Episcopor Curien Ecclesiae Germans was borne of the Regall Race among the Britans and to propagate the faith of Christ came out of Britaine into Germany and preached first at Salisburge then at Ausburge from whence he was cast out by the Infidels there and then went with his sister S. Emerita to the Cytie of Chur where preaching againe both he and his Sister Emerita were Martyred by the Pagans S. Lucius at Chur in the castle of Mars and S. Emerita at Trine-castle And that there is without the walls of Chur a very old Monastery called S. Lucius which was begun by him and was his Oratory Lucium hunc aliqui regio stemmate apud Britannos ortum natum esse affirmant venisse autem illum amore propagandae doctrinae de filio Dei Iesu Christo ex Britannia in Germaniam vt Christum Germanis etiam adhuc Idololatris concionaretur eos ad Christum conuerteret Id aiunt illum primum fecisse Salisburgi postea Augustae Vindelicorum vbi cum eijceretur ab Infidelibus dicitur Churam cum sorore S. Emerita cessisse vbi cum itidem Idololatricas opiniones reprehenderet aliquamdiu concionaretur Christum liberatorem ab Infidelibus tum Rhetis caesi Martyrio coronati sunt S. Lucius S. Emerita S. Lucius Churae in Martis Castro S. Emerta apud Trimontium Est Churae extra vrbis muros Caenobium S. Lucij preuetustum in vitifero colle situm quod ab eo caeptum Oratorij loco conditum aiunt And he vtterly disliketh their opinion which hold that this was our first Christian King S. Lucius And that onely Tradition that the S. Lucius which was the Apostle of that people was Martyred Curae in Martis Castro at Chur in the Castle of Sebast Munster Cosmogr l. 3. ca. 214. de Episcopatu Curiensi Aegyd Schud in descript Rhaetiae Alpinae c. 15. alij Mars doe make it vnpossible to be our King Lucius so doth their Tradition that this S. Lucius which first preached vnto them was their first Bishop of Chur for both Sebastian Munster Egidius Schudus and others doe demonstrate that the Citie of Chur was not builded vntill after King Lucius time so he could neither be Bishop of nor Martyred in that Citie then not extant 3. And how would or in conscience could so wise and Religious a King as Lucius hauing no child or Heire fitt or able to gouerne Britaine or which the Romans would allowe forsake his owne kingdome to leaue it in such certaine distresse and troble both temporall and spirituall as after his death ensued and could not but be morally foreseene in his prudence with the Apostacy of so many Britans his subiects to aduenture vpon vncertaine successe to preach in forraine Countries or what Antiquitie doth proue that he was either Bishop Preist or Cleargie man all our Historians sett downe the time and place of his death and buryall in Britaine making him onely a glorious King Lay parson and Confessour no Cleargie man nor Martyr And those forreine Writers which inclyne to hold he went out of Britaine into Germany either for the most part mistake their Authours or grounde vpon heare-sayes and vnsound reports Nicholas Viginier vseth S. Bede for witnesse which Nich. Vign Biblioth Hâ—st pag. 765. Naucler Chron. Genera 6. p. 565. Petr. Merssaeus in Episc Treuer in Episcop TuÌ„gar in S. Marcelio Henric. Patal de Vir. Illust Germ. part 1. p. 110. Magdeb. cent 2. c. 2. col 9. hath no such thing And he himselfe beleeueth it not rather teaching the contrary Nauclerus saith fertur it is onely reported and setteth downe King Lucius death as our Historians doe Petrus Merssaeus writeth doubtfully some times saying S. Lucius of Britaine that preached in Germany was a King otherwhiles onely a Prince as Constantius and S. Helens sonne was Henry Pantaleon the Annals of Chur as he citeth them and Stumphius onely say that S. Lucius the Apostle of Chur was borne of the Regall Race among the Britans ex Regio Britannorum sanguine prognatus which is true of the second S. Lucius The Magdeburgian Protestants terme it a very fable to thinke that King Lucius left his Country and kingdome to preach in Germany fabulam omnino resipiunt quod Lucius Rex Imperio suo sponte abdicato factus sit Concionator qui in Gallijs in Germania nempe Augustae in Sueuia passim praedicarit Christum ac denique Curiensis Ecclesiae Doctor effectus Martyrio occubuerit And they say it is one of the fables with which the Deuill defiled the Church of Christ His fabulis Diabolus conspurcauit Ecclesiam Christi when and where King Lucius dyed was honorably interred in Britaine in the Cathedrall Church of Glocester I haue set downe in his time before 4. And a very greate mistaking it is of Auentine Feuardentius Gaspar Bruchius and Sebastian Munster if they incline to thinke that this Apostle Auentin apud Magdeb. cent 1. l. 2. c. 10. Feuardentius Annot. in Irenaeum l. 1. Har. c. 3. Gaspar Bruch Cata og Episc Curien Augustano Martyrol Rom. die 3. Decembr Annal. Ecclesiae ChurieÌ„ Breu. Eccl ChurieÌ„ die 3. 4. Decembr in festo S. Lucij Emeritae Martyrol Rom. die 6. Maij. Bed Vsuard Ado eod die Sebastia Munster l. 3. cap. 217. Act. Apost c. 13. Naucler gener 6. Volum 2. pag. 565. Bishop and Martyr of Chur and the Rhetians named Lucius was Lucius Cyrenensis S. Paules Kinsman and mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles For besides all those Authours named before the old Roman Martyrologe the Annals of Chur and their publike Church office one the Feasts of S. Lucius and his Sister S. Emerita with others doe fully assure vs that S. Lucius the Apostle there was borne in Britaine of the Regall Race there brother to S. Emerita a Martyr and Martyred at Chur. Of which not any one agreeth with S. Lucius CyreneÌ„sis for he was borne at Cyrena in Lybia poore by birth sonne of S. Simon Cyrenaeus that bore the Crosse of Christ Bishop of Cyrena where he was borne no Martyr and died the 6 day of May on which his Feast is kept when they of Chur celebrate their Apostles solemnitie vpon the third day of DeceÌ„ber And it is proued before Sebastian MuÌ„ster himself vrging it that the Citie of Chur was not builded vntill loÌ„g time after the death of S. Lucius CireneÌ„sis No other S. Lucius though many of that name is remeÌ„bred in any Martyrologe or other MonumeÌ„t to haue preached suffered Martyrdome in or neare that place or this time nor any other a Britan borne or of such Noble Parentadge but this our renowned S. Lucius sonne of Constantius and S. Helen therefore of necessitie we must yeeld as his due this honour onely to him And glorifie God that so greate a Prince of this Nation eldest Sonne to an Emperour our King and Empresse our Queene and by iust discent Heire both
By Martinus Polonus the same yeare The like haue others by which accōpt and Confession Constantine should either be vnborne or not aboue 2. yeares old at the most when he was King of Britaine and Emperor also after his Fathers death When it is proued before by all Antiquitie and the best Historians which haue written of this matter Greeke Latine Catholiks and Protestants that he was aboue 30. yeares of age at this time and his Mother S. Helen whom Matthew of Westminster seemeth at this reconciliation to call virginem valde speciosam an exceeding beutifull virgin and Harding both good and young had bene Constantius his wife 35. or 36. yeares before and brought him diuers children whereof Constantine the Greate now so old as I haue remembred was the youngest shortly after this comming of Constantius this Attonement betweene him and King Coel thus made King Coel died within fiue weekes saith Harding a moneth and eight dayes saith Galfridus Hard. Chron. c. 6. Galfrid Monum Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 6. Pōt Virun Hist l. 5. Harding Chron. c. 61. Emenso mense grauissima infirmit as occupauit Coel ipsumque intra octo dies morte affecit Virunnius saith within one moneth Intra mensem emortiur Coelus So likewise hath the Monke of Westminster Coelus elapso mense vitam finiuit Harding writeth that Cōstantius was Emperor before he was King of Britaine But King Constance of Rome was hie Cheiftain By the Senate first made the Emperour And after King of Britain and Gouernour 4. And all Historians agree that he was Emperour next and immediately to Dioclesian Maximinian who as Baronius Spondanus and others proue gaue ouer the Empyre in the 304. yeare of Christ Marianus saith in the 305. yeare when by common accompt before Constantius was come into Britaine and continued heare and not enioying the Empire aboue 2. yeares if he had then bene first marryed to S. Helen and Constantine had bene their first or onely sonne or child he could not haue bene aboue one yeare old at his Fathers death to be both king of Britaine and Emperour When it is certaine out of Eusebius and others before that Constantine was aboue thirty yeares old and had bene generall of an Army before his Fathers death which the same Author further confirmeth when comparing Cōstantine the Greate with Alexander the Greate saying that Alexander liued but 32. yeares and reigned litle more then the third part of that tyme Constantine was as old as Euseb l. 1. de Vita Constantini c. 3. 