SAINT MALACHY , borne in Hybernia , or as we call it , Ireland , in the Citty of Ardmach , was there through the particular fauour of the Diuine Clemency , bred and brought vp in such sort , as from the Natiue Barbarisme of the place , he drew no more then Fishes do from the brackish Seas . Whence it comes to be a thing most delightfull , that so vnciuill and rude a Nation , should seeme to yield vs a person of so gentle behauiour , & celestiall manners . He who deriues the hony from Stones , & fetches oyle from the hardest Rockes , hath moreouer wrought this 〈◊〉 . True it is , the Parents of S. Malachy were both of noble Bloud , and of high Degree ; and the Mother no lesse generous of Mynd then Lineage , was very solicitous to shew to the Child , as yet tender , the true way of Saluation , making a great deale more reckoning thereof , then of the swelling Literature o●… the world , and yet wanted not the Child a good towardnes for eyther of both professions . In schoole he learned the Grammer , at home the feare of God ; & continually through his profit , did satisfy both Mother and Mayster . Which thing should not seeme to others to be any whit vntrue ; he hauing through especiall fauour from heauen , the lot to haue so good a Soule , which made him as well docible , as strangely amiable and gracious .

From Mothers breast , insteed of milke , he sucked the waters of wisedome , and day by day , became more wise . More wise , shall we say , or more Holy ? If I say , both the one and other , I should not much repent me , because I should haue sayd but truth . For manners he was graue , a child indeed yeares , but voyd of childish sportfullnes : and howbeit , held in veneration and admiration of all , yet became he not thereby , as generally others do haughty or insolent , but rather quiet and submisse with all meckenes . He was not impatient of gouernment ; not stubborne to discipline ; not dull for studies ; and finally not delighted with games , the proper and general affect of that age : so as in learning , which was competent for him , he out-stript all his equalls of the same age ▪ but in Goodnes of life and purchase of vertues , he excelled as many , as taught him ; and that not only through the industry of his Mother , but euen also by the Vnction of the spirit ; wherwith being interiourly solicited & pushed on , he was neuer backward in diuine Exercises ; as to retire himselfe in solitude ; to meditate the holy law of Christ ; to make o●…en prayer ; to be temperate in dyet ; to vanquish sleep . And wheras from publique frequenting of Churches he was partly hindred through schoole , and partly kept backe through a certayne respectfull modesty ; yet forbare he not the lesse , to lift vp his Mynd to the supernall Father , & to adore him euen likewise with exteriour gestures , wheresoeuer in secret he could find occasion there vnto : being at such tymes very cautious and circumspect to eschew vayne glory , the most certaine poyson of vertues .

There lyes not farre off from Ardmach , a village whither his Maister went often to walke , without other company , the this beloued Disciple . Now therfore on a tyme , while they were walking both together , Malachy obseruing the Maister in a deep study with himself , making a step ( as he related afterwards ) remayned somewhat behind , and on the suddayne lifting vp his innocent hands from the how of his 〈◊〉 euer bent ▪ 〈◊〉 forth enflamed Iaculatoryes to the Starrs ; & for not to be discouered , very ●…lyly would he be putting himselfe agayne somewhat handsomely on the way : and with so pious a theft , would the blessed youth from tyme to tyme be deceiuing his Guide . It boots not heere to relate all the acts , which made his greener yeares very illustrious and admirable . My penne makes ●…hast to much greater things . And yet neuerthelesse will I not seeme to let passe this one thing by the way , which in that tendernes of his , gaue matter , not only of a good , but of a soueraigne hope .

