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
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
on her Hengist commands a Magnificent Feast to be provided for the Entertainment of his newly arriv'd Soldiers to which the King is Invited He appoints his Daughter to perform the Office of Cup-bearer to the King that he might surfeit his Eyes with her Beauty The design took effect for the King being a Slave to Beauty was presently wounded with the Gracefulness of the Maids looks and the Elegancy of her Gestures nourishing in his mind a hope to enjoy her Without delay he demands her for his Wife The Crafty Father pretends such a Marriage would be too mean for so great a Prince but with great importunity yields his unwilling willing consent to reward which and for a Dowry to his Daughter the King gives him the whole Province of Kent some writers say This Feast and Marriage were Celebrated at Thong-Castle where Rowena was instructed by her Father to Drink a Health to Vortigern after the German manner However certain it is that besides the infinite Damage to the Kingdom by Alienating so considerable a Member as Kent so convenient for the harbouring of new Forces this Marriage was in a high degree Pernicious because the King had another Wife and for that being a Christian he had joyn'd himself to a Pagan Idolatress Presently after this unhappy Marriage the Voyage and Martyrdom of St. Vrsula and her Companions happ'ned whose Heroical Constancy might help to wipe out that stain which the Lust of this King had cast upon the Nation Hengist having thus Prostituted his Daughter to the King who Prostituted his Country to Hengist the Saxons began to swell with ambitious Thoughts and knowing the Nation generaily dis-approv'd the Kings Marriage and cooled in Affection and Duty to him began to pick quarrels with him and contemn'd him for his Vices They therefore sought occasions of War against the Britains whom God had ordain'd to be punish'd for their Crimes so that Hengist boldly requir'd of his Son-in-Law the King a more Plentiful supply of Provisions otherwise he would renounce the League between them and lay waste the whole Island which Threats were presently attended with dismall Effects For the Saxons entring a League with the Picts gather'd an innumerable Army which without resistance spoil'd the whole Country Thus a flame kindled by the hands of these Pagans prov'd a just revenge of the Crimes of this Nation which Crimes were the less Pardonable because committed by those who profess'd themselves the People of the True God No wonder was it that the Saxons met with so little resistance seeing the Kings Marriage with an Infidel Lady his Divorce from his Lawful Queen and the delivering up so considerable a part of his Kingdom to Strangers had rais'd high Discontents against him among his Subjects However by common consent they besought him to take Pity on his Country ready to Perish at least not to neglect his Faith and the Church of God in danger to be destroy'd by Heathen Miscreants which if it should happen by his default and that the Diabolical Worship of Idols should prevail against Gods true Religion it would be punish'd by his own and his Peoples Eternal Misery The Bishops and Clergy repeated these Admonitions to him but all in vain wherefore Vortigern became deserted of all his Subjects and the Nobility by unanimous consent rais'd into his Throne his Son Vortimer No writers affirm that Vortigern was Depos'd but Deserted by his Subjects as a Prince given up to his Pleasures and therefore incapable to resist the Ambitious Designs of Hengist against whom the whole Nation was resolv'd to joyn all their Forces to expel him out of the Kingdom Vortimer was an earnest Incendiary of the War against these Saxons being resolv'd to endure their Boldness and Ambition no longer And for this reason most of the Britains follow'd him not that the Nobles depriv'd Vortigern of his Royal Authority or Created Vortimer King as a late Calvinistical Writer insinuates However this Change could not but work Divisions in the Kingdom for Vortigern for the space of sixteen years having had possession of the Kingdom could not want some Adherents to take his part so as those Divisions could not but give too great advantage to the Progress of the Ambitious Saxons Vortimer being thus exalted either as Associate with his Father in the Throne or as General of the British Forces hasten'd to give proof of his Country-mens good advice in their Election of him and taking notice of the Craft and Ambition of the Saxons study'd how to drive them out of the Nation vehemently urging his Father to attempt it so that an Army was soon rais'd this happ'ned the seventh year after their first entrance Great preparations were made on both sides at last they came to a Battle which was fought in the Fields of Eglestirpe now call'd Alesford a Town in Kent wash'd by the River Medway On the Britains side were three chief Captains who led each a third part of the Army Ambrosius Aurelianus led the first Division Vortimer the second and Catigern a younger Brother of Vortimer led the third The Saxon Army was Conducted by Hengist and Horsa In the beginning of the Battle Horsa set upon the Army of Catigern with such Vigour that it was disperss'd like Dust before the Wind and Catigern the Kings Son was slain but his Brother Vortimer a Prince of admirable Courage falling side-ways into Horsa's Squadrons routed them and kill'd Horsa the most Valorous of the Saxons the remainder of his Forces fled to Hengist who then was Fighting with Invincible Courage against Ambrosius so as the whole weight of the Combate lay upon Hengist who being Assaulted and brought into great straits by the Accession of Vortimer's Forces after he had a good while sustain'd the impression of the whole British Army was at last overcome and compell'd to fly which he had never done before Yet this Victory cost the Britains dear for great numbers of them were slain nay some Authors affirm That Hengist obtain'd the Victory The Body of Horsa was Buried at a place not far from the Battle in memory of him call'd Horstead Catigern's Body is suppos'd to have been Buried at Aylsford by the Saxons call'd Eglesford by the Britains Saisseneag-Haibail because the Saxons were there overcome To testifie which Victory there still remain four great Stones standing upright after the manner of Stonehenge in Wiltshire which from Catigern are vulgarly and imperfectly call'd Keith-cotyhouse Horsa thus dead the Saxons exalted Hengist to the Title of the King of Kent The same year he is reported to have Fought three Battles against the Britains but being unable to resist the Valour of Vortimer he was forc'd to retire into the Isle of Thanet where he was daily Assaulted with British Ships At last the Saxons leaving their Wives and Children in Thanet return'd to Germany to call in greater Forces The year after dy'd the Glorious King Vortimer the fourth year after he was assum'd to the Participation of
