Behold over and over again I would briefly set out the words of my confession.
I testify in truthfulness and gladness of heart before God and his holy angels that I never had any reason, except the Gospel and his promises, ever to have returned to that nation from which I had previously escaped with difficulty. But I entreat those who believe in and fear God, whoever deigns to examine or receive this document composed by the obviously unlearned sinner Patrick in Hibernia, that nobody shall ever ascribe to my ignorance any trivial thing that I achieved or may have expounded that was pleasing to God, but accept and truly believe that it would have been the gift of God. And this is my confession before I die.
The End
Category: Ireland
Faithful Witness
Patrick loved the people of Ireland more than he loved his own life. He had a passion to witness to them for all of his life even if it resulted in his losing his life.
I suspect there is a mission field for every Christian. There are people who God places on our heart. We can choose to live to love those people, sharing Christ with them. Or we can busy ourselves with work, and pleasure making room for those God has given us only when it is convenient.
. But what should I say, or what should I promise to my Lord, for I, alone, can do nothing unless he himself vouchsafe it to me.
But let him search my heart and nature, for I crave enough for it, even too much, and I am ready for him to grant me that I drink of his chalice, as he has granted to others who love him. Therefore may it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this most remote land.
I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing. And if at any time I managed anything of good for the sake of my God whom I love, I beg of him that he grant it to me to shed my blood for his name with proselytes and captives, even should I be left unburied, or even were my wretched body to be torn limb from limb by dogs or savage beasts, or were it to be devoured by the birds of the air, I think, most surely, were this to have happened to me, I had saved both my soul and my body.
For beyond any doubt on that day we shall rise again in the brightness of the sun, that is, in the glory of Christ Jesus our Redeemer, as children of the living God and co-heirs of Christ, made in his image; for we shall reign through him and for him and in him. For the sun we see rises each day for us at [his] command, but it will never reign, neither will its splendor last, but all who worship it will come wretchedly to punishment. We, on the other hand, shall not die, who believe in and worship the true sun, Christ, who will never die, no more shall he die who has done Christ’s will, but will abide for ever just as Christ abides for ever, who reigns with God the Father Almighty and with the Holy Spirit before the beginning of time and now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Fear Nothing
Patrick discusses his situation. He is a poor man who is constantly in danger of death or slavery.
But Patrick does not fear. Patrick trusted God and and that faith pushed aside any fears.
He who made the promise is faithful; he never lies. But I see that even here and now, I have been exalted beyond measure by the Lord, and I was not worthy that he should grant me this, while I know most certainly that poverty and failure suit me better than wealth and delight (but Christ the Lord was poor for our sakes; I certainly am wretched and unfortunate; even if I wanted wealth I have no resources, nor is it my own estimation of myself, for daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises.
But I fear nothing, because of the promises of Heaven; for I have cast myself into the hands of Almighty God, who reigns everywhere. As the prophet says: “Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you [Psalm 55:22].” Behold now I commend my soul to God who is most faithful and for whom I perform my mission in obscurity, but he is no respecter of persons and he chose me for this service that I might be one of the least of his ministers. For which reason I should make return for all that he returns me
Indispensable Friends
We may not be called to face prison. Our service to God may not call on us to go to far away countries, to suffer torments, or to venture where people do not routinely go. But we can be the indispensable friend who aids those who serve in dangerous places. I some how think we are all called to aid those who serve in mission fields even if we have not heard his voice telling us to go.
. And I went about among you, and everywhere for your sake, in danger, and as far as the outermost regions beyond which no one lived, and where no one had ever penetrated before, to baptize or to ordain clergy or to confirm people.
Conscientiously and gladly I did all this work by God’s gift for your salvation. From time to time I gave rewards to the kings, as well as making payments to their sons who travel with me; notwithstanding which, they seized me with my companions, and that day most avidly desired to kill me. But my time had not yet come.
They plundered everything they found on us anyway, and fettered me in irons; and on the fourteenth day the Lord freed me from their power, and whatever they had of ours was given back to us for the sake of God on account of the indispensable friends whom we had made before.
Striving To Have a Good Reputation For Christ’s Sake
Patrick discusses how careful he was to protect his reputation so that it would reflect well on Christ. He did not want anyone to be able say he took money or other benefits based on his position.
They were talking among themselves behind my back, and saying: “Why is this fellow throwing himself into danger among enemies who know not God?” Not from malice, but having no liking for it; likewise, as I myself can testify, they perceived my rusticity. And I was not quick to recognize the grace that was then in me;
I now know that I should have done so earlier. Now I have put it frankly to my brethren and co-workers, who have believed me because of what I have foretold and still foretell to strengthen and reinforce your faith. I wish only that you, too, would make greater and better efforts. This will be my pride, for “a wise son makes a proud father [Proverbs 10:1; 15:20].
