Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/350

, many noble Clearkes flourishing in diverse Realmes, the Holy Doctor Augustine yet in life: Theodosius the second, suppressing Idols in -all the Empyre: Celestinus 1. Bishop of Rome, conferred with his cleargy touching the instruction specially of the western parts, wherein the faith of Christ was hitherto, either not planted, or by persecution extinct, or by corruption of Hereticks defaced: of them all, no country was more lamented then Ireland, which partly for distance from the heart of Christendome, partly for their infinite rudenesse, had yet received no fruit of true Religion. In that assembly was Palladius Arch-Deacon of Rome, a good Priest and well learned, who profered his charitable travaile towards the conversion of any of those lands, whither he should be by them directed and appointed. The Pope knowing the sufficiency of the man, did consecrate Palladius a Bishop, authorized his journey, furnished his wants, associated to him, diverse religious persons, delivered him the Holy Bible, with great solemnities, and certaine monuments of Peter' and Paid, whereat diverse miracles had beene shewed. He arryved in the North of Ireland, whence he escaped hardly with his life, into the Hands adjoynjng, there preaching and converting many, erecting monasteries, and ensueing his vocation so painefully, that the onely report of his holynesse and cunning, excited the Scotts (late