the Christians heare in this Nation did not onely enioy freedome and Immunitie from all penalties and Persecution against Christian Churches and Monasteries that were ruinated restored and new builded Religion but as in the time of his Father made and freely had publike exercise and Profession thereof as our old Churches reedified new builded and erected Bishops Preists and all Cleargie and Religious men restored to their former quiet Reuenewes honours and dignities 2. Of this we haue diuers testimonies and examples in particular yet left vnto vs as out of the old Annalls of Winchester where we finde of that old Church builded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the late Persecutiō the Church of Winchester builded in the time of King Lucius and hallowed and dedicated Annal. Eccles Winton Godwin Catalog of Bishop Wincester in initio October 29. 189. By Faganus and Damianus Bishops amongst the rest at this time of Dioclesian went to wracke the buildings thereof being ruinated and made euen with the ground and the Monkes and all the officers belonging vnto it either slaine or enforced to fly for the present time in the yeare 309. the Church a foresaid was againe reedified and that with such wonderfull forwardnesse and Zeale as within one yeare and thirty dayes both it and all the Edifices belonging vnto it as chambers and other buildings for the Monkes and officers were quite finished in very seemely and conuenient manner The 15. day of March following it was againe hallowed and dedicated vnto the honor and memory of Amphibalus that had suffered death for Christ in the late Persecution by Constans Bishop of Winchester at te request of Deodatus Abbot of this new erected Monastery It is euident by this Relation and that is saide before that this holy worke so publike and with freedome and zeale was quite finished in the time of Constantine his being heare before he went hence against Maxentius And yet we see both Bishop Abbot Preists and Religious men publikly and honorably restored to their former condition The Church with vnspeakable deuotion builded and dedicated to that holy Saint and Martyr which in the late Persecution was most hated by the enemies of Christ So I say of the Church of S. Alban Ecclesia a Church as S. Bede writeth mirandi operis atque eius martyrio condigna extructa est a Church Bed Eccl. Hist l. 1. c. 7. Mat. West An. 313. of wonderfull workemanship and worthie of his martyrdome was builded so soone as the Christians were heare at quiet Redeunte temporum Christianorum serenitate Matthew of Westminster hath the same words and explaneth this time of the quiet of Christians heare when this Church was so sumptuously builded to haue bene ten yeares after his Martyrdome decem scilicet annis post passionem eius elapsis the perfect finishing whereof he setteth downe to haue bene in the same yeare in which Constantine went from hence towards Rome against Maxentius Which was by him in the 6. yeare of Constantine and before the generall ceasing of Persecution in other places Constantine not being absolute and sole Emperor vntill his victory against Maxentius nor the generall quiet then presently ensuing Both S. Bede and the Monke of Westminster write that in their seuerall times often curing of infirmities and Bed Matth. supr other miracles were wrought there in quo videlicet loco vsque ad hanc diem curatio infirmorum frequentium operatio virtutum celebrari non desunt The old Churches of S. Iulius and S. Aaron martyred in the late Persecutio◠in the Citie of Caerlegion deriue their auntient Foundation from this time So doe many others founded in honor of seuerall Martyrs then cruelly putt to death for the name of Christ So I affirme of all the Cathedrall Churches Archiepiscopall and Episcopall which I haue before remembred with their Particular Sees and Cities founded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the Persecution of the Tyrants Dioclesian and Maximinian as also those that were not Episcopall but subordinate and inferior ouerthrowne with that tempest of Persecution for S. Gildas S. Bed and others testifie without exception that all they which were then pulled downe euen to the ground were now reedified renouant Ecclesias ad solum vsque destructas Matthew of Westminster Gild. l. de excid conquest Brit. ca. 8. Bed Eccles Hist l. 1. c. 8. Mat. Westm an 313. plainely writeth that besides the new Churches builded in honor of their late Martyrs of which S. Gildas and S. Bede also make this memory Basilicas Sanctorum Martyrum fundant construunt perficiunt The Christians heare at this time renewed builded againe all the Churches dedicated to former Saints which had bene so destroyed and throwne downe to the ground Sanctorum Ecclesias ad solum vsque destructas renouant 3. And when we are warranted both by Protestant and Catholike Antiquaries Matth. Parker Antiq. Brit. pa. 8. Io. Goscel Eccl. Hist Manuscrip de Archiep. Can. tuar prope Init. Manuscr Gallie Antiq. cap. 28. also that from the beginning of Christianitie heare we had many Abbots Monkes and Monasteryes in euery Age tot tantaque Abbatum Monachorum Cenobiorum vetusta nomina quae quouis seculo extiterunt And that these Monasteryes were all destroyed in Dioclesian his Pesecution we must needs assigne their restauration to this time as I haue first exemplified before in the old Monastery of Winchester now reedified with so greate speede and deuotion the Abbot thereof being called Deodatus To this I ioyne the Monastery of Abingdon allready spoken of where this our greate King and Emperour Constantine as the old Annalls thereof doe pleade had his education when he was young wherein there where as it testifieth further aboue 500. Chron. Monast Abingdon apud Nich. Harpesf Eccl. Hist saecul 10. c. 9. Monkes liuing by the labour of their hands in th◠woods and Desarts adioyning vpon son dayes festiuall dayes comming to the Monastery besides 60. which