should reigne so many certainely appointed 24. yeares that a married man especially a king should liue and die a virgine And the rest before remembred hauing no causes in nature to know them by should thus miraculously and infallibly be foretolde so long before there was no leaste hope expectation or in morall Iudgmentany probabilitie or rather possibilitie at all of many or most of these extraordinary future euents But rather a doubted Alred Rieual in vit S. Edward Guliel Malmes sup Stow. hist in K. Edward Confess Holinsh. l. 8. hist of Engl. c. 7. Theater of great Britaine in K. Edward Conf. with others Godwyn Catal. in Winchester 3. Brith wold Holinsh hist of England l. 8. cap. 1. Stowe hist in K. Edward Confess will Malmesb l. de gest Reg. Anglorum c. 13. feare or certainety of the contrary And yet all these things were published to the world diuers yeares before they tooke effect and in the life of sainct Brithwold proposer of them who by the same reuelation was dormire cum patribus to be dead before they began Which is apparantly true euen by our Protestants themselues to giue them their choise whether sainct Brithwold Bishop of winchester or wilton it was that had this vision For these Protestants assure vs that sainct Brithwold of winchester was dead allmost 30. yeares before the returne of sainct Edward from exile And it is the common opinion the reuelation was made to him And if it was Brithwold Bishop of wilton he was also dead by these mens accompts 22. yeares at the leaste before these things were accomplished Therefore I must infallibly conclude that sainct Peter or whosoeuer it was which so prophetically and miraculously foretold so many things of this holy King and this kingdome to be effected so long after was not and possibly could not be an vntrue or doubtfull Relator of sainct Peters first preaching in this Nation conteined and as constantly auouched as the rest of those reuealed mysteries foretold in that vision And the Inhabitants of Britaine are so much more bounde to glorifie God and Honor this most blessed Apostle as both his extraordinary first labours in instructing this kingdome in the true Religion of Christ and this his extraordinary care and Pastorall loue in so many wayes making it knowne vnto vs to lett vs vnderstand how much we are bounde vnto him for such inestimable benefices deserue it Which we reade in our historyâ—s both Catholik and Protestant to be confirmed by an other example of like nature but of more auncient memory a thowsand yeares since in the time of king Ethelbert our first christian king of the Saxons Race When sainct Peter miraculously testified concerning the Church of Westminster in London in these M. S. antiq in S. Edward Confes Guliel Malmes l. 2. de gest Pontif c. de Episcopis Londin Alred Rieuall in vit S. Edward Ioan. Capgrau Catal. eodem Franc. Mason Consecr of Bish. pag. 47. Nichol. Pap. 2. in epist ad Edward Reg. Angl. apud Capgrau in S. Edward M. S. antiq in eod Alred Rieuall in vit S. Edwardi words as a Protestant writer translateth them Est mihi locus I haue quoth S. Peter a place in the west part of London chosen to my self and deare vnto me which sometimes I did dedicate with my owne hands Quem locum quondam proprijs manibus consecraui renowne with my presence and Illustrate with diuine miracles the name where of is Thorneia Westminster Which cannot litterally truely be vnderstood of any spirituall vision wherin sainct Peter in his onely glorified soule should appeare as in the time of King Ethelbert we reade he did but of his personall presence there before his death when and neuer after nor vntill the day of Iudgment and the generall Resurrection sainct Peter had or at any time shall haue proprias manus his owne hands or any parte of his body vnited to his soule yet he speaketh plainely here proprijs manibus consecrauithe consecrated that place with his owne hands which is not true either in a spirituall vision or where an assumpted body is vsed for an aslumpted bodie hand foote or any other member caÌ„not be called the proper and owne body Hande foote or other member of any parson Therefore Pope Nicholas the second speaking of this matter in his Epistle to sainct Edward the Confessor saith this place was consecrated by S. Peter whose vicar he was primam autiquitus consecrationem à heato Petro accepit cuius licet Indigni Vicarij sumus Therefore except Pope Nicholas may be said to be Vicar to sainct Peters Soule and not to him as he was Bishop of Rome in body and soule we most by him and this antiquarie referre this matter to sainct Peters first preaching in this land when he liued and not to any apparition in soule onely as that was wherein he appeared at Westminster in the time of King Ethelbert and S. Mellitus Bishop of London of which more hereafter Now I will answeare to some vaine and weake obiections of a few Protestant writers and also shew by such men in what time or times once or oftner S. Peter preached personally in this Iland so neare as probably may be concluded in such a case as also what holy offices he performed heare in founding the Church of Christ in Britaine THE XV. CHAPTER WHEREIN IS BOTH ANSWEARE MADE to Protestant obiections againct S. Peters preaching in Britaine by the Protestants themselues and their owne Authors and by the same confirmed that S. Peter preached in this kingdome A Protestant Bishop challengeth S. Symeon metaphrastes for writing so confidently of S. Peters preaching heare hauing not Godwyn Conu of Britaine p. 3. cap. 1. any thing to except against him first vpbraydeth him with his CouÌ„tries of Greece Graecus fuit haec natio est fuitque semper ad mentiendum promptula he was a Grecian and that Nation is and euer was a litle promt to lie But by such libertie we may condemne the greatest lights of the Chuch of God S. Athanasius Chrysostome SS Gregories Naziancen and Nissen the seeuen first generall Councels kept in Greece and cheifely of Greeke fathers and so leaue nothing certaine in the Church of God But how free from all suspition of lying that holy Saint was in this poinct I haue shewed to the shame of all such accusers before demonstratiuely prouing by all kind of Testimonyes that his testimonye herein was true And whereas this Protestant Bishop vrgeth against that holy Saint that Caesar Baronius should write of him in his esse hallucinatuÌ„ constat Baron annal Eccl Christi an 44. pag. 371. it is euident he was deceaued in these things It is most euident this Protestant Bishop was either deceaued in himself or went about to deceaue others his readers in this point for Cardinall Baronius is so farre from going about to take the least exception against S. Simeon Metaphrastes for testifiing S. Peters
right hand and appointed his freind Ioseph of Aramathia to be cheife of theÌ„ These came into Britaine in the yeare of our Lords Incarnation 65. and of the Assumption of blessed Mary the 15. where we finde no mention at all of those pretended motiues concerning the Druids and other circumstances related before by these Protestants and vntruely fathered vpon these Authours but truely though illegittimate and Bastards onely begotten and brought forth by the false pens of these Protestant Relators And the time of S. Iosephs coming hither to differ also so much by these alledged Authorities from that which some of them cite from their concealed Gildas as I haue before related And the very substance of the narration itselfe of S. Philips sending S. Ioseph hither out of France grounded vpon the Authoritie of Freculphus very suspitious that the true originall Manuscript of Gulielmus Malmes buriensis though some Transcripts which I haue seene doe warranteth no such thing For this William Monke of Malmesbury himself in his second booke De gestis Ponfiticum Anglorum which was written after his booke of the Antiquitie of Glastenbury doth take plaine exception to the History of S. Patrike his buriall there whereon this narration is grounded saying Iacet ibi Patricius si eredere dignum Natione Britto â—eati Germani Antisiodorensis Discipulus quem a Papa Caelestino ordinatum Episcopum Hyberniensibus misit Apostolum So doe two English Protestant Bishops Godâ—in supr Bal. l. de Script cent 1. in Patric Gaufrid Abb. Bâ—â—ton in vit S. Moduenae M. S. one cited before thinking this was a second Patrike which the Abbot of Burton saith Pope Leo sent into Ireland and was also a Saint And the same William of Malmesbury doth in the same Manuscript History of Glastenbury soone after the first pretended citation from him set downe the Authoritie of Freculphus onely to proue that S. Philip preached in Gallia his words be these Freculphus Historiae libro 2. cap. 4. testatur Philippum Gulielm Malm. l. de Antiq. Glaston M. S. Paulo post initium Apostolum Gullis verbum dei praedicasse Freculphus in the seconde booke and fourth Chapter of his History doth witnes that Philip the Apostle did preach the word of God to the Gaules Neuer writing one word that Freculphus affirmed S. Philip to haue sent S. Ioseph from thence into Britaine Which Freculphus doth not teach in that or any other place his words in the place alledged be onely Freculphus Episcopus LexouieÌ„ Chron. to 2. l. 2. c. 4. p. 448. these Philippus a Bethsaida ciuitate hic Gallis praedicat Christum Barbarasque gentes vicinasque tenebris tumenti Oceano coniunctas ad scientiae lumen fideique portum perducit Deinde in Hierapoli phrygiae Prouinciae vrbe crucifixus lapidatusque obijt rectoque sepultus Cadauere ibidem requiescit Philip of the citye Bethsaida preacheth Christ to the Gaules and brought Brabarous Nations and neare to Darkenes and Ioyned to the swelling Ocean to the light of knowledge and the hauen of faith And afterward crucified and stoned died in Hierapolis a citic of the Prouince of Phrygia and there resteth his body being buried vpright Which be the Author l. d. vit mort Sanct. inter opera S. Isid in S. Philipp Apostol words also of the Authour of the booke of the life and death of Saints de vita morte Sanctorum among the works of S. Isidor And Freculphus hath not any word of S. Ioseph of Aramathia at all neither speaketh more of S. Philip but a little after setting downe breifely as likewise the sayed Authour of the life and death of Saints doth where euery Apostle preached he saith of S. Philip Gallias accepit he tooke the Countries Gallia Which as I will demonstrate Freculph supr l. 2. p. 45 1. in the next Chapter were not ment of this Gallia or France next vnto vs whether S. Philip the Apostle neuer came 5. And to refute the grosse error and ignorance of them that cite S. Isidor or other Authour of the booke of the life and death of Saints for S. Philips sending S. Ioseph out of France into Britaine besides the negatiue testimonie Io. Bal. l. de Scritorib cent 1. in S. Ioseph Aramat Franc. Godwin Conu of Britaine p. 11. of both those Authours which haue no such thing at all the Protestant Bishop Ihon Bale and others so much acknowledge among whome Francis Godwin the Protestant Bishop must needes be one who bringeth the auncient Antiquitie of Glastenbury engraued in brasse which saith he had seene and alledgeth it word by word for the coming of S. Ioseph and his companions hither with the time and other circumstances and yet hath not one word that they were sent hither by S. Philip out of France or that he was at any time in this Gallia The same I affirme of all FreÌ„ch writers both late auncient not any one among so many which to my reading and memory teacheth that either S. Philip the Apostle sent S. Ioseph of Aramathia into Britaine out of France or that he himself euer preached there or sent any preachers thither which will more manifestly be proued in the next Chapter â—ollowing But the Gallia where S. Philip the Apostle is by some supposed to haue preached is farre distant from this our neighbouring Gallia or France And so the similitude or IdeÌ„titie of one and the same name for diuers Countries gaue accasion of Error vnto some few such as reading that S. Philip the Apostle was in a Country called Gallia and S. Ioseph of Aramathia liued and died heare in Britaine to make this false and Ignorant collection That S. Ioseph was sent hither by S. Philip out of this next Gallia where he neuer Acta per Legat. Antiquit. Glast Manuscr Tabul Fix was And it is euident by our old Antiquities of Glastenbury that S. Philip neyther did nor could send S. Ioseph or any hither from our next France which had not that name vntill some hundreds of yeares after when the Frankes of Sicambria came first into some parts of that kingdome thus it testifieth from the old Acts of the first Christians at GlasteÌ„bury in S. Iosephs time In antiquis scriptis inuenerunt qualiter sanctis Apostolis per vniuersum orbem dispersis Sanctus Philippus Apostolus cum multitudine Discipulorum in Franciam veniens duodecim ex ipsis in Britanniam misit ad praedicandum S. Damianus and Phaganus sent hyther by Pope Eleutherius did finde in an old writing how when the Apostles were dispersed into all the world S. Philip the Apostle with a multitude of Disciples coming into Francia sent twelue of them into Britayne to preach This Manuscript Antiquitie first written in S. Iosephs time and after founde in the dayes of King Lucius long before any Frankes gaue name vnto our next France or came thither giueth demonstrance that S. Philip was among the Frankes of Sicambria which many others also