Being now arriued at last somwhat towards the end of the first arts , and thirsting after the grauer Sciences , being moued through the fame of a learned Doctour , he went his wayes with great diligence ; though somewhat farre off , to be acquainted with him . But finding him at his entring into the howse very busy , scoring of the wall very impertinently with an awle , being disgusted with such a leuity , and immediately pulling backe his foote from thence , he had no list to re●…te him any more ; so much ( howbeit neuer so greedy of Learning he were ) he preferred honesty before knowledge . In this sort then , he passed ouer his childish yeares , and yet in Youth reteyned he still , as it were , the same tenour of candour & purity ; sau●… only that together with yeares , did Wisedome and grace , both with God and men alike increase in him : with this besides , that continually there beganne more high and sage reflections , and discourses to awake in his breast . For that the prudent youth beholding on the one side the malignity of the world , and on the other the quality of the Spirit which swayed within his mind ; came more than once to speake within himselfe in this sort .

My spirit is no whit secular ; for what hath it to do therewith , since there is no more resemblance betweene them , then betweene night and day ? Mine seemes , to proceed from God , nor am I ignorant of the gifts , which he hath vouchsafed me . From him , do I acknowledge the stole of innocency I enioy , with the flower of continency in me preserued hitherto . From him , that glory of myne so much securer , as it is more secret , consisting wholy in the testimony of the proper conscience . None of all which possessions can abide without much daunger vnder the Prince of this naughty world . Besides , I go carrying so great a treasure in an earthen vessell , and there is good reason to feare , least it come to take a knock , and be broken , & the Oyle of gladnes within be vnhappily spilt . And how is it possible not to take a knock among so many stones , & amidst so many rocks of this way , & life so full of turnings , windings , & rubs ? And shall I seeme in a moment to be loosing of all these blessings of holy sweetenes , wherewith the Eternall Goodnes from the beginning hath preuented me ? Rather I resolue to secure the same in the hand of him , who hath giuen it me , & my selfe likewise therewith ; since also I am his , I will temporally loose my life for not to loose it eternally . And where may the same with my being , & all what I am , be in more safety , then in the right hand of the giuer ? For who is more wary then he in keeping ? who more potent in deffending , and more faythfull in restoring ? He will keepe it safely ; he wil restore it in his tyme . I shal not loose a iot of whatsoeuer I shall seeme to distribute in workes of piety . Perhaps moreouer , I may looke for a good returne . This magnificent Bancher , is wont to redouble with vsury , the things which he hath giuen of courtesy . Such were the thoughts of S. Malachy , and he really went about to execute the same , as knowing most cleerely , that good wils without good effects ●…re of litle , or no profit .

THERE was a holy man in Ardmach , Imarius by name , of a very austere life , and a most implacable chastiser of his proper flesh ; he dwelt reclused in a Cell , neere the great Church , in performing there very hard penaunce with continual prayer . To this man went S. Malachy to be instructed , and guided in a spirituall life , by him , though lyuing , yet voluntarily condemned to the graue . And though from a Child ( as we said ) he had God himselfe for Maister in the art of louing God , yet now more ancient , as a rude disciple , would he needs submit himselfe to the rule of a man . Heere now let those note well this point , who vndertake to teach the same which they haue not learned , and go gathering and multiplying Scholers without euer hauing been at schoole ; blind guiders of the blind . And if S. Malachyes example suffice them not , yet let them marke what the Apostle S. Paul practised . For had not he , trow you receiued the Ghospell from Christ himselfe ? And yet thought he it not amisse to communicate the same with men , least his way & labors might prooue otherwise in vaine . Where S. Paul holds not himself secure ▪ do I hold me lesse . And let him who vnderstands it otherwise , beware his security proue not presumption .

