tediousnes 2. The ouerseer of Saint Bridgits great and famous monastery sent workemen and stone-hewers to prouide a mill stone they neither reflecting vpon the difficulty of the way nor yet regarding that there was no meanes of getting downe the stone went vp to the topp of a most high and craggy mountayne where they hewed out a great stone forming it into a mill stone the Ouerseer came with oxen and horses to carry it away but seeing it impossible with oxen and horses to go where it was in regard of the steepe and craggy ascent all begūne to despaire of euer getting it downe and so were ready to departe But the prudent Ouerseer said Not so but let vs in the name of God and S. Bridgit to whome nothing is impossible rowle it downe and so conceauing a firme faith of the holie virgins asistance they cast it downe and loe tho stone rowling amongst the rocky stony cragges trunled downe without any detriment from the mountaine and thence was carried to the mill To which mill a certaine pagan sent his corne by an ignorāt simple man to be groūd when the corne was laid betweene the stones the aforesaid stone being the vppermost stood irremoueable neither could the violent current of the great riuer nor yet the paynfull industry of men whele it about at last knowing that the corne belonged to a pagan Magitian and therefore S. Bridgits mill would not grinde it they remoued and put it away powring other graine insteede therof and then the stone without any impediment kept its ordinary wonted course in grinding 3. It hapned within a while after that the mill by some chaunce or other tooke fire which consumed the howse and the other stone to that was ioyned to this but as for this stone that was particulerly dedicated to S. Bridgit the fire did not presume to touch neither was it branded with any signe or marke of burning which made them to bring the stone away and to place it neare to S. Bridgits church doore where many diseased meeting by the only touch of this stone were deliuered from their maladies Here our author by occasion of this insueing miracle enlargeth himself in describing the magnificence of Saint Bridgits church the sumptuousnes of the oratories the curiosity of anticke workes and variety of curious portratures with many other remarkable particulers worthy the reading which we to continue our intended course of breuity do wittingly passe ouer and will content our selues with the bare succinct relation of the miracle it selfe which was this 4. The gate of Saint Bridgits oratory thorough which she and her holy virgins passed when they went to receaue the delicious viand of our Sauiours sacred and pure body being broken downe made wider the carpenters setting the former doore vpon the hinges which was found was lesse by a fourth part or quarter wherupon they resolued either to add another peece to the ould doore or to make another al of new and as they were debating the busines the principall worke maister sayd Wee ought this next night to watch and pray at S. Bridgits monument to the end that she may direct vs in the morning what is best to be done in this matter so passing al the night ouer at her shrine and rysing the next morning after saying some prayers setting the ould doore vpon the hinges it fitted all the gate so iust that it nether wanted nor yet exceeded any thing in conuenient bignes and in this manner was the doore by the merits of Saint Bridgit extended to an equall commensuratiue proportion with the gate of the church Who can expresse sayth our author here the admirable beauty of this Church or how can we declare the marueiles of this Citty Or who may recount the innumerable thronges and infinit multitudes of people flocking thither from all countryes Some come to delight them selues with plentifull diuersity of banquets some to solace themselues with variety of pleasant showes and spectacles others to obtayne the cure of their diseases and others with rich and great donaryes to solemnise Saint Bridgits natalitiall feast which falleth vpon the first of February vpon which day in the yeare of Christ 518. as we haue touched aboue in the first paragraffe of this present chapter the holy virgin passed from the miseries of this mortal life to the immortall ioyes of paradise Whither God of his infinit grace conduct vs all to him to his all immaculate mother and to the two glorious patrones of Ireland Saint Patricke and Saint Bridgit be all honour glory and prayse world without end Amen FINIS THE LIFE OF THE GLORIOVS ABBOT S. COLVMBE THE GREAT PATRON OF IRELAND AND APOSTLE OF THE PICTS Abridged out of the Latin written by S. Adamnanus The first booke of S. COLVMBS propheticall Reuelations Of S. Columbs Parents Nauigation into Brittany and of his prophecy touching S. Fintenus CHAP. I. SAINT Columbe the Great was borne of noble and illustrious parents his Father was named the sonne of Fergusus and his Mother Aethnea The second yeare after the warre of Culedreiune and the two and forty of his age he passed ouer into Britanny being desirous for the loue of