admonisht them to keep among themselves and towards all Charity to follow the ruleâ— and orders of Monastical discipline which they had either learnt of him or of their forefathers Then he told them that his departure was nigh For the most lovely guest quoth he that was wont to visit our brethren many had died of the Plague out of the Monastery hath vouchsafed this day to come to me and call me out of this world Go ye to Church again and speak to the brethren That with their Prayers they both commend unto our Lord my departure and remember with watching prayers and good works to prepare also for their own When the Brethren had taken his blessing and were gone Owen casting himself on the ground said I pray you good Father what song was that I heard of that I heard of that joyfull company descending from heaven upon this Oratory and again returning He answered if you heard the singing and understood the comming of the heavenly Companies I charge you to tell no man thereof before my death They were indeed Angels who came to call me to the heavenly rewards which I alwayes loved and long'd for and after seven dayes they promised they would return and take me with them The seventh day as it was promised after he had received the body and blood of our Lord his holy Soul was carried as we may well believe by Angels to everlasting joy Among his manifold merits he was renowned for Chastity Abstinence Preaching Prayer voluntary Poverty Agreeable to this Revelation is that which I now adde Ecbert a Monk in Ireland whom Higball Abbot went to see said He knew one yet alive who when Chad past out of this world beheld a company of Angels descend and carry up his soul with them St. Chad was buried first neer St. Maries Church but afterwards his bones were remov'd to the Church of the most blessed St. Peter Prince of the Apostles in both which places in token of his virtue frequent miracles in healing of the sick are wont to be wrought One yt had a Phrensie lying by his tomb all night the next morning came out well and in his perfect senses declaring to the great joy of all that there he had by Gods goodnesse got his health The place is covered over with a wooden tomb like a house having a little hole on the side wherein they that come thither for devotion are wont to put in their hand and take of the dust which putting into water they give to sick beasts or men to drink whereby they forthwith become whole Chap. 4. Relates How the Bishop Colman leaving England took with him some thirty English Monks and afterwards founded a Monastery for them in Ireland after the example of the Venerable Fathers living under rule and under a regular Abbot in great continency getting their living with the labour of their hands Chap. 5. The year 670. 2. King Oswi of Northumberland died he bore such affection to the See Apostolike of Rome that had he lived he purposed to have gone thither for to end his life in those holy places having for that purpose entreated Bishop Wilfrid to be his guide This Chapter further relates how Theodore call'd a Synod of Bishops at Hertford The result of this Synod was that they maintain'd the Ancient Canons of the Church Theodore at the beginning thereof said I Theodore though unworthy appointed by the see Apostolike Archbishop of Canterbury c. Chap. 6. Theodore the Archbishop being offended with Winfrid Bishop of the Mercians for a crime of disobedience deposed him appointing in his place Sexwolph who was founder and Abbot of the Monastery of Medshamsted now called Peterborough Winfrid returning to his Monastery Artbear there piously ended his life Theodore also appointed Erconwald Bishop of London whose life and conversation was counted most holy as to this day his heavenly vertues and miracles do well declare for his Horse-litter wherein he was wont to be carried when he was sick being yet kept by his disciples doth daily cure such as have Agues or are otherwise diseased The very chips also that are cut off from it and brought to the sick are wont to give them speedy remedy He built two goodly Monasteries for himself and his Sister Edilburge furnishing them with good Rules that for his Sister at Berring in Essex where she was Mother of the Nuns behaving her self in all vertuous conversation as was shewed by Miracles from Heaven Chap. 7. In this Monastery many wonderfull signs and Miracles were shew'd which for the benefit of posterity are written by many who knew them when the Plague raging thorow the Island came to this Monastery and had entred upon that part where the men lived so that daily one or other was taken out of the world This good Mother being carefull of her company at such a time as the visitation of God touched that part of the Monastery in the which the Handmaids of God dwelt by themselves apart from the men askt the Sisters In what place of the Monastery they would have their bodies buried when God should visit them When she could get no certain answer from them she and all the rest received a most certain one and from God For one night as these Handmaids of Christ went forth of the Chappel after Mattins to the graves of the Brethren that were dead singing accustomed prayers to our Lord behold suddenly a light sent down from Heaven in manner of a Sheet came over them which strook them with such fear that they ceast from singing which brightness whereunto the mid-day seem'd night being again lifted up went to the south part of the Monastery and there staying awhile withdrew to heaven so that none of them doubted but that the very light which should receive their souls into heaven did also shew a place for their bodies to rest in Chap. 8. There was a childe about three years old brought up in this House of Virgins dedicated to God to be employed in Meditation among them This Childe being strucken with the plague coming to the pangs of death spake to one of those consecrated Virgins of Christ calling her by her name Fadgit This Virgin being suddenly taken with the sicknesse departed this life following the voice that called her Another of the Handmaids of God taken with the same disease and brought to the last told them that a certain holy man appear'd to her who died the same year bringing her word that when the morning drew neer she should depart to everlasting light The Truth was prov'd by the death of the Maid Chap. 9. When Ediburge the pious Mother of this devout congregation was to depart this world a wonderfull vision was seen by one of the Sisters whose name was Thorithgid who had lived long in that Monastery and was alwayes diligently employed in serving of God in great
1. c. 4. did not pretend any cause of division from Augustines Doctrine about Mass use of the Crosse and Images worship of Saints and Relicks or any other point wherein we and Protestants differ A demonstrative argument that none of these things brought in by Augustine were contrary to what was delivered to the Britans not a full hundred years after the Apostles time So that as long as Augustines Religion was kept in England the Apostles Religion was kept Chap. 3. Augustine ordain'd two Bishops Mellitus Justus Mellitus he sent to preach to the Province of the East Saxons whose chief City is London As soon as the Province by Mellitus preaching had receiv'd the word of Truth King Ethelbert built St. Pauls Church in London where Mellitus and his successors ever after were to hold their Bishops Seat Justus was ordain'd by him Bishop of Rochester in Kent where Ethelbert built St. Andrew the Apostles Church After this the dearly beloved Father in God Augustine dyed and his body was laid by the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Canterbury which after it was finisht was brought in and honourably buried in the North-part thereof where also were interred the bodies of all the Archbishops following as long as there was room This Church hath an Altar in it dedicated to the honour of St. Gregory Pope at which Altar every Saturday the Commemoration of these departed Bishops is celebrated by the Priest of the place Upon St. Augustines Tomb is written Here resteth Augustine the first Archbishop of Canterbury who being sent hither by blessed Gregory Bishop and by working of Miracles supported by God brought King Ethelbert and his People from Idolatry to the Faith of Christ He dyed the 26. of May CHAP. 4. Laurence succeeded him in the Bishoprick whom Augustine yet living ordain'd least after his death the State of the Church rude as yet and newly converted might have wavered and faln if it had lackt a Pastour and guide never so little Wherein he followed the example of the first Pastour of the Church the most blessed Prince of the Apostles Peter who having laid at Rome the foundation of Christs Church consecrated Clement his Coadjutor and Successor Laurence seeing the ground-work of his Church to enlarge which was well and throughly laid endeavoured to raise the same to a perfect height by frequent exhortations and continual example of pious works He earnestly laboured as a true Shepheard not onely for the modern Church of