did continually abide in the same seruing God there Quod Monachi supra quingentos illi fuerant adscripti qui per syluas loca deserta quae in vicinia fuere manuum labore victitabant ad Coenobium singulis Sabbatis Dominicis conuenientes praeter sexaginta qui assiduè in ipso Coenobio versabantur quod Constantinus ille Magnus Abingdoniae educatus fuerit Therefore we cannot doubt if we will accept this auntient Record for witnesse but of all other Monasteries this greate Emperour had an especiall care of restoring and endowing this his nursing place of education 4. To this time we may assigne the reedificing of the noble Monastery first builded by the Founder Ambrius or Ambry after called Amsbury in Wiltshire where at the comming of the Saxons hither there were 300. Religious men Coenobium trecentorum fratrum in monte Ambrij qui vt fertur fundator Galfr. Monum Hist Brit. l. 8. c. 9.
heare of so wonderfull patience loue of Christ and Heroicall true fortitude to so many thowsands which by their singular example with inuincible couradge imitated them therein is the greatest honour we can yeeld to such blessed Saints one earth Their Festiuitie is celebrated by the old Roman Martyrologe vpon the first day of Iuly On which day as Baronius plainely writeth many Martyr Rom. die 1. Iulij others suffered Martyrdome with them Iulius Aaron Martyres cum alijs plurimis in Britannia sub Dioclesiano primo die Iulij So likewise affirmeth a Caesar Baron in Indice NominuÌ„ Sanctorum in Iulio Aarone Author of Engl. Martyr 1. Iul. late English Wtiter And the Roman Martyrologe which Baronius glosseth may well carry that construction for setting downe for a certaine truth that these two holy Martyrs were putt to death in Britaine vpon the first day of Iuly Primo die Iulij in Britannia Sanctorum Martyrum Iulij Aaron qui in persecutione Dioclesiani passi sunt it presently addeth Quo tempore ibidem quamplurimi diuersis crutiatibus torti saeuissimè lacerati ad supernae ciuit atis gaudia consummato agone peruenerunt At the same time in the same place very many tortured with diuers torments and most cruelly torne hauing ended their combate came to the Ioyes of heauen And S. Bede saith that ea tempestate Martyrol Ro. 1. die Iulij Bed l. 1. Hist c. 7. Henr. Hunting Hist l. 1. in Diocles Matt. West an 303. Io. Capgr in S. Albano alij Girald CaÌ„bren Itiner Camb. l. 1. cap. 5. Ranulph Higed l. 1. c. 48. Dauid Powel Annot. in Girald supr Harrison Descript of Brit. c. 13. Humfr. Lhuyd Brâ—uiar Britan. Et Tho. Twyne ib. f. 82. The glory of Caerlegâ—â—nâ—ur Archieâ—iscâ—â—all see before this time at that time when S. Aaron and S. Iulius were Martyred diuers others both men and women were putt to death Alijque vtriusque sexus passi sunt ea tempestate So hath Henry of Huntington passi sunt co tempore Aaron Iulius alij quo que plures vtriusque sexus So haue others And we cannot probably thinke that those raging Persecutours which in places where there were not in any degree so many Christians as in this renowned Citie an Archiepiscopall See and Christian Vniuersitie putt them to death by thowsands sent these heare by cruell Martyrdome to heauen alone These holy Martyrs by all Antiquities suffered Martyrdome at Caerlegion and both Giralâ—us Cambrensis Ranulphus Higeden writing at Westchester as also our Protestant Antiquaries of the same Country plainely say it was at Caerlegion in Monmouthshire which was the Archiepiscopall Citie and Schoole distinguishing it from Westchester by some called Caerlegion also I will onely cite one thus Englished to my hand by a Protestant Historian In this Region Monmouthshire is situated the most auncient and Noble Citie of Legions which our Countrymen call Caerleon are Wish that is to say the Citie of Legions vpon Vsk for difference sake betweene it and the other which is builded in Northwales vpon the Riuer Dee Of whome Giraldus writeth thus The same was an auncient and noble Towne the tokens whereof remayne as yet an huge Palace a Giantlike Tower goodly Bathes and hotehouses Reliques of Churches and places like Theaters compassed with beautifull walles â—artly yet standing Also buildings vndeâ— the grounde Conducts secreâ—â—e passages and Vaultes vnder the earth framed by wonderfull workemanship Thâ—â—â—â—â—th two Martyrs Iulius and Aaron which had Churches dedicate◠〈…〉 The like and more plainely haue many others auncient and late Catholiks and Protestants Therefore that Protestant Bishop which singularlie saith it was at Chester apud vrbem Legionum Cestriam nun vocatam is much deceaued in this matter Io. Bâ—l. Prâ—fat in l. de Scriptor THE XVIII CHAPTER HOW SAINT AMPHIBALVS A BRITTISH Bishop and many holy and learned Preists of the Britans in this Persecution went to the Scots and Picts were reuerently receaued of them and preached liued and continued there in greate Sanctitie and left greate Succession of such there after them 1. VPON this Persecution and Martyrdome of these holy Saints Gildas l. de excid c. 8. and others at that time as S. Gildas with others writeth they which escaped death hidd theÌ„selues in Woods Desarts Dens and fledd into Ilands to the Scots for refuge Qui superfuerant Hector Boeth Hist Scotor l. 6. f. 102. Georg. Buchan Rer. Scot. l. 4. in Rege 33. Hollinsh Hist of Scotland in Crathlint and Fincomarke siluis ac desertis abditisque spelnncis se occult aâ—ere Our Scottish Historians say a greate number of our Brittish Christians to auoide the crueltie of the Persecutours fledd to the Scots and Picts Magnus piorum numerus persequentium saeuitiam declinare cupiens ad Scotos Pictos concessit They haue preserued the particular names of diuers of them whome they recompt among the most renowned learned men of that Age such were Amphibalus a Bishop Modocus Priscus Calanus Ferranus Ambianus and Carnocus worshippers of God called in the old Scottish languadge Culdeis which by their preaching taught the Religion of