Christ to goe thither in pilgrimage From his youth he was trained vp in Christian discipline and in the study of wisedome his integrity of body and purity of soule he kept alwayes vnblemished and though he liued on earth yet his conuersation was in heauen His countenance was sweet and angelicall his talke cleane and chast his carriage holy and saint-like his wit quicke and excellent and his councell graue and mature no part of his tyme not so much as the space of one houre did he euer mispend for he was alwayes imployed eyther in prayer in writting in reading or in some good exercise His abstinēce was so great and his watchinges so longe in which he exercised himselfe day and night without intermission that they went beyond the course of humane ability and yet in the midst of all these austerityes he alwayes showed a cheerefull countenance representing thereby the Saint like ioy of his hart 2. S. Fintenus who after became so famous ouer all the Churches of Ireland conceaued in his younger yeares an earnest desire of forsaking Ireland and visiting our Saint Columbe Being inflamed with this desire he went to a certaine friend of his a very wise and venerable man named Columbus to take his aduice in the matter who liked well of his holy resolution thither at the same tyme came two of S. Columbes monkes who being demanded touching their iourney answerd We are newly come out of Brittany and this day from the monastery of the Oaken-field Roboretum is your holy father S. Colomb wel and in good health sayth Columb With that they sheding teares aboundantly replyed truly our father and Patron is well for a few dayes past he departed to Christ. Vpon knowledge whereof Fintenus Columbus and the rest that were
to kill the Saint 4. S. Patricke leauing his furniture in the custody of Dichu his first be gotten in Christ wēt himselfe as he had purposed often to visit his old Master Milchoe in hope by his preaching to subdue him to the sweet yoke of our Sauiour but the wicked wretch fearing that S. Patrickes efficacious preaching should soften his stony hart and withal disdayning to submit himselfe to the doctrine of him who in former tymes had beene his slaue when he heard of the Saints approching being giuen ouer into a reprobate sense and gatheringe all his substance in a heap togeather he set fire to it and after cast himselfe into the midest of the flames as a sacrifice to the infernall Furyes But Milchoes two Daughters were conuerted to the faith by Saint Patricke and receaued the grace of Baptisme wherein both were named Emeria These holy virgins were endued in their life with many ornaments both of grace and vertue and the many miracles wherewith according to S. Patrickes prophecie God honoured their sepulcher in Cluainbron giue euident testimony that they are translated to a better life 5. As S. Patricke passed through the coūtry sowing the seed of euangelicall doctrine he became acquainted with a youth named Mochna whome by diuine inspiratiō he knew would proue a chosen vessell the holy youth Mochna imbraced willingly S. Patrickes doctrine the Saint himselfe baptised him and taught him his crosse row The youth within the compasse of one month learned all the psalter and before a yeare came to an end attayned the vnderstanding of holy Scriptures After a while as S. Patricke passed by that place Mochna repaired to him and being both in talke of diuine matters a pastorall staffe sent from heauen fell iust betweene them S. Patricke tooke great ioy in that miraculous guift turning to Mochna sayd to him Know my deerest child that by this pastorall staffe you are designed to take vpon you the charge of soules promoting him therefore though much against his will to holy orders at last he installed him Bishop of Edruim S. Mochna did great good in the Church of God by meanes of his holy conuersation and singular doctrine and ascended to the triumphant being indued with the ornaments of rare vertues and glory of many miracles 6. Leogarius the Monarch to keepe his subiectes in awe and subiection constrayned all his Princes and great Lords to giue him hostages of their loyalty amōg others he had Dichues sonnes as pledges of their Fathers fidelity when King Leogarius who was wholly addicted to superstitiō and idolatry heard that Dichu and all his family was conuerted to the Christian Religion he fell into a great rage and chafe against him commaunded that his two sonnes who where hostages should be put to death by keeping all manner of liquour and drinke from them The Saint knowing by diuine reuelation of that most cruel commandement had his recourse to his wonted weapons of holy prayer and loe the night following an Angell comming into the prison presented to the young noble men a soueraigne liquor that quenched their present thirst and which is farre more strange extinguished in them all appetit of drinking vntil within a few dayes he came againe and released them at S. Patrickes intercession How S. Patricke prophecyed that S. Benignus should succeed him in the Primacy of Ireland