In it he
styles himself a sinner and an ignorant man; for such is the sincere
{602} humility of the saints, (most of all when they are obliged to
exercise any acts of authority,) contrary to the pompous titles which
the world affects. He declares, nevertheless, that he is established
bishop of Ireland, and pronounces Corotick and the other parricides and
accomplices separated from him and from Jesus Christ, whose place he
holds, forbidding any to eat with them, or to receive their alms, till
they should have satisfied God by the tears of sincere penance, and
restored the servants of Jesus Christ to their liberty. This letter
expresses his most tender love for his flock and his grief for those who
had been slain, yet mingled with joy, because they reign with the
prophets, apostles, and martyrs. Jocelin assures us, that Corotick was
overtaken by the divine vengeance. St. Patrick wrote his Confession as a
testimony of his mission, when he was old.[3] It is solid, full of good
sense and piety, expresses an extraordinary humility and a great desire
of martyrdom, and is written with spirit. The author was perfectly
versed in the holy scriptures. He confesses everywhere his own faults
with a sincere humility, and extols the great mercies of God towards him
in this world, who had exalted him, though the most undeserving of men:
yet, to preserve him in humility, afforded him the advantage of meeting
with extreme contempt from others, that is, from the heathens. He
confesses, for his humiliation, that, among other temptations, he felt a
great desire to see again his own country, and to visit the saints of
his acquaintance in Gaul; but durst not abandon his people; and says,
that the Holy Ghost had declared to him that to do it would be criminal.
He tells us, that a little before he wrote this, he himself and all his
companions had been plundered and laid in irons for his having baptized
the son of a certain king against the will of his father: but were
released after fourteen days. He lived in the daily expectation of such
accidents, and of martyrdom; but feared nothing, having his hope as a
firm anchor fixed in heaven, and reposing himself with an entire
confidence in the arms of the Almighty. He says, that he had lately
baptized a very beautiful young lady of quality, who some days after
came to tell him that she had been admonished by an angel to consecrate
her virginity to Jesus Christ, that she might render herself the more