion of this stupendious miracle the Archmachians and Vlidians fell into grat debate and contention for the possession of that sacred treasure and as they were vpon the poynt of entring into a fierce and bloody conflict they heard a voyce from heauen which seemed to be S. Patricks cōmaunding them to surcease from the effusion of blood the sea moreouer passing its wōted boundes swole vp so high that it impeached their mutuall fight and slaughter for the present 3. The Vlidians put the blessed Saints body vpon a new wayne drawen by two kine and so carried it away with great ioye and singing of psalmes hymnes and spiritual canticles wherat the Ardmuchians fury was so inkindled that they intended by force of armes to detayne the holy body of their patron and primat but Almighty God to stint that bloody strife substituted before the Ardmuchians eyes a phantasticall wayne which resembled so fully the former that they being perswaded it was the same that carried the rich treasure of the Saintes sacred body followed it so farre as the riuer Caulune in the confines of the prouince of Ardmuch where that imaginary wayne disappeared out of their sight in the meane time the Vlidians entred the citty of Downe and after great solemnity of masses they interred the holy body in the place aforesaid S. Patricke departed this life in the yeare of our redemption 493. Felix being Pope Anastasius being Emperour Aurelius Ambrosius being Gouernour of England and Forchernus reigning in Ireland and Iesus Christ being sole monarch of all the world to whome all honour glory and prayse for all eternity Amen Heere ends S. Patrickes life THE LIFE OF THE HOLY VIRGIN SAINT BRIGIT PATRONESSE OF IRELAND Abridged out of what COGITOSVS her owne nepheu and IOANNES CAPGRAVIVS haue written more largely of her famous Actes and Miracles Of S. Brigits Countrey Parents Birth and many vertues and especially of her charity to the poore CHAP. I. THE glorious virgin S. Brigit who descended of the ancient and honorable family of Etech in the kingdom of Ireland was borne at Fochart a village a mile distant from Dundalke in the country of Louth Her Father was a noble man of Leinster named Dubtacus who falling in loue with a handmayd of his named Brocseca a woman indued with singuler beauty and admirable comlines he got her with child of this sacred virgin which when his owne wife perceiued being in great trouble therat and taking the matter very greeuily she said vnto him cast out this handmayd fearing her posterity surpasse mine Dubtacus cōstrayned through his wiues importuinty made sale of her to a certaine Magitian in whose house falling in trauaile she was safe deliuered of the holy child such as were present at her birth saw the cloath wherewith her tender head was couered to burne with a flame of fire whereupon hastning to quench it they found no fire at all 2. So much did the holy virgin loath to feed of the Magitians meats that she was constrayned euery day to cast vp what she eate The Magitian considering attentiuely the cause therof said I am vncleane this holy virgin ful of the spirit of God cannot taste of my meate choosing out therfore a white merch cow he bestowed it vpon her to liue by her milke The holy virgin increased in vertue no lesse then in yeares for she excelled in all kind of holy conuersation and sanctity of life aed became very conspicuous for her modestie chastity and temperance but aboue al her charity to the poore is most remarkable 3. The sacred virgin being deputed by the Magitian to keepe his cowes gaue all the butter and milke she could gather to releiue the present wantes and necessities of the poore When the Magitian saw but a small quantity of butter in a great vesel wherin the butter was to be kept he chafed extreamely The Saint seeing what passion he was in offered her pure prayers vp to God and so by diuine vertue filled the vessell with butter euen vp to the topp wherat the Magitian was so much astonished and moued that he beleiued in Christ setting both her and her mother at liberty 4. In regard she gaue to the poore all whatsoeuer she could lay handes vpon and among othings her Fathers sword he purposed to sel her for which end bringing her where the King was he requested him that he would be pleased to buy his daughter To whome the Kinge spoke in this manner what made you to giue away your fathers sword to the poore man To whome she answeared I haue giuen it to Christ Sir if