and of many hard conflictes the Saint had with King Leogarius and his Magitians CHAP. V. THE solemne feast of our Sauiours triumphant Resurrection approached which S. Patricke determined to celebrat with great solemnity in a fayre and spatious field called Breage and there by euangelizing the Kingdome of heauen and administring the sacrament of holy Baptisme to encrease the number of the faythful for which end he went to a certaine noble mās house hard by the field aforesayd The noble man whose name was Sesgnen entertayned the Saint very courteously and was himselfe with all his house conuerted to the true fayth This noble man had a Son whom at the sacred font the Saint called Benignus a name rightly beseeming him for in his life and demeanour he was most benigne and sweet being beloued both of God men worthy of eternall glory in heauen and to be reuerenced of all men vpon earth This holy child could not be separated from the company of the Saint for when the Saint layd him downe to rest the child stealing from his Father and Mother fell downe at his feet imbracing thē very louingly and fixing many a sweete kisse vpon them The next morning as the Saint got vp into his Coach hauing one foot in the boote of his Coach another vpon the ground the child tooke him by the feet beseeching him after a most earnest manner not to leaue him behind and returning to his Parents that laboured to detayne him he sayd weeping crying out aloud Get you hence Get you hence dismisse me I pray you that I may follow my spirituall Father The Saint behoulding admiring such great deuotion in such a tender breast gaue the child his benediction prophecied that he should be his Successour in the Primatship of Ireland which thing fell out accordingly 2. The holy Bishop solemnised the Paschall feast in the foresayd field and according to the custome of holy Church did light the candells with hallowed fire The Idolatrous people celebrating at that tyme a great solemne feast of theirs called Rach in which feast dedicated to the Prince of darknes the children of darcknes vsed no light for it was the custome with them to quench the fire in all places thereaboutes and it was treason for any to light it before it were seene lighted in the Kings pallace King Leogarius with all his nobility then kept court at Tarach his principall howse from whence seeing the fire which the Saint had kindled he raged extremely and diligently inquired who presumed to attempt such a matter One who was in the company presently answeared as it were by way of prophecy If this fire be not extinguished this night the kindler of it with his followers shal beare rule in all this kingdome The King being wholly incensed hereat hastned with all expedition to quench the same taking with him thrice nine that is 27. chariots in regard that his Magicians put him in the head that that number was fortunate and prosperous Vpō the sight of all these chariots the Saint sung that verse of the psalme These in charriots and these in horses but we will inuocate in the name of the Lord our God When the King came neere the place he sent for the Saint cōmanding him to make his appearance before him The diuine office being ended the Saint came but none of the Courtiers as the King commanded exhibited him any reuerence or honour except one Hercus who rose saluted the Saint very officiously The Saint gaue him his benediction and promised him life euerlasting Hercus receiuing the
grace of regeneration and leading a life conspicuous both for miracles and vertues being after made Bishop departed to a better life in the citty of Slane 3. A certaine Magician that was in great fauour with the King whome the King honoured as a God opposed himself against S. Patrike euen in the same kind that Simon Magus resisted the Apostle S. Peter the miserable wretch being eleuated in the ayre by the ministery of Diuels the King and the people looked after him as if he were to scale the heauens but the glorious Saint with the force of his feruent prayers cast him downe vnto the ground where dashing his head against a hard flint he rēdred vp his wicked soule as a pray to the infernall Fiendes 4. The Magitians death put the King in a great rage so that with a great troup well appointed for so cruell a masacre he attempted to kill the Saint Who perceiuing their desperate intention began to sing that verse of the Psalme Let God arise and let his ennemyes be dispersed let them that hate him fly from his face Almighty God in whose protection the Saint was with thunder and lightning stroke some of them downe starke dead and the rest he put to flight The King hauing but foure in his company hid himselfe in a close roome from the fury of God the Queene falling prostrate before the Saint vndertooke in the behalfe of her husbād that he would adore the true God submit himselfe to the Saints directions who praying to Almighty God the vehement storme ceased The King came as the Queen had promised couering with the vaile of humility the obstinate malice of his hart in shew and outward