But returne we now to the fact of S. Malachy , whose fame being incontinently spread , all were astonished at such a nouelty ; but yet all not discoursed alike thereof . Many through humane affect ▪ were bitterly sory , that ●…o delicate●… a youth , and or so good disposition should so of his owne choyce be obliged to so great sharpnes & austerity . Others attributing the fame to ficklenes and youthfull he●… disdaynefully blamed him , for putting himselfe vpōan enterprize , so farre beyond his forces . But they wrongfully layd the blame vpon him , while he could not be culpable of temerity , who so adhered to the counsayle of the Prophet , saying : It is good for him , th●… shall carry the yoke , from his youth . But such an act in S. Malachy seemed so strait a way , as had not been seene to be trod by others steps ; nor vntill that tyme , had any Student of the same Academy euer entred in . So as he was faygne to be exercised a good while without a fellow of anyranke , sitting in silence and submission , all the while at the feete of Imarius , and refining his vnderstanding & will with entire Obedience , with perpetnall mortification , and with al those industries and arts , which easily conduct a soule , that is both feruent and meeke , to the top of Euangelicall perfection . It was not long neuertheles , that others being enflamed through his example , began to giue themselues to the selfe same Discipline they seemed to abhor so much the other day : In so much as where he was solitary at first , and the only sonne of his Father , very soone he came to be the eldest of many Brothers ; but as he was more ancient in Conuersation , so was he more sublime in Contemplation . Whence he seemed to the Archbishop Celsus , as likewise to Imarius , who by this tyme knew him well , to be worthy of Sacred Deaconship , & so they ordayned him .

From that tyme this new Leuit , seemed to buckle himselfe publiquely to all the workes of piety , but especially to those which are ordinarily held in most contempt with others . And with particular diligence would he attend to the Funerals & Exequies of the Poore decea●…ed , whiles this Office to him seemed to be of no lesse humility , then humanity . And therin our Toby had the temptation of a wicked woman , or rather of the ancient Serpent , by her meanes , because a Sister of his ▪ esteeming it a dishonour to her , that he should imploy himselfe in such affayres . What dost thou ( would she say ) thou foole as thou art ? Let the dead go , and bury their dead . And with such sayings ▪ would she neuer c●…se to molest him ▪ euery day . But the foolish woman had her answere giuen her , very apt therunto ; O wretch , you seeme to know well ▪ the Syllables of the sacred Sentence , but not awhit the sense therof . And so in this sort would he be cheerefully pursuing that Exercise , so gratefull to the eyes of the Diuine Goodnes . And for his perseuerance therein , his ▪ Superiours holding him moreouer to be worthy , of Priesthood , without delay promoted him there to , notwithstanding all the resistance which he could make . S. Malachy ▪ was found at that tyme , to be 25 ▪ yeares of age . In which two Ordinations , if the Decree of the Ca●…ns were not strictly obserued , which prescribes the 25. to the one . & the 30. yeare to the other , it may well be imputed , both to the zeale of the Ordaynant , and merits of the Ordayned . True it is , that as such anticipation of tyme in so eminent a subiect , is no way reprehensible ; so for my part I would not seeme to counsaile the same to any other quality of persons . But yet the same was not though to the iudicious Archbishop , who made him moreouer his ▪ Vicat in the preaching of the diuine Word , and in the Careohisme of that rude and sauage people . Nor was S. Malachy 〈◊〉 of his ●…auayle , but rather with feruour , accepted the same , as not willing 〈◊〉 couer ▪ the talents ▪ he had , but to negotiate with them , according to the will of the Highest .

BEhold how S. Malachy anon , with his mystical tooles , p●…ts himselfe ▪ to del●… vp stumps to breake vp lands ▪ to tread out path●…aies , to louell banks , & with a Gyants hart to be a●…hād , now heere now there . He seemed to be a flame amidst the Forrests , & a hooke among naughty plants . In lie●… of barbarous , customes , he inserts Ecclesiasticall rites . All ranke superstitious ( which were not few ) all diabolicall charmes , & finally whatsoeuer heeretofore he iudged to 〈◊〉 disordinate , indecent ▪ or out of square , endured not long in his fight , but as fruite with the hayle , or as dust with winds . So before the face of this holy Reformer , abuses and vices were quite defeated or dispersed . But as on euery ▪ side he endeauoured to set down Lawes & Rules full of iustice and honesty , yet laboured he still with particular care to incroduce the Apostolicall Constitutions , the approued Councells , and aboue all the Traditions and Obseruances of the holy Roman Church . And hence it grew , that whereas at first , no●… so much as in the principall Cittyes of Ireland , were Diuine Offices celebrated with solemne harmony ; now , not only in Cittyes , but in Townes and Villages also , were sung the Masses , and Canonicall howers , no lesse then in the rest of Christianity . Wherto it helped not a little , that S. Malachy from a youth had attended to his part in Musique . But that which more imports , he renewed the vse of the Sacraments , and in particular of Confession , Confirmation , and of Matrimony , things that eyther out of malice , or ignorance , had bene heeretofore as it were , wholy forgotten , and dismissed .

