The life of the glorious bishop S. Patricke apostle and primate of Ireland Togeather with the lives of the holy virgin S. Bridgit and of the glorious abbot Saint Columbe patrons of Ireland.

THE LIFE OF THE GLORIOVS ABBOT S. COLVMBE THE GREAT. PATRON OF IRELAND, AND APOSTLE OF THE PICTS. Abridged out of the Latin: written by S. Adamnanus.

The first booke of S. COLVMBS pro∣pheticall Reuelations.

Of S. Columbs Parents, Nauigation into Brittany, and of his prophecy touching S. Fintenus. CHAP. I.

SAINT Columbe the Great, was borne of noble and illustrious parents, his Fa∣ther was named the sonne of Fergusus, and his Mother Aethnea. The second yeare after the warre of Culedreiune, and the two

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and forty of his age, he passed ouer into Britan∣ny, being desirous for the loue of Christ, to goe thither in pilgrimage. From his youth he was trained vp in Christian discipline, and in the stu∣dy of wisedome: his integrity of body, and puri∣ty of soule, he kept alwayes vnblemished; and though he liued on earth, yet his conuersation was in heauen. His countenance was sweet, and angelicall, his talke cleane, and chast, his carri∣age holy, and saint-like, his wit quicke, and ex∣cellent, and his councell graue and mature, no part of his tyme, not so much as the space of one houre, did he euer mispend; for he was alwayes imployed, eyther in prayer, in writting, in rea∣ding, or in some good exercise: His abstinēce was so great, and his watchinges so longe, in which he exercised himselfe day and night without inter∣mission, that they went beyond the course of hu∣mane ability, and yet in the midst of all these au∣sterityes, he alwayes showed a cheerefull counte∣nance, representing thereby the Saint like ioy of his hart.

2. S. Fintenus, who after became so famous ouer all the Churches of Ireland, conceaued in his younger yeares an earnest desire of forsaking Ireland, and visiting our Saint Columbe. Being in∣flamed

with this desire, he went to a certaine friend of his, a very wise, and venerable man, na∣med Columbus, to take his aduice in the matter, who liked well of his holy resolution; thither at the same tyme came two of S. Columbes monkes, who being demanded touching their iourney, answerd: We are newly come out of Brittany, and this day from the monastery of the Oaken∣field Roboretum is your holy father S. Colomb wel, and in good health, sayth Columb. With that they sheding teares aboundantly replyed: truly our father and Patron is well; for a few dayes past he departed to Christ. Vpon knowledge whereof Fintenus, Columbus, and the rest that were present, falling downe prostrate vpon the ground, wept bitrerly. Fintenus demanded further of them, saying: whome did he ordaine his successour? they made answere, his disciple Bathaneus, with that Columbus asked Fintenus what he ment to do, who answered: I will with Gods grace repaire o∣uer to the wise and holy man Bathaneus, and will take him for my Abbot: then taking his leaue of Columbus, he imbarked himselfe without delay for the Ile of Hoy, where he was intertained with great charity, as an vnknowne guest.

3. The next day after his arriuall, he made

it knowne to Bathaneus, that he had a desire to confer with him, who presently sent for him. Fintenus being brought to Bathaneus his presence, fell downe vpon his knees, but the Saint made him rise, and sit downe with him. Then did Fintenus recount to the saint his name, countrey, kindred, conuersation, & what had moued him to vndertake that paineful nauigation; and lastly closed vp his discourse with an humble request in behalfe of his admittance. Bathaneus vnder∣standing all, sayd: My child I am bound to ren∣der many thankes to God for your arriuall, but know this for certaine, that you cannot be a monke of ours. Fintenus hearing this, became very heauy and sadd, saying. Perchance I am vn∣worthy to be your monke. To whome the old Senior replyed: It is not as you say; for albeit I had rather detaine you with me, then otherwise, yet can I not prophane the commandement of my patron S. Columbe, by whose mouth the ho∣ly Ghost hath prophecyed of you in manner fol∣lowing, saying to me: O Bathaneus, you must listen to these my wordes with great attention; for present∣ly after my wished, and long desired departure out of this life to Christ, a certaine brother named Fintenus, will come to you out of Ireland, and begge earnestly to

be receaued of you among the other monkes, but it is not preordained for him in the prescience of God, that he become a monke to be subiect, for he is preelected for the Abbot of monkes, and for a captaine to leade many soules to heauen, doe not therefore detaine the foresaid man with you in our Ile, but send him backe againe into Ireland, that he may build a monastery in Leyn∣ster, on the bancke of the sea, where feding a flocke of Christs sheep, he may conduct innumerable soules to the ioyes of paradise. The young Saint hearing this, and powring out aboundance of tears with thāks giuing to God, sayd: Be it done to me according to the propheticall, & marueilous prescience of S. Columbe: so taking S. Bathaneus his benedicti∣on, he returned backe into Ireland.

4. About that tyme, that the holy man was founding by diuine inspiration the monastery of Diarmag, in the midle region of Ireland, he pur∣posed to visit the holy company that liued in S. Kiaranus monastery at Cluayre. They vnder∣standing of his approach, went all forth in com∣pany of their Abbot Alitherus to meet him, and lead him honorably (singing of Psalmes & Hym∣nes) to the Church. At the same tyme a certaine despicable familiar youth came behind the Saint, and hiding himselfe so much as he could, he

thought to touch at vnawares the Saint, and without his feeling the hem of his exteriour gar∣ment; but what the Saint could not see with his corporall eyes, he saw with his interiour, and mentall eyes: for making a stand, he put his hand behind him, & so taking hold of the youth by the necke, he placed him in presence of all the people. Then all that were there present, sayd: Dismisse him, dismisse him, why doe you detaine that vnhappy boy? The Saint breathing out from his pure breast these propheticall wordes, sayd. Giue ouer now, brethren, giue ouer. And then turning to the youth, that trembled, and, quaked for feare, he sayd: O child open your mouth, and put out your tongue. The youth did according∣ly: then the Saint extending his holy hand, and blessing his tongue, diligently pronounced this prophecy of him: Albeit this youth seemeth to you vilde, and despiceable, let none therefore contemne him; for from henceforth he wil not only displease you, but he will proue very pleasing to you: in vertue, and holy conuersation he will dayly goe forward, and from hence forth his wisedome and prudence will more and more increase, and in this our congregation he shall be∣come a worthy member, and his tongue shalbe indued by God, both with wholesome doctrine, and eloquence.

This youth was Ereneus, who afterwards was so famous, and well knowne throughout all the Churches of Ireland.

How S. Columbe foresaw the danger, and comming of S. Chamnechus, and Columbanus: the victory of King Aldan, and other remarkable thinges. CHAP II.

THE saint being in his monastery of Hoy, one day that the seas were very rough, and the windes blew boisterously, commanded the monkes to make ready the guest-roome, and to draw water for some that were to come. One of the Brothers asked, who can haue a prosperous nauigation such a day as this, though the passage be neuer so short? The saint answered: God will prepare a calme amidst this tempest for a Saint, and for one of his elect, that shall come to vs before eue∣ning. And loe the expected ship wherin S. Cham∣nechus was, arriued according to the saints pro∣phecye. Another tyme likewise the saint being in his owne great Church, he brooke forth after a smiling manner into these wordes: Columbanus sayling towards vs, is in danger amidst the swelling waues, the Abbot fitting in the foredecke, eleuateth his

handes to heauen, and blesseth the fearefull, and swel∣ling sea, whome our Lord doth terrify, not that the shipp shall suffer shipwracke, but to excite him to pray more feruently, and so to come safe to vs.

2. Of Cormarus that holy man, who so often sought for a wildernes in the sea, S. Columbe pro∣phecyed in this manner. This Cormarus hoping to find a desert, set out this day from that region that lyeth beyond the riuer Moda, and is called Ircos, yet shall he not find what he desires, for no other fault of his, but that he brought with him in his company a mōk belonging to a Religious Abbot without his leaue. An∣other tyme the Saint commanded his seruant to ring the bell in hast, to call the Monkes to the Church, where falling vpon his knees, he sayd: Now let vs offer our prayers very earnestly for this people, and King Alban, for at this present they begin to fight a battaile. Within a little while going out of the oratory, and casting his eyes towards hea∣uen, he sayd: Now the ennemyes are put to flight, for the victory is granted to King Aldan. Before the beginning of the foresayd warre, the Saint que∣stioned with King Aldan, touching his succes∣sour, who answeared, that he knew not which of his three sonnes should raigne after him. The saint consequently prophecied in this manner:

None of these three shalbe your successour, for they shall be all slaine by their ennemyes, now if you haue any younger children send for them, and he whom our Lord hath elected to be King, will runne suddainly into my lappe. They being called, Euchodius ran vnto the Saint, who kissing him sayd to his father. This is he that shall suruiue, and shalbe King after you, and his children shal raigne after him. Al which fell out to be true according to the Saints pro∣phecy.

3. Domnaldus the sonne of Aydo, being yet but a child, was by his Nurses brought to S. Co∣lumbe, who asked them; Whose sonne is this you haue brought me? They tould him, he was Dō∣naldus whome they brought, to the end he might be inriched with his blessing; whome when the Saint had blessed, he presently adioyned. This child shall ouerliue all his brethren, and shall become a famous King, neyther shal he euer be deliuered into the handes of his ennemyes, but shall in his old age dye a quiet & peacecible death in his own house. Al which was fullfilled according to the Saints prophecy. At the same tyme, and in the same place, he went to visit Scandalanus the sonne of Colmanus, being then detayned prisonner by King Aydus, whom when the Saint had blessed, he sayd: Sonne

be not heauy, but rather reioyce, and be of good com∣fort, King Aydus, whose captiue you are, will depart this life before you, and after your banishment for a little tyme, you shalbe King in your owne country for thirty yeares, then shal you againe be chased out of your kingdome, and shall liue in exile for a few dayes, which dayes being expired, the people will proclaime you King againe, ouer whome you shall beare rule for three shorte tymes. All this was accomplished in forme and manner, as the Saint had prophecyed; for after thirty yeares reigne, he was driuen out of the kingdome for a certaine space, being after recalled by the people, he reigned not three years as he thought, but three months only, and then dyed without delay. Two country men brought their sonnes to the Saint in the Ile of Hoy, to the one, he told his sonne should dye the same week, and to the other, that his sonne should liue to see his nephewes, and that he should after a good old age, be buryed in the same Iland.

