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41. "Whence then in Ireland they who never liad the knowledge 

 of God, but until now only worshipped idols and abominations — bow 

 has there been lately made there a people of the Lord, and they 

 are called children of Godi Sons of the Scots and daughters of 

 chieftains are seen to become monks and virgins of Christ. 



42. In especial there was one blessed lady, of Scottic birth, of 

 noble rank, most beautiful, grown up, whom I baptized ; and after 

 a few days she came to us for a certain cause. She disclosed to us 

 that she had received an answer by the good pleasure of God, and He 

 warned her to become a virgin of Christ, and live closer to God. 

 Thank God, six days after, most admirably and eagerly she seized on 

 that which all virgins of God do in like manner : not with the consent 

 of their fathers ; but they endure persecution and lying reproaches 

 from their parents ; and nevertheless their number increases more and 

 more, and we know not the number of our race who are there born 

 again, in addition to widows and continent persons. 



Eut they who are kept in slavery suffer especially. They 

 constantly endure even unto terrors and threats. But the Lord gave 

 grace to many of my handmaidens, for, although they are forbidden, 

 they earnestly follow [the example set them]. 



43. Wherefore then, even if I wished to part with them, and 

 proceeding to Britain — and glad and ready I was to do so — as to my 

 fatherland and parents, and not that only, but to go as far as Gaul in 

 order to visit the brethren, and to behold the face of the saints of my 

 Lord — God knoweth that I used to desire it exceedingly. Yet / am 

 hound in the Spirit^ who tvitnesseth to me that if I should do this He 

 would note me as guilty ; and I fear to lose the labour which I began, 

 and yet not I, but Christ the Lord, who commanded me to come and 

 be with them for the remainder of my life, if the Lord will, and if he 

 should guard me from every evil way, so that I may not sin in His 

 sight. 



44. !N'ow I hope that I ought to do this, but I do not trust myself 

 as long as I am in the body of this death, because he is strong who daily 

 endeavours to turn me away from the faith, and from that chastity of 

 unfeigned religion that I have purposed to keep to the end of my life 

 for Christ my Lord. But the flesh, the enemy, is ever dragging us unto 

 death, that is to allurements which end in woe. And I /enow in part 

 wherein I have not led a perfect life, as have other believers ; but I 

 confess to my Lord, and I do not blush in His presence, /or / not 



