The Latin text of the Confession, as found in the Book of Armagh, and in the Bodleian MS. The text of the Confession in the Book of Armagh is considerably shorter than that in other manuscripts.
BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF ST. PATRICK
However, the confession does not mention the place where he was trained for the ministry or his ordination. But the Lord, aware of the future, merciful and sovereign, directed this apostle to the Irish people.
THE GENUINE WRITINGS OF PATRICK
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ under me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left. Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me, Christ in the eye of every man who sees me.
2.—THE CONFESSION OF PATRICK
Wherefore I cannot keep silent—nor is it indeed expedient (to do so)—
From whom everything begins; maintain all things, as we say; and His Son, Jesus Christ, of whom indeed we testify with the Father that he was always, before the beginning of the world, spiritually with the Father; in an inexplicable. N43 way conceived before everything begins; and by Himself things were made visible and invisible; N44 man made; (and), after death was conquered, was taken up to the Father in the heavens. F23 , N45 And He gave Him all power "above every name that is in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, N46 that every tongue must confess" F24 to Him, N47 that Jesus Christ is Lord and God in whom we believe and expect that (His) coming will be before long; "the Judge of the living and of the dead," F25 "who will render to each one according to his deeds." F26 , N48 And He "poured abundantly upon us" F27 the Holy Spirit, a gift and pledge of immortality; N49 which makes the faithful and obedient to become.
Although I am in many respects imperfect, I wish my brethren and acquaintances to know my disposition, N54 and that they may be able to
You fast well [fast then], you will soon go to your country.” And again, after a very short time, I heard an answer saying to me, “Behold, your ship is ready.” N83 And it was not in near, but perhaps two hundred miles away, and I had never been there, nor was I acquainted with any of the men there. Voice of the Irish." And as I read aloud the beginning of the letter, I actually thought in my mind that I heard the voice of those who were near the forest at Foclut, N113, which is close by.
Under anxiety, with a troubled mind, I told my most intimate friend what I had one day done in my boyhood, nay in one hour; because I was
But I should not hide the gift of God that He bestowed upon us in the land of my captivity. Therefore I thank my God unceasingly, who kept me faithful in the day of my temptation; so that today I can confidently offer my soul to him - to Christ my Lord - as a sacrifice, a "living sacrifice"; F49.
And if I be worthy, I am ready to lay down my life unhesitatingly, and most gladly for His name; and there I wish to spend it, even till death, it the
Whence (came) to me the gift so great, so beneficial, to know God, or to love Him, that I would leave country and parents, and many gifts that were offered to me with weeping and tears. It was not my grace F57 , N157 but God who prevailed in me, N158 and resisted them all; so that I came to the Irish peoples to preach the Gospel and to suffer insults from unbelievers; that I must listen to reproach for my wanderings, N159 and must (endure) many persecutions, even to fetters; and that I should give up my noble birth N160 for the benefit of others.
Therefore it becomes us to fish well and diligently, as the Lord
They will come from the east and from the west and will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; F60, N165. On the sixth day after this, she caught him N180 most splendidly and eagerly as all the virgins of God do; not by the will of their fathers—but they suffer false persecutions and reproaches from their parents; and despite the number growing more; and of our race N181 who were born there (there are of them), we know not the number, except the widows and those who are continent.
Wherefore, though I could wish to leave them, and had been most willingly prepared to proceed to the Britains, as to my country and parents;
Patrick's boldness in writing—God's grace to him in spite of the reproach of men—His desire that others should do more for Christ—His contempt of riches—Did not preach or administer sacraments or orders for gain—His trials in the exercise of his mission—He rejoices in his expenses and sufferings for Christ—. His longing for martyrdom—His belief in the Resurrection—His condemnation of Sun worship—His last protest—What he accomplished was all by God's grace. Why does that man put himself in danger among enemies that God does not know?” Not (as if they spoke) out of malice, but because in their opinion it was not a wise thing, as I myself also testify, because of my want of learning.