my God did aske your maiesty and my father too of me I would bestow you both and whatsoeuer els you haue vpō him if it lay in my power Thē the King turning to her father sayd to him this your daughter is of too great worth to be bought by me and of farre greater to be sould by you so giuing her another sword to giue her father he dismissed her Of S. Brigites singuler chastity and of some miracles wrought in approbation thereof as also of other stupendious signes CHAP. II. WHEN this sacred spouse of Christ saw herselfe pressed and importuned by her freindes to marry she prayed to God that he would be pleased to disfigure her body with some deformity to the end that men shold cease from making further loue vnto her and without delay her eye burst and melted in her head then taking three other maydes in her company she repayred to a holy Bishop called Machella S. Patrickes disciple to be vayled at his handes the holy Bishop saw a piller of fire appeare ouer her head and contemplating moreouer her earnest and ardent loue of virginall integrity he gaue her the holy vayle of chastity at which time as she fell prostrate before the venerable Prelate to offer her selfe a holy cleane and impolluted host to her heauenly spouse she touched the alter postle which incontinently budded forth a fresh with leaues and so continueth greene and florishing to this day Being vayled with the sacred cognizance of chastity her bursten eye was restored againe to perfect health 2. Against Easter the sacred virgin made bere of one onely measure or pecke of malt fending part therof to eighteen Churches that were roūd about and besides during all the octaue that small quantity sufficed aboundantly and serued to satisfy all those who would and were desirous to taste therof At the same time a Leaper came to the holy virgin requesting her to help him to a cow but she hauing none said to him Wil you that we pray God to deliuer you from your sicknes who answeared that he preferred his cure before all other guiftes whereupon she hauing blessed water sprinkled the leaper therwith and immediatly he became cleane in like māner two sicke virgins taking water which the holy Virgin had blessed recouered their
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
perfect health 3. Two blind men being Brittons or English men by birth with a leaper who was their guide came to her Church doore and besought the sacred Virgin to help them to their bodily health She intreated them to haue patience a little and to enter into the lodging to refresh thēselues and that she would in the meane time pray to God in their behalfe which delay they tooke so impatiently that with great indignation they replied you heale the diseased of your owne nation but as for vs being strangers you neglect to cure vs for Christs sake The holy virgin receauing this reproach went forth vnto them and casting holy water vpon them she cleansed the leaper and restored the blynd men to their sight 4. A certaine woman brought some apples to the Saint at which time there came some leapers to begge alms of her thē the said Saint dealt these apples amongst them The woman hearing it cōuayed her aples away saying I brought those apples for your selfe and your virgins not to be giuen to leapers whereat the Saint being not a little offended she answeared You haue done very ill in hindering vs to giue almes therfore your trees will neuer more produce any fruit The woman going forth into her orchard which she left full of apples found none at all and so it remayned fruitles alwayes after Of S. Brigits great austerity and of many admirable miracles wrought by her CHAP. III. ONE night the season being frosty an cold whē al had taken themselues to their rest and were fast a sleepe the holy virgin went to a deepe poole wherin she stood all night long weeping and praying firmely purposing with herself to obserue the same custome euery night but our deare Sauiour out of the aboundance of his infinit mercy would not haue her to continue it any longer for the next night following she found the poole dry without any water and comming to see it the next morning she saw it as full as it was before the same hapned to her the second night which was a sufficient reason that she forbore that austere exercise of mortification 2. Vpon a time that some venerable Bishops came to seeke lodging at her house she being vnprouided of all prouision the diuine munificence releiued