No More Learning

'* See Ussher's " Primordia," cap. vi. , p. 112.
Danicse Scriptores XV. ," tom. iii. , pp. 296,
297. It has been published, among the *' "
Opuscula S. Patricii by Ware, as also in
Sir William Dugdale's " Monasticon Angli-
canum," tom. i. , num. v. , p. 25. London
edition, 181 7, fol.
"
Although William of Malmesbury re-
presents its church, as being the most
ancient in in his *' De Anti- England, tract,
quitate Glastoniensis Ecclesise," published from a Manuscript, belonging to Trinity College, Cambridge, in Thomas Gale's " Historia£ Britannicae, Saxonicje, Anglo- Danicse, Scriptores XV. ," vol. iii. , pp. 291
8 Glastonburyseemstohavebeenfounded,
if not entirely, at least chiefly, by religious men from Ireland. These were mostly maintained at the royal expense.
'S It was subsequent, at least, to a partial conversion of the Anglo-Saxons, which hap- pened about the beginning of the seventh cen- tury. Those princes, who encouraged religious teachers at Glastonbury, belonged to that nation. See Rev. Dr. " Eccle-
to
on a close inquiry, that its real antiquity does not ascend higher, than about the period mentioned.
335. Notwithstanding,
Lanigan's
siastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vii. , sect, ii. , pp. 324, and nn. 17, 18, 19,
'° See Camden's " 79. Gibson's edition.
vol. col. i. ,
to See, 310.
Britarmia,"
ii. , chap, i. , pp. 307
likewise, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta St. Patricii," pars, ii. , pp. 214, 215.
" Hence, it was called Glastonbury of the Irish. Again, that old church, which existed before the reign of King Ina, was called the "church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Patrick. " Owing to these circumstances, it was no difficult matter, to deduce—in the ninth or tenth century—that St. Patrick had been there in person. For an account of the reign of Ina, King of the
^'"Quatenus modo ipse appeto in se-
it will be found,
pp. 328, 329.
*^ On this subject, the reader is recom-
mended to consult the following works : Ware's "Opuscula S. Patricii. " Also.
Harris' Ware, vol. ii. ,
book
"
Irish Writers,"
nectute mea. "— Patricii," "Confessio S.
p. 4.
" He concluded it with these words :
"Et hasc est Confessio mea antequam moriar. "
*9 Ware in his " Annotations " at p. loS,
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
in
Others,'^ indeed, doubt, if it be the production of St. Patrick. =" Various
manuscript copies of St. Patrick's Confession are extant,=^3 and it has been
printed, likewise, in many well-known works. '* Most certainly, it is a tract
of very great antiquity ; for, a copy, found in the Book of Armagh,2S was
transcribed, about the year 800, and it is said to have been taken from St.
Patrick's own autograph, then partly illegible. It is not an easy matter to
imagine, by whom, or for what purpose, it could have been forged. ^^ The question of the real age, attributable to the Book of Armagh, is discussed in
a paper, published some years ago, by the Rev. Charles Graves, then a Fellow of the University of Dublin. =^7 The Latinity in St. Patrick's Confessio is
rude f^ this Tract quotes the ante-Hieronymian Vulgate ; moreover, it con- tains nothing inconsistent with the century, in which it is said to have been
written. '9 Besides,thatoldestknowncopyofSt. Patrick'sConfession,inthe Book of Armagh, there are several Manuscript versions, exhibiting undoubted
age,inEngland. TwooftheseManuscriptsaretobefoundatSalisbury; there are two others in the Cotton Library ; there is another Manuscript at
Cambridge ; and still another, which is a very interesting and valuable copy. 3° This latter was used by the Bollandists, while printing their edition of the Confession. 3^
says, "Verba hasc innuere videntur ilium, non diu ante obitum suum, earn literis man- dasse. "
^ Among these may be named Tillemont,
Rev. Dr. Lanigan, Rev. Dr. Todd, &c.
" Such as Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy.
Manuscript, from which he had been tran-
scribing his own copy. Yet, the same notes, the character of his handwriting, besides a reference to the contemporaneous Irish Pri- mate—under whose authority the transcribed work had been undertaken—leave no manner of doubt, that this transcript was executed by a scribe, named Ferdomnach. He lived, during the primacy of Archbishop Torbach, and at a date, not later than A. D.
'^
It has been very incorrectly assumed,
that the pretended Confession of St. Patrick
seems to have been borrowed from St.
Augustine. Even, Ryves and Ledwich called
our saint's existence in question ; and, a
chivalrous German, C. G. Schoell, has lately
''
ficta sunt quae Patricii feruntur scripta, falsa quae Vitis traduntur. Incer- tum est vel Prosperi testimonium. "—" De Ecclesiasticas Britonum Scotorumque His-
807.