the English but also for the Church of the old Inhabitants of Britany and Scots in Ireland whose profession as soon as hâ— knew to be lesse Ecclesiastical and not well ordered in many points especially about Easter they not celebrating it in due time He wrote unto them beseeching them to receive and keep the society of Catholike observance with the Church of Christ spread over the whole world To our dearest brethren the Bishops and Abbots in Scotland Laurence Mellitus c. When the See Apostolike according to the usuall manner of sending to all parts of the world directed us hither to preach the word of God We c. About this time Mellitus Bishop of London went to Rome for advice of the Apostolike Pope Boniface and for necessary causes of the English Church This Pope call'd a Councel of Bishops to appoint some order concerning the life of Monks Mellitus sate among them to the end that what there was legally decreed he confirming might bring with him to the English Church as precepts and rules to be observed He brought also letters from the Pope to Laurence Archbishop to the Clergy and the King This Pope cleansed the Temple Pantheon converting it into a Church in honour of our Lady and the Martyrs Chap. 5. In the year 613. Ethelbert King of Kent after he had raigned six and fifty years entred into eternal blisse the one and twentieth year after he had receiv'd the Faith and was interr'd in St. Martins Porch within the Church of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul Edbald his son much harm'd the tender sprigs of the Church but Gods scourge was not wanting for both an unclean spirit and a frâ—nzie possest him Moreover the death of Sabereth King of the East Saxons and Nephew to Ethelbert much encreased the persecution of the Church who going hence to the everlasting kingdome left three sons who all fell to Idolatry These Princes seeing the Bishop in the Church after he had said Mass giving to the people the Sacrament said unto him Why doest thou not give us also of that white bread To whom he answered If you will be washt in that wholesome Font wherein your Father was you may also eat of this blessed bread but if you contemn the laver of life you may not tastâ— the bread of life Hereupon the King commanded Mellitus and all his company to depart the Realm so he and Justus went over into France Chap. 6. Laurence the Archbishop being now ready to forsake Britany and follow Mellitus and Justus commanded the night before he was to go that his bed should be laid in the Saints Peter and Paulâ— Church where after many prayers and tears powr'd out to God for the State of the Church the blessed Prince of the Apostles appearing in his sleep unto him scourged him a good while and with Apostolicall Authority asked him Why he meant to forsake the flock which he himself had committed unto him and to what Shepheard running now away he would leave the sheep of Christ beset with ravening Wolves By these stripes and the words of St. Peter Laurence the servant of God imboldned came and presented himself to the King and throwing open his garment shew'd him how pittifully he had been beaten When the King all amazed demanded who durst inflict such stripes upon a man of his dignity when he understood it was for his salvation and that by the Apostle of Christ he became afraid and abandoning the worship of Idols and his unlawfull wedlock embraced the Faith of Christ and was baptized promoting the good of the Church to the utmost of his power He call'd home Mellitus and Justus commanding them to return to their Churches and instruct their flock Thus the King with all his Subjects from that day that he was converted submitted himself to the Precepts of God He built a Church in honour of our Lady the blessed Mother of God within the Abbey of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles which Mellitus hollowed Chap. 7. Relates How the holy Archbishop Laurence departing hence to heaven his body was buried in the Abbey-Church of St. Peter the Apostle Mellitus of London succeeded in the See of Canterbury the third after Augustine who by birth was noble but nobler by his singular virtue It chanced that the City of Canterbury was set on fire and great part consum'd and the raging flames drew nigh
of three dayes humbly to implore Gods mercy There was in the house at that time a little Boy lately converted who was taken with the sickness When the second day of Fasting and Prayer was come it hapned that in the morning there appeared unto him the two most blessed and chief Apostles St. Peter and Paul for the boy was innocent and endow'd with the Sacrament of Faith The Apostles saluted him saying Son fear not death for we will this day bring thee to Heaven but thou shalt stay till the Masses be said and after thou hast received the Viaticum or journey-earnest of the body and blood of our Lord thou shalt be convey'd to everlasting joyes Call Eappa the Priest and tell him thus Our Lord hath heard your prayers and looked mercifully upon your fasting there shall not one more dye of the plague in this Monastery and they that are sick shall recover But thou alone said they shalt be set free and go unto the Lord whom thou haft served Tell them it hath pleased God to doe thus for them through the intercession of the dear servant of God King Oswald For on this day was he Martyred by the Infidels and taken up to Heaven Let them look their Book wherein are registred the departed and they shall find it so Let them therefore say Masses through all the Oratories of the Monastery giving thanks as well that their prayer is heard as also in the memory of the said King who formerly was their King and therefore earnestly prayed for them as for those of his Nation And when all the brethren are come together to Church let them be partakers of the heavenly sacrifice and so end their fast All this being related by the boy the Priest enquired after what manner they appear'd He answered They were comely and resplendent in habit and countenance above any he had ever seen the one with the celestial Tonsure the other with a long Beard and they said they were Peter and Paul servants of Christ sent for the defence of the Monastery The Priest believing the words by the Boy seeking in the Records found that Oswald was slain that day calling therefore together the brethren he commanded Masses to be said and that all should communicate after the accustomed manner and also caused a particle of the same sacrifice of the Lords Oblation to be brought to the sick Boy which done he died the same day confirming by his death the truth of the Apostles words for no more but he dyed out of the Monastery By this Vision many were stirred up to pray and call for mercy in adversity as also to use the wholsome help and medicine of fasting And from that time as well in the Monasteries as in very many other places the Birth-day of the said King began yearly to be kept holy with celebration of Masses The 15. Chapter nothing but Civil Affairs Chap. 16. Relates How King Cedwall though not yet Christned bound himself by Vow that if he took the Isle of Wight he would give unto God the fourth part thereof which he perform'd He gave it Wilfrid for the service of our Lord Thus this Island after all the Provinces of Britany was converted Chap. 17. At this time Theodore the Archbishop hearing that the Faith was much opposed at Constantinople by the Heresie of Eutichus and desiring that the English Church which he govern'd might continue free from any such spot gathered an Assembly of many Reverend Priests and Doctours where he found an uniform consent of them in the Catholike Faith Theodore By the grace of God Archbishop of the Isle of Britany and with him sitting the other Bishops at Hetfield c. After debate and conference We have set forth the true Catholike Faith in such sort as our Lord delivered it c. We have received the five holy and general Synods of the blessed and beloved Fathers of God viz. of 318. assembled at Nice against the wicked Arius and his opinions and of 150. at Constantinople against the fond Sect of Macedonins and that at Ephesus the first time of 200. against wicked Nestorius and that of Calcedon of a 130. against Eutichus and at Constantinople the second time where was assembled the fifth Councell against Theodore and others Also we receive the Synod held at Rome in the time of the most holy Pope Martin We worship and glorifie our Lord as those men have done neither adding nor diminishing and we excommunicate with heart and mouth those whom they excommunicate and whom they have received we receive Chap. 18. At this Synod was present and confirm'd the Catholike Faith a Reverend man nam'd John the cheif Chantour of St. Peters and Abbot of the Monastery of St. Martins who was come from Rome by command of Pope Agatho having for his guide the Reverend Abbot Benedict For having built a Monastery in England in honour of the Prince of the Apostles he came to Rome as often before with Ceolfrid his companion in the same work after Abbot and was receiv'd most honourably by