CHAPTER XXVIII.

_How he beheld Devils._

And when the saint with his people drew nigh unto the shore, he beheld

a multitude of devils gathered together in the form of a globe,

surrounding the whole island, and setting themselves against him even

as a wall to defend their own citadel and to oppose his entrance. But

his heart was not moved, nor did he tremble at the presence of these

deformed ones, knowing that there were many with him more powerful than

with them, even unto his triumph and their overthrow. Therefore stood

he fixed in faith as Mount Sion, because mountains of angels were

around him, and the Lord encompassed His servant great and mighty unto

the battle. And the holy prelate, knowing that all those enemies were

to be quelled by him through the virtue of the cross of Christ, raised

his sacred right hand, and made the sign of the cross, and, telling

unto his people what he beheld, and confirming them in the faith,

unhurt and unterrified passed he over. Thus clothed with strength from

on high, mightily did he exercise the armor of the power of God to the

overturning of the powers of the air, who raised themselves against all

height and against the wisdom of the Lord, being always ready to punish

their disobedience and their rebellion, as will more plainly in the

following chapters appear.

The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings · 第 28 / 196 章