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
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
to cope with Hengist and therefore with the Forces under his command furiously piercing into the Enemies Squadrons found him at last and laying hold on the fore-part of his Helmet with main force drew him within his own Troops saying God hath at last fulfill'd my desire He it is who hath given us the Victory Vpon this the Saxons fled Octa the Son of Hengist to York Esca and not a few with him betook themselves to the City of Acluid After this Victory Ambrosius took the City Caerconan which he enter'd Triumphantly Then Ambrosius calling his Captains together commanded them to Decree what should become of Hengist whereupon Eldad Bishop of Glocester and Brother of Eldol impos'd Silence on them all and gnashing his Teeth for rage told them Though all there present had a desire to set him free I my self would cut him in pieces Why saith he do you delay O Effeminate Britains did not Samuel a Prophet having taken the King of Amalec Prisoner in Battle cut him in pieces one Limb after another saying As thou hast made many Mothers Childless so will I make thy Mother Childless this day Do you therefore deal in the same manner with this Barbarous King who is another Agag and hath depriv'd a world of British Mothers of their Children When Eldad had thus said He drew his Sword and leading Hengist out of the City cut off his Head sending his wretched Soul to Hell. Whether this Speech or Action became a Christian Bishop I must leave to Graver Judgments Ambrosius thus Triumphing was not unmindful of his Vow but took care to repair the Houses of God which had been lately destroy'd and placing in them Priests and other Clergy-men he reduc'd the Divine Service to its Pristine order and where ever he found any Idols or Temples of False Gods he defac'd them utterly out of the memory of men He Studiously observ'd Justice and Peace especially as to Ecclesiastical persons on whom he liberally confer'd Revenues injoyning them to Pray for the King and state of Gods Church Hengist thus dead his Son Aesca by Bede nam'd Oisc succeeded in the Kingdom of Kent and from him his Successors were call'd Oisckings what became of his Brother Otta who was said to fly to York can no where be found in any Antient Writer and therefore little Credit is to be given to what is reported of him by some late Writers That Ambrosius should bestow upon him the Province of Galloway in Scotland which was not in his disposal The same year wherein Hengist was slain the Holy Virgin St. Bridget came out of Ireland into Britain to obtain some Relicks of her Dear and Honour'd Patron St. Patrick whose Disciple she had been and a great admirer of his Sanctity She stay'd here some years in a small Island near Glastonbury call'd Bekery where was an Oratory Consecrated to the Honour of St. Mary Magdalen afterward leaving behind her Scrip Chain Bell and other Vestments of her own wearing which for the memory of her Sanctity were there repos'd she return'd to Ireland where not long after she rested in our Lord and was Buried in the City of Down Concerning her we may thus read in the Martyrologies This day the first of February is Celebrated the memory of the Blessed Virgin St. Bridget who in Testimony of her Virginity having touch'd the Wood of an Altar it became presently green She is said to have out-liv'd St. Patrick only 30 years In the English Martyrology there is a Commemoration of a British Martyr call'd St. Sophias whose death is assign'd to the 490 year of our Lord He was the Son of Guilleicus Prince of the Ordovices or North-Wales and undertook a Monastical Profession in a Monastery Built by himself in the same Province He had such Devotion to our Lords Passion that he made three Pilgrimages to Jerusalem to visit the Marks and Foot-steps of it A great Veneration also he had for Rome and those places which had been Consecrated by the Blood of the two Princes of the Apostles Being at Rome he was by the Bishop thereof Consecrated Bishop of Beneventum which See he govern'd with Prudence and Sanctity till at last he was slain by an Impious Pagan at the Holy Altar while he was Celebrating the Mystery of our Redemption No less famous at this time was the Holy British Virgin St. Keyna Illustrious she was for her Birth being the Daughter of Braganus Prince of that Province in Wales which from him was call'd Brecknokshire but more Illustrious for her Zeal to preserve her Chastity for which she was call'd in the British