be found again soon after the Sacred Body was translated to the Church of St. Alban and many Miracles were there continually wrought through the intercession of the Blessed Amphibalus who suffer'd in the year of our Lord 287. Although the place of this Saints Burial was long obscur'd yet as appears by Gildas his memory was precious for within ten years after he suffer'd a Church was erected to his Honour and in the year of our Lord 309. another Church was Consecrated to this Saint at Winchester which being after Re-built by the Saxons was Dedicated to St. Peter When the Body of this Holy Man was discover'd other Bodies were found lying by it conjectur'd to be those who suffer'd with him Much about this time two famous Martyrs Julius and Aaron before-mention'd Citizens of Caerleon and Disciples of St. Amphibalus are recorded to have suffer'd for the Faith of Christ These two had a long time addicted themselves to the Holy Faith and were also diligent in the study of Arts and Humane Learning both at Rome and else-where They suffer'd saith St. Bede with many others of both Sexes intoller able Torture their Members being torn asunder with unheard of Cruelty at last consummating a Glorious Martyrdom their Souls were receiv'd into the joys of the Heavenly City Their Memories were preserv'd and Honour'd by Erecting Altars and Churches in their Names each of them had a famous Church Erected to their Honour in Caerleon for three Magnificent Churches are said to have been Built of Old time in that City one of the Martyrs St. Julius adorn'd with a Choir and Convent of Religious Virgins a second Dedicated to the Honour of his Companion St. Aaron and Graced with a Noble Choir of Canons the third was the Metropolitan Church of all Cambria and was after Translated by the Holy Bishop St. David with the concurrence of the Pope's Legate and all this long before the coming of the Saxons Besides these the memory is Celebrated of two Noble Britains Disciples of St. Amphibalus who suffer'd Martyrdom in the same Persecution of Dioclesian their Names were Stephanus and Socrates to whose Honour two Churches were built in the Province of the Silures To this time also is refer'd the Murdering of all the Monks in the Monastery of Winchester built by King Lucius During the rage of this Persecution in Britain many Christians withdrew themselves from the fury of it as Gildas reports which considering the frailty of Mankind was not imprudently done for it was thought fit that such as had not the courage to sustain the weight of Martyrdom might at least hold fast the Grace of Confession This flight of Christians in Britain gave occasion to the Persecutors to extend their rage upon Churches and Monasteries all which by such their rage were so utterly destroy'd that in this Island few marks remain'd of Christian Religion This Desolation continu'd untill the Happy return of Constantius by whose Clemency the Christian Faith and Worship flourish'd again in Britain sooner than in other places Which Mercy of God as Bede saith was the rather extended towards the Britains because they only preserv'd among them their Primitive Faith receiv'd in the days of King Lucius entire and inviolate untill the reign of Dioclesian The Tyranny of the Roman Empire against Christians God was pleas'd to revenge by permitting another Tyrant to rise against them in Britain namely Carausius a man Vigilant and Active both in Councel and Execution Imploy'd by the Emperour to scowre the Seas of Pyrats This Imployment Carausius made use of rather to Enrich himself than Benefit the Empire and thereby became so suspected that the Emperour Maximianus commanded him to be put to Death for the avoiding whereof he assum'd the Imperial Purple and possess'd himself of Britain Maximianus prepar'd to oppose him but his attempts proving vain he was forc'd to make a Peace with Carausius who after subdu'd the Caledonian Britains and rais'd a new Rampire to enclose them more Northward than any had been before with a Triumphal Arch in memory of his Victory He govern'd here quietly untill the year 293. when Constantius made his Expedition against him Now though in the time of Carausius Persecution against Christians abated yet by the Rapine of his Soldiers most of the Churches and Monasteries were destroy'd or Spoil'd among the rest those of Winchester and Westminster the latter Converted into a Temple of Apollo In those days the Roman Empire on all sides was greatly shaken both by open Invasions and Civil Dissentions to appease which two new Caesars were chosen Constantius by Maximianus and Galerius by Dioclesian in whom notwithstanding the Supreme Authority and Majesty of the Empire resided the better to strengthen this Association Dioclesian gave his Daughter Valeria to Galerius Maximianus his Daughter Theodora to Constantius who thereupon was compell'd to a Divorce from his former Wife Helena so as she was after esteem'd his Concubine or at least his Wife in the second or inferior place However this pretended Divorce did not it seems prejudice their Son Constantine who born before in Marriage enjoy'd his right of Primogeniture and succeeded his Father in the Empire although he had other Sons by Theodora How Helena was dispos'd of after this Divorce is controverted The best Opinion is that she was plac'd at Triers where Constantius built her a Magnificent Palace and where she was Honour'd with the Title of Augusta In the mean time her Son Constantine was receiv'd into the Family of Dioclesian and there remain'd Uninfected with the Vices of the Court in great Favour with Dioclesian highly Graced by him and acceptable to all that saw him for his Beauty Gracefullness and Modesty especially to the best sort of Men for his Virtue and Piety Constantius being Created Caesar made an Expedition into Gaul with intent to pass over into Britain against the Tyrant Carausius In Gaul he took the Sea-Town Gessoriacum or Buloign which the Tyrant had strongly Fortify'd In the mean time Carausius was Murder'd in Britain by a new Tyrant Alectus General of the Forces of Carausius Alectus to secure himself assum'd the Title of Emperour Against him Constantius the year following sail'd into Britain and landed without opposition though he was way-laid by a strong Fleet plac'd in the Isle of Wight by Alectus When he was landed he set his Ships on Fire and divided his Army one part he led himself the other he committed to the Conduct of Asclepiodorus Prefect of the Praetorian Band Alectus avoiding Constantius chose to try his Fortune with Asclepiodorus by whom he was easily defeated and slain Howbeit a great part of his Army consisting of Strangers Franks and Battavians seeing their Prince Dead fled towards London hoping to Enrich themselves by the Spoils of that City But Constantius coming on them unawares preserv'd the City and cut those Rovers in pieces if any escap'd they became Captive to the Londoners By this return of Constantius the poor
the ground This Church from the days of King Lucius was design'd for a Burying place of our Kings as at this day and after it was Re-edify'd by St. Edward the Confessor A second Metropolitan Church was about this time erected in the City of York esteem'd in that Age the prime City and Church of Britain The third Metropolitan Church was then also built at Landaff or Caerleon upon Vsk in which City now ruin'd were three Noble Churches one bearing the Title of the Holy Martyr Julius Beautifi'd with a Monastery of Virgins Consecrated to God. A second founded by the Name of his Companion St. Aaron And a third famous for being the Metropolitan See of all Cambria although Dubritius is mention'd in History to be the first Arch-bishop of the Welsh Britains concerning the Church of Landaff and the Superiority of it something may be gather'd out of the Protestation of Vrbanus before Calixtus the second in the Councel of Rhemes However sure it is that after the coming of St. Augustine the Monk the Bishop of Landaff hath always been subject to the See of Canterbury This King Lucius built another Church also at Dover in Honour of our Blessed Saviour and his Glorious Mother and some other Churches elsewhere As this King shew'd himself Munificent in Building of Churches so also was he Liberal in his Endowments and Priviledges bestow'd upon them by transferring the Possessions of Idol-Temples to Christian Churches and further Enriching them with more Lands and greater Immunities so that some Malefactors might have refuge within their Precincts which benefit of Sanctuary hath been continu'd and increas'd by most succeeding Princes neither were the Revenues belonging to Pagan Temples inconsiderable for that Religion was very costly for it is certain that the Pagan Flamens in London Sacrific'd yearly 40000. Cows 100000. Sheep innumerable sorts of all Fowl besides 30000. Savage Beasts as Staggs and other Beasts of the Forrest Besides all this King Lucius in the 6th year after his Conversion Founded a Church and Monastery at Winchester which he plentifully Endow'd it is said to be a Church of vast Dimensions and Adorn'd with an Episcopal Palace the Possessions of it extended 12. Miles round about the City This Church was Dedicated to the Honour of our Saviour by Fugatius and Damianus and Devotus a Monk by them Constituted the first Abbot from this time until the time of Dioclesian the Monks here quietly serv'd God after the Rule and Order prescrib'd by St. Mark the Evangelist and first Bishop of Alexandria which Rule is thus describ'd by Cassianus saying These Monks did not content themselves to retain the order of living practis'd by the Primitive Christians whereof we read in the Acts of the Apostles That they had all things in common accounted nothing their own sold their Possessions and laid the price at the Apostles feet to be divided amongst such as had need But these Monks aspir'd to practices more sublime for retiring them to the most secret places they led a Life of unparallel'd Abstinence and Austerity in Reading of Holy Scripture day and night in fervent Prayer and continual Labour of their Hands without regard of Food or Sustenance save only that every second or third day they would receive some slender Sustenance for necessity not for the satisfaction of their Apetite and not then until after Sun-set The Light they spent in Labour or Holy Exercises Darkness