4. One of the Saints Monkes named Bera∣chius, being to sayle to the Iland of Ethica, came to the Saint to craue his blessing, to whome the Saint sayd: Beware my sonne, you hould not your di∣rect course of Ethica, by sayling along the wide seas, but rather take your course winding about the little I∣les,

fearing that otherwyse you should not escape by reason of the terrour of a monstruous prodigie. Bera∣chus receauing the Saints blessing departed, and so getting into the ship, regarding but little the Saintes admonition, he sayled directly through the broad seas, & loe he and they that were with him, saw a mighty huge Whale, like to a bigge mountaine to rise vp ouer the waters, whose sight strucke a great terrour into their mindes, where∣upon the marriners strucke downe their sayle, and turning backe againe, hardly could they es∣cape that danger arising from the tempestuous agitation of the VVhale, the they called to mind the Saints propheticall prediction, not without admiration. Bathaneus being to passe the same morning to the prementioned Ile, the Saint ad∣monished him of the Whale, to whome Batha∣neus answered: I, and the beast are vnder Godes power, then the Saint sayd: Goe in peace, thy faith in Christ will preserue thee from this danger. So Ba∣thaneus tooke the Saints benediction, & launced out from the hauen, & after sayling forth a good space into the sea, he and his companions saw the VVhale, which put them all in great feare, on∣ly Bathaneus without any terrour lifting vp his handes, blessed the seas & the VVhale, and loe in

the selfe same moment, the VVhale sunke downe vnder the waues, and neuer after appeared to them. The saint prophecyed of a certaine wic∣ked man, who had committed fratricide, & like∣wise incest with his owne mother, that he should be slaine by his ennemyes, which happened true within few daies.

How S. Columbe saw a citty in Italy to be strucken with thunder: and admonished Cailtanus, and two other Monkes of their emminent death. CHAP. III.

AS one of the Saints Monks named Lug∣beus, came vpon a tyme to the saint, he could not looke vpon his face, being couered ouer with a marueilous rednes, whereat concea∣uing great feare, he ran away; whome the saint called backe, asking him what was the cause of his running away? he answeared, because I was in great feare. And within a little while dealing with the saint more confidently, he made bould to aske of the saint, whether any fearefull vision had beene manifested to him, the saint then an∣sweared: A terrible vengeance hath beene now exer∣cised in a remote part of the world. VVhat vengean∣ce

was it? Or in what country did it happen? The Saint replyed. A sulphurous flame was powred downe at this houre vpon a citty of the Romane dominion, within the marches of Italy, whereby three thousand men besides women and children, were almost consumed, and before this present yeare be expired, there wil come marchants out of france, who will tell you the same newes. At a placed called Camprio-Regionis, Lug∣beus found a french pilot, of whome he learned al the Saint had foretould him.

2. Vpon a certaine very colde winter daye, the saint sorrowed much, and wept exceedingly. His familiar seruant Diarmitius, asked him the cause of his sorrow, who receaued this answere: O my little child, I do not sorrow at this present without cause, seeing how Laifranus toyleth my Monkes, already weary in the building of a great house, which disgusteth me much. A wonder to be spoken, in the selfe same moment Laifranus li∣uing in the monastery of the Oken-field, being forced in a manner by coaction, and inflamed as it were with fire interiourly, commanded the Monkes to cease from the worke, & some recrea∣tion of meate to be prepared, & gaue them leaue to rest, not only for that day, but also so long as the hard season coutinued. The saint hearing in

spirit these comfortable words spoken by Laifra∣nus, forbere to weep, & reioyced exceedingly, & tould the brethren there present, al what passed, and withall gaue his benediction to Laifranus.

3. As the saint sat one day vpon the top of an high mountaine, hanging ouer the monaste∣ry, turning to his familiar seruant Diarmitius, he sayd: I marueile what it is, that stayes a shippe com∣ming out of Ireland, which carryeth in it a wise man, who for a certaine sinne whereinto he hath falne, doth bitter pennance. Within a little while, the familiar Brother looking towardes the South, he saw the sayles of the shippe approaching to the hauen, and showed it to the Saint, who sayd: Rise in hast and let vs go meet the proselite, whose true pennance Christ hath regarded. Fechnaus comming a shoare, fell downe prostrate, and weeping bitterly, vpon his knees, he confessed his sinnes in presence of all the company. The Saint out of compassion, weeping with him, sayd: Rise my sonne, and be of good cheare, for your sinnes are forgiuen you, because it is written: A contrite and humble hart, God wil not despise: who afterwardes being very louingly in∣tertained of the Saint, he sent him to Bathaneus liuing at a place called Lungefield. Another tyme the Saint sent two monkes for one of his Monks

named Cailtanus, biding him to repaire in al hast to him. Cailtanus vnderstanding of the Saintes pleasure came speedily in company with the Mō∣kes that went for him. VVhen the Saint saw Ca∣iltanus, he spoke to him in manner following. O Cailtanus, you haue done very well in hastning to me so obediently, rest you a little. Louing you as a friend I inuited you to come, that you might finish the course of your mortall life heere with me in true obedience; for before this weeke come to an end, you shall render your soule in peace to God. Then Cailtanus with thankes to God kissed the saint, and to receauing his benediction, went to the guest roome, the night following he sickned, and according the saints word, departed the selfe same weeke to a better life.

4. On a certayne Sunday some cryed from the further side of the often mentioned sea. The Saint hearing the cry, sayd to the brethren: Goe in all hast, and bring the pilgrimes that come frō a farre Country: they went as the saint appointed them, and brought them to his presence, whom when he had saluted, he began to question with them concerning their iourney: they tould him, they came to seiourne with him for that yeare, to whome the saint replyed: You may not liue with

me a yeare as you desire, vnlesse you tye your selues to the obseruance of the monasticall vowes. The eldest made answere: Truely we had no such intention hetherto, notwithstanding we will embrace your counsell inspired by God, as we beleeue. To be short, they followed the Saint deuoutly into the oratory, and there on their knees obliged them∣selues to the monasticall vowes. Then the saint conuerting his speach to the brothers there pre∣sent, sayd: These two proselites exhibiting thē∣selues a liuing hoste to God, and accomplishing in a few dayes the course of Christian perfection, shall yield vp their soules to Christ before this present month run to an end; and so it fell out; for both of them fell sicke one after another, and departed to a better life, within the tearme pro∣phecyed and perfixed by the saint.

How S. Columbe foretould the baptisme of a certain Pagan: knew by diuine reuelation the death of two Irish noble men: and by prayer obtained the life of Diarmitius his familiar seruant. CHAP. IIII.

WHILST the saint for the space of so∣me few dayes remayned in Ireland, be∣ing

at a place bordering on the sea, he struck the earth with his staffe, saying to the Monkes that were with him. Behould my little children, a certaine Gentil, who al his life tyme followed the good instincts, and propensions of nature, shall this day be baptized, dye, and be buryed in this place: and loe within the space as it were of an houre, a shippe strucke into the same hauen, in whose foredecke sate an ancient Pagan named Geone, whome two young men lifted vp between them & brought him to the saints presence: the old man ēbraced presently the Christiā doctrin, the saint preached to him by an interpreter, at whose handes he receaued the grace of regene∣ration. Immediatly after the receipt of holy bap∣tisme, he gaue vp his ghost, and was buryed in the same place by the Saints companions.

2. During the Saints aboade in the foresayd region, he went one Sunday to a neighbour mo∣nastery named Trioint, and seeing the same day a certaine Priest celebrating the holy misteryes of the Eucharist, whome the Monkes made choise of for that purpose, for that they deemed him a man of a very holy and religious life, he suddain∣ly pronounced this fearefull sentence: Cleane and vncleane thinges, are now mingled togeather, to wit,

the cleane misteryes of the sacred oblation, han∣dled by an vncleane man, who hideth in his con∣science some enormious sinne: the party of whō he had spoken in this kind, confessed his sinne before all the company, which with great astoni∣shement admired in the Saint this stupendious knowledge, penetrating euen to the secrets of mens harts.

3. Another time the Saint being in the I∣land of Hoy, he called to him two of his Monkes named Lugbeus, and Silnanus, and sayd to them: sayle ouer into the Ile of Malea, and neere the sea banke seeke out the theefe Ertus, who lurketh there, expecting in the night tyme to get ouer to the little Ile, where our sea-calues breed, to steale some away, and bring them home to his house. They did accordingly, and found the theefe in the place premonstrated, whome they brought to the saint, as he had commanded. The saint seeing him, sayd: Wherefore dost thou trespasse a∣gainst the diuine commandement, in stealing away o∣ther mens goods so often? when thou art driuen to any necessity, come to vs, and we will releeue thy wantes. And with this he appointed that some weathers should be kild, and giuen to the miserable theef, that he might not return home to his house with

empty handes. Within a short tyme the saint knew by reuelation that the theeues death drew neere: he sent him therefore a fat Cow, & seauen measures of corne which were spent at his fune∣railles. In like manner the saint foresaw and fore∣tould the death of a Scottish poet named Corona∣nus.