adoration acknowledging the soueraigne maiesty of God he intreated the Saint that he would be pleased to come to his court promising that he would be wholy directed gouerned by the St. wherto he condescended albeit he were not ignorant of the Kinges deep wicked dissimulations 5. But the wicked King being obdurate in his malice beset al the way wherby the Saint was to passe with armed chariots for euery seuerall passage he belayd with nine chariots to the end if he escaped one passage he should be intrapt in another But the malice of man cannot preuaile against the goodnes of God who conducted his true seruant Patricke with eight more and the holy youth Benignus inuisible through the midst of their blood-thirsting ennemyes to Tarach where the King kept court When the Saint entred the Kings pallace none did exhibite him any honor or reuerence excepting the Kings Poet who with great submission saluted him which was reputed in him to iustice for he receaued the grace of baptisme the poems which before he sung in honor of the false Gods thence forwards he imploied in praysing the true and liuing God 6. The wicked King seeing he could not by force cut off the Saint attempted to make him away by fraude for by the hand of his Magitiā he offered the Saint a poysoned cuppe which to the great astonishment of all the company he drunke off without receauing any dommage thereby but the Magitian fearing to be ouercome with his diabolicall spels caused a fantasticall snow to fall ouer all the adioyning country in like manner by force of his magical charmes he ouercast all the land with a palpable darknes the one or other he was not able to remoue as himselfe publikely cōfessed But S. Patricke the child of light offering his deuout prayers to the Sunne of iustice chased away both the fantasticall snow and diabolicall darknes the people of that Region who sat in darknes now seeing this great light praysed the true God magnifyed his holy seruāt S. Patricke 7. All this could not bring the child of Belliall the Magitian to any good therefore to discerne the light of fayth from the darkenes of idolatry the verity of true doctrine from the vanity of magical leuity a new course of tryal was set down for by the appointment of al the company S. Pawicke and the Magitian according thereunto a new house was built after a strange extraordinary manner the one halfe being made of greene Oake the other of dry and withered Timber then binding both Saint Benignus and the Magician they placed them in the house opposite one against another S. Benignus attyred in the Magitians apparell was placed in the part that was made of dry wood and the Magitian with S. Patrickes vestement was placed in the part that was built of greene Timber this being done fire was put to the house O strange and vnheard euent the fire burnt the Magitian with the greene part of the house euen to ashes leauing not so much as the least signe of burning in the Saintes vestement But the holy youth Benignus was not touched by the fire nor receaued any harme by it the Magitians garment being consumed into ashes Behold then the renouation of the miracle of the three Childrē in the Babylonian furnace registred by Daniel in his booke of prophecyes 8. For all this King Leogarius relented not from his wicked malice but rather hardned his hart like another Pharaoe for in reuenge of the Magitians death he contriued by al meanes possible the Saints vtter destruction finding many of his subiects willing prompt to execute his blody purpose but Almighty God the powerful protector of his seruant armed the zeale of senseles creatures to fight against those senceles idolaters for the earth gaping horribly swallowed downe to the bottomles pit of hell those officers of malice and many of the Cittizens of Tarach who had any hand in this wicked designe This seuere reuenge strooke such a terrour in their mindes that all the people of the Country thereabout fearing to incurre the like danger became Christians receaued the grace of Baptisme but the wicked King he could not reclaime therefore he thūdred out his malediction against him denoūcing prophetically that none of his progeny should raigne after him in the kingdome but that it should descend to his yoūger brother But the Queene imbraced the Christian Religiō receaued Baptisme at the Saints hands and ended her dayes happily After this he went ouer al the coūtrey preaching the Gospel our Lord working withall dayly confirming his doctrine with sundry miracles Of S. Patrickes sisters Tygridia Darercha Lupita and of S. Patrickes iourney into Meath and Connacke CHAP. VI. SAINT Patricke had three sisters of remarkeable sanctity perfection whose names were Tygridia Darercha and Lupita Tygridia was the happy mother of seauentene sonnes and three daughters all the sonnes were eyther Bishops of renowned sanctity or els Priests and Monkes of great perfection The daughters became Nunns ended their dayes in great sāctity The Bishops names were Brochaduis Brochanus Mogenochus Lumanus who came with their Oncle into Ireland and laboured diligently in cultiuating the field of our Lord. Darercha his youngest sister was mother to the