Christ with many labours throughout the Scots Countries There were then very many more but these the cheifest of them whose names came to posteritie Inter Nostrates eadem fuere tempestate sacra doctrina pollentes Ampbibalus Amistes Modocus Priscus Calanus Ferranus Ambianus Caroncus Dei cultores Culdei prisca nostra vulgari lingua dicti Christi Seruatoris doctrinam omnes per Scotorum Regiones concionando multis pijsque sudoribus seminantes Fuere tunc alij permulti sed hij quorum nomina ad Posteros delata praecipui Many of these holy Brittish Christians liued in poore Georg. Buchan Rer. Scotic l. 4. Reg. 35. Hollinsh of Scotl. in Fincomarke Cels professing the most austeere penitentiall cremiticall life in so greate sanctitie that as these Scottish Antiquaries haue before deliuered their very Cels were dedicated into Churches after they were dead and with such reuerence obserued with that Nation our Protestants so confessing and testifying that from the time of those holy Brittish Saints which thus liued there the old Scots called Churches by the name of Cels Ex â—â—que consâ—etudo mansit apud Posteros vt prisci Scoti templa Cellas vocent 2. Among these our holy Bishop S Amphibalus a man of singular pietie and excellent in diuine learning Amphibaluâ— Brito vir â—â—sigâ—â— pietate sacra doctrina pollens preached the word of Christ throughouâ— the Scots and Picts S. Amphibalus a BritaÌ„ and Martyr a learned and holy Bishop in Mona I le with the Scots Countries speaking and writing much against the Pagans Religion 〈◊〉 dogma per Scotorum Pictorumqae Regiones propâ—â—aâ—do mâ—lâ—a a contra Geâ—â—â—â—um Religionem dicendo scribendoquâ— Crathlint then King of the Scots entertayned this holy Bishop and his company with greate loue and builded for them a â—hurch in the I
his Epistle to the Romans was made Bishop of Britaine Dorothaeus agreeth wholy with this Protestant not in his booke of the Apostles but of the 72. Disciples where he plainely saith Aristobulus ipse ab Apostolo ad Romanos commemoratus Episcopus Britanniae factus est Aristobulus named by the Apostle to the Romans was made Doroth. in Syno 72. Discip in Aristobulo Bishop of Britaine Where by the words Bishop of Britaine and not in Britaine or any particular place of Britaine it is euident that he was made the cheife commanding Bishop or Archbishop of Britaine the whole kingdome of Britaine being subiected vnto him in spirituall proceedings and it is cleare in all such Examples in Antiquitie not one instance to be giuen to the contrary as appeareth in the same auntient Father S. Dorothaeus in that place and others entreating of the same subiect And the words The Bishop of Britaine will allowe no other interpretation And if there were no other motiue to induce vs to be of this opinion but the consent of writers both Catholiks and Protestants that this holy Bishop of Britaine was one of the 72. Diciples of Christ as both the same S. Dorothaeus our contriman Florenâ—â—us Wigorniensis Doroth. supr in Titul Florent Wigorn. in Catal 72. Discipul Arnold Mirm. in Theatr. Gul. Eiseng cent 1. Magdeb cent 1. and later Authours agree it would be a warrant sufficient in this cause when we doe not finde in Antiquities but probably all the 72. that suruiued were constituted Archbishops in their diuisions in those that concerne vs most which were settled in our neighbouring Nations Fraunce and Germany I haue exemplified before Alnoldus Mirmannius in his Theater of the Conuersion of Nations and the Authorities which he followeth will make this a matter out of question for he deriueth the whole Hierarchicall order of the Church of Christ in this kingdome from this holy man in Arnold Mirm. in Theatr. conu gent. in Britann this manner Britannia Straboni a Britone Regenun cuipata primum Aristobulum vnum certe ex classe 72. Discipulorum Apostolum est nacta Deinde nacta est Britannia Fugatium Damianum qui ordinem Hierarchicum Ecclesiae istic fundatae ab illo inchoatum constituerunt sanxeruntque more nimirum Apostolico Britaine so named by Strabo from King Brito or Brutus had first for the Apostle of it Aristobulus one doubtlesse of the order of the 72. Disciples After that it had Fugatius Guliel Eisengren centenar 1. in S. Aristobulo Actor cap. 13. and Damianus who constituted and confirmed after the Apostolik manner the Hierarchicall order of the Church there founded begun by him Where he ascribeth to S. Aristobulus this our holy Archbishop of this our Britaine named of Brutus three Attributes all commonly properties allmost quarto modo belonging to S. Aristobulus Archbishop of Britayne consecrated by diuers Authours an dom 39. and before S. Paule Archbishops to be our Apostle to haue founded our Church and begun our Ecclesiasticall Hierarchicall order Which cannot belong to any other then an Archbishop especially in so greate a kingdome 3. And if we will followe Eisengrenius and his Authours he will tell vs that this holy Saint and Archbishop of Britaine was made Bishop in the 39. yeare of Christ within fiue or sixe yeares of his Ascension and before S. Paule the Apostle himself did receaue imposition of hands or S. Mansuetus Other Bishops or some other Bishop then in Britayne besides S. Aristobulus by any accompt or any other that is remembred in Antiquities to haue bene a Bishop in or of this Nation except the most glorious Apostle our first Father in Christ S. Peter was made a Bishop Therefore it doth euidently followe that next vnto S. Peter that renowned Saint and Disciple of Christ S. Aristobulus was by S. Peters meanes the first Archbishop of this kingdome Who were these Bishops in particular in or of Britayne by this accompt Which maketh it also an vndoubted truth warranted both by holy Scriptures Apostolike Tradition and all cheifest Authorities as these Protestants haue proued vnto vs that we also had some Bishops whosoeuer they were subordinate to this cheife ouerseeing commaunding and Arch-Bishop S. Mansuetus Beatus his Anonymus companion and S. Augulus probably Bishops heare in Britayne and by the same Authoritie of S. Peter for all this is necessarily induced and depending of the name nature office and dignitie of an Archbishop instituted and ordayned heare by that greatest Apostles power and Authoritie For it is an implicancy of contradiction and in naturall euidence impossible that there should be an Archbishop aboue all other Bishops where Engl. Martyrol 7. Febr. in Augulus Drek in alm an 1620. 