4. Alexander was at his death when he began to reigne doubled Alexanders tyme of life reigned thrise as longe At noster hic Imperator eo aetatis tempore regnum obtinuit quo ille Macedo cessit è vita illius autem vitae spatium temporis propagatione duplicauit regnique longitudinem triplo reddidit diuturniorem Therefore Alexander liuing 32. yeares compleate compleuit duos triginta annos Constantius finding the Christian Britans free and quiet at the death of King Coel so preserued them Constantine must needs be so old at his Fathers death when he began to reigne and so his Father and mother Constantius and Helen married together a longer tyme. 5. But King Coel hauing freed the Christians of Britaine from Persecution and now dying left them thus quiett and secuer from those vexations to Constantius Who during his life continued and maintayned them in the same or rather in better condition as I haue sufficiently remembred before not onely in giuing them tolleration and freedome from trouble and molestation as Sozomen with others witnesse Constantius Constantini pater permisit Christianis Sozomen Hist Ecclesiast l. 1. c. 6 potestatem libere suam religionem excolendi And was not against the lawe for Christians in Britaine to professe their Religion in his tyme Britannis non contra leges visum esse Christianam religionem dum adhuc vitae suppeditabat Constantio profiteri But he preferred the most constant Christians to the highest Euseb l. 1. de Vit. Constantini c. 11. offices and greatest trust stipatores suos ipsius regni custodes constituit He himself confessed the true God abolished Idolatrie Repudiata penitus impiorum in varijs dijs colendis superstitione Deum omnium moderatorem vltro agnouit And so consecrated his whole family to God that his Court was as a Church wherein were both Cleargie men and godly Christians truely seruing God Omnem suam familiā vni Regi Deo consecrauit adeo vt multitudo quae intra regiam ipsam coiuerat nihil ab Ecclesiae forma distare videretur in qua iner ant Dei Ministri qui continuos cultus pro Imperatore etiam tum obierunt cum piorum hominum genus verè Deo inseruientium alibi apud Gentilium multitudinem ne nominari quidem absque periculo poterat This blessing and benefite he brought into Britaine and to our Christians heare and publickly maintained it euen in those tymes as this auntient Author is witnesse when the name of Christians in other places was so odious that without danger it could not be spoken off Which he further confirmeth in an other place where speaking in the name of Christians he saith that among the Emperors of that tyme onely Constanstius did neither in any sort persecute Christians or participated with them which did but kept all them which were vnder him without hurt and secure from all trouble neyther pulled downe Churches or did any other thing Euseb Hist Eccl. l. 8. c. 14. against them Constantius solus ex nostri temporis Imperatoribus nec belli aduersum nos praesumpti vllo modo particeps fuit sed quos sub se habuit pios indemnes ab omni calumnia securos seruauit neque domos Ecclesiarum demolitus nec aliud Idem Eusebius apud Baron Spondan Ann. 304. quippiam contra nos operatus And els where he teacheth againe that the parts of the west Empire did generatly receaue quietnes from Persecution when Constantius reygned which allthough Baronius and Spondanus doe not so well allowe vpon Eusebius his words in all places of the west because as they alleidge Constantius neither presently would nor could be against the Edicts of the Emperors still lyuing when he himself remained in Britaine in the end of the world and Italy was then full of warrs But Eusebius writeth not this Sozomen l. 1. c. 6. singularly but Sozomen and others testifie as much that when the Churches of God were persecuted in all other parts of the world onely Constantius graunted libertie of Conscience to the Christians vnder him Cum Ecclesiae in alijs orbis partibus persecutionum fluctibus iactarentur solus Constantius Constantini pater permisit Christianis potestatem liberè suam religionem excolendi And againe generally of all Christian Churches in the part of his Empyre Ecclesiae quae erant in eâ Imperij parte quae
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
Sedis primus Institutor vbi aedem condidit diuo Martino suo Auunculo sacram Where we see that saint Ninian was the first Founder of that Episcopall See most renowned for sanctitie and miracles and dedicated his new Church vnto the honor of saint Martine his Vncle as they write 9. There was also an aâ—ncient Church in the same place dedicated to saint Ninian of which besides others both old and late Writers saint Alcuinus or Io. Pits aetat 5. in S. Nin. Gul. Malmes l. 3. de gest Pont. Angl. Alcuin Epistol ad fratres Candidae Casae Albinus in an Epistle to the Religeous men inhabiting there maketh this memory of the sanctity of that place and worthines of the miraculous man there buried as William of Malmesbury citeth him Scribit Alicuinus in Epistola ad Fratres eiusdem loci Candidae Casae dicens deprecor vestrae pietatis vnanimitatem vt nostri nominis habeatis memoriam in Ecclesia sanctitissimi patris vestri Nimae Episcopi qui multis claruit virtutibus sicut mihi nuper delatum est per carmina metricae artis quae nobis per fideles nostros discipulos Eboracensis Ecclesiae scholasticos directa sunt in quibus facientis cognoui eruditionem facientis miracula sanctitatem Where we haue the most learned Authour of this Land and his Age an ample witnesse of the learning holines miracles of this renowned Bishop Apostle and first Conuerter of the Picts by some of the Southerne Scots also Io. Pits supr to Christ Omnium primus Pictos Australes Scotos ab Idolorum cultu ad fidem Christi perduxit 10. We finde in this Age also many others renowned men and Saints of this Manny Brothers and Sisters children of Prince Bragbam Saints in this time Kingdome Braghan stiled King of Brecknocke a Noble BritaÌ„ who had 12. soÌ„nes and so many daughters all of them holy Seruants of Christ and happy Saints Rex Breghenocensium Fuerunt Regi illi filij duodecim filiae totidem omnes Deo placentes vitae sanctae Among these saint Canoch his eldest sonne and Manuscr Ant. in vit S. Keinae Virg. Capgrau in eadem Manuscript Gapgrau supr in S. Cadoco in S. Gundleo Heire forsaking his wordly honor and glory gaue himselfe wholly to the contemplatiue and Religeous life and estate therein long liuing and dying a glorious Saint His eldest daughter S. Gladus or Gladusa was married to King Gundleus also a Saint and they were the happy Parents of that our Illustrious Eremite Monke Bishop and Martyr saint Cadocus The second daughter named Melari or Melaria was Mother to saint Dauid our greate and renowned Archbishop his Father An other of the holy daughters was saint Keina who liuing a sacred virgin in a most strickt and austeare course of life was Miraculous at her birth in her whole life at and after her death The rest of these holy children are not so well remembred in our Histories but so in generall as I haue related King and Saint Gundleus husband of the eldest daughter and Father of saint Cadocus leauing his Rule and dignitie to his sonne saint Cadocus S. Gundleus how holy Religeous who shortly after also resigned it for the loue of the heauenly Kingdome builded a Church and there liued in greate austeritie and penance all his life many yeares his foode was bread of Barley the third part of Ashes and water his inward cloathing sackcloth he hauing forsaken all so much as the State of such a King neuer receaued any thing from others but liued by his labour euer at midnight rissing and diuing himselfe in the cold water Regale Palatium deseruit regno Cadoco filio suo commendato ad monticulum sibi ab Angelo nuntiatum peruenit Ecclesiam construxit ibi in magna abstinentia vitae sanctimonia viuere caepit Vtebatur autem cilicio pane hordeaceo cinere in tertia parte admixto aquamque potare consueuit nocte vero media surgens in aquam frigidam se immersit nihil de alieno sumens proprio labore vitam duxit And thus M. S. Antiq. Capgr in S. Cadoco Caradoc in vit S. Gildae Capgr in eod S. Dauide M. S. Capgrau in S. Carautoco perseuered to his death being very old in the next Age where I shall speake more of him and his holy sonne S. Cadocus who in this Age also began to be famous 11. So was S. Gildas Albanius both a renowned Preacher and Miraculous man in this time S. Carautocus also Sonne and Heire to king Kederic hearing that his Father being very old intended to resigne his Rule and gouernment vnto him fledd secretly a way in poore attyâ—e and embraced the Religâ—ous life and proued so excellent a man euen in this time that he preached in Ireland 30. yeares before S. Dauid was borne whose birth was in this time Tâ—â—ginta S. Gildas and S. Caratocus were now renowned annis ante natiuitateÌ„ sanct Dauid Episcopi in Hibernia coâ—uersari â—â—pit Multos populos in Hibernia ad fidem coÌ„uertit And it seemeth by the old Writer of S. Cadoc his life that he was euen in this Age a renowned man hauing besides S. Cadocus now renowned his holy conuersation and preaching in Britaine both in the part now named EnglaÌ„d as that called Scotland 7. yeares He went on Pilgrimage three times to Hierusalem seuen times to Rome and once to the holy Relicks of S. Andrew newly brought hither in this Age by S. Regulus as I shall set downe So S. Goudwall an holy Bishop or Archbishop heareafter where he was admonished by an Angell to stay and preach 7. yeares S. Gudwall also was renowned in this Age both in Britaine and other place Gudwà lus BritaÌ„niae finibus ortus ex nobili prosapia of Noble pareÌ„tage he was Manuscr Ant. de vit S. Gudwal Capgrau in eod Sur. Tom. 3. Molan add ad Vsuard Franc. Haraeus 6. Iun. Auth. of Engl. Martyr die 22. Febr. 6. Iunij brought vp in learning was consecrated Preist and after Bishop and by some an Archbishop in this Kingdome And that he might more quietly giue himselfe ouer to the contemplatiue life placing a worthie Bishop and Successor in his Pastorall charge and place went into a Monastery within his Diocesse hard by the Sea and there with an hunded and fourscore Monkes liued a most holy and Miraculous life He and his holy company in seuen ships went ouer into Flamders and preached there where by some he died and was first buryed at BlaÌ„dine neare GaÌ„t but Capgraue with the Antiquities which he followeth affirmeth his body was buryed heare in Britaine in an I le called then Plecit where it rested with greate honour vntill the Christian Britans bannished out of their Country by persecuting Pagans carried his holy Relicks with them and buryed them in that Monastery of Blandine Peractis
