21. (14). But when they persisted eagerly in the contrary opinion, and cried out that the word had come forth from the Lord,[393] and moreover ordered him with all authority to undertake the burden, and threatened him with an anathema, he said, "You are leading me to death, but I obey in the hope of martyrdom; yet on this condition, that if, as you expect, the enterprise has good success, and God frees his heritage from those that are destroying it,[394] all being then at length completed, and the church[395] at peace, it may be lawful for me to return to my former spouse and friend, poverty,[396] from which I am carried off, and to put in my place there another, if then one is found fit for it." Note, reader, the courage of the man and the purity of his purpose who, for Christ's name, neither sought honour nor dreaded death. What could be purer or what braver than this purpose, that after exposing himself to peril and labour he should yield to another the fruit—peace and security itself in the place of authority? And this he does, retaining for himself according to agreement a free return to poverty when peace and freedom are restored to the church. When they gave the pledge, at length he assented to their will; or rather to the will of God, who, he remembered, had long foreshown to him this occurrence, at the fulfilment of which he was now grieved. For indeed when Cellach was already ailing there appeared to Malachy—far away and ignorant [of Cellach's condition]—a woman of great stature and reverend mien. When he inquired who she was, the answer was given that she was the wife of Cellach.[397] And she gave him a pastoral staff which she held in her hand, and then disappeared. A few days later, Cellach, when he was dying, sent his staff to Malachy, indicating that he should succeed him: and when he saw it he recognized that it was the same which he had seen [in vision]. It was the remembrance of this vision which specially put Malachy in fear, lest if he still refused he might seem to resist the Divine will, which he had ignored long enough.[398] But he did not enter the city as long as that intruder lived, lest by such act it should happen that any one of those should die to whom he came rather to minister life. Thus for two years (for so long the other survived), living outside the town, he strenuously performed the episcopal office throughout the whole province.[399]
1134, Sept. 17
22. (15). When that person, then, had been removed by sudden death,[400] again one Niall [Nigellus] (in truth nigerrimus, very black)[401] quickly took possession of the see. And in appointing him as his successor, Murtough, while he was still alive, made provision for his life:[402] he was going forth to be damned, but in the person of Niall he would go on adding to the works of damnation.[403] For he also was of the damned race, a relative of Murtough.[404] But the king[405] and the bishops and faithful of the land nevertheless came together that they might bring in Malachy. And lo, there was an assembly of the wicked[406] to oppose them.[407] A certain man of the sons of Belial, ready for mischief, mighty in iniquity,[408] who knew the place where they had decided to come together,[409] gathered many with him and secretly seized a neighbouring high hill opposite to it, intending, when they were engaged with other things, suddenly to rush upon them unawares and murder the innocent.[410] For they had agreed to butcher the king also with the bishop, that there might be none to avenge the righteous blood.[411] The plan became known to Malachy, and he entered the church, which was close by, and lifted up his hands in prayer to the Lord. Lo, there came clouds and darkness,[412] yea also dark waters and thick clouds of the skies[413] changed the day into night,[414] lightnings and thunderings[415] and an horrible spirit of tempests[416] presaged the last day, and all the elements threatened speedy death.[417]
23. But that you may know, reader, that it was the prayer of Malachy that roused the elements, the tempest fell upon those who sought his life,[418] the dark whirlwind[419] enveloped only those who had made ready the works of darkness.[420] Finally, he who was the leader of so great wickedness was struck by a thunderbolt and perished with three others, companions in death as they had been partners in crime; and the next day their bodies were found half-burnt and putrid, clinging to the branches of trees, each where the wind[421] had lifted him up and cast him down.[422] Three others also were found half dead; the rest were all scattered in every direction. But, as for those who were with Malachy, though they were close to the place, the storm touched them not at all, neither troubled them.[423] In that fact we find fresh proof of the truth of that saying, The prayer of the righteous pierceth the heavens.[424] It is also a new example of the ancient miracle, by which in former times, when all Egypt was in darkness, Israel alone remained in light, as the Scripture says, Wheresoever Israel was there was light.[425] In this connexion occurs to me also what holy Elijah did, at one time bringing clouds and rain from the ends of the earth,[426] at another, calling down fire from heaven on the revilers.[427] And now in like manner God is glorified in[428] His servant Malachy.
24. (16). In the thirty-eighth year of his age,[429] the usurper having been driven out, the poor man, Malachy, entered Armagh, pontiff and metropolitan of all Ireland. But when the king and the others who had brought him in returned home,[430] he remained in the hand of God;[431] and there remained for him without fightings, within fears.[432] For, lo, the viperous brood, raging and crying out that it was disinherited, aroused itself in full strength, within and without, against the Lord and against His Anointed.[433] Moreover, Niall, seeing that flight was inevitable,[434] took with him certain insignia of that see, to wit, the copy of the Gospels, which had belonged to blessed Patrick,[435] and the staff covered with gold and adorned with most costly gems, which they call "the staff of Jesus," because the Lord himself (as report affirms) held it in His hands and fashioned it;[436] which are deemed of the highest honour and sanctity in that nation. They are, in fact, very well known and celebrated among the tribes, and so revered by all, that he who is once seen to have them is held by the foolish and unwise people[437] to be their bishop. That man—a vagabond[438] and another Satan—went to and fro in the land and walked up and down in it,[439] bearing round the holy insignia; and, displaying them everywhere, he was for their sake everywhere received, by them winning the minds of all to himself, and withdrawing as many as he could from Malachy. These things did he.