'^ "
asserted,
ApostleofIreland; hisLifeandMission,"
chap, ii. , pp. 346, 347.
^ Afterwards, he became Protestant
Bishop of Limerick.
" ^^ toriasFontibus isthetitleofhiswork.
For this he apologizes, and he wishes it
^3 Among these are enumerated : I. Con- fessio Sancti Patricii MS. Cott, Nero. E. I. ff. 167-172 b, veil. fol. xi. cent. II. MS. Bodl. Fell. I. ff. 7-13. veil. fol. xi. cent.
to be understood, that his habit of speaking,
and perhaps of writing in the Irish language, should account for idioms, which more practised and perfect scholars would not be
III. MS. Bodl. Fell. 3. ff. 158-166. veil, """
fol. xi. cent. IV. The Confessio in MS. Bodl. Fell. V. Confessio S. Patricii MS. S. Vedasti apud Atrebat. 3. 16. veil, folio.
** It was published by Messingham, in
—"
his "
is printed, with St. Patrick's Life, in the " Acta Sanctorum," tom. ii. Martii xvii. , at pp. 533 to 538, with notes. There, it is
Con- fessio S. Patricii," p. 4. He writes, as be- queathing to his Gallic and Irish co-operators in the work of the Gospel, those many followed, by St. Patrick's Epistle, "Ad thousands of Christians then in Ireland. See
Florilegium
Insulse Sanctorum. " It
translata est in alienam. " linguam
Christianos Corotici tyranni subditos," pp. ibid. , p. 6.
538 to 540. The conclusion of "The *9 See Alexander G. Richey's Lectures Legends of St. Patrick " contains Aubrey on the History of Ireland, down to A. D. De Vere's blank-verse rendering of "The 1534," lect. ii. , pp. 33, 34. ^ , , „ Confession of St. Patrick. " See pp. 215 to
235-
*s This version, which is preserved, in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, was a copy transcribed from one still older, in the opinion of the Rev. Charles Graves. The scribe's marginal notes show, that he found
it difficult, in many places, to read that
any trace, regarding the original and missing Manuscript of St. Patrick's Confession ; but,
this is not surprising, after the lapse of so
many centuries, and the ravages, to which
Armagh had been exposed.
3' It existed, until the time of the Revolu-
See Rev. Dr. Todd's St. Patrick,
very likely to use. He remarks, how he was differently circumstanced from others, qui sermonem illorum ex infantia nunquam
mutaverunt, sed magis ad perfectum semper addiderunt ; nam sermo et loquela nostra
3° We are told, by Mr. John Cashel Hoey,
that among the foregoing, he could not find
"
774 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
As this well-known Tract serves greatly to illustrate the character and acts of the illustrious Apostle of Ireland, we shall here present a brief analysis of its most salient points. St. Patrick first alludes to his origin, parentage
and country, and then he proceeds to reveal, in a general way, the ignorance and errors of his early days. Therefore is he the more anxious to proclaim
God's singular mercies, on behalf of himself, and regarding that people, whom he had brought to the true faith. He especially wished to justify his
motives—whileproclaimingwithtruehumilityhisimperfections—whenleaving his brethren and kindred, in order to extend the kingdom of Christ. s^ For these favours, he expresses his heartfelt gratitude towards the Lord. The saint had now ordained clerics, in various places,33 and he had preached, in the most remote parts of Hibernio,34 or—Ireland. 35 Above all, he had over vast numbers^^ if not the
succee
—ded in
of the Irish people fromtheerrorsofidolatry,andfromtheworshipofuncleanthings, to embrace the Christian faith. 37 He declares, that he had escaped from twelve great dangers, that threatened him with loss of life, not to speak of many plots, intended for his injury. He acknowledges, that the Almighty hadblessedhisministrywithsignsandwonders.
s^ But,whatherelates,re- garding his supernatural works, seems most natural and unaffected ; the many extraordinary miracles, related by his later biographers, appear, in a great degree, to have been the growth of exaggerated traditional credulity. In a country like Ireland, where society was based on the clan system, marriage alliances were much in vogue. However, St. Patrick alludes to the many noble daughters, who embraced a life of virginity, but not, indeed, ac-
bringing
majority
cording to the wishes of their parents ; yea, rather from them, did they suffer
reproaches, threats, terrors, and persecutions, unjustly ; and, nevertheless, their number daily increased, so that he could hardly keep an account of those, who belonged to Christ, not to speak of those, who remained widows and un- married. But, the Lord gave this great grace, to many of His handmaids ; for, notwithstanding prohibition, they courageously imitated the example set by so many others. From the context, in which this passage occurs, it appears, St. Patrick's object was to show, that not only very many of the humble people, in Ireland, had became Christians, but likewise some persons among the ruling classes. Next, we shall advert to the pious generosity of those holy women, who presented to our saint their voluntary offerings, for his use, and who laid them upon the altar. 3? There, in all probability, he
officiated often in the Divine service, at which he poured forth an affecting prayer
tion, in St. Vedastus' famous French monas- tery. Fragments, belonging to the precious
Manuscripts of that learned congregation, are still scattered, among the libraries of Arras, Saint Omer, Boulogne, and Douai. The present writer believes, from enquiries made, when visiting some of those cities, in the summer of 1863, that various MSB. , illustrating Irish Ecclesiastical History, are yet preserved in their public libraries.
name Hiberionaces. This comes from Hi- berione, his name for Ireland. In the same Confession, he seems to distinguish the Scots from the Hiberniones, according to the Bol- landists, Tillemont, Junes and Rev. Dr.