Tongue Keynvayre that is Keyna the Virgin This Prince Braganus or Brachanus is said to have had twelve Sons and as many Daughters by his Lady call'd Macella Daughter of Theodoric Son of Tethphalt Prince of Garthmatrin afterward nam'd Brecknock their first born Son was St. Canoc of whom more hereafter their eldest Daughter was Gladus Mother of Cadocus by St. Gunley a Holy King of the Southern Britains their second Daughter was Melaria or Nonita the Mother of the Holy Archbishop St. David mention will be made hereafter of Almedha another of their Daughters As for St. Keyna when she came to ripe years many Noble persons sought her in Marriage but she utterly refus'd that state having Consecrated her Virginity to our Lord by a perpetual Vow at length she determin'd to forsake her Country and find out some Desert place where she might attend to Contemplation wherefore directing her Journey beyond Severn and coming to certain Woody places She requested the Prince of that Country that she might be permitted to serve God in that Solitude The Prince was willing to grant her request only he told her The place did so swarm with Serpents that neither Men nor Beasts could inhabit in it To which she reply'd That her Trust was fix'd in the Name and Assistance of Almighty God and therefore she doubted not to drive all that Poisonous brood out of that Region Hereupon the place was readily granted to the Holy Virgin who prostrating her self to God in fervent Prayer obtain'd of him to change all the Serpents and Vipers there into Stones so as to this day the Stones in that Region resemble the Windings of Serpents through all the Fields and Villages as if they had been so fram'd by the Hand of the Engraver Cambden gives some account of this Miracle On the Western Banks of Avon saith he is seen the Town of Cainsham some are of Opinion that it was nam'd so from Keyna a most Holy British Virgin who according to the Credulous perswasion of former Ages is believ'd to have turn'd Serpents into Stones for that such like Miracles of sporting Nature are there sometimes found in the Quarries I my self saith he saw a Stone brought from thence representing a Serpent roll'd up into a Spire The Head of it stuck out in the outward Surface and the end of the Tayl terminated in the Center Many years
sight The Blind man answer'd I believe in Jesus Christ whom thou Preachest and beg that I may be Baptiz'd Whereupon the Holy man with his Hands making the Sign of the Cross upon the Blind-man's Eyes he immediately receiv'd his Sight And casting away the Staves which had help'd him in walking he gave Thanks to God and St. Richard by whom he had been Enlightned As for the Woman when she saw the Miracle she likewise was Cnoverted so as St. Richard perceiving her Faith took her by the Hand whereupon she rose up streight and walking cry'd out with a loud voice There is only one most high God who by his good Servant hath made me whole At these Acclamations of the Woman the greatest part of the City met together and attending to the Holy Bishops Preaching were in short time Converted God by him working many Miracles so as the said Converts having broken down all their Idols were Baptiz'd by him Not long after which follow'd the Apparition of St. Michael to the People of Siponto who commanded them to Erect a Chappel there to his Name This they signified to their Bishop Laurentius and He to Pope Gelasius desiring his advice what was to be done His Answer was That being will'd by the Blessed Arch-Angel a Church should forthwith be built and that it should be perform'd by the Holy Bishops Laurentius of Siponto Sabinus of Cannusium Pelagius of Salapia Roger of Caunae and Richard of Andria Upon this the two Holy Bishops last mention'd took their Journey to Siponto on foot with daily Fasting toylsom Labours and incommodity from the burning heat of the Sun which incommodity upon their Prayers was miraculously remedied by the flying of a mighty Eagle over their Heads which shadow'd them during their whole Journey At their Arrival they perform'd what they came for as we may read in the publick Office of that Church The Death of this Holy Bishop is Commemorated in the Martyrology yearly on the 9th of April In the year of Grace 494. A third Noble German came into Britain Nam'd Cerdic a man of a High Spirit and Noble Descent as proceeding from the Stock of Woden Hearing of two Kingdoms already Erected in Britain he resolv'd to venture for a share in his Country-mens Atchievements For that purpose with his Son Cenric and five