her wantes by miracle for thrice in one day did she milke one cow that she had which yeilded so much milke as the three best cowes would Another tyme a Dog did fawne vpon her for meate the holy virgin with whom mercy grew euen from her infancy hauing nothing but flesh that was boyling for some guests that were to come drew it out of the pot and gaue the doge a peece therof When the flesh was laid vpon the table it appeared so intire as if nothing had bine cut off which excited the beholders to great admiration of the miracle veneration of the Saint 3. The blessed virgin laboured very earnestly to reclaime nine men from fulfilling their nefarious vow made of killing a man in the Kalendes of Iuly yet for nothing that she could either say or doe would they relent from their wicked designe Betaking her selfe therefore to prayer for the desperate wretches loe there appeeared before their eyes a figure resembling to the full the man whome they intended to kill whom they incontinently assayled with their swordes and launces after as it were insulting by way of triumphe ouer their slaine ennemy came backe immediatly to the Saint with their wepons all imbrued in blood where learning the truth of the matter they did pennance for their cruell intent 4. Vpon a time that a certaine farmer came with all his family to celebrat some solemne feast with S. Bridgit he being there his Cowes were stolne away by theues who in their way came to a riuer which they found so swolne vp with water that they could not passe ouer tying therefore their garments armes to the cowes hornes they made them enter into the water but they returning backe with great violence came and ranne directly to S. Bridgits aboade and the men being starke naked followed them doing afterwardes pennance for their heinous fact in the Saints monastery 5. The holy virgin being once benighted in a spatious field in Meath declined to a certaine poore womans howse with whome she lodged all night and albeit the woman roceiued her with great ioye rendering God many thankes for the happy and safe arriuall of the most holy virgin yet her pouerty was such that she wanted wherwithall to entertaine so worthy a guest but neuertheles of reuerence to the Saint she broke downe a frame she vsed to weaue in and boyled therewith the calfe of one onely cow which she had Supper being ended and after resting her selfe all night the next morning to the end the charitable woman shold not sustaine any dommage or detriment by the entertaynement or refection of the Saint she found another calfe like to her owne with her cow and found likewise a weauing frame in forme and greatnes iust alike to her own that she had burnt Of the great power S. Brigit had ouer Diuels how much they feared her CHAP. IIII. WHEN a certaine person tormented with a malignant spirit knew that he was to be led to S. Brigit he fell downe to the ground saying You shall not carry me thither Do you know sayd they where she liues yes sayd he and I will not go by any meanes And when they could not remoue him from the place they sent for the Saint intreating her to come thither when the Diuell saw the sacred virgin comming a farr off being terrifyed he departed from the man out of their sight 2. Another obsessed person who by reason of strange fits of fury and rage wherewith he was vexed bred great annoy trouble to many was brought to the Saint to whome she sayd Preach to me the word of our Sauiour Iesus Christ he answered O most holy Virgin Brigit I am compelled against my wil to obey your cōmaundement saying Loue God then and all men will loue thee honour God and all men will honour thee feare God and all men will feare thee this being said the diuell fled away with a loud cry 3. As Saint Brigit sat at the table with a certaine virgin whom she had inuited she saw a Diuell sitting hard by her the other virgin said I would fayne see him if it were possible It is not impossible quoth S. Bridgit but first signe your eyes that they may be able to sustaine his sight and contemplate his face hauing signed her eyes she saw the ennemy in a most vgly and blacke shape with a terrible great head exhasing forth at his nostrils smoke and flames of fire Speake to vs Diuell said S. Bridgit To whome he answeared O most holy virgin I cannot speak to you neither yet can I contemne your commaundements since you contemne not Godes holy ordonances and are so affable to his poore and