Sancti Patricij in commemorata Insula permanserunt So we see the ouerraging Persecution of Dioclesian did not disperse or hurt them And in the generall spoile of the Pagan Saxons in this kingdome when an other abomination of desolation was heare in Britaine this holy house still enioyed both Monkes and an Abbot called Morgret and was so fare from destruction or ruine thereby that it then receaued more libertie and a new endowment the King of Domnonia giuing Gulielm Malm. l. de Antiq. Glast vnto it the land called Inswitrin in the 601. yeare of Christs Incarnation Anno Dominicae Incarnationis 601. Rex Domnoniae terram quae appellatur Inswitrin ad Ecclesiam vetustam concessit ad petitionem Morgret eiusdem loci Abbatis And it appeareth by this Authour that he had seene the originall Charter itselfe thereof for besides his setting downe the very names of the Abbots to whome it was granted and the Bishop Manuto who wrote the Charter and signed it with others Ego Manuto Episcopus hanc Chartam scripsi he addeth of the King that granted it that the scedule was so old whereon his name was writen that it could not be knowne Quis iste Rex fuit scedulae vetustas negat scire In the Danish Inuasion and Persecution some of those Infidels did attempt to spoyle it but being Miraculously stricken blinde and therevpon penitent for their wickednes and receauing their sight by the meanes of the blessed Virgin Mary they caused a pretious Crosse of curious work of gold siluer and pretious stones to be made and offered it in the old Church in memory thereof multi eorum audientes sanctitatem huius loci ne matrem misericordiae alios quorum inibi corpora pausant ad Iracundiam prouocarent recesserunt Sed tamen intrauerunt nonnulli nec impunè Nam Virgo faecunda arma Iustitiae concutiens omnes caecitate mulctauit quos postea paenitentes quod iniquè gesserant detestantes misericorditer illuminauit Denique facta collatione Crucem eleganti satis opere ex auro argento pretiosis lapidibus fabricauerunt Ecclesiae veteri ad huiusce miraculi monumenta obtulerunt And this holy place was made as a common Sanctuary to Religeous persons in such stormes and tempests to preserue themselues the holy Relicks of Saints and such sacred things there from Pagan Persecution THE XXV CHAPTER OF THE GREATE HONOVR AND REnowne of our old Brittish Apostolike Order of Religion from the comming of S. Ioseph of Aramathia in the yeare of Christs Natiuitie 63. without any discontinuance or Interruption by some and very short time after his death by all many hundreds of yeares in greate perfection without any change or alteration to be named a Mutation of Monasticall Rule being the Mother or Nurse of Monasticall holy life to many Nations and Religious Orders in them by which also many Countryes to Christ were conuerted 1. IF after so long a Circuite of time and inuolued with so many difficulties to hinder vs from certaine knowledge of such The most holy and auncient Apostolike Order of Glastenbury there setled by S. Ioseph of Arimathia Chastitie obedience pouertie things we are desirous to make some estimate what was the Rule of this holy Order it somewhat appeareth by that is said and is resembled in our Histories and diuers obseruances thereof kept in such strict Orders as afterward borrowed them from hence The three Vowes or states of perfection of chastitie pouertie and obedience necessary in all such conditions of life were diligently and exactly performed in this Order Cōcerning obedience at and before the first comming of S. Ioseph of Aramathia with the rest hither S. Ioseph was ordained their Superior by the Apostle which directed them hither his praefecit amicum suum Ioseph ab Aramathia qui Dominum sepeliuit Flos Aramathiae Ioseph est primus eorum So writeth William of Malmesbury the Antiquities of Glastenburye Capgraue and others who keepe a successiue continuance of most of their Guliel Malmes l. de Antiq. Caen. Glast Io. Capgr Catal. in S. Ioseph ab Aramat Antiq. Glaston Abbots after both in the Britans and Saxons time who Ruled them and to whome they were obedient Iure Abbatis rexit The pouertie which these men with the contempt of Riches professed is sufficiently declared in forsaking all they had of their owne and liuing by their labour and such things as at the first were giuen vnto them by Infidels in a strange Country And after King Lucius was conuerted they had nothing but the Almes of Christians and their owne paines and Industrie to sustaine them and yet these not at their owne but Abbots disposition The holy place wherein they liued being left so long and strangely desolate without man woman or childe after the death of S. Ioseph and his companions the substitution of Monkes in the same number of 12. by S. Damianus and Phaganus and the continued succession in that number their names registred their so often assembling and meeting euery day in the holy Church The greate chastitie is remembred of them which be most mentioned by Historians no marryed or vnchaste woman euer inhabiting there by any Antiquitie giueth a warrant boldly to say they liued in perpetuall sacred chastitie 2. If we will follow the more common opinion of Antiquaries that the Miraculous man S. Patricke the Apostle of Ireland was Abbot there and giue allowance to the old Manuscript Epistle asscribed vnto him we must Their holynesse and austeritie of life say their austeritie of life and deuotion were wonderfull For he saith of the twelue which were there in his time and whose names for their honour he setteth downe that he was not worthie to vntye the buckles of their shewes non dignus eram soluere corrigias calceamentorum eorum And yet we reade of him in approued Authours that he was one of the most holy vertuous and Miraculous men that euer liued omni namque Die Psalterium cum canticis himnis ducentis orationibus cantauit offerebat corpus Christi docebat Discipulos turbis praedecabat in omni hora signo crucis Christi centies signabat se In prima vero noctis parte centum Psalmos canebat ducentis vicibus genua curuabat a pullorum cantu in aquis stabat donec adimpleret orationes suas post haec dormiebat super lapidem nudum alterumque sub capite eius posuit tunicam pelliceam habebat circa lumbos suos in aqua tinctam he did euery day singe the Psalter with canticles and himnes and two hundred prayers he offered the sacrifice of Christs body taught his Disciples preached to the people and in euery hower signed himselfe an hundred times with the signe of the crosse of Christ In the first part of the night he sunge an hundred psalmes and bowed his knees two hundred times and from the crowing of the cocke he stood in the water vntill he
Age he was disabled for such a Iorney Further they which hold he was Bishop of Churr◠in Germany and Martyred there say this Martyrdome of his there was about the yeare of Christ 182. when I haue proued him liuing and King still in Britaine 9. yeares after Besides they say that S. Emerita his Sister went with him and was Martyred there also But it is euident by our Histories that our first Christian King Lucius had neyther Brother Sister nor childe but he was vnicus patris and begotten of King Coillus in his old Age hauing no other childe Anno gratiae 115. natus est Coillo Regi Britonum vnicus filius Matth. Westm an 115. Pontic Virun Hist Brit. lib. 4. quem vocauit Lucium qui factus est patri gaudium exultatio quia in senectute quasi ab haerede destitutus genuerat eum Whereby is euident that this King Lucius had neyther Brother nor Sister named Emerita or any other And with what probabilitie can it be affirmed that a King so holy and louing of his Countries good and quiet hauing no Christiā heire to succeede him would or in conscience could forsake his natiue Country and subiects in such a case that were in iustice belonging to his cheifest chardge which no other could execute to preach vnto forreyners which many of his subiects and others could and at his request would most willingly haue performed We reade in Histories that many descended of Regall Race haue in such cases bene taken forth of their Monasteries and Religeous Conuersation to gouerne kingdomes destitute of heires but that a King so vertuous wise louing and beloued of his Country hauing no such heire to succeede him but by such course to expose and leaue his kingdome to so many certaine miseries calamities as fell vpon Britaine by the death of King Lucius and probably were foreseene of all wise men did might would or could take such a course Antiquities haue no example iustice denieth it charitie cannot allowe it Further I shall proue hereafter that S. Emerita called the Sister of S. Lucius was the Sister of Lucius Sonne of Constantius and Helena and so neyther daughter of King Coillus nor Sister to our first Christian King Lucius and so he could not be that Lucius which preached in Germany Aegid Schudus in descript Rhethiae cap. 15. 5. And where they say he was Bishop of Curia Aegidius Schudus a German Writer proueth that Curia was not then builded no such Citie in that Country nor long after and therefore with Caspar Bruchius in his Catalogue of the Bishops of that Citie and others as well German and other Writers maketh Caspar Bruchius in Catal. Episc Curien in Init. the first Bishop of that place aboue two hundreds of yeares after the time of our first Christian King Lucius Bruchius saith it was not a Bishops See vntill about the 440. yeare of Christ Episcopatus Churensis vel Curiensis in Rhetis vnus ex vetustissimis Germaniae Episcopatihus caepit circa annum Christianae Redemptionis 440. and maketh Asimo the first and Puricius or Pruricius the second Bishop thereof Thus these German Writers themselues and others of them eyther doubt of or deny that History Iohannes Nauclerus much vrged Ioannes Naucl. in Chron. gener 6. pag. 565. for this Relation maketh it onely a report fertur and ouerthroweth the History of the Church of Curre so much stood vpon for this matter in confessing that by this History that Lucius which is said to haue preached in Rhetia was conuerted by S. Timothie the Apostle S. Paules Scholler dead long time before our S. Lucius was borne Sebastian Munster saith plainely that Sebast Monster Cosmogr l. 3. cap. 344. whereas there is a vulgar reporte à vulgo persuasum habetur he maketh no more of any Lucius preaching there that one Lucius peeached in that place if it were so it could not possibly be our first Christian King Lucius for he neuer went out of Britaine but very godly liued and died heare Britanniae ille Rex qui circiter Annum Domini 190. floruit patriam nequaquam exiens piè apud suos obdormiuit Caspar Bruchius also doth plainely reiect all that Historie as Caspar Bruchius in Catal. Episc Curien propè Initium Manuscr Gallic Antiq. An. 296. it is applyed by some to our King Lucius and among other reasons addeth that the greate difference of yeares will not permit it to be true Numerus Annorum non conuenit An old French Manuscript Historie ioyneth in the same and leaueth him liuing dying and buried in Britaine And if we come home to our owne Historians and Antiquities most likely to make the most true and King Lucius died and was buried in Glocester in the Cathedrall Church there certaine Relation of this their so renowned King they set downe the yeare the day and particular place of his death and the very Church one of his owne foundation where his body was enterred The day and yeare they haue remembred before the 201. yeare of Christ the third day of December Matth. Westm ann 201. Antiq. Eccl. S. Petri in Cornhill Lond. Galfr. Monum Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 1. Ponticus Virun Brit. Hist l. 5. in initio Matth. Westm 201. in Chron. Compilatio M. S. de gest Brit. Anglo in Lucio Manuscr Hist Gallicar Princip Or que nous sommes In Lucius Caxton Histor part 4. in K. Lucius Manuscr Hist Antiq. in Lucio Antiquit. Eccl. S. Petri in Cornhill Londini Harding Cronic c. 51. f. 44. Theater of great Brit. l. 6. c. 9. §. 18. Aegidius Schudus de Prisca Rhetia Hermanus Schedelius c. 3. Stowe Howes Hist Titul the Romans in Marcus Aurelius Antonius Harrisō Descriptiō of Britaine c. 9. S. Lucius body after translated to other places or some part thereof For the place our old Brittish History saith he died at Glocester and was with honour buried there in the Cathedrall Church In vrbe Claudiocestriae ab hac vita migrauit in Ecclesia primae Sedis honorificè sepultus est So likewise writeth Ponticus Virunnius vitam finiuit in vrbe Claudiocestriae sepultus Matthew of Westminster setting downe the time as before saith also he died at Glocester and was honorably buried there in the Cathedrall Church Inclitus Britannorum Rex Lucius in bonis actibus assumptus Claudiocestriae ab hac vita migrauit ad Christum in Ecclessa primae Sedis honortficè sepultus The same hath an ould Manuscript called Compilatio de Gessis Britonum Anglorum where in Lucio is sayed in vrbe Gloucestriae obijt in Ecclesia primae Sedis honorificè sepultus est The old Authour of the French Manuscript which beginneth or que nous sumes saith at the last he died at Gloucestre and was interred in the Church of the Cheife See Del primer See Our old English Chronicle saith he reigned with much honour and after died and lieth at Glocester so hath an