Ships he landed at a place after call'd Cerdic-shore and the same day was met by multitudes of Britains who Fought with him The Saxons having rang'd their Forces in order stood immoveable before their Ships The Britains boldly set upon them and then retir'd but were not pursu'd by the Enemy for they were resolv'd not to quit their place The Fight continu'd the Britains sometimes Charging then retiring 'till night sever'd them and after the Britains perceiving the fierceness of those new come Strangers departed yet so that neither side could boast of Victory only this advantage the Saxons had that they took possession of their Enemies Shore and by little and little enlarg'd their Conquests along the Sea Coasts Their landing was in the Province of the Iceni comprehending Suffolk and Norfolk but there they settled not for marching through the Island they came into the Western parts where in time they Erected the new and Powerful Kingdom of the West Saxons The Island thus dismembred by Barbarous Enemies yet sustain'd greater Damage by Civil Dissentions rais'd by Pascentius a Son of the late King Vortigern who after the Death of his Father perceiving the Minds of the Britains inclin'd to Ambrosius fled into Germany where he remain'd several years endeavouring to gather Forces sufficient to restore him to the Throne of his Ancestors at length about the year 496. he came with a Powerful and well furnish'd Army and landed in the Northern parts of the Island with intent to revenge his own and his Fathers injuries upon Ambrosius Upon news hereof Ambrosius marches speedily to meet him they came to a Battle wherein Pascentius was overcome and forc'd to fly into the Country of the Scots where he recruited his Army and return'd once more to try his Fortune against the Britains But hearing that Ambrosius lay sick at Winchester he thought it better to work his revenge by Treason then open force Therefore by Gifts and Promises he hir'd a certain Saxon call'd Eopa to fain himself a Physitian and a Britain who under this feign'd shew and with a pretence of great Piety and Affection to the King being admitted mingled Poison in a Potion administred to him of which Ambrosius presently dy'd in the 31th year of his Reign But Pascentius did not long enjoy the fruits of his Treason For Vterpendragon Brother to the dead Ambrosius and General of his Armies marching against Pascentius obtain'd a Signal Victory against him and in a Battle slew him and his Captains that came with him The year following Vter came to Winchester and calling an Assembly of the Clergy and People of the Kingdom took upon him the Crown of Britain which is said to have been set upon his Head by the Holy Bishop Dubritius Vter then calling to mind a great Comet which had appear'd the year before darting sorth only one Beam at the end whereof was seen a Globe of Fire shap'd like a Dragon out of whose Mouth proceeded two Beams one reaching to Gaul and the other shooting towards Ireland which ended in seven less Beams For this reason he commanded two Dragons to be made of Gold like to that which had appear'd one of them he gave in Oblation to the Church in Winchester the other he carried with him placing it in every Combat in his Ensign and from that time he was call'd in the British Language Vtherpendragon And hence it is that to this day our Kings in their War-like Expeditions carry the like Ensign Vter had no sooner put on his Crown but he was forc'd to exchange it for a Head-piece for Esca the Successor of Hengist and his Son Octa attended with a mighty Army of Saxons Invaded the Northern Provinces of Britain and destroy'd all the Munitions between Albany and York At last when they attempted the Siege of the City of Alcluid Vterpendragon came upon them with all the strength of the Country and enter'd Battle against them The Saxons manfully resisted and in the end compell'd the Britains to fly as far as a Mountain call'd Danet which they seiz'd upon as a place of refuge being so dismay'd that they scarce knew what they did but at last they resolv'd upon a prudent Exploit which was Courageously to set upon the Enemies by night This Design they executed Prosperously for the Saxons being thus unexpectedly invaded scarce endur'd any Combat at all but were utterly routed and Esca and Octa were taken Prisoners whom the King carried with him to London where he caus'd them to be kept safe About this time Arthur became of ripe Age. The year of Grace 500. in our Ecclesiastical Monuments is remarkable for the Death of St. Cadoc the
