_The different States of Hibernia are in a Heavenly Vision shown unto
the Saint._
And the man of God anxiously desired and earnestly prayed that he might
be certified of the present and the future state of Hibernia, to the
end that he might be assured of the faith, or of the value that his
labors bore in the sight of God. Then the Lord heard the desire of his
heart, and manifested the same unto him by an evident revelation; for
while he was engaged in prayer, and the heart of his mind was opened,
he beheld the whole island as it were a flaming fire ascending unto
heaven; and he heard the angel of God saying unto him: "Such at this
time is Hibernia in the sight of the Lord." And after a little space
he beheld in all parts of the island even as mountains of fire
stretching unto the skies. And again after a little space he beheld as
it were candles burning, and after a while darkness intervened; and
then he beheld fainter lights, and at length he beheld coals lying
hidden here and there, as reduced unto ashes, yet still burning. And
the angel added: "What thou seest here shown, such shall be the people
of Hibernia." Then the saint, exceedingly weeping, often repeated the
words of the Psalmist, saying: "Whether will God turn himself away for
ever, and will he be no more entreated? Shall his mercy come to an end
from generation to generation? Shall God forget to be merciful, and
shut up his mercy in his displeasure?" And the angel said, "Look
toward the northern side, and on the right hand of a height shalt thou
behold the darkness dispersed from the face of the light which
thenceforth will arise." Then the saint raised his eyes, and behold,
he at first saw a small light arising in Ulydia, the which a long time
contended with the darkness, and at length dispersed it, and illumined
with its rays the whole island. Nor ceased the light to increase and
to prevail, even until it had restored to its former fiery state all
Hibernia. Then was the heart of the saint filled with joy, and his
heart with exultation, giving thanks for all these things which had
been shown unto him: and he understood in the greatness of this fiery
ardor of the Christian faith the devotion and the zeal of religion,
wherewith those islanders burned. By the fiery mountains he understood
the men who would be holy in their miracles and their virtues, eminent
in their preachings and their examples; by the lessening of the light,
the decrease of holiness; by the darkness that covered the land, the
infidelity which would prevail therein; by the intervals of delay, the
distances of the succeeding times. But the people think the period of
darkness was that in which Gurmundus and Turgesius, heathen princes of
Norwegia, conquered and ruled in Hibernia; and in those days, the
saints, like coals covered with ashes, lay hidden in caves and dens
from the face of the wicked, who pursued them like sheep unto the
slaughter. Whence it happened that differing rites and new sacraments,
which were contrary to the ecclesiastical institutes, were introduced
into the church by many prelates who were ignorant of the divine law.
But the light first arising from the north, and after long conflict
exterminating the darkness, those people assert to be Saint Malachy,
who presided first in Dunum, afterward in Ardmachia, and reduced the
island unto the Christian law. On the other hand, the people of
Britain ascribe this light to their coming, for that then the church
seemed under their rule to be advanced unto a better state; and that
then religion seemed to be planted and propagated, and the sacraments
of the church and the institutes of the Christian law to be observed
with more regular observance. But I propose not the end of this
contention, neither do I prevent it, thinking that the discussion and
the decision thereof should be left unto the divine judgment.