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
and Tomb of Saints because it had been Built by the immediate Disciples of our Lord and to him Dedicated as Venerable Antiquity doth testifie All which consider'd to deny so great a Blessing confer'd on our Nation must savour of Passion and un-excusable Partiality The time and occasion of St. Joseph's Arrival here and the particular Acts of him and his Companions after so many years of change and alteration cannot befully accountable The time in all likelihood was when Suetonius Paulinus was Pretor here and when Policletus Favourite to Nero came hither with his Retinue the occasion of his coming is less certain Some write that St. Joseph was sent hither by St. Philip the Apostle or Evangelist grounding their opinion from Procalphius who speaks little to that purpose Tradition informs us that St. Joseph at his first coming Address'd himself to Arviragus then King of the Britains and said to be the Founder of the University of Oxford by the help of an Augur or Prophet named Olenus Calenus from whom it was first called Calena And although Arviragus did not submit to the Doctrine of St. Joseph yet he gave him leave to publish it in Peace so well was he prepar'd to the Entertainment of Divine Truth by humane Education Nay he was also pleas'd to afford Joseph and his Companions a place of Retreat not only commodious for their Devotions but sufficient for their Sustenance call'd by the Britains the Glassey-Island or Avallonia in which certain Lands were alloted both by Arviragus and his Son Marius containing about 12 Hydes for the Nourishment of those Godly persons being the first of ground in this Island Dedicated to the Service of God and after called Godney The first thing these new Inhabitants undertook was to build and Consecrate a Church for the Worship of God which they Dedicated to the Honour of the most Blessed Virgin Mary And as is affirm'd amongst other things relating to Glastonbury Monastery in an Epistle of St. Patrick who died there was Consecrated Miraculously by our Blessed Lord himself to the Honour of his Mother This wonderful Consecration is more fully declar'd by the Testimony of the Illustrious Bishop of St. David the Extirpator of Pelagianisme out of Britain as hath been Collected out of the Antiquities of Glastonbury by Willià m of Malmsbury to this effect following That St. David with other Bishops coming to Glastonbury invited by the Sanctity of the place resolv'd to Consecrate the Church there formerly erected to the Honour of the Mother of God and having provided all things necessary for that purpose the night before his intended Ceremony our Blessed Lord appear'd to St. David in his sleep and demanded the cause of his coming thither which St. David forthwith declar'd whereupon our Lord taking him by the Hand told him That he himself many years before had Dedicated the said Church to the Honour of his Mother and that That Holy Ceremony was not to be Profain'd by any mans repeating And having said this with his Finger pierc'd through the Bishops Hand telling him this should be a sign that what himself had formerly Anticipated ought not again to be Renew'd and withall promis'd him that when the said Bishop the next day at the Canon of the Mass should pronounce the words Per ipsum cum ipso in ipsoâ—â— His Hand should be restor'd sound to him The Bishop awaking found his Hand pierc'd and others saw and touch'd the Wound with great Admiration and the Preparation for the Consecration was laid aside and during the Celebration of Mass the Bishops Hand became Sound The sum of what hath hitherto been here related is repeated by St. Augustine the Convertor of our Nation in an Epistle of his to St. Gregory the Great and by Copgrave in the Life of St. Joseph and is further testify'd by an Antient Inscription cut in Brass fasten'd to a Pillar in the same Church declaring in effect what hath been said already This Inscription is recorded by Sir Henry Spelman in his Collection of Councels and yet by him pretended to be Fabulous First He doubts whether any Christian Churches were Erected so early Which doubt is certainly groundless unless he mean such Magnificent Structures as have been built since Christianity hath been publickly cherish'd and countenanc'd but that even under the Harrows of Persecution the Christians made shift to Erect or Assign places to meet in and perform the Rites and Duties of Religion is Attested by all Ecclesiastical Histories Secondly If Churches were Built yet they were not Encompass'd with ground for Burial before St. Cuthbert 's time Burial within Cities being forbidden by the Roman Laws Sure this is a false conceit for King Ethelbert and his Bishop St. Augustine before St. Cuthbert's days were Buried in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul at Canterbury Constantine the first Christian Emperour was buried amongst the Relicks and Bones of the Apostles and Martyrs And as for the Roman Law forbidding Burials in Cities it was antiquated long before this however Glastonbury was no City scarce a Village rather a Desart far from Rome and under the Dominion of Brittish Princes well-wishers to Christianity and the simplicity thereof in those days Thirdly Dedication of Churches was not then in use Doubtless many Ceremonies and Solemnities have been added by the Church but as certainly the Houses or Places which the most Primitive Christians assigned for the Worship of God were by some Ceremonies Dedicated to that use as by erecting a Title fixing a Cross c. as the most antient Records testifie But lastly That which most displeases Sir Hen. is the Dedication of this Church to the Blessed Virgin for he thinks such a kind of Devotion was not thought of until many Ages after but then he must forget the Tradition of Spain attested in all their Liturgies and many of their Councils that from the first entrance of Christianity into that Kingdom several Churches have been erected to the Honour of that Blessed Virgin witness that most Famous Temple at Saragosa called Dell Pilar Celebrated above 1000 years since by St. Maximus Bishop of that City in several Hymns by him composed in Honour of that Venerable House called Angelical because the Pillar on which the Virgins Statue was fixed is thought to be brought thither by the Ministery of Angels After the Death of Arviragus Marius his Son succeeds him in the Brittish Throne resembling his Father as in Courage and other Prince-like Virtues so also in his kindness to these holy Strangers This Marius is reported to have had a great Victory over the Picts who were doubtlesly no other than the Northern Britains then unconquered and consequently unciviliz'd by the Romans but who remaining in their Barbarous custom of painting their Bodies got a new name of Picts After the Death of this Marius in the Reign of Coilus his Son our St. Joseph is said to end his Labours and Mortality in the 82 of our Lord and second year of