present falling downe prostrate vpon the ground wept bitrerly Fintenus demanded further of them saying whome did he ordaine his successour they made answere his disciple Bathaneus with that Columbus asked Fintenus what he ment to do who answered I will with Gods grace repaire ouer to the wise and holy man Bathaneus and will take him for my Abbot then taking his leaue of Columbus he imbarked himselfe without delay for the I le of Hoy where he was intertained with great charity as an vnknowne guest 3. The next day after his arriuall he made it knowne to Bathaneus that he had a desire to confer with him who presently sent for him Fintenus being brought to Bathaneus his presence fell downe vpon his knees but the Saint made him rise and sit downe with him Then did Fintenus recount to the saint his name countrey kindred conuersation what had moued him to vndertake that paineful nauigation and lastly closed vp his discourse with an humble request in behalfe of his admittance Bathaneus vnderstanding all sayd My child I am bound to render many thankes to God for your arriuall but know this for certaine that you cannot be a monke of ours Fintenus hearing this became very heauy and sadd saying Perchance I am vnworthy to be your monke To whome the old Senior replyed It is not as you say for albeit I had rather detaine you with me then otherwise yet can I not prophane the commandement of my patron S. Columbe by whose mouth the holy Ghost hath prophecyed of you in manner following saying to me O Bathaneus you must listen to these my wordes with great attention for presently after my wished and long desired departure out of this life to Christ a certaine brother named Fintenus will come to you out of Ireland and begge earnestly to be receaued of you among the other monkes but it is not preordained for him in the prescience of God that he become a monke to be subiect for he is preelected for the Abbot of monkes and for a captaine to leade many soules to heauen doe not therefore detaine the foresaid man with you in our Ile but send him backe againe into Ireland that he may build a monastery in Leynster on the bancke of the sea where feding a flocke of Christs sheep he may conduct innumerable soules to the ioyes of paradise The young Saint hearing this and powring out aboundance of tears with thāks giuing to God sayd Be it done to me according to the propheticall marueilous prescience of S. Columbe so taking S. Bathaneus his benediction he returned backe into Ireland 4. About that tyme that the holy man was founding by diuine inspiration the monastery of Diarmag in the midle region of Ireland he purposed to visit the holy company that liued in S. Kiaranus monastery at Cluayre They vnderstanding of his approach went all forth in company of their Abbot Alitherus to meet him and lead him honorably singing of Psalmes Hymnes to the Church At the same tyme a certaine despicable familiar youth came behind the Saint and hiding himselfe so much as he could he thought to touch at vnawares the Saint and without his feeling the hem of his exteriour garment but what the Saint could not see with his corporall eyes he saw with his interiour and mentall eyes for making a stand he put his hand behind him so taking hold of the youth by the necke he placed him in presence of all the people Then all that were there present sayd Dismisse him dismisse him why doe you detaine that vnhappy boy The Saint breathing out from his pure breast these propheticall wordes sayd Giue ouer now brethren giue ouer And then turning to the youth that trembled and quaked for feare he sayd O child open your mouth and put out your tongue The youth did accordingly then the Saint extending his holy hand and blessing his tongue diligently pronounced this prophecy of him Albeit this youth seemeth to you vilde and despiceable let none therefore contemne him for from henceforth he wil not only displease you but he will proue very pleasing to you in vertue and holy conuersation he will dayly goe forward and from hence forth his wisedome and prudence will more and more increase and in this our congregation he shall become a worthy member and his tongue shal be indued by God both with wholesome doctrine and eloquence This youth was Ereneus who afterwards was so famous and well knowne throughout all the Churches of Ireland How S. Columbe foresaw the danger and comming of S. Chamnechus and Columbanus the victory of King Aldan and other remarkable thinges CHAP II. THE saint being in his monastery of Hoy one day that the seas were very rough and the windes blew boisterously commanded the monkes to make ready the guest-roome and to draw water for some that were to come One of the Brothers asked who can haue a prosperous nauigation such a day as this though the passage be neuer so short The saint answered God will prepare a calme amidst this tempest for a Saint and for one of his elect that shall come to vs before