_The Answer of Saint Patrick to Secundinus._
And oftentimes the Saint Secundinus sat in the assembly of the holy
men, conversing together of the acts and the virtues of Saint Patrick.
And when one of them affirmed that Patrick was the most holy of all
living men, Secundinus answered, "Verily, he would be the most holy,
had he not too little of that brotherly charity which it becometh him
to have." And this saying, uttered in the presence of so many of his
disciples, was not long concealed from the saint. Therefore it came to
pass that when Saint Patrick and Secundinus afterward met together, the
master enquired of his disciple, the metropolitan of his suffragan, why
he had spoken such a word of him, or rather against him. And
Secundinus replied, "So did I say, because thou refusest the gifts
offered unto thee of rich men, and wilt not accept farms and
inheritances, wherewith thou mightest sustain the great multitude of
the saints which are gathered unto thee." Then Saint Patrick answered
and said, "For the increase of charity is it that I do not accept these
works of charity; inasmuch as were I to receive all that are offered
unto me, I should not leave even the pasturage of two horses for the
saints which will come after us." Then Secundinus repenting of the
word which he had spoken, entreated forgiveness of the saint; and he,
with his wonted kindness, accorded it unto his penitence.