suffic'd for the care of their Bodies Under the Persecution of Dioclesian this Holy Fraternity was dissipated but not long after again restor'd and their Church Consecrated by Constantius Bishop of Winchester in the year of Grace 309. taking a new Name from St. Amphibolus who with St. Alban was Crown'd with Martyrdom and by this Name Gildas calls it in his relation of the Sons of Mordred Murder'd by Constantine in this place It suffer'd a second Eclipse when the Infidel Saxons laid waste all Holy places in this Island Howbeit no sooner did the Saxons embrace the Faith of Christ but they repair'd this Church and Monastery after call'd de Hida and restor'd it to greater Splendor and Magnificence then it had before in which Splendor and Beauty it continu'd fortify'd by Charters of Kings and Bulls of Popes untill all Religious Houses were swallow'd up by the sury and Avarice of Henry the VIII So as St. Edward the Confessor in his Charter to the Monastery of Westminster prov'd a Prophet who declar'd The same Charter should continue in force so long as the love of Christianity should remain in this Nation Our Devout and Wise King Lucius did not only endow Churches and Monasteries for the present Worship of God but provided Seminaries of Learning and Piety for the future increase thereof the most Famous of which was the School and Monastery of Bangor in North-Wales It is said to be the first Colledge of Christian Philosophers but is in some Authors mistaken for another of that Name in Vlster from whence proceeded the famous Bishop St. Malachias whose Life is elegantly written by St. Bernard However this famous Monastery it seems prosper'd so well for a long time that at the coming of St. Augustine into England more than 2000. Monks were found in it This King was not only careful to plant and settle the Christian Faith within his own Kingdom but as many Antient and Credible Records testifie personally sow'd the Seeds of Christianity in Germany and other Forreign parts and as some say there ended his days as his Virgin Sister and Martyr also did Fugatius or Phaganus and Damianus being inform'd of St. Joseph and his Companion 's retirement to Glastonbury and their deaths there visited the place which they found reduc'd to little better then a Covert of Wild-Beasts so little encouragement or countenance had the Christian Faith receiv'd yet by Divine conduct they discover'd an Antient Church built by St. Joseph and his Companions and Consecrated as afore-said by God himself they also found the Holy-Cross with several Writings and other Tokens declaring the place to have been formerly an Habitation of Christians and receptable of those prime Disciples They therefore added another Oratory built of Stone Dedicated to the Honour of St. Peter and St. Paul and on the Top of the Tor or Mountain rais'd a Chappel to the Honour of St. Michael the Arch-Angel And lastly to continue the Service of God which had been interrupted they establish'd a succession of 12 Devout persons in memory of St. Joseph and the first 12. which Succession continu'd till the coming of St. Patrick the Apostle of Ireland unto this place These two Holy men made this place their Retirement for the space of nine years and there dy'd and were bury'd as is believ'd about the year of our Lord 199. After the Death of Lucius which happen'd in the 7th year of Severus none of the British Race were permitted to reign but Legats from the Emperour commanding the Roman Army In the time of Commodus
little more of moment is mention'd concerning the British Affairs save that in his time Vlpius Marcellus drove back the Caledonian Britains who had made Irruptions into the Roman Territories in Britain The Conversion of Britain was so famous in the Church of God that Origen takes notice of it and the Faith of Christ spread it self even unto the Northern parts of this Island within two years after the Death of Lucius insomuch as Tertullian who liv'd about these times cryes out That those Provinces of Britain into which the Roman Armies were not able to pierce yet willingly submitted to the Faith of our Blessed Saviour Donaldus then King of those Northern quarters rejected the Worship of Divels embrac'd the Faith of Christ and obtain'd of Pope Victor the 15th after St. Peter several Learn'd and Illustrious men to be sent into those Northern parts to Baptize himself his Wife and Family with many of his Nobility Fulgentius a Kinsman of Lucius was certainly the first who instill'd the love of Christian Verities into the mind of Donaldus and advis'd him to send to Victor for more perfect Instructions By the conduct and Courage of this Fulgentius Donaldus obtain'd a great Victory over the Romans Severus himself was sain to engage his own Presence and Authority to repair this loss by a formidable Army this great exploit of the Emperour obtain'd him and his Sons the Title of Britanicus Fulgentius not long after ended his Life at York then the Imperial City Severus after this Victory built a new Wall with frequent Towers and a vast deep Trench and then retir'd with his Army to York but by the way was met and daunted with an Ethiopian Souldier Cole-black and Crown'd with Cypress who told him He had been all and overcame all and bid him now be a God This was an ill Omen which with others of like sort are said to presage his Death and indeed it follow'd soon after in that City where he was with exquisite Ceremonies made a God but his Ashes with Costly Odours were gather'd into a precious Box and with great veneration carry'd to Rome It is observ'd that these Caledonian Britains us'd no Garments but mark'd their Bodies with Pictures and Figures of Beasts as their chief bravery and from thence no doubt came to be call'd Picts or a Painted People In the fourth year of Antoninus Bassianus dy'd Donaldus who Coin'd Silver and Gold marking it on the one side with the Figure of the Saving-Cross on the other side with his own Face thereby to propagate the memory of the Christian Faith first embrac'd by him among all the Kings of that Nation he was bury'd in a field with Christian Ceremonies and Solemnities the same field having been Consecrated with accustom'd Prayers for the Burial of Christians By this the present Inhabitants of Scotland may discern the difference between the Christianity of this their first Christen'd King and that which they have lately chosen instead of it He would not rest after Death but in a place Consecrated by the Devotions of Holy Priests who celebrated his Obsequies according to the Primitive Christian Usage by making Oblations for him and offering the most Holy Sacrifice for the Refreshment of his Soul as St. Cyprian who liv'd not long after describes the manner or Antient Christian Burial and justly chargeth Bishop Martialis With Burying the Children of this Donaldus in the prophane Sepulchres of the Heathen Among other Ceremonies of Christian Burials this was one That a Cross was erected upon their Monuments Young Amphibalus born at Caerleon upon Vsk was from his tender years bred up in good Literature and about this time instructed in the Christian Religion afterwards he travell'd to Rome where he spent his time principally in Reading and Understanding Holy Scriptures and the Doctrine of Christian Religion till the beginning of the Cruel Persecution rais'd by Dioclesian This young man was ordain'd a Priest at Rome and sent back by the Pope into Britain and there became as some say Bishop of the Isle of Man. In the year of Grace 221. Pope Zephyrin dy'd and was succeeded by Calistus in whose time one Cadorus is said to be Bishop of London The Emperour Alexander Severus a Virtuous Prince no Enemy to Christianity which some conceive to have been profess'd by his Mother Mammaea was in the 14th year of his reign slain by the Treason of Julius Maximinus who succeeded in his place When Maximinus began his reign Christian Religion flourish'd not only in the Southern parts of Britain but among the Caledonians also where reign'd Chrathilintus a Christian Prince Successor of Donaldus he was instructed by Amphibalus returning about this time from Rome as some say At this time St. Pontianus Bishop of Rome govern'd the Church of God. Now the Tyrant Maximinus raising the sixth Persecution sharpen'd it especially against Bishops and Teachers of the Christian Faith by his command St. Pontianus suffer'd Martyrdom being beaten to death with Clubs To him succeeded St. Antherus a Graecian born who the year following was likewise put to Death by the same Tyrant Maximinus who was slain in his fourth year and the Holy Pope Fabianus sate in the Chair of St. Peter and about this time while Gordianus the younger reign'd the Christian Church enjoy'd great Tranquility in which calm the Bishops propagated the Faith many Churches and Altars were erected and no doubt in this Island also Obinus Bishop of London and Conanus his Successor were careful to imitate the Zeal of other Bishops Nonnius Philippus being Governour of Britain about this time Gordianus being in his 6th year was slain by the Treason of Julius Philippus who succeeded him Julius himself was also slain by his own Guards Howbeit before his death by the Grace of God he wash'd away his Sins by Baptisin and Pennance he was perswaded to embrace Christianity by St. Pontianus a man of high Dignity yet because Philip was known to be guilty of many Crimes he was not presently permitted to enter the Church until he had modestly condeseended to place himself among the Penitent and confess'd his sins with Reverent fear and Pious affection Now though after the death of Lucius no Britain generally was allow'd the Name of King yet several Princes of the British Blood exercis'd a Kingly jurisdiction amongst the rest Coelus had that Title over the Trinobantes Iceni and others and was the Father of Helena the Mother of Constantine the Great She is said to be born in Colchester the prime City of that Province which in memory of the Holy Cross found by her bears in its Arms A Cross between four Crowns Decius after the death of the two Philips extended his rage to the Religion by them Profess'd in whose time many Glorious Martyrs amongst the rest St. Fabianus Bishop of Rome who seal'd the firmness of their Religion with their Blood although some redeem'd themselves from Sacrificing to Idols obtain'd Libels falsely declaring they had Sacrific'd and