or Vsk as by the ruines there may appear At the first indeed Bishops did not confine themselves to one place but exercis'd their Pastoral Duties from one place to another as they had occasion but after their Flocks incrcasing each Bishop was limited to his peculiar Flock and seated themselves in the eminent Cities then in number about 28. and consequently so many Bishops were ordain'd We find in the Antient Book belonging to the Monastery of Abingdon to this effect That Eleutherius sent his Missioners Faganus and Divianus Learn'd and Holy men to King Lucius who Baptiz'd the King and his People embraceing the Christian Faith destroy'd Idols and built Churches and decreed that in those Cities where formerly resided Arch-flamens according to the Pagan Superstition there Arch-bishops should be establish'd and where ordinary Flamens were there Bishops should succeed the chief Cities then were London York and Caerleon which became the Seats of three Arch-bishops Possibly the Title of Flamens and Arch-flamens was given to these Druid Priests by the Romans who might be distinguish'd amongst themselves by some other Name The Names of these 28 Cities have been collected out of History I. Cair Gumeguir which perhaps is Norwich by the Britains call'd Cair Guntius or perhaps rather Winwick in Lancashire some say Winchester II. Mincip or Municip which is Verulam near St. Albans III. Cair Lualid Luguballia now Caerleil IV. Mediolanum at this day Meivod in Montgomery-shire V. Cair Colon or Colonia now Colchester VI. Cair Ebranc now York VII Cair Custeint near Carnarvan by Antonine call'd Seguntium and Cair Custeint because Constantius the Father of Constantine was there buried and his Body there found in the time of Edward the First after the Conquest and by him Honourably Interr'd VIII Cair Caratauc or Caradoc in the borders of Shropshire between the Rivers Teindus and Colunus where Caractacus was Defeated by Ostorius IX Cair Grant now Cambridge upon the River Grant. X. Maucguid Mancunium in Lancashire as some think Manduessedum or Manchester in Warwickshire as others XI Cair Londein or Cair Lud now London XII Cair Guorthigirn in Radnorshire where King Vortigern hid himself from Divine Justice but could not escape it but was Burnt by Lightning in and with that City XIII Cair Ceint now Canterbury formerly Dorbernia XIV Cair Guorangon Branonium now Worcester XV. Cair Peris or Portcester now Portsmouth XVI Cair Daun or Danus now Doncaster in Yorkshire XVII Cair Legio of the 20th Legion there quarter'd now Chester XVIII Cair Guaricon or Guarvinc of Guarth a Garrison in the British Tongue now Warwick XIX Cair Segesut or the City of the Segontiaci the first People of this Island who yielded to Caesar since call'd Silchester in Hampshire XX. Cair Leon from the second Legion or Vsk from the River it was seated in Monmouthshire and is now ruin'd XXI Cair Guent or Venta Belgarum now Winchester XXII Cair Brito now call'd Bristol XXIII Cair Lerion by the Saxons Legecestria now Leicester XXIV Cair Draiton which Bishop Vsher thinks to be that which is now call'd Draiton in Shropshire XXV Cair Pentavelcoit seated upon the River Ivel in Somersetshire now Ilchester yet the said Learn'd Bishop thinks it should be written Pensavelcoit supposing it to be Pentsey in Sussex where William the Conqueror first landed XXVI Cair Vervac or Vriconium now Wroxcester in Shropshire XXVII Calemion or Calion which Cambden takes to be Comelet in Somersetshire where Roman Coins are frequently found and where are the footsteps of a Camp. XXVIII Cair Luitcoit or Lindcoit or Lindum now Lincoln These were the 28 Cities perhaps not all extant in the days of King Lucius at least under those Names which were design'd then for the Seats of Arch-bishops and Bishops though perhaps some other might be design'd for that purpose And it may be the Name of Arch-bishops was not then us'd yet the jurisdiction was alike under the Name of Metropolitans from the Metropolis or most Eminent Cities How many of these Cities were supply'd with Bishops is not certain Records only mention besides Elvanus Consecrated at Rome Theanus only a Britain and first Metropolitan Bishop of London where our Devout King Lucius built a Church in Cornhill Consecrated to St. Peter the Truth whereof is manifested by an Inscription on an Antient Table not long since hanging in the said Church to this effect following In the year of our Lord 179. Lucius the first Christian King of this Land founded the first Church at London namely the Church of St. Peter in Cornhill He establish'd there an Arch-Episcopal See it was the prime Church of the Kingdom and so continu'd for 400. years until the coming of St. Augustine the Apostle of England Some make Theanus Founder of this Church assisted therein by Ciranus the Kings Cup-bearer How long Theanus govern'd in this See is uncertain however he was succeeded by St. Elvanus though Malmsburiensis makes it doubtful in what place the Arch-Episcopal jurisdiction was fix'd during the time of the Britains Fugatius and Damianus after their three years successful Labours in this new Vineyard of our Lord as Historians witness return'd to Rome to give an account to St. Eleutherius how affairs stood in Britain As to this Matthew of Westminster expresses himself most fully affirming That in the year of Grace 186. the Blessed Prelates Fugatius and Damianus return'd to Rome and obtain'd from the Holy Pope Eleutherius a confirmation of all they had done in Britain and then came back again accompany'd with many others By whose Instructions the British Nation being confirm'd in the Faith of Christ became Illustrious the Names and Acts of these Holy men may be found in the History of our Gildas concerning the Victory of Aurelius Ambrosius It was the practice of Christian Churches to have frequent recourse to the Chair of St. Peter and about this very time the Church of Lions in France sent Irenaeus to St. Eleutherius for the resolving of questions about Ecclesiastical Affairs as St. Jerom witnesseth and of the same Errand before this time went St. Beatus to Rome as is before-mention'd This hath been frequently done in a due Subordination to the Supream Tribunal of the Church and for the preservation of Unity the Center whereof the Chair of St. Peter was ever accounted When Fugatius and Damianus came back into Britain they presented the King with a Crown Bless'd by that Holy Pope with many Divine Admonitions more acceptable than the Crown relating to the Government of his Civil State and his Defence of Holy Church It is said the Pope also prescrib'd the limits of his Kingdom so far Northerly that some conjecture that from thence it is that so many of those Northern Provinces became subject to the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Church of York Other Churches were afterwards built as first at Westminster in the place of an Idol Temple consecrated to Apollo which in the Reign of Antoninus Pius was by an Earthquake cast to