Amidst these labours and trauailes , and many others , which for breuity sake are letpasse ; we may belieue for certayne , this Seruant of Christ , had receiued great gusts and consolations from heauen : and yet neuerthelesse , being as he was of a most delicate Conscience , & thinking very lowly of himselfe , & for that to him it seemed he had neyther practice nor Learning sufficient for so high employments ; those same delights came to be much watered , with a continuall seare which he had , least through his imprudence any opinions or customes might be introduced in some points discordant to the Custome of Catholique Institutes . So as , to get out of these anxietyes , for his better instruction , he was resolued , with the approbation of the Prelats , to transferre himselfe for a tyme to Malcus Bishop of Lesmor , being a famous Citty of Momonia , in the Southerne part of Ireland . Which Malcus , being now surcharged with yeares , as well for profoundnes of wisedome , as for singular sanctity of life , & likewise for the gift of Myracles which he had ; was held in those Regions , as an Oracle of Truth , and a common refuge of the afficted . S. Malachy being courteously receiued by this good oldman , while he carefully ministers to him , and likewise with diligence goes on obseruing the things appertayning to diuine Seruice , & to the cure of Soules , through an vnlook't for accident , was a noble field laid open to him to exercise Charity .

IRELAND in those tymes ( as it likewise ought to be at this present ) was deuided into certayne little kingdomes , and by consequence subiect to warres , seditions , and tumults . Now there being a great discord risen betweene Cormacus King of Momonia , & a wicked brother of his ; the King being vanquished in battayle , and thurst out of his seate , made his recourse in person to the Bishop Malcus , to be succoured by him ; not for recouering his scepter , but rather to saue his soule , as being timourous of him , who takes away the spirit of Princes , & as very much alienated from sheding of Christian bloud for temporall interests . At the newes of such a Ghest , did Malcus make preparation to receiue him with due honour : but he would not consent thereto , affirming his intention was to liue with him in a priuate and quiet manner ; and laying aside all memory of royall pompes , to betake himselfe to the discipline , and fare of the other Canonists . Malcus , at such a resolution by how much more astonished , accepting the offer of a contrite hart , assigned to the King a little howse to lodge in , S. Malachy for his Maister , with bread and water for his sustenance . Nor did the Prince himselfe desire hence forth any cheere or delicates ; remayning in a place of all other sweetenes most satisfied with the incorruptible gusts and celestial viands ministred him by S. Malachy . Through which , notwithstanding remayning more mollifyed , he rightly bewayled his sinnes , and extinguished the incentiues of the flesh , with baths of the coldest water , with Dauid , crying to our Lord : Behold my ●…asenes and my misery , & pardon me all my offences . Nor were the Soueraigne Iudges eares found deafe to such a prayer ; but rather heard he the supplication made , not only in the sense he vttered it , wholy spirituall and internall ; but euen like wise ( conformable to his infinite Goodnes ) in the materiall and extrin●…ecall . And as he reserues not all sentences to the Tribunall there , he was pleased to succour likewise in this life , the depressed innocency of Cormacus , by exciting the spirit of a certayne King neere vnto Momonia into so great an indignation for the iniustice offered , as that comming in post to the Cell of the poore Penitent , he laboured to encourage him to a generous returne , in setting the goodnes of the cause before him , the perfidiousnes of the Rebels , the fauourable right hand of the Highest ; & this , for the more efficacy with feruent exhortations , mingled with large promises . With engines thus addressed , he sought to stirre vp & prouoke that afflicted Prince , but perceiuing the obiects of Soueraignity , and motiues of selfe-loue , were not of force inough to preuayle with him , he turned himselfe with dexterity , to those of Christian piety , and the publique weales most liuely representing to him the miserable oppression of his subiects the insolencies and iniuryes of the intruding Tyrant , and the obligation which a lawfull and naturall Lord hath to deliuer , to his power , his vassals from so great afflictions and miseryes . In which point the friendly King dilated himselfe with greater vehemency then before , as hoping sure with such a battery at last to make the mynd of Cormacus to render vp its hold .