been broken and spent by a tedious and painful Imprisonment whereas on the contrary his solitude which gave him opportunity to unite himself to God by Prayer increas'd and strengthned his Courage The Author of his Life hath thus exemplify'd one of his Prayers O Lord Jesus Christ do not permit the Divels malice so much to prevail as by his cuning machinations and this Peoples relenting my suffering for thee may be hindred Not long after being come out of Prison to suffer and addressing his Speech to the unbelieving People who flock'd to see him he told them He was an irreconcilable Enemy of their False Gods the works of mens Hands unworthy of Honour as having no Divinity they themselves could not but observe that these their Idols neither See Hear nor Vnderstand any thing and that it could be no other then detestable vanity to expect Life from them which have no Life to pray to those who could not Hear to expect safety or Happiness from them which were not sensible of the least good to themselves He therefore protests that whoever Honours such dead Idols must renounce all reason for whom can be more desperately miscrable than he who suffers himself to be enslav'd to Puppets of his own fashioning Wo therefore to Idels but greater Wo to their Adorers From hence may easily be observ'd that this Holy Martyr who thus earnestly inveighs against Idolatry yet with great Devotion Venerates the Cross of our Lord so far is the respect and Honour given by the Catholick Church to Sacred things from any taint of Idolatry And Tertullian in his Apology for Christians testifies That although they Ador'd the Cross yet Idols and all their Ornaments were detested by them and abominable unto them When these invectives against Idols were utter'd by St. Alban Sentence of Death was pronounc'd against him and he was led to Execution to a place call'd Holmburst a Plain cloath'd with all sorts of Flowers a fit Theater for so Glorious a Martyr Albanus being thus led to his Death came to a River which with a swift Torrent ran between a Wall on the one side and a Sandy-shore on the other where the Holy Martyr was to be Beheaded there he saw great multitudes of all Conditions Ages and Sects which no doubt by Divine instinct were assembled to Honour his Death and they so choak'd the passage of the Bridge that before night they could not all have pass'd over As for the Judge he had no intention of any respect to the Martyr but stay'd behind in the City St. Albanus therefore enflam'd with a Devout desire of a speedy Martyrdom approach'd near the River and lifting up his Eyes with Prayer to God the River became presently dry so as the Water gave free way to the passengers by the Prayer of the Martyr to this effect O Lord Jesus Christ from whose most Holy side I my self in a Vision saw both Water and Blood to flow I beseach thee to cause these Waters to be diminish'd and the floud to return back that the People without prejudice or danger may be present at my Sufferings He had no sooner pray'd thus but the Channel was immediately dry his Tears left no other water in the River the Power of his Prayer emptied the Torrent and clear'd a safe passage for the People The Officer who conducted St. Alban to his Death by the merits of the Holy Martyr obtain'd Eternal Happiness for seeing the Miracles he threw away his Sword and casting himself at the Holy Martyr's feet beg'd his pardon which when the People saw they laid hold on the Man beat out his Teeth and in a manner broke all his Bones This Pagan Souldier thus of a Persecutor chang'd into a Lover of the true Faith and willing to die for and with St. Alban the other Officers were at a stand and knew not what to do It is further related That the Holy Martyr ascending the Hill the People at the top thereof were tormented with extremity of Thirst the Martyr kneeling down Pray'd to God The People might receive no harm by his occasion Upon which brake presently forth a Fountain at his Feet and with a rapid course flow'd down the Hill so that all the Peoples Thirst was satisfi'd In the mean time another Executioner was appointed who to his great Unhappiness discharg'd that Impious Office and with his Sword cut off the Holy Martyr's Head kneeling in Prayer to God and Kissing the Crucifix which he held in his Hand And immediately O wonderful Almighty God by the suddain loss of this Executioners Eyes testified the Holy Martyr's Innocence for together with the Martyr's Head those remorseless Eyes sell to the ground With St. Alban the poor Converted Souldier was also Beheaded who by Divine Instinct refus'd to put the Holy Confessor to Death and doubtless though this new Convert was not outwardly cleansed with the water of Baptism yet being wash'd in the Laver of his own Blood he became worthy to be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven His Name is said to be Heraclius of whom it is further reported That being left half dead by the Peoples Stroaks as aforesaid and creeping on his hands and feet toward the Crowd he was mock'd by one of the Judges And bid to address himself to his Patron Albanus then newly Executed and Pray him to restore Soundness to his bruis'd Limbs Run saith the Scoffing Judge make hast joyn thy Patrons Head to his Body no doubt thou wilt not fail of Health Bury the dead Carcass and thou may'st be sure whilst it is in thy Hands it will afford a Cure. The Souldier reply'd I do verily believe that this blessed Saint by his merits can restore unto me my perfect Health So that what you speak in Derision may in earnest be fulfill'd to me Having said this he imbrac'd the Martyr's Head and adjoyning it to the Body became immediately sound When the Infidels saw this they were fill'd with Envy and bound him with Chains tearing his Body with several sorts of Tortures and in the end cut off his Head. How acceptable to Almighty God these Martyrdoms were was presently declar'd from Heaven in a wonderful manner for behold the night following their Sufferings a Pillar of Light was seen to raise it self from the Grave of St. Alban up to Heaven by which Angels ascended and descended spending the whole night in Hymns and Praises to God repeating also these words The Illustrious Albanus is now a glorious Martyr of Christ As Venantius in his Poem for that purpose Elegantly sets forth Who this Author of St. Alban's Life was is unknown he was certainly of more Antiquity than St. Bede his Book was found in the Monastery of St. Alban and concerning the Persecution thus rais'd in Britain by Dioclesian gives us this Account That Almighty God who is willing all men should be sav'd to magnifie his Mercy to this our Country least it should be invellop'd in Darkness was pleas'd to Enlighten it with
was this Melchiades who ordain'd that of the Oblations offer'd by the People in the Church the Bishop or Priest should Consecrate Loaves of Bread cut into small parcels and kept in a pure Vessel that after the Solemnity of Mass such as had not Communicated should partake of them on all Sundays and Feasts These Morsels of Bread thus Bless'd were called Eulogia and intended to be Symbols of unity in Faith and Charity and were made of common Bread. This year whilst Constantine fought prosperously against the Germans a certain King of the Gevissi in the Western part of Britain call'd Octavius made an Insurrection against the Pro-Consul whom Constantine had intrusted with the Government of the Country against whom the Emperour sent his Uncle Traer who landing about Portsmouth soon took it Octavius having notice thereof comes against Traer with strong Forces and put him to flight but in a second Battle in Westmorland Octavius is totally vanquish'd and put to flight into Albania to King Humbert for Succour The alteration of Government in Britain might well occasion this Rebellion of Octavius in regard the Britains were now govern'd by a Vicar of the Prefect of Gaul where Constantine made his usual abode and was disquieted more by the Faction of Schismaticks than any other Commotions so as Constantine was enforc'd to procure a General Assembly or Synod at Arles for composing the Sedition rais'd by the Donatists to which Synod the British Bishops were call'd and the proceedings thereof are as follows Although Persecution was somewhat abated yet the Enemies of Christians to give them still disturbance endeavour'd to divide them into Factions The first publick Infamous Scene of which scandal was Carthage in Africk the occasion this Caecilianus Arch-Deacon of the place had reprehended Lucilla a Spanish woman living in that City for that before receiving the Holy Sacrament she had with Veneration kiss'd the Head of a certain person esteem'd by her a Martyr but not acknowledg'd for such by the Bishop The Woman being Wealthy and Powerful studied revenge against Caecilianus who was newly chosen Bishop and requir'd restitution of certain Vessels of Silver and Gold belonging to the Church which in the late Persecution had by his Predecessor been recommended to the Fidelity of some Elders of that City They to avoid restoring of these Vessels joyn'd themselves to the Faction of Botrus and Celesius who had ambitiously sought after the said Bishoprick but were rejected This repulse incited them to question the Election of Caecilianus Lucilla betook her self to this Faction who withdrew themselves from the Communion of their Bishop and by means whereof a most horrible Schism was rais'd in Africk the slame whereof could not be extinguish'd in many Ages These Factious persons invited to Carthage several African Bishops who were convicted to be Traditors such as for fear of Persecution had deliver'd up to Heathen Magistrates the Books and Vessels belonging to the Church of which Bishops the principal was Secundus Primate of Numidia they were in all 17. and kept their Assemblies at Carthage separate from Caecilianus and presum'd Sacrilegiously to ordain another Bishop of Carthage one Majorinus who had been Lectorer formerly to Caecilianus and was now a Domestick of Lucilla These Bishops though they were themselves manifest Traditors yet question'd the Ordination of Caecilianus because he receiv'd it from Felix and others whom they falsly accus'd of their own Crime They further wrongfully charge Caecilianus with denying necessary Provision to several Martyrs in Prison Notwithstanding all