Depos'd from his Bishoprick of Antioch This Arch-Heretick refusing to relinquish his See the Bishops gave an account of his Obstinacy to Dionysius Bishop of Rome The Emperour Aurelianus was desir'd to pronounce Sentence therein who in a manner like a Christian Decreed That the possession of the said Bishoprick should be given to such to whom the Bishop of Rome and other Western Bishops should assign it And so Paulus was utterly expell'd from his Church Two Voyages of Constantius Chlorus are mention'd in Story The first in the fourth year of Aurelian's reign he was then only a Senator or Patrician but sent with an Army to reclaim the Britains who were too apt to adhere to such Tyrants who Usurp'd the Empire yet was with all quietness receiv'd as the Emperour's Lieutenant his Voyage into Britain was prosperous Victory rather expected him there then accompany'd him thither he made himself welcom by his Mercy and Clemency in forbearing to Insult over his Conquer'd Enemies by his Justice in awarding restitution to such as were Pillag'd by his Providence in gaining the Affections of the Inhabitants by giving liberty to the Captives and forbearing to punish Offenders and winning them to Repentance He apply'd himself more particularly to Coelus before-nam'd and entring into a firm League with him Espous'd his Daughter Helena not long after which Marriage Coelus dy'd and Constantius in the right of his Wife became possess'd of her Fathers Principality The year after this happy Marriage and as a Blessed effect thereof was born Constantine the Great Great not only in subduing the Enemies of Rome and reducing the Empire to a Peaceable and flourishing Estate but also in destroying the Power of Satan and advancing the Kingdom of God over prevailing Idolatry That this great Emperour was born in this Island is acknowledg'd and prov'd by the most credible Authors the particular place of his Birth is more question'd some say it was York some London but most think Colchester where Helena and her Father usually resided that Town being girt with a Wall at the Costs of Helena Some Greek Authors will have Constantine to be born elsewhere but their fancy therein hath been prov'd by the most Learn'd and Impartial Authors fond and improbable especially by the Testimony of our Glorious Bishop St. Adelm who liv'd not above 300. years after Constantine and in his excellent Treatise of Virginity expresly affirms That St. Helena was a British Lady And his Treatise having been highly extoll'd by St. Bede gives great advantage to our Assertion However St. Helena hath been disgracefully spoken of by some Authors as the Concubine and not the Wife of Constantine yet it may be easily prov'd that they constantly Co-habited as Man and Wife in a Lawful and Chaste Marriage by the uncontested Succession of Constantine their Son in the Empire and by other undenyable Testimonies And Barronius concludes We are of necessity compell'd to agree that Helena was the Lawful Wife of Constantius Insomuch as the Emperour Justinian made a Decree in her Honour wherein he sets forth How much she was Honour'd by her Pious Son Constantine and how much the Church of God hath been beholding to her for finding our Blessed Saviours Cross True it is that as some have cast imputations upon this Holy Woman as to her Birth and the Lawfulness of her Marriage so some also have question'd the Integrity of her Religion All which notwithstanding her Birth her Marriage her Devotion her Zeal and Piety in seasoning her Son in Christian Principles are clearly attested by the sincerest and gravest Authors Aurelianus whilst he liv'd was an Inhumane adversary of Gods Truth and rais'd the ninth Persecution Britain only remain'd free from Violence under the moderate Government of Constantius not averse from Christianity After seven years reign Aurelianus was slain by his own Souldiers him Tacitus succeeded who dying after six months Probus renown'd for Military Virtues was chosen It is said the Senate wish'd him and the Army chose him and the People with Acclamations approv'd his Election During his Reign by the re-calling of Constantius many Troubles arose in Britain especially from Bonosus of British extract Probus after five years reign was slain by his own Army and Carus Manlius Aurelius chosen in his stead who created his two Sons Carinus and Numerianus Caesarus Carus was kill'd by Lightning Numerianus and Carinus by Treachery Doclesian after the Death of Carus was pronounc'd Emperour by the Army and prov'd the Author of the last but longest and most dreadful Persecution that ever the Church of God suffer'd Carinus being slain Dioclesian assum'd Maximianus as his Companion in the Empire they conspir'd in a resolution to extirpate Christianity and defend the Adoration of their Pagan Gods There never was given a stronger proof of the Churches being founded upon a Rock then the unsuccessfulness of the rage of these two Emperours against it They had the whole Power of the World in their Hands they were eminent for Valour Wisdom and Policy they govern'd the Empire above 20 years imploy'd all their time without relaxation in suppressing the Truth of Christ They omitted no Temptations by Favours or Terrours to withdraw the Servants of Jesus from Worshipping him no Torments were wanting publick and private persons were Arm'd to destroy the poor Christians not only singly one by one but whole Armies of them were Butcher'd together to Disgrace the Christians and to oppress them was the ready way to Preferment yet with all this the Christian Religion was so far from being destroy'd that it gain'd more Souls to Christ than the Sermons of the Devoutest Preachers could do in times of Peace Insomuch as these two vain-glorious and malicious Princes seeing all their endeavours against Christ to become fruitless through Despair depos'd themselves from the Government of the World which they had undertaken principally in design to destroy the Truth of Christ This Island of Britain divided from the World and so exempted from Persecutions yet smarted under the Cruelty of these Bloody Emperours and by the Martyrdom of St. Albanus St. Amphibalus St. Julius St. Aaron and their Associats afforded a Glorious Example of Conquering the World and Hell it self by Faith and Patience By all circumstances these Holy Martyrs suffer'd about the beginning of Dioclesians reign in the year of our Lord 286. as St. Bede expresly testifies Edicts for the persecution of the Christians were about this time first sent into Britain which might perhaps occasion Amphibalus to return a second time into his Native Country to Convert men in the Faith of Christ He is said first to six at Verulam in the House of Albanus an eminent Citizen there and descended of an Illustrious Roman Family and the Emperour's Questor or Treasurer He received St. Amphibalus though a stranger to him with great Kindness and Liberality but understanding he was a Christian privately question'd him How he could pass safely to that City through so many Regions of
