Patrick took the part of servants who had suffered hard usage from their masters. When he found youths of the lower ranks, who seemed to him fitted for a higher calling, he provided for their education, and trained them to be teachers of the people.
He had, from his youth, as we have seen, experienced the especial guidance of the Lord, and his heart was penetrated by it. Now, whilst he laboured in the fervour and power of faith, he was able to produce effects on the rude minds of the Irish, such as never could have been produced by ordinary human power. He saw himself, moreover, sustained by the peculiar direction of that God whose word he preached. Patrick speaks of it, not in spiritual pride, but full of the sense of his unworthiness and impotence, as well as of the consciousness of the grace working in and through him.
After speaking, in one of his letters, of such marvels as God granted him to perform amongst the barbarous people, he added: “But I conjure all, let no one, on account of these or the like
things, think to place me on an equality with the Apostles and other perfect men; for I am an insignificant, sinful, and despicable man.” And more marvellous to him than the miracles which were wrought by him, was the simple fact which filled his whole soul, that by him who, until God drew his soul to Himself by severe chastisement, had himself cared so little about his own salvation, many thousands of the people, who had hitherto known nothing of the true God, should be brought to salvation. “Marvel,” he says, “ye who fear God, small and great, and ye eloquent talkers, who know nothing of the Lord, inquire and acknowledge who it is that has awakened me, a simple man, from the midst of those who are accounted wise, learned, and mighty, in word and in deed. For I, who was abandoned beyond many others in the world; even I, in spite of all this, have been called by his Spirit, that in fear and trembling, yet faithfully and blamelessly, I should serve the people to whom the love of Christ has led me. Unweariedly must I thank my God, who has kept me faithful in the day of temptation, so that I can this day trustfully offer my soul as a living sacrifice of thanksgiving to my
Lord Christ, who has delivered me out of all my afflictions, so that I must also say, Who am I, Lord? and what is my calling? that thou hast so gloriously revealed to me thy Godhead, that I can now constantly rejoice amongst the heathen, and glorify Thy name wherever I may be, not only in prosperity, but also in adversity; so that whatever may befall me, good or evil, I can calmly receive it, and continually thank that God who has taught me to believe in Him as the only true God.”
Patrick endeavoured to avoid all appearance of seeking his own gain or glory. A man who, according to the judgment of men, was not fitted to effect such great things, who from obscurity and poverty had been called to so high a place, and in whom therefore, as is frequently the case, those who had formerly known him after the flesh would not recognise what the Spirit had accomplished, such a man was obliged, with all the more circumspection, to avoid giving any occasion to those who were disposed to declare a thing which they could neither measure nor comprehend by the common standard, altogether beyond flesh and blood. When many, full of love and gratitude to the teacher of
salvation, their spiritual father, freely offered him gifts, and pious women offered their ornaments, Patrick, although the donors were at first offended at it, in order to avoid all evil report, declined everything. He himself gave presents to the heathen chiefs, in order thereby to purchase peace for himself and his churches; he ransomed many Christians from captivity; and was himself prepared, as a good shepherd, to lay down all, even to his life, for his sheep. In his confession of faith, which, after labouring for thirty years in this calling, he addressed to his converts, he says: “That ye may rejoice in me, and I may ever rejoice in you in the Lord, I repent not what I have done, and even now it is not enough for me, I shall go further and sacrifice much more. The Lord is mighty to confirm me yet more, that I may yield up my life for your souls. I call God to witness in my soul, that I have not written this to seek glory from you. The glory which is not seen, but believed on in the heart is enough for me. Faithful is that God who hath promised, and he lieth not. But already in this world I behold myself exalted above measure by the Lord. I know very well that poverty and hardship suit me
better than wealth and ease; yea, even the Lord Christ became poor for our sakes. Daily have I expected to be seized, carried into captivity, or slain; but I fear none of these things, because of the promises of heaven; for I have cast myself into the arms of the Almighty God, who reigns everywhere, as it is said in the Psalm, ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.’ Now I commend my soul to my faithful God, whom in my insignificance I serve as his messenger. For since with Him there is no respect of persons, and since He has chosen me for this calling, that I as one of the least of His people, should serve Him, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? What shall I say or promise unto my Lord? For I can do nothing, unless He himself give it me! But He trieth the hearts and reins, and He knoweth how greatly I long that He may give me to drink of the cup of His sufferings, as He has granted to others who love Him. I pray God that He may give me perseverance, and enable me to bear a faithful witness until my departure. And if I have striven after anything good for my God’s sake, whom I love, I beseech Him that I, with those my new converts who have
fallen into captivity, may shed my blood for his Name’s sake, even though I should never be buried, even though my body should be torn in pieces by wild beasts. I believe firmly that if this should befall me, I should gain my body as well as my soul; for undoubtedly, in that day, we shall arise and shine like the sun, that is, in the glory of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the living God, as joint heirs with Christ, renewed in His image; for by Him, through Him, and with Him shall we reign. That sun which we see, rises daily for us by God’s command; but it will never reign, and its brightness will not last for ever. All those also who worship it will (unhappy ones!) draw down punishment on themselves. But we pray in faith to Christ, the true Sun, that will never set, and he also who doeth His will shall never set, but shall live for ever, as Christ lives for ever, and reigns with God, the Almighty Father, and the Holy Spirit, from everlasting to everlasting.”
Patrick would gladly, after the absence and labours of many years, have once more visited his relations and his old friends in his native Britain and in Gaul, but he sacrificed his inclination to the