of this guift giuen for the reliefe of the poore after he poynted likwise at the present of a wise but couetous man saying I can in no wise taste of this guift vnlesse the giuer do pennance for his auarice which word being published among the people Columbus the sonne of Aidus came in haste and falling on his knees did pennance and promised euer after to abiure couetousnes and withall to amend his life and to become more liberall The rich and liberall man named Brendanus hearing in like manner what the Saint spoke of him came likewise and fell downe at his feet beseching him to pray for him Brendanus being rebuked for some offences promised amendement from that tyme forwardes so it came to passe that both of them amended their faults The end of the first Booke THE II. BOOKE OF SAINT COLVMBES MIRACLES How S. Columbe conuerted water into wine how corne sowen in Iune by his appointment was ripe in the beginning of August And of a soueraigne remedy he prouided against the infection of a pestiferous cloud CHAP I. WHILST the holy Saint liued in Ireland with S. Findbarrus to be trayned vp in the study of holy Scriptures it happened one day that no wine could be found for the sacrificall mystery The holy young man being then a Deacon takinge the cruet went to the fountaine for water and by inuocating the name of our B. Sauiour who at the marriage feast of Cana conuerted cold water into good wine merited to worke the same stupendious signe all who knew of it rendred many thankes to God but the holy young man declining all selfe esteeme ascribed the operation of that great signe to the holy Bishop Vinnian And as by this admirable miracle our Sauiour made this the beginning of the many miracles which himselfe wrought so did he by it giue the first manifestation of the sanctity of his Blessed seruant S. Columbe Hard by the monastery of the Oaken-field was a very fruitfull apple-tree but so bitter that no good came of it the Saint knowing so much went forth in the haruest to the place where the tree was loaden with fruit and eleuating his sacred hand blessed it saying In the name of Almighty God O bitter tree let al this bitternes depart from thee and thy apples that hitherto haue beene most sowre let them now become most sweet and pleasant to the tast And without delay the apples suddenly became marueilous delightfull to all those who tasted of them 2. The holy Saint sent some of his Monks to fetch out of the fields of a certaine countryman some rods and twigges for the building of a cell they brought their boate well loaden and withal signifyed to the Saint that the farmer conceaued great griefe at the matter in regard of the losse he sustayned thereby Then the Saint sayd Fearing the man should be scandalized at vs let there be nine measures of barley carryed to him and let him sow them in his fields euen at this present tyme. The corne being sent and deliuered with the former errand the man receaued it gratefully but sayd How can corne grow against the nature of this country being sowen after Midsommer To whome his wife answered Do as the Saint hath commanded to whome our Lord will graunt what thing soeuer he shall demand The country man out of obedience to the Saint fell a ploughing the land and sowing the corne which in the midst of Iune grew so fast and ripened so soone that to the great astonishment of all the Neighbours he cut it downe in the beginning of August 3. Another time the Saint saw a thicke misty cloud to come from the South which whē he perceaued he sayd to a Monke of his named Syluanus that sat with him This cloud will proue very noysome both to men and beasts for flying away hence it will extend it selfe ouer a part of Ireland showre downe towards the euening a contagious rayne that will ingender in men and in the duggs of beasts pestilent vlceres and with these pestilent soares men will sicken euen to death but we ought of compassion to prouide some remedy against their disease Descend therefore with me O Syluanus make your selfe ready to crosse the seas for men and beasts shall recouer with Gods grace their health if the water wherein you shal steepe holy bread of my blessing shal be sprinkled on them In which Syluanus obeying the Saint promptly and hauing by Gods fauour a prosperous passage came spedily to the prementioned part of the country where he found all the people strucke downe with that contagious disease and first of all sixe men that dwelled in a house bordering