euening And loe the expected ship wherin S. Chamnechus was arriued according to the saints prophecye Another tyme likewise the saint being in his owne great Church he brooke forth after a smiling manner into these wordes Columbanus sayling towards vs is in danger amidst the swelling waues the Abbot fitting in the foredecke eleuateth his handes to heauen and blesseth the fearefull and swelling sea whome our Lord doth terrify not that the shipp shall suffer shipwracke but to excite him to pray more feruently and so to come safe to vs. 2. Of Cormarus that holy man who so often sought for a wildernes in the sea S. Columbe prophecyed in this manner This Cormarus hoping to find a desert set out this day from that region that lyeth beyond the riuer Moda and is called Ircos yet shall he not find what he desires for no other fault of his but that he brought with him in his company a mōk belonging to a Religious Abbot without his leaue Another tyme the Saint commanded his seruant to ring the bell in hast to call the Monkes to the Church where falling vpon his knees he sayd Now let vs offer our prayers very earnestly for this people and King Alban for at this present they begin to fight a battaile Within a little while going out of the oratory and casting his eyes towards heauen he sayd Now the ennemyes are put to flight for the victory is granted to King Aldan Before the beginning of the foresayd warre the Saint questioned with King Aldan touching his successour who answeared that he knew not which of his three sonnes should raigne after him The saint consequently prophecied in this manner None of these three shal be your successour for they shall be all slaine by their ennemyes now if you haue any younger children send for them and he whom our
death and dyed The Saint saw the Angells and Diuells fighting about the possession of his soule At last the Angells preuayled and conducted the soule to the ioyes of Paradise All this the saint tould one of his Monkes charging him not to reueale it all the dayes of his life Whilest the Saint liued in Leinster to be trayned vp in wisedom learning it fortuned that a wicked man a cruell persecutor of the good pursued in a certain place a yong Damsell who fled from him she by chance espyed her brother an old man who was master to S. Columbe to whome she made all haste possible for rescue The old man called on S. Columbe to the end that they might both iointly defend her from the cruell persecutors hands who came no sooner to the place but in their eyes he slue her without regarding them any whit whereat the good old monke was so grieued and strucke with anguish that turning to S. Columbe he sayd How long o holy youth Columbe will God the iust iudge suffer this wickednesse ioyned with our dishonour to passe vnpunished The Saint pronounced this iust though dreadfull sentence against the flagitious murderer The selfe same houre that the maydens soule shal ascend vp to heauen his soule shall descend downe to hell And loe without delay the wicked man fell downe dead The report of this fearefull and suddaine vltion was blowen ouer many Churches of Scotland to the great honour and veneration of the holy Deacon 2. A certaine pilgrime came to seiourne with the Saint in the I le of Hoy for some monethes to whome the Saint sayd This day a certaine cleargie man of your prouince whose name I know not is now a carrying betweene the Angels to heauen The brother hearing this began to muse with himselfe and to call to mind the mans name so after a litle while he sayd to the saint I know a seruant of Christ named Diarmitius who built him a little monastery in the selfe same territory wherein I kept my residence It is the selfe same party you name answered the Saint whome the celestiall spirits bring to the ioyes of Paradise Neyther is it negligently to be obserued how that the glorious Saint kept from the notice of men many secrets that were reuealed to him and this for two reasons as himselfe signifyed to a few of his monks First to auoyde ostentation and selfe esteeme secondly to auoyd the molestation that the multitudes would put him in inquiring after seuerall affaires and matters 3. Another tyme the saint sought in the woodes a solitary place vnfrequented by men commodious for the exercise of holy prayer whē he began to pray suddenly he saw an vgly and deformed army of Diuells to fight against him with Iron spits who intended as the Saint knew by the inward illustration of the holy Ghost to assaile his monastery to kill with their pointed stakes many of his monkes But he albeit all alone tooke S. Pauls armour and fought couragiously against the whole host of his infernal aduersaries and so the conflict continued for the most part of the day neither could they ouercome him nor yet he driue them out of his Ile vntill the Angells came to his helpe whose terrour made the Diuels depart After their departure the saint prophecyed how they would inuade the monasteryes of Ethica and inflict pestilent diseases on the inhabitants wherof many would dye