4. It happened another tyme in the same Iland of Hoy, as the saint was at his booke rea∣ding, that he cast out deep and sorrowfull sighes: Lugbeus who was present, began to demande the cause of his suddaine griefe; the Saint made this answere: In Scotland two noble men of the bloud royal haue kild one another, at a place not farre distant from the Monastery of Cellarois, in the Prouince of the Magdeni, and the eight day hence, there will come one out of Ireland, who wil report the truth of al this. The man whose comming the Saint foresaw, came on the presaged day, and among many other newes, reported that Colmancanus, and Romanus had slaine one another. After this, Lugbeus the souldier of Christ, getting the Saint at his leasure, sayd to him: I beseech you let me know how & in what manner these propheticall reuelations are mani∣fested to you, whether you know them by an in∣tuition of your eyes, or by the help of your ears,

or after some strange manner vnknowne of to o∣ther men. The Saint answered: I cannot acquaint you with any thing touching this subtile matter you in∣quire after, vnlesse you first take an othe on your knees neuer to speake of this obscure sacrament all the dayes of my life. Lugbeus swore as the saint would haue him: then the saint spoke as followeth: There are some, albeit they be but few in number, that by Godes speciall grace clearely contemplate with one single as∣pect, and in one momēt the compasse of the whole world the heauens, the sea, and land, by reason of the maruei∣lous dilatation of their mind. Though the saint see∣meth to report this of others, for the auoidance of all vaine glory, and selfe esteeme, yet that he meant it of himself indirectly, is cleare to any that hath perused the vessell of election S. Paul in his 2. to the Corinthians. For he discoursing of visions and rapts happening to himself, wrote not, I know of my selfe, but I know such a man that he was rapt into paradise, which though he seeme to recount of another, yet none can doubt but he spoke of himselfe.

5. It fell out another tyme, that one of the brothers came to the place where the faint was writting, and sayd to him: I beseech you blesse this Iron I hould in my hand: the saint stretched

out his hand holding the pen, & blessed the Iron according to the brothers request, in the meane tyme, he held his face towards the book he wrot: the brother being gone away, the saint asked. What Iron he had blessed for the Brother. Diar∣mitius his familiar tender, answered. A knife wherewith Beeues are killed: then the saint re∣plyed: I trust firmely in our Lord, that this weapon I haue blessed, will neuer do hurt to man, nor beast: The truth of which sentence of the Saint, was showen in effect the selfe same houre. For the brother going out of the monastery with an in∣tent to kill a Cow, endeauoured thrice therunto, and yet could not so much as pierce her skinne. Another tyme the Saints faythfull tender Diar∣mitius sickened euen to death, the Saint came to visit him in that extremity, and standing by the beds side, prayed after this manner: I beseech thee O Lord be fauourable to me, and let not the soule of my pious tender, be takē out of this mortal life before I end the course of my dayes. After praying thus, he held his peace for a little space, then opening his sa∣cred mouth, he sayd: This my louing child shal not only escape the danger of this present infirmity, but shall moreouer liue for many yeares after my death: Diarmitius was deliuered incontinently of his di∣sease,

and suruiued the Saint many a longe yeare.

How S. Columbe discouered a Bishop that would not haue himselfe knowne: how he foretould the com∣ming of a Crane out of Ireland: and how by the presents that were offered to him to be blessed, he knew the sinnes of the owners. CHAP. V.

THERE came out of the Prouince of the Numinenses, a certaine proselit to visit the saint, this man being a Bishop, dissembled al that he could his degree and estate, yet could he not keep it hidden from the saints al-piercing know∣ledge. For the proselit being to consecrate the next sunday our Sauiours holy body, the saint sayd to him: Since you are a Bishop breake this domi∣nicall bread after the manner, and with the same solē∣nity a Bishop ought to breake it, now we know ful wel that you are a Bishop; why did you conceale your selfe from vs, by occasion wherof we did not demean our sel∣ues towards you, with that respect & veneration your place and calling requires. The humble harted pil∣grim hearing him speake in this kind, glorifyed Christ in his holy seruant Columbe. Another time the venerable Abbot sent his vncle Ernanus to go∣uerne

the monastery of Humba, of whome at his departure he pronounced this prophecy: This my friend, whome I now send away, I neuer hope to see him liuing againe in this world. Within a few dayes Ernanus fell sicke, and would haue himselfe cary∣ed backe to the saint, who was very glad thereof, and went forth to meet him. Ernanus though he were very weake and sickly, yet would he needes go on his feet, and loe in the way he gaue vp his ghost suddainly, before the saint could haue a sight of him.

2. The saint tould a certaine Peasant that came to his monastery: Loe the barbarous ennemies sacke and spoile all the Prouince you inhabit. VVhich dolefull newes made the poore fellow fall into pittiful lamentatiōs for his wife, & children. The saint seeing him drowned in sorrow, & anguish, sayd to him: your wife and family, haue escaped to the mountaines, but you goods and cattle, the ennemy hath taken away: the man going home found all to be true as the saint had tould him. A certaine valiant, and strong man named Go∣rens, would faine learne of the saint what kind of death himselfe should dy of. The saint told him: You shall not be slaine in the field, nor drowned in the sea, but the companion of your way whom

you lest distrust or suspect, shall be the cause of your death; within some years after the foresayd Gorens, seeing men fighting, & at mortal debate, ran in haste to separate them, in the meane tyme by some chance or other he let his knife fall care∣lessely, which wounded him in the knee, of which wounde, after the sickenesse of some moneths, he dyed: and so the prophecy of the Saint was fullfilled.

3. Another tyme likewise, the saint being in the often mentioned Iland of Hoy, he called one of the monkes to him, and commanded him as followeth: The third day next ensuing, you shall goe to the Weast part of this Ile, and shall expect the comming of a certaine Crane from the North part of Ireland, which Crane being driuen by the force of the blustering windes through the spacious Regions of the ayre, all weary and turmoyld, shal arriue there after the ninth houre, and hauing all her forces and vigour consumed, she will fall downe on the shoare before you; forget not to take her vp mercifully, and to bring her to the next house, where you shall entertaine her libe∣rally, and feed her carefully for three dayes, by which tyme her strength shall be well repayred, and her selfe being vnwilling to soiourne with vs any longer, will returne backe to Scotland her sweet country, where she

was borne, and my motiue of commending her so seri∣ously to your care is, because she is of one country with vs. The brother obeyed willingly, and the third day at the place and tyme appointed, expected the arriuall of the new guest, whome he tooke vp of the shoare, and brought her weake, and faint to the lodging, where he fed her carefully: to whome after his comming to the monastery in the euening the Saint sayd: Gods blessing haue you my child for tending so carefully the strange guest, who will make no long delay in her pilgrimage, but will re∣turne back to her natiue soyle after three dayes abode. What the saint pronounced the euent showed to be true: for the Crane after three dayes charita∣ble entertaynement, winded her selfe gently vp into the ayre in presence of her officious mini∣stre, and after kept her course directly towardes Ireland.

4. On a certaine tyme many presents were layd in the street that leadeth to the Saints mo∣nastery to be blessed of him as he passed by, wher poynting at the guift of a rich man, and naming the party, he sayd. The mercy of God accompa∣nieth the bestower of this guift, giuen for the re∣liefe of the poore: after he poynted likwise at the present of a wise, but couetous man, saying: I can

in no wise taste of this guift, vnlesse the giuer do pennance for his auarice, which word being pu∣blished among the people, Columbus the sonne of Aidus came in haste, and falling on his knees did pennance, and promised euer after to abiure co∣uetousnes, and withall to amend his life, and to become more liberall. The rich and liberall man named Brendanus, hearing in like manner what the Saint spoke of him, came likewise, and fell downe at his feet, beseching him to pray for him; Brendanus being rebuked for some offences, pro∣mised amendement from that tyme forwardes, & so it came to passe, that both of them amended their faults.

The end of the first Booke.

THE II. BOOKE OF SAINT COLVMBES MIRACLES.

How S. Columbe, conuerted water into wine: how corne sowen in Iune by his appointment, was ripe in the beginning of August: And of a soueraigne remedy he prouided against the infection of a pestiferous cloud. CHAP I.

WHILST the holy Saint liued in Ire∣land with S. Findbarrus, to be trayned vp in the study of holy Scriptures, it happened one day, that no wine could be found for the sacrificall mystery. The holy young man being then a Deacon, takinge the cruet, went to the fountaine for water, and by inuocating the name of our B. Sauiour, who at the marriage feast of Cana, conuerted cold water into good wine, merited to worke the same stu∣pendious signe: all who knew of it rendred many thankes to God, but the holy young man decli∣ning all selfe esteeme, ascribed the operation of

that great signe, to the holy Bishop Vinnian. And as by this admirable miracle, our Sauiour made this the beginning of the many miracles, which himselfe wrought, so did he by it giue the first manifestation of the sanctity of his Blessed ser∣uant S. Columbe. Hard by the monastery of the Oaken-field, was a very fruitfull apple-tree, but so bitter, that no good came of it: the Saint knowing so much, went forth in the haruest to the place, where the tree was loaden with fruit, and eleuating his sacred hand blessed it, saying: In the name of Almighty God, O bitter tree, let al this bitternes depart from thee: and thy apples, that hither∣to haue beene most sowre, let them now become most sweet, and pleasant to the tast. And without delay the apples suddenly became marueilous delight∣full to all those who tasted of them.

2. The holy Saint sent some of his Monks to fetch out of the fields of a certaine countryman, some rods, and twigges for the building of a cell, they brought their boate well loaden, and withal signifyed to the Saint, that the farmer conceaued great griefe at the matter, in regard of the losse he sustayned thereby. Then the Saint sayd; Fea∣ring the man should be scandalized at vs, let there be nine measures of barley carryed to him, and let him

sow them in his fields, euen at this present tyme. The corne being sent, and deliuered with the former errand, the man receaued it gratefully, but sayd; How can corne grow against the nature of this country, being sowen after Midsommer? To whome his wife answered. Do as the Saint hath commanded, to whome our Lord will graunt what thing soeuer he shall demand. The coun∣try man out of obedience to the Saint, fell a ploughing the land, and sowing the corne: which in the midst of Iune, grew so fast, and ripened so soone, that to the great astonishment of all the Neighbours, he cut it downe in the beginning of August.