Britain with so Prosperous a Voyage as if he had been brought thither not by Post-horses but mounted and flying in a Heavenly Chariot Upon his approach to his Father he was receiv'd by him with great joy and devout Thanksgiving to God. The dying Emperour was now willing to embrace death and bequeath'd the Inheritance of the Empire to his belov'd and first born Son Constantine and so with comfort departed this Life He was bury'd in the City of York with Prince-like Solemnity and by the Heathenish Romans Deify'd with the Title of Divine Cambden reports That when the Houses of Monks there were in our Fathers memory demolish'd a Lamp was found burning in a little Vaulted Chappel in which by Tradition Constantius is thought to have been bury'd The Antients had doubtlesly an Art to maintain a flame for many Ages by Gold dissolved into a kind of Oyl Then certainly Matthew of Westminster must be mistaken who writes that the Body of Constantius was found in another place and from thence by the then Kings command translated to Caernarvon which must be understood of some other Constantius Now notwithstanding Constantius had Sons by Theodora yet passing them all by he left the Empire to his Eldest Son Constantine only and his disposal therein was Ratified by the Suffrages and Acclamations of the Army Howbeit such was the moderation and prudent caution of Constantine that he contented himself with the Title of Caesar refusing that of Augustus or Emperour Insomuch as when the Soldiers with great Affection would have cast on him the Imperial Purple he set Spurs to his Horse and fled from them In truth he had reason for this Caution for though Dioclesian and Maximianus had relinquish'd the administration of the Empire yet had they by Councels and Authority a great influence upon the State for by them Galerius Maximinus and Severus were chosen Caesars and Successors who had possession of Italy and the Eastern Empire so as Constantine being young and at so great distance might well think it dangerous without their consent to assume the Supreme Authority His first attempt therefore was to gain the Affection and Consent of Maximianus from whom his Father had receiv'd the Purple Robe and who had then a Daughter Marriageable call'd Fausta Her Constantine demands in Marriage presuming the Empire should be her Dowry In the mean time he finish'd his Fathers Victories in Britain and was therein assisted by King Erocas by whose Councels he was much guided afterward he pass'd over with a great Army into France and there suppress'd two Barbarous Princes who fill'd the Country with Faction inciting the Gauls to Rebellion Then he began to treat with Maxentius who a year before hearing of the death of Constantius possess'd himself of Rome and usurp'd the Title of Emperour by the help of the Pretorian Soldiers and upon the hopes that Maximianus whose Daughter he had Marry'd would favour him in his Ambition the conceit whereof made him slight all motions of Concord with Constantine Howbeit Maximinian having heard of the Noble Victories and Exploits of Constantine bestow'd his Daughter Fausta upon him and with Her the Imperial Purple But soon after this Marriage Maximinianus discovers his Treacherous intention to re-possess himself of the Empire which he had voluntarily resign'd and bound himself by Solemn Oath in the Capital never to resume This intention he first made known to his Daughter Fausta before the Marriage in pursuance whereof he Sollicits the Armies with Promises of great Rewards to stick to him All these Designs Fausta reveals to Constantine and withall informs him That the intended Marriage was but to make him secure that her Father might the sooner deprive him of the Empire and perhaps of his Life also This intention of Maximinian soon appears for he forthwith publickly assumes the Name and Authority of Emperour at Arles from whence retiring to Marseilles he was there Besieg'd by Constantine and soon made his Prisoner and afterward Executed upon himself the just vengeance of Perjury and Treason for he strangl'd himself with a Halter such a deserv'd and ignominious end had this Tyrant who defil'd the Western Empire with the Blood of so many Christians Constantine thus Victorious prosecuted his Victories in Germany where he built a Bridge over the Rhine and subdu'd several Rebellious Nations He had as is said several Noble Britains in his Army with him amongst which three Unckles of his Mother Helena are Nam'd Johelin Traer and Marius At this time although Constantine were not a Christian yet he afforded the Christians the like Peace which they enjoy'd under his Father Monasteries were Replenish'd and Built those of Abingdon and Winchester being the principal the first whereof was speedily Finish'd and Consecrated to the memory of St. Amphibalus and for the space of 200 years prosper'd till the time of Cerdicus the West Saxon who then destroying the Monks turn'd it into a Temple of Idolatry As for that in Abingdon if the Chronicle of that place may be Credited Constantine himself in his younger days had his Education there To this Monastery belong'd 500. Monks who got their living by their Labour abroad but every Sunday resorted to their Monastery to perform their Devotions sixty more were constantly Resident attending in the Recital of Psalms and Christian Sacrifices It was now that Almighty God in revenge of the Innocent Blood of the Christians shed by the Tyrant Galerius visited him with an inward and Incurable Rottenness whereof he dy'd having for a long time consum'd him by piece-meal with great Stench and Torment neither could he appease the wrath of God although but too late he acknowledg'd the Justice of God and sent out Edicts in favour of the Christians Thus ended the furious Persecution first rais'd by Dioclesian There yet remain'd four persons who Supremely and Independently govern'd their several Provinces Constantine in Gaul and Britain Maxentius in Italy and Africk Maximinus in the East and Licinius in the Pannonia Greece Illyrium and Thrace all which Provinces in a short time became united under the Monarchy of Constantine The 112th year of Christ was now come Prosperous to the Church of God Happy was it for Christians that Maxentius refus'd agreement with Constantine such were the manifold Vices Oppressions Murders Adulteries and great Enormities of Maxentius that Constantine was in a manner enforc'd not only for his own safety but the general good of Mankind to free the World of such a Monster odious not only to Christians but to Pagans also to conclude a War against the Tyrant though stronger then himself Constantine therefore had recourse to Divine assistance but such a multitude of Gods were Worship'd in the World that he was uncertain to which of them he should Address himself After serious consideration calling to mind how former Emperours had been abus'd to their own ruine by false Oracles Incantations and Inhumane Sacrifices offer'd to their Heathen Gods he resolves to put his Confidence