Iul. Capitolin in Macrino Matth. Westm an 214. Flor. Wigorn. Chron. an 226. Marian. aetat 6. in Macrin Mart. Polon in Macrino Henr. Hunt Hist l. 1. Dio in Macrino Eusebius l. 6. c. 15. Henr. Hūt Hist l. 1. Matth. West An. 215. Martin Polon alij Marian. aetat 6. in Heliogabalo Florent Wigor Chron. an 229. 207. that name succeded in the See Apostolike of Rome And Bassianus being as before murthered Macrinus a Mauritanian or Moriscan by Nation with his sonne Diadumenus or by some Diadumenianus obtained the Empire but they were both slayne by their owne souldiers rebelling against them when they had bene Emperours but one yeare and two moneths After whome Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Heliogabalus or Elagabalus sonne of Bassianus Caracalla before spoken of was chosen Emperour by the Armie his Mother was named Soemiades or Semiamira the daughter of Mesa Sister to Iulia the Empresse the second wife of Seuerus and this Soemiades or Semiamides was Sister to that most renowned Christian Lady Mamea Mother to Alexander the Emperour Henry of Huntington and Florigerus asscribe 4. compleate yeares to the Empire of Heliogabalus adeptus imperium tenuit 4. annis Martinus alloweth him not fully so longe a Regiment Yet Marianus saith with Roman writers that he was Emperour 4. yeares and 8. Moneths Marcus Aurelius Heliogabalus Antonini Caracallae filius regnauit annis quatuor mēsibus 8. iuxta Historiam Romanam Florentius Wigorniensis hath the same words both for that continuance of his Empire and Authoritie of the Roman History affirming it that he was true and immediate next King of Britaine not onely during the time of his Empire but in that space also when Macrinus and his sonne Diadumenus were Emperours euen from the death of Antoninus Bassianus Caracalla his Father the vndoubted King of Britaine both by his Fathers and Mothers Title For allthough Martinus saith that Seuerinus sonne of Bassianus was Emperour with his Father Antonius Caracalla imperauit annis Martin Polon Supput An. 212. in Anton. Caracalla in Macrino Marc. Anton. alij Septem Seuerinus filius eius yet seeing this Authour who so writeth consenteth with all others that Macrinus immediately succeeded to Bassianus Caracalla and Heliogabalus to Macrinus he must needs to iustifie that his testimonie of Seuerinus being Emperour with Bassianus his Father say that this Seuerinus died with his Father or before or was the same sonne of Bassianus which others doe call Heliogabalus Marcus Antoninus and other names which Heliogabalus is stiled by in Histories 2. While these things were acted with the Romans the state of Britaine was also vnquiet and allthough Heliogabalus and his brother Seuerinus also if Bassianus had any such sonne was next true King of Britaine yet neither of them enioyed it For by all writers one named Carausius was King of Britaine not onely next after Bassianus but by diuers Authours some time also while he liued giuing an ouerthrowe either to Bassianus the Emperour or Matth. Westm an 286. rather some Lieutenant or generall of his of the same or like name heare in Britaine and so made himselfe King of Britaine After whome by our Brittish Historie and Ponticus Virunnius Asclepiodotus Duke of Cornwayle was made King deposing Alectus sent hither against Carausius with three Legions Galfr. Monum Hist lib. 5. cap. 4. Pont. Virun l. 5. Matth. Westm An. 292. 293. 294 Harding Cron. c. 56. 57. Galfrid Mon. l. 5. Pontic Virun l. 5. Hard. Chron. cap. 59. Matth. Westm 302. Catal. Reg. Brit. alij Matth. Westm Ann. 286. Will. Harris Descript of Brit. Hollinsh Hist of Engl. l. 4. c. 23. and as Matthew of Westminster and Harding write was King three yeares vntill Asclepiodotus deposed him Next to Asclepiodotus was King Coel Father to the most renowned Empresse S. Helena married to Cōstantius Emperour and Mother to Greate Constantine their sonne our most glorious King and Emperour after which time our History will not be so obscure and confused as now it is For as in the Succession of these I haue remembred there is question so concerning the time of their gouernement and their conuersation also whether it was Christian or otherwise it is not free from difficultie Antiquaries agree that Carausius was next King to Bassianus Therefore when Matthew of Westminster and some others would not haue Carausius to be King vntill about the 286. yeare of Christ it must needs be an error either in them their Scribes or Printers for it is euident before and all the Roman Writers proue that Bassianus was dead many yeares and diuers Emperours had succeeded longe before this time and Matthew of Westminster himselfe saith that Bassianus making warre against the Parthians was circumuented slaine of his Enemyes betweene Edessa and Carras in the yeare of Christ 213. Anno gratiae 213. Bassianus Imperator contra Parthos bellum mouens Matth. Westm An. 213. Otto Frising Chron. l. 3. c. 29. Floren. Wigorn. an 204. 226. Marian. aetat 6. an 218. in Caracallo inter Edessam Carras ab hostibus circumuentes occisus est which was aboue 70. yeares before he bringeth Carausius to attempt any thing for the Crowne of Britaine Florentius Wigorniēsis followeth the like accompt and setteth downe the very place of his death there to be Osdroena And Marianus affirmeth the same with the Roman Histories saying it was in the yeare of Christ 218. And both our old Brittish History and Ponticus Virunnius who giue the greatest light in this matter say plainely that Carausius liued in Bassianus time Bassianus regno potitur Eo tempore fuit in Britannia Inuenis quidam Galfrid Mon. Hist Reg. l. 5. c. 3. Pont. Virun l. 5. nomine Carausius And add further that Carausius ioyning with the Picts which Fulgenius had got together against Seuerus Father to Bassianus fought with his Army and ouerthrowing it was made King of Britaine Prodiderant Bassianum Picti quos dux Fulgenius matris suae frater in Britanniam conduxerant Nam dum ei auxiliari debuissent promissis donarijs Carausij corrupti in ipso praelio diuerterunt se a Bassiano in commilitones eius irruerunt Vnde stupefacti caeteri Galfr. Pontic supr cum ignorarent qui socij qui hostis ocius dilabuntur Victoria cessit Carausio Qui vt triumphum habuit regnique gubernaculum suscepit dedit Pictis locum mansionis in Albania vbi cum Britonibus mixti per sequens aeum manserunt And these Picts and Scots must needs be those of which the Scottish Historians write when they say Bassianus made peace with them and the Britans which followed Fulgenius and so went from hence to Rome Icto cum Scotis Pictis Hector Boeth Scotor Hist l. 6. fol. 88. 89. Galfr. Virun sup faedere dataque pace Fulgentio ijs qui cum eo coniurauerant Britonibus Romam cum patris vrnâ contendit And whereas the Brittish History and Virunnius say
Christian Britons in one day Factoque agmine denso inuaserunt Romanos vna die omnes interfecerunt And their Leader Gallus cōtemptuously throwne into a brooke taking name thereof as our Protestant Antiquaries with Antiquitie thus deliuer Asclepiodotus recouered Britaine and slew the Romans Captaine named Liuius Gallus neare vnto a brooke there at that time running into which brooke he threw him by reason whereof it is called in Brittish Nant Gallon since in Saxon tongue Gallus or Wallus Harding supr c. 56. Galfr. Monll 5. c. 5. Virun lib. 5. Matth. Westm an 294. brooke and to this day the streete where some times the brook rāre is called Walbroks And proueth the History of this Brooke both by publike Records and Inquisitions 5. Asclepiodotus vpon this Victory was crowned King of Britaine by Parlament saith Harding and by common consent of the people as both the Brittish History Virunnius and Matthew of Westminster write being Duke of Cornwall before Triumphatis Romanis caepit Asclepiodotus regni diadema capiti suo populo annuente imposuit All these last Writers except Matthew of Westminster say Dioclesian his Persecution began heare in his time of which I shall speake hereafter And it seemeth that diuers Historians not obseruing that Constantius was heare twice marrying S. Helen the first time and the second time receauing her againe when Maximian the persecuting Emperour had forced him to putt her away doe there vpon vary much about the yeares of our Kings in those times An old Manuscript Chronologie doth say Bassianus reigned 27. yeares Carausius whome yt calleth Carēcius 39. yeares Alectus 15. yeares Asclepiodotus 10. yeares Coel 4. yeares And after him his Sonne-in-Lawe and daughter Constantius and Helen 11. Matth. Westm an 295. Catal. Reg. Brit. supr Hollinshed Hist of Engl. c. 23. in Asclepiod Hollinsh Hist Engl. supr yeares The Protestant Cataloge of our Kings hath told vs that Asclepiodotus reigned 30. yeares The same hath Hollinshed calling it the common accompt of our Chroniclers And by the same Authours and diuers others King Coel in the later end of whose reigne the Romans by Constantius came in againe was King 27. yeares Thus he writeth of this matter Coelus Earle of Colchester began his Dominion ouer the Britans in the yeare of our Lord 262. Thus Coelus or Coell ruled the Land for a certaine time so as the Britans were well content with his Gouernment and liued the longer in reste from Inuasion of the Romans because they were occupied in other places but finally they finding time for their purpose appointed one Constantius to passe ouer into this I le with an armie the which Constantius putt Coelus in such dread that immediately vpon his arriuall Coelus sent vnto him an Ambassadge and concluded a peace with him