You know, as God does, how I went about among you from my youth in the faith of truth and in sincerity of heart. As well as to the heathen among whom I live, I have shown them trust and always show them trust.
God knows I did not cheat any one of them, nor consider it, for the sake of God and his Church, lest I arouse them and [cause] persecution for them and for all of us, and lest the Lord’s name be blasphemed because of me, for it is written: “Woe to the men through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed.”
For even though I am ignorant in all things, nevertheless I attempted to safeguard some and myself also. And I gave back again to my Christian brethren and the virgins of Christ and the holy women the small unasked for gifts that they used to give me or some of their ornaments which they used to throw on the altar. And they would be offended with me because I did this.
But in the hope of eternity, I safeguarded myself carefully in all things, so that they might not cheat me of my office of service on any pretext of dishonesty, and so that I should not in the smallest way provide any occasion for defamation or disparagement on the part of unbelievers.
What is more, when I baptized so many thousands of people, did I hope for even half a jot from any of them? Tell me, and I will give it back to you. And when the Lord ordained clergy everywhere by my humble means, and I freely conferred office on them, if I asked any of them anywhere even for the price of one shoe, say so to my face and I will give it back
Easy Street or The Path of the Cross
Salvation comes through repentance from sin and trusting in Christ’s death as a sacrifice for those sins.
But once we are saved we are called to be followers of Jesus. The path may or may not be an easy one. To often, we think once saved God melds to our will. Our prayers provide a gentle life with no troubles of any kind. Yet when we read what Jesus said would be required of those who chose to be a follower of Christ it appears to not be exactly Easy Street. Yet it is the the greatest path a person can choose to take.
Luke 9
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Patrick tells us about women who choose the path of the Cross.
“ So, how is it that in Hibernia, where they never had any knowledge of God but, always, until now, cherished idols and unclean things, they are lately become a people of the Lord, and are called children of God; the sons of the Irish and the daughters of the chieftains are to be seen as monks and virgins of Christ
. And there was, besides, a most beautiful, blessed, native-born noble Irish woman of adult age whom I baptized; and a few days later she had reason to come to us to intimate that she had received a prophecy from a divine messenger [who] advised her that she should become a virgin of Christ and she would draw nearer to God. Thanks be to God, six days from then, opportunely and most eagerly, she took the course that all virgins of God take, not with their fathers’ consent but enduring the persecutions and deceitful hindrances of their parents.
Notwithstanding that, their number increases, (we do not know the number of them that are so reborn) besides the widows, and those who practice self-denial. Those who are kept in slavery suffer the most. They endure terrors and constant threats, but the Lord has given grace to many of his handmaidens, for even though they are forbidden to do so, still they resolutely follow his example.
Patrick was willing to suffer anything for God
But it is tedious to describe in detail all my labours one by one. I will tell briefly how our most holy God frequently delivered me, from slavery, and from the twelve trials with which my soul was threatened, from man traps as well, and from things I am not able to put into words.
I would not cause offense to readers, but I have God as witness who knew all things even before they happened, that, though I was a poor ignorant waif, still he gave me abundant warnings through divine prophecy. Whence came to me this wisdom which was not my own, I who neither knew the number of days nor had knowledge of God?
Whence came the so great and so healthful gift of knowing or rather loving God, though I should lose homeland and family. And many gifts were offered to me with weeping and tears, and I offended them, and also went against the wishes of a good number of my elders; but guided by God, I neither agreed with them nor deferred to them, not by my own grace but by God who is victorious in me and withstands them all, so that I might come to the Irish people to preach the Gospel and endure insults from unbelievers; that I might hear scandal of my travels, and endure many persecutions to the extent of prison; and so that I might give up my free birthright for the advantage of others, and if I should be worthy, I am ready [to relinquish] even my life without hesitation; and most willingly for His name.
And I choose to devote it to him even unto death, if God grant it to me. I am greatly God’s debtor, because he granted me so much grace, that through me many people would be reborn in God, and soon after confirmed, and that clergy would be ordained everywhere for them, the masses lately come to belief, whom the Lord drew from the ends of the earth, just as he once promised through his prophets:
“To you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited naught but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit [Jeremiah 16:19].” And again: “I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the uttermost ends of the earth [Acts 13:47].”
Offering Yourself As A Living Sacrifice
Patrick discusses his calling to Ireland. He intends to tell us all the things he lived through to spread the word to those in Ireland. I love the concept Patrick presents when talking about answering God’s call. He says when we answer our calling from God we “offer ourselves as living sacrifice for Christ”.
Again, boldly, but God knows, if this had been made known to me by man, I might, perhaps, have kept silent for the love of Christ.