Within two dayes likewise the saint foretould how Bathaneus by the help of prayers and fasts preserued his monastery from their inuasion in so much that none dyed but one 4. In the middle region of Ireland liued a certaine Smith a man much addicted to almes deeds and other good workes when this vertuous Artizan came to the finall period of his mortall life the Saint spoke to a few that were about him in this manner The Smith did not labour in vaine who with the labour of his handes hath purchased euerlasting rewardes his soule is now carryed by the Angels to the ioyes of the heauenly Country Another tyme did he see the soule of a poore but very holy woman comming in company of the Angells to meete her husbands soule at his decease and this he made knowne to one of his Monkes named Genereus a Saxon by birth How S. Columbe knowing by reuelation of the death of S. Brendan and S. Columbanus the Bishop sayd masse in honour of them and how a certaine Monke saw him conuersing with the Angels CHAP II. ANother tyme likewise whilest the saint siued in the I le of Hoy in the morning very earely he called vpon his familiar tender Diarmitius and sayd to him Let the sacred misteryes of the Eucharist be made ready in all haste for this day is the deposition of S. Brendan Why quoth Diarmitius doe you command such solemnityes of masses to be made ready this day seeing none came out of Ireland that might bring vs newes of that holy mans death Goe sayd the Saint and obey my word for this last night I saw the heauens open and quires of Angels descending downe to meet S. Brendans soule with whose bright and incomparable splendour the compasse of al the world was enlightned and illustrated 2. Another day also as the monkes put themselues in a readinesse for the seueral works of the monastery the saint cōmanded them to rest that day to make ready the furniture of the sacred oblation and their portions to be encreased as on Sunday For sayd he albeit I be altogether vnworthy yet must I this day celebrate the sacred mysteryes of the Eucharist in honour of that soule which this night hath been carryed among the holy quires of Angells to the interminable ioyes of Paradise These things being spoken the Religious obeyed very promptly and all thinges for the celebrating of the diuine seruice were prepared After they went with their holy Abbot to the Church where after singing part of the office they came to the Hymne where mention is made of S. Martin The Saint sayd to the singers This day you must sing of Columbanus the Bishoppe Then all the Monkes who were present vnderstood Columbanus the Bishop of Leynster S. Columbs deare friend to be translated to a better life Within a few dayes there came out of Leynster who reported that he departed the self same night that his death was reuealed to the Saint 3. Another tyme when the Saint sate writing in his cell his face was suddenly altered he pronounced this voyce from his pure breast Helpe helpe two brothers who stood at the doore to wit Colgus and Lugneus demanded the cause of that suddaine voice To whome the venerable Abbot made this answeare I commanded an Angel of our Lord who stood with you to succour one of the brothers falling downe from the toppe of a great house that is now building in the monastery of the Oaken-field The Saint added further Very admirable and scarce ineffable is the
him Then Diarmitius tooke vpp his holy hand to blesse his mōks the Saint himselfe did what he coule to moue his hand to giue them his blessing with the motion thereof since he could not performe it with the voice of his mouth after this his sacred benediction giuen in this kind the Saint yeilded vp suddenly his happy soule The Angelicall sight left such a cheerefullnesse remayning in his countenance that it seemed rather the sweete aspect of one cast in a pleasant slumber then the ghostly sight of a dead corse Heere we will relate some visions which certaine holy men had at that very houre of the Saints happy passage In a certaine Irish monastery there liued a very holy and venerable seruant of Christ named Lugildius who was both wise and iust this holy monke not without great sorrow related to a deere companion of his a man of no lesse holy conuersation a certaine vision he had This last midnight S. Columbe the piller of many Churches departed to the immortall ioyes of heauen and I saw in spirit all the I le of Hoy where I neuer was in person illustrated with celestiall and angelicall brightnesse al the spaciousnes of the ayre was to the skyes enlightned with the splendour of Angels Angels were sent that descended to conduct his holy soule to euerlasting rest I heard likewise most sweet hymnes and harmonious canticles that resounded melodiously at the same tyme this angelicall manifestation Virgnous learnt frō the mouth of the foresayd holy old man 3. Another ancient and religious seruant of Christs and a holy monke named Ferrelus related to me Adamnanus with no small protestation and asseueration of the truth thereof this ensuing vision That night of S. Columbes