which discovery the rage of this Empress was much restrain'd For these Holy Bodies being with due Honour translated to the Ambrosian Church not only many vex'd with unclean Spirits were heal'd but a Citizen of Milan who had been blind many years hearing the noise and acclamations of the People desir'd to be led to the said Church and there obtain'd leave with his Handkercheif to touch the Coffin of those Martyrs and wiping his Eyes with the said Handkercheif they were immediately open'd so as he saw clearly to the joy and astonishment of the Beholders and whole City and although the fame hereof did nat heal the Empress fully of her Spiritual Blindness yet it allay'd her fury against the Holy Bisohp St. Augustine himself then at Milan gives a large testimony of these Miracles as also doth St. Ambrose himself who further also declares That the Devils themselves upon this occasion cast out confess'd it to be done by the Power and Virtue of the Martyrs which they were not able to resist but to their excessive torment Not long after this St. Augustine is said to have return'd to his own Country in Africk but by the way at Ostia to have lost his Blessed Mother Monica of whom in his Confessions he writes That when the day of her Dissolution was at hand she made it her request that Commemoration should be made of her at Gods Altar from whence she knew the Holy Sacrifice and Victim was dispens'd and by which she hop'd to blot out the Hand-writing against her and joyfully to Triumph over the Devil After the death of Maximus Theodosius left Valentinian Emperour of the West adding to his Government Gaul Britain and Spain infested with Tyrants But before he entrusted him with this great Charge the Pious Emperour Theodosius instructed him in the Orthodox Faith which he the more easily did in regard Justina Valentinian's Mother was then lately dead The year following broke forth an Heresie since renew'd by Luther Justifying such as renounc'd their Monastical Profession and approving the Incestuous Embraces of Consecrated Nuns Jovinian an Apostate Monk was the Author of this Heresie and publickly was declar'd an Heretick for it by Pope Siricius St. Hierom St. Ambrose and St. Augustine wrote against this Heresie in particular St. Hierom terms it Venemous Doctrine in three respects First For that it affirms Virgins Widdows and Married Women being Baptiz'd to be of the same merit in case they differ not in other works Secondly That those who with a compleat Faith have been Regenerated by Baptism cannot afterwards be subverted by the Devil Thirdly That there is no difference in point of Merit between Fasting from Meats and receiving them with Thanksgiving Siricius in his Epistle to the Church of Milan gives this Character of Jovinian That he was an Imitator of the Devil an Enemy of Chastity a Teacher of Luxury a hater of Abstinence and lover of Gluttony In opposition to which Doctrine a Synod is assembled by the same Holy Pope wherein is declar'd That the Vows of Marriage are not to be disparag'd yet greater Honour is to be attributed to the Spiritual Marriage of Virgins That Jovinian 's opinion was contrary to the Christian Law and Tradition of the Church and therefore Jovinian and all his Complices were condemn'd of Heresie and Blasphemy by this Synod and by their Sentence cast out of the Church And St. Ambrose in a Synodical Answer of the Church of Milan to the Pope tells him That those Hereticks who then fled to Milan were avoided by all as if they had been infected with the Plague and thrust out of the City like Vagabonds And St. Augustin reciting the Positions of this Heresie concludes That Holy Church had most Fruitfully and Couragiously resisted this Monster And in truth it was soon extinguish'd neither doth this Heresie ever appear to have crept into this Island in those times so precious and Venerable was Virginity especially here that Fasting and Abstinence were frequently us'd and Seminaries of Chastity in great numbers Erected and Plentifully Endow'd The young Emperour Valentinian after a troublesome reign of four years was slain near I yon 's before his death he desir'd Baptism but liv'd not to obtain it After his Death the Tyrant Eugenius invaded the Western Empire He pretended to be a Christian but was indeed addicted to Heathenish Superstitions he was soon slain by Theodosius who prepar'd himself to encounter this Tyrant not so much by Force of Arms as with Prayer and Fasting He kept watch rather in the Church then the Camp lying prostrate in the Company both of his Priests and People before the Monuments of the Apostles and Martyrs cover'd with Sack-cloth and begging Divine assistance The General employ'd in this Expedition was Stilico call'd out of Britain after he had freed the Country from the incursions of Scots and Picts and planted a Roman Legion to secure the Northern Borders The Holy young man St. Ninian before mention'd about this time shew'd forth the Glorious Fruits of his Pious Education under the Holy Popes Damasus and Siricius for he then was newly Consecrated Bishop and sent back into his own Country to Preach the Saving Truths of Christs Gospel to the rude Nation of the Southern Picts seated between Cumberland and the Bay of Dunbritton This man of God in his return from Rome was desirous to visit the Glorious Bishop St. Martin at Tours by whom he was Honourably receiv'd and very much esteem'd as a person of extraordinary Sanctity and like to prove a Happy Instrument of Salvation to many Being dismiss'd by St. Martin he arriv'd at the place where he design'd to settle and there found a great concourse of People who it seems had notice of his return and readily receiv'd him with great Joy and Devotion as a great Prophet He first began to root up their ill planted Superstitions to disperse their long gather'd wicked Customs and to demolish their impious Idolatries and having so purg'd their minds from Errour he instructed them in all the Duties belonging to good Christians and by his works and example shew'd them a pattern of all Virtue and Piety confirming all by frequent Miracles He chose for his seat of Episcopal residence a place afterward call'd Witehern seated near the Sea by which almost encompass'd it hath only one passage to it toward the North and as saith Cambden Is in the Province of the Novantes now call'd Galloway This Episcopal Seat by the Latin Writers is nam'd Candida Casa or the White-house and was here Erected by Ninianus in the time of this Theodosius And thus as St. Bede also confirms The Southern Picts receiv'd the true Faith by the Preaching of this Holy man. Many years he spent in his Apostolical Office for his death ensu'd not till 38 years after his first entrance He Consecrated Bishops ordain'd Priests dividing the Country into Parishes More will be said of him hereafter when his Death is to be related observing this
