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prosperity, but also in afflictions, so that whatever may happen to me, 

 whether good or had, I ought to receive it with an equal mind, and 

 ever render thanks to God who shewed me that I might trust Him 

 endlessly, as one that cannot be doubted ; and who heard me, so that I, 

 ignorant as I am, should in the last days, begin to undertake this work 

 so holy and so wonderful ; so that I might imitate, in some degree, those 

 whom the Lord long ago foretold would herald His Gospel for a witness 

 unto all nations before the end of the world. And accordingly, as we 

 see, this has been so fulfilled. Behold, we are witnesses that the 

 Gospel has heen preached to the limit beyond which no man dwells. 



35. ]S"ow, it were a tedious task to narrate the whole of my toil in 

 its details, or even partially. I shall briefly say in what manner the 

 most gracious God often delivered [me] from slavery and from the 

 twelve perils whereby my soul was imperilled, besides many plots, 

 and things which 1 am not ahle to express in words. JS'or shall I weary 

 my readers. But I have as my voucher God who knoweth all things, 

 even before they come to pass, as the answer of God frequently warned 

 me, though I was but a poor, humble, unlearned orphan. 



36. Whence came to me this wisdom, which was not in me, I who 

 neither knew the number of my days, nor savoured God ? Whence 

 afterwards came to me that gift so great, so salutary, the knowledge 

 and love of God, but only that I might part with fatherland and 

 parents ? 



37. And many gifts were proffered me with weeping and tears. 

 And I displeased them, and also, against my wish, not a few of my 

 elders, but, God being my guide, I did not at all consent or assent to 

 them. It was not my grace, but God who overcometh in me, and He 

 withstood them all, so that I came to the heathen Irish to preach the 

 Gospel, and to endure insults from unbelievers, so as to hear the 

 reproach of my going abroad, and suffer many persecutions even unto 

 bonds, and that I should give my free condition for the profit of 

 others. And if I should be worthy, I am ready [to give] even my 

 life for His name's sake unhesitatingly and very gladly ; and there I 

 desire to spend it until I die, if the Lord would grant it to me. 



38. Because / am a debtor exceedingly to God, who granted me 

 such great grace that many peoples through me should be regenerated 

 to God and afterwards confirmed, and that clergy should everywhere 

 be ordained for them, to a people newly come to belief which the 