3. Another time the Saint saw a thicke, & misty cloud to come from the South, which whē he perceaued, he sayd to a Monke of his named Syluanus, that sat with him: This cloud will proue very noysome, both to men and beasts; for flying away hence, it will extend it selfe ouer a part of Ireland, & showre downe towards the euening a contagious rayne, that will ingender in men, and in the duggs of beasts pestilent vlceres, and with these pestilent soares, men will sicken euen to death, but we ought of compassion to prouide some remedy against their disease: Descend therefore with me, O Syluanus, & make your selfe rea∣dy

to crosse the seas; for men and beasts shall recouer with Gods grace their health, if the water, wherein you shal steepe holy bread of my blessing, shalbe sprink∣led on them. In which Syluanus obeying the Saint promptly, and hauing by Gods fauour a prospe∣rous passage, came spedily to the prementioned part of the country, where he found all the peo∣ple strucke downe with that contagious disease: and first of all, sixe men, that dwelled in a house bordering vpon the sea, being sprinkled with the water, wherein the bread was steeped, recoue∣red their health the selfe same day, the report of which suddaine cure being blowen ouer al the region consumed with that pestilent sicknes, in∣uited all the diseased people to hasten to S. Co∣lumbs Legate, who according to the Saints com∣mandement, cast the water, on them, wherein the holy bread was steaped, and both men and beasts, were deliuered of their infirmityes with∣out delay.

How S. Columbe saw in spirit the holy virgin Mugi∣na inuocating his ayde, and cured her. Of the cure of many infirmityes, and production of a foun∣taine out of a rocke. CHAP. II.

ANOTHER tyme the Saint called vpon a Brother named Lugaidus, and spoke to him in this manner. Put your selfe in readines to passe spedily into Ireland; for I must send vnto the monastery of Chilnocherum. For this last night the holy Virgin Maugina, comming after masse out of the Oratary, by chance stumbled, and broke her huckle bone into two parts; she by inuocating often vpon my name, hopeth by my intercession, to receaue comfort from God▪ Lugaidus being ready to depart, the saint gaue him a boxe made of Pine, with a certain hollowed thing within it, and sayd: This benediction, whē you arriue where Maugina is, you shal steep it in water, & the water you shal wil be to powred on her huckle bone, and with that the broken bone will be ioyned togeather againe, and the virgin shal receaue her health, & I wil write in the couer of this boxe, the number of three and twenty yeares that she shall liue in this world after the

cure of her hurt. Lugaidus left nothing vnperfor∣med, that the Saint gaue him in charge to do, & so the holy virgin recouered her health, & liued out the number of three and twenty years in the exercise of good workes, according to the Saintes prophecy.

2. The venerable Prelate, as we haue lear∣ned by the tradition of them that knew it, cured the languors of many sicke persons, during the little tyme he made aboade in the place called in latin Dorsum Cetae, whither he went to be present at the meeting of Kinges, for with the touch, ei∣ther of his holy hand, hemme of his garment, or with salt, bread, water, or any thing els blessed by him, did he restore mē to their perfect health. A woman that had an inflammation in her eye, vsed a Petrasalis, which the Saint had blessed. It fell out after some dayes, that the house wherein the Petrasalis was, tooke fire, al the house was cō∣sumed into ashes, excepting the pearch, wheron the Petrasalis hung, and a part of the wall that sustayned it. A yong man, that carryed about him a leafe written by S. Columbes holy hand, was drowned in a riuer: his body after twenty dayes being extracted out of the waters, the leafe was found as drye, and vncorrupted, as if it had

beene lockt vp close in a casket.

3. As the Saint was one time trauailing, the parents of a young infant, brought the child to the Saint to be christned, and in regard no water could be found in the adioyning places, the saint declined to a rocke hardby, where after praying a little vpon his knees, he blessed the rocke, out of which gushed a streame of water, wherin he bap∣tized the young suckling, of whome also he pro∣phecyed, that in his youth he would loose the raines to lust, and sensuality, but afterwardes that he should giue himselfe to the study of christian perfection, and should dye in a good ould age. All which fell out to be true. The Saint being in Pictland, he heard great report of a pagan fountaine, which the foo∣lish people being blinded by the Diuell, held in great veneration; but whosoeuer tasted of the wa∣ter, or washed their handes or feet in it, became by diabolicall fascination (God permitting it) blind, leaprous, or weake with some infirmity. The saint came to the fountaine, wherat the Ma∣gitians whome he often confounded and ouer∣came, were very glad, hoping that he should re∣ceaue some mischance. The saint first inuocating vpon the name of Christ, washed his handes & feet, and after blessing the water, drunke of it,

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which from that day forwardes, bred no hurt or annoy to any, and which is more admirable, by vertue of the Saints benediction, the water of that fountaine became a soueraigne remedy, for the cure of many diseases.

How S. Columbe did with his prayers, allaye tem∣pest. And how S. Cahinnechus did the same: and of other miracles wrought by S. Columbe. CHAP. III.

VPON a certaine tyme, the Saint was in danger at sea, for the ship was soare shaken with huge waues, the raging violence of the blu∣stering windes beating vpon it, the Saint in that distresse helped them what he could in pumping out the water, whereupon the marriners sayd, What you do now, auailes vs but litle in this ex∣tremity, it is more fitting for you to pray for vs, being ready almost to be cast away. With that the Saint began to power out before God a sweet and feruent prayer. O great wonder! No sooner did the Saint, standing in the foredecke of the ship, addresse his handes in prayer to the Omnipotēt, but that the tempest of the ayre, and boyling of the sea ceased, whereupon followed a most serene

and pleasant calme, they who were in the shippe being strucken with admiration, glorifyed God in his blessed seruant.

2. Another tyme the Saint being in great danger, by occasion of a fearefull and vehement tempest, his companions cryed to him to pray for them, but he made answere: That belongeth not to me to doe; for it is the holy Abbot Cahin∣nechus turne to pray for you this day. Cahinnechus being then in his own monastery called Cowfield, heard the foresayd speach of S. Columbe by reue∣lation of the holy Ghost; for when he had begun after the ninth houre to sit downe to dinner, he arose quickly from the table, and hauing one shooe on, & leauing the other for hast, he ranne to the Church, saying all the way, It is not tyme for vs now to dine, when S. Columbs ship is in imminent danger at sea, who calleth often vpon the name of Cahinnechus, desiring him to pray for him, and his companions: hauing spoken these words, Cahinnechus entred the oratory and prayed a little vpon his knees, and loe our Lord heard incontinently his prayer; for the tempest ceased, and the sea became calme. S. Columbe seeing in spirit S. Cahinnechus his preparation, and promptnes in running to the Church, he

pronounced out of his pure breast, this maruei∣lous saying. Now I know, O Cahinnechus, that God hath heard your prayer, for your hasty running to the church with one of your shoes only, auayles vs much.

3. Bathaneus and other holy men came to the Saint, entreating him to obtayne the next day from God a prosperous wind for them, being to passe to contrary places. The Saint answered: Bathaneus shal haue in the morning a prosperous wind, vntill he arriue at the hauen of Lungefield: which God granted him according to the Saints wordes. Then at nine of the clocke the Saint sent for Columbanus the Priest, bidding him to make himselfe ready, and telling him that the south wind that fauoured Bathaneus, should turn to the north, so Columbanus ēbarked himselfe for Ireland. This stupendious miracle was wrought by vertue of the saints prayers, because as it is written: All things are possible to him that beleeueth. After Columbanus his departure, S. Columbe pro∣nounced this prophecy of him: The holy man Columbanus, shall neuer more see me in this life. So it fell out, for S. Columbe departed to our Lord the selfe same yeare.

4. A certaine young man named Columba∣nus, brought a vessell full of milke to the place

where the saint was, requesting him to blesse it, as he was accustomed. As the Saint made the vi∣ctorious signe of the Crosse in the ayre, the ves∣sell began to shake, the couer fell to the ground, & the most part of the milke was shed; the youth layd downe the vessell, with the little milke that was left vpon the ground, & fell humbly on his knees, to whome the Saint sayd: Rise vp Colum∣ban, for you haue been negligent in performing of your duty, this day, because you did not chase away with the signe of the crosse the Diuell, that lurcked in the bottome of the empty vessell, before you powred in the milke, the vertue of which sacred signe, he being vna∣ble to sustaine, he is now fled away. Then the Saint blessed the little milke, that was left, and loe the vessell that was almost empty, vnder the benedi∣ction of his sacred hand, became brimfull.

How by vertue of S. Columbes benediction, fiue Cowes increased to the number of 105. How the Saint foresaw the death, & damnation of a certaine man: and of other no lesse remarkeable miracles. CHAP. IIII.

THe Saint hauing lodged one night at the house of one Columbanus, a very poore and

dy man, in the morning he questioned with him concerning the quantity, and quality of his sub∣stance. The poore man answered: I haue fiue Cowes, which if you vouchsafe to blesse, I doubt not, but they will increase to a greater number. The saint commanded him to bring them to his presence, where blessing them, he sayd: You shal by Gods grace haue a hundred and fiue cowes, and this benediction shal remaine to your children, & nephewes. Which prophetical prediction fel out to be most true, the cowes being multiplyed to the foresaid nūber, & how many soeuer exceeded that num∣ber, perished by seuerall mischances, excepting those he spent in maintenance of his family, or gaue by way of almes.