writeth not so clearely of that matter as he might haue done leauing it almost doubtfull to his Readers by saying he will Godwin Conu of Britaine p. 16. c. 2. not stand to dispute it whether that Brittish Lady Claudia so honorably remembred by Martial the Poet lyuing in that time was the same Claudia which S. All obiections to disproue Claudia honored by S. Paul for a renowned Christian not to be our Brittish Lady Claudia are disproued Paul hath so renowned which words take away some credit from the true opinion making her a Christian and to be one and the same woman For our Protestants themselues which receaue her into the number of holy Christians deriue their greatest Authoritie for their affirming thereof from S. Pauls words recounting S. Claudia among the holy Christians at Rome 2. Allthough I haue sofficiently cleared the truth in this matter before to the eternall honor of that most noble Ladye and this her Country of Britaine yet for satisfaction of all I will now fully answeare all obiections It Martial Epigr. de morte PudeÌ„tis Bal. l. de Scrip. Brit. cent 1. in Claudia Rufina Doroth. in Synop in Pudens Martyr Rom. die 19. Maij. Vsvard eod die Bed Martyrol in S. Praxede â— Conu part 1. p. 17. 2. Timoth. 4. may be obiected by these men that Pudens spoaken of by Martiall the Poet husband to our brittish Claudia died in Cappadocia diuers hundreds of miles from Rome When the Ecclesiasticall monuments which speake of S. Pudens the Christian spoaken of by S. Paul say he died at Rome And S. Bede with others saith S. Praxedes his daughter was buryed at Rome by her Father Pudens as likewise her Sister S. Pudentiana was Other obiections there be of the difference of the supposed time and age hindeâ—ing the Christian Claudia to be so be wtifull in the dayes of Martial as he commendeth our brittish Claudia This Poet writing in the time of Vespasian and Titus and dying in the dayes of Traian whereas S. Pauls Christian Claudia was a woman and of note in Rome in the last yeare of Nero. Besides our Brittish Lady Claudia both as Martiall and our English Protestants are witnesses had onely three children or at the leaste they name but three S. Nouatus S. Praxedes and S. Pudentiana Whereas the old Roman Martyrologe proposeth vnto vs 4. Christian children of the Christian Parents S. Pudens and S. Claudia name those three remembred Nouatus Praxedes Pudentiana and S. Timotheus a Preist Romae depositio S. Nouati filij S. Pudentis Senatoris fratris S. Tymothei Martyrol Rom. die 20. Iunij in S. Nouato presbyteri sanctarum Christi virginum Pudentianae Praxedis qui ab Apostostolis eruditi sunt in fide Againe S. Bede and others write that the wife of Pudens the Christian mother to S. Pudentiana was called Sabinella Cuius mater erat Sabinella But these are easily answeared And first for S. Pudens finding but one of that name in this time for his dying or being rather in Cappadocia and yet buried at Rome we may either say that he returned to Rome before his death insinuated by Martial Martial l. 6. Epigram 58. Io. Pitseus lib. de Illustrib Britan. Script aetate 2. p. 72. in Claudia Rufina Martyr Bed 14. cal Iunij Rom. Martyrol die 19. Maij. Sospite me sospes Latias reueheris ad vrbes Or with other writers that his body by the Christians was brought from Cappadocia to Rome if the report of his death in Cappadocia is true Pudens in Cappadocia dicitur aâ—imam efflasse 〈◊〉 â—orpus Christiani Romamtranstulerunt in caemiterio Priscillae via Salaria sepultâ—re honoratae tradiderunt vbi postea Pudentiana Praxedes sepultae fuerunt And S. Bede saith he was buried at Rome 3. The obiection of the bewtie of our Brittish Claudia so recommended by Martial was neither worthie of proposing or deseruing answeare being but a blast of a vayne moÌ„uth vented by the pen of a Poet forward enough as such men be to giue too greate a flattering florish to womens bewtyes yet as our ProtestaÌ„t Antiquaries not vnprobably calculate she could not be aboue 40. yeares of age at the most when this Poet so commended her in that respect Godwin Conu of Brit. p. 17. 18. Theater of great Brit. l. 6. c. 9. and when his Epigram thereof was published although as he well saith that Epigram happily might be written some yeares sooner when her bewtte was more fresh and againe except the said Epigram as often it falleth out in those cases was made longe before it was published or some time after their marriage Which is most probable the Poet taking notice onely of three children she then had S. Tunotie not then yet borne And it is no meruaile if S. Timothie her sonne an holy Preist liuing in obscurity in that time and much in this kindome of Britaine as hereafter I shall shew was vnknowne to a Pagan Poet especially seeing for such respects there is litle memory of him in Ecclesiasticall monuments 4. How it came to passe that S. Claudia was also called Sabinella the same Poet will sufficiently informe vs when he telleth vs expressely that her Lady Claudia of Britaine the same holy Christian Claudia whome S. Paul remembreth husband S. Pudens had an house at Sabinum in Italy where she also liued after the auncient manner had her name Sabinella from thence Which two denominations of Claudia and Sabinella onely agreeing to our Brittish Claudia and by no possibilitie to any else I conclude it for a certaintie both by reasons and Authorities that our Brittish Lady Claudia mentioned Martyrol Rom. 20. die Martij Graeci in Menol. eod die Mart. Rom. 28. Maij Menol. Graecorum eod die by Martiall was the same renowned Christian Claudia which S. Paul speaketh of with so honorable memory The name time place and all circumstances agree and pleade it is so For of that name in that time place I finde no other such in Histories nor longe time after in any other place and then of two one at Amisis in Paphligonia the other at Ancyra in Galatia a Matrone and Martyr longe after this time and farre distant from Rome Italy where our S. Claudia liued and died Againe among the Roman writers much is spoken of her husband S. Pudens and their holy children bredd vp and borne amongst them and allmost a silence of the blessed Mother S. Claudia but that Martial lib. 4. Epigram 10. Godw. Conu of Brit. p. 17. Parker Antiq. Brit. pag. 2. Camd. in Brit. Stowe hist Bal. cent 1. Pitz. aetat 2. in Claudia Rufina Harrison descri of Brit. Harris hist l. 1. Theater of great l. 6. c. 9. Andre du Chesne histoire generale d'Angleterre c. p. 152. Mart. l. 11. Epigram 30. Io. Herald epist dedicat an t hist Mariâ—ni Scoti it pleased God by S. Pauls pen to remember her which argueth she was
Martyr end of this Age seeing they bring him to the greate Councell of Sinuessa of 300. Bishops besides many other greate Clergie men They haue this greate Barnes supr in Marcello Magdeburg cent 4. c. 9. To. 1. Conc. in Marcellino Conc. Sinuessano in 3. exāplar antiq generall Councell the first that euer was in the worlde in all Copies plainely pronouncing no man euer Iudged the Pope of Rome The first See is indged by none Nemo vnquam iudicauit Pontificem Prima Sedes non iudicatur à quoquam Now I will returne againe to the time of Pope Stephen where I left THE X. CHAPTER OF S. MELLO OR MELLON A BRITAN SENT Archbishop by Pope Stephen from Rome to Rhoan in Normandy Of S. Mellorus a Noble Brittish Martyr and a Prouinciall Councell of Brittish Bishops heare in Cornewalle in this time 1. THE Historie of out renowned Britan S. Mello or Mellon by most Authours fell our in the time of S. Stephens being Pope And it should seeme by out Histories which speake of many and long defections of the Britans in these dayes and their withdrawing their Tribute and obedience from them except when Quintus Bassianus Alectus or such men were sent hither with power from the Romans to keepe Britaine in their subiection that S. Mello S. Mello went to Rome his going from hence to Rome with others of this kingdome to pay the Brittans Tribute there was in the time of that Bassianus or some such Roman our Antiquities being sparing to giue vs warrant to say that the Britans did so carefully pay their Tribute vnder their other Rulers which loued not the Romans but laboured to free themselues and this Kingdome rather from that subiection And this the rather because as I haue proued before it is probable the other Britan Rulers heare were Christians and so would not easely imploy Pagans in such a busines and seruice For it is the constant agreement of the Writers of this Relation that this Mello with his Associats was at his S. Mello was first a Pagan going to Rome and being there also at the first a Pagan at the performing of his temporall dutie there did after the manner of the then Infidell Romans Manuscr antiq in Vita S. Mellonis Capgtau in codem Anual Eccl. Rothomagen Dionys Alexandrin Euseb l. Eccl. Hist cap. 9. Matth. Westm an 25◠Trebellius Aurelius Victor Eutropius alij in Galeriano Euseb in Vita Constantini l. 4. Cōstan orat ad Sāctorum caetum c. 24. Florent Wigor an 250. 272. Euseb Hist Eccl. l. 7. c. 12. sacrifice in the Temple of Mars being a souldiar by profession and this was in the time of Valerian the Emperour Tempore Valeriani Imperatoris Mello quidā de Maiori Britannia oriundus Romam venit vt patriae suae Tributum solueret Imperatori seruiret ibique sicut mos erat cum socijs suis ad Templum Martis ductus est vt sacrificaret And by the History of this renowned man it seemeth to haue bene in the beginning of this Emperours reigne about the yeare of Christ 256. when by the testimony of Dionysius and Eusebius he was more friendly to Christiās then any of his Predecessors euen those that were Christians as the two Philips the Father and sonne and all his Court was full of Christians and as a Church of God Valerianus prae Antecessoribus suis sic comparatus fuit initio vt erga homines Dei placidus esset animo amico praeditus Neque enim quisquam Imperatorum ante eum tam clementer ac placidè erga eos affectus fuit ne illi quidem qui palam facti Christiani dicebantur sic initio ille familiarissimè amantissimè idque palam nostros complectebatur tota illius aula referta erat pijs Ecclesia Dei facta For Valerian after seduced by the Magicians became a most greuious Persecutor of Christians vntill being takē Prisoner by the Persians was detained there Prisoner vntill his death made a Footestoole for their King when he tooke his horse who caused this cruell Emperour to haue his skin to be pulled of and his body powdred with salt By which miserable life and death of Valerianus being Father to Gallienus who was also a persecuting Emperour the sonne recalled all Edicts against Christians and gaue them free vse and exercise of their Religion publicis Edictis Persecutionem contra nos motam remisit vt doctrinae nostrae Praesides cuncta liberè pro Consuetudine sua obirent So there was not such freedome after in the time of Galerianus for S. Mello or others to be present at the Sermons either of S. Stephen then Pope or any Christian Preacher as the life of S. Mello witnesseth he was an hearer of Pope Stephen and by him conuerted Neither can it well appeare how this Brittish Saint being a Souldiar and a Pagan at his comming to Rome in the time of Valerian not 8. yeares enioying the Fmpire and both conuerted to Christ and baptized by S. Stephen and by him promoted to Preesthood by all Ecclesiasticall Orders and degrees Quem Stephanus Papasibi adhaerentem per omnes Ecclesiae gradus vsque ad Sacerdotium promouit and after made him Bishop could come to such perfection in the Papacy of S. Stephen who suffered Martyrdome about the 257. yeare of Christ by common conputation longe before the death of Valerian except he had bene conuerted in the beginning of his Empire 2. This Mello Mellon or Mellanius cōming to Rome with others of this kingdome to pay the Tribute thereof to the Romans as I haue sayed before and to serue the Emperor and resorting to the Assemblyes and meetings of S. Mello conuerted by S. Stephē Pope the Christians not yet forbidden in the beginning of Valerianus his Empire hearing S. Stephē Pope preaching was cōuerted by him to the faith of Christ and baptized being thus instructed he sold all that he had eu the Armour which he wore in the warrs and distributing the money which he receaued Sainct Mellomade Priest and Bishop Act. Vit. S. Steph. Pap. apud Baron Tom. 2. Annal. Ann. 259. Damasus in Pōt in Stephano 1. Baron Tom. 2. Annal. An. 260. Martyr Rom. 22 die Octobris Vsuard Martyr 22. die Octobris S. Mello miraculously sent to be Archbishop of Rohan in Normandie to the poore following his Conuerter S. Stephen and giuing himselfe wholly to Christian deuotion and study of Diuinty profited therin so much not being ignorant in human Learning which he had obtained in Britaine euer renowned for studies and Learned men was by S. Stephen by all inferior Orders which I haue before remēbred promoted to holy Preisthood after Miraculously chosen of God therevnto was by the same holy Pope Cōsecrated Bishop and both extraordinarily by God and ordinarily by Pope Stephen sent to gouerne the Church of Rhoan in Neustria now called Normandy in France after he had suffered many