7. Febr. Io. King serm at Pauls Crosse 26. Mart. an 1620. pag. 45. Martyrolog Rom. 7. Febr. Bed Martyrol ib. vsuard hac die Petr. de Natal in Catal. l. 3. cap. 105. Ado Vuandelbert apud Baron in annot in Martyrol 7. Febâ— Calendar Eccles Sarisb Engl. Martyrol 7. Febr. Rabanus hac die there is no Bishop for him to be the cheifest or vnder him And that such we had by S. Peters ordination it is in plaine termes acknowledged before both by Catholike and Protestant Antiquaries testifiing and prouing that this highest Apostle when he instituted this most sacred subordination did ordaine both Bishops Preists Deacons in and for this kingdome Who these our Primatiue Bishops were in particular or any of them the Iniurie of time and so many Enemies of holy Religion vnder whose heauy burthens and persecutions this kingdome hath often groaned doe make it a greater labour Yet it is euident by that I haue already proued that S. Mansuetus S. Beatus and his holy companion though to vs now Anonimus of which two I shall speake more hereafter may be recompted in this number 4. To which we may probably add S. Augulus Bishop of Augusta London in England as both Catholiks and Protestants expound it and among them one in a Sermon before King Iames speaking to the Londiners saith your citty hath bene aunciently stiled Augusta For we reade both in the auntient Roman Martyrologe that also of S. Bede Vsuardus Ado Vandelbertus Petrus de Natalibus and others that this S. Augulus was Bishop of Augusta in Britannia Augusta or London in Britaine and was a martyr Augustae in Britannia Natalis beati Auguli Episcopi qui aetatis cursum per Martyrium explens aeterna praemia susâ—ipere meruit Baronius saith he cannot tell when he suffered Quo tempore passus sit hactenus mihi obscurum But if we compare the name of London at that time it was called Augusta with other circumstances and with the Catalogue of the Bishops of London after the time of King Lucius we shall very probably finde that this worthy Saint our Bishop of London is to be reckoned one of the first Bishops that were consecrated in this kingdome long
miseries and afflictions for his holy faith with S. Stephen and others of his Cleargie imposed vpon them by Valerianus as may plainely be gathered out of the Acts and life of S. Stephen And whereas S. Damasus or whosoeuer the aūcient Writer of the liues of the Popes commonly asscribed to him doth testifie that S. Stephen did Consecrate three Bishops onely speaking of no more Episcopos per diuersa loca tres Baronius doth and well conclude that our holy Britan S. Melanius was one of them and renowned for sanctitie Ex ijs vnus fuit Melanius Episcopus Rhotomagensis sanctitate celebris Citing for that the old Roman Martyrologe Manuscr antiq de Vita S. Mellonis Iacob Genuensis in Catal. de eodem Capg in S. Mellone Petrus de Natalibus l. 9. cap. 93. Tabulae Episcoporum Rhotomagen Vincent l. 11. c. 74. which saith of this holy Bishop that he was Consecrated by Pope Stephen and by him sent to preach the faith about Rhoan where he was Bishop in France Rhotomagi S. Melanij Episcopi qui a sancto Stephano Papa ordinatus illuc ad praedicandum Euangelium missus est Vsuardus also hath the same vpon the same 22. day of October 3. The manner of his Miraculous Mission and sending to be Archbishop of Rhoan in Normandy is thus registred in the old Manuscript of his life the auncient Learned Bishop Iacobus Genuensis Capgraue Petrus de Natalibus and others Cumque Ieiunijs vigilijs instaret quadam Die Missam co celebrante viderunt ipse Papa Angelum Dei stantem ad dexteram altaris Qui peracta missa dedit ei virgam Pastoralem quam manu tenebat dicens accipe virgam sub quâ reges populum Rhotomagensis Ciuitatis in sinibus Neustriae Tibi enim illic praeparatus est a Deo locus licet labor incognitae vitae sit tibi onerosus nequaquam tamen tibi timendum quoniam sub vmbrà alarum suarum proteget te Dominus Iesus Christus Tunc acceptâ benedictione a Papa Iter arripuit As he continued in fastings and watchings when he said Masse on a certaine day both he and the Pope did see an Angell of God standing at the right hand of the Altar Who when Masse was ended gaue vnto him a Pastor all staffe which he held in his hand saying take the rodd with which thow shall Rule the people of the Citie of Rhoan in the borders of Neustria For there a place is prepared for thee by God and allthough the Labour of the vnknowne life be burdensome vnto thee yet be not a fraide because our Lord Iesus Christ will defend thee vnder the shadowe of his wings So receauing benediction from the Pope he tooke his Iorney In which comming to Antisiodorum he Miraculousely cured S. Mello cured alame man he died and was buried at Rhoan a man there most greuously wounded Comming to Rhoan he there faithfully performed his sacred office renowned for vertue and Miracles he ended his life there about the yeare of our Lord 280. his body is there still kept with greate reuerence in the Cathedrall Church of that Citie neare to the body of S. Nicasius first Bishop there sent by S. Clement Pope Successor to S. Peter Tab. Eccl. Rhotomagon apud Anton. Democharez contra Caluin Io. Molan in addition ad Vsuardum 22. Octobr. Martyr Rom. die 11. Octobris Bed Martyrol Prid. Idus Nouembr and this the second as the Annals of that Church giue testimony Molanus saith he was Archbishop of Rhoan and was there most honorably buried In Gallijs