inviting his Countrymen to the imitation of his Virtue and Piety St. Germanus and Lupus encourag'd him to go into Ireland and that especially upon this occasion On a day St. Patrick in his sleep saw a man coming to him out of Ireland with many Letters in his Hand one of which he gave to the Saint who read it In the beginning of it was written This is the voice of the Inhabitants of Ireland As soon as St. Patrick had read these words He heard the voices of many Infants crying to him as out of their Mothers wombes in several Provinces of Ireland Holy Father come and converse amongst us St. Patrick having heard this felt great Compunction in his Heart but could read no more of the Letter As soon as he awak'd he gave Thanks to God being assur'd by this Vision that our Lord had call'd him to be an Instrument of the Salvation of those who thus cry'd unto him It is written That St. Patrick hereupon asking Councel of our Lord touching this Affair and by the means of the Angel Victor receiv'd this Divine Oracle That forsaking his Country and Parents he should pass over into Gaul there to be more perfectly instructed in the Christian Doctrine and Discipline Palladius sent into Brittain by Pope Caelestine being as yet but a Deacon sound the Civiller part formerly under the Roman Jurisdiction defil'd with Heresie and the Northern parts under the Scots wholly buried in the mists of Paganism Of this he sent notice to the Pope who re-call'd him to advise of Remedies for both these mischiefs To oppose the Pelagian Heresie he directed Germanus and Lupus to rescue the Northern parts of the Island from Paganism he sent back Palladius after he had exalted him to an Episcopal Degree as his Legate and Apostle of the Scottish Nation as Prosper more at large relates It is said that Palladius attempted the Conversion of the Irish but in vain so that the British Scots were the peculiar objects of his care and endeavours and this appears the more clearly for that Servanus and Tervanus the two principal Disciples of Palladius are reckon'd among the Learned Teachers of Britain of whom the former was sent to instruct the Inhabitants of the Orcades and the other to the Picts over whom he was created Archbishop and as some say succeeded St. Ninianus The labours both of Servanus and Tervanus were very prosperous but Palladius is thought not to have liv'd above a year after he was made Bishop Soon after the first Voyage of Palladius into Britain the People thereof being neither willing to receive that perverse Doctrine which Blasphem'd the Grace of Christ nor able to refute the Subtilties of those who maintain'd it by common advice crav'd assistance from the Gallican Bishops who in a Synod for that purpose assembled made choice of St. Germanus and St. Lupus one Bishop of Auxerre and the other of Troyes to pass over into Brittain to confirm the Faith of Coelestial Grace All which was done as appears by Prosper with the Consent and by the Direction of Pope Caelestine Germanus was born at Auxerre descended from Illustrious Parents brought up in good Literature wherein he so advanc'd himself that he became an Ornament to his Country and that nothing might be wanting to the perfecting of his Learning after he had frequented the Gallican Schools where he was taught the Liberal Sciences he went to Rome where he inrich'd his Mind with the perfect knowledge of the Imperial Laws At his return he was made Governour of the City and Territories of Auxerre the place of his Nativity While he was Governour there Amator the Bishop of that City a Holy man preparing himself in the Church to perform his Office and perceiving Germanus their Prefect entering with a Body and Mind compos'd to Modesty and Piety commanded immediately that the Doors should be fast Lock'd And then accompanied with many of the Clergy and Nobility laid hold on Germanus and devoutly calling on the Name of the Lord cut off his Hair and devesting him of his Secular Ornaments respectfully cloath'd him with a Religious Habit and said thus to him Now my Dear Brother it is our Duty to be diligent in preserving this Honour committed to thee without stain For as soon as I am dead Almighty God commits to thee the Pastoral Charge of this City Amator shortly after dy'd in whose place Germanus succeeded about the year of Grace 418. From the first day in which he undertook the Episcopal Office to the end of his Life he never us'd Wine Vinegar Oyle nor so much as Salt to give a Relish to his Meat At his Refections he first took Ashes into his Mouth and after that Barley-bread and this so slender and ungrateful Diet he never us'd till toward Sun-set sometimes and as is said he would Fast half a Week yea seven whole days without any satisfaction given to his craving Stomach his Bed was hard Boards cover'd over with Ashes and to prevent any profound sleep he would admit no Pillow under his Head He spent indeed whole nights in continual Sighing and incessantly water'd his hard Couch with his Tears He was a zealous observer of Hospitality and when ever any poor or Strangers came to him he would prepare for them a Plentiful Feast while himself Fasted yea with his own Hands he would wash their Feet Kissing and sometimes Bedewing them with showers of Tears He built a Monastery into which he oft retir'd feeding and refreshing his Mind there with the wonderful sweetness of Caelestial Contemplation St. Lupus was born at Toul a City of the Leuci of a Noble Family after his Fathers death he was sent to School and there imbew'd in the study of Rhetorick he Married the Sister of St. Hilarius Bishop of Arles she was inflam'd with the Love of Chastity from her youth Hence it was that after seven years spent in Marriage by Divine Inspiration both of them exhorted one another to a state of Conversion Lupus by a strong impulse from Heaven was mov'd to visit the Blessed St. Honoratus first Abbot of the Famous Monastery of Lerins to whose Discipline he humbly submitted himself in continual Watchings Fastings and Mortifications and intending to Sell his Possessions and distribute the Money to the Poor he was on a suddain compell'd to take upon him the Bishoprick of Troyes where he behav'd himself so well that he was stil'd the Father of Fathers Bishop of Bishops and a second Jacob of his Age. These two Holy men under the conduct of our Lord took upon them to be the Apostolick Reformers of the British Churches their Humility and Austerity of Life had a proper and specifick Virtue to oppose the Pride and Sensuality of the Pelagian Hereticks What befell them at Sea would not be omitted At first their Ship was carried with favourable Winds from the Gallick Coasts 'till they came into the midst of the Sea where no Land could be discover'd but presently after the