Lanigan.
35 He says, "etiam usque ad exteras
partes. " Ibid. ,^. 19.
36 He speaks of bequeathing consolation
to his brethren and to his children, whom he
had baptized in the Lord, and consisting of so many thousand men.
3* See Sir James Ware's edition of
"
Con-
fessio S. Patricii," p. 3.
33 He remarks, " Ut clerici ubique illis
37 See ? '(^/</. , p. 16. " 38"
ordinarentur. Ibid. , p. 14.
34 By this term he means the Irish nation.
This usage accords with that well-known
idiom, when naming a country for its Patricii," p. 91.
—" Confessio S.
He says: Ego non silebo neque ab- scondam signa et mirabilia, qu^ mihi a
such as France for 39 He " I have endeavoured to by mentioning says,
people,
the French nation. Speaking of the great mass of the Irish nation, our saint uses the
pre- serve myself for my Christian brethren, and for the Christian virgins, and for those holy
Domino ministrata sunt. "
March 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. lis
for the everlasting welfare of his people. 4° But, our holy Patrick had made it a rule, not to accept of presents, at least such as were of any considerable value. This he did, lest he might give occasion for incredulous persons to defame his ministry. ^i He desired rather to be poor, after the example of Christ, for whom he is anxious to suffer anything, even martyrdom itself, being assured of the glory, which was laid up for him in making such a sacrifice. ^^
Some other writings have been attributed to the Irish Apostle, by various
authors. Their authenticity, however, has been questioned ; and, in many instances, it may be held, with good reason. '«3 From some earlier sources, no doubt, the Protestant Bishop of Ossory, John Bale,44 has an account of our Apostle, Patricius, whom he distinguishes by the earlier name of Svccetvs. He also furnishes the following list of St. Patrick's writings : De Antiquitate Aualo- nica, lib. i. ''^ Intinerarium Confessionis, lib. i. '**^ Odceporicon Hibernige, lib. '\^^ Historiam Hiberniaj ex Ruano, lib. i. -*^ De tribus habitaculis, lib. i. , "Tria sunt habitacula, coeli. "49 De futura electorum vita, lib. i. s° Abiec- toria qusedam 366, lib. i. s^ Sermones quoq, lib. i. s- Ad Cereticum tyran-
num, Epist. i. w Ad Aualonios incolas, Epist. i. 54
Ad Hibernienses
ecclesias, Epist. plures. 55 Ad suos Brytannos, Epist, plures. s^ Some addi- tional works57 are attributed to St. Patrick, by John Pitts,5^ who is said to have borrowed his materials from Bale, and this had been done, at the same
time, without making any acknowledgment,59 regarding the source, whence they were taken.
me their offer- voUmtary
also "Charta S. or intituled, Patricii,"
"Epistola de Antiquitate Avalonica," from the old name of the island Avalonia, in Somersetshire. There, that monastery was situated.
written most learnedly on the Antiquities of Glastonbury, in his "Primordia," cap. vi. , pp. 104 to 125. He observes, that it was never heard of, until after the arrival of the Normans, in England. Seep. 1 16.
"t*
See, also, John Pitts.
"*? See, also, John Pitts.
''^ See,also,JohnPitts.
*5 See, also, John Pitts, and Father Joachim
Laurenzo Villanueva's "Sancti Patricii
Opuscula," &c. , where it is printed, with notes, pp. 279 to 293.
5° See, also, John Pitts. S' See, also, John Pitts. 5- See, also, John Pitts. 55 See, also, John Pitts. S'* See, also, John Pitts. 55 See, also, John Pitts.
who
ings, and who laid down their ornaments on
women,
gave
the altar. "
^^ Again, he remarks,
"
Therefore I pray,
that the Lord may never suffer me to lose
in his "
Ware has published that Epistle
these whom he has from
S. Patricii," but he has also ably exposed it, in his Annotationes, p. 131 et seq. The absurdities of that spurious document are shown by Ussher, wlio has
people, purchased
the extremities of the earth ; and, I pray
Opuscula
him to grant me the grace of perseverance, and to make me his faithful witness, to the hour of my death, which I will endure for my God ; and, if, by intimation, I have done any good for Him whom I love, I pray Him to give me the grace to shed my blood, for these converts and captives of His. "
^ He challenges the people, to point out
any donations he had received. See
"
Con- •^ See Father Joachim Laurence Villa-
fessio S. Patricii," p. 19.