inaudita membrorum discerptione lacerati vt absque cunctamine gloriosi in egregijs Hierusalem veluti Portis Martyrij sui trophaea defigerent Qui superfuerant siluis ac desertis abditisque speluncis se occultauere The Churches were ouerthrowne all the holy scripturs that could be found were burned in the streets the chosen Preists of the flocke of our Lord were slayne with their innocent sheepe and the Persecution was so violent that if the persecutors could haue effected it in diuers places of the Prouince no signe or token of Christian Religion had bene left The Christians heare were tortured with diuers Torments and torne in peeces with such rending their nembers a soonder as was neuer heard of That the glorious Martyrs might presently sett vp the trophies of their Martyrdome in renowned gates of Hierusalem They which were left aliue hidd themselues in woods desarts and secrett caues so to saue their lyues expeactntes sibi animarum tutamina Galfridus speaketh in the same manner so likewise doth S. Bede both expressing Galfr. Monum Hist l. 5. c. 5. Bed Hist Eccles l. 1. c. 7. 8. the wonderfull Torments our Christian Martyrs heare endured and how they which escaped death were forced to hide themselues in woods wildernesses and secrett caues in the earth Diuersis cruciatibus torti inaudita membrorum discerptione lacerati animas ad supernae ciuitatis gaudia perfecto agone miserunt Fideles Christi se tempore discriminis siluis ac desertis abditis ac speluncis se occultauerunt Virunnius saith the Malice of Maximianus Herculius Virun l. 5. Hist was so enraged in this Persecution in Britaine that he did his vttermost vtterly to blott out the name of God in it Volebat enim nomen Dei delere Henry Henr. Hunting Hist l. 1. in Dâ—oclesiano Her Maximiano of Huntington hath the same words with S. Gildas and S. Bede and addeth that the persecutioÌ„ was very ofteÌ„ in that extremitie of TormeÌ„ts Haec persecutio crebra erat So hath the old Manuscript and Capgraue in the life of S. Alban both of them setting downe both the generalitie and extremitie of that Persecution heare as our Saints and other Antiquaries haue done So likewise doth the Authour of the old Manuscript Abbreuiatio Chronicorum and the Manuscript History of Rumsey The later saith the Britans kept their Christianitie Annal. Manuscr de Rumsey pr. Insula ista which they receaued in the dayes of King Lucius and Pope Eleutherius vnspotted very many yeares Britones Christianitatem quam temporibus Lucij Regis eorum Papae Eleutherij receperant immaculatam annos perplurimos obseruabant Which very many yeares must needs extend to this persecution The former saith that from the first planting of Christian Religion heare in Britaine it remayned quiet without any troble But in the time of Dioclesian Churches were ouerthrowne holy scripturs burned openly in the markets and the Preists with the Abbreu Chron. Manuscr Ann. 280. in Dioclesiano Christians vnder them putt to death hucusque sine perturbatione quicuit in Britannia Christiana Religio Sed Dioclesiani tempore subuersae sunt Ecclesiae scripturae sacrae medijs foris exustae Sacerdotes cum fidelibus sibi subditis trucidaâ—i The old French Manuscript cited before saith that Christian Religion which from the time of Pope Eleutherius and King Lucius had continued vntouched and pure in the Manuscr Hist Gallic c. 28. in Diocleâ— and Maximian an 286. Land of Britaine was allmost now extinguished there in this Persecution There by the commandement of Maximian Herculius the Monasteries were destroyed all holy Scripturs burned that could be founde and the Noble Prelats with their subiects most cruelly tormented in all their members and whole bodies and putt to death This is the time of which our old Poet is most properly to be vnderstood saying that the holy Christians of Britaine liued in the out Ilands willdernesses and Anonymus apud Bal. Theater of greate Brit. l. 6. c. 9. craggy places especially about Wales and Cornwaile Britannica tellus patribus fuit inclita sanctis Qui Neptunicolum campos Cambrica rura Corineasque casas loca desolata colebant Of which manner of life of many renowned Christians an other Christian Poet thus speaketh in this time Tunc plerique Patres sancti cum tale viderent Excidium fugere vrbes more ferarum Per deserta vagi caecis latuerâ— cauernis Where we see nothing left for their either dwelling or foode but such as wild beasts enioyed aswell as they all human habitation dyet and sustenance with cloathing but such as they first fledd away in with time consumed taken from them they thus left naked to nature to dwell in darke Dens and Caues and feed vpon wild rootes leaues hipps hawes nutts crabbs and such like fruits as the Deserts litle barren desolate Ilands brings forth One of these happy receptacles refuges then for our holy persecuted Christians seemeth to haue bene the litle Iland beyond Northwales towards Ireland out of the walke of the Pagan Persecutours named by the Britans Enhli and by the Saxons and English Berdesey where in the time of Giraldus Cambrensis there liued most Religeous people called Culdeis as such persecuted Christians were then named Iacet autem extra Lhyn Insula modica quam Girald Cambr. Itiner Cambr. l. 2. c. 6. Monachi inhabitant religiosissimi quos Caelibes vel Colideos vocant Haec Insula Enhli Cambrice vocatur lingua Saxonica Berdesey Et in ea vt fertur infinita Sanctorum sepulta sunt corpora Ibique iacere testantur corpus beati Danielis Banchorensis Episcopi In this Iland as the Tradition is are buryed infinite bodies of Saints And as they testifie the body of S. Daniel Bishop of Bangor lyeth there By the merits of those Saints this Iland hath this miraculous prerogatiue that in it the oldest doe soonest die because diseases are there most seldome and seldome or neuer any man there dieth except worne away with long old Age. Haec autem Insula ex miraculo ex Sanctorum meritis hoc mirandum habet quòd in ea seniores praemoriuntur quia morbi in ea rarissimi rarò vel nunquam hic nusquam moritur nisi longa senectute confectus 3. These so auncient miraculous priuiledges and sanctitie of that holy Iland Hector Boeth Scotor Hist l. 6. Hollinsh Georg. Buchan in Fincom Harris descr of Brit. c. 10. Dauid Powel Annot. in Geral. Cambr. Itiner Camb. l. 2. ca. 6. Capgr in S. Dubritio the Eremits termed Culdeis a denomination appropriate in Histories to the Religeous of this Nation in Dioclesian his Persecution and the deuotion that holy Bishop had to be buryed there long time before the slaughter of the Monkes of Bangor when diuers Christians fledd thither as some write giue testimony sufficient to hold â—t was a Refuge and receptacle for our holy Christians in the Persecution of Dioclesian which
haÌ„ds were bouÌ„d with cordes his body worne with whips and greuiously torne His body haÌ„ged vpon a crosse his hands stretched crosse vpon it The man which was thus tortured was naked and had no shoes vpoÌ„ his feete His haÌ„ds and feete were peirced with nailes his side thrust through with a speare and as it seemed to me blood and water did flowe out of the wound of his side they set reed on his right hand and putt a crowne of thorne vpon his head And hauing done all things which mans crueltie could worke against him they began to mocke him with words saying vnto him Haile King of the Iewes if thou art the sonne of God now come downe from thy Crosse and we beleeue thee and when they vsed many reuilings against him that younge man answeared not one word vnto them At the last when they had said what they would against him crying out with a greate voice he said ô Father into they hands I commend my spirit and hauing so said gaue vp the ghost his dead body was taken downe from the Crosse the blood still lardgely issuing out of his wounds they shutt it n a Tombe of stone and couered it with a stone scaled appointing watch men to keepe it And a wonder to see his body thus being dead came to life againe and receauing strenght did goe forth of the Sepulchre it still remaining shutt How he arose from death I did behold with mâ— owne eyes Men clothed with garments as whyte as snowe did come from heauen and taking that man with them returned from wheÌ„ce they came and an Infinite Army of men cloathed all in white doth followe him which ceased not in all that Iorney to sing prayses and coÌ„tinually blessed a Father I know not whome and his sonne saying blessed be God the Father his onely begotteÌ„ sonne Greate Ioy and vnspeakeable gladnes was among them so that none might worthely be compared vnto it These and many other things which I neyther will nor is lawfull for any mortall man to tell haue bene shewed to mee in vision this night what they doe signify I beseech thee not to conceale from mee be not afrayde S. Amphibalus hearing these things perceauing that his heart was visited by God exceedingly reioyced in our Lord and forthwith pulling out a Crosse of our Lord which he had about him he saith behold in this signe thow mayest manifestly see what thy vision this night meaneth what it signifieth For this man comming from heauen is my Lord Iesus Christ who did not refuse to vndergoe the punishment of the Crosse that he might deliuer vs by his blood from the guilt wherewith we were held bound by the preuarication of our first parent Adam And so prosecuting the manner of Christs Incarnation life and passion for mans Redemption and the mystery of the holy Trinitie which I need not particularly to relate writing for Christian Readers to speake in this old Brittish Authours words againe Alban greately meruayling vpon the speach of Amphibalus brake out into these words The things which thow relatest of Christ are true and cannot in any respect he reproued as false for I this night haue euidently knowne how Christ ouercame the deuill bounde him and thrust him downe to the botome of Hell I haue seene with my eyes how that Horrible one lyeth bewrapped in the knots of chaines hereby knowing that all things thow hast spoken are true I beleeue anâ— from this time this is my faith that there is no God but my Lord Iesus Christ who for the saluation of men vouhsafing to take humanitie vpon him sustained the Passion of the Crosse He with the Father and the holy Ghost is one God and there is no other And hauing thus said he falleth downe postrate before the Crosse and as if he had seene our Lord Iesus hanging vpon the Crosse the blessed penitent craueth pardon for his sins So reuerently he vseth with continuall kissing of them the feete and places of places of the wounds as though he had bene layde at the feete of our Redeemer himselfe whome he had in his vision seene to be crucified Teares mingled with blood run rownde about his face and in greate quantitie fall downe vpon the venerable wood of the Crosse I saith he renownce the deuill and detest all the Enemyes of Christ S. Alban his Conuersion and greate dâ—uotion