Now, therefore, I have related simply, to my brethren and fellow- servants who have believed me, (the reason) why I have preached and do
You know, and God also, how I have behaved among you from my youth, both in faith in the truth and in sincerity of heart. F78 , N194 Even in the case of the nations among which I live, I have always maintained confidence in them, and I will continue to do so. N195 God knows I haven't overreached any of them; nor do I consider, [that is, to act thus] on account of God and His Church, lest I should provoke persecution against them and us all, and lest by me the name of the Lord should be blasphemed;
But perhaps, since I have baptized so many thousand men, I might have expected half a screpall N198b from some of them? Tell it to me, and I will
That is why it may never happen to me from my Lord, to lose His people, (people) whom He has obtained in the ends of the earth. For without any doubt we shall rise in that day in the brightness of the sun, that is, in the glory of Jesus Christ our Savior, as "sons of the living God", F95 , N218 and "joint heirs with Christ, ” F96 and to be I live thus among barbarians, F101 a proselyte and an exile, because of the love of God.
On the day after that in which (these Christians) were anointed
Not because I want to pour out of my mouth something so harsh and severe, but I am compelled, impelled by zeal for God and for the truth of Christ, for the love of my neighbors and sons, for whose sake I left my homeland and parents and my soul even to of death, if I be worthy (of such honor). I have written and composed these words with my own hand, to give and deliver to the soldiers to be sent to Coroticus; N230 I do not say to my fellow-citizens and citizens of the Roman saints, but to citizens of demons because of their own evil deeds, who live in death because of the hostile conduct of the barbarians; N231 — companions of the Scots and apostate Picts. N232 - who defile themselves with the blood of innocent Christians whom I have born unto God without number and confirmed in Christ.
Wherefore, let every man fearing God know that they (the soldiers) are aliens from me, and from Christ my God, for whom I discharge an
How much more guilty is he who has stained his hands with the blood of the sons of God—whom He recently won to the ends of the earth at the instigation of our littleness. Indeed, I am a servant in Christ, (given) to a foreign nation, because of the unspeakable glory of that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Perhaps (they think) we are not of one fold of sheep, nor have we the one God as Father.
Not my grace, but God, indeed, hath put this desire into my heart, that I should be one of the hunters or fishers, whom of old God promised before
And if my own friends do not recognize me: "A prophet has no honor in his own country." F115. As He says: “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” F116 It is not fitting that "one destroys, another builds." N248 I do not seek those things which are my own. Not my grace, but God, indeed, placed this desire in my heart, that I would be one of the hunters or fishermen, which God promised earlier.
Which of the saints would not dread to be sportive, or to enjoy a feast with such persons? They have filled their houses with the spoil of the
Therefore the Church laments and weeps over her sons and daughters, who have not yet been put to death by the sword, but who have been carried to distant regions and exported to distant lands, where sin is clearly and shamelessly stronger. There, free-born Christian men, who have been sold, are reduced to slavery – even the most worthless, vile and apostate Picts. Therefore, with sorrow and sorrow, I will cry out: O my most beautiful and beloved brothers, and sons whom I have begotten in Christ – I cannot.
Therefore, with sadness and sorrow I will cry out, O my most beautiful and most beloved brethren, and sons whom I begot in Christ—I cannot
Thus sinners and deceivers will disappear from the face of God, but the righteous will celebrate with great faith with Christ;. I testify before God and His angels that it will be so, as He has said about my ignorance. They are not my words, but those of God, of the Apostles, and of the Prophets, which I have set forth in Latin, N270—for they have never lied.
THE DOUBTFUL REMAINS OF PATRICK
The judges of the Church ought not to have worldly wisdom (cautelam saecularem), but divine examples (before them), for it does not become God's servant to be crafty or crafty (cautum aut astutum)." But it must be remembered that errors on these points were prevailing in the church in the fifth century I have sinned by the splendor of the body and by seeking the layout of men.
APPENDIX
ST. PATRICK’S HYMN BEFORE TARA
Against the ill passions and angry will of the reckless mind and the evil heart;. Alexander's version is now widely used in Ireland, in the Church of Ireland at St. THE following metrical version appeared in the columns of the Irish Ecclesiastical Gazette of April 3, 1889.
FOOTNOTES
The expression in the hymn, "Maker of judgment," or "Maker of doom," seems to give unheard-of proof of the patrician authorship of the poem. NT16 The translation of the word "lust" is uncertain, so here in Dr. left empty space. For by the tongue wisdom is discerned, and by the word of the wise understanding and knowledge and learning.” (Douay version.) The last sentence in the Vulgate is et doctrina in verbo sensati.
This paragraph, with the first paragraph of § 12, and the first two lines of the second, which we have placed within brackets, are not found in the Book of Armagh, but are found in the Bollandist and Bodleian MS. texts. Ferguson andiemer, which he translates "with sound". The adverb is omitted in the Boland text and in the Book of Armagh.