nueva's
*'
Sancti Patricii, Ibernorum Apos-
toli, Synodi, Canones, Opuscula," &c. , pp. 184 to 210. Scholia follow, from p. 210 to
P- 239-
*3 Among these may be noted, a Tract,
" De Abusionibus SkcuU. " In its present state, according to Dr. Lanigan and others,
it has been thought a translation, from some
Irish original. It is printed, in Father
s^ See, also, John Pitts. We have " Pro- ""
Joachim Laurenzo Villanueva's Sancli verbia S. Patricii printed, in Father "
Patricii Opuscula," &c. , with notes. See Joachim Laurenzo Villanueva's Sancti
pp. 256 to 278.
^ See "Scriptorum Illustrium Majoris
Britannioe, quam nunc Angliam et Scotiam vocant, Catalogus," &. Q. , num. . \liiii. , cent, i. , p. 43.
*5 Pitseus, or John Pitts, includes this work among the v/ritings of St. Patrick. See " Relationum Historicarum de Rebus Anglicis," tomus i. , pars, ii. , p. 91. Tliis is
Patricii, Ibernorum Apostoli, Synodi,
Canones, Opuscula," &c. , with notes, pp.
176 to 183. "
57 See Relationum Historicarum de
Reb;is Anglicis," tomus i. , pars, ii. , p. 91. 53 He was born in 1560, at Aulton, in Hampshire, and he was educated at New
College, Oxford, in 1578, 1579. As a Catholic priest, he afterwards resided on the
776 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 17.
Our great saint was not insensible to the charms of poetry, nor to the merits of those compositions, in which the heathen bards of Ireland cele- brated the fame of their dead heroes. He lamented the fate of so many gifted men, who had gone from earth, before the light of Christianity was vouchsafed. ^" Wefindsomepoems,basedonbardicsongs,whichrelatethe disputes between Saint Patrick and the half-converted Oisin, or Ossian,^' who, as Aubrey De Vere tells us, was really dead 200 years before Saint Patrick's epoch. Those are made, to symbolize the passage from the barbaric to the saintlyperiodofthenation'sglories. ^^ AmongthoseManuscripts,preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, copies of various poetical and prose tracts, in Latin and in Irish, said to have been written by our Apostle, are stillpreserved. Someofthese,however,havebarelyareferencetohim,^3or to his writings. ^4 Thus, Patrick and Oisin, a Poem by way of dialogue's be- tween them, is found among the Betham Manuscripts. '^ There is a short Poem,'? ascribed to St. Patrick, called his Benediction of the People of Munster, when returning from his Mission among them. There is extant a short Poem, attributed to St. Patrick, on the Rock of the Hundreds,'^ now
known as the Rock of Cashel, in 24 verses. '^ There is a Poem, ascribed to St. Patrick, in Messrs. Hodges and Smith's Collection of Irish MSS. , in the Royal Irish Academy. 7° It has been traditionally held, that St. Patrick left a Rule of Life for Religious Persons. In our ancient Irish literature, we haveextantaPoem,ontheRuleofDisciplineofSt. Patrick. ^^ Thereisalso an old anonymous Poem, on the Duties of a Priest, according to the Canons of St. Patrick. 72 One of our Irish literary relics extant is an Irish Hymn, attributedtoSt. Patrick. 73 Theageoftheseproductionshasnotbeenascer- tained, nor are they to be regarded as his genuine works.
Continent, he died, and was buried, at Liver- dun, in Lorraine.
59 See the "Encyclopedia Britannica,"
Thou God that lov'st Thy grey-haired child,
vol. xiv. Art. John Pitts, p. 786.
et
Dublin
Edition, 1791
" And Patrick 'Oisin the thirst cried, !
Of God is in thy breast !
He who has dealt thy heart the wound
seq. , 4to.
'"See Patrick Kennedy's "Legendary
Fictions of the Irish Celts. " Baptism after
"
Death, p. 329.
*'
Among Aubrey
DeVere's "
Ere long will give it rest. '
Legends St. Patrick," those Poems, which the author
—Oisin's Vision, pp. 191 to 193.
*3 The small 4to paper Manuscript, No. 49. 4. in the R. I. A. , contains an ancient Life of
St. Patrick, with an anonymous poem on St.
Patrick's Rule of and a fabulous Discipline,
account of the origin of St. Patrick's Purga-
tory at Lough Derg.
*'* These tracts have been in described,
ProfessorEugeneO'Curry'sCatalogue.
's Again, the folio paper IMS. , in the R. I.