which Calumnies he was acknowledg'd Lawful Bishop by the Bishop of Rome and all other Catholick Bishops Now though this Schism was chiefly forg'd by Botrus and Celesius with the said Elders and Lucilla and increas'd by Secundus and other Traditor Bishops yet it took its Name from Donatus who succeeded Majorinus in the Schism and not from that Donatus who being Bishop of Casae nigrae by the instigation of Lucilla withdrew himself from the Communion of Caecilianus and was condemn'd by Pope Melchiades This unhappy Schism gain'd such strength in a short space that in three years joyning themselves unto other Traditor Bishops and drawing into their Communion most of the Numidians they assembled a Councel of no fewer than 270. Bishops who continu'd together 75 days and repeating their former Constitutions made a Decree in favour of the Traditors When Constantine had overcome Maxentius the Donatists obtain'd Letters from Anulinus Governour of Africk to write Letters to the Emperour in Gaul full of Calumnious Accusation against Caecilianus and some of these Schismatical Bishops made a Voyage to the Emperour whom they requested to appoint some Judges of their Cause He gave them this Answer with indignation You require a Secular Judgement from me who my self expect the Judgement of Christ Yet at last with extream importunity they wrested from him for their Judges Materinus Bishop of Colonia Aggrippina Rhetitius Bishop of Austim and Marius Bishop of Arles Howbeit soon after considering the Authority of the Roman Bishop he commanded both Parties to attend the said Judges at Rome that the difference might be debated and concluded before Melchiades to whom the Emperour wrote to the end that the Contestants might receive their Judgement from Him and the other Judges As you know saith he the Holy Law of God requires a Synod Therefore being Assembled at Rome the result of it was that Donatus Bishop of Casaenigrae was condemned and Caecilianus acquitted From this Judgement they impudently appeal'd to the Emperour who cryed out O the rabid impudence of these mens fury they have presum'd to interpose an Appeal as the custom is among Heathens in Secular Causes Yet after all this the Donatists were so shameless as to boast that Constantine had given Judgement for them and to deprave the Judgement of Pope Melchiades they traduce him for a Traditor Still they continue their Tumults in Africa and principally direct their malice against Felix who ordain'd Caecilianus and whom they accus'd of being a Traditor Constantine left the determination of this difference to Aelianus Pro-Consul of Africa who detecting many Lyes and Frauds of the Donatists legally pronounc'd the Innocence of Felix Yet once more they Appeal'd to the Emperour to whose Court many of their Bishops repair'd complaining that many of their most weighty Allegations had not been taken into consideration by Aelianus Whereupon as St. Augustine saith not daring to become a Judge of a Judgement given by the Bishop of Rome he refer'd the matter to a Synod of all the Western Bishops appointed to meet at the City of Arles whose Charges were defray'd by the Emperour's order In this Councel 200. Bishops met who in the first place re-examin'd the Cause of Felix and declar'd him guiltless of the Crime of Traditor And this Cause being determin'd they thought fit to frame several Canons touching Ecclesiastical Discipline to be observ'd throughout the whole Church First they Ordain'd That the Feast of Easter
Son Constantine built unto her Honour a Magnificent Sepulchre or Mausoleum where in a Tomb of Porphyry he laid her Blessed Body scituate in the High-way call'd Lavicana between two Lawrel-Trees her Body afterwards if we will believe the Gallican Martyrology was remov'd into a Monastery in France and there continu'd Illustrious by many Miracles In the Church of the Holy Cross at Rome Antiently call'd The Church of St. Helena an Illustrious Monument was Erected in memory of her and the like is to be seen in Naples This Island wherein this Noble Empress was born hath not been ungrateful to her Memory The Monuments of her and all others rais'd by the Britains have been consum'd by Age but even the Saxons when once Converted to Christianity left many Monuments and Expresses of their Devout respect to this British Lady by Consecrating Churches in memory of her witness Hellenstone in Barkshire and several Churches Dedicated in this Saints Name in London and many other places Constantine continues his Zeal against Pagan Idolatry and made severe Laws against Heathenish Sacrifices overthrowing the most Celebrated of the Idol-Temples neither was he wanting to establish the Churches Peace by publishing severe Edicts against all sorts of Hereticks and their Assemblies mingled with such perswasive Exhortations that many of them acknowledging their Errours return'd to the Communion of the Catholick Church Yet this Holy Emperour being seduc'd by the Craft of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia the Pillar of the Arrian Faction he began to be displeas'd with St. Athanasius then Bishop of Alexandria His Sister Constantia check'd him at her Death with his Severity to the Arrians whom she accounted Innocent persons upon this the Emperour wrote a threatning Letter to Athanasius enjoyning him to receive Arrius but being after inform'd that this Arrius still persisted in his Heresie and without any Repentance oppos'd the Councel of Nice the good Emperour no longer insisted upon his Reception and not only stuck to Athanasius against the Miletians but turn'd his Anger against the said Eusebius his chiefest Enemy whom he banish'd with other Confederate Bishops from their Sees though soon after upon the Inauguration of his new City Constantinople as objects of his Clemency he thought fit to restore them This City is said to be Consecrated to our Lord and his Immaculate Mother with the offering of the unbloody Sacrifice and Prayers and then a Statue was erected for Constantine in a publick place upon a Pillar of Porphyry holding in his right Hand a Golden Apple on which was placed the Holy Cross with this Inscription To thee O Christ our Lord I commend this City Eusebius writes That Constantine adorn'd his new City especially with Magnisicent Churches Consecrated to Holy Martyrs the chief whereof were St. Moscus St. Agathonicus St. Mennas and St. Acatius One Church he built in a place there formerly Dedicated to Vesta and call'd it St. Michael from an Apparition of that Holy Arch-Angel In which by virtue of the Holy Cross there erected many Miracles are said to have been wrought one of which I cannot omit viz. That a Soldier of the Emperour's Guards Probianus by Name afflicted with grievous Torments in his feet not only receiv'd ease in that place but was also honour'd with a wonderful and Divine Vision He was converted to Christianity and thoroughly satisfied with all points of that Religion yet he could never be perswaded that the Holy Cross could be any wise instrumental to the Salvation of mankind Being thus perswaded the Image of the Cross was presented to him in a Vision as it was usually set on the Altar of that Church and in the same Vision it was declar'd to him manifestly that what thing soever had been perform'd either by Angels or Holy men for the publick or private profit of men since Christ was Crucified were not rightly perform'd but by Virtue of the Saving Cross Constantine was not wanting richly to Endow the Churches he had built he caus'd Copies of the Holy Scriptures to be Curiously writ in Parchments richly adorn'd which he dispers'd and plac'd in his said Churches he encourages the Professors of all Arts and Sciences so as Learning flourish'd in his City he endeavour'd to make it equal with old Rome by placing Senators there with the same Honour and Authority and many of them Professors of Christianity In the midst of this Serene Calm a sharp storm sell upon the good Athanasius principal Defender of the Nicene Faith for the restless malice of the Arrians prick'd them on to accuse him falsly Of breaking a Chalice of Murder of Enchantments with his dead Hand of Adultery by Violence c. His Cause was examin'd in a Synod of Bishops assembled at Tyre by whom to the great astonishment of Conslantine the good Athanasius though in all particulars his Innocency was evidently declar'd was yet unjustly condemned and by the importunity of Constantius the Emperour's Son infected with that Poisonous Arrian Heresie banish'd into the West or rather advisd to withdraw himself to avoid the impetuous clamour of the Arrians against him For he retir'd to Triers in France where by the Emperour's order he wanted nothing Now that this was not consented unto by Constantine as in any wise wavering in the Faith may appear by this following Relation Constantine desiring to be satisfi'd what the Opinion of Arrius truly was ask'd him whether he did approve the Decrees of the Nicene Councel He presently with a chearful countenance answered That he approv'd them The Emperour not satisfied with this Affirmation urg'd him to confirm it by an Oath to which likewise he comply'd But all this was impious Craft and subtilty for whilst he made this Profession and Oath he had in his bosom a Paper containing his Heresie and swore from his Heart he believ'd what he had written reserring still to that Paper Constantine never the less warn'd him that if his Faith were true and Orthodox he had sworn well but if otherwise God said he may condemn thee for thy Perjury However Constantine being deluded with this Equivocation sent to the Pishop of Alexandria to receive the Hypocrite into Communion But we shall presently see how God discover'd miraculously the Impiousness of Arrius and true Faith of Constantine For Alexander Bishop of Constantinople not willing to admit the Arch-Heretick but sollicitous for the True Faith more than for his Bishoprick which some threat ned to deprive him of lay prostrate several days and nights before his Altar and pray'd to God that if the Opinion of Arrius were true he might die before the day of Disputation came But in case the Faith which he profess'd were true then that Arrius the Author of all those Calamities might suffer just punishment for his Impiety Which Prayer it seems was soon heard for Arrius in his way to the Church using many vain and boasting Bablings was on a suddain sorc'd to retire to a common Privy to ease himself where as is written of Judas