in that only true God which his Mother Helena Worship'd all her Life and his Father Constantius towards his end To that God he offer'd Zealous and Devout Prayers That he would discover to him who he was and how he would be Worship'd and would protect him in his present condition of danger His Devotion was not in vain for by a stupendious Miracle in the sight of the whole Army God declar'd his acceptance of his Supplicants Prayers for he saw over the Sun then begining to decline the Sign of the Cross in Heaven figur'd by a resplendent light together with these words inscrib'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By this be Victorious Which Spectacle caus'd great admiration both to himself and his Army Artemius one of the Spectators afterwards relates this Miracle to Julian the Apostate and Vouches many of his then present Soldiers for Spectators and further Witnesses thereof some writers add That many Angels were seen with this Apparition who encourag'd constantine and promis'd him Victory by that Sign and that he himself saw an Arm'd Horseman who bore in his Hands the sign of the Cross as an Ensign The Christians in Constantine's Army were Encourag'd by this Coelestial Vision but the Pagans look'd upon it as a Fatal and Ominous Sign until the succeeding Victory prov'd it otherwise Nay at first the good Emperour himself was in great doubt what this strange Vision should Portend until at night our Lord appear'd to him in his Sleep bearing the same Sign with him and commanded Constantine To cause a Draught or Copy thereof to be fram'd and to be made use of by him as a Guard and Protection in all his Battels Accordingly Constantine instructed his most cunning Workmen to make a Banner in imitation thereof Adorn'd with Gold and Precious Stones which he perpetually had carry'd before him in his Army He caus'd likewise innumerable representations of the Cross to be fix'd in several publick and Private places especially in several parts of his own Palace where it was for the most part fram'd of Gold Jewels and Precious Stones No wonder then if the veneration of the Holy Cross every day more and more increas'd amongst Christians a practice us'd from the most Primitive times and now Authoriz'd by our Lord himself from Heaven as it hath been sure confirm'd by innumerable Miracles wrought in several Ages by it Constantine encourag'd by this Promise of Divine assistance and Arm'd with this Glorious Sign of the Cross makes towards Italy Conquers several Nations reduces several Cities and overcomes all Resistance and having clear'd all the Provinces behind him marches Couragiously to Rome it self where the Tyrant for more than six years had exercis'd all manner of Wickedness He had not Courage to Issue out of the City or oppose Constantine's Progress stupify'd with his Lusts and afrighted with Prodigies and the Divination of his South-sayers But when Constantine approach'd the City Maxentius was enforc'd to draw out his Army consisting of 17000 Foot and 1800. Horse these numerous Forces he rang'd beyond the Milvian Bridge so that they were shut out of the City by the River The Tyrant us'd this Stratagem also he caus'd the Bridge to be so fram'd that at his pleasure he might dissolve it Constantine having rang'd his Army on the other side himself with great Courage gave the on-set by which he immediately broke his Enemies Ranks so as little resistance was made except by the Praetorian Soldiers who having Created Maxentius Emperour expected no Pardon and cover'd the ground with the dead Bodies Those who endeavour'd flight found it unsuccessful being hindred by the straitness of the Bridge the slaughter was exceeding great there being no other way to avoid the Sword but plunging into the River wherein great multitudes were swallow'd The Tyrant himself casting off the marks of Authority adventur'd into Tyber and being hurry'd down the Stream was drown'd his Body being cast upon the shore the People found and cut off his Head which with great Joy and Triumph they carry'd up and down the City fastn'd to a Pole. It is affirm'd that since Rome was built never was a day Celebrated with greater or more universal Joy than the day whereon Constantine Triumph'd for this Victory His Triumphant Chariot was attended not with Conquer'd Princes or Generals but with the Nobility of Rome freed from Dungeons and Chains Rome did not indeed Inrich her self with Spoils of Enemies but ceas'd to be the Spoil of an Inhumane Tyrant However this Pious Emperour would have this common Joy and Applause ascrib'd not to himself but to God only by virtue of the Holy Cross to whom only he gave the Praise and Honour of this Victory At his Triumphal entrance into the City he caus'd the Cross to be carried before his Army that Rome might see by what Arms she had been freed from Slavery he also enjoyn'd the People and Senate to Prostrate themselves before that Triumphant Sign and to Adore the Name of Christ who had Enobl'd the same It is therefore a narrow conceit of some who will not acknowledge that the Cross was ever Honour'd or Venerated by this Emperour or his Command when it is most manifest by undenyable Testimony for it is well known that Constantine Dedicated a Church to the Honour of the Holy Cross This Honour of the Cross Prudentius thus sounds forth Vex illum Crucis summus Dominator Adorat And not only so but the said Emperour signifies his will that all the World should also do so This Prince also further to Honour this Sign of our Salvation causeth his Statue to be set up in Rome holding a Cross in the right Hand with this Inscription By this saving Sign the Emblem of Fortitude I deliver'd your City from the yoak of Tyranny and having given perfect Liberty to the Senate and People of Rome I restor'd them to their Antient Greatness and Splendour There was another Inscription Engraven in Stone by the Decree of the Senate of like purport with the former wherein the Victory is ascrib'd contrary to the Roman custom to one True God and not to the many Gods there Ador'd After this signal Victory Constantine sent for Licinius the Emperour to Millain and there gave him to Wife his Sister Constantia and procur'd an Edict from him for free Liberty to profess the Christian Religion what belong'd to Churches was restor'd unto them Both Constantine and Lacinius joyn in their request to Maximinus the Eastern Emperour to grant the like freedom within his Dominions to which request Maximinus with much unwillingness yielded Matthew of Westminster affirms That about this time Constantine chose into the Senate his three Vncles before-mention'd which might perhaps give occasion to Julian the Apostate afterwards to darken the memory of this Glorious Emperour as a perverter of the Antient Roman Laws in being the first who Adorn'd Barbarous Strangers with Consular Robes In the year of Grace 314. Silvester succeeded Melchiades in the Popedom It