beleeuing in him and commending myselfe to him who as thou affirmest arose the third day from death Amphibalus saith vnto him be of courage our Lod is with thee and his grace will neuer be wanting vnto thee That faith which other mortall men haue deserued to receaue by the tradition of man thow hast not learned it eyther of man or by man but by the Reuelation of Iesus Christ Therefore being now secure of thee I determine to goe further to preach vnto the GeÌ„tiles but Alban entreating him to stay at the least one weeke longer that he might in that time be more perfectly instructed in the faith of Christ he did so 4. Thus writeth this old Brittish Authour of S. Alban his Conuersion which both S. Gildas S. Bede and others doe in effect and substance also deliuer allthough not in so ample manner During the time of their abode together Gildas l. de excid Brit. cap. 8. Bed Martyr die 22. Iunij in S. Albano Bed l. 1. Hist Eccl. c. 7. Matth. Westm an 303. afterward they spent the time as S. Amphibalus by S. Beds relation did before S. Alban his Conuersion in continuall Watchings and Prayers day and night orationibus continuis ac vigilijâ— diu noctuque a greate motiue to S. Alban to receaue the faith of Christ For euery day towards euening they withdrew themselues from the Citie and company of men going to an house which S. Alban had without the Citie where they spent the whole night in seruing God Singulis diebus cum iam in vesperam hora declinaret Magister Discipulus hominum frequentiam deuitantes ad domum remotiorem quae tugurium vulgo solet appellari seproripiunt noctem totam ibidem in Dei laudibus transigentes Et haec faciebant ne secretum suum palam fieret Infidelibus qui cultores Christianae Religionis non in fide sequi sed persequi fideles contendebant And allthough they obserued this cautelous diligence to keepe themselues secret from the Persecutours yet it was by a wicked Pagan there reuealed and told to the persecuting Iudge and Ruler there which comming to the knowledge of S. AlbaÌ„ before the Pagan Prince and Persecutour could execute his designement as at his first receauing of S. Amphibalus when he was yet a Pagan as our most auncient Histories say he hidd him in his house being pursued by Gild. l. de excid c. 8. Bed l. 1. Hist c. 7. Galfr. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. cap. 5. Matth. Westm an 303. his Persecutours and presently had not S. Alban so preuented it to be apprehended
thought it their safest way though with so greate trauaile thither and danger there the Popes and Christian Romans then aboue all others persecuted to receaue baptisme and direction for their saluation there 5. But to finish the funerall honour of this our glorious Martyr allthough we doe not finde any man then which for feare of the persecutours presented himselfe to bury his holy body but the valiant Souldiar now the Souldiar of Christ conuerted vnto him which had boldly before them all reuerenced the Reliks of S. Alban who there digged a graue and layed the Martyrs body therein terram apperiens humo Corpus Albani operit tumulum desuper ipse Matth. Westm An. 303. composuit which was all he could doe then yet God allmightie in whose sight the death of his Saints is pretious as he had now glorified his Martyrs soule in heauen so yeelded from thence extraordinary honour to his body so meanely buryed making his poore graue more glorious then the sumpteous Tombe of Author Brit. Vitae S. Albani Manuscr Antiq. in Vit. eius Capgr in eodem Matth. Westm sup Manuscr Antiq. in Vit. S. Amphibali Capg in eod any Roman Emperour his persecutour or other for in the next night now following a Piller of Light was seene of all the Pagans themselues to stretch vp from the graue of the holy Martyr vnto heauen by which Angels discending ascending spent all the night in praising God and among other things which they did singe these words were often repeated and heard The renowned Man Alban a glorious Martyr nocte insecuta visa est columia lucis è tumulo beati Martyris caelos penetrare per quam descendentes Angeli ascendentes totam noctem in Dei laudibus deducebant Inter caetera vero quae canebant vox ista frequentius est audita Albanus vir egregius Martyr extat gloriosus Ad hoc spectaculum Honour of Saints subito fieret concursus And a thowsand PagaÌ„s ad mille homines were thereby conuerted to Christ S. Bede witnesseth that from the Martyrdome of S. Bed l. 1. Hist c. 7. Alban vnto his time cures and ofte Miracles were wrought in the place of his Martyrdome In quo loco vsque ad hanc diem curatio infirmorum frequentium Henric. Huntin l. 1. Hist operatio virtutum celebrari non desinit So hath Henry of Huntington long after him for his dayes also 6. The Crosse which he had in his hand when he suffered Martyrdome Matth. Westm an 303. Manuscr Antiq. in Vâ—ta S. Amphibali Capgr in eod Bed l. 1. Hist c. 18 Thomas Walsingh Hist Angl in Eduard 2. Râ—uerence of holy Reliks and was thereby sprinkled with his holy blood was reuerently preserued by the Christians then and presented to S. Amphibalus with greate honour The very ground where S. Alban suffered retained drops of his blood when S. German was sent hither by Pope Celestine and he carryed part thereof away for a greate Relike De ipso loco vbi beati Martyris effusus erat sanguis massam pulueris secum portaturus abstulit in qua apparebat cruore seruato rubuisse Martyrum caedem His Coate Caracalla which he had of S. Amphibalus and wherein he suffered Martyrdome was kept for a greate Relicke and in the time of King Edward the second the King himselfe with many Nobles present witnesses was so freshly bespotted with this Martyrs blood as if it had bene done Thom. Walsing supr but the day before So Miracously preserued as the blood in the place of his Passion Fas est credere quod ad honorem Sancti diuino Miraculo sanguis eius sic in hac veste seruatus sicut in puluere sui sepulchri per multa secula legitur conseruatus Cuius pulueris massam in qua rubebat adhuc sanguis Martyris Sanctus Germanus Altissiodorensis Episcopus secum abstulit detulit ad natale secum capellam construens in honorem Martyris memorati But of Churches and Chappels founded vnto his honour with Pilgrimadges vnto and reuerencing his holy Relicks I shall speake hereafter when I come to the ceasing of this Persecution and to speake of our other Martyrs THE XXI CHAPER THE CONSTANT PROFESSION OF CHRIST by the holy Souldiar Heraclius conuerted by the Miracles of S. Alban and his Martyrdome in and at the same time and place with S. Alban 1. GREATE is the honour which both our owne both Brittish and English and forreine Historians also yeeld to the Souldiar vntill then a Pagan and being one that ledd Saint Alban to his Martyrdome and conuerted by his Miracles in the way was then and there also most cruelly Martyred The old Roman Martyrologe thus remembreth him one of the Souldiars which ledd S. Alban Martyrol Rom. die 22. Iunij to his punishment being conuerted to Christ in the way suffered with him deserued to be baptized in his owne blood Passus est etiam cum illo vnus de militibus qui eum ducebat ad supplicium qui in via conuersus ad Christum proprio sanguine meruit baptizari S. Gildas saith this Martyr being conuerted by the Miracle S. Alban shewed when by his prayers the deepe Ryuer gaue place to him and a thowsand with him to passe ouer not wetting their feete the waters on both sides standing like walles as they did to the people of Israël to giue them passadge was of a wolfe made a lambe and did both vehemently Gild. l. de excid c. 8. desire and valiantly endure Martyrdome with him Iterignotum trans Tamesis nobilis fluuij alueum cum mille viris sicco imgrediens pede suspensis vtrimque modo praeruptorum fluuialibus montium gurgitibus aperiret priorem carnificem tanta prodigia videntem in agnum ex lupo mutaret vna secum triumphalem Martyrij palmam sitire vehementius excipere fortius faceret S. Bede relateth this History in like manner yet with more Emphasis of his glory for hauing spoken of the same strange Miracle by which this Souldiar was conuerted calling him Carnifex the designed Executioner to put S. Alban to death as S. Gildas and others doe to shew how wonderfully the grace of Christ wrought in him he addeth that by diuine Inspiration he made all speede he could to come to S. Alban and casting away his sword that was drawne to behead S. Alban Bed l. 1. Hist Eccles c. 7. Matth. Westm an 303. prostrated him see before his feete the whole assembly beholding it greately desiring that he himselfe might be worthie to be put to death with the Martyr or in place of the Martyr which he was commanded to strike Quod cum inter alios ipse carnifex qui eum percussurus erat vidisset festinauit ei vbi ad locum destinatum morti venerat occurrere diuino nimirum admonitus instinctu proiectoque ense quem strictum tenucrat pedibus eius aduo luitur multum desiderans vt cum
Martyre vel pro Martyre quem percutere iubebatur ipse potius mereretur percuti And so of a persecutour he became a companion in Truth and Faith Ex persecutore factus collega viritatis fidei Thus writeth Matthew of Westminster and others allthough with suppressing the name of this holy Martyr which the old Brittish Writer of S. Alban his life Capgraue and others call Heraclius and I am now to name him by it for allthough it was not giuen him in Baptisme Brit. Script Vitae S. Albani Manuscr Antiq. Capgr in eodem in water which he wanted yet his surest Baptisme in his owne blood for Christ his holy and most courageously and constantly sustained Martyrdome happily made him renowned and honorable thereby 2. This S. Heraclius hauing resolutely denyed his Paganisme craued pardon for his error and confessed Christ openly before so many persecutours and in the highest of their Malice and rage against S. Alban fell thereby into the same degree of Hatred with them for presently therevpon to speake in our old Authours words Inimici veritatis hominem arripiunt dentes excutiunt os eius sacrum dilacerant omnia eius ossa confringunt si nihil in corpore remansit illaesum fides tamen quae feruebat in pectore laedi non potuit The enemyes of truth apprehend him beate out his teeth rend his holy mouthe and breake all his boues and allthough nothing remayned in his body without hurt yet his feruent faith remayned without harme And being thus left so maymed lame and half dead with all the power and strength he could with his hands crept vp to the hill where S. Alban was Martyred whome when the Iudge espyed he said vnto him obsecra Albanum tuum pray to they Alban to sett thy bones in order and lay his head heare stricken off to thy body and thou shall receaue perfect health from him Bury him and lett him cure thee Heraclius answeared I most firmely beleeue that S. Alban by his merits is able to heale mee and easely performe that you mock vs with Tunc caput Martyris reuerenter assumens illudque corpori deuotus apponens desperatum corporis robur recuperare caepit sanus effectus Then reuerently taking the head of S. Alban and deuoutely laying it to his body he began to recouer the former strenght of the same despayred before And being thus miraculouslie recouered and made hole ceased not in the hearing of all the people to preach vnto them the meritt of S. Alban and Power of Christ and digging the earth buryed the body of S. Alban before them there Which the Pagans seeing said among themselues what shall we doe This man cannot be putt to death with sword we haue allready broken his body and he hath now receaued his former strength againe And apprehending him with horrible Torment they teare his holy body in peeces and lastely cutt of his head And so this happy souldiar perseuering in the faith of Christ together with most blessed Alban deserued to be honoured with the Crowne of Martyrdome 3. Hitherto the Relation of those our renowned auncient Historians whereby we doe not onely finde an example of Heroicall Christian fortitude in generall but learne euen in particular the holy and approued doctrine and custome of the Primatiue Christians of this kingdome aswell as of others to praye vnto holy Saints glorified in their Soules in heauen and reuerencing their sacred Relicks on earth thus miraculously allowed and approued of God before and for the euerlasting shame and confusion of so many his Persecutours and Enemies then present and all after commers that would oppose against those most Catholike doctrines and practises of the Church of Christ so