prayer, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings which cannot be expressed in words. And again: The Lord our advocate asketh on our behalf.
26. And when I was tempted by some of my seniors—who came and urged my sins against my laborious episcopate,—indeed on that day I was strongly incited that I might fall here and in eternity. But the Lord benignly spared the stranger and sojourner for His name's sake, and helped me exceedingly when I was thus I trampled on, so that I did not fall seriously into sin and disgrace. I pray God that the occasion be not imputed to them as sin.
27. For, after thirty years they set upon me, and that in regard to a word which I had confessed before I was a deacon. Through anxiety, in sadness of mind, I revealed to my dearest friend what I had done in my youth in one day, nay in one hour, for I was not then able to overcome. I know not, God knoweth, if I was then fifteen years of age, and I did not believe in the living God, nor had I believed even from my infancy, but I remained in death and in unbelief until I had been severely chastised and humbled in truth by hunger and nakedness, and that daily.
28. On the other hand, I did not go to Ireland of my own accord until I was nearly exhausted. But this was rather for my benefit, for in this way I was corrected by the Lord, and He prepared me so that I might be to-day what was once far from me, that I might show care and anxiety for the salvation of others while at that time I did not even think about myself.
29. And therefore on that day on which I was rejected by the persons mentioned above, on that night I saw a vision of the night. There was a dishonoured document opposite my face, and at the same time I
