A Rustic's Return

Et iterum Spiritus testatur: Et rusticatio ab Altissimo creata est. Unde ego primus rusticus perfuga, indoctus scilicet qui nescio in posterum providere: sed scio illud certissime, quia utique priusquam humiliarer, ego eram velut lapis qui jacet in luto profundo: et venit qui potens est, et in sua misericordia sustulit me; et quidem scilicet sursum allevavit et collocavit me in summo pariete. Et inde fortiter debueram exclamare, ad retribuendum quoque aliquid Domino ei pro tantis beneficiis ejus, hic et in aeternum, quae mens hominum aestimare non potest. Unde autem admiramini magni et pusilli qui timetis Deum, et vos ignari Domini rhetorici: audite ergo et scrutamini quis me stultum excitavit de medio eorum qui videntur sapinetes esse et legis periti, et potentes in sermone et in omni re. Et me quidem detestabilem hujus mundi prae caeteris inspiravit, etsi talis essem: dummodo autem ut cum metu et reverantia et sine querela fideliter prodessem genti ad quam caritas Christi transtulit, et donavit me in vita mea, si dignus fuero: denique, ut cum humilitate et veraciter deservirem illis. In mensura itaque fidei Trinitatis oportet distinguere et sine reprehensione periculi notum facere donum Dei et consolationem aeternam, ac sine timore fiducialiter Dei nomen ubique relinquerem fratribus et filiis meis quos ego in Domino baptizavi, tot millia hominum. Sanctus Patricius Hibernorum Apostolus, Confessio, Cap V-VI Source: Migne PL 53.803c-804a

Again the Spirit gives witness: 'What is of the countryside was also created by the Most High.' 1 So I am first of all a rustic, a refugee, indeed unlearned, one who does not know how to provide for the future. But this I know for certain, that before I was humiliated, I was like a stone lying in deep mud, and He who is powerful came and in His mercy lifted me out, and raising me up, placed me on the height of the wall. That is why I must shout loudly in returning something to the Lord for such great benefactions of His, here and forever, which man's mind cannot measure. Whence be amazed, all you great and small who revere God, 2 and you ignorant speech makers, listen, then, and investigate who it was who called one as foolish as me from the midst of those who seem to be wise and experienced in law and powerful in words, and in everything. Even I who was detestable before all others of this world He inspired, even so I was, so that in awe and reverence and without complaint I would faithfully profit the peoples to which the love of Christ brought me. He gave to me in my life, if I were worthy of it, to their service in truth and in humility. Thus by the measure of faith in the Trinity, and without worry of danger, it is right to make known the gift of God and eternal consolation, and faithfully, without fear, to leave the name of God everywhere among my brothers and children whom I have baptised in the Lord, so many thousands of men. Saint Patrick Apostle of the Irish, The Confession, Chap 5-6 1 Sirach 7.16 2 Apoc 19.5