couenanting to paye the accustomed Tribute and gaue to Constantius his daughter in marriadge called Helen a noble Ladie and learned Shortly after King Coell died when he had reigned as some write Cap. 27. supr Fabian Matth. Westm Galfrid Monum Pont. Virun Harding supr Manuscrip Antiq. pr. Regnū Brit. Compilatio M. S. de gest Bri. Angl. Lib. M. S. qui vocatur Scala mundi Sozomenus Hist Eccles l. 2. c. vlt. Euseb l. 4. de Vita Constantin Socrates Eccles Hist l. 1. c. vlt. Eutropiusl 10. Hier. in Chron. Ruffin l. 1. c. 11. Bal. cēt 1. in Flauio Constantin Stow. Histor in Cōstant Holins Hist of Engl. l. 4. c. 29. Bal. Cent. 1. in Helena Flauia 27. yeares And then he setteth downe as all other Antiquaries doe Constantius Father of Constantine the greate our next King And this he calleth the common opinion of our Writers Which I finde not onely in our printed Historians but in diuers Manuscripts not wanting Antiquitie for their warrant though among them there is difference about the yeares of the reignes of those Kings all consenting they reigned and succeeded one to an other heare as hath bene related 6. And we must eyther say Coelreigned long was twice King or not King when Constantius marryed S. Helen his daughter but after toward his death or els contradict all Antiquaries Greeks or Latines Christians or Pagans Catholiks or Protestants in the Historie of the Age and Empire of the most renowned noted and honorably remembred Emperour that euer was in the world Constantine the Greate For they all agree that he dying about the yeare of Christ 340. was then 65. yeares old hauing bene Emperour aboue 30. yeares and as Sozomen with others proue was at the least when he began to reigne 34. yeares of Age Constantinus circiter quintum sexaginta aetatis suae annum moritur Ex quorum annorum numero triginta vnum regnauit The like hath Eusebius duos triginta annos extra paucos menses dies cum Imperio fuit eundemque annorum numerum vita duplicabat Socrates saith vixit Imperator Constantinus annos sexaginta quinque triginta vnum regnauit Eutropius saith his Age was 66. and his Reigne 31. yeares S. Hierome and Ruffinus for the Latins agree with them Our Protestants say he died in the 66. yeare of his Age and the 32. of his Reigne è vita decessit senex aetatis suae anno 66. Imperij 32. à Christi Incarnatione 339. the 339. yeare of Christ And by all in the yeare 340. at the furthest The like Argument I may vse by the life and death of his blessed Mother S. Helena in all Iudgments dying before her Sonne being about 80. yeares old then and but a young Virgin when she was marryed to Constantius his Father One of our cheifest Protestant Antiquaries and not so plainely receauing the former Order in our Kings doth confirme it further saying Helena liued 79. yeares and then departed Holinsh. supr l. 4. c. 29. this life about the 21. yeare of her Sonnes reigne Her Sonne the Emperour Constantine liued till about the yeare of Christ 340. after he had ruled the Empire 32. yeares and odd moneths Therefore both he and all others must needs allowe the Reigns and Successions of our Brittih Kings before remembred and in a manner free this kingdome from the Romans in their times as also make it euident that the Roman Emperours neither did nor could raise any Persecution against our Christians in Britaine except in the time when Constantius first came hither in the dayes of the Emperour Aurelianus about the 3. yeare of his owne Empire and yeare of Christ 273. and marryed Helen Daughter of Coel then or after King or both which no Antiquitie affirmeth but all deny it or the short Reigne of Alectus vntill the comming of Maximian the Tyrant hither in the time of Asclepiodotus as the common opinion is THE IX CHAPTER OF THE POPES OF ROME IN THIS TIME how by all writers euen the Protestants themselues they were holy men and both they and other learned holy Fathers in this time were of the same faith and Religion which
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
enoblest it with thy birth And an other ô fortunata nunc omnibus beatior terris Britannia quae Constantinum Caesarem vidisti O happy Britaine that first of all sawest Constantine Of this Helen her Religion finding the Crosse good deeds in walling London and Colchester which in honour of her they say beares a Crosse betweene foure Crownes and for the Inuention she is yet celebrated in holy Roode-day in May and of this Constantine her Sonne a mightie and Religous Emperour that in this ayre receaued his first light and life our Britons vaunt not vniustly as in that spoken to King Arthur Rob. Cloestren Now it worth iended that Sibile the sage biuore That there ssold of Britaine thre men be ybore That ssold winne the aumpire of Rome of tweye yed it is As of Bely and Constantine and thow art the thredde ywis Which very words were publikly iustified also by Hoelus King of litle Britaine Hist Brit. l. 9. ca. 17. Galfr. Mon. Hist Bri. l. 9. c. 16. Old Engl. Manuscr Hist c. 52. Caxtō Hist part 5. f. 50. Harding Chron. c. 80. f. 74. Camden Romans in Britaine pag. 74. edit ann 1610. and it is registred both in our olde Brittish and Saxon Histories both Manuscripts and others that Constantine sonne of S. Helen was Ancestor to King Arthur and others of this kingdome Which must needs be by his Mother S. Helen a Britan and of the Regall Race of this kingdome for by Constantius his Father a stranger heare Constantine could not be Ancestor to our Kings of Britaine The other cheifest Protestant Antiquary writeth in this manner euen in his last Edition Constantius what time he serued in Britaine vnder Aurelian tooke to wife the daughter of Caelus or Caelius a Brittish Prince on whome he begatt that Noble Constantine the Greate in Britaine For so together with that greate Historiographer Baronius the common opinion of all other Writers with one consent beareth witnesse vnlesse it be one or two Greeke Authours of late time and those dissenting one from the other and a right learned man grounding vpon a corrupt place of Iulius Firmicus This is that Helen which in antike Inscription is called venerabilis pijssima Augusta and for Christian pietie for cleāsing Hierusalē of Idols for building a goodly Church in the place where our Lord suffered and for finding the sauing Crosse of Christ is so highly commended of Ecclesiasticall writers And yet both Iewes and Gentils termed her by way of ignominy and reproach Stabularia because she a most godly Princesse sought out the Cribbe or Manger wherin Christ was borne and in the place where stood that Hostelry founded a Church Heareupon S. Ambrose they say that this Lady was first an Inholder or Hostesse c. Capgraue Manuscr antiq in Vit. S. Helenae Capgr in ead Annal. Aquitan apud Bouchet l. 1. cap. 5. and the old Manuscript of S. Helens life affirme the like saying the Iewes in hatred of her in doing so many holy Christian deeds derogatory to their profession and building so glorious a Church ouer the holy Cribbe where Christ was borne raised that slaunder Impijssimi Iudaei cum tanta bona ab Imperatrice in eo rum opprobrium facta cernerent ipsam inter se ex inuidià stabulariam vocauerunt eo quod supra stabulum tam vilem locum eis admodum exosum tam nobilem Ecclesiam aedificauit The Annalls of Aquitane where her children lyued and say she discend from our King S. Lucius shall be cited in the next Chapter The error of them which deferre her marriadge vntill Constantius comming hither after Asclepiodotus death is palbable For by that accompt as of Matthew Westminster Constantine was but an Infant 5. yeares olde when after Constantius his Fathers death he was both King of Britaine and Emperour For he setteth downe their marriadge in the yeare of Christ 302. and in the yeare 307. saith he was declared Emperour Anno gratiae 307. Constantinus Matth. Westm an 302. 307. Harding Chron. ca. 62. Constantij Helenae filius in Britannia ex Rege Imperator creatus And others by that mistaking make him litle older But they are to be vnderstood of the reconciliation of Constantius to S. Helen after the death of Theodora not his first taking her to wife being allmost 30. yeares before in the time of Aurelianus Emperour for after he had married S. Helen in Britaine at that time and had ruled this kingdome no short space he went againe from hence to Rome and returned hither the second time as is manifest before when be dyed heare Which many more Authours both Manuscripts and Manuscr antiq in Vit. S. Helenae Io. Capgr Catal. in eadem others confirme in this manner Cum illam S. Helenam in Thori societatem accepisset Constantius generauit ex ea filium quem appellauit Constantinum Ipse vero Constantius cum regno Britanniae aliquandiu potiretur Romam reuersus And then they bring him hither the second time and lyuing heare diuers yeares and dying at Yorke as others haue done before Britanniam rediens post annos Manusc Cap. supr Pomponius Laetus compend Rom. Hist in Constantio Chloro vndecim apud Eboracum morti subiacuit regnum filio Constantino reliquit Leauing the kingdome to his eldest sonne Constantine And this is euident by the time of Constantine his Age and Reigne before remembred out of the most auncient Histories of this matter and such as no man willing to retaine the name of an Antiquary may deny I add to this that Constantine at his Fathers death was a marryed man then marryed vnto Fausta daughter of Maximianus Herculius the Tyrant and by him made Augustus and yet Panegyric 1. in nuptijs Constantini Faustae Baron Annal. an 307. was marryed to an other wife before as the Authours of that time are witnesses and had Priscus his eldest sonne by this former wife named Mineruina Of which all Histories both Christian and Pagan are plentifull THE XII CHAPTER OF THE OTHER THREE CHILDREN OF CONstantius and S. Helen and particulary of two of them S. Lucius and S. Emerita renowned and glorious Martyrs for holy Christian Religion among forreine Pagans S. Lucius an holy Bishop preaching it to them in Germany 1. HAVING thus euidently cleared the Historie for the birth and Education of these two greate Glories of the world the Mother and sonne in Britaine I ame to speake some thing of other children this happy Empresse S. Helē had in this Nation by her husband Cōstantius for allthought the greatnes of that greate Emperour Cōstantine doth in the Histories of that time drawe all mens pens and eyes to describe and beholde his splendor and renowne and in some sort eclipse the honour of diuers others renowned in those dayes yet we finde in auncient memorable Antiquities that S. Helen had other children besides Constantine whereof some were in their lyues renowned in S.
