Chapter 21. From Death to Life. Patrick continued to preach the Gospel without compromise for another thirteen years. Eventually, his name was practically forgotten in Britain, although it had become a household word in Ireland. By the end of his life, he had baptized thousands and thousands of new converts and planted numerous churches throughout Ireland. Few missionaries have been as effective. Patrick rejoiced to see his native converts rise to become deacons, presbyters, and bishops themselves.
Through the grace of God, Patrick outlived most of the other missionaries who labored with him, including Secundinus and Auxilius. After a particularly exhausting evangelism tour, Patrick realized that his tired body could go no further. Returning to his huts of mud and sticks in Armagh, he spent his last days praying for the church in Ireland. Loman, who was still living, though in poor health, tenderly looked after his every need. Finally, one day, Patrick called his close companions to his bedside.
"What day is it?" he asked. "The birds are singing so sweetly. Spring must be here." "Yes, it's March 17th," Loman answered. "Spring is just around the corner." Patrick smiled and then counseled the men in a weak, husky voice. "Over the past thirty years, I have preached to kings and servants alike and have baptized thousands of people. Yet, if I could pass on only one lesson to you men, it would be this: I have accomplished none of these things in my own strength. No, it's all been through the grace of God.
You must never ascribe these things to my own abilities or to some greatness of my own." Patrick began coughing fitfully and had to stop talking for a while. Finally, catching his breath, he continued, "As you men well know, we've been through a lot of trials together. I can't even recount how many times God has delivered us from injury and death. For many years now, I've realized that God was watching over me before I ever knew Him. He protected me and counseled me as a father would his son.
He had pity on my youth and ignorance, and so I give thanks unceasingly to Him. I particularly do so when I think about the many times that He forgave my folly and negligence. There were so many times that He had every right to be violently angry with me, yet He had mercy on me instead. I am greatly God's debtor." "We all are," Loman interjected. "Yes. So remember to always exalt and magnify God's name wherever you are and regardless of what circumstances you're in.
Not only when things are going well, but in affliction, too. Whatever befalls you, whether it's good or bad, accept it equally and always give thanks to God. There's still much work to be done in Ireland, so fish well and diligently. Spread out your nets so that a vast multitude and throng might be caught for God. My only wish is that you would make greater and better efforts than I did.
This will be my joy, for a wise son makes a father glad." Patrick was too weak to continue any further, so he closed his eyes and slept for a while. The other men retreated to the table at the other end of Patrick's hut. They quietly prayed and reminisced on their times with Patrick. Suddenly, Patrick began coughing, so the men hurried to his side. Loman quickly lifted a cup of water to his lips. When he finally stopped coughing, he lay silently in his bed, staring at his beloved companions for a while and smiling.
"I've prayed for years," Patrick said hoarsely. "That God would let me die in Ireland. And He has." Patrick closed his eyes again momentarily and smiled serenely. Then, grasping Loman's arm, Patrick continued, "But it's important that the Christians in Ireland keep their focus on Christ, not on me. I neither deserve nor wish for honor from any of you. Sufficient is the honor that is not yet seen, but in which my heart has confidence.
I've already been exalted beyond measure by the Lord, and I wasn't worthy that He should grant me even this. God is no respecter of persons, and He chose me for this service only so I could be one of the least of His ministers. For that reason, I don't want people making pilgrimages to visit my tomb after I've died. It's important that no one give any devotion to me that should go to Christ.
Accordingly, I want you all to affirm that you will bury me secretly and tell no one where I'm buried." The men hesitated, but then gave their assurance. In a feeble voice, Patrick quietly sang some of the Psalms with the men. Finally, he asked them to come closer. He lay his quivering gaunt hands on them, and with the last bit of his energy, he blessed them. When he finished blessing them, he joyfully welcomed death, or rather, he passed from death to life.