the place where the sick Saint lay was preserv'd for the flames as if afraid to touch him flew quite over his lodging though on each side of it they rag'd with violence but left it untouch'd The multitude seeing this rejoyc'd and were well pleas'd that their Labours and Endeavours had been over-master'd by Divine Power Whilst this Holy man lay there he was watch'd and attended by a numberless multitude some seeking Health for their Souls some for there Bodies The wonderful Miracles which our Lord wrought by his Servant were so many they can scarce be re-counted he being infirm himself gave Health and Strength to others neither would he suffer any remedy to be apply'd to his Infirmity but on a certain night he saw a person standing before him in White Garments who stretching forth his Hand seem'd to raise him up from his Couch commanding him to stand firmly after which his pain pass'd away and his strength was so restor'd that the day following he confidently undertook to pursue his journey At this time the Picts and Saxons with joynt Forces made War upon the Britains who were therefore drawn together in a Body but being distrustful of their Ability to resist such Powerful Enemies they humbly implore the assistance of these Godly Bishops which they chearfully promis'd and hastening into the British Army so encreas'd the Courage and Resolution of the Britains as if a new Army had been joyn'd unto them so as our Lord himself by the Ministery of these his Captains seem'd to be General of the Army It was now the Holy time of Lent which the presence of these Holy Bishops caus'd to be observ'd with the greater Devotion and their daily Preaching invited many to partake of the Sacrament of Baptism A Church was thereupon prepar'd against the Solemnity of Easter and though the place was no other then open Fields yet it was ordered as if it had been in a City The Army went in Procession moisten'd with the waters of Baptism and being inslam'd with the fervour of Holy Faith they contemn'd the Guard of outward Weapons and expected a more sure Protection from Heaven This Posture of the British Army came to the Enemies knowledge who not doubting of Victory against Unarm'd People with great chearfulness hast'ned to set upon them The Britains had notice of their march and as soon as the Solemn Feast of our Lords Resurrection was past the greater part of the Army being newly Baptiz'd betook themselves to theirs Arms and prepar'd for Battle St. German being their General he made choice of a Band of Light Arm'd men and takes a view of the Country round about observing also a Valley compass'd with Mountains directly in the Enemies way he leads part of the Army into that Valley The fierce Enemies approaching and being discover'd by those who lay in Ambush St. German their Leader gave order to all his Soldiers That with loud clamour they should repeat the words by him pronounc'd And immediately while the Enemies thought to fall on presuming they had not been discover'd the Holy Bishop three times cry'd out aloud Allelujah whereupon the rest of the Army with one voice Thundred out likewise Allelujah the noise whereof was Terrible multiply'd and increas'd by the Eccho from the Mountains round about The sound alone of this Sacred Word suffic'd to terrify the Enemies Army which fell a trembling as if not the Rocks only but Heaven it self had fallen on their Heads insomuch as they all betook themselves to a general flight in all haste casting away their Weapons and glad to escape with their Naked Bodies Great numbers of them in their Head-long flight were swallow'd up by a River through which a little before they had march'd with confidence and leasure enough The main body of the British Army without striking one stroak was a chearful Spectator of the Vengeance of Almighty God to whom only they gave the Glory of the Victory The Holy Bishops indeed Triumph'd to see the Enemies defeated without Blood-shed they Triumph'd for a Victory obtain'd not by Arms but Faith only And having thus every way settled this Rich Island in Security both from the Pelagians and Saxons they prepar'd themselves for their return to the great Grief of the whole Nation The place of this unbloody Battle is said to be a Town call'd Mold in Flintshire where is a Field call'd from St. German in the British Tongue Maesgarmon there is also the little River Alen which runs hard by wherein probably the Picts and Saxons were drown'd besides the place being near the Sea it lay fit to set on board the Saxon Armies St. Gregory the great in expounding the words of Job makes mention of this Allelujah resounded thus by the Britains The Blessings conferr'd on this Island were in some degree recompens'd by their safe and prosperous return which they are said to have ascrib'd to the Intercession of our Tutelar Saint and Protomartyr Alban Their absence from home and residence here in Britain was little more than the space of a year in which time many wonderful things were wrought by them during the time that St. Germanus remain'd in Britain St. Patrick then 68 years of Age inseparably adher'd to him having learn'd from him many instructions in Christian Doctrine and Discipline and receiv'd many examples of Virtue and Piety for imitation By him likewise he was encourag'd to undertake the Conversion of the Irish Nation but with all admonish'd To expect a Commission from the See of Rome to execute that Apostolick Office. For which purpose he accompanied St. Germanus to Gaul from whence the next year he went to Rome being desirous to have his Journey into Ireland confirm'd by Authority from Pope Caelestinus St. Patrick took with him a Priest nam'd Sergetius a Devout Servant of our Lord as a Companion in his Travels when he came to Rome he committed himself to the Praebends of the Roman Church to be the more perfectly instructed in their Institutes He repair'd also to the Holy Pope Caelestinus and humbly casting himself at his feet besought him To employ his care for the Conversion of the Pagan Irish Nation The Petition was very acceptable to the Pope who chang'd this Holy mans Name from Magonius to Patricius as Prophecying That he should be the Father of many Souls His Name thus chang'd he was promoted to Episcopal Dignity and then directed to his Voyage into Ireland St. Patrick himself in one of his Epistles transcrib'd out of a Copy in the Abby of Glastonbury which Epistle is mention'd here before makes all this clear Together with the Episcopal degree the Pope bestow'd on St. Patrick 12 years Indulgence He was accompanied in his Legation with 20 Eminent Persons for his assistance one of which was Sergetius before mention'd He diverted in his return to his Instructor St. Germanus from whose Liberality he receiv'd Chalices Priestly Vestments and store of Books with many other things proper for his Ministery