the Pope of whom he obtain'd Letters of Priviledge by Apostolike Authority as he knew King Egfrids will was by whose liberal gift he had erected it He brought this John with him into England to teach the Abbeyes the yearly course and order of singing as it was taught at St. Peters in Rome which he did teaching the Chantours and Choristers of the Abbey the order and form of singing and reading committing to writing thosethings which appertain'd to the celebration of the high Feasts and Holy-dayes through the year which have been hither kept in the same Abbey and are now in all places copied out They came to hear him from all the Monasteries of the Province and many invited him to come unto them He had in charge from the Apostolike Pope diligently to observe what Faith the Church of England profest and bring him word thereof to Rome So the Copy of the foresaid Synod was given to him to carry to Rome wherein the Catholike Faith was found sound and uncorrupt but in his return he died His body for the love he bore to St. Martine whose Monastery he govern'd was honourably buried at Towers Neverthelesse the Copy of the Catholike Faith was brought to Rome and joyfully received by the See Apostolike Chap. 19. King Egfrid took to wife Ediltrude daughter of the King of the East-Saxons yet she remain'd twelve years a Virgin as Bishop Wilfrid a man of holy memory did inform me enquiring purposely thereof because some doubted it And that such things may be done in our time as formerly as Histories witness we may not question This also was a signe of the divine Wonder that the body of the same Virgin being buried remain'd uncorrupt which shews she ever lived untoucht And t is well known she long besought the King that she might
and vertue and instructed by his wholesome Exhortations forsaking Idolatry became a Christian It came to the ears of the Prince that this holy Confessour of Christ whose time was not come that God had assigned for him to suffer lay hid in Alban's house Whereupon Souldiers were sent to apprehend him but St. Alban apparrelled in his guests and Masters garments presented himself unto them When they brought Alban it hapned that the Judge was doing sacrifice unto the Devils who beholding him and incensed with anger for that he feared not to offer himself unto death for his guest he commanded him to be brought before the Idols For as much quoth he as thou hadst rather convey away the Rebell and Traitour to our gods than to deliver him up to deserved punishment what pains he should have suffered if he had been taken the same shalt thou undergo if thou refusest to practise the rites of our Religion But St. Alban who had voluntarily declared himself a Christian little heeded the menaces of the Prince but being throughly guarded with the spiritual armour of Grace plainly told him he would not obey his command I am a Christian saith he and I apply my self to Christian duties and exercises I honour and worship the true and living God These sacrifices which thou offerest to the Devils help not the offerer but purchase them eternal pains The Judge hereupon commanded the holy Confessor of God to be beaten by the Tormentors but Alban in his sufferings was patient and couragious Then the Judge sentenced him to be beheaded As he was led to execution he came to a floud which swiftly ran betwixt him and the place where he was to suffer The company was great and the bridge narrow so that it was likely to be Evening before they could all pass Alban desirous of death coming to the river side made his Prayer and saw forth with the bottom dry the water giving place to him and to the people to pass over Which the Executioner seeing not without the holy inspiration of God fell down at his feet and casting from him his sword ready drawn desired rather to suffer himself than do the Execution Then came they to a very pleasant hill worthy to be dedicated by the bloud of the blessed Martyr At the top whereof Alban begg'd of God to give him water and strait there arose a Spring at his Feet whereby all perceiv'd that as the River before in obedience to him was dryed up so water was now given at his entreaty Here this most valiant Martyr being beheaded received the Crown of life which God promiseth to those that love him But he who did the Execution had short joy for his eys fell upon the ground with the Head of the holy Martyr There also was beheaded the Souldier who being called of God refused to strike the holy Confessor of whom t is manifest though he was not Christned in the Font yet was he baptized in his own blood and so made worthy to enter heaven The Judge seeing so many strange and heavenly miracles wrought by this holy martyr cōmanded the persecution should cease beginning to honor in the Saints of God their constant and patient suffering death whereby he thought at first to draw them from the devotion of their Faith St. Alban suffered Martyrdome the 20th day of June neer the City Verulam now call'd St. Albans in Hartfordshire where after the Christian Church was calm'd a Church was built of exceeding rich work and worthy of such a Martyrdom In which place eve◠to this day are sick persons cured and many Miracles wrought Many more suffered in sundry places who by perfect victory yeelded their Souls to Heaven CHAP. 8. After the storm of this persecution was blown over the Christians who in time of danger lay hid in dens and deserts came forth and shewed themselves abroad renew'd Churches which were overthrown founded built and drest up new in honour of the holy Martyrs celebrated holy dayes consecrated the divine Mysteries and every where display'd their Ensignes in signe of Victory This peace continued in the Church of Christ in Britany untill the Arian Heresie running through the world corrupted also with venemous Errours this Island When by this means Heresie had found an open vent to press over the Ocean into the said Island soon after all manner of Heresies flowed in and were received by the Inhabitants they being men delighting ever to hear novelties and stedfastly retaining nothing as certain This Heresie of the Arians being discovered and condemned in the Councel of Nice did neverthelesse infect not onely other parts of the world but even the very Churches of the Islands with poisonous Infidelity In the 9. Chap. nothing but civill Affairs CHAP. 10. The year of our Lord 394. Arcadius raigning Pelagius a Britan disperst the Venom of his faithless Doctrine holding that a man might live well without the help of Gods grace In the 11. and 12. Chapters nothing but civil Affairs Chap. 13. In the year 423. the 8th of the Emperour Theodosius the yonger Palladius was sent by Celestine Bishop of the Roman Church to the Scots who had receiv'd the Faith of Christ to be their Bishop In the 14. Chapter nothing Chap. 15. The English then Heathens sent for out of Germany over run Britany The Priests are every where slain at the Altars The Bishops with their flock were murdered with fire and sword without regard unto their dignity In the 16. Chapter nothing but civill affairs Chap. 17. A few years before the arrival of the Saxons English the Pelagian Heresie brought in by Agricola greatly corrupted the Faith of the Britans But they being unwilling to receive this lewd doctrine blasphemous against the grace of God and yet unable to resist the crafty and wicked perswasions of their Adversaries took this wholesome Counsel to seek for ayde from the Bishops of France A Councel being call'd the French consulted among themselves whom they should send By the judgment of all the Apostolical Bishops Germanus and Lupus were chosen to pass over into Britany Who with great alacrity receiving the Orders and Commands of the holy Church put to Sea Whilst they were under sail the Devill envying such men should go to the recovery of that People raised a dangerous tempest Germanus Bishop feeble of body through weariness fell a sleep then Lupus and the rest call'd upon him Germanus more constant in the greatness of the danger invoketh Christ and taking in the name of the holy Trinity a few sprinkles of water casteth i◠into the Sea Forth with the rage of the storm breaketh God being called upon defered not his help the enemy is chased away and they set on land where they desited A multitude of People assembling received the Priests of God of whose coming the wicked spirits gave notice and afterward being expell'd out of the obsess't bodies at the