publickly and inuincibly confirmed and warranted by his omnipotent and highest diuine Power before such a multitude both of Christians and Pagans so testifying the first by that meanes strengthned in the true faith the others in greate numbers as I shall presently declare conuerted to Christian Religion And the Iudge himselfe was hereby so moued and conuinced that he presently commanded the Persecution to cease Iudex tanta miraculorum Bed l. 1. Hist c. 7. caelestium nouitate perculsus cessari mox à Persecutione praecepit Iacobus Genuensis Bishop of Genua and his old English Translatour say this souldiar called Iacob Genuen Episc in Vita S. Albani S. Amphibal Anglic. Translat ib. by some before Herculius was a knight And they yeeld a reason besides their Assertion which was the noble renowne of S. Alban who as they say was Lord of the Citie of Verolame and Prince of the knights and Steward of the Land and the Iudge dred de for to slee him because of the greate loue that Emperour had to him and for reuerence of his dignitie and Power of his kindred vnto the time that he had informed Dioclesian And therefore when Iudgment was pronounced against him the which was deferred 6. Weeks vntill Maximian his comming into Britaine to see such wicked executions thus they deliuer it Than Maximian and Askepodot gaue finall sentence on him saying In the the time of the Emperour Dioclesian Albon Lord of Verolomie Prince of knights and Steward of Britaine during his life hath despised Iupiter and Appollyn gooddes and to them hath done derogation and disworship wherefore by the Lawe he is iudged to be deed by the hand of some knight And the body to be buryed in the same place where his heade shall be smitten of and his sepulchre to be made worshipfully for the honour of knighthood whereof he was Prince and also the Crosse that he bare And sklauin that he ware should be buryed with him And his body to be closed in a chest of Ledd and so layd in his Sepulchre This sentence hath the Lawe ordeyned because he hath renyed our principall Gods These Authours say Maximian and King Asclepiodote gaue this sentence THE XXII CHAPTER OF VERY MANY CONVERTED TO CHRIST by the miraculous death of S. Alban and after going to S. Amphibalus to be fully instructed by him suffered Martyrdome and being a thousand in number were diuers from the 1000. Martyrs at Lichfeild and those neare Verolamium 1. THAT we may take some notice of the greate numbers multitudes of people conuerted by the death and miracles of these two holy Martyrs we haue heard from approued Antiquities that euen many thousands had bene present eye witnesses of the miraculous diuiding of the water to giue free and dry passadge to S. Alban and those that were with him at his prayers when many drowned and lying in the bottome of the deepe Riuer were eyther miraculously preserued from death or so restored to life againe by his intercession the waters standing one both sides of their passadge like walls after their going ouer presently ioyned together againe and returned to their naturall current and flowing downeward as the propensitie of such liquid and heauy things requireth the fountayne one the topp of
the hill as strangely arising the Executioner his eyes falling out of his head vpon the earth S. Helaclius so wonderfully cured by S. Albans prayers and Reliks the heauenly light streaming from S. Albans graue vp to heauen and the Angels there descending and ascending and singing all the night honouring God and S. Alban whome the Pagan Persecutours had so much dishonoured the day before Such concourse of people there was which came to see the Martyrdome of S. Alban and so consequently were present at the miracles then wrought that as the old Brittish Writer of his life witnesseth the place where he was putt to death being lardge and spatious which S. Bede and others also witnesse that it could scarcely receaue them that then resorted thither Tanta congeries illuc confluxerat populorum vt loca illa spatiosa prae multitudine hominum angusta videretur The multitude was so greate euen of those that went out of that Citie besides others from other places that as S. Bede with others write Bed l. 1. Hist c. 7. being to passe ouer the Ryuer by a Bridge if S. Alban had not so miraculously dryed vp the Ryuer they could hardly haue gone ouer by the Bridge before night Ita fluminis occupabat pontem vt intra vesperam transire vix posset Pilgrimage vnto and honor of Martyrs There was scarcely any left in the Citie Cunctis pene egressis A greate multitude of both sexes diuers estates and Ages came thither by instinct Vtriusque sexus conditionis diuersae aetatis quae sine dubio diuinitatis instinctu ad obsequium beatissimi Confessoris ac Martyris vocabatur to doe seruice to the blessed Confessour and Martyr 2. Therefore so many of diuers conditions and Age being thus called by the Inspiration of God to such an holy purpose we cannot but thinke many of them were conuerted there at that time And yet S. Bede setteth this to be done at S. Albans death before the greate Miracle of Angels appearing and praysing of God and honouring S. Alban the night following at his place of buryall And so soone as this Miracle appeared the Pagans presently came thither in greate numbers to heare and see it publickly professing that these Miracles were wrought by the Power of Christ the sonne of God and so being conuerted vnto him a thowsand of thē at one time tooke their Iorney to seeke S. Amphibalus in the parts now named Wales so farre distant from Verolamium where by the help and Intelligence of diuers Christians in their company as among others him that tooke vp S. Albans Crosse which Matth. Westm An. 303. Manusc Antiq. in Vita S. Amphibali Capgr in eod alij he held in his hands at his Martyrdome which all to be spotted with his holy blood they presented to S. Amphibalus whom they found preaching to the people of that Country and they were instructed catechized and baptized by him in Christian Religion Cum ad hoc spectaculum subito fieret concursus Paganorum vnus ex omnibus in hanc vocem prorupit Haec miranda quae vidimus Christum Dei filium liquidò constat operari Eamus inquiramus virum Dei quia sicut nostis Albanum praedicando conuertit ad Christum Cumque omnibus ista sententia placuisset ad mille hominum versus Walliam Iter arripiunt virum Dei Amphibalum ibidem inuenerunt regionis illius hominibus verbum Dei praedicantem Cui aduentus sui causam exponentes Crucem quam suo quondam Albano comendauerat Manuscr Antiq. in Vit. S. Amphibal Capgr in eod Iacob Genucn in Vit. S. Albani S. Amphibali cruore respersam obtulerunt At ille Deo gratias agens nouis Auditoribus fecit de Religione sermonem Cui mox illi consentientes signaculum quod in Christo est ab eius sacris manibus alacriter susceperunt The old Manuscript of S. Amphibalus his life Capgraue and others affirme that this greate number a thowsand or more did before their going to S. Amphibalus moued with the miracles before related openly detest their old errours and preach the faith of Christ Errorem pristinum detestantur Christi fides ab omnibus praedicatur 3. The fame of this came quickly to Verolamium and the Princes knowledge wherevpon the Pagans thereabouts with the Rulers Authoritie with all Power they could make with greate fury and tumult as though they had gone forth to warre begyn their Iorney to seeke and persecute S. Amphibalus and the newly conuerted Christians by his preaching ciues nimio furore commoti totis viribus cum in genti strepitu iter ineunt ac si essent ad praelia processuri And after many dayes trauaile at the last they finde S. Amphibalus preaching to these New Christians their carnall friends and Countrymen for the Renowne of S. Amphibalus as our Antiquities say would not suffer him long to be concealed And presently this Pagan Army or Troope of Persecutours enraged with deuelish fury diabolica inuecti furia most barbarously rush vpon the Innocent Christians cutt their bodies in peeces and with vnspeakeable crueltie putt them to death The sonne not sparing his Father nor brother his brother no man his neighbour or kinsman but without any respect of Age kindred friendship or any naturall bonde or obligation thus martyr a thowsand holy Christians at that time and place Onely one man which detayned with infirmitie in the way could not come speedily enough to be present escaping sine respectu aetatis sanguinis aut reuerentiae vicini vicinos Iacob Genuen in Vit. S. Amphibali Matth. Westm an 303. Manuscr Antiq. Capgr in S. Amphibalo amicos neci tradunt atrociter in ore gladij mille viros pro Christo occidunt Sicque Pater à filio fratres à fratribus ciues à ciuibus trucidantur Ex hoc sacro Collegio vnus omnino superfuit qui in via corporis infirmitate detentus adesse non potuit And least any man reading in our Histories of the like number a thowsand Christians martyred at Lichfeild in this Persecution and that Towne in our old languadge therevpon taking and still keeping that name as a Feild of blood and bearing Armes accordingly should take this to be the same Martyrdome this doubt is decided before when our Historians assured vs it was in the Country now called Wales in which Lichfeild neuer was nor can be accompted neyther was it the way of these Persecutours thither from Verolamium nor so long and tedious a Iorney Iter tam laboriosum as they went And our Antiquities plainely say the Martyrdome of this thowsand of Christians was in the vttermost border of Britaine and these Persecutours went thither and there putt them so cruelly to death Dictum est quod omnes pro Matth. Westm An. 303. quibus iter tam laboriosum assumpserant in extremis finibus perierunt When all men know Lichfeild to be no bordering but a midland Towne
So these were not one and the same but two distinct Martyrdomes for time place parsons and other circumstances different onely in number agreeing So I must likewise say of a third Martyrdome of so many Christians neare to Verolamium of which I shall speake when I bring S. Amphibalus thither againe Who at this bloody Massacre being compassed round about with the bodies of his Christian hearers thus martyred commended their blessed soules to God Sanctus Amphibalus vallatus corporibus occisorum beatas animas Domino commendabat THE XXIII CHAPTER THE MARTYRDOME OF S. AMPHIBALVS and many others with him or at that time and place and wonderfull numbers conuerted then to Christ by the Miracles then there shewed 1. THese bloody persecutors hauing thus barbarously and without Matth. Westm an 303. Manuscr Antiq. in Vita S. Amphibali Iac. Genuen Cap. grau in eod all compassion of Lynage kyndred friendship Country or whatsoeuer relation of loue or mercy put these holy Saints to death they now powre out the bottome of their malice vppon S. Amphibalus neyther regarding his Noble descent before remembred venerable and old yeares learning or whasoeuer but binde his armes with thonges and driue him barefooted before their horses so longe a Iorney from the Borders of Britaine where they apprehended him vnto the Citie of Verolam where the Prefect and Lieutenant then was resident Brachia loris dirissimis cōstringentes ante equos suos versus Ciuitatem Verolamium nudis incedere pedibus compulerunt And as they thus contemptibly carried him barefooted and bound a sicke man lyeing in the way in the sight and hearing of them all cried out vnto him ô Thou seruant of God almightie help mee that I which lye oppressed by my owne infirmitie may be releeued by thy intercession For I doe beleeue that by thy calling vppon the name of Christ thou art able presently to restore my health vnto mee And forthwith the man which lay thus sicke before the eyes of them all arose vp ioyfull and perfectly well 2. When these wicked Pagan persecutors had thus barbarously brought him within the sight of the Walles of the Cytie as though this holy Saint had bene vnworthie to enter into it and their troopes so greate by that is said before that they could not conueniently be receaued therein they stay themselues as it were pitching their Tents in a place then desart now called Redburne three miles from S. Albans throwing downe their sheelds and sticking their speares in the ground scuta reclinant hastas telluri defigunt And thus resting themselues onely S. Amphibalus rested not but preached continually the doctrine of Saluation to his enemies Who in the meanetime gaue notice to the Prince and those of the Citie of their returne and bringing