happy passage out of this life I and others with me being fishing in the fishy riuer Fende we saw all the region of the ayre suddenly illustrated being much moued with the suddennesse of the miracle we conuerted our eyes to the East and loe there appeared as it were a great fiery piller that ascending to heauen wards seemed to illuminate all the world as a summers day or meridian Sunne and when that pillar had penetrated the heauens then darkenesse ensued as after the Sun set neither did the vision appeare to vs alone for many other fishers that were vp and downe about the riuer beheld it these visiōs appearing at the very houre of our Patrons departur make remonstrance of the glory he inioyeth before God Now let vs returne thether from whence we haue digressed 4. The matins office being ended his holy body was carryed back with sweet symphony of psalmes to his little lodging his obsequies were solemnized with no lesse honour then deuotion for the space of three dayes and three nights which time being spent in the diuine prayses the body of our glorious Patron wrapped in cleane syndons was interred in a decent tombe with great veneration Heere we thinke not amisse to tell what the Saint had prophecied touching the foresayd three dayes of his exequies On a tyme one of the Monkes after a simple manner sayd to the venerable Abbot It is thought that all the people of these prouinces will sayle hether to this Iland of Hoy to celebrate your funeralls My sonne answeared the Saint it shall not be as you say for the vulgar sort shall not be able by any meanes to come to my obsequies only my owne familiar monkes shal accomplish my funerall rights and duties Which propheticall prenunciation the diuine Omnipotence put in executiō for during the three dayes of his holy funeralls so boisterous a wind blew that it was not possible for any to go to sea but immediatly after the Saints sepulture the wind ceased and the sea became calme such then was the end of our glorious Patrons life such were the happy beginning of his merits who is admitted into the society of the glorious Patriarkes of the holy Apostles of the sacred Martyrs and immaculate Virgins by the fauour of our sweet Sauiour Iesus To whome togeather with the Father and the holy Ghost be all praise honour vertue glory world without end Amen Finis vitae Sancti Columbae Nos infrascripti legimus has Sanctorum nostrorum vitas scilicet PATRICIj BRIGIDAE COLVMBAE á quodam ex nostris Patribus Anglicé redditas in quibus nihil moribus aut fidei Catholicae contrarium inuenimus Datum Louanij 29. Augusti 1625. Fr. Thomas Strange Diffinitor Commissarius prouinciae Hiberniae nec non Sacrae Theologiae lector Fr. Robertus Chamberlinus Sacrae Theologiae lector in Collegio Sancti Anthonij a Padua Louanij Fr. Ioannes Barnew allus S. Theologiae lector in Collegio Sancti Anthonij de Padua Louanij Licentia Reuerendissimi Domini Domini PAVLI BOVDOT Episcopi Audomarensis NOs PAVLVS BOVDOT Dei Apostolicae sedis gratia Episcopus Audomarensis has vitas Sanctorum PATRICIj BRIGIDAE COLVMBAE à quodam Patre Franciscano Collegij Sancti Antonij a Padua Louanij in linguam Anglicanam versas typis mandari ac diuulgari permittimus cum ex Patrum Lectorum praefati Collegij fide digno testimonio habeamus nihil in ijs aut fidei orthodoxae aut probis moribus aduersari Actum Audomaropoli in Palatio nostro episcopali 10. Octobris 1625. Licentia Reuerendissimi Patris nostri Fratris Iosephi Bergaigne super Prouincias Belgicas Commissarij Generalis totius Ordinis Seraphici diffinitoris Generalis VISA censura approbatione Venerandi admodum Patris Viceprouincialis Hiberniae Patrum Lectorum sacrae Theologiae nostri Collegij S. Antonij A Padua permittimus vt Typis mandentur hae vitae SS Patricij Brigidae Columbae obseruatis ijs quae statuta generalia nostri ordinis circa excussionem librorum obseruari praecipiunt Datum in nostro conuentu Dunkercano 16. Augusti 1625. Fr. Iosephus Bergaigne Commissarius Diffinitor generalis Faults escaped in the Printing Page Faults Correction Pag. 4. Century reade Centuryes Pag. ibid. Sabellius Sabellicus Pag. 7. Saint Soruan Seruan Pag. ibid. Marcia Mercia Pag. ibid. Saint Pumold Saint Rumold Pag. ibid. Saint Hiniclin Himelin Pag. 8. S. Patrick your glorious Abbot S. particke your glorious Bishop Pag. ibid. Derlanus Declanus Pag. ibid. Itarus Ybarus Pag. ibid. Riaranus Kiaranus Pag. 9. of their sensuall of their sensually schoole Pag. 12. now to declare now to decline from the triall Pag. ibid. foule wracking soule wracking Pag. 8. Vbique for Englād Brittany Pag. 13. Sergerius Sergecius Pag. 16. Dichum Dichu Pag. 30. Mal Mel Pag. ibid. Brine mouth Boyne-mouth Pag. 31. nephew neophit Pag. ibid. Coibre Coyrbre Pag. 42. vbique for Ardmuch Ardmach Pag. 44. 1400. 14000. Pag. 46. Ormand Ormond Pag. 47. Prosnach Broisneau Pag. ibid. Frianus Triamus Pag. 49. nephueus nephewes Pag. 53. Connendus Connedus Pag. 57. vbique Bangor Benchor Pag. 69. Coruallus Cearuallus Pag. 70. Vlbia Vlidia Pag. 72. Micheus Mocheus Pag. 74. Volchanusa Volchan