he fell on his Face to the ground and burst asunder in the middle and was in that manner depriv'd both of Life and Communion This struck the Eusebian Faction with wonderful Terrour and consternation the Fame whereof soon spread it self over the whole World and confirm'd the Emperour's Faith and the Nicene Decrees This year dy'd the Holy Pope Marcus Successor of Silvester and in his stead Julius succeeded in the last year of our Renowned Emperour one of whose last Acts of Devotion was the building of a most Magnificent Temple at Constantinople in Honour of all the Apostles that he might Eternize their memory among all Nations In this Temple he placed twelve Honorary Repositories which should be as so many Pillars in memory of the twelve Apostles and caus'd his own Tomb to be plac'd in the midst of them enclos'd on each side with six of them having an opinion That their memory would procure much profit to his Soul by being so made partaker of their Prayers which would there be offer'd in Honour of the Apostles As many other British and Saxons Kings in erecting Churches and Monasterres have since done for the Redemption of their Souls and so express'd themselves in several Charters of their Foundation This Emperour it seems so Happily enjoy'd his faculties and strength of Reason in such perfection that till the extremity of his Age he still continu'd to write Orations and to Minister Advice to his Friends well becoming a good Christian He also publish'd good Laws expedient for Humane Society and not long before his Death he recited a Funeral Oration in the usual place wherein he Discoursed Of the Immortality of Souls of the Rewards of Pious men and the Miseries of such who liv'd ungodly lives This he pronounc'd with such Gravity and Constancy that one of his Domestique Servants a Pagan and pretender to Wisdom being ask'd what he thought of the Emperour's Oration Answered though with some unwillingness That the things spoken seemed to be true especially commending that part of the Oration which decry'd a multitude of Gods. It is said that a Comet of an unusual bigness appear'd in the Heavens as portending his death for he soon after fell into some Distemper which enforc'd him to use Hot Baths and being remov'd to his Mothers City Helenopolis in Bythinia he continu'd some considerable time in the Church Consecrated to the Holy Martyr St. Lucianus there offering his Prayers and publick Vows to God and there considering his last day he fell humbly upon his Knees in this Church confessing his sins and craving pardon for them and then it was that he first became worthy to receive Absolution by imposition of Hands and Prayer in imitation of the Saving Laver of Baptism After these and such like Holy Mysteries were perform'd he was cloath'd with Kingly Robes shining bright as the Light and then laid in a Bed of a most pure Whiteness his Imperial Purple he rejected and never made use of it afterwards Then with a clear distinct voice he Pray'd and gave Thanks to God declaring He was now assur'd of Happiness and Immortality being made partaker of Divine Light. With great detestation he bewail'd the miserable state of Pagans in that they were depriv'd of all Divine Blessings To his great Officers who stood about him and deplor'd their unhappiness in the loss of such an Emperour wishing him a long Life he answer'd That he had now attain'd true Life indeed and he himself understood his own Happiness and therefore he long'd for his departure to God. And having made his Will and given Honourable Pensions to the Inhabitants of his new City and left his Empire as a Patrimony to his Children during the Solemnity of Pentecost he departed this Life in Glory and Renown The universal Mourning and Sorrow of his People and the Solemnities of his Funeral are set forth at large by many Authors Great multitudes of the People with the Priests ceas'd not to pour forth their Prayers to God with Tears and Groaning for the Soul of their departed Emperour his memory was also so precious amongst the Britains that they built Temples in Honour of him one whereof still remains of his Name in North-Wales which was erected after they were driven by the Saxons into those quarters Constantine at his death divided the Roman Empire amongst his three Sons so that his Eldest Son Constantine enjoy'd Gaul Spain Britain and all the Conquer'd Countries on this side the Alpes Constantius his second Son only present at his Fathers Death possess'd himself of the Eastern Regions and Aegypt And the youngest Son Constans had the Government of Italy and Africk Now as touching the second Constantine within whose Jurisdiction our Country is compriz'd His Reign was short not lasting full four years sure it is He and his Brother Constans stuck close to the Catholick Faith Establish'd in the Nicene Councel so as all the Western Churches were by their means secur'd from the infection of Heresie which miscrably defac'd the Eastern parts in regard Constantius there suffer'd himself to be perverted by the Arrian Hereticks Constantine the younger in proof of his Orthodoxy and in performance of his Fathers Will restor'd Athanasius from his banishment at Triers where he had continu'd above two years to his Church at Alexandria his banishment was the easier to him in regard he was sent thither by Constantine the Father in order to his safety and entertain'd there with all Honour and Liberality by Constantine the Son whose constant residence was in Gaul and who govern'd Britain by a Deputy never coming thither himself In the 4th year of his Reign he pass'd over into Italy upon what design is uncertain However he was soon there Traytorously slain by his Brothers Soldiers if not by his Order By the Death of this Constantine the whole Western Empire became the Dominion of Constans who placed Vetranio as his Lieutenant in Britain where after a few years he usurp'd the Title of Emperour About this time there flourish'd in Britain a Holy Bishop of great fame call'd St. Gudwall who was born of Noble Parents and largely communicated to others those Treasures of Heavenly Wisdom which he had been gathering from his youth his Instructions Enlightn'd many so as they were enabled to enflame others with Divine Love the Odour of his Holy Conversation declaring in him the operations of Heavenly Grace was pleasant to all both Clergy and Laity The Patrimony he receiv'd from his Parents was very ample yet despising worldly Riches he gave it all to the Church And perceiving his Pastoral Office engag'd him in Worldly Cares and Solicitudes and willing to disburden himself thereof he recommends his Church to a worthy Successor and retires himself into a Monastery within his own Diocess where he led a perfect Monastical or rather Angelical Life His Monastery was placed near the Sea in a Bay where-of the Holy man observing a certain vast Rock or Promontory shooting forth retir'd
by Bishop Vsher It is related That Lachanus gave the Holy Child to certain Britains who carefully brought him up and gave him the Name of Albeus because he was found alive under a Rock the Grace of God being with him Not long after this St. Kebius came into those parts sent thither by the See Apostolick many years before St. Patrick to sow the Faith of Christ there but the Irish being Pagans he was receiv'd by few He then went into Munster where he found this Holy Child Albeus Praying in the open Air with his Eyes rais'd up towards Heaven that the true Faith might be reveal'd unto him and saying His desire was to know the Creator of all things and to believe in him who made Heaven and Earth and declaring that the Elements could not be made without a skilful Workmaster nor be produc'd by any man These things being heard by this Holy Priest he not only saluted but instructed this Holy Child Baptizing him and continuing the same Name of Albeus to him Several other Persons were Converted and Baptiz'd by him as Meclarus and Kiaxanus who prov'd eminent for Sanctity and were after exalted to Episcopal Dignity before the arrival of St. Patrick After some years abode in Ireland the Holy Bishop Kebius return'd to his See in Anglesey where he dy'd in the year of Grace 370. The place of his Burial seems to be in Denbighshire for in the Story of St. Winefred we read That she was buried near the Sepulchres of Chebaeus and Senanus call'd Gwethern Which Chebaeus was certainly our Kebius whose memory remains still saith Cambden in Anglesey where the Promontory call'd Holyhead is by the Natives nam'd Caer Gubi from Kebius a Disciple of St. Hilary whose memory is also there preserv'd by another Promontory call'd Hilary-point The same year in which St. Kebius repair'd to St. Hilary then newly return'd from banishment was illustrious for the Birth of the great Apostle of Ireland St. Patrick as most Authentick Authors agree the place of his Birth is agreed to be in Britain by the Irish themselves He is said to be born in Pembrokeshire of Calphurnius and his Wife Conchessa Sister or Sisters Daughter to St. Martin Bishop of Tours After this Birth Calphurnius became a Priest or Deacon and profess'd Continency as many others did Now Constantius dying of a Feavour in Cilicia Julian having been created Caesar succeeded him in the Empire which he polluted by his infamous Apostacy He was from his Infancy bred in the Profession of Christianity and inscrib'd in the Ecclesiastical degree of a Lectorour but being of an inconstant curious disposition and unfortunately becoming acquainted with Pagan Philosophers and Magitians he was by them perverted and though during the Life of Constantius he dissembled his change yet being in possession of the Empire he publickly declar'd his defection from Christianity and an implacable hatred of it with a resolution to imploy all the Power of Earth and Hell for its destruction The first proof hereof he gave in taking away that famous Labarum or Imperial Ensign of the Cross which in his Predecessors times had given them assur'd Victories In place whereof he restor'd the Images of Heathen Gods or Devils with the representation of Eagles Vultures Minotaurs c. which the Soldiers were commanded to Adore All the Monuments of the Holy Cross he endeavour'd to abolish insomuch as he caus'd a Representation of