Epistle to Timothy sent to him from Rome amongst other Salutations joynes Pudens and Claudia And a late Learned Writer hath demonstrated out of Antiquity that this our Claudia Ruffina sprang from the Royal Blood of Britain and was the Wife and Mother of Glorious Saints And our Antient Histories report that Timotheus the Eldest Son of Pudens came into this our Island and Converted many to the Faith and at least dispos'd King Lucius to his succeeding Conversion And the reason of such his coming hither might be the Love and regard he had to his Mother a British Lady It is pretended that Pomponia Graecina the Wife of Plantius General of the Army under Claudius in this Island was a Christian and Devout Saint but this may be doubtful though it be clear by Tacitus that she was Accus'd of a strange Religion forbidden by the Roman Laws which might be the Christian Religion to the knowledge whereof she might attain by her Acquaintance with Claudia Ruffina But we have more unquestionable Records of one Mansuetus Companion of St. Clemens which Mansuetus was a Northern Britain who went to Rome either with Adminius a Prince of Britain or Bericus a Nobleman thereof or as Attendant upon Caractacus where the said Mansuetus might be Converted by St. Peter and be by him constituted Bishop of Toul in Lorrain upon a Miracle by him done in restoring to Life and Health a Son of the Governour of that City whose said Son fell down from a high Tower the effect of which Miracle was the Conversion of the said Governour his whole Family and a great number of his Citizens Insomuch as after the word had a free course not only in that City but in the Country thereabouts Priests were Ordain'd and a Church erected and Consecrated to the Holy Trinity About this time one Beatus of this Island was converted to the Christian Faith and went to Rome for further instruction therein by S. Peter and after became the Apostle of the Helvetians and dy'd amongst them illustrious for his exemplary Piety and great Miracles Thus early did it please God to enlighten this our native Country with his Divine Truth and to transform the Barbarous Inhabitants thereof into Apostles and Messengers of Salvation to other Countries also And as it appears by antient Monuments it pleas'd our good God to send his Prime Apostle S. Peter into this Island to establish and confirm what other Persons though of great Honour and Holiness had begun yet for want of the Episcopal Character could not establish Order and Government in this new planted Church as the Apostles could and did do Unquestionable antient Authors have Recorded that when the World was divided by Lott amongst the Apostles the West became the Portion of S. Peter and that from Rome he came to Britain and made a long abode there constituting Churches and ordaining Priests and Deacons this Truth has been confirm'd by many Holy and Primitive Popes by many of our British and Saxon Kings by the Vision of S. Peter to Edward the Confessor Nay our late King James the First of ever Blessed Memory did not doubt in a publick Audience to affirm that Rome was the Mother of all Churches In what particular year this coming of S. Peter was is not easie to determine whether upon the Emperour Claudius's Edict to Banish all Jews from Rome or in the beginning of Nero's Reign is doubtful But that he was absent from Rome when S. Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans is more than probable since he omitted S. Peter out of his Salutations Certainly a freer scope was allow'd in this Island at that time for Divine Verities than in other places First Because Nero's Persecution never extended hither Secondly For that the power of the Romans here was a little limited by the British Princes who were at least civil to Christians Thirdly The great distance betwixt Rome and this Island as may appear by the quiet and un-interupted solitude of Glastonbury where was erected the first School of Contemplation and which continu'd the glorious Habitation of a World of Saints even to late years It may be found in a very antient Author who Writes of Church Affairs in the first Century that he mentions the exaltation of the British Church under Nero adding that many Churches were built in this Island by S. Peter and it is agreed of on all hands that the cruelty of Nero towards the Christians drove S. Paul out of Rome even as far Westward as Britain where though he was had in high Veneration yet we never read that the Church here planted was called the Seat of St. Paul but often the Chair