with thē the Instructor of S. Alban and that they had put all those Christians before spoken off to death in the vttermost parts of the kingdome after their long Iorney thither Which when the Gouernour heard he called the people together and thus exhorted them Let vs all goe forth and meete our enemy that he which offended may receaue reuenge of vs all And so hasting forth striuing as it were who should goe first went by the way leading of the North tendentes per viam quae de Ciuitate vertit ad Aquilonem as our Antiquities say the better to set downe the old place and situation of that aūcient Citie which they then left almost vacant vrbem ferè vacuam reliquerunt And comming in this raging madnes and multitude to torment and Martyr this S. Amphibalus Martyred holy Saint they finde him all wrapped in chaines or bonds vinculis irretitum and presently stripped him naked slitt his belly and pull out his Intrals tying them to a stake which thy had fastned in the ground enforcing him to be ledd round about it And the holy Saint of God shewing no signe of greife at all among such and so many afflictions the wicked persecutors more thereby enraged sett him for a marke as it were and with their kniues and speares pearced and brake the rest of his body After all which this holy Martyr stood with as chearefull a countenance as if he had suffered no hurt at all and more constant though he now bore the signes of his Martyrdome in all his body Giuing a miraculous spectacle of himselfe that he could still liue after so great Torments and so many kindes of death Whereupon very many beholding and more and more wondering at the constancie of the blessed Martyr renouncing their Idols submitted themselues to Christian faith and prayed Many conuerted to Christ at S. Amphibalus martyrdome And prayer to martyrs with a loude voyce to God that by the merits and intercession of the blessed Martyr they might be worthie to be partakers of euerlasting life Which when the Prince perceaued and knew he presently called for the Tormentors and commanded all that had reiected and forsaken the worship of Iacob Genuens in Vita S. Amphibali Manuscriptum Antiq. Capgr in eod their Gods and embraced the doctrine of Amphibalus to be put to death 3. Which sauage Edict the Pagā souldiars effected killed a thousand such S. Amphibalus beholding it and commending their soules to God and persuading his persecutors to renounce their errors and be conuerted to Christ without whom no saluation can be had nothing but Hell and eternall damnation A thousand of the conuerted now to Christ are martyred with S. Amphibalus to be expected But the Persecutors did still perseuer in their impietie not ceasing so to torment this holy Saint with cruell stoning him besides so many torturs before remembred that when his body was afterward miraculously found there was not one whole bone to be found in it Nullum ex ossibus eius integrum appárebat Allthough it seemeth by the History of his life that many of his bones were broken with stones by these his so enraged Persecutors that after his blessed soule was separated from his body thus lying still bound and tyed they ceased not to breake it more with their casting greate stones vpon it Pagani Corpus exanime in vinculis constitutum lapidibus adhuc obruere con cessabant But so long as he liued in such extremitie of Torments as I haue related allthough the stones were cast at him as thick as hayle saxorum grandine as some write he still preserued in prayer neuer mouing himselfe on one side or other nec in partem alteram declinauit And being now come to the Periode of his punishments and to yeeld his soule to God looking towards heauen as an other S. Stephen saw Iesus standing on the right hand of his Father and heard a consorte of Angels in heauen and among them knew S. Alban whome he inuocated to assist him Saying ô holy Alban pray vnto our God that he will send a good Angell to meete mee that the dreadfull Robber lett mee not nor the wicked
sauing Resurrection of Christ and his most holy Sepulchre as the Writers then affirme those Relicks Euseb l. 3. vit Constant supr cap. 27. were worthely called Ipsum venerandum sacrosanctum salutaris Christi Resurrectionis monumentum sepulchrum quod meritò sanctissimum appelletur 13. As this worke was vndertaken by S. Helen with Pilgrimage prayer and greate deuotion as is before remembred so Constantine did the like Deo Cap. 25. supr adiutore inuocato And so being armed they ouerthrowe and pull downe to the grounde all those Rampiers Temples Idoles and whatsoeuer the Pagans had there framed erected to obscure keepe from reuerence the holy Relicks of Christ caused them with greate charge and difficultie to be carryed farre from the holy place as infected with the impure contagion of deuills Neque satis habebat Imperator in istis solum rebus expediendis progredi sed rursus diuini numinis instinctu impulsus iubet vt ipsum solum ad ingentem altitudinem defossuÌ„ quippe impura daemonum contagione infectuÌ„ erat for as procul cum ipso aggere exportaretur 14 When all these strange workes of the Pagans were thus destroyed and remoued in such manner as I haue related they were framed there and the place wholly purged vntill they came so lowe as where our Sauiour was buryed they found his holy Sepulchre and neare vnto it the Crosse of Christ and the Title that was set vpon it by Pilate vpon a peece of wood Iesus of Nazaeth King of the Iewes and other two Crosses of them which were crucified with him So write Theodoret Sozomen and others the first saith oppresso Theodor. l. 1. Hist cap. 18. Sozom. Histo Eccl. l. 2. cap. 1. sepulchro iam apparente visae quoque sunt iuxta Domicum monumentum tres defossae cruces Sozomen writeth vt primum locus ille Imperatoris mandato fuit perpurgatus in profundo quadam in parte illius antrum vnde Christus resurrexit emersit in altera autem parte eiusdem loci tres inuentae sunt cruces aliud ligniculum separatum quod tabulae gessit similitudinem verbis literis non hebraicis solum verumetiam graecis latinis inscriptum quae verba ac literae non aliud complectebaÌ„tur quam Iesum Nazarenum Regem Iudaeorum Haec ipsa verba sicut in sacro Euangeliorum libri commemoratum est mandato Pilati Praesidis super caput Christi scripta fuerunt 15. Socrates seemeth to affirme that both the blessed Crosse of Christ as he Socrat. Hist Eccles l. 2. cap. 13. termeth it and the two others as also the Table in which Pilate in diuers languages did testifie that Christ was the King of the Iewes were all found in the holy Sepulchre Christi monumentum in quo sepultus est ex quo resurrexit diligenter peruestigat ac tandem licet valde aegrè Deo tamen illi opem ferente reperit tres cruces in monumento offendit beatam illam quidem in qua Christuâ— expansus fuit alteras duas quibus duo latrones suffixi occubuerant Cum quibus vna reperta est tabula Pilati in qua varijs variarum linguarum characteribus scripserat palamque declar auerat Christum crucifixum Regem fuisse Iudaeorum 16. This was warrant and testimonie sufficient that this Sepulchre was the sacred Sepulchre of Christ and that Crosse to which the Table of Pilats witnes so recorded in Scripture belonged was his holy Crosse But Christ Iesus who had giuen by his sacred body sacrificed vpon the one for mans Redemption and rested it in the other vntill he had happily obtayned wonne Victory ouer sinne death deuill hell and damnation so greate sanctitie and cause of worship vnto them both gaue a better and more sure a Miraculous witnes vnto their reuelation Of the holy Sepulchre Eusebius thus recordeth Euseb l. 3. de vit Constant c. 27. sepulchrum quod merito sanctissimum appelletur resurrectionis Seruatoris apté propterea expressit effigiem quod post tenebrarum caliginem quibus quasi sepultum iacuisset in lucem de nuo prodijt illustrem sane miraculorum ibi editorum visum qui reuera omni voce clarius Seruatoris Resurrectionem testificatus est sub aspectu eorum qui ad illud ipsum contemplandum veniebant subiecit The sepulchre which worthely may be called most holy did therefore fittly expresse the likenes of the Resurrection of our Sauiour because after the dymnesse of darkenes in which it had bene as buryed came againe to light and before the eyes of all which came to see it shewed a famous sight of miracles there done more clearely thereby then any voyce testified the the Resurrection of our Sauiour So haue others 17. And the Prophesie of Esay the Prophet was now perfectly fulfilled That the Gentils should beleeue in Christ the Messias and his sepulchre should be glorious Ipsum gentes deprecabuntur Et erit sepulchrum eius gloriosum The Hebrew Is cap. 11. v. 10. cabod and Greeke reading Timi signifiing honour itselfe are more euident for honoring this holy Sepulchre so longe before most plainely prophesied And the holy Crosse was as miraculously proued to be the true Crosse of Christ and knowne from the others by all Writers of that Historie One Breuiâ—r Rom. in fest Inuent S. Câ—ucis 3. Maij. Theod. Hist l. 1. c. 18. Sozom. Histor Eccl. l. 2. c. 1. Socr. Hist lib. 2. cap. 13. Ruffin Hist l. 1. c. 8. Niceph. Call Eccl Hist l. 8. c. 29. Panlin Nolan Ep. 11. ad Seuer Seu. Hist l. 2. Sozom. Hist Eccl l. 2. c. 1. Miraculous proofe amongst the rest they relate to haue bene in restoring to health in publike Assembly before Macharius the Bishop there a greate multitude a desperately diseased Noble woman with onely the touching thereof which neither of the other first triall made of them could performe Queene Helen herselfe being present at this miracle Nicephorus relating this miracle as others doe writeth further how among the other Miraculous effects of the holy Crosse at that time it being layed vpon the body of a deade man it presently restored him to life Dicunt quoque mortuo prorsus crucem impositam in vitam illum de repente reuocasse 18. The honour and reuerence which then and after was giuen to this holy Crosse was prophesied and knowen euen among the Gentils before the comming of Christ that it might not be any strange thing for Christians to performe that dutie Ista vt olim praecognita a sanctis Prophetis praeuisaque fuere sic postea factis plane admirabilibus tum confirmata cum Deo tempus visum est eiusmodi rebus opportunum neque certè tantoperc mirandum est praesertim cum ipsi gentiles ingenuè fateantur hoc esse Sibyllae carmen O lignum falix in quo Deus ipsc pependit Istud enim ita esse nemo etiamsi acri studio-contra pugnare
Cap. 66. supr in terris vllum a condito mundo sub sole visum est All the Nobles of his Army which worshipped him when he lyued kept their old manner custome at certaine times entring in and prostrating themselues one the groond saluted the Emperour after his death lying in his Coffen as if he had still bene Greate reuerence giuen by the Christians to the de ad body of Constantine lyuing The Senate and all other Magistrats worshipped his body with like reuerence All kind of people euen women and children in infinite number came to see this Solemnitie these things were thus performed many dayes This blessed Emperour was he alone which reigned when he was dead and to him alone God himselfe being Authour thereof all honours which were wonte to be giuen him when he lyued were giuen after his death For he being the onely Emperour which in all the Actions of his life piously and Religiously worshiped God the King of all his sonne Christ Iesus he alone by right obtained this honour by the will of God to haue that which was buryed in death to reigne among men Totius exercitus Duces Comites omniumque Principum caetus quibus antea in more fuit Imperatorem venerari pristinum morem consuetudinem conseruaÌ„tes statis temporibus introeuntes Imperatorem in capsula iacentem tanquam viuum etiam post mortem humi procumbentes salutabant Horum reuerentiam eodem pietatis officio subsequutus est Senatus omnes reliqui Magistratus Tum vero cuiusuis ordinis hominuÌ„ etiam muliercularum puerorum infinita turba ad idem spectaculum confluebat Haec per multos dies factitata Solus vero iste beatus Imperator etiam mortuus regnauit cum ei soli post hominum memoriam vel ipso Deo Authore omnes qui solebant honores tanquam superstiti tribuerentur Num cum is solus ex omnibus Imperatoribus Regem omnium Deum Christum eius omnibus vitae actionibus pie sancteque coluerit iure sane etiam hunc honorem solus adeptus est vt Dei voluntate quod in eo morte sepultum erat tamen apud homines regnaret 9. They also made his Picturs and in them worshiped him as though he Cap. 69. were still lyuing And painted him as reigning in heauen Neque haec voce tantum clamoribus significabant verumetiam re ipsa declarabant cum ea vita functum pictis tabellis tanquam viuum colerent Nam cum caeli effigiem in tabella proprijs Constantine worshipped in his pictures after his death coloribus expressissent depinguÌ„t eum super caelestes orbes in ethaereeo caelo requiescentem Thus his body was honorably kept vnburyed vntill his sonne Constantius came none of them being preseÌ„t at his death Then being with greate solemnitie brought to the Apostles Church where the Preists and people The Preists and others pray for the soule of their Emperor Constantine deceased with teares and mourning prayed vnto God for the soule of the Emperour Populus frequens vna cum Sacerdotibus non sine lachrymis sane magno cum geÌ„mitu preces pro animo Imperatoris Deo fundebant And so with sacred ceremonies and the sacrifice of Masse and holy prayers he was ioyned to the people Cap. 70. 