Constantinople to be dig'd up on the top whereof Constantine had fix'd the Cross to denote the Felicity of his new City He usually objected to Christians by way of Ignominy That they left off to Adore and Worship the Ancilia which Jupiter let fall from Heaven as a pledge of his Protection of their City instead of which they Ador'd the Wood of the Cross painting Images thereof in their Forcheads and before their Doors Thus scoffing Julian censures the Rites of the Antient Church and of the Faithful in his time for their Veneration of that Blessed Instrument of our Redemption All other Sacred Images and Statues erected in memory of Divine Benefits together with the Relicks of Saints and Martyrs this Apostate endeavour'd to abolish in particular he caus'd that Miraculous Statue of our Saviour to be thrown down which the devout Woman who had been Cur'd of her Bloody-Issue had rais'd at Caesarea Philippi and in the place thereof erected his own which not long after was divided in the midst and the upper-half thereof thrown all black to the ground where it remain'd so for a long time This Impious Emperour consulting an Oracle at Daphne near Antioch and perceiving the Devil in it to remain mute save only that he was able to declare That the Body of the Holy Martyr Babylas hindred his Speech Caus'd the Sacred Body to be remov'd into the City which was done by the Christians with great Solemnity in Singing Psalms especially such as derided Idolary which so incens'd the Cruel Emperour that he caus'd many of them to be Tormented Howbeit by the intercession of the Holy Martyr their Torments were miraculously Converted and melted into Pleasure A War against the Persians interrupted his rage against the Christians whose Extirpation he threat'ned at his return from that Expedition In the heat of this War Libanius a Heathen Sophister in derision of our Saviour Ask'd a Christian what the Carpenters Son was then doing who answer'd He is preparing a Cossin for Julian The event made the words Prophetical for the wicked Emperour receiv'd from an unknown hand a Wound Mortal to himself but Healthful to all the World besides In his place the Army chose Jovian Emperour which Honour he refus'd professing That being a Christian he neither would nor could govern an Army poison'd with Heathenish Idolatry Whereupon all the Army cry'd out That they also were Christians So that it seems the two years Reign of Julian could not extirpate the good Seed sown in their Roman Hearts Jovian thus chosen restor'd the Christian Faith reducing the Church to its former Splendour He publish'd a Law by which In all Cities a proportion of Wheat was contributed to Sacred Virgins by Vow Consecrated to God Another which inflicted Death on any who should Ravish or but attempt their Chastity There is extant an Epistle of St. Athanasius in answer of one from this Emperour to him wherein He desir'd the Judgement of the Saints who among the divided Sects of Christians retain'd the Orthodox Faith. Several Nations are mention'd in this Epistle as constantly Persevering in the Faith of our Saviours Divinity establish'd in the Councel of Nice and amongst the rest St. Athanasius makes an Honourable mention of the British Churches This Pious Emperour enjoy'd his Soveraignty but one year and Valentinian equally Orthodox was his Successor yet unhappily he made his Brother Valens Partner in his Empire He infected with the Arrian Heresie prov'd Impiously Zealous in the promoting of it In the first year of Valentinian's Reign the barbarous
Orthodox Howbeit at the same time his prime Disciple Caelestius was Condemn'd for his Heresies at Carthage in a Synod there held from which he Appeal'd to the Roman See but not daring to pursue his Appeal he fled into Asia where by fraud he obtain'd the degree of a Priest These Errors were afterwards condemn'd at a Synod held at Milevis in Numidia and both Condemnations were approv'd by Pope Innocentius who Excommunicated as well Pelagius as Caelestius yet so as upon their revoking their Errours they might be restor'd to Catholick Communion Nevertheless their Heresies still spreading the African Bishops of both Councels deputed St. Augustine to confute them which Charge he perform'd to his great Renown Both these Hereticks cloak'd their Doctrines in Ambiguity of words and endeavour'd to surprize the Popes by a dissembled submission to their Judgements but their fraud being detected and their Tergiversations at last discover'd Pope Zosimus again Condemn'd their Doctrine and Excommunicated their Persons which Sentence was Solemnly pronounc'd by Sixtus a Roman Priest not long after Pope whom the Pelagians esteem'd their Patron but without cause Now this Heresie having been Proscrib'd by so many Synods and more than once by the Roman See the Emperour Honorius publish'd an Imperial Sanction by which he not only Banish'd Caelestius and Pelagius out of Rome but ordain'd That the Teachers thereof should incurre the same Punishment Notwithstanding all this care yet inregard this so execrable an Heresie favour'd the Corruption of Nature and Humane Pride and Sensuality it continu'd in many Countries especially in Britain so as the Churches of Gaul thought fit to send two Eminent Bishops thither At the same time another Infamous Heretick Vigilantius infected Gaul also St. Hierom would rather have him call'd Dormilantius for that being full of an unclean Spirit he went about to Combat against the Spirit of Christ by teaching That the Sepulchres of Martyrs were not to be venerated and condemning the Devout Vigils Celebrated before the Festivals of Gods Saints He likewise with Jovinian Declaim'd against Fasting preferr'd Riches before voluntary Poverty and Marriage before Virginity which Errours saith St. Jerom Were detested by the whole Catholick World. In the year of Grace 406. the Picts and Scots wasted the Confines of Britain Marcus was then Governour whom on a suddain the Army Saluted Emperour but the inconstant Soldiers finding his Incapacity as suddainly depos'd him and chose Gratianus born in this Island Him also within four Months they slew which being divulg'd abroad Scots Norwegians and Danes march'd Cross the Island wasting all with Fire and Sword. In this extremity the British Army proclaim'd a Soldier call'd Constantine Emperour not for merit but the fancy of his Name as if the present ruines could not be repair'd but by another Constantine Geffery of Monmouth tells another Story of the Election of this Constantine as if he had been Brother to a King of Armorica or Little-Britain of British Extract this indeed is little better then a meer Fiction For first this Constantine as Bede witnesseth was chosen Ex infima Militia out of the lowest rank of the Army Secondly He directed Messengers to Honorius to excuse himself as compell'd by the Soldiers to accept the Title Howbeit this Constantine passes over into Gaul where gathering an Army he subdu'd all the Regions on this side the Cottian Alpes and then accounted his possession of the Empire secure So as he drew his Son Constans out of his Monastical Solitude and created him Caesar He placed the seat of his Empire at Arles planted Guards upon the River Rhine and broke the Forces ef the Vandals and other Nations who had wasted those Provinces Constans prov'd successful in Spain and for his good success there was pronounc'd Emperour by his Father to whom he repair'd leaving Gerontius General in Spain but the year following Constans was sent back into Spain attended by Justus a famous Captain which so offended Gerontius that he took sides with the Barbarous Soldiers in Gaul so as Constantine could not repress them which caus'd both in Gaul and Britain a Revolt from the Roman dependance although some Authors insinuate That Honorius himself by his Letters exhorted the Britains to shift for themselves Gerontius hereupon assumes the Title of Emperour and Invests Maximus whom he left in Spain with the same Purple Afterwards he marcheth against Constantine whom he Besieg'd at Arles Honorius sent an Army into those parts upon the approach whereof the Soldiers of Gerontius forsook him and the remaining Spaniards attempt to kill him setting the House on fire in which he was whereupon having first kill'd his Wife he kills himself Constantine afterwards having been Besieg'd and past hope of Relief devests himself of the Imperial Purple and flying for refuge to a Church was there Consecrated a Monk and after slain with his Son Julian in his passage to Italy A year before whose death Rome was sack'd by the Goths and not only the Immense Wealth of that City but the Ornaments of Churches also became a Prey to the Barbarous Soldiers About this time mention is made of Melorus a young British Martyr He was the Son of Metianus Duke of Cornwall dispossess'd of his Dukedom and slain by Rinaldus his Brother Melorus at his Fathers Death was not above seven years old The Cruel Uncle to secure himself in his unlawful possession designes the death of the Child a whole Synod of Bishops there Assembled intercede for the Life of it so as the Tyrant contented himself with the cutting off the Childs Right-hand and Left-foot in place whereof were fram'd a Hand of Silver and Foot of Brass Melorus thus maim'd was Educated in a Monastery of Cornwall till he was fourteen years Old spending his time in Reading Holy Scripture and every day growing in Innocence Virtue and Piety Rinaldus at last by many Gifts and Promises tempted the Childs Guardian to cut off his Head which he sent to Rinaldus the Messenger who carried it by the just judgement of God fell from the Castle-Wall with the Head in his Hands and broke his own Neck It is said That the Childs Nurse coming to the place where the Body lay there she saw a Vision of Angels and Heavenly Lights shining with unspeakable Brightness The Body was after Buried in a Decent place but the day following found above ground three several times it was Buried and still the same accident happ'ned By common advice therefore the Body was laid upon a Cart to which were fastned too young Bulls never us'd to the yoak These were permitted to go at liberty without any Leader whether Gods Providence should direct them The Bulls becoming Tame carried the Body to a certain place and then stood still but the Company attending the Cart not liking the place as not fit for the Childs Burial us'd all means by forcing the Wheels and otherwise to drive the Cart further but found it so fix'd by Divine Power that it could be no