vpon the sea being sprinkled with the water wherein the bread was steeped recouered their health the selfe same day the report of which suddaine cure being blowen ouer al the region consumed with that pestilent sicknes inuited all the diseased people to hasten to S. Columbs Legate who according to the Saints commandement cast the water on them wherein the holy bread was steaped and both men and beasts were deliuered of their infirmityes without delay How S. Columbe saw in spirit the holy virgin Mugina inuocating his ayde and cured her Of the cure of many infirmityes and production of a fountaine out of a rocke CHAP. II. ANOTHER tyme the Saint called vpon a Brother named Lugaidus and spoke to him in this manner Put your selfe in readines to passe spedily into Ireland for I must send vnto the monastery of Chilnocherum For this last night the holy Virgin Maugina comming after masse out of the Oratary by chance stumbled and broke her huckle bone into two parts she by inuocating often vpon my name hopeth by my intercession to receaue comfort from God Lugaidus being ready to depart the saint gaue him a boxe made of Pine with a certain hollowed thing within it and sayd This benediction whē you arriue where Maugina is you shal steep it in water the water you shal wil be to powred on her huckle bone and with that the broken bone will be ioyned togeather againe and the virgin shal receaue her health I wil write in the couer of this boxe the number of three and twenty yeares that she shall liue in this world after the cure of her hurt Lugaidus left nothing vnperformed that the Saint gaue him in charge to do so the holy virgin recouered her health liued out the number of three and twenty years in the exercise of good workes according to the Saintes prophecy 2. The venerable Prelate as we haue learned by the tradition of them that knew it cured the languors of many sicke persons during the little tyme he made aboade in the place called in latin Dorsum Cetae whither he went to be present at the meeting of Kinges for with the touch either of his holy hand hemme of his garment or with salt bread water or any thing els blessed by
him Then Diarmitius tooke vpp his holy hand to blesse his mōks the Saint himselfe did what he coule to moue his hand to giue them his blessing with the motion thereof since he could not performe it with the voice of his mouth after this his sacred benediction giuen in this kind the Saint yeilded vp suddenly his happy soule The Angelicall sight left such a cheerefullnesse remayning in his countenance that it seemed rather the sweete aspect of one cast in a pleasant slumber then the ghostly sight of a dead corse Heere we will relate some visions which certaine holy men had at that very houre of the Saints happy passage In a certaine Irish monastery there liued a very holy and venerable seruant of Christ named Lugildius who was both wise and iust this holy monke not without great sorrow related to a deere companion of his a man of no lesse holy conuersation a certaine vision he had This last midnight S. Columbe the piller of many Churches departed to the immortall ioyes of heauen and I saw in spirit all the I le of Hoy where I neuer was in person illustrated with celestiall and angelicall brightnesse al the spaciousnes of the ayre was to the skyes enlightned with the splendour of Angels Angels were sent that descended to conduct his holy soule to euerlasting rest I heard likewise most sweet hymnes and harmonious canticles that resounded melodiously at the same tyme this angelicall manifestation Virgnous learnt frō the mouth of the foresayd holy old man 3. Another ancient and religious seruant of Christs and a holy monke named Ferrelus related to me Adamnanus with no small protestation and asseueration of the truth thereof this ensuing vision That night of S. Columbes happy passage out of this life I and others with me being fishing in the fishy riuer Fende we saw all the region of the ayre suddenly illustrated being much moued with the suddennesse of the miracle we conuerted our eyes to the East and loe there appeared as it were a great fiery piller that ascending to heauen wards seemed to illuminate all the world as a summers day or meridian Sunne and when that pillar had penetrated the heauens then darkenesse ensued as after the Sun set neither did the vision appeare to vs alone for many other fishers that were vp and downe about the riuer beheld it these