The writings of Patrick: The Confession (1)

My name is Patrick, and for many years
I have, with labors, striving, joys, and tears
proclaimed the Name of Jesus in these parts –
although I know within my heart of hearts
I am a most uncultivated man,
the least of all the faithful in this land,
and looked upon with scorn by many. I
have sought with all my strength the Lord on high
to serve, not seeking status, wealth, or fame,
but just the celebration of the Name
of Him Who looked on me with mercy when
I was an ingrate, and the slave of men
and sin. With great reluctance and regret
I offer herein my defense, and set
aside the greater work to which the Lord
has called me, that I might address some word
of vindication for my ministry.
For there are those who seek to challenge me,
who, for my rudeness, my simplicity,
or youthful folly, would discredit me
and leave these many flocks whom God has put
into my care without a shepherd. What
am I to do, except to state my case
and offer my confession to the face
of God and men? The Lord will hear and judge
these words, here offered without spite or grudge,
and will approve the work that I have done
and guard the souls who have for Him been won.

Calpurnius, my father, son of the late
Potitus, was a deacon. His estate
was near to Banna Venta Berniae,
where, as a priest, his father served to say
the liturgy and guard the flock of God.
When I was sixteen years of age, the rod
of judgment fell on me, as I deserved,
and I was carried off and made to serve
in Ireland, as were many others. We
had turned our backs on God impiously,
and scorned His Law, refusing to obey
our bishops, who proclaimed to us the way
of God’s salvation and exhorted us
to put aside our sinful ways and trust
the Lord. Yet we refused to know our good
and loving Savior, as we clearly should;
and so He showed Himself to us in wrath.
He fell upon us as we walked the path
of wickedness, and scattered us among
so many foreign peoples. We were flung
out to the ends of the earth, where to this day
appropriately, I make my humble way
among a foreign people.

                                        But the Lord
did not forsake me there, and by His Word
revealed my unbelief, so that I might,
however late, set my offenses right
and turn to Him with all my heart. For He,
though I was nothing, yet regarded me,
and pitied both my ignorance and youth.
He cared for me before I knew the truth
or could discern the evil from the good.
He comforted me as a father would
his son, and guarded me throughout my years
of foolishness and sin. And so, with tears
of gratitude, I must proclaim the great
and many blessings which the Lord of late
has granted me, here in the land of my
captivity. For this is how I try
to make repayment for the way the Lord
revealed to me His glory and His Word
through capture and enslavement. I declare
His wonders to the races everywhere
beneath the heavens. For there is but one
eternal God; not other has begun
to be, or ever shall. He is without
beginning, God the Father, He about
Whom I must sing. And all that is began
to be from Him; He governs earth and man
and everything that is, as we are taught.
His Son is Jesus Christ, the One Who bought
us with His blood. We testify that He
was with the Father in eternity,
and was by Him begotten in a way
that cannot be described. All that today
we see – and even that which eyes cannot
behold – was made by Him. And so we ought
to worship Him, Who for our sakes became
a Man, demolished death, received a Name
above all others, and was taken to
His heavenly home and to His Father, Who
awarded Him all power in earth and heaven.
For everything to Jesus has been given,
that every knee should bow and every tongue
confess, of things on earth and things among
the dead and in the heavens, that He is Lord
and God, and thus all should obey His Word.
And we believe in Him and long to see
the day of His return, for it will be
upon us soon. Then He shall judge the dead
and all who live, and will, as He has said,
return to all according to what they
have done, and usher in eternal day.
He poured upon us so abundantly
His Holy Spirit, a gift and pledge, that we
should immortality possess. And all
who trust in Him and on His mercy call
He makes the sons of God, and with Him, heirs
of everlasting bliss. So we declare,
confess, and love Him as one God within
the Trinity, that Holy Name. Through Him
the prophet Asaph said, “Now call on Me
when trouble comes, and I will set you free
and you shall glorify My Name.” Again
He says, “It is an honorable thing that men
should celebrate God’s works and all proclaim
the glory of His holy, matchless name.”

For more about Patrick and the impact of his ministry, order a copy of The Legacy of Patrick, by T. M. Moore from our online store.