God In the mean while the wicked spirits flying about the Island foretold every where forced thereunto that St. German was returning in so much as Elafius one of the chief among them without report of any messenger hastned to meet the holy men at their arrival having with him his son who in the flower of his youth had lost the use of his leg which was so shrunk that he could not set his foot upon the ground The whole Country flockt thither to meet them where their blessing and divine Doctrine was bestow'd upon the people They found them as for their Faith as they had left them onely they found the fault to remain in some few those they sought after and finding them condemn'd them This done Elafius fell down at the feet of the Bishops offering them his son whose sad case needed no prayers to crave relief Forthwith St. German taking the young man to him felt his knee and with his blessed hand searcht through all the affected place and at his touch each part received health and the sinews return'd to their natural course so that in sight of them all he was restored to his Father The people were all astonished at the strangeness of the miracle and the Catholike Faith thereby confirm'd After this he preacht to the people to exterminate the said Heresie and all assenting the Authours were expell'd the Island and delivered unto the Priests to be carried thence that by this punishment the Countrey might be rid of them and their Heresies Hence it came to pass that in those places the Faith for a long time remain'd sound Not long after Germanus deceased at Ravenna his corps was convey'd to his own Church with an honourable train not without miracles wrought by the way In the 22. Chapter nothing but civil affairs Chap. 23. In the year of our Lord 582 the 10. of the Emperour Maurice Gregory a man most renown'd for deeds and learning was made Bishop of the Roman Apostolike see which he govern'd 13. years seven months and ten dayes The Year 150. after the coming of the English into Britany this Pope being mov'd by divine inspiration thereunto sent the servant of God Augustine with many other Monks fearing God to preach to the English Nation But being on the way and terrified with the apprehension of the journey they sent Augustine back to the Pope whom he had there appointed Bishop if they were receiv'd humbly entreating him that they might not proceed but he exhorted them by letters that putting their trust in God they would go on in their good purpose Gregory the servant of the servants of God c. Let not the hardship of the journy daunt you c. Assuring your selves that after your great labour eternal reward shall follow Be in all points obedient unto Augustine whom I have sent back unto you and appointed to be your Abbot knowing it shall much profit your souls what you do in obedience to him God defend you with his grace and grant me to see the fruit of your labours in Heaven as also that since I cannot work my self with you I may enjoy part of your reward for the good will I have to labor God keep you in health my dearly beloved children In the 24. Chapter nothing but a letter of the Popes recommending Augustine to the Bishop of Arles in his going for Britany Chap. 25. Augustine being thus encouraged by St. Gregory return'd to preach the word of God with the servants of Christ which were with him and arrived in Britany He and his company in number about forty landing in the Isle of Thanet in Kent sent word to King Ethelbert that they came from Rome and brought him very good news viz. that such as follow'd and obey'd their Doctrine should enjoy an everlasting kingdome in Heaven The King hearing this gave command they should abide there and have all things necessary afforded them untill they heard further from him Now the knowledge of Christian Religion was come before unto him he having maried a Christian Lady out of France call'd Bertha upon condition that it should be lawfull for her and the Bishop that came to assist her to keep their Faith and Religion A few dayes after the King came into the Island and seating himself without in the open ayre sent for Augustine and his companions He would not suffer them to come unto him in any house least if he or his were skilfull in Sorcery they might prevaile against him But they came to him not with weapons of the Devil but endowed with the strength of God carrying before them in lieu of a Banner a Crosse of silver and the Image of our Saviour painted in a Table and singing of Lytanies they pray'd both for themselves and those for whose sake they came And sitting down as the King commanded them they preacht unto him and his attendants the word of life The King replyed Your words and promises are fair yet because strange and unknown to me I cannot assent unto them leaving the Religion wherein both I and my people have been so long bred up but seeing you are come so far to impart unto us such knowledge as you hold to be good and true we will receive you and minister to you all such things as be necessary for to maintain you and we are consenting that you gain by your Preaching as many as you can to your Profession Then he allowed them a place in the City of Canterbury the head City of his Dominions providing them what was needfull and freely permitting them to Preach It is said as they drew nigh the City having the Cross and Image of our Saviour carried as the manner was they sung all in one tune this Prayer following We beseech thee O Lord for thy great mercy that thy fury and anger may be taken from this City and from thy holy house because we have sinn'd Allelujah CHAP. 26. Being entred they began to hold forth the very Apostolike order of living as in the Primitive Church serving God in continuall Prayer Watching and Fasting Preaching the Word of Life despising the allurements of this world as things none of theirs taking of them whom they instructed so much onely as might supply their wants living according as they taught and being ready to suffer death in the defence of the Truth they publisht Hence it came to passe that many believ'd and were baptiz'd marveling much at the simplicity of their innocent life and sweetness of heavenly Doctrine There was at the East end of the City a Church built in honour of St. Martin made whilest the Romans were in Britany in which the Queen a Christian used to pray Thither they went to Church and began there first to sing Service say Mass Pray Teach and Christen till the King being converted to the Faith they receiv'd ample license to Preach where they would and
he was High Bishop over the whole world and appointed Governour of the Churches newly converted he made our Nation the Church of Christ which till then had been the bondslave of Idols so that we may truly make good the saying of the Apostle that although he were not an Apostle to others yet to us he was for the seale of his Apostleship we are in the Lord Laying aside his worldly Nobility by special grace from God he turn'd it to the purchasing of eternal glory in Heaven Putting off his secular habit he betook himself unto a Monastery where he liv'd in that perfection that as he was wont to witnesse with tears all transitory things became subject to him undervaluing the world and thinking on nothing but heavenly things and though immur'd in an earthly body by contemplation he surpast the natural bounds of flesh loving death as an entrance unto life All this he telleth of himself not boasting of his encrease in virtue but rather lamenting the want and decay thereof He swarv'd not from Monastical perfection by any occasion or trouble of his Ecclesiastical charge His House was like a well ordered Monastery for although he was taken thence and made Bishop and ordain'd to the Ministery of the Altar and sent Legat from the See Apostolike to Constantinople yet he never intermitted his wonted course of life but had with him Religious of the Monastery for the better keeping regular observance that by their example he might be fastned as with a strong Anchor to the pleasant port of prayer strengthening his soul by daily reading and conferring with them Whereas other Bishops took pains in building Churches and beautifying the same with gold and silver he altogether was employ'd in gaining souls What money he had he carefully distributed among the poor He made our Nation by Preachers sent hither partakers of eternal liberty This holy Pope ordain'd that in the Chappel of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul Masses should be said at their Bodies To the Canon of the Masse he added these words which still appear in our Mass dispose our dayes in peace free us from eternal damnation and number us in the stock of thine Elect. He was buried in S. Peters Church before the Vestrie T is reported that seeing British children sold at Rome he inquired what was the name of that nation they told him they were called Angels or English with good reason quoth he for they have an Angels face and it is fitting they should be inheritors with the Angels in Heaven Then he ask't the Name of the Province the Merchants said they were called Deires they may so quoth he for they shall be delivered from the Ire or anger of God and call'd to the mercy of Jesus Christ Then he asked the Kings Name they answered his Name was Alle St. Gregory alluding to his Name said Alleluja must be sung in that Princes Dominions Hereupon he besought the Bishop of the Roman Apostolike See for he was not then Bishop thereof to send into Britany Ministers of the Word for their conversion offering himself ready for that work if so it had pleas'd the Apostolick Pope but the Citizens of Rome would not let him goe so far from them Afterwards