White — Latin Writings of St. Patrick. 



271 



when I say that from the time that I knew Him, /ro??^ my yoidli^ 

 there grew in me the love of God and the fear of Him, and unto this 

 hour, the Lord being gracious to me, I have Icept the faith. 



45. Let who will laugh and insult, I shall not he silent nor conceal 

 the signs and wonders which were ministered to me by the Lord 

 many years before they came to pass, since He knoweth all things 

 even before the world legan. 



46. Therefore I ought without ceasing to render thanks to God 

 who oftentimes pardoned my folly and carelessness, and that not in one 

 place only, so that He be not exceedingly wroth with me, I, who have 

 been given to Him as a fellow -lahourer ; and yet I did not quickly 

 assent in accordance with what had been shewn to me, and as the Spirit 

 hrought to my remembrance. And the Lord shetvecl mercy upon me 

 thousands of titnes, because He saw in me that I was ready, but that I 

 did not know what was due by me in return for these blessings ; what, 

 in fact, I should do about my position, because many were forbidding 

 this embassage. Moreover they were talking amongst themselves 

 behind my back, and saying, "Why does this fellow thrust himself into 

 danger amongst enemies who have no knowledge of God? " They did 

 not say this out of malice, but it did not seem meet in their eyes, on 

 account of my rusticity, as I myself witness that I have under- 

 stood. And 1 did not quickly recognise the grace that was then 

 in me. JTow that seems meet in mine eyes which I ought to have 

 done before. 



47. ^Tow, therefore, I have simply disclosed to my brethren and 

 fellow-servants, who have believed me, for what reason / told you 

 before, and foretell you to strengthen and confirm your faith. Would 

 that you, too, would imitate greater things, and do things of more 

 consequence. This will be my glory, for A wise son is the glory of 

 his father. 



48. You know, and God also, in what manner I have lived from my 

 youth with you, in the faith of truth and sincerity of heart. Moreover, 

 as regards those heathen amongst whom I dwell, I have kept faith 

 with them, and will keep it. God knoweth, I have defrauded none of 

 them, nor do I think of doing it, for the sake of God and His Church, 

 lest I should raise persecution against them and all of us, and lest 

 through me the name of the Lord should be blasphemed ; for it is 

 written. Woe to the man through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed. 