should in all Churches be Celebrated upon the same day in opposition to the Quarto decimani who observ'd it according to the Jewish custom upon the 14th day of the first Moon in March which practice began to prevail more and more in the East To this Canon the British Bishops then of this Councel subscrib'd Another Canon of this Councel is worthy consideration namely That all such should be remov'd from the Order of the Clergy who in time of Persecution had deliver'd up to the Pagans the Holy Scriptures or the Lords Vessels deputed for the Christian Sacrifice as by the 20th Canon of this Councel appears which commands That a place to offer Sacrifice should be afforded to a Stranger Bishop with Vessels for that purpose And thereupon Restitutus a British Bishop who subscrib'd to that Councel did there offer Sacrifice accordingly Some pretend a Canon in this Councel That Deacons in their Ordination protesting their resolution to Marry might lawfully do it If any such Canon be foysted into late Copies giving Deacons any such priviledge yet seeing Priests were not therein mention'd it is strongly imply'd that they were forbidden Marriage At the conclusion of this Synod a Letter was written in the Name of the whole Assembly to Pope Silvester Desiring his Care and Diligence in the Observation of their Decrees in all Churches The British Subscribers to this Councel were these that follow Eborius Bishop of York Restitutus before-nam'd Bishop of London famous in the year of Grace 350. the third Adelfus Bishop of Camolodunum or Maldon About this time a publick Disputation was held before the Emperour and his Mother Helena between some Christian Bishops whereof Pope Silvester was chief and twelve Scribes and Pharisees principal Masters amongst the Jews in which conflict the Holy Pope by Scriptures and Miracles so confirm'd the Faith that he obtain'd a Noble Victory insomuch as the Jews fell into a slat Rebellion against the Emperour But being suppress'd were carried up and down with their Ears cut off as stigmatiz'd Slaves that all men might be Witnesses of their Crime and deterr'd from the like presumption Some impute the said Disputation to Helena as if she were a favourer of the Jews and no Christian before her Sons Conversion and so only by his Example contrary to the Truth of all Authentick Story It may indeed be true that her Piety was much increas'd by the Apparition of the Holy Cross to her Son Howbeit there is no doubt but she was a sincere Christian long before whatever Aspersions may be cast upon her by ill-willers In the year 317. Licinius forgetful of his Covenant with Constantine began a Persecution against the Christians and a War against Constantine who after two Battels obtain'd a compleat Victory accompanied with the Death of Licinius This success Constantine himself under God attributed to his Sacred Ensign of the Cross whereof Licinius was so afraid that he commanded his Soldiers not so much as to look toward it for it was observ'd that whoever bore that Ensign could never be Wounded the Darts cast by the Enemy still remaining six'd to the Staff supporting the Cross And now Constantine betook himself to Enrich and Adorn the Church and confer Immunities upon Church-men he publish'd a Law that all Clerks and Clergy-men should be excus'd from all Civil Offices and Duties that by the ill-will or malice of any they might not be withdrawn from the Service of God. Nay saith Sozomen by this Emperour's Decree if any Clergy-man were called into Judgement by Civil Magistrates they might Appeal to the Judgement of Bishops whose Sentence was to be Ratified as if pronounc'd by the Emperour himself Moreover whereas the Roman Laws were severe against Celibacy so as Unmarry'd persons were incapable of Inheritances Constantine considering how prejudicial this was to Christian Religion wherein many profess'd Virginity and Single lives preferring the Love of Christian Philosophy and Perfection before the Sensual Pleasures of Matrimony and Consecrating themselves both Soul and Body to the Service of God in a Poor and Chaste Life for that reason utterly abolish'd those Antient Laws shewing withall great Honour and Admiration to the Convents of Consecrated Virgins And if we will believe Sozomen He so far priviledg'd all persons Male or Female who Consecrated themselves to Virginity that though they were under Age yet they should have Power to dispose of their Estates by Will contrary to the custom of the Romans He further also ordain'd That a measure of Wheat should yearly be given to Widows and those who observ'd a Virgin Life two thirds whereof Julian the Apostate not long after took from them He commanded publick rest on the Lords day and prescrib'd a form of Prayer on that day for all persons especially his Souldiers Part whereof was in these words We acknowledge thee the only God we prefess thee our Soveraign King we invoke thee our Helper by thee we obtain Victories and vanquish our Enemies we acknowledge that from Thee we have obtain'd present Felicity and hope to obtain future We bescech thee many years to preserve safe and victorious Constantine our Emperour with his Pious Children He likewise in memory of our Saviours Cross and Passion ordain'd That upon Fridays some time should be spent in Prayers to God. Lastly He not only Enrich'd the Church by his own Bounty but by a Law open'd the Purses of others to Endow it by giving License to all persons to bequeath what they thought sit to the Church By one Action indeed he stain'd the Purity of his Faith for being at Sardis and having notice that his Palace at Rome was struck with Lightning an Ominous Sign to the Pagan Romans and by their Antient Laws to be averted by many Superstitious Lustrations he condescended to the importunity of the Magistrates to Consult the Sooth-sayers what the meaning of it might be but commanded them to abstain from Domestical Sacrifices This unlawful complyance of the Emperour turn'd to the prejudice of the Christians for by colour thereof at the instigation of the Sooth-sayers the Heathen Magistrates would compell the Christians to joyn in the publick Expiatory Sacrifices so as many chose rather to leave the City and amongst the rest the Holy Pope Silvester Constantine inform'd hereof publishes an Edict That if any should go about to compel any Christian to Celebrate Heathenish Lustrations he should if a mean person be publickly beaten with Clubs if otherwise he should be grievously Fin'd In the year 324. after our Saviours Incarnation according to the Tradition of the Western Church confirm'd by many Proofs Constantine receiv'd Baptism at Rome by the Hands of Pope Silvester upon this occasion Constantine had rashly put to death Licinius his Sisters Son falsly accus'd of a design to Rebel and Crispus his own Son adorn'd with many Virtues and famous for many Victories yet accus'd by Fausta his Mother-in-Law to have attemptod her Chastity which accusation appearing after to be false and
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