or Dishonour insomuch as when Symmachus being Consul at Rome had prepar'd great numbers of them to Fight as Gladiators for the Entertainment of the People the night before they were to be brought upon the Theater 24 of them without any Ropes strangled themselves Their principal Exercise and Skill was in Pyracy in small Flat-bottom'd Boats so nimble and manageable that with them they vex'd the Coasts of Gaul Spain and Britain so as the Romans were oblig'd all along the Coasts to appoint Souldiers and Officers for their Guards who were call'd Counts of the Saxon Coasts Their Religion is thus describ'd viz. That in a Temple of theirs call'd in their Language Vbsola adorn'd with Gold throughout the People Adore the Statues of three Gods the most Powerful they call Thor who is placed in the midst and on each side are set the Statues of Woden and Fricca Thor they conceiv'd to preside in the Air to send Thunders Lightnings Showers and Serene Seasons and to govern the Fruits of the Earth Woden signifies Valiant he disposes of Wars and administers Courage to them against their Enemies Fricca bestows Peace and Pleasure on men to her Statue is adjoyn'd a huge Priapus Woden they Carv'd in Arms as the Romans did Mars and Thor with a Scepter answering Jupiter From these three Deities they nam'd three days of the Week from Woden whom some interpret to be Mercury Wednesday took its Appellation from Thor Thursday from Fricca or Frea suppos'd to be the Wife of Woden Friday Tuesday had its Name from Tuisco Founder of the German Nation who thence are Nam'd Tuitsch or Dutch The Month of April they usually call'd Easter Month the Solemnity of our Lords Resurrection usually falling on that Month To Woden they usually offer'd Humane Sacrifices chosen from their Captives Yet among all these Abominations those Antient Saxons had some qualities very commendable especially their Chastity Tacitus hath observ'd That their Marriages were severe and such Christ exactly observ'd amongst them that they were almost the only Barbarians who contented themselves with single Wives their Wives are confin'd to their Houses kept from the sight of impure Spectacles and provocations of Intemperate Feasts Salvian also hath Honour'd the Saxons for their Chastity though he blames them for their Cruelty And after that time St. Boniface writes thus of them That in old Saxony where was no knowledge of Christ if either a Maid or Wife be guilty of Adultery they force her to strangle her self and then burn her Body or else after they have cut off her Garment to the Waste the Chaste Matrons whip her out of their Confines and there fresh Women meet her with Whips or prick her with Knives and thus they use her till they have kill'd her Upon this Foundation of Chastity the Saxon Churches amongst us continu'd stable for many Ages Hence were deriv'd so many numberless swarms of Virgins and Religious men despising all Carnal Temptations and Pleasures In no Nation or Church such frequent Examples have been afforded of Princes willingly and by Vow abstaining from Lawful and Matrimonial Pleasures of Virgins willingly exposing their Lives to preserve their Purity yea Disfiguring themselves for their appearing Odious to those who otherwise would have violated their Chastities But now alas Chastity is not so much esteem'd It will not here be amiss to take a view of the Britains of that Age that we may see God did not forsake them till they had fill'd up the measure of their sins by all manner of Impieties A more convincing witness whereof cannot be found then their own British Historian Gildas who seems to have his Pen directed by God on purpose to write like another Jeremias the heavy Judgments inflicted on his Country and the more heavy Crimes from Heaven exacting those Judgements The whole Nation generally is by him acknowledg'd guilty of all manner of Vices joyn'd with extream Ingratitude to God for whereas after the Incursions of the Picts and Scots there ensued such wonderful Plenty of all things as no former Age coul parallel the Britains turn'd this into wantonness abounding more then ever in all manner of Uncleanness and Luxury which Filthiness was accompanied with hatred of the Truth so that if any one in Conversation shew'd any sign of a Christian Life the general hatred of the Britains soon pursu'd him From this contempt of Divine Benignity God sought reclaim them by his scourges of Pestilence and Famine by which such multitudes perish'd that the Living were not able to bury the Dead Princes saith Gildas were Anointed but not by our Lord for those were made choice of to reign who were most Eminent for their Cruelty and presently after Murder'd by their Anointers and others more Feirce and Savage were Elected By the way we may hence perceive that in those Antient times the Solemne Ceremony of Anointing Kings was in use This is also confirm'd by St. Gregory who declares That in his time what Prince soever was rais'd to the heighth of Royal Dignity receiv'd the Sacrament of Vnction The manner how this Unction was administred is still extant in the Book call'd Ordo Romanus Selden indeed will needs have this passage in Gildas to be taken Metaphorically contrary to the constant succeeding Practice among the Saxons To shew what little hopes our Historian had of any amendment amongst the Britains he further chargeth the Ecclesiasticks of those times who should have been Correctors of others to have been yet more corrupt than the Laity For saith he those Enormous sins were not only committed by Secular men but by Gods own flock and the Pastors thereof Those who ought to have been Examples of Piety to the People were most of them dissolv'd with Wine and all manner of Excess Animosities Contentions Envy against one another tore them into Factions Insomuch as Gildas Compil'd a particular Treatise call'd The Correction of the Clergy which he begins thus Britain has Priests but many of them Impudent It has Clergy-men but great numbers of them Covetous Oppressors Deceitful Pastors or rather Wolves to destroy the Souls of their flock having no regard to the Spiritual good of their People but only seeking to fill their own Bellies They possess the Houses of the Church for Lucres sake only If they teach the People they render that Instruction fruitless by their ill Example They seldom Sacrifice and more seldom approach the Altars with Pure Hearts c. He further chargeth the Clergy with Simony Purchasing Livings and Bishopricks with Money of the then Ruling Tyrants c. Hence we may plainly perceive why the Nation was deliver'd over to the Sword and the Barbarous Nations which came for its Punishment were for their reward call'd to embrace the Christian Faith Neither was Britain alone thus punish'd but all the Provinces of Europe were made Desolate by innumerable Armies of Barbarous People from the North and the Church of God so afflicted as if our Lord had cast off all