visiōs appearing at the very houre of our Patrons departur make remonstrance of the glory he inioyeth before God Now let vs returne thether from whence we haue digressed 4. The matins office being ended his holy body was carryed back with sweet symphony of psalmes to his little lodging his obsequies were solemnized with no lesse honour then deuotion for the space of three dayes and three nights which time being spent in the diuine prayses the body of our glorious Patron wrapped in cleane syndons was interred in a decent tombe with great veneration Heere we thinke not amisse to tell what the Saint had prophecied touching the foresayd three dayes of his exequies On a tyme one of the Monkes after a simple manner sayd to the venerable Abbot It is thought that all the people of these prouinces will sayle hether to this Iland of Hoy to celebrate your funeralls My sonne answeared the Saint it shall not be as you say for the vulgar sort shall not be able by any meanes to come to my obsequies only my owne familiar monkes shal accomplish my funerall rights and duties Which propheticall prenunciation the diuine Omnipotence put in executiō for during the three dayes of his holy funeralls so boisterous a wind blew that it was not possible for any to go to sea but immediatly after the Saints sepulture the wind ceased and the sea became calme such then was the end of our glorious Patrons life such were the happy beginning of his merits who is admitted into the society of the glorious Patriarkes of the holy Apostles of the sacred Martyrs and immaculate Virgins by the fauour of our sweet Sauiour Iesus To whome togeather with the Father and the holy Ghost be all praise honour vertue glory world without end Amen Finis vitae Sancti Columbae Nos infrascripti legimus has Sanctorum nostrorum vitas scilicet PATRICIj BRIGIDAE COLVMBAE á quodam ex nostris Patribus Anglicé redditas in quibus nihil moribus aut fidei Catholicae contrarium inuenimus Datum Louanij 29. Augusti 1625. Fr. Thomas Strange Diffinitor Commissarius prouinciae Hiberniae nec non Sacrae Theologiae lector Fr. Robertus Chamberlinus Sacrae Theologiae lector in Collegio Sancti Anthonij a Padua Louanij Fr. Ioannes Barnew allus S. Theologiae lector in Collegio Sancti Anthonij de Padua Louanij Licentia Reuerendissimi Domini Domini PAVLI BOVDOT Episcopi Audomarensis NOs PAVLVS BOVDOT Dei Apostolicae sedis gratia Episcopus Audomarensis has vitas Sanctorum PATRICIj BRIGIDAE COLVMBAE à quodam Patre Franciscano Collegij Sancti Antonij a Padua Louanij in linguam Anglicanam versas typis mandari ac diuulgari permittimus cum ex Patrum Lectorum praefati Collegij fide digno testimonio habeamus nihil in ijs aut fidei orthodoxae aut probis moribus aduersari Actum Audomaropoli in Palatio nostro episcopali 10. Octobris 1625. Licentia Reuerendissimi Patris nostri Fratris Iosephi Bergaigne super Prouincias Belgicas Commissarij Generalis totius Ordinis Seraphici diffinitoris Generalis VISA censura approbatione Venerandi admodum Patris Viceprouincialis Hiberniae Patrum Lectorum sacrae Theologiae nostri Collegij S. Antonij A Padua permittimus vt Typis mandentur hae vitae SS Patricij Brigidae Columbae obseruatis ijs quae statuta generalia nostri ordinis circa excussionem librorum obseruari praecipiunt Datum in nostro conuentu Dunkercano 16. Augusti 1625. Fr. Iosephus Bergaigne Commissarius Diffinitor generalis Faults escaped in the Printing Page Faults Correction Pag. 4. Century reade Centuryes Pag. ibid. Sabellius Sabellicus Pag. 7. Saint Soruan Seruan Pag. ibid. Marcia Mercia Pag. ibid. Saint Pumold Saint Rumold Pag. ibid. Saint Hiniclin Himelin Pag. 8. S. Patrick your glorious Abbot S. particke your glorious Bishop Pag. ibid. Derlanus Declanus Pag. ibid. Itarus Ybarus Pag. ibid. Riaranus Kiaranus Pag. 9. of their sensuall of their sensually schoole Pag. 12. now to declare now to decline from the triall Pag. ibid. foule wracking soule wracking Pag. 8. Vbique for Englād Brittany Pag. 13. Sergerius Sergecius Pag. 16. Dichum Dichu Pag. 30. Mal Mel Pag. ibid. Brine mouth Boyne-mouth Pag. 31. nephew neophit Pag. ibid. Coibre Coyrbre Pag. 42. vbique for Ardmuch Ardmach Pag. 44. 1400. 14000. Pag. 46. Ormand Ormond Pag. 47. Prosnach Broisneau Pag. ibid. Frianus Triamus Pag. 49. nephueus nephewes Pag. 53. Connendus Connedus Pag. 57. vbique Bangor Benchor Pag. 69. Coruallus Cearuallus Pag. 70. Vlbia Vlidia Pag. 72. Micheus Mocheus Pag. 74. Volchanusa Volchan