insomuch as that Constantius advis'd with many Eastern Bishops about it Who resolv'd him It was better to allow of Athanasius then hazard a Civil War. The year following Athanasius return'd into the East and was at first receiv'd by Constantius with some Kindness and permitted to return to his See at Alexandria But the year following the Arrian Bishops becoming boundless in their Power and Malice by the death of the Orthodox Emperour Constans who by the Conspiracy of Magnentius Chrestius and Marcellinus was Traytorously slain at Helena a Town in France It is said he had a Prediction That he should die in his Grand-Mothers Lap. His death was greatly bewail'd by St. Athanasius who foresaw the danger was like to ensue unto the Catholick Faith by the loss of Constans and the evil of the sole remaining Emperour who was yet at present very much incumber'd by two Tyrants the one was Vetranio who had once govern'd in Britain and was after Proclaim'd Emperour in Illyricum but was soon depos'd by Constantius who yet not only spar'd his Life but suffer'd him to spend the remainder of his Life in Retirement full of Pleasure and Abundance The other Tyrant was Magnentius who took the Title of Emperour at Augustodunum in France and held it three years and then after the loss of a Battel was forc'd to kill himself After this Victory Constantius would be call'd the Emperour of the whole World and assum'd the Impious Title of his Eternity and then extended all his Pride and Power to oppress the Catholick Faith and establish the Arrian Heresie even in the Western Churches also commanding a Councel to be Assembled at Arles in France where he extorted the Suffrages of the Bishops in favour of his Heresie and condemnation of St. Athanasius drawing in the Legate of Pope Liberius who had newly succeeded Julius Howbeit Liberius more than once sollicited the Emperour by Legates and Epistles on the behalf of St. Athanasius complaining That the Suffrages of Bishops were mercenarily sold according to the Princes inclination Whereupon Constantius perceiving the endeavours of Liberius render'd the Sentences of his pack'd Synods invalid sought to win him by Promises and Favours to his Party that proving ineffectual he sent for him when Liberius was come to him he stoutly protested He would suffer any thing rather than being a Christian to become an Arrian At which the Emperour being offended sent him into Banishment to Beraea a City of Thrace whereto he chearfully submitted rejecting 500 Crowns which the Emperour sent for his Maintenance In his place was substituted a certain Roman Priest call'd Felix one who though in judgement a Catholick yet comply'd with the Arrians Liberius wanting constancy and weary of his Banishment after two years return'd from it with as much Infamy as he had submitted to it with glory yielding at last to the condemnation of St. Athanasius and subscribing to a Confession of Faith fram'd in a Synod at Sirmium wherein though there was nothing Haeretical yet the word Consubstantiality being left out his subscription to it was scandalous and argu'd an unlawful complyance with the Arrians After all this returning again to Rome he breaks off all Communion with the Arrians and joyns himself in Communion with Athanasius to whom he thus writes Our Confession belov'd Athanasius is that the Word is the Son of God being according to his Nature begotten of God his Father not created he is God his Fathers Colleague in his Empire and obtains an endless Kingdom for infinite Ages Amen Whilst Constantius in the West thus afflicted the Catholick Church and Faith Gratian Father of Valentinian afterwards Emperour was Pro-Praetor of Britain He was rais'd from a vile Original to this high degree for his Courage and Virtue in his younger Age he is said to have been a Seller of Ropes such was his strength that five Soldiers were not able to wrest a Rope out of his Hands for his favouring Magnentius he was depriv'd both of Office and Estate Martinus succeeded him in his Pro-Praetorship of Britain who govern'd this Island with great Justice and Kindness to the Britains his Government was shortned upon this unhappy occasion Constantius being a Prince very Suspitious imploy'd Officers to search out such as were practising against him One Paul a Notary was very much esteem'd of him for his Malicious Sagacity in such matters and therefore sent by him into Britain to bring over in Chains such Soldiers as had intermedled in the Conspiracy of Magnentius Paul executed this Authority with such Cruelty and Injustice that the Pro-Praetor to prevent the Miseries of so many Innocents first intercedes by way of Intreaty and being therein unsuccessful protested he would leave the Province rather than behold such Oppression This Paul for his Subtilty call'd Catena being thus thwarted in his Cruelty Craftily involves the Pro-praetor himself in a Suspition of the same Guilt and Treason so as he presumes to seize upon him and put him in Fetters with the rest Martinus betakes himself to his Sword in defence of himself and therewith wounds Paul but not Mortally and thereupon turns his Sword upon his own Breast and so dy'd lamented of all men In the year of our Lord 359. the Church of God was expos'd to great danger and infamy by the Councel of Ariminum then Assembled by the Authority of the Arrian Emperour Constantius with design to abolish the Faith of the Consubstantiality of the Son of God. He commanded his Praefect Taurus That when the Bishops were met together he should not permit them to depart till they had all consented in one Faith It is said that out of Illyricum Italy Africk Spain and Gaul and out of Britain also under the notion of Gaul he gather'd together more than 400 Bishops The Emperour commanded allowance of Necessaries to these Bishops but those of Gaul and Britain refus'd it as an unseemly thing and chose rather at their own Costs to maintain themselves Three only out of Britain excepted who being destitute of Subsistence out of their own Sees made some use of the Emperour's Liberality and perhaps were not to be disprais'd for it These Bishops being assembled were prescrib'd what they should do by the Emperours Letters and severely enjoyn'd to determine nothing which might touch the Eastern Bishops and when they had finish'd their Decrees they were to send them to Court by two Bishops In these Letters it is observ'd that he Subscribes himself Constantine not Constantius Notwithstanding all which the Holy Bishops Couragiously perform'd their Duties for they confirm'd the Nicene Creed sorbidding any addition or diminution thereof and protesting They would never depart from the Faith which they had receiv'd from God the Father by the Prophets and our Lord Jesus Christ which the Holy Spirit taught in the Gospels according as was deliver'd by Tradition of the Fathers succeeding the Apostles to the times when this Controversie was debated at Nicaea against an Heresie which then arose All
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