Thus I give untiring thanks to God who kept me faithful in the day of my temptation, so that today I may confidently offer my soul as a living sacrifice for Christ my Lord; who am I, Lord? or, rather, what is my calling? that you appeared to me in so great a divine quality, so that today among the barbarians I might constantly exalt and magnify your name in whatever place I should be, and not only in good fortune, but even in affliction?
So that whatever befalls me, be it good or bad, I should accept it equally, and give thanks always to God who revealed to me that I might trust in him, implicitly and forever, and who will encourage me so that, ignorant, and in the last days, I may dare to undertake so devout and so wonderful a work; so that I might imitate one of those whom, once, long ago, the Lord already pre-ordained to be heralds of his Gospel to witness to all peoples to the ends of the earth.
So are we seeing, and so it is fulfilled; behold, we are witnesses because the Gospel has been preached as far as the places beyond which no man lives
People look at lives like Patrick’s and see the sacrifice. Return to the land where you were held a slave and be persecuted in order to spread the word of God. Yet we forget we are all called. No, we are not all called to a foreign land.
Sometimes we are called to humble ourselves and be a servant to our family or to a stranger who crosses our path.
A person with incredible talents, who could be rich and famous, is called to use those talents in a manner where no one may ever know them. Or a person with celebrity status called to tell the world of their love for Christ and then face the ridicule and mockery.
Too often we think about Christ answering our prayers and we fall into the trap of believing God molds to our will. He does answer our prayers, but we are suppose to conform to his will. We might want to be the wealthy doctor with a big practice who goes once a year on a mission trip. God may have called us to be a part time doctor, a mother homeschooling her children and working at the free clinic on weekends.
When we heed God’s call, there will be voices trying to either tear us down or flatter us into a different path. But we need to ignore those voices and listen intently for God’s plan for our life.
Patrick believed he gave his life as a living sacrifice when he obeyed God and returned to Ireland.
Romans12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Patrick Grieves For The Friend Who Betrayed Him
Friends betray us sometimes intentionally often with no malice. Patrick’s friend promises to fight for him. The missionary has decided to return to Ireland and tell them about Jesus’ love for them. He left without defending himself. The friend who once forgave him now attacks.
But rather, I am grieved for my very close friend, that because of him we deserved to hear such a prophecy. The one to whom I entrusted my soul! And I found out from a goodly number of brethren, before the case was made in my defense (in which I did not take part, nor was I in Britain, nor was it pleaded by me), that in my absence he would fight in my behalf.
Besides, he told me himself: “See, the rank of bishop goes to you”– of which I was not worthy.
But how did it come to him, shortly afterwards, to disgrace me publicly, in the presence of all, good and bad, because previously, gladly and of his own free will, he pardoned me, as did the Lord, who is greater than all?
I have said enough. But all the same, I ought not to conceal God’s gift which he lavished on us in the land of my captivity, for then I sought him resolutely, and I found him there, and he preserved me from all evils (as I believe) through the in-dwelling of his Spirit, which works in me to this day.
When we feel betrayed by friends, acquaintances or just people remember God does not betray us. Walk in obedience to His commands and He walks with you. No promise of an easy path, but a promise to never leave you. Patrick felt the Spirit as a gift which preserved him from all evils.
Whose Voice
Patrick must decide whose voice to hear. The voice of God telling him to return to Ireland where he will work with those who have not heard about Christ. Or the voice of those who do not wish him to go.
Ephesian 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Patrick’s words:
On the other hand, I did not proceed to Hibernia of my own accord until I was almost giving up, but through this I was corrected by the Lord, and he prepared me so that today I should be what was once far from me, in order that I should have the care of– or rather, I should be concerned for– the salvation of others, when at that time, still, I was only concerned for myself.
Therefore, on that day when I was rebuked, as I have just mentioned, I saw in a vision of the night a document before my face, without honour, and meanwhile I heard a divine prophecy, saying to me:
“We have seen with displeasure the face of the chosen one divested of name.” And he did not say “You have seen with displeasure”, but “We have seen with displeasure” (as if He included Himself) .
He said then: “He who touches you, touches the apple of my eye.” For that reason, I give thanks to him who strengthened me in all things, so that I should not be hindered in my setting out and also in my work which I was taught by Christ my Lord; but more, from that state of affairs I felt, within me, no little courage, and vindicated my faith before God and man.
Hence, therefore, I say boldly that my conscience is clear now and hereafter. God is my witness that I have not lied in these words to you.
Patrick decides to listen to God’s voice. My favorite line in the write up of Patrick’s vision.
“He who touches you, touches the apple of my eye.”
This was Patrick’s vision, but I think it is true for all who love the Lord and who decide to follow the path God has laid out for them.
Fourth Day Adventures 