Engl. l. 4. c. 27. Stowe Howes Hist Titul Romans in Coil Galfr. Mon. lib. 5. c. 6. Hist Reg. Bâ—â—t and pleased them in vexing and tormenting Christians heare in Britaine yet otherwise he was very vnpleasing to them per omnia Romanam potestatem turhauerat He troubled the Roman Power in all things and therefore they were glad of his death Ponticus Virunnius himselfe a Roman saith they did esteeme him their greate enemy and as for such an one reioyced of his death Romani gauisi sunt tanto hoste interfecto And this Ioy was not onely of particular Roman Persecutours but of the whole Senate which ruled cheifely in matters of Estate Cumque id Senatui nuntiatum est gauisi sunt propter Regis mortem quia per omnia Romanam potestatem turbauerat Therefore when our Antiquities assure vs that Coel obtinuit Regnum obtayned the kingdome Regni diademate se insigniuit And Regni diademate potitus was Crowned and as an old French Manuscript speaketh reigned ouer Britaine regna sur Bretaigne and was thus enabled and made powerable to redresse what he found offensiue and wicked being absolute King and ioyfully so receaued of the Britans as our Historian said before Wherefore Britains were all full glad and fain Of King Coilus that succoured all their pain And he himselfe taking exceptioÌ„ to Asclepiodotus next to his chardging him with vsurping the Crowne for being too barkward in resisting the RomaÌ„ persecutors would not now fall into the like error with him but as is proued already succoured all their paine vtterly ceased the PersecutioÌ„ against the ChristiaÌ„s of Britaine which were thus Ioyfull of his CoronatioÌ„ thereby releiued redeemed theÌ„ froÌ„ their afflictioÌ„s all his time Which both by our owne forreine HistoriaÌ„s Catholikes ProtestaÌ„ts coÌ„tinued to the end of this third huÌ„dred of yeares the RomaÌ„s hauing no power heare either to persecute ChristiaÌ„s or to any other purpose But as our Brittish other Histories testifie wholy lost their gouernmeÌ„t heare vntill after the death of King Coel or the coÌ„ming of CoÌ„staÌ„tius his sonne in Law hither the second time very litle before King Coel his death Recolentes damnum quod de amisso regno habuerant Our Scottish Historians say that King Coel vtterly destroyed both the Romans and all the Britans also which were their Fauourers and set forth a seuere Edict to search forth all Romans and Britans which had followed them heare and caused them to be punished and put to death and so with most ioyfull and generall applause of the people Nobles and others that the crowne of Britaine was thus restored to the true Heyre of their Regall blood was crowned King and Hector Boeth Scot. Hist l. 6. f. 101. he established the kingdome in the Brittish gouernmeÌ„t againe Coel Victor factus Asclepiodotum Romanum Legatum cum Romanis Praesidijs quibusdam Britanis Nobilibus Romanorum fautoribus interemit Confectoque praelio Britonibus caeteris in fidem receptis vt summa potestas ad regiam progeniem cui impie fuerat adempta aliquando rediret populus omnis laetis acclamationibus Patribus authoribus ipsum Coelem regnare iubet Ille Primoribus regni ac populo quod regnum sibi detulissent gratijs actis vt regnum sibi stabiliret atroci iubet Edicto Romanos qui eorum sequebantur partes quoscunque Britannici sanguinis viros perquiri inuentos varijs extingui supplicijs So that now so seuere a Lawe being made and executed both against the persecuting Romans and all such Britans as had ioyned with them against the Christian Inhabitants of this Nation and all this done by the Authoritie of our King and with the consent both of the Nobilitie and people Primoribus regni populo we must needs end the persecution of Christians heare with the beginning of King Coel his Reigne 5. And it could not be singular in this point if we should hold that King Coel was actually a Christian and not onely a friend to such for first all they which affirme him to haue bene Kinsman or Heyre to our first Christian King S. Lucius easily proue him a Christian for such a man would not leade either child or any Kinsman which by him had that Title to haue any other theÌ„ Christian education Secondly by the time of his age whether he was to King Lucius so neare or no we must needs confesse he liued most part of his life when Christianitie florished in this kingdome being an aged man before Dioclesian his PersecutioÌ„ began Thirdly our Historians say that his daughter S. Helen which had her education by his direction was instructed taught in the Christian faith in fide Catholica instructa at que edoÌ„cta A late writer thus speaketh of this with his older Author Helena was first instructed in the faith of Manuscript antiq in Vit. S. Helenae Capgr in ead Harris Hist l. 4. c. 4. Petr. de Natal l. 7. c. 73. Christ by Coil her father as Petrus de Natalibus saith And yet if we encline to this opinion we may easely answeare them that will obiect the publike vniuersall restitution of Christian Religion as building Churches Monasteries and such holy Foundations was not in his time For by the common opinion his reigne was short litle or not aboue foure yeares A great part whereof was spent in extirpating the Persecutors and the rest in preparation Matth. Westm an 302. Galfrid Mon. l. 5. Hist c. 6. Virun l. 5. Harding Chron. c. 60. f. 48. to resist a new Inuasion of the Romans not reigning in quiet and securitie from these troubles and feares the space of two moneths by any Writers And so after so great and terrible tempest of Persecution it was a wonderfull comfort and happines for the Brittish Christians to enter into such a calme and quiet to liue in securitie and rest freed from their former miseries vnder so renowned a King which was all he could doe or they expect in such times and circumstances THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORIE OF GREAT BRITAINE THE FOVRTH AGE THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORIE OF GREAT BRITAINE THE FOVRTH AGE THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE GREATE PEACE AND QVIET THE Church of Britaine enioyed during the whole life and Reigne of Constantius Emperor and King heare in Britaine and Constantine his sonne by Sainct Helen was heare brought vp in Christian Religion 1. BEING now to enter into the History of the fourth hundreth of yeares we finde the estate of the world and Church of Christ as we left theÌ„ in the last Age S. Marcellinus Pope of Rome cheife Ruler in the house of God on earth the holy Cleargy and other Christians liuing in Persecution and Dioclesian MaximiniaÌ„ the persecuting Emperors in all places where they did or could ouersway afflicting them with most cruell miseries in Britaine lately redeemed from their bloody tyranny by King Coel still reigning heare we liued still in rest and quietnesse free both from
of the old Church of Winchester Manuscr Antiq. Eccl. Winton Marian. Scot. an 306. Martin Pol. An. 307. Manuscr Ant. Gall. ann 306. Matth. West ann 305. 307. Baron Spondan an 306 Gordan an 306. Iacob Grynaeus annot in c. 15. l. 1. Euseb de Vit. Constantini Anno 308. Henric. Hunt l. 1. Hist in Diocletian Constantio Regino Chron. l. 1. in Constant an 253. Stowe Howes sup Hist in Constantius that being destroyed with the rest in this late Persecution it was perfectly reedified in the yeare of Christ 309. and so either was in building or warranted to be builded in the dayes of Constantius then or so lately before by all accompts lyuing and reigning heare that it could not be done without his warrant or allowance The like we say of the Churches of S. Iulius and S. Aaron and other Martyrs of that time and all both Cathedrall Churches and others destroyed heare by Maximian that most cruell horrible faced man as Henry of Huntington calleth him Maximinianus vir crudelissimus vultu horrendus after whose leauing the Empire Christians were quiet heare as he saith and restored to their former liberties And as Regino writeth not onely in Britaine but generally where he ruled both Bishops were restored to their priuate Sees and many other things graunted for the profit of Christian Religion Constantij Temporibus pace Ecclesijs reddita Episcopi priuatis sedibus restituuntur alia plura Christianae Religioni profutura And particularly saith that the Monastery of Treuers was begun in his time Then much more in Britaine where he was both absolute Emperour and King to commande and no man daring to resist him To this our Protestant Antiquaries haue giuen sufficient allowance when they graunted vnto vs that Constantius abolished the superstition of the Gentils in his Dominions especially in Britaine where he now liued King and Emperor and so in abolishing the Pagans Rites and obseruances for dislike of them and loue to Christian Religion must needs for his short time be an extraordinary Aduancer thereof But when he had thus The death of Constantius in Britaine his great loue then of Christians and that Religion happily begun this holy worke in reparing the ruines of the Church of Christ in this kingdome and before he could bring it to due and his desired perfection he fell sick at the Citie of Yorke where soone after he deceased Yet in this short time of his sicknes his greatest care was to leaue and commit this his charge both concerning his Empire and this kingdome to his eldest sonne Constantine now liuing sonne of S. Helen who as he hoped for many reasons would be most ready and willing to maintaine and defend true Religion and with Iustice gouerne his subiects 5. And to this happy choise as both Zonoras and Pomponius Laetus doe Zonaras Annal. Tom. 2. in Constantino Pomp. Laet. Rom. Hist comp in Constātino Max. Euseb l. 1. de Vit. Constantini c. 18. Iac. Grynaeus annot in eum locum plainely testifie before and Eusebius and others sufficiently insinuate he was admonished and iustructed by Gods direction and an Ange Ilas is before related Which is confirmed by the effect and euent itselfe not onely of the generall establishing of Christian Religion in the world by Constantine in the time of his Empire but his extraordinary and Miraculous preseruation before he came vnto it and at this very time of his Fathers sicknes strangely escaping the Tyrants hands in Italy and comming safely to his sick Father Constantius at Yorke in our Britaine by the greate prouidence of God as Eusebius noteth who had often preserued him to bringe him hither so longe and dangerous a Iourney at that very time to succeede his Father Deus omnia eius causa faciebat prouide prospiciens vt in tempore praesto esset ad Patri succedendum Euseb Vit. Cōst l. 1. c. 14. And this Authour immediately addeth for presently when Constantine had escaped the stratagems of the deceipts he came with all speed to his Father and Cap. 15. supr after a longe space of time which he had bene absent from him presented him to his sight at that moment Constantius was ready to dye but when contrary to all hope he saw his sonne lepinge out of his bedd he embraced him saying that he had now cast that out of his mynde which onely troubled him at the point of death which was the absence of his sonne And therefore did ernestly pray and giue thanks for it to God affirming that now he rather desired to dye then lyue and setting himselfe in the midst of his children and in his place lying vpon his kingly bedd giuing ouer the Inheritance of his kingdome to his eldest sonne departed this life Thus hath Eusebius then liuing in that time Our Protestant Historians citing other auncient writers Hollins Hist of Engl. l. 4. c. 28. 27. cit Eutr Sext. Aurel. Vict. Niceph Tripart Hist not differing from Eusebius thus translate and epitomate this History from them Whilest Constantine remayned at Rome in manner as he had bene a pledge with Galerius in his Fathers time fledd from thence and with all post haste returned to his Father into Britaine killing or hewghing by the way all such horses as were appointed to stand at Innes readie for such as should ryde in post least being pursued he should haue bene ouertaken and brought backe againe by such is might be sent to pursue him Constantius whilest he lay on his death-bedd somewhat before he departed this life hearing that his sonne Constantine was come and escaped from the Emperours Dioclesian and Maximian with whome he remained as a Pledge he receaued him with all Ioy and raysing himselfe vp in his bedd in presence of his other sonnes and Counsellors with a greate number of other people and strangers that were come to visit him he sett the Crowne vpon his sonnes heade and adorned him with other Imperiall Robes and garments executing as it were himselfe the Constātius crowneth Constantine his sonne Emperor and prophesieth how he should aduaunce Christian Religiō office of an Herald and withall spake these words vnto his saide sonne and to his Counsellors there about him Now is my death to mee more wellcome and my departure hence more pleasant I haue heare a lardge Epitaph and Monument of buriall to wit mine owne sonne and one whome in earth I leaue to be Emperour in my place which by Gods good help shall wype away the teares of the Christians and reuenge the crueltie exercised by Tyrants This I reckon to chaunce vnto me in steed of most felicity Thus carefull was this holy Emperour euen at his death to aduance the honour of Christ Thus he did prophesying how his sonne after him should aduance Christian Religion now by his Father declared Emperour but as Eusebius writeth longe before designed to that dignitie by God King of all Euseb Hist Eccles l. 5. c.