Nations on all sides of the Roman Empire as if universally excited by a Trumpet broke their limits amongst the rest the Picts Saxons Scots and Attacotti vex'd the Brittains with incessant Calamities Who the Picts and Scots were hath been before-declar'd the Saxons as yet infested the Sea-shores but who the Attacotti were St. Jerom tells us They were saith he a Savage People upon the Northern Mountains of Scotland who neglecting Beeves and other Cattle fed themselves with Humane Flesh as their principal Delicacies living without Law or Government and who had promiscuous Wives and hildren in common These were easily induc'd to joyn with the Scots and Picts against the Civil Britains The Emperour Valentinian to suppress these Incursions leaving his Brother Valens to govern in the East made an Expedition into Gaul where having compos'd great Troubles he met with very ill News from Britain so as he sent one of his Principal Officers to remedy those Disorders there at last more horrible Rumours increasing he made choice of Theodosius to go General thither a Man Famous for many Martial Exploits who attended with Courageous Legions prosecuted the Expedition with a Noble Confidence The Saxons not only Infested the British Coasts but made an impression even to London To remedy which injuries the vigilant General Theodosius being landed near Sandwich in Kent with his Co-horts march'd streight to London and dividing his Army into several Squadrons set upon the stragling Enemies loaden with Spoils and dispersing them Rescu'd the Prisoners with the Cattle and other Prey which he restor'd to the miserable Natives except some small part of it that was bestow'd upon his wearied Soldiers He then enter'd the City in Triumph and was joyfully receiv'd by the People recover'd from their Misery by his Valour while he stay'd there having intimation that so many fierce Nations could not be better suppress'd than by subtilty to divide them therefore he published Edicts promising Pardon to such as would submit Those which came in he dispers'd into Quarters severally well providing for them which encourag'd many more to submit He sent to the Emperour that Civilis might be sent over as his Deputy-Governour in Britain and Dulcitius as his Lieutenant in Martial Affairs and well skill'd therein And two years after he march'd Northward and put to flight several Nations who invaded the Roman Provinces and restor'd Peace to many Cities which had been vex'd with many troubles There was then in Britain one Valentinus a Pannonian banish'd into Britain for great Crimes who had like to have circumvented Theodosius by Treason after all his Conquests for this Valentinus being of an ambitious and turbulent Spirit sollicited many of the Soldiers to Conspire against him But this design being discover'd the good General contented himself with the Death of Valentinus and his nearest Associates least by searching too far into the Conspiracy he might stir up a Mutiny in his Army This danger escap'd he so successfully prosecuted the War that he recover'd all the Provinces from the Enemies and secur'd them by strong Garrisons and a particular Governour So that now so much of Britain as was under the Roman Dominion became divided into five Provinces The first call'd Britania prima containing all the Southern parts from the Sea and Thames to the Severn the second Britania secunda comprehending all Wales the third call'd Flavia Caesariensis probably from the Son of this Theodosius afterwards Emperour of the Flavian Family embracing all the Regions to the River Humber the fourth call'd Maxima Caesariensis reaching from Humber to the River Tine Lastly Theodosius having repell'd the Picts and Scots out of all the Provinces beyond Tine as far as Dunbritton and Edenburgh call'd the fifth Province Valentia wherein a Roman Legion Winter'd to repress the Incursions of the Scots Theodosius having thus Happily settled Britain was two years after recall'd by the Emperour to Rome and made General of the Horse as also Honour'd with a Statue of Brass by the Senate and at last by his eminent Exploits recommended his Son to the Empire The year after the departure of Theodosius from this Island our Ecclesiastical Monuments Commemorate St. Ninias his Journey to Rome there to be instructed in the Orthodox Faith and whither it is probable he attended Theodosius Which Faith afterwards with great efficacy he communicated to his Country-men This Ninias was born in Britain of a Princely Stock in Cumberland who then had its peculiar King his Father was a Christian In Childhood he was Sober sparing of his Tongue diligent in Reading Grave in Conversation careful to subject the Flesh to the Spirit He also shew'd great Devotion to Churches At the last by a forcible instinct of Gods Spirit despising the World and Carnal Affections he Travell'd into Italy and so to Rome and there address'd himself to Pope Damasus and declar'd the Cause of his Journey whereupon the Holy Bishop appointed him Teachers in the wholesom sense of Scriptures by whom he was instructed in true Wisdom to the Comfort and Profit of others To this time is refer'd the memory of St. Augulus born in London Bishop and Martyr as also of St. Moyses said also to be born in Britain Famous for many Miracles who after a Solitary Life in the Desart was made Bishop of the Saracens and after he had Converted many of that Nation to the Orthodox Faith he there dy'd in Peace To Valentinian succeeded his Son Gratian who nine years before had been nam'd Augustus by his Father and about six days after his younger Brother Valentinian was saluted Emperour by the Soldiers with the Consent of Gratian. And now the Picts and Scots began to make Incursions into Britain again in one of which they led Captive with them the Child of Calphurnius Socher call'd afterwards Patrick in the 16th year of his Age whom they Sold to a Nobleman in the Northern parts of Ireland call'd Milchu he Imploy'd the Holy Youth in keeping his Swine to be try'd betimes in the Furnace of Affliction for six years the Devout Youth spent in this Slavery in which time nevertheless God wrought great Miracles by him St. Patrick's Imployment withdrawing him from Conversation of men afforded him the more space to attend upon God He is said to address his Prayers to God a hundred times a day and as often by night to his Prayers he added Fasting for the Mortification of his Senses with these two wings he mounted to such Perfection that he enjoy'd a frequent Conversation of Angels insomuch as an Angel call'd Victor frequently visited him and told him He did well to Fast and that e're long he should return into his Country Let no man wonder at this unusual Name of an Angel for as St. Gregory observes Angels are design'd by particular Names to signifie their particular Virtucs and Operations And this of Victor might intimate to St. Patrick that first he should Conquer his own Tribulations and then the Power of the Devil in that