being Pope he accomplisht this good work so long desired sending thither divers Preachers he himself helping at home by Prayer and wholesome instructions Chap. 2. About this time Augustine call'd together the Bishops and Doctours of the greatest Province which was of the Britans perswading them as a Brother to Catholick unity and to hold communion with him For as yet they kept not Easter Sunday in due time but from the 14. to the 20. Moon They used also many other things contrary to the Unity of the Church which being shew'd unto them and that neither for entreaty nor rebukes of Augustine they would assent preferring their own traditions before all other Churches which through the whole world agreed with them This Father said unto them let us pray to God that he will vouchsafe to signifie unto us by some heavenly sign which tradition is to be followed Let some sick body be brought and by whose prayers he shall be healed let his Faith be believed His Adversaries granting unto it there was brought forth a blinde man who first presented to the British Priests when by them he was not cured Saint Augustine on his knees besought our Lord to restore sight unto him that so his grace might be enkindled in the hearts of many and forthwith the blind-man saw and Augustine was held of the people as the true Teacher For all this they assembled a second and greater Synod to which t is said seven British or Welch Bishops carne with many learned men especially from the chiefest Monastery of Bangor whereof Dinoch was Abbot All these openly refusing subjection to Augustine he said to them Although deare brethren in many points you do contrary to us or rather contrary to the custome of the Vniversall Church yet if you will in these things agree with us viz. To celebrate Easter in due time to administer baptism according to the manner of the holy Roman and Apostolike Church preaching with us the word of the Lord to this English Nation All your other Ceremonies Rites Observances and Customs though contrary to ours we will willingly bear with But they replyed they would doe none of these things nor hold him for their Archbishop Whereupon the man of God Augustine threatningly prophesied that since they waved peace with their brethren they should have war from their enemies and since they refus'd to preach the word of Life to the English Nation by their hands they should suffer death Which in all points came to passe as he had foretold For Edilfrid that valiant King of the English raising a mighty Army made a great slaughter of this wicked people For being about to give battel perceiving their Priests met together to pray for their Souldiers he asked who they were and to what end they met there Most of them were of the Monastery of Bangor in Wales where such a number of Monks are said to have been that their Monastery divided into seven parts with their Prelats no one of them had fewer than 300. Most of these having fasted three dayes met at the Camp to pray King Edilfrid understanding the cause of their convening If quoth he they invoke their God against us they fight against us though they bear no Arms Whereupon he commanded the charge to be made upon them and in the end though with losse he quite ruined the other Troops of this wicked Army They say there perisht in that battle about 1200 of those that were assembled to pray and so was accomplisht the Prophesie of Augustine the holy Bishop Note That these Welch Bishops living in the Faith receiv'd from Pope Eleutherius An. 156. as was said B.
resorting to that place where King Oswald shed his bloud were there cured Chap. 11. Among other miracles I cannot omit to relate what hapned when King Oswalds bones were translated to the Church where they now are When towards Evening the Charriot was come wherein the bones were they of the Monastery of Beandaman were unwilling to receive them for although they had known him for a blessed man yet by reason he was a Forreigner born and had subdued them by Conquest they hated his memory So it fell out that the Reliques remain'd abroad all night yet was there a great Pavilion extended over the Chariot where the Reliques were But a Miracle from heaven declared with how great reverence those Bones were to be receiv'd of all faithfull people for all night long a pillar of light stood reaching from the Chariot wherein they were unto Heaven clearly beheld almost in all places of the Province which made the Brethren of the Monastery now earnestly desire that those holy Reliques might be laid up in their House They were therefore enclos'd in a shrine and placed with honour in the Church The water wherewith his bones were washt being poured out in a corner of the Vestry from that day forward the earth which receiv'd it had a speciall virtue in driving Devils out of possest bodies An Abbesse who is yet alive desir'd some of the Earth to be given her upon which this water was poured out and with it returned home It hapned that a stranger came to her Monastery who was wont to be vext with an unclean Spirit and at night began to foame gnash his teeth and rage no body being able to hold him The Abbess repaires to that quarter where the Men lodg'd and calling the Priest went with him to the Patient Where the Priest began to say the exorcisme That not sufficing the Abbess commanded her Maid to go bring her the little cabbinet wherein that Earth we spoke of was reserv'd As soon as the Maid was come with it from the Nunns quarter into the Court of that House where the possess'd Person was he grew silent and began to rest and as it were sleep and soon after rising up he said I feel my self whole They asked him how this came to pass And he answered As soon as this Virgin with the Cabinet which she brought approch't the Court of the House all the wicked Spirits that molested me departed Then the Abbess gave him of that dust and the Priest saying some Prayers he past over the night most quietly and was perfectly freed Chap. 12. In the same Monastry a little Boy had been long sick of an ague and was expecting his fit when one of the Brethern comming in said My Son I le tell thee how thou mayest be cured rise and go sit thee down at the Tombe of Oswald and be sure thou stirrest not thence till the howre be over in which thy fit useth to leave thee then I will come and bring thee forth The Boy did so and his Ague durst not presume to seize upon him at the Tombe of the Saint That this hapned thus a Brother who came from thence told me adding how at that very hower the youth was living in that Monastery who was thus cured by Miracle It is not to be wondred that the Prayers of that King now in Heaven may obtain much of God who having a Temporall Kingdome accustomed himself to continuall Prayer even died praying for as he was slain he prayed to God for the Soules of his Souldiers whereupon arose that old Proverbe God have mercy on their souls quoth Oswald when he dyed himself Chap. 13. The Reverend Bishop Acca used to tell how he heard Willebrord that holy Bishop of Frizeland report what had been done abroad by the wonderous Reliques of this Vertuous King A certain Scholler careless in his life being at the point of death with great remorse of his sins made a purpose if he recovered to amend saying If God of his mercy grant me to escape death I resolve to mend my life yet I know I have deserv'd no truce except by the help of such as have faithfully served God he of his mercy will pardon mee We have heard there hath been a King of wonderfull holiness called Oswald the Excellency of whose Faith and Vertue even after his death was well known by working frequent Miracles I beseech you speaking to the standers by if you have any of his Reliques bring me them It may be God will have mercy on me through his Merits to whom I made answer saith Willebrord I have of the tree whereupon his head was stuck after he was slain and if thou wilt beleeve assuredly God by the Merits of so worthy a Person may grant thee longer life Who answering he did believe I blest saith Willebrord some water casting into it a shiver of the said Oake giving it the sick man to drink and forthwith he recovered and reform'd his life and living long after declar'd to all men the favour of our Maker and the glory of his servant Chap. 14. Relates how Oswin was slain by Osway where afterward in satisfaction for the sin there was a Monastery built wherein daily Prayers were offered up to God for Redemption of both the Kings souls the Murderer and murdered It Relates also the admirable Vertue of King Oswin how Aidan the Bishop foretold his death and twelve days after died himself Chap. 15. Relates How God by many Miracles declared to the world how worthy a Man Aidan the Bishop was and how Vtta a Priest being sent into Kent to fetch Eansled King Edwins Daughter the Bishop at his setting forth blessing him gave him hallowed oile saying I know that at your taking ship you will have a Tempest But remember to cast into the sea this oile that I give you All which hapning as Aidan had foretold the Priest takeing the oile cast of it into the sea and immediately there ensued a Calme This I had saith Bede from the faithfull relation of Cinimond Priest of our Church who said he had it from Vtta himself to whom this hapned Chap. 16. Relates How by the Prayers of Aidan Bishop the fire which the Enemy had defigned to burne a Towne besieg'd returned upon themselves making them quit the siege Chap. 17. Relates How the Vertuous Bishop Aidan departed this life the 17th year of his Bishoprick Not long after a Church being dedicated to the honour of the most blessed Prince of the Apostles his bones were translated thither and placced on the right side of the Altar with much honor as he deserved When King Penda set fire on the Church that Post onely whereunto this holy Bishop leaned at his death could by no force of fire be consum'd The Miracle being known and spread abroad the Church was again built but the like hapned the second time