2. The saint loued intirely the foresayd mā for many kindnesses, and pious offices he had done him. A certaine wicked man descending of the blood royall, persecuted Columbanus the saints deare friend, and robbed his house three seuerall tymes, and tooke away all his goodes: the third tyme it was his fortune to meet with the saint, who rebuked him for his wickednes, and persua∣ded him to restore the goodes vniustly taken: but he regarding nothing the saints prayers, yea rather laughing and scoffing at him, the saint

followed him euen to the sea side, and entred in∣to the salt water vp to the knees, & in that place offered his prayers most feruently to Christ, who glorifyeth his elect that glorify him; hauing made an end of his prayer, he returned to the dry shoare, where sitting downe with his com∣panions, he pronounced these fearefull wordes: This miserable wretch, who hath this day misprised Christ in his seruants, shall neuer returne to the hauē, whence he departed, nor yet arriue to any other, but shallbe drowned in the midst of the Ocean waues, to∣geather with his wicked complices. Which dreadful, though iust prophecy of the saint, was fully ac∣complished in the presence of them all.

3. The glorious saint commended a bani∣shed noble man of Pictland, to the care of a cer∣taine wealthy man, entreating him for his res∣pect to entertaine him as a friend for the space of some monthes. The cruell man, notwithstan∣ding the saints intreaty and commendations, put the noble mā to death within a few dayes, which grieuous sinne when it came to the saints hea∣ring, he spoke in this manner▪ That vnhappy man hath not lyed to me but to God, his name shalbe blotted out of the booke of life. This I say now in sommer but, hefore he tast in Autumne of porke, that hath been fed

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with accornes, he shall dye suddainly, and be buryed in hell. The cursed wretch laughed to scorne the Saints propheticall threatning: the haruest season being now come, the wicked man commanded a hogge fatted with accornes, and kirnelles of nuts to be killed, and ordained that a peece thereof should be rosted, so that by tasting of it he might frustrate, and make voyde the oth of the Saints prophecy. The flesh being rosted, the wretch stretched out his hand to take a morsell of it, but before he could put it into his mouth, he fell downe dead, exhaling out his wicked soule to be buryed in hel, they who heard, and saw this pro∣digious effect of Gods iustice, honoured Christ in his holy prophet.

4. During the Saints abode in Pictland, he preached by an interpreter to a certaine country man, who imbraced the Christian religiō. With∣in a few dayes, one of the countreymens sonnes fell sicke to death, whereupon the Magitians be∣gan to deride the man, to extoll the power of their owne God, and to hit him in the teeth with the weaknes of the God of the Christians. When these thinges were made knowne to the Saint, be∣ing inflamed thereat with the zeale of Gods ho∣nour, he went together with his companions to

the house, where the comfortlesse parents, cele∣brated the doleful funeralles of their dead sonne. The Saint seeing them drowned in sorrow, ani∣mated them with comfortable speaches, & after went himselfe all alone into the place, where the dead corps lay, where falling prostrate on his knees, and bathing his face in teares, he offered his prayers to Christ, afterwardes he rose vp, & conuerting him to the dead, he sayd: In the name of our Lord Iesus, returne to life, and stand vpon thy feet. With that venerable voice of Gods true ser∣uant, the soule returned to the body, and the dead man opened his eyes, whome the Aposto∣licall saint tooke by the hand, raysing him vpon his feet, and so brought him forth in his compa∣ny, and restored him liuing to his parents: then did the people giue a great shout, because sorrow was conuerted into ioy, and the God of the Chri∣stians was glorifyed.

Of the cure of Brochan the Magitian. And how the Saint sayled securely, notwithstanding the tempest raysed by the Magitian: as also how he opened the gates, which the King shut against him. CHAP V.

AT the same tyme the venerable Prelate made earnest suite to Brochan the Magiti∣an, for the release of an Irish maydē-slaue, but he would not yeild to the saints mercifull request, wherefore the Saint spoke to him as followeth. Know, O Brochan, that vnles you dismisse, and for∣sake this strange captiue, that before I depart this pro∣uince, you shall dye. This he sayd before King Brudeus, and so departed towards the riuer Neyse, out of which he tooke a white stone, saying to his companions: Keepe this stone, by which God wil worke many cures of diseased persons in that pagan people. Hauing spoken this, he added: Now Bro∣chan is smitten greuously; for an Angel sent frō heauen striking him cruelly, broke the glasse, out of which he drunke into many peeces, and left him euen ready to dy, let vs expect heere two messingers sent vs from the King, for to relieue in hast Brochan being at the point of death; now Brochan is willing to dismisse the mayd

slaue. As the Saint was yet talking, loe the Kings messengers came, who reported all what happe∣ned in manner and forme as the Saint foresaw them: they added further, that the King, and his Nobles sent vs to you, Vt subuenias nutritio eius Brochano mox morituro, to help his nurse Brochā, being ready to dye. With that the Saint sent two of his companions to the King with the stone, which he had blessed, saying: If Brochanus pro∣mise to release the captiue, and after shall drinke of the water, wherein this stone shalbe dipped, he shall recouer his health, but if he doe not set the woman at liberty, he shall dye without delay. Brochanus dis∣missed the woman free, and dranke of the water wherein the stone was steeped, and so was resto∣red perfectly to the health of his body.

2. After these thinges had passed in this kind, Brochanus sayd to the glorious Saint. Tell me, O Columbe, when do you intend to sayle. The Saint answered: I purpose with Gods grace, to go to sea within these three dayes. But you shal not quoth Brochanus, for I can cause a contrary wind, and besides, I can induce a darke, and obscure mist. To whome the Saint answered: The power of God ouer-ruleth all, in whose name all our actions are dire∣cted. The Saint went the same day to the Riuer

Neyse, whither he was attended vpon by a great company. The Magitians began to reioyce at the spreading abroad of the thicke mist, and boiste∣rous contrary wind. The holy Saint seeing the elements to be stirred vp against him, called to our Sauiour for his help; then ascending the ship he caused the sayles to be hoysed vp, which being done in sight of all the company, the ship sayled extreame swiftly against the wind, and within a little space the contrary winds, to the great asto∣nishment of all, turned to serue the saint in his voyage, so that hauing a pleasant gayle of wind all day, the saint came towardes euening to the wished hauen.

3. When the saint went first to King Brude∣us court, the King being puffed vp with pride, & arrogancy, caused the gates of his Pallace to be shut against him. Gods true seruant Columbe vn∣derstanding therof, came to the gates, and first in drawing the figure of Christs victorious signe or crosse vpon the doores, and then after pulling them with his handes, loe they opened of them∣selues, and so the saint, and his holy family got in. The King perceauing what had passed, went forth to meet the holy man, and euer after had him in great veneration. Another tyme being

in Ireland, he went to visit the Monkes liuing in the monastery of the Holy-field, the monkes con∣ducted the Saint to the church doore, where the keyes could not be found, the Saint sayd: Our Lord is able to open the doores of his house for his ser∣uants. And loe suddainly the leaues of the doore opened wide, and so the Saint entered not with∣out admiration of all the company.

4. Another time a very poore and needy man came to the Saint, bemoning himselfe that he had nothing wherewith to sustaine his wife & children: Goe (sayd he) and cut in the next woode a longe pole, and bring it vnto me in haste. Which he brought without delay, and sharpened it with his owne handes, forming it into a sharp poyn∣ted spit, and blessing it likewise he deliuered it to the poore man, saying: Keepe this spit, for so long tyme as you inioy it, your house shall neuer want copi∣ous prouision of venision. The poore man reioyced not a little thereat, and returned home to his house, then bringing the spit with him, he fixed it in a place where wild beasts haunted, and com∣ming the next morning to see it, he found a great stagge pierced therewith. Euery day he found a stagge, Roe, or some other wilde beast stucke on the spit, by meanes whereof he got such store of

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that he was glad to sell great quantity thereof to his neighbours; at last the man being seduced by his wiues councell, cut the spit in peeces, and burnt it, whereupon he fell into his former want, and misery.

How S. Columbe succoured a woman in trauaill: how he reconciled a marryed couple: and foresaw the danger, Cormarus was in. CHAP. VI.

THE Saint being in the often mentioned I∣land of Hoy, he interrupted suddenly the studdy of holy reading, and after a smilling mā∣ner, sayd: I must now hasten to pray in behalfe of a poore kinswoman of myne, who existing in Ireland, cal∣leth often on the name of Columbe, hoping confident∣ly by his intercessiō to be deliuered from the bitter pai∣nes, and griping conuulsions of child-birth wherewith she is cruelly tormented. After making an end of this speech, the B. Prelate of tender pitty to his poore distressed kinswomā, ranne to the church, & falling ō his knees, directed his feruēt prayers to our sweet Sauiour for the ease of the womans distresse. After finishing his prayer, he went out of the Oratory, saying: Our Lord Iesus who dai∣gned

to be borne of a woman, hath beene fauou∣rable and propitious to this woman, whome he hath eased of her anguishes; for she is safely deliuered of a sonne. At the selfe same houre, the saint prophecied in this kind, the afflicted womā recouered her health, as it was after reported by some that came out of Scotland.

2. When the holy man liued in the Iland Rechrea, a certaine Peasant came to him, complai∣ning that his wife would not lye in bed with him. The Saint hearing therof, sent for the wo∣man, and spoke to her as followeth. Wherfore wo∣man dost thou striue to put away thyne owne flesh, since our Lord sayth: They shall be two in one flesh? The woman made answere: All thinges you please to commande me, how painefull soeuer they be, I am willing to performe, this only excepted, that you will not compell me to lie in bed with Lugne∣us (so her husband was called) I doe not refuse to take on me the care of all the house: or if you wil haue it so, I am content to crosse the seas, & liue in a Monastery of holy virgins. What you propoūd (replyed the saint) cannot be lawfully done, as long as your husband liues. And added further: This day will we three, your husband, your selfe, and I, fast & pray, for the happy successe of this affaire. So they

all three condescended with one accord to fast & pray. The night following, the Saint offered his prayer deuoutly for them: the next morning he called for the woman, saying: Tell vs, o woman, whether this day you be of the same mind you were yesterday, of going to liue in a monastery of women? I know your prayers haue beene heard, for whome I hated yesterday, I loue most tenderly this day, my hart I know (by what meanes I know not) is wholy changed in me. From that day forwards to her last gaspe, her soule was linked with indis∣soluble affection to her husband, so that she ne∣uer after refused to discharge the behoofes of a wife.

