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* 1.1X. CHAP.
1.2 &c. The Gests of the younger S. Gil∣das: in Ireland: and Brittany: Of Saint Columba: Of S. Brendan.
1. WE have often had occasion in this History to cite testimonies from our famous Historian Gildas, sirnamed Badonicus, and Sapiens, call'd also the Younger Gildas to distinguish him from S. Gildas Albanius whose Gests have bene formerly related. Now because we are come beyond the times of those Brittish Princes which have been mention'd, and in their foule colours painted by him, it will be requisite to afford him a place here also, and breifly to collect what we find in other Authours concerning him.
2. By his own Testimony he was born in the year when the great battell was fought at the Mountain call'd Badonicus between the Brittains and Saxons in the time of King Aurelius Ambrosius: to which Mountains the Saxons retiring were besieged by the Brittains, and afterward in a battell discom∣fited▪ This hapned in the year of Grace four hundred ninety three, being the forty fourth year after the first entrance of the Saxons into Brittany.
3. The Authour of his Life extant in the Monastery of Fleury in France, from whence severall Extraits are afforded us by B. Vsher, though in some passages thereof he mingle the Gests of the Ancient S. Gildas call'd Al∣banius with those of this Gildas, yet in this which follows he reflects only on our pre∣sent Gildas Badonicus sirnamed Sapiens, whom he affirms to have bene a Disciple of S. Iltu∣tus, and after he had left him to have gone into Ireland:* 1.2 The words are these, Gildas, ha∣ving remained some years under the discipline of S. Ildutus, by whom he was instructed perfectly, and as far as God had enabled him to instruct him, as well in Secular learning, so much of it as was expedient, as in the knowledge of Divine Scriptures; at length taking leave of his pious Master, and much reverenced fellow-disciples, he went into Ireland (Iren perrexit) there more ex∣actly to learn the opinions and dictats of other fa∣mous Schollars, both in Philosophicall and Divine learning. Having therefore pass'd through the Schooles of many learned Teachers, and like a diligent Bee collected the iuyce of diverse flowers, he layd it up carefully in the Hive of our Mo∣ther the Church, to the end he might in oppor∣tune season poure forth the mellifluous words of the Gospell on his own countreymen, and thereby draw them out of misery to eternall ioyes, and like a good servant restore unto his Lord with advan∣tage the Talent entrusted to him. This, which was his first iourney into Ireland, was in the year of Grace five hundred and forty.
4. Here this Authour calls Ireland by the ancient true name given it by Diodorus Sicu∣lus, by whom it is stiled Ire,* 1.3 and the inha∣bitants Iri and Irenses. In which Island, saith Bishop Vsher,* 1.4 there flourish'd in this age the Schooles of Armagh, wherin the Elder Gildas had presided, when he laboured piously in cultivating the minds of the Irish. In which employment probably the younger Gildas also succeeded him. However certain it is that in that countrey, he like a busy and care∣full Bee did not only collect sweet iuyce, but a sharp sting likewise, which he after∣ward darted forth against the vices of his own countrey. But with the inhabitants of Ireland he dealt more mildly, for as the fore∣cited Authour testifies, he restor'd discipline in the Ecclesiasticall Order, he gather'd many con∣gregations of Monks,* 1.5 and likewise mercifully deliver'd from the slavery of Pagans many captives.
5 How long his abode in Ireland conti∣nued, doth not appear in ancient Records: but certain it is that he return'd into Brit∣tany, where, as we may judge by his wri∣tings, he found small comfort and encou∣ragement to porue forth the honey which he had gather'd in Ireland, such were the cala∣mities, and confusions raigning there, vices and miseries contending which should ex∣ceed the other. So that his almost only em∣ployment was to bewayl the destruction of his countrey hastning on and by publishing the crimes especially of the Rulers, both se∣cular and Ecclesiasticall, to justi••y the severity of God to have been beneath their demerits and provocations.
6. But in the year of our Lord five hun∣dred sixty two he was by a double message and invitation from Ireland interrupted in his sad thoughts, and withdrawn from be∣holding such mournfull spectacles, as every where in Brittany offred themselves to his eyes. The first Message came from persons of quality in Ireland, and is thus related by Adamannus in the life of S. Columba:* 1.6 The Se∣niours of Ireland by faithfull messengers sent an Epistle to S. Gildas by Nation a Saxon (we must read, a Brittain) to the end to entertain a mu∣tuall entercourse of charity between them. And when he had read over their letters, and held in his hand an Epistle written to him from S. Co∣lumba, he presently kiss'd it, adding these words,
He who wrote this Epistle is a man replenish'd with the Graces of Gods holy spirit. Thereupon one of the Messengers said: It is true what you say: Yet notwithstanding this holy man has been censur'd by a Synod in Ireland, because in ex∣treme necessity and danger of death he comman∣ded his kindred and countreymen to resist by fighting a violence offred them. S. Gildas having hear'd S. Columba thus reprehended, answerd,
What a foolish, imprudent and ignorant people are your countreymen in Ireland!