ciuitate Rothomagi notalis Sancti Meloni qui eiusdem vrbis primus Ecclesiā Archiepiscop us rexit ibidemque sepultus gloriosissimè quieuit But the Roman old Martyrologe saith plainly that S. Nicasius was Bishop there Nicasij Episcopi Rhotomagensis S. Bede in his Martyrologe setteth downe the Festiuitie of this holy Saint on the 12. day of Nouember pridie Idus Nouembris Sancti Melani Rodouicae ciuitatis Episcopi All others place it vpon the 22. of October What spirituall benefite the rare example of this holy Brittish Bishop by his strange conuersion in neglecting the seruice of the Emperour and honour thereof to be the poore seruant of Christ in persecution his Miraculous calling and Mission in Episcopall dignitie his life renowned for vertue and Miracles multis virtutibus Miraculis clarus and so long continuing so glorious and Archbishop so neare to this our Nation his Country we may in prudence apprehend though Iniquitie of times hath depriued vs of their memory so farre that for this his short History we are forced to appeale to forreine Antiquities 4. And yet we haue sufficient warrant left vnto vs by our owne Histories not onely in generall assuring vs that our Britans continued their first faith quietly and inuiolably vntill Dioclesians bloody Persecution but particular testimonie that euen in this time by arguments we had such a florishing Church heare in Britaine that we had not onely Bishops and Preists in greate numbers but which few other Nations can so soone for themselues giue instance in both publike Councells of Bishops and diuers Religious houses both of men and women We reade in the old Manuscript Historie of the life of S. Melorus liuing in the beginning of the Britans Christianitie cum in exordio Manuscr Antiq. de Vita S. Melor Io. Capgr Catal. in eod Harris Hist of Brit. to 3. Christianae fidei conuersa est Britanniae gentilitas that there was a Councell of Brittish Bishops kept in Cornewayle but a corner of this kingdome In Cornubia Concilium Episcoporum congregatū And this holy Saint was there brought vp and instructed in a Monastery nutritus in quodam Monasterio Cornubiae A Councell of Bishops in Cornwaile in this time where the distinctiue word quodam one certaine Monastery of Cornewayle doth sufficiently notifie that besides all others in other parts of Britaine there were then more Monasteryes in that Prouince of Cornewayle Which is further proued by that which followeth in the same Authours what an especiall care the Abbot of that place had of this Noble glorious Saint yet a child Abbas illius loci sufficiently prouing there were then other Abbots of other Abbayes in that Country There also mention is made of the Church Nunnery Altar and Abbesse of Anbesbury whether the Reliks of that holy Saint were brought after they had bene honorably buryed by the Bishops and Preists sepulto ab Episcopis Clericis capite cum Sacro corpore That these Bishops Preists Monasteryes and Religious men and women of Britaine were in this time I am vrged to thinke because these Historians haue told vs before that these things were in the beginning of Christianitie heare and add that then many beleeued and following the Apostles Precepts were famous for Miracles and that S. Melorus was one of that number Multi Domino credentes Apostolica praecepta sequentes varijs virtutum Miraculis fulserunt de
the Archbishops of that place which were since the Conuersion Much persecution and Martyrdome was in Londen before this vnder King Lucius in any Historie and for other reasons before mentioned I haue rather made him farre more auncient Yet it is apparant enough that London tasted of this Persecution euen in the first arising thereof for we reade that in the time of Alectus to whome Asclepiodotus succeeded Paganis Galfrid Mon. Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 4. Virun l. 5. Hist Harding Chron. c. 56. Mat. West An. 294. Manuscr Antiq. in Vit. S. Albani Iacob Genuen Capgrau in â—od me was publikly professed there which could not easely be done without greate Persecution of Christians especially the sacred Preists of the Arehiepiscopall See in that Citie And in the Towne of Verolamium where S. Alban was Martyred it was a strange thing at the time of his death to heare of Christianitie and they which were conuerted by his miraculous death had neuer bene Christians before but were vnbaptized as that History relateth This Persecution being generall to all Churches and places euen in the beginning thereof came to the Citie of Caerlegion where the Church being destroyed and the Schoole founded by King Lucius ouerthrowne the holy Preists and other Christians there had their part therein 2. Among others S. Iulius and S. Aaron were then cruelly Martyred in that Citie being by all Citizens and Inhabitants there Aaron Iulius Legionum Gild. l. de excid c. 7. Bed Hist Eccl. lib. 1. c. 7. Galfrid Mon. l. 5. c. 5. Girald Cambr. Itin Cambr. l. 1. c. 5. Henric. Hunting Hist l. 1. in Diocletian Capgrau Catal. in S. Alban Io. Bal. Praef. in l. de Script cent 1. in Amphibalo Dauid Powell Annot. in c. 4. Girarld Cambr. descr Cambriae vrhis ciues most cruelly then torne in peeces with Torments neuer heard of before passi sunt inaudita membrorum disceptione in testimonium Dei excelsi Others say it is euident in Histories that they were learned meÌ„ brought vp in the Colledge or Schoole there founded by King Lucius thus write two of our cheifest Protestant Antiquaries Ex Sanctorum Historijs constat Amphibalum Aaronem Iulium sanctissimos Dei Martyres caelestem Christi doctrinam apud vrbem Legionum inter litteras tradidisse Ex nobili Gymnasio vrbis Legionum viri multi summa pietatis doctrinae laude conspicui prodierunt vt Amphibalus Iulius Aaron By which Authorities and testimonies ioyning these holy Martyrs for education Schoole learning preaching and professing Christ with that most renowned Prâ—ist and Bishop S. Amphibalus they incline