tor from the likeness of
the created; and though he knew Him not, yet loved he Him according to
his ability. Therefore he was baptized by Patrick, and forthwith he
expired, and was buried in his former sepulchre; and according to the
word of the saint, he was freed from his punishment. And the saint,
considering and commending the inestimable riches of the goodness of
God, exhorted them all earnestly, faithfully, and continually to love
God, and chiefly those who knew and understood Him, affirming that this
man had obtained so great a mercy through the earnestness of the love
which, though ignorant, he held toward God.
CHAPTER LXXXII.
_Of Another Man who was Buried and Raised Again._
And a certain prince who reigned in Humestia at the preaching of
Patrick believed, and, with all his people, was baptized. But when the
saint would have instructed him as to the general resurrection, he
could not easily bend thereto his faith, for in nowise could he believe
that the body which was once reduced into dust could ever be raised
again in the pristine state of its proper but improved nature. So when
the man of God, that he might reclaim him from his error, showed divers
testimonies of the Holy Writ, examples, signs, and miracles, he is said
to have thus replied; "If, by the virtue of Christ Jesus, thou shall
revive my grandfather, who has now been buried many days, then will I
believe in the resurrection of the dead which thou preachest." Then
the saint, being accompanied of the prince and all his people, went
unto the tomb, and signed it with the staff of Jesus; and he caused the
tomb to be opened, and, having prayed, to the admiration of all
present, and to the confirmation of the Catholic faith, he raised to
life the buried man. And he was of exceeding height and of terrible
countenance, yet much inferior to the aforementioned in his stature.
And him, relating the torments of hell, and devoutly asking baptism in
the name of Christ, did the saint baptize, and, when baptized, gave
unto his entreaty the Holy Eucharist; and placed him again, falling to
sleep, but sleeping in the Lord, in his former sepulchre. Then no one
of those present doubted of the resurrection of the dead, since it was
proved before their eyes by a testimony so credible, a miracle so
apparent. And this and the aforementioned miracle hath the saint
recorded in an epistle, addressed to a certain friend who dwelled in a
country beyond the sea
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