White — Latin Writui(j>i of St. Patrick. 



263 



it that called up me, fool though I be, out of the midst of those who 

 seem to be wise and skilful in the law, and poioerful in word and in 

 everything ? And me, moreover, who am abominated of this world, 

 did He inspii'e beyond others — if such I were — only that loitli reverence 

 and godly fear and unhlamaUy I should faithfully serve the nation to 

 whom the love of Christ conveyed me, and presented me, as long 

 as I live, if I should be worthy ; in fine, that I should with humility 

 and in truth serve them. 



14. And so it is proper that, according to the proportion of faith in 

 the Trinity, we should make doctrinal distinctions, and make known the 

 gift of God and everlasting consolation, without being held back by 

 danger; to spread everywhere the name of God without fear, con- 

 fidently ; so that even after my decease I may leave a legacy to my 

 brethren and sons whom I baptized in the Lord, so many thousands 

 of persons. 



15. And I was not worthy, nor such an one, as that the Lord 

 should grant this to His poor servant after calamities and such great 

 difficulties, after a life of slavery, after many years ; that He should 

 bestow on me so great grace towards that nation, a thing that formerly, 

 in ray youth. I never hoped for nor thought of. 



16. Xow, after I arrived in Ireland, tending flocks was my daily 

 occupation; and constantly I used to pray in the daytime. Love of 

 God and the fear of Him increased more and more, and faith grew and 

 the spirit was roused, so that in one day I would say as many as a 

 hundred prayers, and at night nearly as many, [even] while I was out 

 in the woods and on the mountain side. Before daybreak I used to be 

 roused to prayer, and I felt no hurt, whether there were snow, frost, 

 or rain ; nor was there any sluggishness in me — as I now see, because 

 then the spirit loas fervent within me. 



17. And there verily one night I heard in my sleep a voice saying 

 to me, Thou fastest well; who art soon to go to thy fatherland." 

 And, again, after a very short time I heard the answer of God saying 

 to me, Lo, thy ship is ready." And it was not near at hand, but was, 

 perhaps, distant two hundred miles. And I had never been there, 

 nor did I know anyone there. And thereupon I shortly took to flight, 

 and left the man with whom I had been for six years, and I came in 

 the strength of God ^\\o prospered my way for good, and I met witli 

 nothing to alarm me until I reached that ship. 