care of his flock But if we consider consequents we shall find that the Catholick Church thereby receiv'd a great increase both in the number of Professors and the Zeal of their Profession for though those Barbarous Nations for a while Persecuted the Church yet e're long our Lord subdued their Minds and those strong Natural Passions of theirs were imploy'd in advancing Gods Church insomuch as the Apostles time and Primitive Age could scarce afford such Heroical Examples of Christian Zeal Magnanimity and Contempt of the World as those Barbarous People once Converted did So Healthful is the Severity of God towards his People Many Historians accuse the Cowardly Sloth of King Vortigern as if he weary of the Troubles of War chose rather with his Money to Hire Stipendiary Strangers than to train up his own Subjects to resist his Enemies and therefore invited the Saxons to Fight for the Britains But as Beda saith This was done by the common advice of the Nation For a meeting was assembled wherein it was thought best by all as well as by the King to demand Aide of the Saxons Which resolution doubtless was order'd by Divine Providence to punish the Impious Britains as the event declares for Gildas reflecting on the madness of this Consultation thus exclaims O the profound Blindness of the Britains minds O the Stupidity of their Senses These Saxons at whose Names they trembled when they were absent are now by the foolish Princes invited to live in their own Houses so senseless was their Councel How senseless soever it was Ambassadors were sent into Germany men of the highest repute and such as might most worthyly represent their Country Witchindus thus describes the order of this Embassage Fame saith he loudly proclaiming the Prosperous Victories of the Saxons the Britains sent Messengers to them to beg their assistance who did it in these words viz. O Noble Saxons our miserable Country-men the Britains wearied and even consum'd with the frequent Incursions of their Enemies having heard of your glorious Victories have sent us humbly to implore your Aide in recompense whereof they offer to you a Province Spacious and Abounding with all things We have hither to liv'd Happily under the Protection of the Romans after them we know no Nation better than your selves to whom we may have recourse we therefore desire to shelter our selves under the Wings of your Courage c. It may be doubted whether this Oration were deliver'd in so submiss a stile for they were sent to hire the Saxons with a large Stipend not to yield up the Country to them However sure it is the Saxons in their Answer assur'd the Britains They would be Faithful Friends to them ready always to assist them in their Necessities and to do them all Offices of Kindness With which Answer the Ambassadors return'd home well satisfied and were joyfully receiv'd by their Country-men This satisfactory Message was return'd in the year of our Lord 448. and the year following an Army of Saxons under their chief Conductors Hengist and Horsa landed in Britain whose coming Gildas in his Angry stile thus describes mingling with it a Prophecy among the Saxons relating to it Then saith he a drove of Whelpes rushing out of the Barbarous Lyonesses came hither in three Ships with full sails and an ominous Course encourag'd by a Prophecy certainly believed among them that for the space of 300 years they should Possess the Country toward which they directed the Prow of their Ships and that in half of that time they should often lay it waste They first fast'ned their terrible Nails by order of the unhappy Tyrant Vortigern on the Eastern part of the Island with a pretence to defend but with an intent to subdue the Country There may be some shadow of Truth in this Prophecy for the Saxons for 300 years may be said to be Possessors of the Island under the Title of Saxony beyond the Sea. After the Angli gave their own Name to it Besides after 150 years by the coming of St. Augustine they became Christians and of Wasters of the Country became more Gentle and Civil Inhabitants thereof They first possess'd themselves of the Ille of Thanet in Kent and there first landed at a place call'd Wipped-fleet from Wipped a Saxon Commander there after slain They being thus landed about the year of our Lord 450. the Scots and Picts invaded Britain with a mighty Army wasting the Provinces as they came along Vortigern gathers his Soldiers and Auxiliary Saxons together and march'd beyond the River Humber when they came to a Battle the Britains had little need to Fight for the Saxons Combated with such Courage that the Enemies formerly accustom'd to Victory soon turn'd their backs and fled Vortigern therefore having by their Valour obtain'd the Victory increas'd his Liberality to them and gave to Hengist their Captain great Possessions in Lyndsey part of Lincolnshire sufficient to maintain him and his Soldiers Huntingdon will needs have this Battle at Stanford in the Southern parts of the same Shire adding That the Picts and Scots had march'd so far without opposition and that they were only Arm'd and Fought with Darts and Lances but the Saxons with Battle-Axes and long Swords whose force and weight their Enemies not being able to sustain were soon put to flight Now as touching the Land thus given to Hengist Cambden gives us this Relation out of our Annals Hengist having subdu'd the Picts besides large Possessions conferr'd on him in other places requested Vortigern to bestow upon him in that Province so much ground as he could encompass with an Oxes-Hide which being obtain'd he cut it into Thongs extreamly Thinn and with it encompass'd a great Territory in the midst of which he built a Castle which by the Name perpetuates the memory thereof for it is call'd Thong-Castle As Carthage for many Ages remain'd a witness of Dido's Fraud for by thesame slight she obtain'd the Seat where she built that City so does this Castle still offer to our memories the Simplicity of the Britains and Craft of the Saxons such a gift could not satisfie the Ambition of Hengist whose aim was to be Master of the whole Island The subtile man therefore presuming of the Kings Friendship and easiness thus address'd to him My Lord the King you see how your Enemies disquiet you on all sides if you please therefore we will send into our Country for the increase of our numbers with new Recruits The King commanded him to do so withour delay that he might be freed from the fear of his Enemies Hengist sends Messengers accordingly who quickly return'd with 18 Ships laden with Soldiers and not with Soldiers only but with a fair Lady the Daughter of Hengist whose Beauty and Flatteries so bewitch'd the King that to please her he betray'd both his Faith and Kingdom Malmsburiensis reports this Rowena the Daughter of Hengist To be for Beauty the Miracle of Nature admir'd by all that look'd