3. The holy man Cormacus, of whome we spoke in the first booke, laboured the second tyme to find a wildernes in the Ocean, whome S. Columbe commended to the King of the Orcades in presence of King Brudeus, with whome the Saint was at that tyme, and requested King Bru∣deus to do the same. This the Saint did, because he knew by reuelation, that Cormacus after a long and painefull nauigation, should be driuen to the Orcades, and so he was, and for respect of the for∣mer commendation, he escaped the danger of death. As some of the Saints Monks fell in talke

of Cormarus, saying it was not knowne, what issue good or bad his nauigation had. The saint ouer∣heard them talking in this manner, and sayd: Cormacus of whome you speake now, you shall see this very day. And so within one houres space, Cor∣macus arriued to the great ioy and admiration of all the company.

4. The third tyme that the sayd venerable man Cormacus, attempted to find out a wildernes in the sea, he fell into great dangers; for being driuen by a strong south-wind that blew for four∣teene dayes without intermission, he sayled into the North seas, beyond the course and limits of human nauigation, and in these vnknowne seas, there arose most fearefull, and vnsupportable af∣frightments, certaine vnseene and terrible beasts assailed the shippe furiously, & were euen ready and like to pierce it through. With the sight of these and other monsters, Cormacus and the Ma∣riners were so amated, & amazed, that with tears trickling downe their face, they addressed their prayers to God, who alone is the most sure and soueraigne refuge in all distresse. At the same tyme, S. Columbe was present in spirit with Cor∣macus, he caused therefore a signe to be made for to call the Monkes to the Oratory, where pro∣phecying

after his wonted manner, he sayd: Deere brethren, pray most earnestly for Cormacus who now sustaineth monstruous affrightments neuer seene before, we ought therefore to conceaue a tender compassion on our deare commembers, being in such manifest dan∣ger, and to pray to God for their comfort and safety. After speaking this & much more in this kind, he fell downe prostrate on his knees before the Altar, and with a pensiue hart and doleful voice, besought the Omnipotent moderator of windes, and waues for them: After prayer, he rose vp, & refrayning teares he ioyfully sayd: Let vs reioyce with our deere brethren, for God hath conuerted the south wind into a Northren gale, that wil deliuer them out of all danger, and bring them safe hither. And incontinently the south-wind ceased, and the north began to blow. After many dayes Corma∣cus arriued safe, & gladded all the company with his presence. By this the Reader may coniecture, how great the holy Abbot was in Gods eyes, who could by inuocating on Christs name, command the blustring windes, and swelling billowes. Let this much suffice touching the miracls the Saint wrought in this present life. Let the Reader fur∣ther know, that we haue omitted many more to auoyd tediousnes.

THE III BOOKE OF S. COLVMBES ANGELICAL APPARITIONS.

Of the apparition made to S. Columbes mother be∣fore his birth. Of the visions S. Bredan, and S. Finnian had touching him: And how according to a vision he had, he ordayned Aydan King. CHAP. I.

IN the first booke, we haue treated succinctly of S. Columbes admirable reuelations. In the seconde, we haue discoursed of his stupēdious miracles. In this third booke, we meane to set downe the Angelicall visions that appeared to him, or to o∣thers of him. One day betwixt the conception, and natiuity of the Saint, an Angell appeared to his mother, who brought her a wounderful rich robe, and tooke it away presently: she being ve∣ry pensiue thereat, sayd to the Angell appearing in the likenes of a very graue & venerable man.

Why do you so soone withdraw this delightful mantle? Because, answeared he, that it appertaines to me whome you cannot long detaine with you▪ with that the woman saw the robe to be drawen longer and longer from her, and to stretch so out in bredth, as to surpasse the latitude of the fields, & with its ouerlarge dimensions, to couer moun∣taines and forests: and heard moreouer such a voice as this, directed to her. VVoman, be not a∣grieued, for you shall beare your husband so happy a sonne, who as one of the Prophets of God, shall be rā∣ked among them, and is predestinated by God, to be the captaine to conduct infinit soules to heauen. VVith which voyce, the woman awaked. Another night the childs foster-father, a Priest of a very Religi∣ous life, comming after masse out of the church, found all the house illustrated with an immense splendour. For he saw a globe of fire standing on the holy infants face, at which strange sight he trembled, and was strucken with astonishment; at last he vnderstood thereby, the copious effu∣sion of the grace of the holy Ghost, on the sweet suckling.

2. VVhen the saint had beene excommuni∣cated by a certaine synod, for light and pardo∣nable causes, as it was euidēt in the end, he came

to the foresayd Synod, whome when S. Brendan the founder of the monastery of Birra, saw com∣ming a farre of, he rose vp in haste, and embra∣ced him. For which being reprehēded by some of the ancientest of the assembly, who asked him: Why do not you feare to rise to honour an excō∣municated person, and to embrace him? He an∣swered: Had you knowne the thinges our Lord hath vouchafed to manifest to me touching this his faythfull seruant, you would neuer haue ex∣communicated him, whome our Lord doth not only not excommunicate, but doth alwayes ma∣gnify him more and more. And added further: I saw a firy and brightsome piller going before this man of God, whome you contemne, and the Angels accompanying him along the fields. I dare not therefore to contemne this man, whome I see preordayned by God, to be the Cap∣taine of many that shall attaine to the immortall life of glory. These things being sayd by him, al the assembly honoured the Saint very much. As S. Finnian the Saints master, saw him one day ap∣proaching to the place where himselfe resided, he sayd to some that were present: Loe you see S. Columbe comming, who hath merited to haue an Angell for the companion of his iourney. A∣bout

the same tyme the Saint, with twelue of his disciples sayled into Brittany.

3. Whilest the Saint liued in the Iland of Himbria, he fell into an extasis, wherein he saw an Angell of our Lord sent to him, who held in his hand the booke contayning the ceremonyes of the enstalling of Kinges, which he offered to the Saint, commanding him to read it: but when he would not ordayne Aydanus King as it was com∣mended and commanded in the booke, in regard he loued Iogenan, Aydans younger brother better, the Angell suddainly stretching out his hand, strucke the Saint with a whip (whose blew print, or whaile, remayned on his side all the dayes of his life) and added further: Know for certaine, that I am sent to you, to cause you according as is set downe in the booke, to ordayne Aydanus King, and if you doe not not obey, I will strike you againe. The Saint thereupon obeyed the in∣iunction of our Lord,* 1.1 and for that end, embar∣ked himselfe for Hoy, where he crowned Aydanus King, who came thither about that tyme; of whome & of his posterity, the Saint prophecied in manner following, as recordeth Commeneus Al∣bus. I beleeue without all question, O King Aydan, that none of your ennemyes shal be able to make head a∣gainst

you, vntill you vse some fraud, and vniust de∣portement towards me and my posterity: commend you this seriously to your sonnes, and let them do the same to their sonnes, and nephewes; fearing otherwise that the scepter of the kingdome should be wrested out of their handes. For at what tyme soeuer they shal work any harme to me, or to my kinsmen in Ireland, the scourge I haue sustayned for your sake, shalbe turned on them by the hand of our Lord, and they will leese the harts of men, and their ennemyes shall insult ouer them. This prophecy hath beene fullfilled in our dayes by Belleroth, Daniel, Breco, Aydans nephew, who without any iust cause wasted, and destroy∣ed O Doainails country.

How the Saint saw the soule of one of his Monkes to be saued. How with a word he killed a wicked man. How he fought with the Diuels, & chased them away by help of the Angels. CHAP. II.

ONE of the Saints monkes, a Britton by byrth, a man much giuen to the exercise of good workes, fell sicke to death, and dyed. The Saint saw the Angells, and Diuells fighting about the possession of his soule. At last the An∣gells

preuayled, and conducted the soule to the ioyes of Paradise. All this the saint tould one of his Monkes, charging him not to reueale it all the dayes of his life. Whilest the Saint liued in Leinster to be trayned vp in wisedom, & learning, it fortuned that a wicked man, a cruell persecu∣tor of the good, pursued in a certain place a yong Damsell who fled from him: she by chance espy∣ed her brother an old man, who was master to S. Columbe, to whome she made all haste possible for rescue. The old man called on S. Columbe, to the end that they might both iointly defend her from the cruell persecutors hands; who came no sooner to the place, but in their eyes he slue her without regarding them any whit: whereat the good old monke was so grieued and strucke with anguish, that turning to S. Columbe he sayd: How long, o holy youth Columbe, will God the iust iudge suffer this wickednesse ioyned with our dishonour, to passe vnpunished? The Saint pro∣nounced this iust, though dreadfull sentence a∣gainst the flagitious murderer: The selfe same hou∣re that the maydens soule shal ascend vp to heauen, his soule shall descend downe to hell. And loe without delay, the wicked man fell downe dead. The re∣port of this fearefull and suddaine vltion, was

blowen ouer many Churches of Scotland, to the great honour and veneration of the holy Dea∣con.

2. A certaine pilgrime came to seiourne with the Saint in the Ile of Hoy for some monethes, to whome the Saint sayd: This day a certaine cleargie man of your prouince, whose name I know not, is now a carrying betweene the Angels to heauen. The bro∣ther hearing this, began to muse with himselfe, and to call to mind the mans name, so after a lit∣le while, he sayd to the saint: I know a seruant of Christ named Diarmitius, who built him a little monastery in the selfe same territory, wherein I kept my residence. It is the selfe same party you name, answered the Saint, whome the celestiall spi∣rits bring to the ioyes of Paradise. Neyther is it ne∣gligently to be obserued, how that the glorious Saint kept from the notice of men, many secrets that were reuealed to him, and this for two rea∣sons, as himselfe signifyed to a few of his monks. First to auoyde ostentation, and selfe esteeme: secondly to auoyd the molestation that the mul∣titudes would put him in, inquiring after seue∣rall affaires, and matters.