71. of God in heauen Licet contemplari ter beatae animae tumulum Apostolici nominis Masse said for him deceased appellaâ—ione decorari Dei populum aggregari diuinisque ceremonijs mystico sacrificio sanctarumque precationum societate perfrui 10. Nicephorus writeth that the holynes and pietie of this renowned Emperour The Relicks of Constantino worke many miracles so his Image were so Miraculously approued after his death that God gaue such an infallible gift of healing and Miracles both to his graue and Image that all diseases whatsoeuer were certainely cured by the onely touching of them Magna gloria bonorum conciliator Deus virum eum veluti fidelem ministrum accumulauit Niceph. Hist Eccl. l. 8. cap. 55. sanationum Miraculorum gratia vrnae statuae ipsius quae in porpheretici marmoris columna posita est immissa vt deinceps nulla aegri tudo contrectatis eis non cederet fides verbi illius Christi adimpleretur dicentis ego glorificantes me glorifiâ—â—bo The memorable workes and foundations of Christian pietie Arguments of Constantine his Religion the most honored Emperor that euer was Churches most sumptuous Altars Chalices Patens Candelsticks and other vessels of gold and siluer which he founded Priuiledges Immunities and aimes which he bestowed vpon Religion are innumerable Eusebius hath writen his life in 4. Bookes and many others haue entreated of them able in themselues to minister subiect of a whole History therefore I must passe them ouer onely saying in generall with that Authour of this Noble Emperour Solus ex omnibus Romanis Imperatoribus Deum omnium Regem incredibili Euseb l. 4. vit Const cap. 75. pietatis studio honorauit solus omni cum libertate vocis linguae Christi verbum personuit solus vt ita dicam Ecclesiam eius praeter caeteras ab omni aeuo honoribus effecit Solus Impium multoruÌ„ deorum ficticium cultum sustulit omnesque vias Idololatriae refutauit Igitur dum viueret postque est mortuus his honoribus cumulatus est quales neminem aliquando nec apud Graecos nec Barbaros sed ne antiquissimis quidem Romanorum temporibus cum neminem cum isto conferendum vlla vnquaÌ„ seculorum memoria nobis profuderit adeptum esse quisquam commemorare potest Among all the Roman Emperours Constantine onely did with incredible feruour of pietie honour God the King of all he alone with all libertie of voice and tongue sounded forth the word of Christ he alone that I may so say more then all the rest in all Ages endewed his Church with honours He alone tooke away the feigned worship of many Gods and refuted all the wayes of Idolatry Therefore he alone both when he lyued and after he was dead had such honors heaped vpon him that no man can make relation that any man at any time eyther among the Greekes or Barbarians or in the most auncient time of the Romans obtayned the like It is not found in the memory of all Ages that any man was to be compared vnto him He left his three sonnes before remembred to serue and reigne Emperours after him in the S. Constantia dâ—uâ—hter to Consâ—anâ—ine an holy Nunneâ— example to many Noble Nuâ—â—â— worlde but his holy daughter S. Constantia some call her Constantina he left to serue God in perpetuall virginitie among sacred Nunnes who as I haue insinuated before being infected with Leprosie and going on Pilgrimage to the graue of S. Agnes Martyred in the Persecution before Constantins time and there continuing in prayer all night was Miraculously cured of her infirmitie S. Agnes
subscribed to the Roman Councell vnder S. Syluester 481. 5. Constantine subscribed in the Councell of Arles 483. 3. Constantine did neuer call or confirmed any Councell as a supreame iudge or sentencer 541. 5. Constantine put out an Edict for the quiet of Christians in all places 486. 1. Constantine ouerthrows Licinius 487. 2. Constantine by publike Edicts ascribeth his victories to Christ 487. 4. Constantine honoreth the chast and virginall life 488. 7. Constantine exempted the Cleargy from secular Iudges 489. 7. Constantins donation and munificent enriching the Church of Rome 497. 1. l c. Constantine determined to place his Emperiall seat at Troy 500. 1. Constantine in a Vision commanded to build his Emperiall City at Bizantium 501. 1. Constantine cals his Emperiall Seat Constantinople 502. 2. or 495. 2. Constantine acknowledge the Primacy of the Church of Rome 506. 3. Constantine furdereth the Councell of Nice 507. 6. Constantine refuseth to sitt downe vntill the Councell had caused him so to doe ib. Constantine bannished Arrius 507. 7. Constantins humble reuerence to S. Anthony 522. 6. Constantine made peace with the Persians 531. 4. Constantine procureth quietnesse for the Christians in Persia 532. 6. Constantins greate deuotion at the feast of Easter 532. 5. Constantine frounded a famous Church to the 12. Apostles in Constantinople 532. 6. Constantine erected in the same stately Images of all the Apostles ib. Constantine held prayers and protection of Saincts and helpe to the dead by them and prayer for the dead by the liuing 533. 6. Constantine reuerenced Relikes ib. Constantine commanded S. Athanasius to be restored 531. 3. Constantins death 534. 8. Constantine died not so soone as some write 530. 1. Constantine liued vntill the yeare 339. or 340. 531. 3. Constantins dead body vsed with great Christian pompe 534. 8. Constantius dead body greatly reuerenced by the Christians 534. 8. Constantine worshipped in his picture after his death 535. 9. Constantine prayed for by Preists and others after his death ib. Constantins Reliques worke many miracles 535. 10. Constātins Image workes many miracles ib. Constantine enrowled among the Saints in the Greeke Meneologe 477. 5. S. Constantia Constantins daughter a Virgin and holy Nunne 535. 10. S. Constantia cured from a Leprosie by S. Agnes ib. S. Constantia erected a Nunnery by the place where she was cured 536. 10. Constantius not presently after his Father Constantins death infected with the Arrian Heresie 548. 1. Constantius consented to the recalling of S. Athanasius from exile ib. Constantius sent diuers friendly letters to S. Athanasius ib. Constantius falling into Heresie a great hurt to Catholike Religion in many places 544. 7. Constantius consented to the calling of the great Councell of Sardice 548. 1. Constantius laboureth to peruert the Councell of Ariminum 553. 4. Constantius persecuteth Catholikes 553. 5. Constantius commandeth Vrsatius to persecur the Bishops that would not subscribe to the Arrian Heresie ib. Constantius mallice against Liberius Pope ib. Constantius his Persecution came not into Britaine ib. Constantius by some excused to be no Heretike but a professed Catholike at his death 559. 6. Constantius confessed Christ to be the naturall sonne of God 561. 8. Constantius acknowledged three faults at his death and which they were 559. 6. Penitent for the same ib. Constantius his holy death 560. 6. An Angelicall harmony heard at his buriall 560. 7. Constantius baptized by Enzoius an Arrian ib. Constantius baptized with the true forme of Baptisme 561. 8. Constantius Age and time of death 561. 9. Constantius sent Iulian the Apostata to the dangerous warres of Gallia with intention to haue him slaine 562. 1. Constantius secretly incited Vadomarus King of the Frankes to take armes against Iulian. ib. S. Cornelius Pope maintained appeales to Rome 384. 12. or 395. 12. Sainct Cornelius his other Decrees ib. S. Cornelius Martyred 379. 5. Couche or rather Conche S. Martins Sister married in Britaine 577. 1. Couche S. Patrikes Mother ib. Couldeis men so called by the Scots and who they were 588. 4. Couldeis the principall instruments in conuerting the Scottish and Brittish Nations 389. 4 Couldeis chosen for Bishops ib. Generall Councells necessary 506. 3. No generall Councell to be gathered without the authority of the Church of Rome 540. 4. The first Councell of Anthioch ordained that in euery Prouince their should be a Metropolitan 188. 3. A Councell of Bishops in Cornewall 388. 4. A Councell gathered by S. Syluester at Rome 480. 4. This Councells Decrees concer-cerning Orders the Primacie c. 481. 5. The first Councell at Arles in France consisting of 600. Bishops 482. 1. The Legats of the Pope their present ib. This Councels Decrees 482. 2. The Councell of Nice gathered 505. 1. c. The Popes Legats subscribed first in the same 506. 2. The Councell of Nice desireth the Confirmation of the Pope 509. 12. The Councell of Sardice confirmed the Nicen faith 548. 1. The Coūcell of Sardice Orthodoxall 550. 3. The generall Councell of Sardice quite different from an hereticall Conciliable of the same name ib. The Councell of Ariminum gathered 551. 1. The number of Bishops there both Catholike and Arrian 552. 2. The Councell of Ariminum subscribed to a Materiall error 553. 4. The Councell of Ariminum dissolued ib. Crathlint King of the Scots builded S. Amphibalus a Church in the I le of Man 430. 2. Crathlint his great zeale and deuotion ib. Creete an Iland in the Adriatike Sea 142. 4. Creete aunciently knowne by the name of Hecatompolis 143. 4. 210. 3. The Metropolis of Creete Metropolis to the adiacent Ilands 143. 4. Crosses made and worshipped 138. 5. 328. 5. c. Crosses and Images certaine tokens of Christianity 323. 2. or 321. 2. The Crosse of our Sauiour found out by S. Helen 515. 8. c. The Crosse of our Sauiour knowne by a miracle 520. 22. The Crosse of our Sauiour diminished not for being cut and carried away 520. 21. Crucifying neuer vsed by Britans 45. 3. Curia a City in Rhetia when builded 348. 5. Curia when first a Bishops seat ib. A custome amongst the Romans to haue all strange euents related to the Emperour at Rome 3. 3. D. S. Damasus Author of the Pontificall 174. 2 S. Damasus an aduancer of that Religion which Protestants call Papistry 576. 8. S. Damianus and Fugatianus appointed by S. Eleutherius for his Legats into Britaine 260. 1. S. Damianus and Fugatianus their Power and Commission 260. 2. c. S. Damianus and Fugatianus planted Christian Religion in Britaine 263. 5. c. S. Damianus and Fugatianus were both Bishops 265. 7. S. Damianus and Fugatianus preaching in Britaine and many conuerted by them 266. 1. c. A Protestant confuted for affirming them to haue preuailed litle in preaching 267. 2. S. Damianus and Fugatianus conuerteth vniuersities 269. 4. Sainct Damianus and Fugatianus change the Pagan Temples into Christian Churches 304. 1. S. Damianus and S. Fugatianus returned to Rome for the