Gods threatning But the King fill'd with fury would not understand that he might do right but swore he would take revenge of the Kingdred of St. Columba and make them all slaves And in pursuance of his Oath he gather'd a mighty Army 23000 of Horse Foot and Charriots and with it march'd to the Confines of that Country whither St. Columba went with resolution utterly to extirpate the Inhabitants When therefore the People of Conal heard of the Kings coming they likewise assembled the number of 3000. resolving to Fight manfully in defence of their Country being in so great danger and placing all their hope in God alone St. Columba rose very early and being full of Gods Spirit encourag'd them and with a loud voice which sounded terribly through the whole Army he said to them Fear nothing God himself shall Fight for you as he did with Moses against the Egiptians at the red Sea not any of you shall suffer the least harm for our Lords wrath is inflam'd against the proud Kings Army So that if one only person shall in the Name of God give the Assault He alone by the Power of God shall put them to slight Be Courageous therefore not a man of you shall fall in this Combat When he had spoken this which his Army believ'd as an assurance from Heaven a few of his Soldiers the same moment with wonderful Courage rush'd upon their Enemies who expected them not And at the same time an Angel of God arm'd like a Soldier and in the shape of a man of an incredible high Stature appear'd in the Kings Camp His Aspect was so terrible that the Soldiers Hearts utterly fail'd them and instead of resisting their Enemies fell one upon another in hast to fly away and such a confusion there was of Chariots and Horses that they kill'd one another So that a handful of men without any loss defeated a great Army taking many Prisoners After this wonderful victory the man of God address'd his Speech to a young-man nam'd Scandalan with a Prophetick voice saying My Son this day will procure for me a tedious Pilgrimage in a strange Country where I must live from my Friends many years but say nothing of what I tell thee 'till the event shew the truth of my words After this St. Columba went to St. Finian or St. Findbar a Bishop to receive condign Pennance from him because of so much Bloodshed in the said War and it is said an Angel of God went with him shining with wonderful brightness but was visible to none but St. Finian The Pennance enjoyn'd by this Holy Bishop to St. Columba was That by Preaching and Example he should bring as many Souls to Heaven as by occasion of that War were sunk to Hell After which Sentence St. Columba with great joy declar'd That the judgement pronounc'd against him was equal and just Howbeit this Holy mans Troubles did not end thus for he was censur'd in a Synod of Bishops to abstain from the Communion though not without the dissent of many in it insomuch as great contentions and disputes arose among the Clergy for the composing whereof St. Columba himself sent a Letter to St. Gildas St. Columba wearied with these Ecclesiastical contentions resolv'd to quit his Native Country but not permitted to choose his place of Exile he by a Messenger consulted the Holy man St. Brendan Abbot of Birre to whom God had given the Spirit of Councel and Discretion who after he had lifted his Eyes and Heart to Heaven commanded to dig under the feet of the Messenger where was found a stone on which was Engraven only the letter I whereupon he bad the Messenger to tell his Master That he must go to an Island call'd J or Hy where he should find employment for his Zeal and be the cause of bringing many Souls to Heaven But Hector Boetius assignes another cause of his going into that Country saying The fame of the great Devotion and Piety of Conal King of the Picts drew St. Columba out of Ireland into Britain attended with a multitude of his Disciples where he became the Father and Director of many Monasteries This Island falsly nam'd in some Copies was at last call'd Iona In some Copies also this St. Columba is confounded with that St. Columbanus who being also an Irish man founded several Monasteries in France and Italy by the Britains St. Columba is usually call'd St. Columkill for the great number of Cells which he built in Britain The Author of his Life after he had extoll'd him for many Virtues and Austerities relates a Prophecy of him to this effect That a certain Disciple of St. Patrick nam'd Macceus foretold of him that in latter times should be born one call'd Columba who should illustrate the Age wherein he should live and be highly favour'd of God He should descend from Noble Parents and in the 45th year of his Age should pass over out of Ireland into Britain where he should live a Stranger in Exile for Christ S. Bede relates That in the 565. year of our Lord when Justinus the Son of Justinian govern'd the Roman Empire there came out of Ireland a certain Priest and Abbot call'd Columba with an intention to Preach the word of God to the Northern Picts whoare separated from the Southern Region by vast and horrible Mountains For as for the Picts dwelling on the South of those Mountains they had many years before renounced their Idolatry and embrac'd the Christian Faith as their Tradition is by the Preaching of Nynias a most Reverend and Holy Bishop born in Britain who had been Regularly instructed in the Misteries of Divine Truth at Rome The seat of whose Bishoprick dignified with a Church Dedicated to St. Martin where the said Holy Bishop with many other Saints doth rest is now in the possession of the Angli The place pertaining to the Province of the Bernicians is ordinarily call'd Candida Casa or White-House because a Church was there built of Hewn-stone a way of Building not practic'd by the Britains Now Columba came into Britain in the 9th year of the reign of Bridius the Son of Meilochon the most Powerful King of the Picts and by his Preaching and Example Converted that Nation to the Faith of Christ so that for a reward he receiv'd the Island Hy or Iona for the Possession of a Monastery The Isle is but small of about five Families His Successors long held it himself was buried in it being 70 years of Age after he had spent above 32 years in it This Holy man before his coming into Britain had Founded a Monastery of great Note in Ireland nam'd in that Tongue Dearmach or the Field of Oakes for the abundance of them there growing and from these two Monasteries of Hy and Dearmach many others were propagated in Ireland and Britain by his Disciples Among all which notwithstanding the Monastery of Hy in which his Sacred Body resided had the Preheminence and chief