so soone so encounter ouerthrowe three Legions of RomaÌ„ Souldiars besides their adherents as these men say And Eusebius saith that Constantine himselfe came hither againe in Britanniam inuasit and was heare longer after this pretended Reuolt and at his death gaue Britaine his auncient Patrimony to his eldest sonne assignabat auitam sortem grandiori natu filio Againe these men say Octauius was King heare vntill Maximus his time and marryed his onely daughter and Heire vnto him When it is a common consent in Antiquities that this Maximus or Maximianus was not King in Britaine vntill after the 380. yeare of Christ Therefore he must needs be granted to haue bene very youÌ„ge and of too few yeares at the going of Constantine hence for him to commit the gouernment of Britaine vnto him or for himselfe to haue so soone vsurped it against so righfull and a potent King and Emperour 5. And our most auncient and best Historians S. Gildas S. Bede Marianus Gild. l. de Excid conq Brit. c. 10. â—â—â—gebert Chron. Eutrop. Hist Polyd Virgil. Angl. Hist l. 3. p. 49. Stowe Howes Hist in ConstaÌ„t Constantius Iulian Hollinsh Hist of Engl. l. 4. Fast Reg. Episc Angl. Ammian Marcelli l. 20. in init l. 26. 28. Florentius Wigorniensis Ethelwerdus Henry of Huntington and William of Malmesbury allthough as diligently as they could recoÌ„pting our Kings of Britaine neuer mention any such Octauius or Octauian But the cheifest and most auncient of them S. Gildas plainely saith that this Iland was at this time and vntill Maximus or Maximian a Britan tooke vpon him the Empire a Roman Iland Insula nomen Romanum tenens And diuers Historians both late and auncient Catholiks and Protestants doe particularly set downe our Kings after Constantine the Greate Roman Lieutenants heare vntill these dayes as Constantine Constantius Iulian Valentinian Gratian Emperours our Kings Martinus Lupicinus Nectaridius Theadosius Fraomarius and other Roman Lieutenants and Gouernours heare And when the Councell of Ariminum was kept about the yeare of Christ 360. and the 23. yeare of Constantius sonne of Constantine the Greate it is certaine that this Constantius was our King in Britaine and bore the chardges of the poorest Bishops of this Kingdome as then vnder his gouernment which were present there and he was so farre from loosing Britaine or any other Country of his Empire then that as Sozomen and others testifie that Councell thus wrote vnto him at this time sic tuum creuit Imperium vt vniuer si orbis terrarâ—m gubernacula teneas Epist Ariminen Concil ad ConstaÌ„tiuÌ„ Imp. apud Sozom. Histor l. 4. c. 47. His Empire was so encreased that all the world was vnder his Gouernment This was aboue 20. yeares after the death of the greate Constantine in whose time this Reuolt of Britaine from him is thus supposed and aboue twyce so longe time of the imagined vsurpation heare by Octauius And Zonaras writeth that this Constantius in the 14. yeare of his Empire bannished or rather carried with him S. Athanasius into Britaine at his comming hither Eodem anno 14. Magnus Athâ—nasius à Constantio in Britanniam deportatur Ioa. Zonar tom 3. Ann. f. 117. c. de Constantio Constante 6. Therefore I dare not to assent that in this time of the greatest florishing Estate of the RomaÌ„ Empire the Power thereof in Britaine especially from whence the glory of it grew to that greatenes eyther Octauius or any other so much preuailed heare to barre the Emperours of that honour But he might towards the time of Maximus or Maximianus when the Empire had more enemyes and lesse power preuaile in some such sort as these Historians haue writen of him allthough they differ also in Maximianus aswell as in Octauius One saith he was the sonne of Trahern vncle to S. Helen Maximian Harding Cronc c. 63. f. 51. Galfr. Monum Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 9. Pontic Vir. Hâ—st l. 5. Matth. Westm An. 379. Harding supr King Traherne his sonne to Constantine next Heire others affirme he was sonne of Leolinus an other vncle of S. Helen greate vncle to Constantine Leoninus Constantini auanculus ipsum genuerat And erat patre Britannus à Leolmo Constantini auanculo procreatus matre vero Natione Romanus ex vtraque parte regalem originem ducens And one of them saith Octauius was King but 14. yeares ending with the beginning of Maximian his reigne And so we may well allowe such an Octauius to haue borne the name of a King in Britaine in those troblesome dayes of the Romans ruling heare diuers petty Kings being probably at that time in this Nation aswell by the testimony of these Authours which then make Octauius King as others So they terme Conanus a King that Maximian tooke his Kingdome from him cui Regnum Britanniae eripuerat So was Dionotus King in Cornwayle Dionotus Rex Cornubiae So was his Galfr. Monum l. 5. c. 1â— 15. Pontic Virun l. 5. Matth. Westm an 390. 392. Manuscr Antiq. in vit S. Niniani Capgr in eod Bal. l. de Script cent 1. in Niniano brother Carodocus before him Dionothus qui fratri suo Caradoco in regnum successerat And yet vnder our cheife King and Emperour Maximian at that time Cui Maximianus Insulae principatum commendauerat And S. Ninian who lyued Bishop heare in the end of this Age had Kings for his Ancestores Regali ex prosapia beatus Ninianus extitit oriundus And yet the greate distance of the place of his birth from King Coel and these remeÌ„bred argueth he was not of their Line And all these Kings or Regents heare were most certainely by our Antiquities Catholike Christians 7. Therefore the Temporall State in respect of any of theÌ„ could not be any The falling of CoÌ„stantius Emperor to the Arrian Heresie a great hurt to Catholike ReligioÌ„ in many places hinderance but rather help and furtherance to the increase of Christian ReligioÌ„ in their time But it was rather the Heresie of Constantius the Arrian Emperour which hindered the glory of true Religion then in this Kingdome as it did in other places and Countries of the world if it did not so much florish heare theÌ„ as in his blessed Father CoÌ„stantine the Greate his Empire And yet we may be bold to affirme that the State of our Brittish Church euen in The kingdome of Britaine as free as any from the Arrian Heresie those distempered dayes when the holy Writers of that Age complaine the allmost whole Christian world to haue bene polluted with the ArriaÌ„ Heresie was as renowned for our Bishops and Cleargie and as free from that infection as any Nation was We haue heard before that our renowned Archbishop of London Restitutus with diuers others Bishops of this Kingdome was present at the greate Councell of Arles celebrated diuers yeares after CoÌ„stantine went from Britaine to Rome And allthough we doe not expressely finde it writen of
cheife in the Conuersion of Britaine 262. 4. S. Elueus Bishop of Meneuia 586. 12. S. Elueus baptised S. Dauid ib. S. Emerita whose Sister she was 348. 4. S. Emerita bannished out of Britaine 414. 2. S. Emerita martyred 402. 2. An Epitome of some Roman Emperours 391. 1. Eridon or Criclade an Vniuersitie in Britaine 206. 8. S. Euaristus succeeded to S. Anacletus in his Papall dignity 192. 1 S. Euaristus borne of a Iew called Iudas 192. 1. S. Euaristus ruled the Church in greater quietnesse then any before ib. S. Euaristus sent a Legat to perswade Coillus King of Britaine to become a Christian 193. 2. S. Euaristus by all accoumpts died in the time of Coillus ib. S. Euaristus martyred 195. 1. S. Eubulus named by S. Paul probably the Father of S. Claudia a Britaine 58. 6. S. Eusebius Pope instituted the Feast of the Inuention of the holy Crosse 463. 1. Eusebius a Subdeacon of Rome sent into Britaine by S. Pius 228. 2. S. Eutichianus Pope Martyr 385. 16. S. Eutichianus buried with his one handes 300. Martyrs 385. 17. F. S. Fabianus miraculously chosen Pope 378. 4. S. Fabianus his Decrees ib. S. Fabianus condemned the Heresies of the Nouatians Helchites ib. S. Fabianus martyred 379. 4. The Faith of Christ preached in America and by whome 32. 4. Fastidius not improbably Archbishop of London 591. 3. Fasting vsed in the primatiue Church 136. 2. 190. 5. S. Felix Pope and Martyr 385. 15. S. Felix Decrees ib. S. Felix 2. substituted in the Papacy for Liberius by the Arrians 556. 1. S. Felix throwne out of the Church by the Romans 557. 2. S. Felix excommunicated Constantius for his Arrian Heresie 558. 3. S. Felix martyred ib. Fergusius King of the Scots a restorer of Monasteries 605. 12. or 608. 12. Fincomarke King of Scotland 582. 6. Fincomarke Successor to Crathlint 583. 6. Finnanus King suffered any that would to adore the trew God 10. 3. The word Flamen not knowne vntill Numa Pompilius daies 281. 2. Flamens why so called ib. The Flamens malice against Christians 197. 3. The Flamens Sees turned into Bishops seats 275. 5. Flamens v. Archflamens France neuer esteemed a barbarous Nation 117. 