of St. Peter Insomuch as Gildas inveighing against some of the British Clergy in his time tells them They usurp'd the Chair of St. Peter with impure feet Thereby intimating that the whole Ecclesiastical Order here receiv'd their Original Priesthood by a right Succession from St. Peter Howbeit our English Martyrology deservedly reckons St. Paul among the Apostles of Britain And so was Aristobulus also one of the 70 Disciples and a Follower of St. Paul Ordain'd a Bishop here and here also dy'd a Martyr in the second year of Nero or at least a Confessor in his very Old Age after he had spent some time in Solitude at Glastonbury the common Retiring place of many Eminent Saints It was certainly meant by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans when he Salutes the Houshold of Aristobulus omitting him being then absent in this Country or in his Journey towards it This progress had the Gospel in this Island before the Death of St. Peter or St. Paul and was mightily advanc'd by the coming of Joseph of Arimathea and his Companions about the end of Nero's Reign making up the number of Twelve Persons with himself one of which Twelve is said to be his Son of his own Name The coming and Preaching of Joseph and his Companions hath been publickly alledg'd in several General Councels by the English Orators as an Argument of Precedence in those Councels taken from the early approach of the Gospel to this Nation and further affirm'd by other Antient Records and especially by that Illustrious Charter of King Henry the II. to the Abbey of Glastonbury signifying his intention to Rebuild that Monastery not long before Consum'd by Fire and to renew all the Priviledges confer'd on it by his Predecessors King William the I. and II. and by more Ancient Kings St. Edgar the Father of St. Edward King Edmond and his Father Edward and his Grand-father Alfred by King Brithwald Hentwyn Baldred Ina the famous King Arthur Cantred and many other Christian Kings and even by Kenwalla a Pagan King of Britain And further affirming that he the said Henry the II. caus'd a diligent Inquisition to be made of the said Charters and Priviledges which were presented and Read in his Presence all which he Confirm'd and Renew'd to the same Church antiently stil'd The Mother
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
over-against Jerusalem to the East And St. Jerom testifies That the same footsteps of our Lord imprinted on the ground were shewn in his time so as though the Earth were continually taken away by the Devotion of Christians yet these Holy footsteps did receive and retain their former state Sulpitius Severus relates a strange story namely That the place where our Lords feet at his Ascention stood could not be continu'd to the rest of the Pavement about it for whensoever Marble was laid on it the Earth refus'd to receive it casting the Stones oft times upwards in the Faces of those which apply'd them and the footsteps of our Lord there seen are a lasting Monument that the Dust there had been trod on by our Saviour To this Beda adds That whereas the Temple built over this place consisted of three Stories the uppermost whereof were Vaulted with Arches that which was the lowest and most inward could by no Art or Labour be clos'd with a Vault The Holy Empress was now in earnest quest of the Holy Cross on which our Lord perfected the Redemption of Mankind by the Apparition of which her Son had been lately drawn to Faith and Baptism A Rumour there was that it was still extant and hid up in some of those Holy places but where to find it was the difficulty several places thereabout were dig'd but all in vain at last the Religious Lady was by a Coelestial Admonition inform'd where it lay Whereupon causing all the Rubbish to be remov'd she found under ground three Crosses in a confus'd order whereby her joy was diminish'd by the uncertainty which was the true one there was also found with them the Title which had been written by Pilate in Greek Latin and Hebrew Letters but being separated gave no token to discern which was our Lords Cross In this doubtfulness the only remedy was by Prayer to beg a Divine Testimony At the same time there was in the City a Woman of quality who lay Sick of a Grievous Disease ready to Expire Macarius Bishop of Jerusalem seeing the Empress so sollicitous to discover the true Cross commanded that all-three should be brought not doubting but that God would discover the true one and being enter'd with the Empress into the Sick Womans Chamber Pray'd That God would