3. Another tyme the saint sought in the woodes, a solitary place vnfrequented by men, &

commodious for the exercise of holy prayer; whē he began to pray, suddenly he saw an vgly and deformed army of Diuells, to fight against him with Iron spits, who intended, as the Saint knew by the inward illustration of the holy Ghost, to assaile his monastery, & to kill with their poin∣ted stakes, many of his monkes. But he albeit all alone, tooke S. Pauls armour, and fought coura∣giously against the whole host of his infernal ad∣uersaries: and so the conflict continued for the most part of the day, neither could they ouerco∣me him, nor yet he driue them out of his Ile, vn∣till the Angells came to his helpe, whose terrour made the Diuels depart. After their departure, the saint prophecyed, how they would inuade the monasteryes of Ethica, and inflict pestilent diseases on the inhabitants, wherof many would dye. Within two dayes likewise the saint fore∣tould, how Bathaneus by the help of prayers and fasts, preserued his monastery from their inuasi∣on, in so much, that none dyed but one.

4. In the middle region of Ireland, liued a certaine Smith, a man much addicted to almes deeds, and other good workes: when this vertu∣ous Artizan came to the finall period of his mor∣tall life, the Saint spoke to a few that were about

him in this manner. The Smith did not labour in vaine, who with the labour of his handes, hath pur∣chased euerlasting rewardes, his soule is now carryed by the Angels, to the ioyes of the heauenly Country. Another tyme did he see the soule of a poore, but very holy woman, comming in company of the Angells to meete her husbands soule at his de∣cease, and this he made knowne to one of his Monkes named Genereus, a Saxon by birth.

How S. Columbe knowing by reuelation of the death of S. Brendan and S. Columbanus, the Bishop sayd masse in honour of them, and how a certaine Monke, saw him conuersing with the Angels. CHAP II.

ANother tyme likewise, whilest the saint siued in the Ile of Hoy, in the morning ve∣ry earely, he called vpon his familiar tender Di∣armitius, and sayd to him: Let the sacred miste∣ryes of the Eucharist be made ready in all haste; for this day is the deposition of S. Brendan. Why (quoth Diarmitius) doe you command such solemnityes of masses to be made ready this day, seeing none came out of Ireland that might bring vs newes of that holy mans death? Goe, sayd the Saint, and

obey my word, for this last night I saw the heauens o∣pen, and quires of Angels descending downe to meet S. Brendans soule, with whose bright and incomparable splendour, the compasse of al the world was enlightned and illustrated.

2. Another day also, as the monkes put them∣selues in a readinesse for the seueral works of the monastery, the saint cōmanded them to rest that day, & to make ready the furniture of the sacred oblation, and their portions to be encreased as on Sunday. For sayd he, albeit I be altogether vn∣worthy, yet must I this day celebrate the sacred mysteryes of the Eucharist, in honour of that soule which this night hath been carryed among the holy quires of Angells, to the interminable ioyes of Paradise. These things being spoken, the Religious obeyed very promptly, and all thinges for the celebrating of the diuine seruice were pre∣pared. After they went with their holy Abbot to the Church, where after singing part of the office, they came to the Hymne where mention is made of S. Martin. The Saint sayd to the sin∣gers: This day you must sing of Columbanus the Bi∣shoppe. Then all the Monkes who were present, vnderstood Columbanus the Bishop of Leynster S. Columbs deare friend, to be translated to a bet∣ter

life. Within a few dayes, there came out of Leynster, who reported that he departed the self same night, that his death was reuealed to the Saint.

3. Another tyme, when the Saint sate wri∣ting in his cell, his face was suddenly altered, & he pronounced this voyce from his pure breast: Helpe, helpe: two brothers who stood at the doore, to wit, Colgus and Lugneus, demanded the cause of that suddaine voice? To whome the venerable Abbot made this answeare: I commanded an Angel of our Lord, who stood with you, to succour one of the brothers falling downe from the toppe of a great house that is now building in the monastery of the Oaken∣field. The Saint added further: Very admirable, and scarce ineffable is the quicknesse of the angelicall motion; for that heauen-dweller, who flew away from vs when yonder man began to fall, as it were in the shutting of an eye, preuented him before he touched the earth, neither could the party that fell, feele ane bruse or payne. O how stupendious is this most swift, and oportune subuention, that could so speedily be performed, such spaces of sea and land lying in the way?

4. The Saint on a tyme, called all the com∣pany togeather, and straightly charged them in

this manner. I meane to go out all alone to the western field of this Ile, let none therfore presume to follow me. They all obeyed excepting one brother, who went another way, and hid himselfe on the top of a little hillocke, whence he might espy the cause of the Saints solitary retyre, whom the pre∣mentioned brother saw standing on a little hill with his hands and eyes cast towardes heauen: & lo suddenly a strange thing appeared, for the ho∣ly Angels the inhabitants of the heauenly citty, being all white, flow downe, and enuironed the Saint as he prayed, and after some conference with him, that heauenly squadron returned soon againe to their heauenly mansions. The Saint likewise after that angelicall meeting returned to the monastery, and calling all the company to∣gether againe, not without a seuere reprehensi∣on, he began to examine which of them had tres∣passed against his commandement. The guilty party being not able to conceale what he had done, fell prostrate before the saint, acknowled∣ging his fault, & begging pardon very humbly. The saint brought him aside, & with great com∣mination charged him not to reueale the matter all the dayes of his life. By this we may wel con∣iecture, the many apparitions, and angelic all vi∣sitations,

the glorious saint had at other tymes, especially in the lōg winter nights, which for the most part he spent all alone, without taking any rest.

How S. Brendanus saw a fiery piller, ascending fro S. Columbes head as he sayd masse: how for three entire dayes he enioyed heauenly visions, and of other miracles in this kind. CHAP. IIII.

FOVRE holy founders of monasteryes, whose names were Congellus, Cahinnechus, Brendanus, and Cormacus, comming out of Ire∣land to visit the Saint, found him in the Ile Him∣ba: these holy men with one accord, did choose, that S. Columbe should confecrate the holy my∣steryes of the Eucharist in their presence; who yeelding to their pious desire, entred the church at once with them, and whilest the masses were celebrating, S. Brendan saw a very brightsome globe of fire shinning ouer the head of S. Colum∣be all the while he consecrated the sacred oblati∣on, and ascending like a piller of fire, vntill he had made an end of the most holy mysteryes.

2. Another tyme in the sayd Ile of Himba,

the grace of the holy Ghost so copiously descēded on him, that remayning the space of three entire dayes lockt vp in his cell, he was so replenished during that tyme with diuine light, that he did neyther eate, or permitted any to come at him, In the night two beames of immense brightnes, issued out at the chinckes of the doore, and holes of the locke: he was likewise heard to sing, most sweet and ineffable verses; many secrets that were hidden from the knowledge of men, since the beginning of the world, were manifested to him; the eyes of his most pure hart, pierced into the difficultyes of the most obscure and abstruse pas∣sages of holy scriptures: and he complained of the absence of Batthaneus his disciple, who had he been present during those three dayes, should haue described touching the forepassed, or fu∣ture ages, many misteries vnknowne to other men.

3. A Monke named Virgnous, a man feruent in the loue of God, entred the Church one night all alone, & sat him downe to pray in one of the oratories. Within the space as it were of an houre S. Columbe likewise entred the sayd holy house, together with him, & a golden light descending frō heauen, was seen to replenish al the house: &

as none can contemplate the meridiā sunne with stedfast and vndaseled eyes, so could not Virg∣nous sustaine that heauenly splendour that blun∣ted the quicknesse of his eyes, where with he was so astonished and terrifyed, that no strength re∣mayned in him. The next morning, the Saint called on Virgnous, speaking these comfortable wordes to him: O my little child, you haue pleased almighty God much yesternight by casting your eyes on the earth; for had you not done so, your eyes had beene blinded with the lustre of that diuine light: beware you neuer bring this diuine visitation to the knowledge of men during my life. Another brother named Col∣gus, cōming that night by chance to the Church doore, saw the same glistering light▪ whome the saint admonished the next day, not to speake of it to any, all his life tyme.

4. Another tyme the saint charged one of his disciples named Brochanus: Beware my sonne, you approach not this night to my cell, as you are wont. Who notwithstanding the saints forbidding, went to the doore, and looked in at the key-hole, thinking with himselfe, as it fell out, that the saint had within some heauenly vision; for at that tyme the saints little lodging was replenished with diuine light, which the disobedient young

man being not able to sustaine, fled way in haste▪ The next day, the Saint called Brochanus aside▪ and he reprehended him with great seuerity, speaking to him in this manner: My sonne, you haue sinned before God, this last night, in thinking it possible to conceale your crafty prying, for if the holy Ghost did not, yet I behould you comming & returning from the doore of our lodging: had not I then offered my prayers in your behalfe, you would eyther haue fal∣len downe dead before the doore, or els your eyes had fallne out of your head: and know this, that in your owne country of Ireland, for liuing lasciuiously, you shall sustaine shame and reproach all the dayes of your life, yet I haue obtayned from our Lord, that in regard your are our disciple, that you shall do bitter pennance before your death, and obtaine mercy. All which happened to him afterwardes, according to the Saints prophecy.

How S. Columbes life was prolonged by the prayers of many Churches: How he foresaw his death, and reuealed the tyme to Diarmitius his familiar tender. CHAP. V.