to serve the Altar whereof five were Bishops of eminent sanctity One of them called Ostfor when he had in both Monasteries diligently followed the reading of Scripture desirous of further perfection came into Kent to Archbishop Theodore he went also to Rome which at that time was counted a thing of great vertue As for Hilda after seven years extraordinary patience in sickness she died Her death was revealed by a manifest vision in another Monastery There was a certain Nun called â—egu who had served our Lord in Monasticall conversation and virginity thirty years and more This Nun taking her rest in the dormitary heard suddenly the bell ring which was wont to call them up to prayers when any of them departed this world and opening her eyes she saw the roof and all above full of lights and the soul of the said handmaid of God in that light carried into heaven accompanied by Angels Hereupon she rose and went to the Virgin that was governesse of the Monastery and told her that the Mother of them all Hilda was departed and with a great company of Angels ascended to Heaven then she made the Sisters rise and go to Church willing then to say prayers Psalms for the soul of their Mother At break of day came the Brethren to bring word of her departure but they shewed they knew it before It is reported that in the same Monastery where the Handmaid of Christ died one of these vow'd Virgins had her departing shewed her in a vision beholding her sonl going with the Angels to heaven whilest she was at that time with other handmaids of Christ in the remote places of the Monastery were such as were newly come to Religion were wont to be tried in a place a part the time of their probation till instructed in the rule and order they were admitted to the fellowship of the rest Chap. 24. Contains the vertues of one Cednom and relates how he became a Monk and how the night before he died he desired him who serv'd the sick to prepare him a lodging in that place where those who lay a dying used to be lodged commonly called the infirmary who wondering thereat he not seeming near death did notwithstanding what he desired About midnight he enquired whether they had the Eucharist within And receiveing it he askt How nigh the hour was that the brethren should rise to perform their nightly Laudes they answered not far off Then quoth he let us expect that hour being come signing himself with the sign of the holy Cross sleeping a while he dyed becoming a Prophet of his own death Chap. 25. Relates How the Monastery of Virgins in Colloden now call'd Coldingham in the marches of Scotland was burnt How also in the same Monastery one named Adaman led a very devout life in chastity abstinence and prayer so that he did neither eat nor drink except on Sunday and Thursday and often times past over whole nights in Watching and prayer Having in his youth committed a grievous sin it often occurring to him he resorted unto a Priest confest his sin unto him and desired his counsel how to escape the wrath of God The Priest when he heard his offence said A great wound requires a greater cure give thy self to Fasting and Prayer to the end thou mayest find God merciful to thee But he out of excessive grief desiring forth with to be absolv'd from his sins said I am young and strong therefore whatsoever you impose I will perform to be saved although it be to passe the whole night in Prayer and the whole week in abstinence T is too much said the Priest it sufficeth you to fast two or three dayes at once do this a while then returning unto me I will declare unto thee how thou mayest persist in doing Pennance Some unexpected cause calling this Priest into Ireland he departed this life But Adaman ever after kept this manner of fasting The latter part of this Chapter recounts the vision of one who appearing to Adaman said Thou and many others have need to redeem your sins by good works foretelling him the ruine was to befall that Monastery for neglect of due observance which after hapned This Giles a most Reverend Priest told me who then lived in that Monastery Chap. 26. Relates chiefly the Revolution of civil affaires and some few other passages little to our purpose Chap. 27. Relates How Cuthbert a Holy man being consecrated Bishop of Lindis-ferne lived a solitary life many yeares in great continency and how first in the Monastery of Mailrose he was an humble scholler to Boisel a man of great vertue and of a Prophetick Spirit He learned of him the Scriptures and example of good workes His Master dying Cuthbert was made Head of the Monastery and brought many to a regular life He often went out into the villages to preach the way of truth to them that went astray For it was the custome of England at that time that when any Clergy-man or Priest came forth they all flock about him to hear the Word diligently hearkening and more willingly following in works what they heard None hid the secrets of his heart from him but all plainly declared in Confession what they had done because they imagined these things were not concealed from him as he commanded so did they blot out their sins Confest with worthy fruits of Pennance He was remov'd from the Monastery of Mailrose after he had many years excell'd there in great signes of vertue to Lindisfern to teach the Brethren the observance of regular discipline Aidan first Bishop of that place was a Monk and did there place and begin Monastical life and conversation joyning it with his Episcopal Function even as the blessed Father Augustine had done in Kent Chap. 28. After this Cuthbert encreasing in merits past further and led an Anachorets life The place he made choice of being hanted with spirits and destitute of Water Corn and Trees he by his prayers chasing them away made habitable He commanded the brethren to dig where the earth was hardest and stoniest and by his prayers obtain'd such plenty of water that it sufficeth all to this very day He commanded also Barley to be sown in a season most improper and yet he reaped a plentifull crop T is related further How at the Synod of Atwiford he was compell'd to take the Office of a Bishop and that which forced him was that the servant of God Boisell who with a prophetick spirit foretold many things had prophesied that he should be Bishop He was famous for abstinence and strictnes of life When he offered the wholesome Sacrifice to God it was with tears from the bottome of his heart Having spent two years in his Episcopal Function he return'd to his Monastery admonisht from God of the day of his death which he declared to some in obscure
words though afterward plainly understood To others he openly manifested the same Chap. 29. Relates How Herebert a Priest of great perfection and friend to Cuthbert led a solitary life to whom Cuthbert revealing his own death he fell downe at his feet requesting him to obtaine that he might passe to Heaven with him Cuthbert having made his prayer told him his request was granted The event confirmed the Prophesie for they died both upon one day Chap. 30. God being pleas'd to manifest in how great glory Cuthbert lived after his death whose godly life cxcelled in many Miracles inspired the Brethren a eleven years after to remove his bones Opening the Tombe they found the body all whole as if it were alive the 〈◊〉 joynts sinues pliable the garments also seemed fresh and resplendent They went to the Bishop who was then in a solitary place incompast with the sea For there was he wont alwayes to keep the time of Lent and forty dayes also before Christmas in devotion abstinence and tears They brought him part of the Clothes that were about the Holy body which he received as an acceptable present and kissing them with great affection rejoyceth to hear of such Miracles His successor of great vertue Eadbert was laid in Cuthberts grave in which place Miracles done in restoring the sick do witness the vertuous lives of them both Chap. 31. Relates How one was cured of a Palsie at Cuthberts Tombe The Clothes also wherewith the Holy body was clad either in his life or after his death did not want the gifts of healing the sick Chap. 32. Relates How another was cured at