to hold and teach that they also were Clergy men And if we remember what I haue said before how S. Alban was not our Protomartyr in respect of time but otherwise and this Persecution at Caerlegion when these holy Martyrs were putt to death was at the destruction of the Cathedrall Church there being at the same time as the like desolation was at Winchester loÌ„g before S. The old schoole of CaerlegioÌ„ brought forth many glorious Martyrs in this time Alban his Martyrdome I must needs say the same of these Saints as the Annals of Winchester doe of their Martyrs And this the rather because our Antiquaries before haue told vs that S. Amphibalus that conuerted S. Alban was borne bredd instructed in learning and remayned at Caerlegion and being there in all probable iudgment when these trobles began there was as our Brittish History witnesseth pursued and in present danger to be apprehended by the Persecutours when S. Alban gaue him first entertaynment and succour and addeth plainely that when S. Amphibalus thus fledd from Caerlegion S. Iulius S. Aaron were absque cunctamine presently Martyred there S. Iulius and S. Aaron martyred at Caerlegion with many others before S. Alban Galfr. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 5. hauing their members so torne in peeces as the like had not bene heard of before Inter caeteros vtriusque sexus summâ Magnanimitate in acie Christi perstantes passus est Albanus Verolamius Iulius quoque Aaron vrbis Legionum ciues quorum Albanus charitatis gratia feruens confessorem suum Amphibalum à Persecutoribus insectatum iam iam comprehendendum in domo sua occuluit Caeteri verò duo inaudita membrorum discerptione lacerati ad egregias portas Hierusalem absque cunctamine cum Martirij trophaeo conuolauerunt The very same testimony Gildas l. de excid c. 8. is giuen hereof by S. Gildas both for S. Amphibalus then flying the Persecutours and the Martyrdome of these Saints at that time S. Bede also is witnesse that S. Alban entertayned S. Amphibalus flying the Persecutours Clericum quendam Persecuâ—ores fugientem hospitio recepit And that S. Aaron S. Iulius were martyred at that time Passi sunt ea tempestate Aaron Iulius Bed Hist Eccl. l. 1. c. 7. Matth. Westm an 303. Girald Cambr. Itiner Cambr. l. 1. c. 5. Gildas excid Bâ—â—t c. 8. Legionum vrbis ciues The like haue others Therefore Giraldus Cambrensis doth worthely call them our two Noble Protomartyrs in this time onely in dignitie second and next to S. Alban and Amphibalus but in time first and before them Duo nobiles post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui Britanniae Maioris Protomartyres These our two Protomartyrs are wonderfully commended in our Histories S. Gildas saith of them that they stood out in the Army of Christ with greatest magnanimitie summa magnanimitate in acie Christi perstantes dico Giraldus Cambrensis is witnes that among the Martyrs of that time they were the cheifest next to S. Alban and S. Amphibalus Post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui Martyrio coronati Iulius Aaron How Girald supr Itiner Cambr. l. 1. c. 5. they were honoured of the holy Catholike Christians of that time with Churches dedicated vnto them Pilgrimages to the places of their Martyrdome and they both there and in other places honoured inuocated and The Martyrs then honored with prayers and Pilgrimages to them prayed vnto presently vpon the ceasing of the Persecution I will declare among other memories of that time in their place in the beginning of the next Age. 3. Now it will suffice to conclude with that their Title of glory and renowne Girald Cambr. supr which the auncient and learned Bishop of their Nation before hath giuen them as their due and honour to the place of their triumphant death Iacent hic duo Nobiles Britanniae Maioris Protomartyres ibidem Martyrio coronati Iulius Aaron Heare lie at Caerlegion the two Noble Protomartyrs of great Britaine and crowned with Martyrdome there Iulius and Aaron This Title to be the first Martyrs of Britaine in that most terrible Persecution and with such exceeding magnanimitie and Christian constancy as hath bene before remembred in enduring Torments neuer vntill then heard of without any example going before them but giuing themselues the first example
So these were not one and the same but two distinct Martyrdomes for time place parsons and other circumstances different onely in number agreeing So I must likewise say of a third Martyrdome of so many Christians neare to Verolamium of which I shall speake when I bring S. Amphibalus thither againe Who at this bloody Massacre being compassed round about with the bodies of his Christian hearers thus martyred commended their blessed soules to God Sanctus Amphibalus vallatus corporibus occisorum beatas animas Domino commendabat THE XXIII CHAPTER THE MARTYRDOME OF S. AMPHIBALVS and many others with him or at that time and place and wonderfull numbers conuerted then to Christ by the Miracles then there shewed 1. THese bloody persecutors hauing thus barbarously and without Matth. Westm an 303. Manuscr Antiq. in Vita S. Amphibali Iac. Genuen Cap. grau in eod all compassion of Lynage kyndred friendship Country or whatsoeuer relation of loue or mercy put these holy Saints to death they now powre out the bottome of their malice vppon S. Amphibalus neyther regarding his Noble descent before remembred venerable and old yeares learning or whasoeuer but binde his armes with thonges and driue him barefooted before their horses so longe a Iorney from the Borders of Britaine where they apprehended him vnto the Citie of Verolam where the Prefect and Lieutenant then was resident Brachia loris dirissimis cōstringentes ante equos suos versus Ciuitatem Verolamium nudis incedere pedibus compulerunt And as they thus contemptibly carried him barefooted and bound a sicke man lyeing in the way in the sight and hearing of them all cried out vnto him ô Thou