25. But there was a certain prince, of the more powerful of the unrighteous race,[440] whom the king before he left the city, had compelled to swear that he would maintain peace with the bishop, taking from him, moreover, many hostages. Notwithstanding this, when the king left he entered the city, and took counsel with his kinsmen and friends how they might take the holy man by subtlety and kill him; but they feared the people;[441] and having conspired to slay Malachy[442] they fixed a place and day, and a traitor gave them a sign.[443] On that very day, when the prelate was now celebrating the solemnity of Vespers in the church with the whole of the clergy and a multitude of the people, that worthless man sent him a message in words of peace with subtlety,[444] asking him that he would deign to come down to him, so that he might make peace. The bystanders answered that he should rather come to the bishop, and that the church was a more suitable place for establishing peace; for they foresaw guile. The messengers replied that this was not safe for the prince; that he feared for his head, and that he did not trust himself to the crowds who, some days before, had nearly killed him for the bishop's sake. As they were contending in this way, these saying that he should go, those that he should not go, the bishop, desiring peace and not afraid to die, said, "Brethren, let me imitate my Master.[445] I am a Christian to no purpose if I do not follow Christ.[446] Perhaps by humility I shall bend the tyrant; if not, yet I shall conquer by rendering, a shepherd to a sheep, a priest to a layman, that duty which he owed to me. You also, as far as in me lies, I shall edify not a little by such an example. For what if I should chance to be killed? I refuse not to die,[447] in order that from me you may have an example of life. It behoves a bishop, as the prince of bishops says, not to be lord over the clergy, but to become an example to the flock[448]—no other example[449] truly than that which we have received from Him who humbled himself and became obedient unto death.[450] Who will give me [the opportunity] to leave this [example] to [my] sons, sealed with my blood? Try, at any rate, whether your priest has worthily learnt from Christ not to fear death for Christ." And he arose and went his way, all weeping, and praying that he would not so greatly desire to die for Christ that he should leave desolate so great a flock of Christ.
26. (17). But as for him, setting his whole hope in the Lord,[451] he went with all speed accompanied only by three disciples who were ready to die with him.[452] When he crossed the threshold[453] of the house and suddenly came into the midst of the armed men—himself protected by the shield of faith[454]—the countenances of them all fell,[455] for dread fell upon them,[456] so that the bishop could say, Mine enemies which trouble me became weak and fell.[457] This word is true.[458] You might see the victim standing, the slaughterers surrounding him on all sides, with weapons in their hands; and there was none to sacrifice him. You might suppose their arms were benumbed; for there was none to stretch out a hand. For even that one also, who seemed to be the head of the evil, rose up, not to assail him but to show him reverence. Where is the sign, O man, which you had given for the death of the pontiff? This is a sign rather of honour than death; this postpones, it does not hasten death. Wonderful result! They offer peace who had prepared slaughter. He cannot refuse it who had sought it at the risk of life. Therefore peace was made—a peace so firm that from that day the priest found his foe not merely appeased, but obedient, devoted.[459] When they heard this, all the faithful rejoiced, not only because the innocent blood was saved in that day,[460] but because by the merits of Malachy the souls of many wrongdoers escaped to salvation. And fear took hold on all that were round about when they heard how God had laid low, with sudden power, those two of His enemies who seemed most ferocious and powerful in their generation:[461] I refer to him with whom we are now concerned, and the other of whom I spoke above.[462] For in a wonderful manner He took them both—one terribly punished in the body,[463] the other mercifully changed in heart[464]—in the devices that they had imagined.[465]
1135, July(?)
27. These matters so accomplished, the bishop now began to dispose and order in the city all things pertaining to his ministry with entire freedom, but not without constant risk of his life. For though there was no one now who would harm him openly, yet the bishop had no place that was safe from plotters, and no time when he could be at ease; and armed men were appointed to guard him day and night, though he rather trusted in the Lord.[466] But his purpose was to take action against the schismatic already mentioned, forasmuch as he was seducing many by means of the insignia which he carried about, persuading all that he ought to be bishop, and so stirring up the congregations[467] against Malachy and the unity of the church.[468] And thus he did; and without difficulty in a short time he so hedged up all his ways[469] through the grace given unto him by the Lord,[470] and which he had toward all, that that evil one was compelled to surrender, to return the insignia,[471] and henceforth to be quiet in all subjection.[472] Thus Malachy, albeit through many perils and labours, prospered day by day and was strengthened, abounding more and more in hope and the power of the Holy Ghost.[473]
28. (18). And God swept away, not only those who did evil to Malachy, but also those who disparaged him. A certain man, for example, who was in favour with the princes and magnates, and even with the king himself,[474] because he was a flatterer and garrulous and mighty in tongue,[475] befriended Malachy's opponents in all things, and impudently maintained their contention. On the other hand, when the saint was present, he withstood him to the face,[476] and when he was absent he disparaged him. Moreover he accosted him rudely everywhere, and especially when he knew that he was engaged in the more frequented assemblies. But he was soon visited with a suitable reward of his impudent tongue. The evil-speaking tongue swelled, and became putrid and worms swarmed from it[477] and filled the whole blasphemous mouth. He vomited them forth incessantly for well-nigh seven days, and at length with them spued out his wretched soul.