only by the way that Galloway at that time belong'd to the jurisdiction of the Britains not of the Scots The Labours of St. Ninianus were no doubt much eas'd by the Arrival of another Saint who by Divine inspiration came thither out of Achaia bringing with him the precious Relicks of the Apostle St. Andrew This Saint named St. Regulus as Hector Boetius relates Watching one night at the Monument of St. Andrew was admonish'd from Heaven to take off the Holy Apostles Arm three Fingers and as many Joynts of one of his Feet and laying them Decently in a Vessel to carry them to the Island of Albion or Britain seated in the Confines of the World because in future times there would live a People which would give great Veneration to that Apostle and by his Intercession receive great Graces and Benefits both Earthly and Heavenly through the Divine goodness In complyance with which admonition the Holy man undertook that tedious Journey The Report of his arrival with that Sacred Treasure being spread through the Regions of the Picts inflam'd the minds of many to see and venerate those Holy Relicks Insomuch that as Boetius relates the People flock'd together from all quarters bringing Gifts and Offerings to the Holy Apostle Hergustus or Hungas their King invited with the fame of these things came also to visit this Holy man Regulus who receiv'd him with a Solemn Procession in which Priests and Monks Sang Hymns and Praises to God. The King as the same Author writes falling Prostrate on the the ground with great veneration kiss'd the Sacred Relicks and when all the Holy Rites were perform'd after the Christian manner he freely bestow'd his Royal Palace to the Honour of St. Andrew upon Regulus and the Priests with him and also built a Church not far from thence Dedicated to the same Apostle for the performance of Divine Service This is the place where in followiug Ages the Primates of Scotland establish'd their Arch-Episcopal See. Which place saith Cambden the Antients call'd Regimont or Regulus his Mount where Ungus King of the Picts built the principal Church of his Kingdom call'd to this day St. Andrews Boetius describes the Ornaments with which this Pious King Enrich'd this his new built Church viz. Pattens Copes Chalices Basons Lavers c. fram'd of Silver and Gold Some modern Writers question the Truth of this Story out of an aversion perhaps to Sacred Relicks However Pope Boniface the VIII in an Epistle to Edward the I. writes plainly thus Your Royal Highness may please to understand that the Kingdom of Scotland was Converted to the Vnity of the Catholick Faith by the venerable Relicks of St. Andrew the Apostle Such saith he was the great goodness of Almighty God. The Picts call'd the Priests which came with St. Regulus Coldei or Colidei Worshipers of God To these others from among the Picts and Britains joyn'd themselves leading a Solitary life With such fame of their Sanctity saith Buchanan that being dead their Cells were Converted to Churches Although in Truth if we speak of the prime Original of these Coldei they began in the times of Persecution under Dioclesian The Gests of this St. Regulus are Celebrated in the English Martyrology which some mistake only as to the time of his death In the year of Grace 395. the Glorious Emperour Theodosius dy'd for whose Soul St. Ambrose Devoutly Pray'd the Prince Honorius assisting at the Altar He left the Eastern Regions to his Eldest Son Arcadius the Western to his youngest Honorius of tender years under the Tuition of Stilico whose Daughter he had Married Stilico not content with this Honour attempted to Establish his own Son and to that end permitted Barbarous Nations to waste the Empire which were at last the ruine of it In the IV. year of Honorius Pope Siricius dy'd to whom succeeded Anastasius Aman saith St. Hierom of rich Poverty and Apostolick Solicitude He mainly oppos'd the Error of Origen then creeping into Rome and made an Edict directed especially to the Vicar of Britain That although he utterly forbad the Offering of Pagan Sacrifices yet his pleasure was that the Ornaments of publick Works though representing Pagan Superstititions should be preserv'd This Island at this time seems to sit at ease secur'd from the Violence of its Northern Enemies by a Roman Legion quarter'd in the Borders and govern'd by Marcus a Roman General sent thither by Honorius The Poet Claudian in his Panegyrick to Stilico gives testimony of this then Peaceable estate But alas this Calm lasted but a little while for the Troubles arising in Italy occasion'd the Forces which defended Britain to be call'd home and these troubles were caus'd by the Invasion of Alaricus King of the Gothes to which Stilico gave some stop vanquishing the Gothes in a Battle to their utter ruine if Stilico to promote his Ambitions designs had not permitted them to retire back into Pannonia that he might continue in possession of the Emperour's Forces And indeed upon a second Invasion of these Barbarous Enemies another Battle was fought by Stilico who once more overcame them and to this Battle the Roman Legions which defended Brittain were drawn from thence About these times Pope Anastasius dying Innocentius first of that Name succeeded a sincere oppugner of Pelagianism the founder of which Heresie Pelagius is said to be Born in Britain and therefore term'd the British Serpent St. Hierom takes him to be a Scot others affirm him to be Abbot of the famous Monastery of Bangor where 201 Monks got their Living by the Labour of their Hands Certain it is he was a Monk for St. Augustine tells us This Heresie was not invented by Bishops or Priests but by a Monk And as St. Isidore assures us By a stupid vain stragling Monk Incorrigible smelling Feasts and Fawning on Magistrates for their good Cheer having taken up his Graceless Heresie in his Old and almost doting Age He taught that man might be sav'd by his Merits without Grace That every one is directed by his own Natural free-will to the attaining of Justice That Infants are born without Original sin and as Innocent as Adam before his Fall that they are Baptiz'd not that they should be free from sin but that by Adoption they may be admitted into the Kingdom of God and that although they were not Baptiz'd yet they should enjoy an Eternal and Happy Life though excluded from the Kingdom of God. These Heresies began to appear in publick about the years 404 and 405. notice thereof being taken by Pope Innocentius Pelagius prepar'd a Letter of Purgation presented to Zosimus Successor of Innocentius His Doctrines being every where reprov'd he Appeal'd to the Judgement of a Lawful Synod but one of the Bishops appointed to Accuse him falling sick and so not able to appear at Lidda where the Synod was Assembled Pelagius gave such Cautelous Answers to the Proposals of the Bishops there present that he escap'd Censure and was accounted