be pleas'd to shew unto them which of those three Crosses was imploy'd to glorisie our Lord and which for the punishments of the Malefactors and that this discovery might be made by the restoring of the Woman half dead upon the touches of the True Cross The first and second were apply'd without any avail or effect but as soon as the third was apply'd unto her she open'd her Eyes and rose up in perfect Health and went about her House with great alacrity Praising and Glorifying the Power of God. And thus was the Empress satisfy'd in her longing desire by the Attestation of many Ecclesiastical Writers so as in memory of this saving sign she Dedicated a peculiar Church and for the Cross it self thus found she sent part of it to the Emperour to be Honourably bestow'd in his Palace the remainder she enclos'd in a Box of Silver and gave it to the Bishop of Jerusalem to be reserv'd as a Monument of our Salvation and for many years after upon the day of our Lords Resurrection it was produc'd with Veneration by the Bishop and expos'd also to the People to be by them likewise Venerated That part which was sent to Constantine he enclos'd in a Statue of his own which was plac'd on a mighty Pillar of Porphyry in the Market-place of Constantinople and was by him esteem'd as a mighty Bulwark of his Empire The Nails which pierc'd our Saviours Sacred flesh were artificially enclos'd in the Emperour's Helmet as a Guard for his Head. One of them indeed in a great Tempest the Empress threw into the Adriatick Sea and by that means as is presum'd sav'd her self and Company from Shipwrack Our Helena being a British Princess drawing near the end of her Life increas'd in her Zeal and Piety her Humility and Devout respect to Holy Virgins Consecrated to the Service of God appear'd by this example That she invited some of them to Dinner and thought it not enough that her Maids should attend upon them but girding her self after the manner of a waiting Maid set Meat upon the Table gave them Drink and pour'd Water on their Hands Thus though an Empress she esteem'd her self no better than a a Servant and Handmaid of Christ and his Virgins In all her Progress through the Eastern Provinces she largely express'd her wonderful Munificence giving innumerable Gifts not only to particular Persons but to whole Cities she largely reliev'd the Poor such as were condemn'd to work in Mines or perpetual Imprisonment she set at liberty the Oppress'd she deliver'd from fraud and injury and the Banish'd she restor'd to their own Country In her return out of Palestine into Greece she pass'd by Drepanum in Bithynia where repos'd the Body of the Glorious Martyr Lucianus as soon as she saw his Relicks neglected without any mark of Honour or Reverence she caus'd a Sumptuous Church to be Built over them and enlarg'd the place into a City with Walls and Bulwarks call'd by her Son after her Name Helenopolis Moreover this Holy Empress in her Progress through the East having been inform'd where the Bodies of the three Wise men who came to Bethlehem to Adore our new-born Saviour repos'd brought them with her to her Son Constantine who Reverently laid them in the chief Church of his new City from whence they were translated to Milan and from thence to Colen where they now are Celebrated with great Veneration In such Pious Works did this Holy Empress conclude her Worldly Pilgrimage It is most probable she Deceas'd at Rome Aged above 80 years and was there Honourably Interr'd her occasion of returning thither was after the laudable custom of Christians in those days to visit the Sepulchres of the two chief Apostles She brought with her to Rome a part of the Holy Cross which with great Veneration she plac'd in a Church there Built at her Request by her Son call'd by the Title of the Holy Cross It is reported She spent her last days in great Devotion and approaching to her Death after her receiving the Sacraments of the Church she was comforted with a Vision of our Lord Jesus encompass'd with a multitude of Angels and holding his Cross shining with inexpressible Brightness Eusebius testisies That her Son Constantine with all humble respect attended her in her Sickness and was present at her Death having receiv'd many Devout Exhortations and the Benediction of a Parent from her Such was the Emperour's Piety and Respect to his Mother that she is said To have reign'd as Empress with him to be stil'd Augusta to be transfer'd into the Flavian Family so that many Golden Coins were made and stamp'd with her Image After her Death her