the Regal Authority Some Writers affirm He dy'd a Natural Death others say He dy'd by Poison administred to him by his Mother-in-Law Rowena into whose mind the Devil suggested to cause a Servant of his to give him Poison which he having drunk and perceiving the approach of Death he divided his Treasures among his Soldiers earnestly exhorting them to Fight Couragiously for their Country Moreover He commanded a Pyramid of Brass to be made and plac'd in the Haven where the Saxons usually landed upon which Pyramid his Body should be laid that the Enemies seeing the Body of so Valorous a Prince might be frighted back into their own Country More probable it is that he intended his Statue should be plac'd on the Pyramid for being a Christian Prince he was Decently and Solemnly Buried after the Christian manner And it is said He was Buried in the City of the Trinobantes now London and with him was Buried the Crown and Glory of the British Nation Beside his Courage he is said to be Eminent in other Virtues especially Piety and some say In his War against the Saxons he bore in his Ensign the Image of our Lord Jesus Christ To which Devotion of his we may impute his Victories or at least to his Pious and Charitable care in restoring the Churches destroy'd by the Saxons The year after Vortimer's death Hengist return'd out of Germany with greater Forces and took a firmer possession of his Kentish Kingdom and for the better Establishment of his Family therein joyn'd his Son Aesca with him in the Regal Power To oppose them the Britains invade his Country with a great Army consisting of four great Bodies Conducted by four Valiant Captains but when the Conflict was begun at Creganford the Britains found themselves too weak for the Saxons which were new Recruited with great numbers of chosen Robustious Soldiers who with their Swords and Battle-Axes cleft asunder the Bodies of the Britains Yet did they not give ground till their four Captains were slain but afterwards were so terrified that they fled as far as London and never after had the Courage to bring an Army into Kent again so that Hengist and his Son quietly enjoy'd that Kingdom fixing their Palace at Canterbury Thus began this new Kingdom of Kent in the eighth year after the Arrival of the Saxons in Britain It is not probable that this exalting of Vortimer was any Deposal of his Father for Vortimer being Dead his Father continu'd King and for a while gave proof of his Courage in repressing the Ambition and Violence of Hengist though after he return'd to his former Licentious Slothfulness Now during these Wars Hengist is recorded to have exercis'd extream Cruelty in all places where his Armies came and especially in Kent against Priests and Holy Virgins great numbers of which he caus'd to be Massacred Demolishing Churches and Profaning Altars Among the Victims of his Barbarous Cruelty the memory of Voadinus Arch-Bishop of London only remains in our English Martyrology who being a man of great Sanctity reprov'd Vortigern for repudiating his Lawful Wife and Marrying an Infidel which so inflam'd Hengist with rage that he commanded the Holy Bishop with many other Priests and Religious men to be slain Gildas declares That great numbers of Bishops and Priests were Massacred by this Saxon King And St. Bede relates more particularly the Rapines Cruelties and Devastations of this Impious King wherewith he miserably fill'd the whole Island The year of Grace 461. is noted with an Act of most Perfidious Cruelty perpetrated by this Barbarous Prince His Ambition was not satisfied with the Kingdom of Kent so as he resolv'd to enlarge his bounds in Britain by any means and finding that by exercise of War the British Courage increas'd he therefore turn'd his Thoughts to invent some Stratagem for the compassing his Designes He insinuates himself into the minds of Vortigern and his Nobility as if he were desirous of Peace and Amity with them which if they would grant he would turn his Arms against the Picts and Scots and drive them out of the Island quickly did he obtain belief from the easy Nature of Vortigern whereupon a meeting is appointed between the Britains and Saxons with this caution that each King should be attended with 300 only and those un-arm'd and at this meeting they were to treat of the Conditions of Peace The place appointed for this Fatal Assembly was a Plain near Sorbiodunum or Old Salisbury a City seated in the Province of the Belgae wherein remains a Monument of a Dire Tragedy for both sides being met a great Feast was prepar'd for the Britains at which the Articles of Agreement were to be ratified by mutual Promises and Oaths Towards the end of this Feast when they were dissolv'd in Wine Hengist on a suddain call'd aloud To Arms which was the Watch-word agreed among the Saxons who immediately drew out short Swords conceal'd under their Cloathes and quickly slew their Un-arm'd Guests the Britains Howbeit which is remarkable Eldol the Valiant Consul or Governour of Glocester snatching up a stake by Chance lying near with it slew seventy of the Treacherous Saxons A Monument of this Barbarous Tragedy not long after rais'd by the Britains continues to this day and is Vulgarly call'd Stone-henge Upon Salisbury-Plain where in a space of ground compass'd with a Ditch are placed as in a three-fold Crown Stones of an incredible vastness some of them 28 foot in hight and 7 in breadth over many of which other great Stones are plac'd a-cross Cambden believes That this Monument was rais'd in memory of this Treachery by Ambrosius Aurelianus or his Brother Vterpendragon by the help and Art of Merlin the famous Magician though others deliver that it was a Magnificent Sepulcher rais'd for Ambrosius himself slain near this place from whom the Town of Ambresbury-not far distant took its Name In this Slaughter the Saxons took Vortigern Prisoner and the year following bound him with Chains threatning Death unless he would deliver up 38 of his Cities and Strong-holds Vortigern to save his Life quickly yielded to their demands which being confirm'd by Oath they gave him his Liberty And first they seiz'd upon the City of London then York and Lincoln and then Winchester All which adjoyning Provinces they wasted killing the Inhabitants They Levell'd with the ground all Churches and Buildings belonging to Ecclesiastical Persons kill'd the Priests near the Altars burn'd all Books of Holy Scripture and heap'd Earth on the Sepulchres of Martyrs Religious men to escape their fury were sain to fly into Desarts Woods and Rocks carrying with them the Relicks of Saints And as for Vortigern seeing this horrible destruction he retir'd into the North part of Wales and there inclos'd himself in a Town call'd Genorium Now the three Provinces with which Vortigern redeem'd his Life are with more probability express'd by Malmsburiensis in this manner Of old saith he the Eastern and Southern Saxons with the
English Upon which the Holy Pope perceiving that he was a sincere man of God confirm'd his Consecration knowing it came from God. Moreover at the earnest request of St. Kentigern though with some unwillingness he condescended to supply those small defects which were in his Consecration and so dismist him to the work of his Ministry enjoyn'd him by the Holy-Ghost So that it appears nothing essentially necessary in this Consecration was omitted because the Holy Pope supply'd the defects meerly upon importunity The greatest fault the Holy Bishop could impute to himself was his being Consecrated by one only Bishop against the express Canon of a General Councel though indeed considering the danger and unquietness of the times if the words of the Canon were transgress'd yet the intent was not as not obliging to Impossibilities And this sense of the Canon appears by the Resolution of St. Gregory to St. Augustine That he being the only Bishop in the Church of the Angli might himself alone ordain other Bishops It is said of this St. Kentigern That during the whole course of his Life his custom was to eat only every third day and sometimes every fourth his food was Bread Milk Cheese and Butter He always abstain'd from Flesh and Wine or any other Drink which could Distemper Next his skin he wore a very rough Hair-cloath and over that a Garment made of Goat-skins together with a close Cowle and his uppermost cloathing was a white Albe He always wore a Stole and carried a Pastoral Staff or Crosier not Spherical Gilded or set with precious Stones but of simple Wood bowing back at the Top and in his Hand he ever held a Book thus was he always in readiness to exercise his Function whenever necessity or reason requir'd He lay in a stone Chest made hollow like a Biere under his Head lay a stone and under his body were cast Cinders and Cilice of Hair in which posture with some unwillingness he admitted a short sleep after which he would plunge himself into Cold Water and so recite the whole Psalter This practice neither Snow nor Rain interrupted nor any thing but Sickness or Journeying He six'd his Episcopal See in the City of Glasco where he also ordain'd a great Congregation of Religious men who liv'd according to the form of the Primitive Church in community of all things The Infidels in his Diocess he converted to the Faith Apostates and Hereticks by his sound Doctrine he reduc'd to the bosome of our Holy Mother the Church He every where threw down Idols and Images of Devils and built some Churches He distinguish'd Parishes by their certain bounds He was always travelling to gain Souls to God never riding but in imitation of the Apostles always going on foot And because he would not eat his Bread in Idleness his custom was to labour with his hands in Agriculture About this time our famous King Arthur upon some unknown occasion Abroad left the Administration of his Kingdom to his Nephew Mordred Son of Loth King of the Picts by his Sister Mordred in the Absence of his Uncle invades his Throne upon pretence King Arthur was a Bastard and born out of Lawful Marriage To this Treason the Traytor adds the Crime of Incest violently taking his Uncles Wife Queen Guenhumara And to strengthen himself he enter'd into a Confederacy with the King of the West-Saxons to whom