seruant of God almightie help mee that I which lye oppressed by my owne infirmitie may be releeued by thy intercession For I doe beleeue that by thy calling vppon the name of Christ thou art able presently to restore my health vnto mee And forthwith the man which lay thus sicke before the eyes of them all arose vp ioyfull and perfectly well 2. When these wicked Pagan persecutors had thus barbarously brought him within the sight of the Walles of the Cytie as though this holy Saint had bene vnworthie to enter into it and their troopes so greate by that is said before that they could not conueniently be receaued therein they stay themselues as it were pitching their Tents in a place then desart now called Redburne three miles from S. Albans throwing downe their sheelds and sticking their speares in the ground scuta reclinant hastas telluri defigunt And thus resting themselues onely S. Amphibalus rested not but preached continually the doctrine of Saluation to his enemies Who in the meanetime gaue notice to the Prince and those of the Citie of their returne and bringing with thē the Instructor of S. Alban and that they had put all those Christians before spoken off to death in the vttermost parts of the kingdome after their long Iorney thither Which when the Gouernour heard he called the people together and thus exhorted them Let vs all goe forth and meete our enemy that he which offended may receaue reuenge of vs all And so hasting forth striuing as it were who should goe first went by the way leading of the North tendentes per viam quae de Ciuitate vertit ad Aquilonem as our Antiquities say the better to set downe the old place and situation of that aūcient Citie which they then left almost vacant vrbem ferè vacuam reliquerunt And comming in this raging madnes and multitude to torment and Martyr this S. Amphibalus Martyred holy Saint they finde him all wrapped in chaines or bonds vinculis irretitum and presently stripped him naked slitt his belly and pull out his Intrals tying them to a stake which thy had fastned in the ground enforcing him to be ledd round about it And the holy Saint of God shewing no signe of greife at all among such and so many afflictions the wicked persecutors more thereby enraged sett him for a marke as it were and with their kniues and speares pearced and brake the rest of his body After all which this holy Martyr stood with as chearefull a countenance as if he had suffered no hurt at all and more constant though he now bore the signes of his Martyrdome in all his body Giuing a miraculous spectacle of himselfe that he could still liue after so great Torments and so many kindes of death Whereupon very many beholding and more and more wondering at the constancie of the blessed Martyr renouncing their Idols submitted themselues to Christian faith and prayed Many conuerted to Christ at S. Amphibalus martyrdome And prayer to martyrs with a loude voyce to God that by the merits and intercession of the blessed Martyr they might be worthie to be partakers of euerlasting life Which when the Prince perceaued and knew he presently called for the Tormentors and commanded all that had reiected and forsaken the worship of Iacob Genuens in Vita S. Amphibali Manuscriptum Antiq. Capgr in eod their Gods and embraced the doctrine of Amphibalus to be put to death 3. Which sauage Edict the Pagā souldiars effected killed a thousand such S. Amphibalus beholding it and commending their soules to God and persuading his persecutors to renounce their errors and be conuerted to Christ without whom no saluation can be had nothing but Hell and eternall damnation A thousand of the conuerted now to Christ are martyred with S. Amphibalus to be expected But the Persecutors did still perseuer in their impietie not ceasing so to torment this holy Saint with cruell stoning him besides so many torturs before remembred that when his body was afterward miraculously found there was not one whole bone to be found in it Nullum ex ossibus eius integrum appárebat Allthough it seemeth by the History of his life that many of his bones were broken with stones by these his so enraged Persecutors that after his blessed soule was separated from his body thus lying still bound and tyed they ceased not to breake it more with their casting greate stones vpon it Pagani Corpus exanime in vinculis constitutum lapidibus adhuc obruere con cessabant But so long as he liued in such extremitie of Torments as I haue related allthough the stones were cast at him as thick as hayle saxorum grandine as some write he still preserued in prayer neuer mouing himselfe on one side or other nec in partem alteram declinauit And being now come to the Periode of his punishments and to yeeld his soule to God looking towards heauen as an other S. Stephen saw Iesus standing on the right hand of his Father and heard a consorte of Angels in heauen and among them knew S. Alban whome he inuocated to assist him Saying ô holy Alban pray vnto our God that he will send a good Angell to meete mee that the dreadfull Robber lett mee not nor the wicked