THE glorions Abbot being in Hoy, a mar∣ueilous

sweetnesse & pleasantnesse appeared on his countenance, and casting his eyes to heauen∣wardes, he was wholy replenished with ioy: but within a little space, the sweetnes of his face, was conuerted into heauines, & his ioy into sorrow; which when two of his monkes, named Lugneus, and Pilu▪ saw and perceaued, they obtained of him not without great intreaty, and a faythfull promise of neuer reuealing it in his life tyme, the cause of that sad, & strange alteration, to whom he spoke in this manner: Loe to this present day; there are runne out, thrice ten years of my peregrinati∣on in Brittany: in the meane tyme these many dayes I haue deuoutly begged of God, that he would be plea∣sed in the end of this 30. years to finish my earthly pil∣grimage, and to call me to his heauenly mansion, & this was the cause of my ioy; for I saw the Angels sent frō the throne of glory, to meet my soule after its departure out of my body: & loe being now suddenly stayd, they stand on the rocke at further side of our sea, & would come in hast for my soule, but they are not permitted to approach neerer; for what our Lord hath graunted, he hath now suddēly altered, hearing the prayers of many churches for me: who haue obtained a thing against my will, that foure yeares more may be added to the tearm of my mortall pilgrimage: this sorrowfull delay, is the

cause of my present griefe, which foure years, when they shall come to an end, I shall without any precedent sicknesse of body, passe to the euerlasting ioyes of Para∣dise.

2. The tearme of the prementioned years, now drawing on, the true Prophet, and very noble Abbot, being loaden with yeares, went forth in a waggon one day to visit the Brothers, that were at worke, to whome he sayd: I concea∣ued an earnest desire to go to our Sauiour (who granted it me, if my selfe would) on Easter day, which we haue lately celebrated, but because I would not haue the ioy of that festiuity conuerted into heauinesse, I chose ra∣ther to diferre my departure out of this world a little longer. With this the Monkes fell into great hea∣uinesse, whome their pious Father begon to ani∣mate with very comfortable words, and sweete exhortations as much as he could. Then cōuer∣ting his face to the Orient, he blessed the Iland with all the inhabitants. From that tyme for∣wards, the Iland was neuer molested with the an∣noy of vipers: within a few dayes after, whilest the masses were a celebrating, as the Saint eleua∣ted vp his gracious countenance, it was suddenly dyed with a most delectable and liuely rednes; for at that houre, he saw the Angell of our Lord

flitting vp and downe in the Oratory, and in re∣gard the admirable aspect of an Angel instilleth ioy into the harts of the elect, the Saint therfore here abounded with ioy: and when some that were present enquired after the cause of his ioy, he answered: Loe an Angell of our Lord, sent to re∣quire a certaine depositum very deere to God, came in∣to the Church, and after looking downe ouer vs, and blessing vs, departed. None of them that were pre∣sent, vnderstood what depositum was that the Angell came for. But our holy Patron called his owne soule which God committed to his charge by the name of depositum, which he rendred vp within six dayes after.

3. On the next Saturday, the holy Abbot, and his faythfull tender Diarmitius, went out to blesse a Barne, where the Saint seeing two heaps of grayne, sayd: I congratulate much with my mon∣kes, for if I must needs depart; this yeare, they haue sufficient prouision. Diarmitius hearing this senten∣ce, became very heauy: you constristate vs so often this yeare, because you speake so often of your departure: to whome he sayd. I will acquaint you with a secret touching my death, so that you pro∣mise faythfully not to disclose it before I dye. Diar∣mitius gaue him his faithfull word and promise.

Then the glorious Saint added: This day in the sacred volumes, is called Sabbaoth, that is interprettd rest, and truly this day is a Sabbaoth to me, because it is the last of my laborious life, wherein after the pai∣nes of my trauailes, I sabbaoth, and this next ensuing midnight of the venerable Sunday, I shall be gathe∣red to the holy Fathers; for now our Lord Iesus vou∣chsafeth to inuite me, to whome I shal depart at night, as himselfe hath reuealed to me. After this he retur∣ned backe towardes the Monastery; In the way he ascended a little mountaine ouerlooking the monastery, & standing on the top of the hill, & eleuating his handes, he blessed his monastery, saying: The Kinges not only of Scotland with their subiects, but euen the Kinges of foraine nations with their vassalls, will honor much this place, though it be now narrow and despiseable: and the Saints of other Churches, will giue no small veneration to it.

How S. Columbe approching to the houre of his death, made a mysticall diuision of the Psalme In∣quirentes Dominum: Lastly of his death, bu∣riall, and some visions of his happy passage. CHAP. VI.

AFTER he had bestowed his sacred bene∣diction,

he returned to his monastery, and sate him downe to write the Psalter, and comming to that verse of the 33. Psalme: Inquirentes Dominum non minuentur omni bono. They that seeke after our Lord, shall not be diminished of any good. Here must I pause in the end of this page. Let Bathaneus write what followeth: The last verse which the Saint wrote, befitteth him very much, since he shall neuer be depriued of the interminable ri∣ches of heauen, and the subsequent verse: Come childrē heare me, I wil teach you the feare of our Lord, becommeth his successor Bathaneus, as being his successor, not only in the office of teaching, but also in the charge in writing. After the Saint had giuen a stoppe to his pen at the foresayd verse, he entred into the Church, to heare sundayes eue∣ning masse, which being done, he came backe to his cell, and sate in his bed, where he had in∣steed of a bed, a bare stone, and another stone in lieu of a bolster; sitting in that place he bequea∣thed to his ghostly children, these his last pre∣cepts in the hearing only of Diarmitius. I com∣mend to you my children, these my last wordes: conserue true and vnfained charity and peace a∣mong you, and if you obserue this, according to the example of the Saints, God the comforter

of the good, will help you: and I being with him will intercede for you, and he will affoarde you, both what you all want in this life, and like∣wise the ioyes which are prepared for them that keepe his Commandements.

2. After finishing these sacred documents, the glorious Saint held his peace: at midnight when the bell rung to matines, he rose, & going sooner then any of the company to the Church, he fell downe on his knees before the Altar. Di∣armitius following slowly after, saw all the church illustrated with Angelicall splendour, which at his approach disappeared; entring in therfore into the Church, he called oft to the Saint with a weeping voice, saying: O father, where are you? And so groping vp and downe in the darke, he found him lying prostrate before the Altar. Di∣armitius sate him downe by the Saint, and laid his head in his sacred lappe, in the meane tyme the Monkes came, who seeing their holy Father rea∣dy to dye, began to lament: euen at the very in∣stant of the separation of his soule, as we heard from some who were eye-witnesses, he looked a∣bout him with a viuacious and pleasant counte∣nance, contemplating the holy Angells that came to fetch him. Then Diarmitius tooke vpp

his holy hand to blesse his mōks: the Saint him∣selfe did what he coule to moue his hand to giue them his blessing, with the motion thereof since he could not performe it with the voice of his mouth: after this his sacred benediction giuen in this kind, the Saint yeilded vp suddenly his happy soule. The Angelicall sight left such a cheerefullnesse remayning in his countenance, that it seemed rather the sweete aspect of one cast in a pleasant slumber, then the ghostly sight of a dead corse. Heere we will relate some visions, which certaine holy men had at that very houre of the Saints happy passage. In a certaine Irish monastery, there liued a very holy and venera∣ble seruant of Christ, named Lugildius, who was both wise and iust: this holy monke not without great sorrow, related to a deere companion of his, a man of no lesse holy conuersation, a cer∣taine vision he had: This last midnight S. Co∣lumbe, the piller of many Churches, departed to the immortall ioyes of heauen, and I saw in spi∣rit, all the Ile of Hoy where I neuer was in person, illustrated with celestiall and angelicall bright∣nesse, & al the spaciousnes of the ayre was to the skyes, enlightned with the splendour of Angels. Angels were sent that descended to conduct his

holy soule to euerlasting rest. I heard likewise most sweet hymnes and harmonious canticles, that resounded melodiously at the same tyme: this angelicall manifestation Virgnous learnt frō the mouth of the foresayd holy old man.

3. Another ancient and religious seruant of Christs, and a holy monke named Ferrelus, related to me Adamnanus, with no small protesta∣tion and asseueration of the truth thereof, this ensuing vision. That night of S. Columbes happy passage out of this life, I, and others with me being fishing in the fishy riuer Fende, we saw all the region of the ayre suddenly illustrated: being much moued with the suddennesse of the mira∣cle, we conuerted our eyes to the East, and loe there appeared as it were a great fiery piller, that ascending to heauen wards, seemed to illuminate all the world, as a summers day, or meridian Sunne: and when that pillar had penetrated the heauens, then darkenesse ensued as after the Sun set, neither did the vision appeare to vs alone, for many other fishers that were vp and downe about the riuer, beheld it: these visiōs appearing at the very houre of our Patrons departur, make remonstrance of the glory he inioyeth before God. Now let vs returne thether, from whence

we haue digressed.

4. The matins office being ended, his holy body was carryed back with sweet symphony of psalmes to his little lodging: his obsequies were solemnized with no lesse honour then deuotion, for the space of three dayes, and three nights; which time being spent in the diuine prayses, the body of our glorious Patron, wrapped in cleane syndons, was interred in a decent tombe, with great veneration. Heere we thinke not amisse to tell what the Saint had prophecied touching the foresayd three dayes of his exequies. On a tyme one of the Monkes after a simple manner, sayd to the venerable Abbot: It is thought, that all the people of these prouinces will sayle hether to this Iland of Hoy, to celebrate your funeralls. My sonne, answeared the Saint, it shall not be as you say; for the vulgar sort, shall not be able by any meanes to come to my obsequies, only my owne familiar monkes shal accomplish my funerall rights and duties. Which prophe∣ticall prenunciation, the diuine Omnipotence, put in executiō; for during the three dayes of his holy funeralls, so boisterous a wind blew, that it was not possible for any to go to sea: but imme∣diatly after the Saints sepulture, the wind ceased

and the sea became calme; such then was the end of our glorious Patrons life, such were the hap∣py beginning of his merits, who is admitted into the society of the glorious Patriarkes, of the holy Apostles, of the sacred Martyrs, and immaculate Virgins, by the fauour of our sweet Sauiour Ie∣sus. To whome togeather with the Father, and the holy Ghost, be all praise, honour, vertue & glory, world without end, Amen.

Finis vitae Sancti Columbae.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Comme∣neus Al∣bus in libro quem scrip••it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 S. Colum∣be.