But finding him to be firme notwithstanding all this , in his determination , & more fixed then euer ; at last , as to a sacred Anker , he made his repayre to Malcus the Bishop , and to S. Malachy : who both being voluntarily enclined therto , as to be the greater glory of God , without much difficulty was he won to their opinion . In such sort as Cormacus enforced through the authority and commaund of both the one and other , did finally accept the humanity & promptnes of his Neighbour , and with his ayde , and much more through his presence Who can do all , the impious and wicked Intruder was put to flight , and he not without the infinite ioy of the people , was installed agayne into his Royall throne ; and from that tyme euer after did he loue and respect S. Malachy . Who after he had for some tyme , not without notable emprouement , enioyed the familiarity and discourses of Malcus , being by Letters and Messages recalled by Celsus , and Imarius . ( who could no longer endure his absence ) he accordingly made his returne backe into his Countrey .

IN the meane tyme his Sister was departed this life , of whome we made some mention aboue . Concerning her , it behooues vs not to passe ouer in silence a Vision , which the Man of God had . Because that although while she liued in flesh , he abhorred her behauiour , in such sort , as that after some yeares , he made a vow not to see her any more : yet now she being quit of body , he himselfe remayned discharged of the vow : and beganne to reuisit her in spirit , whome he had no will to see euer any more aliue . For so much as on a night , it seemed to him in sleepe , that he was aduertised by a Man in hast , that his Sister attended without , in the Church yard in a browne habit , without hauing tasted any thing for these thirty dayes together . At which voyce , now S. Malachy being a waked , he presently vnderstood , what manner of famine tormented her : and exactly casting vp the tyme , he found it had been iust thirty dayes , since he had said Masse for her . And in regard the Seruant of Christ loued the soule , as much as he hated the imperfections of his Sister , without delay he returned to his suffrages so intermitted . Nor was it long ere the dead Woman appeared to him , vpon the thre shall of the Church ( but yet bard from entring in ) and apprelled in black . But her Brother perseuering still in assisting her without euer omitting any morning , wherein some Sacrifice was not offered vp for her , he espyed her very soon in a grayish gowne , within the Church indeed , but not admitted as yet to the Aultar . In summe , he ceased not to celebrate for such intention , vntill finally she appeared to him , not only within the Church , but euen likewise neare to the Aultar in a white garment , amidst a most happy troupe of blessed Spirits , who in like manner hauing now finished the purgatiue paynes , were noted with the same candour . Whence cleerely appeares , how great is the valew and force of the Sacr●…d Masse , to the cancelling of sinnes , to vanquish the aduerse powers , and to lead into Heauen , the Creatures taken out of the earth , and mire , or rather from the mouth of Hell it selfe . S. Malachy tooke exceeding contentment at so certayne a Deliuery of his Sister , and felt no lesse ioy in himselfe for the pious and magnanimous resolution of an Vncle of his . The which , to the end it may the better be vnderstoood , & pondered , this it was .