AD. 491. HI8T0BY Ο* SAIKT PATRICK. 245 one of the Irish may survive at the advent of the Judge, be cause Ireland, according to the prayer of Saint Patrick, will be destroyed seven years before the judgment. And on that hill he blessed the people of Ireland, and went up thither in order to pray for them and to see the fruit of his labour. There also came to him to that place, innumerable birds of Tarions colours, that he might bless them, which, as the Saint interprets it, indicate that all the saints of both sexes of the Irish will come to him at the day of judgment as to their father and teacher, and will follow him into the presence of God. There are four points of view in which Moses and Patrick •re parallel. In the first place, because an angel conversed with Patrick also, in a burning bush. Secondly, because he fasted on a mountain forty days and forty nights. Thirdly, because he also lived to the age of a hundred and twenty-two. Fourthly, because his tomb cannot be found ; but he was buried in a secret place, without any one knowing where. S In his childhood, as he was by nation an Irishman, he was «old by his father with his two sisters, to go to Scotland, and nrchased by a certain man named Cuulcu, whose swineherd e became. Then, when he was seventeen* years of age, he returned from his captivity into his own country, and having been instructed in sacred literature by the providence of God, he then went to Rome, and spent his time there till he was accounted more learned still ; and perusing the Holy Scriptures, he penetrated the divine mysteries. And while he abode at Rome, Palladius was sent by pope Celestine to the Scotch, as their bishop, in order to convert them to Christ; and he, first of all preaching the word of God in Scotland, at length came to Britain, and died in the country of the Picts. But when the death of Palladius was heard of, Patrick, while Theodosius and Valentinian were emperors, was sent by pope Celestine to the parte of the west, in order to preach the standard of the true cross to the Gentiles. And when he had come to Britain, he preached there the word of God, and was gladly received by the nations who inhabited those countries. Then he proceeded onwards to Scotland, and preached the word of God, which could not be kept in bonds. At last, being promoted by the archbishop Matthew to the rank of bishop, he at his ordination assumed this name of Patrick, for his name