White — Latin Writings of St. Patridx, 



267 



nor did He say thus: "Thou hast seen witli pain," but, " ^7e 

 have seen with pain," as if in that matter He had joined Himself 

 with me. As He hath said : He that toucheth you is as he that toucheth 

 the apple of mine eye. 



30. Therefore I render thanks to Him who hath strenythened me in 

 all things, so as not to hinder me from the journey on which I had 

 resolved, and from my lahour which I had learnt from Christ my 

 Lord; but rather I felt in myself no little virtue proceeding from Him, 

 and my faith has been approved in the sight of God and men. 



31. "Wherefore thenls^?/ boldly that my conscience does not blame 

 me here or hereafter. God is my icitness that 1 have not lied in the 

 matters that I have stated to you. 



32. But I am the rather grieved for my dearest friend that we 

 should have deserved to hear such an answer as that. A man to whom 

 I had even entrusted my soul ! And I ascertained from not a few of 

 the brethren before that defence — it was at a time when I was not 

 present, nor was I in Britain, nor will the story originate with me — 

 that he too had fought for me in my absence. Even he himself had 

 said to me with his own lips : " Lo, thou art to be raised to the rank 

 of bishop " ; of which I was not worthy. But how did it occur to him 

 afterwards to put me to shame publicly before everyone, good and bad, 

 in respect of an [office] which before that he had of his own accord and 

 gladly granted [me], and the Lord too, who is greater than alH 



33. I have said enough. ^Nevertheless, I ought not to hide the 

 gift of God which He bestowed upon us in the land of my captivity ; 

 because then I earnestly sought Him, and there I found Him, and He 

 preserved me from all iniquities. This is my belief, because of His 

 indwelling Spirit who hath worked in me until this day. Boldly again 

 [am I speaking]. But God knowetli if man had said this to me, per- 

 chance I would have held my peace for the love of Christ. 



34. Hence therefore I render unwearied thanks to my God who 

 kept me faithful m the day of my temptation^ so that to-day I can 

 confidently olfer to Him a sacrifice, as a living victim, my soul to Christ 

 my Lord, who saved me out of all my troubles, so that I may say: WJio am 

 I, Lord, or what is my calling, that Thou hast disclosed such Divine 

 power to me ? so that to-day among the heathen I should steadfastly 

 exalt and magnify Thy name wherever I may be ; and that not only in 



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