St. Cuthberts reliques of a great sore in his eie The Monks had taken some of Cuthburts haire of his head for reliques to shew and give And as soon as part thereof was applied to thesore the partie was healed The Fifth Book Chap. 1. Relate◠How Edilwald Cuthberts successor in a solitary life alaid by prayer a great tempest at Sea wherein some of his Brethren were in danger Gutfrid saith Bede a faithfull servant of Christ who was one of the Company and after Abbot of Lindesferne declared it to me When we had said Gutfrid talkt with him much to our comfort having askt blessing we hastned home Soon after a great tempest arose Edilwald falling on his knees prayed to God to deliver us and suddenly the storme ceast and we came safe to land As soon as we were ashore the Tempest and storme began again and lasted all that day to give us to understand that the calme was given us by God at the prayers of the Holy man After his decease he was buried in St. Peter the Apostles Church Chap. 2. John Famous for integrity and purity of life was made Bishop of Hagulstad of whom his familiar acquaintance were wont to report many strange Miracles wrought at severall times cheifly Berethun who is now Abbot a man most Reverend and faithfull in his relations of which I thought fit to record some There is a private abode neer a Church-yard of St. Michael the Arch-Angell hither this holy man was wont to retire himself to pray especially in time of Lent The time being now at hand he gave command to seek out some begger towards whom he might exercise his charity They brought him one who was dumbe One week of Lent being past he call'd the dumb begger to him and bidding him put out his tongue made the signe of the Crosse upon it and then bad him speak whereupon he spoke after the Bishop all that he suggested and so perfectly recovered his speech Note that this John is he who was called John of Beverlay whence Godwin saith Bede was much to blame if these things be not true For he knew him and took holy Orders of him and lived in his Diocess Chap. 3. Relates How the said Bishop coming to a Monastery in a Town call'd Vetade where Hereburge was Abbesse she told him that one of the Nuns of the Convent was very sick and lay pining and languishing away And she besought the Bishop to go in and blesse her which he did saying prayers over her and departing blest her As we were taking our leave saith Abbot Berecht the swelling went away and the Maide was delivered from danger Chap. 4. Relates How an Earle sent his sick Lady some of the water which the said Bishop had hollowed in the dedication of a Church willing her to drink of it and wash the greived part which done saith Abbot Berecht she rose so whole and sound that she served us at the table Chap. 5. Another time when the holy Bishop had dedicated a Church an Earle called Addi intreated him to come to his House where one of his family lay so desperatly sick that his Coffin was already prepared hoping that if he had but laid his hands upon him and blessed him he should be better The Bishop enters makes his prayer blesses him saying God send you whole son Then sitting down at Table the partie sent for a Cup of wine which the Bishop blessed and sent him As soon as he drank it he arose a sound man put on his apparel came to the Table saying that he desired to eat and drink with them he sat down eat drank and was as merry as any at the Table and lived many yeares after a sound man This Miracle the Abbot Berecht said he had from those who were present Chap. 6. Herebald A faithfull servant of Christ now Abbot of a monastery was heard to say as touching John the Bishops worth I have had experience in many others but especially in my self as whom he in a manner forced from death to life by his prayer and benediction for having been sore bruised with a fall I was healed by the Bishops intercession When for age the Bishop could not preach he consecrated his Chaplin Wilfrid Arch-Bishop of Yorke and himself retiring into a Monastery there ended his dayes Chap. 7. Cedwell King of the tumultuous after he had raigned two years for hope of an eternall kingdome forsook his owne and went to Rome He thought it a singular glory to be regenerated at the holy Apostles Tombes by the Sacrament of Baptisme hoping soon after to passe to eternall life which hapned as he desired He was baptised on Easter eve An. 689 and wearing yet the robes of Innocency fell fick and died Whom the Pope at his Baptisme nam'd Peter that he might beare the holy name of the Prince of the Apostles whose Tombe he came to see with great devotion many hundred miles Hun succeeded him who having been King seven and thirty years leaving his Kingdome went to the Tombes of the Apostles in Rome having an earnest desire to live a Pilgrime on Earth for a time neer those Holy places that so he might deserve the better to be
received of the Saints in heaven Which practise in those dayes many English both of Nobles and Commons Spirituall and temporall Men and Women were wont to performe with exceeding emulation Chap. 8. Relates How Theodore Arch-Bishop of Canterbury departed this life very aged and how the number of years he lived were signified unto him by revelation He was buried in St. Peters Church A man worthy of perpetuall remembrance for his singular vertues of whom with his companions it may be said That their names shall live in glory from generation to generation Then the Church of England received such comfort and encrease in spirituall matters that it never received the like before nor after Chap. 9. Berechwald succeedeth Theodore in Canterbury who was Abbot of Rashwulfe now called Reculver in Kent a man well knowing in the holy Scripture skilfull in Ecclesiasticall and Monasticall orders and discipline He consecrated Toby Bishop of Rochester one expert in the Latine and Greek Tongue Chap. 10. Relates How Egbert a Reverend Priest and servant of God to obtaine Heaven led a Pilgrims life in Ireland He took upon him the office of an Apostle desirous to preach the word of God to the German provinces which had not yet received it or if this could not be to travell to Rome to see and worship the Tombes of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs But by revelation from Heaven neither of these was effected For Boisell once Abbot of Mailrose appearing after Mattins to a Religious Man bad him go tell Egbert that he must not perform that Journey but that it was Gods will that he should go and instruct Columbe's Monastery This Columbe was the first Preacher of the Faith to the Picts and the first Founder of a Monastery in the Isle of Hu which was had in great estimation Egbert neglecting for awhile to go to the Monastery as he was commanded of God Boisell appeared again to that Religious man telling him that he should say to Egbert that whether he would or no he should go to Columb's Monastery Which so fell out For by tempest he was drive thither yet one of his companions Wigbert by name excelling in contempt of the world and profound knowledge for he had led an Anacorrites life in great perfection many years arrived in Frizland but without successe So he returned to his former solitary life Chap. 11. Egbert By Revelation from God not being suffered to preach in Germany he sent other holy and vertuous men of whom that notable and excellent man Willibrord Priest was chief They converted Frizeland from Idolatry to the Faith of Christ two other English Priests who had voluntarily liv'd in banishment in Ireland for hope of eternal life whose names were Henwald came into Saxony to win souls to Christ The barbarous observing them to be of another Religion for they sung Hymns Psalms and devoute Prayers and daily offered the sacrifice of the holy Host having with them holy Vessels a little Table hollowed instead of an Altar suspecting they came to withdraw their Land from worshipping their gods murthered them and to witness their Martyrdome there appeared Miracles from Heaven For their bodies being cast into the river of Rhene were carried almost forty mile against the main stream to their companions and a great bright beam of light reaching up to heaven shin'd every night over the place where their bodies were One of them appeared in the night to a companion of his nam'd Tilmon who of a Souldier was become a Monk telling him that he should find their bodies where he should see a light shine from heaven which happened accordingly The day of their Martyrdome or Invention is in those places celebrated with due veneration King Pipin with great glory entombed them at Collen T is reported that in the place in which they were killed a Spring bubbled up which to this day affordeth plenty of water Chap. 12. Willebrord with these Holy men his companions having license of the Prince to preach in Frizland went first to Rome where Sergius sate in the See Apostolike that by his approbation and benediction he might settle to the Apostolike office of preaching to the Heathens hoping withall to receive of him some Reliques of Christs holy Apostles and Martyrs that when