he yielded up several Provinces This infamous Crime soon brings King Arthur back into Britain inflam'd with rage against his abominable Kinsman Mordred was prepared to hinder his landing where a Cruel Battle was fought between them in which Auguselus King of Albania and Walwan another Nephew of King Arthur were slain notwithstanding which at last King Arthur with infinite difficulty landed and renewing the Fight made a great slaughter of his Enemies compelling Mordred to fly to Winchester whither he was pursu'd by King Arthur where in a second Battle after much Blood-shed he was again put to flight toward Cornwall But King Arthur not ceasing to follow at last overtook him near the River Camblan where Mordred having rang'd his Forces in a desperate fury rush'd amongst his Enemies resolv'd rather to die then once more to shew his back to them In this Combat which continu'd almost a whole day after horrible Bloodshed on both sides King Arthur with the Courage and fury of a Lyon rush'd into the Troop where he knew Mordred was and making way with his Sword at last with horrible slaughter dispers'd the Enemies There fell the Traytor Mordred and with him several Saxon Commanders Elaphius Egbrith and Bruning and many thousands with them But this Victory cost King Arthur his Life for in the Combat he receiv'd a Mortal Wound and was convey'd by the Charity of a Kins-woman of his a Noble Matron call'd Morganis into the Island of Avallonia now Glastonbury which gave occasion to the foolish British Bards to invent the Story Of Morganis a Faery Goddess who carried the Body of King Arthur into Avallonia by Magick skill with promise to Cure his Wounds and that he should return with his former Strength and Courage to govern the Britains Who for many Ages expected his return as foolishly as the coming of the Messias is look'd for by the Jews When Guenhumara heard of her Husbands return she fled to the City of Caerleon and there took the Habit of a Religious Woman among the Nuns in the Monastery of St. Julius the Martyr The true reason why King Arthur would be carried to the Monastery of Glastonbury doubtless was partly to prepare himself more perfectly for Death in the company and by the assistance of the Holy Monks there and that after his death he might be bury'd among such a world of Saints as repos'd there from the beginning of Christianity The like we read of Constantine who for the like purpose was bury'd in like manner That he might have the Prayers of such as in succeeding Ages should come to visit those Monuments King Arthur before his death gave to that Monastery Brent March Poulden and other Lands besides which the Pagan Angli took away but after being Converted to the Faith restor'd with Advantage King Arthur appointed for his Successor a Kins-man of his call'd Constantine and having recommended himself to the Prayers of the Monks he dy'd Happily and after a Christian manner was bury'd with a Cross His conveyance to Glastonbury was it seems by his own Order and done with all Secresie and by like order his Death and place of Burial studiously conceal'd For says Matthew Paris the King dying was desirous to be hidden least his Enemies should insult and his Friends be molested at so great a Calamity Hence it is that Histories relate little or nothing of his Death and Burial Insomuch as the British Nation out of their Affection to him contend that he is still alive upon which occasion the Prophecy was invented and father'd upon Merlin That he should appear and
back he was receiv'd with more then ordinary respect but presently after dy'd full of Days and Sanctity and was bury'd by Leontius in Aquitain Now though the Inhabitants of Aleth were depriv'd of the Sacred Relicks of their prime Prelate whom they had treated so injuriously yet the name of Blessed Maclovius remains never to be blotted out adorning and defending that City to this day with his Coelestial Benefits and Glorious Perfection Howbeit the Episcopal See does not now remain at Aleth but is remov'd to an Island two Miles distant from thence Antiently call'd Aaron where a City new built is in memory of their Holy Prelate and Patron call'd St. Malo and Vrbs Macloviensis It is said that St. Mahutus with his seven Disciples in Devotion visited Rome where he redeem'd many Infidel Captives and having instructed them in the true Faith Baptiz'd them Saint Brendan his Spiritual Father and Instructor though no Britain by Birth is not to be deny'd some place in this History He came out of Ireland to visit the Holy man St. Gildas Albanius in Britain He was also Superiour in the Monastery of Lancarvan where he Baptiz'd St. Maclovius and returning into Ireland where he was made an Abbot there dy'd Happily in the year of Grace 571. The death of this Blessed man is said to be reveal'd to St. Columba who declar'd That he saw the Heavens on a suddain open'd and a Choire of Angels descending to meet St. Brendan 's Soul by whose incomparable Splendour the whole World was that night Enlightn'd St. Brendan thus call'd to Heaven enjoy'd on Earth also an Eternal Monument of his Name and Sanctity For in the Isle of Orkney a Town and Church were built and call'd from his Name the reason was because his Sacred Body was thither translated In this Age flourish'd a Holy British Abbot call'd St. Doc of whom is written That when St. Canic of whom the Province of Kilkenny took its Name was grown to an Age of capable knowledge being desirous of instruction he pass'd over into Britain to a Religious man call'd Doc and under him studied diligently and was taught both Learning and Piety This St. Doc was one of the three Holy Britains from whom the Irish learn'd the form and Rites of Celebrating Mass The other two were St. David and St. Gildas After the death of King Arthur Constantine according to his designation succeeded him in the Government of Britain He was the Son of Cador Duke of Cornwall and Kinsman to the King His sufficiency to discharge that employment for the Benefit of his Country was enough approv'd by the choice of his glorious Predecessor But Almighty God having fix'd a period to the British Monarchy permitted many Factions to arise and many Pretendants to the Principality the opposing of whom hindred Constantine from advancing the common profit and safety of the Kingdom Moreover Ambition and Revenge had such a Power over him that they invited him to commit Crimes which hast'ned the ruine of his Country Hence it is that Gildas calls him the Tyrant of Danmonia Tyrant in regard of his Cruelty and Tyrant of that Province because at that time several others had invaded each one their several Principalities and for the maintaining of their unjust Usurpations fill'd the whole Nation with all manner of Impieties which gave occasion to the same Gildas to publish a Passionate Invective against the Vices of the whole British Nation which had universally depriv'd the Inhabitants of all states and conditions an exceeding few excepted who forseeing the unavoidable destruction of the Nation withdrew themselves from publick Affairs and in solitude deplor'd the sins of others by great Pennances and Austerities procuring Indulgence to their own Souls In former times saith Gildas our Kings publick Officers private Persons Bishops and other Ecclesiasticks every one kept their Order and perform'd the Duties belonging to them But when they were dead there succeeded a Generation utterly ignorant of the former Virtues among whom all the Rules of Truth and Justice were so shaken and subverted that no footsteps nor so much as the least Monument of those Virtues appear'd in any of the said Orders Constantine at his first Ascension into his Throne bound himself by a Solemn Oath to govern Justly and to use his utmost endeavours to defend his Subjects from Injuries and Oppressions and the Commonwealth from the violence of its Enemies And yet the year following we find him charg'd with Perjury and the violation of his Faith by his Barbarous Cruelty and Sacrilegious Prophanation of Gods House For the two Sons of Mordred rising up in Arms against him to revenge their Fathers death joyn'd in Confederacy with the Saxons and fought many Battles with him but at last being compell'd to fly Constantine pursu'd them and one of them he slew before the Altar of St. Amphibalus his Church in Winchester the other who had hid himself in a Convent of Monks he Condemned to a Cruel death in London For this Sacrilegious Inhumanity Gildas in his too free stile calls Constantine The Tyrannical Whelp of the Lioness of Danmonia an infringer of the dreadful Sacrament of an Oath by which he bound himself before God and all his Saints to abstain from all Injustice and Treachery to his Subjects notwithstanding which in the very bosom both of their Carnal Mother and Spiritual Mother the Church near the most Holy Altar he had torn the Bowels of two Royal Youths though cover'd with the Vestments of a Holy Abbot whilst they stretch'd forth their Hands not armed with Swords to resist but to implore help from God and his Altar and yet he most Barbarously shed their Blood which with a Purple dye stain'd the seat of the Ecclesiastical Sacrifice and the Sacred Palls which cover'd it To this Invective the same Author adjoyns most pressing Exhortations to Constantine That he would do suitable Pennance for these horrible Crimes that if possible he might avoid the dark inextricable Torrents of Eternal fire in which otherwise he must for ever be roll'd and roasted By these Expressions it should seem these two Sons of Mordred were not so much to be blam'd for their rising all Circumstances consider'd Probable it is that these or such like Exhortations wrought a good effect upon Constantine for though some write that he was slain by Conan who succeeded in the Kingdom yet others tell another Story viz. That after a short reign having been depriv'd of his Wife and Children be grew weary of his Kingdom and privily stealing from his Friends went into Ireland and there for the love of Christ labour'd unknown like a poor Servant in a Mill but afterward by perswasion of a Monk to whom he discover'd his condition he was induc'd to shave his Head and Consecrate himself to a Religious Life in a Monastery where he is said to live with such Piety and Devotion that he became a pattern of all Virtues to the rest of the Monks That at last