40. 41. 44. 61. Epist 10. 52. 55 l. 1. Ep. 72. 2. 68. 70. 23. 62. l. 5. Epi. 12. Bed de 6. aetatib in Tiberio 2. Paul Diacon de gest Longobard l. 6. Bed sup in Anastasio Paul Diac. l. 6. sup Otto Frigens Chron. l. 4. cap. 3. We finde in the life of S. Gregory the Greate such munificent chargeable almes by him that argueth the exceeding Ritches of the Church of Rome at that time euen when the Longobard had vfurped vpon great part of the Patrimony of S. Peter And this notwithstanding S. Gregory himselfe in his seuerall Epistles giueth vndeniable testimonie that the Church of Rome then had ample reuenewes in Afrike Naples Campania Dalmatia France Sicily Italâ— Sardinia and other Countries 5. I haue related before how the Cottian Alpes did of auÌ„cient time belonge to the RomaÌ„ Church and being wrested from it by the Longobards their King Herebrechtus or by others Aribertus restored them againe and as both S. Bede Paulus Diaconus and others write sent the release thereof to Rome written in golden letters Donationem aureis scriptam literis Romam misit And Luitprandus did the like Otto Frigensis neare in kindred to the Emperors well acquainted with their affaires saith that from the time of Constantine his leauing Rome to S. Syluester as the RomaÌ„s Historie testifieth and going to Constantinople the RomaÌ„ Church affirmeth that the most parts were giuen vnto it as a Right by Constantine and in Argument thereof claimed Tribute of them vnto his time excepting of the French which had assisted it in that demand Vt Romanorum habet historia Imperator Constantinus in tantum Romanam exaltauit Ecclesiam vt beato Syluestro eiusdem vrbis Pontifici insignibus Regni traditis ipse se Bizantium transferret ibique Sedem Regni constitueret Exhinc Romana Ecciesia Occidentalia regna tanquam sui Iuris à Constantino sibi tradita affirmat in Argumentumque Tributum exceptis duobus Francorum Regnis vsque hodiè exigere non dubitat Many Arguments and vnanswearable also there be of this Donation The freedome of the French Nation from that Tribute for assisting Regin in Cronic Sigebert Chron. Baron Annal. in Constant Binn Tom. 1. Concil not in Edict Const the RomaÌ„ See to recouer greate parts of the Patrimony thereof proueth such a Donation The Palace of Constantine called S. Ihon Laterans a Noble Church euer in the Popes power froÌ„ that time proueth it No Emperor since then hauing either Palace or Residency in Rome when before this Donation it was in all Historyes the knowne cheife Imperiall Citie in the world maketh it manifest The especiall Reuerence and honour which Constantine euer performed towards the Roman Church aboue all others compared with his bountie and magnificence to all beareth no small testimony in this kind So doe the Examples of other newly conuerted Kings especially of this Nation as King Lucius King Ethelbert and others all most reuerently honoring that See Apostolike Therefore our Protestant Writers themselues though disliking all Princes and others Donations and bouÌ„ties to the Church of Christ the Ritches and honor thereof doe confesse this greate gift of Constantine vnto S. Syluester One a late Poet writeth for their common opinion From Constantius and Helen proceeded Constantine The most vndoubted heire Will. Warner Albions EnglaÌ„d cap. 18. Both to the Roman Monarchie and this his Parents Reame He turned the Empires ebbing pompe into her flloâ—ing streame And was a Prince Religious yet with reuerence be it said If lesse Religious then not he the Empire had decaid By largesse to aâ—ponpous Preist and seazed him of Rome THE XI CHAPTER OF THE SETLING OF THE IMPERIALL Seat at Bizantium or Constantinople and Conuersion of or setling the Christian faith in many Nations by the helpe of our Brittish Emperor Constantine But Ireland not then conuerted 1. CONSTANTINE hauing thus disposed of his Imperiall Palace in Rome and bestowed so magnificent gifts and reuenewes vpon that holy Apostolike Church departed from thence towards the Easterne Countries hauing a resolution to setle his Seate of Empire at or neare the place of old Troye Ilium not farre Sozom. l. 2. Hist Eccles cap. 2. Baron Spond Annal. an 324. in Indice Sebast Munster Cosmogr l. 4. in Graecia pag. 937. 938. froÌ„ HellespoÌ„tus And as Sozomen with others deliuereth layde the platforme there of his cheifest Citie building the Gates vpon an high hill which remained in the dayes of Sozomen and were seene to such as sayled vpon that Sea à mari illac nauigantibus cernuntur But was admonished by an heauenly vision to desist from that designe build his commanding Citie at Bizantium in Thracia which he according to the direction giuen him by God performed Ei ista molienti Deus noctu visus alium locum quaerere iubet atque cum Bizantium oppidum Thraciae vltra Calcedonem vrbem Bithyniae situm in memoriam ei redigisset eam vt habitatoribus complendam quippe quae nomen Constantini mereretur curaret admonuit Itaque verbis Dei obsecutus oppidum quod Bizantium vocabatur dilatare maximis amplissimisque moenibus cingere coepit This diuine vision and direction was as Sozomen hath plainely testified before Constantine went to Bizantium and after he came thither and before he layed the foundation of his Imperiall Citie there he had an other heauenly apparition and admonition about the same matter in the Citie of Bizantium as our owne auncient and approued Antiquaries Sainct Aldelmus a renowned Bishop and William Malmesbury with others deliuer vnto vs Imperator in Ciuitate quae Bizantium S. Aldelm lib. de laudib Virg. cap. 12. Guliel Malmesburiens lib. 4 de Regib in Gulielmo 2. alij apud eund vocabatur cum membra sopori dedisset debitum naturae solueret Which vision was in this manner A very old woman decrepite and almost dead appeared vnto him whom Sainct Syluester coÌ„manded to raise her vp by prayer And Constantine praying the old woman arose and became a most beutifull youÌ„g woman who by her chaste looke pleasing his Princely sight he cast his cloake vpon her and put a Diademe adorned with gold and pretious stones vpon her head And Helena his mother said vnto him she shall be thyne and shall not dye vntill in the end of the world Constantine awaking and troubled with the vision ignoraÌ„t of the meaning thereof gaue himselfe to fasting and in the seuenth day of his fast in his sleepe sainct Syluester appeared vnto him and said The old decrepite woman is this Citie named Bizantium in which thou now remainest whose walles are consumed with Age and are almost fallen downe Ride vpon that thy horse whereon thou didst ride in thy white vestures when thou wert baptized in the Citie of Rome visiting rounde about the Tombes of the Apostles and Martyrs and carry thy Labaru or Ensigne that is embrodered with the signe of Christ of gold and pretious