casting out Idols he erected Churches he might have in readiness some holy Saints Reliques to bring in their place and to dedicate them in their honour whose Reliques he had received All things succeeding to his desire Swibert is chosen their Bishop and consecrated in England by Wilfred and returning converteth a great number At last building a Monastery in an Isle of the Rhene leading there a very austere and continent life he died His successors possesse the same to this day Pepin sent that vertuous and worthy Prelate Wilbrord to Rome by consent of all that he might be made Archbishop of Frizland upon Saint Cicilyes day Anno 690. and in her Church he was consecrated and named Clement by the Pope and sent to his Bishopriâ—k of Vtreckt in Holland He erected many Churches and Monasteries through the Countrey This Willebrord otherwise Clement liveth yet a Reverend Father Chap. 13. At the same time was wrought in Britany a Miracle worthy of perpetuall rememberance and not unlike to the ancient Miracles of times past A certaine man in Northumberland dead for a time rose againe to life and told many things worthy the relating of which we touch some few I am saith he truly risen again from the death but henceforth my conversation must be far unlike my former life Rising up he went to Church and continued there in prayer untill day Then he divided all his goods into three parts one he gave to his wife another to his children the third he gave in almes to the poor Then he entred into the Monastery of Maitrose and being shaven he made his abode in a secret habitation assigned him by the Abbot where he lived untill his dying day in such austerity of body that though his tongue had said nothing yet his life spake that he had seen many terrible things He related what he hath seen in this manner The Countenance apparel of my guide was ful of light we came to one great broad valley of infinite length all full of terrible fire there was also another valley intolerable with hail and snow Both places were full of souls tossed as with a whirlewind out of one into the other I began to think that this was Hell but my guide said Think not so Then having mentioned all the rest of the visions he relates how his guide told him That this valley so full of horrible flames and so bitterly cold was the place where their souls remain to be tried who deferring the Confession of their sins and amendment had recourse to Pennance at the point of death yet because they made
a Monasticall and Solitary life than all worldly wealth After some years spent in a Monastery he made a Voyage to Rome to see what rights and ceremonies were observed there as well of Seculars as Religious He told the Queen the desire he had to visit the Monuments of the Holy Apostles which she approved At Rome he became acquainted with a Holy learned Arch-deacon called Boniface one of the Apostolike Popes Councellors by whose instructions he learnt the foure Books of the Gospell and Easter and many other things concerning the discipline of the Church which he could not attaine to in his Country Returning into England he was favoured by King Alfrid who had learned to follow in all things the Catholike Rules of the Church This King finding Wilfrid Catholick gave him Stamford and Rippon which the Scots had before to build Abbeies He was made Priest and followed the the Kings Court as Preacher and not long after was made Bishop by Agilbert Bishop of Paris In King Egfrids raigne he was deprived of his Bishoprick of Yorke and another ordeyned in his place Wilfrid going to Rome to plead his cause before the Apostolike Pope was driven into Frizland where he preacht unto them Christ And where many thousands being cōverted and baptized by him he was the first began this Evangelicall work which the most Reverend Bishop Willebrord afterwards finished Wilfrid having past the VVinter with his new Converts reassumed his journey to Rome where his cause was debated in presence of Pope Agatho many Bishops He was found by all their judgments to be without any fault and worthy of the Bishoprick The Pope gathered a Sinod at Rome of 125 Bishops against those who held but one will and operation in Christ Wilfrid sate among them where he was to declare his Faith and the Faith of his Countrey which was found to be Catholick This was thus registred in the Acts. Wilfrid the vertuous Bishop of Yorke appealing to the See Apostolike for his cause and by that Authority absolved and placed in Judgement Seat in the synod together with 125. other Bishops hath declared for all the Northerne parts of Britany the true and Catholike Faith confirming the same with subscription Wilfrid at his returne converted the South-Saxons and in the second year of King Aldefrid was restored to his Bishoprick After five years being again turned out he followed his appeale at Rome and his accusers being present he again was acquitted Returning through France he fell sick to death and told Acca how in that sicknesse one appeared to him in a white habit telling him that he was St Michael who said to him I am sent by God to recall thee from death For our Lord hath given thee life by the intercession of our Lady Mother of God but remaine prepared for after foure years I will come again to visite thee Thou shalt be restored to the greatest part of thy possessions and end thy life in peace Recovering he came into England where King Aldefrid refusing to restore him shortly dyeth Then a Synod is called by the votes of all he is reestablisht After four years of Peace he died in a Monastery of Abbot Cudbalds but entered in his own Monastery at Rippon in the Blessed Apostle St. Peters Church by the Altar These Verses are in his Epitaph Wilfrid that worthy Prelate Lyeth buried in this grave Who mov'd with Godly Zeale To Christ this Temple gave And of the Apostle Peters name St. Peters Church did call Christ gave To whom the Keyes of Heaven Cheif Governour of all He guilded it with finest gold With Scarlet hung it round And set up there a Crucifix Of Gold even from the ground Chap. 21. Acca succeeded Wilfrid in the Bishoprick of York a man for his courage and gallant deeds gracious in the sight of God and Man He enlarged the Church dedicated to St. Andrew and adorned it with many exquisite works He did both then and doth at this very day endeavour to gather together the Holy Apostles and Martyrs Reliques that he may in their honor build Altars He provided Holy Vessels lights and other necessaries appertaining to the better adorning the Church of God Chap. 22. Naitan King of the Picts abandoning the Errours which he and his Country had long kept touching Easter brought them all to the Catholike observation which that he might effect he required aide of the English whom he knew to have fram'd their Religion according to the Church of Rome and See Apostolike He sent Embassadors to that end to Reverend Abbot Ceolfrid of the Monastery of St. Peter and Paul He requested further to be instructed what manner of Tonsure the Clergy then should use He desired to have some cunning workmen sent him to build a Church after the manner of Rome promising to dedicate it in the honor of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles and to follow ever more the order and faith of the Church of Rome and See Apostolike In Ceolfrids letter to the King be these words We exhort you most humbly to take care that your Clergy may beare the same Tonsure which the Church doth receive For as all congregations of the faithfull are accustomed to carry the signe of the Crosse in the forehead that by the power thereof they may be defended from the assaults of the Devil and by often remembrance of it be instructed so it behoveth them who being made by vow Monks or by profession of the Clergy binde themselves more strictly with the bridle of continencie to beare on the Head by shaving the shape of a Crown as our Saviour did a Crowne of Thornes at his Passion as well to express their ready minde to suffer mockeries for Christ as strengthen their hope for a Crowne of glory In the same letter he Relateth what concerning this point he said to the Scotish Abbot Adaman I said quoth he Brother if you seek the fellowship of St. Peter why do you follow the manner of shaving which he used whom St. Peter did excommunicate and why rather shew you not that you desire with your heart his character with whom you desire to live in blisse If you desire to follow his steps and counsell whom you took to have as a Patron with God the Father then he commands thus It beseemeth you most puissant Prince to observe all that agreeth with the unity of Christs Catholick and Apostolick Church So it will come to passe that the Prince of the Apostles will open to you and yours the gates of Heaven By this advise in short time this Prince with all his dominions was brought to the true observation of Easter all the Ministers of the Altar and Monks had their heads shaven round in forme of a Crowne and the whole Nation being reformed did rejoyce to see themselves disciples of the most blessed Prince of