Iulia his second wife a Roman if she may be termed a wife his first lawfull still liuing He reigned as Baronius contendeth 17. yeares 8. moneths and 3. dayes But our Historians make Baron An. D. 195. 213. Flor. Wigorn. Chron. An. 180. 202. his Empire somewhat longer Matthew of Westminster maketh him Emperour compleate 18. yeares Romanum consecutus Imperium imperauit annis 18. Florentius Wigorniensis citing Cassiodorus and the Roman Historie saith he was Emperour 18. yeares and 3. Moneths Seuerus regnauit annis 18. teste Marian. Scot. l. 2. aetat 6. in Seuero Galfr. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 2. Pontic Virun Hist l. 5. Matth. Westm an 206. Ioan. Harding Chron. c. 53. Bal. l. de Script Brit. cent 1. in Fulgenio Audaci Cassiodoro mensibus etiam tribus secundum Historiam Romanam Marianus Scotus saith he held the Empire 19. yeares Cum 19. annis Seuerus tenuisset Imperium decessit And whereas it is generally agreed vpon both by our Brittish and Saxon Historians and Antiquaries whether Catholiks or Protestants that Fulgenius after his former discumfiture by Seuerus went ouer into Scythia interpreted to be that Country which now is called Denmarke and brought with him a greate Armie of the people of that Nation which our Antiquities call Picts before he fought with Seuerus and they both there were slaine or died at Yorke Fulgenius cum diutius resistere nequiuisset transfretauit in Scythiam vt Pictorum auxilio dignitati restitueretur Cumque ibi omnem InuentuteÌ„ Patriae collegisset reuersus est cum maximo nauigio in Britanniam atque Eboracum obsedit these were none of the Christian Picts or Scots which liued in our Ilands who had ioyned with Fulgenius before and many of them were slaine as the same Authours testifie conâ—ucebat in auxilium sibi quo scumque Insulanos populos inueniebat but they were Pagan Picts of whome many remaining heare after the death of these two Generals they had a place giuen vnto them to Inhabite in the Country Albania Carausius vt triumphum habuit dedit Pictis locum mansionis in Albania vbi cum Britonibus mixti per sequens aeuum Galfr. Mon. supr c. 3. Fabian Hist Polychron Wil. Harrison descri of Brit. c. 22. Hollinsh Histor of Engl. l. 4. c. 23. Bed Hist Eccles l. 1. Capgr in S. Niniano Hect. Boeth Scotor Hist l. 7. Bal. l. de Script cent 1. in Ninia Bernicio manserunt Thus write our Brittish Historians and our Protestant Antiquaries agree when they say that Carausius gaue vnto the Scots Picts and Scithians the Country of Cathnesse in Scotland which they afterward inhabited And these were those Pagan Picts and people which S. Ninian and others sent from Rome did longe after conuert to the faith of Christ as S. Bede and others testifie for the Ilanders which were Picts and Scots were conuerted in Pope Victor his time as I haue declared before which is an other Argument against the Scottish writers which would haue themselues seated in the Country now called Scotland so long a duration of yeares as they haue claymed before THE VII CHAPTER HOW IN THE TIME OF BASSIANVS SONNE of Seuerus being Emperour he was both in Britaine whence he was discended and other places he was a friend to Christians and Persecutour of their Persecutours How S. Zepherine the Pope then sent diuers Apostolike men into Britaine 1. AS soone after the death of the Emperour Seuerus the TeÌ„porall state of our Britans being freed from many surges waues of calamities did finde a calme So the Church of Christ especially in this kingdome eÌ„tered thereby into an harbour of some ease and quietnes from such enormities afflictioÌ„s as vsually growe and happen in such times For the Quarrell for this kingdome being principally betweene Seuerus and Fulgenius their Complices and Confederats allthough Seuerus was actually slayne in that bloody conflict at Yorke yet Fulgenius followed presently after being by all Writers mortally wounded in the same Battayle Fulgenius laethaliter vnlneratus est And for Posteritie the Galfr. Mon. Hist l. 5. c. 2. Pontic Virun l. 5. Matt. Westm An. 206. Harding Chron. c. 53. condition of Seuerus was farre berter then that of Fulgenius for whether the Britons or Romans should preuayle in choosing a King or Emperour Seuerus leauing two Sonnes one of the Brittish the other of the Roman blood left prouision for both euents When the case of Fulgenius was not such he himselfe not noted to haue had any true Title to the Crowne of Britaine but chosen King or Captayne of them which would not admitt the Romans Gouernment duce Fulgenio and Fulgenius Dux populi profligati And King Fulgenius Galfr. Mon. Hist l. 5. c. 2. Pontic Virun l. 5. Matt. Westm supr Hard. supr elected to be King rather of Loue and necessitie then by any Title he had so to be And if he had any Right by discent to the Crowne of Britaine seeing we reade of no child or Brother he left behinde him that Title which he claymed must needs discend to the eldest Sonne of Seuerus which was Bassianus Sonne also to the Sister oâ— Fulgenius as some before haue written now hauing by the death of his Father Seuerus and vnkle Fulgenius both their Titles with the allowance of the Empresse Martia his Mother lawfully inuested in him 2. Therefore to decide and end all Controuersies in this busines the Britans with common assent did chuse and accept Bassianus both for their King being the next and vndoubted Heire whether we shall staÌ„d eyther vpon his Fathers or vnkles Title and also for Emperour as the Eldest Sonne and Heire of Seuerus vndoubted Emperour and for his leauing Sonnes behinde as the cheifest cause made a God among the Romans So writeth Herodian with others Mos est Romanis consecrare Imperatores qui superstitibus filijs vel successoribus Herodian l. 4. moriuntur And an English Protestant Antiquarie though not citing Authoritie deliuereth the same in these words The Romans accustome to consecrate Stowe Hist Romans in Seuerus with Immortalitie such Emperours as at their death leaue eyther children or Successours in the Empire behinde them And those which are endued with that honour they canonize amongst the Gods Therefore to vse the speach of an other Protestant Historian from Antiquitie Seuerus by birth a Roman but in blood a Harrison descr of Britaine c. 22. Manuscr Gallic Antiq. cap. 109. Galfr. Mon. l. 5. c. 2. Pontic Virun l. 5. Matth. West an 206. Harding Chron. in Seuerus Bassianus Holinsh. Hist of Eng. l. 4. cap. 22. Harris descript of Brit. c. 22. Tertull. ad Scapul c. 4. Spartian in Caracall Briton and the lineall Heire of the body of Androgeus Sonne of Lud and Nephew to Cassibelan was Emperour and King of Britaine Geta borne of a Roman woman Iulia was chosen Emperour by diuers Romans but soone after slayne by his halfe Brother Bassianus the Briton This
Bassianus reigned alone both Emperour and King of Britaine vntill his death Besides his hereditarie Title to this kingdome it seemeth that the Christian Britans heare were not a litle moued to chuse and receaue him for their King for the hope they had that he would eyther become a Christian or at least a friend and no Enemy to that Profession of which in his youth and tender yeares he had giuen no vulgar Argument for besides many other hopefull graces and gifts he was then endued with and brought vp by a Christian Nurse and Christian children when he did see any Christian Martyrs brought to wild beasts to be killed and deuoured he would weepe or turne his face away as Spartianus is an ample witnes Si quando feris obiectos damnatos vidit fleuit aut ocolos auertit And being but seuen yeares old hearing that one of his Christian Playfellowes was greeuously beaten for that his Religion as the common interpretation is he could not long after enduer the Procurers of his beating by the same Authour Septennis puer cum collusorem suum puerum ob Iudaicam religionem grauius verberatum audisset neque patrem suum neque patrem pueri vel Authores Spartian supr verberum diu respexit Where the Pagan Authour by the Iewes Religion as often such men doe vnderstandeth Christian Religion which both his Nurse and this Playfellow of Bassianus her Sonne did professe And in this hope of the Britans now Christians that â—assianus would rather be a friend then Persecutour of such they were not deceaued for allthough contrary to his first education when he was with Christians being separated from them he fell to such and so many kindes of Impietie as Histories doe recompt and putt an innumerable company of the Pagan Roman Nobles to death and many of them which had bene greatest Enemies to Christians yet he died innocent from Christian blood and Persecution and by his seueare punishmeÌ„t towards their aduersaries iustly to be interpreted a Reuenger of their wrongs and former calamities The common opinion is that he reigned betweene 6. and 7. yeares Allthough I finde in an old French Manuscript Historie entreating Manuscr Gallic Antiq. c. 109. much of the affaires of this kingdome written aboue 400. yeares since that he was King of Britaine 29. yeares Bassian tenoit le Roilme de Bretaine 29. ans 3. All Bassianus his time and diuers yeares before in the Empire of Seuerus S. Zepherine was Pope of Rome who as our Protestant Antiquaries acknowledge being giuen wholly to the seruice of God more then earthly things ended his life with holy Martyrdome Zepherinus rei diuinae magis quam Ioh. Bal. l. 1. de Act. Rom. Pont. in Zephermo Robert Barns in Vit. Pont. Rom. in eod Matth. Parker Antiq. Brit. c. 17. humanae intentus Martyrio coronatus est These ProtestaÌ„ts also doe relate many worthy Actes of this holy Pope amoÌ„gst which these they sett downe at large in their publike Writings He Decreed saye they that Preists should not consecrate the blood of Christ in a Chalice of wood That all which were of yeares of discretion should communicate at Easter at the least euery yeare That Preists should be present when the Bishop said Masse That a Bishop accused should not without the Authoritie of the Pope of Rome be condeÌ„ned in Iudgment eyther by Primate Patriarke or Metropolitane Sanguinis Christi coÌ„secrationeÌ„ no in calice ligneo fieri debere statuit Omnes iaÌ„ Puberes vt semel in Anno ad Paschatis Ferias Eucharistiam sumerent edixit CuÌ„ Episcopus celebraret Missae sacra iussit omnes Presbyteros adesse Sine Romani Pontificis authoritate accusatuÌ„ EpiscopuÌ„ nec a Primate nec à Patriarcha nec à Metropolitano in iudicio coÌ„demnanduÌ„ esse This holy Pope as I haue cited before from Iacobus Genuensis others consenting thereto conuerted our renowned Countryman S. Amphibalus which Iacob Genuen Episc in Catal. Sanct. in S. Amphibalo Author of the Engl. Martyrol die 25. Iunij Io. Lidgâ—te Monac Buâ—iens in â—ius Vita Gerar. Liâ—gh in â—udim Insignium wonne by his preaching life and death after so many thowsands of this Nation to Christ Of whome a late Writer citing diuers Antiquities thus writeth S. Amphibale being a Noble young man of Britany and going to Rome with Bassianus Sonne to Seuerus Viceroy of the Britans was there by Pope Zepherinus instructed secretly in the Christian saith baptized made Preist and sent back into Britaine there to preach vnto others Neyther may we with prudence iudge that so greate a concourse of our Brittish Nobilitie being then at Rome and S. Amphibalus thus conuerted a greate Noble man termed in Antiquities the Sonne of a Prince and so not without attendance that he alone was thus conuerted and employed by that holy Pope at this time And not vnprobable but some of those holy Apostolike men which are yet remembred in Histories to haue assisted S. Amphibalus afterward in preaching Christ in Veremuâ—d apud Hâ—câ—or Boeth Scoâ—or Hist l. 6. f. 102. Holâ—insh Hist of Scotl. in Chrathlint these parts receaued their Ordination and Instruction for the same at Rome now or about this time such as were Modocus Priscus Calanus Ferranus Ambianus and Carnocus there is no repugnancie in time for these were old men when the Persecution of Dioclesian raged heare and S. Alban was martyred in the yeare of Christ 282. passus est gloriosus Martyr Albanus anno Domini Manuscr Antiq. Vit. S. Albani Capgr Catal. in eod Bar. Annal. An. 221. Robert Barnes in Vit. Pont. Rom. in Zeph. Io. Bal. l. 1. Act. Pont. Rom. in eod Dio in Caracal Spartian in Caracalla Dio in Macrino Manuscr Gallic Antiq. c. 14. CoÌ„pilatio M. S. de gest Brit. Ang. in Carausio ducentesimo octogesimo secundo And S. Zepherine continued Pope as both Catholike and Protestant Antiquaries agree vntill the yeare of Christs Natiuitie 220. when as a Protestant Bishop writeth he was crowned with Martyrdome anno Domini 220. martyrio coronatus est About this time also or a litle before Bassianus Emperour King of Britaine was murthered betweene Edessa and Carras by Mardianus a Centurion he marrying with the Sister of the holy Christian Lady Mammea left their Sonne Heliogabalus behind him who soone after was Emperour An old French Manuscript History saith that Bassianus was slayne by Carausius who after reigned 38. yeares The same hath the Manuscript Compilation in these words tandem fauentibus Britonibus Carausius dimicauit cum Bassiano interfecit eam sic gubernaculum regni in se suscepit THE VIII CHAPTER HOW VERY MANY KINGS WITH VARIABLE proceedings Ruled heare in Britaine before Constantius Father to the Greate Constantine by S. Helen our Brittish Lady yet the Christians heare were quiet from Persecution in all or most of their time 1. AFTER the death of S. Zepherine Pope Calixtus the first of Lamprid. in Diadame