2. France once called Galatia 119. 5. The Romans altered the name into Gallia 120. 5. The limits of France 118. 3. France farre remote either from the Artike or Antartike Pole 117. 2. France the place where the Romans children were accustomed to be instructed in learning and ciuility 118. 2. The French had learning before the Gretians 118. 2. Free-will taught by S. Cyprian 380. 8. S. Fridolin a Princes sonne of Britaine 594. 4. S. Fridolin preached in Britaine and else where ib. S. Fugatianus v. Damianus Fulgenius contends with Seuerus for the Kingdome of Britaine 369. 1. Fulgenius gathered an army of Picts against Seuerus 369. 5. Fulgenius slew Seuerus in a Battle at Yorke 368. 4. Fulgenius mortally wounded in the same battle 370. 1. Fulgenius had no Title to the kingdome of Britaine ib. G. GAlba Emperour but 6. mōths 165. 1. Gallienus recalled all Edicts against Christians 387. 1. or 397. 1. Gallienus giueth free liberty for Christian Religion ib. The Gaules deuided into the Gaules of Europe and those of Asia 118. 3. Gaules in Asia described ib. The Gentils generall Conuersion mentioned by the Prophet Malachy reserued to the honour of Britaine 541. 1. Genuessa Queene of Britaine Aruiragus wife 121. 8. S. German a Monke of Lirinum 332. 8. Germany when first so called 119. 4. The Germans worshipped none for Gods but such as they could See 243. 3. Gildas a Brittish Writer stiled The wise 194. 2. Tow other Britan Writers of the same name 112. 1. Who they were and where they liued and died ib. Gildas Cambrius a noble Britan Poet. 158. 7. Gildas Cambrius probably brought Martials Epigrams into Britaine ib. S. Gildas Albanius a renowned Preacher in Britaine and when 385. 11. S. Gildas Albianus famous for miracles 603. 9. S. Gildas Albianus builded himselfe a Cell 603. 9. S. Gladusa Daughter to Braghan a noble Britan. 585. 10. S. Gladusa married to King Gundleus ib. Glamorgan an Vniuersitie in Britaine 206. 8. Glastenbury a Towne in Somersetshire 127. 1. Glastenbury Monastery once a solitary desert 123. 1. Glastenbury called the second Rome for the multitude of Saints buried their 106. 5. 324. 3. Glastenbury Monastery renewed by the assistance of King Lucius 309. 7. Glastenbury Religious men all dead before the time of King Lucius 322. 1. Glastenbury found out by S. Damianus and S. Fugatianus 323. 2. or 321. 2. Glastenbury inhabited a new by 12. of S. Damianus and Fugatianus companions 324. 3. The Churches builded their by them ib. Glastenbury Churches Indulgences ib. Glastenbury Monkes cōtinued their many hundread yeares 326. 5. Glastenbury not ruinated either by the Roman Saxon or Danes Persecution 326. 5. Glastenbury miraculously preserued from the destruction of the Danes 327. 5. or 328. 5. Glastenbury Monkes chastitie pouertie and obedience 327. 1. or 328. 1. c. Glastenbury Monkes holines and austerity of life 328. 2. Glastenbury Monkes eate onely fruites hearbs and bread 329. 4. Glastenbury Mōkes did drinke onely water 329. 5. Glastenbury Order and Monastery the most auncient of all the world 330. 6. Glastenbury the Mother of diuers Orders ib. Many Apostolike men and Orders that came into Britaine ioyned with those of Glastenbury 331. 7. Glastenbury Monkes much different from the Monks of any newe Order that came into Britaine 333. 9. Glastenbury Monastery wether destroied by Maximian renewed by Constantine doubtfull 470. 4. The names of the Monkes liuing at Glastēbury in S. Patriks time 599. 1. Glocester once Caerglou built by King Aruiragus 132. 2. Gnostik Heretikes giuen to all filthinesse 366. 2. Gnostikes accompted for Christians with Pagans ib. Gnostikes the cause of Persecution against Christians ib. God without beginning or ending was caused by no other 243. 3. God onely to be adored ib. The Celestiall bodies witnes that there is a God ib. No God could be consecrated by the Emperour amongst the Romans without approbation of the Senat. 15. 6. S. Gudwall brought vp consecrated Preist and Bishop in Britaine 586. 11. S. Gudwall enters into a Monastery ib. S. Gudwall preacheth in Flāders ib. The time of his death ib. The place of his buriall ib. Guiderius King of Britaine 27. 7. Guiderius denied tribute to the Romans 23. 8. Queene Guenhumar receaued the habit of a Nunne and where 603. 9. S. Gundleus leaues his Kingdome to his sonne Cadocus 585. 10. S. Gundleus great austerity of life ib. H. THe Hand-kerchif wherewith S. Veronica wiped our Sauiours face brought to Rome 13. 3. The same receaued with great reuerence by Tiberius ib. It healed his incurable disease ib. Where it is to be seene at this present ib. Heirgustus King of the Picts a Christian 575. 6. Heirgustus suffered by Maximus to reigne quietly for a small tribute ib. Heirgustus great reuerence to S. Andrews
Reliques 588. 3. Heirgustus builded a Church to S. Andrew ib. S. Helena borne of noble Parents in Britaine 392. 2. S. Helena the sole heire and daughter to King Coel. ib. S. Helena was not borne in Bithinia 392. 3. S. Helena but younge when she married Constantius 377. 6. S. Helena the lawfull wife of Constantius 392. 3. From whence it came that she was called Concubine 393. 1. 397. 6 S. Helens sumptuous pallace 395. 4. S. Helenas lands about Treuers probably descended to her by her Mother 395. 5. S. Helenas Sanctitie of life 395. 4. S. Helenas beauty learning and other qualities 398. 8. Whence first called Stabularia 400. 9. S. Helena in some sort may be called and Inholdresse 397. 6. S. Helena the Mother of 4. Children 401. 1. S. Helena alwaies a Christian 406. 1. c. S. Helenas guifts to the City of Treuers 407. 2 S. Helena not baptized by S. Syluester 408. 3. S. Helena compelled to depart from Constantius 414. 2. S. Helena perswades Constantine to persecute the Iewes 478. 1. S. Helena neuer a Iew or corrupted by such 478. 2. S. Helena departed not out of Britaine with her sonne Constantine 478. 2. c. S. Helena present at Rome at the Roman Councell consented to it 480. 4. S. Helena visiteth the holy lande 513. 1. S. Helenas great labours in finding out the holy Crosse 515. 8. c. The time she found the Crosse 463. 2. S. Helena sent part of the Crosse and the Nailes to her sonne 519. 20. S. Helena builded a new City called Hierusalem 521. 1. S. Helena buildeth a sumptuous Church at our Sauiours sepulcher 521. 1. S. Helena waites on two Nunnes in Hierusalem 522. 5. S. Helena founded a Religeous house of Nunnes 527. 23. S. Helena builded a Tēple where she found the holy Crosse 522. 7. S. Helena founded diuerse other Churches 522. 7. sequent S. Helena turned the Potters fielde into a buriall place for strangers 525. 19. S. Helenas happy death 527. 23. The yeare of the same 527. 26. Two Cities builded in her name 527. 25. S. Helenas body carried from Rome to Constantinople 528. 24. The day of her festiuity 528. 25. Heliogabalus Bassianus sonne chosen Emperour 372. 3. Heliogabalus name and linadge ib. Heliogabalus trew heire to Britaine but neuer enioyed it 373. 2. Heluius S. Ioseph of Aramathias nephew 124. 1. Heluius came in S. Iosephs company into Britaine ib. Hengistus his murders 600. 4. Hengistus destroies Monasteries ib. Heraclius a Souldiar conuerted and how 440. 3. 442. 1. Heraclius his desire of Martyrdome 442. 1. Heraclius beaten and cruelly brused 443. 2. Heraclius cured by touching S. Albans head ib. Heraclius buried S. Alban ib. Heraclius martyred ib. Hermes the cheife Prefect of Rome conuerted by S. Alexander Pope 197. 3. Herod declared by the Senat King of the Iewes 5. 5. Herod builded Cesarea in honour of Augustus ib. Hiberia a Country so called in Armenia 28. 5. A Hierarchy acknowledged by Protestants in the Church 93. 1. c. The Hierarchy of Archbishops Bishops c. setled in Britaine by the Popes Authority 272. 1. c. The Hierarchy of the Church of Britaine deriued from S. Aristobulus 93. 2. The Hierarchy instituted by S. Peter in Britaine did continue without interruption vntill Queene Elizabeths Protestant Persecution 41. 1. S. Higinius Successor in the Papacy to Sainct Telesphorus 208. 2. S. Higinius his Religeon by English Protestants testimony in thinges now questioned by them ib. S. Higinius carefull of the conuersion of England 209. 3. S. Higinius sent a letter to King Lucius to further his conuersion 211. 5. S. Higinius Martyred 219. 1. Hildebertus the learned Tutor of Coelius Sedulius probably Archbishop of Yorke 590. 1. or 560. 1. Historians deputed vnto the Emperours reigne the yeare werein he died 201. 1. Historians mistooke in setting donne the time of King Lucius conuersion 220. 3. Historians often mistaking the name of Pope Eleutherius 221. 3. Hugh Earle of Shrewsbury dieth a miserable death and why 567. 5. I. S. Iames the Apostle preached not in Ireland 25. 1. S. Iames preached in Spaine 26. 2. S. Iames preched only to the Iewes in Spaine 27. 5. S. Iames cōuerted according to some but 9. persons in Spaine 26. 2. Idolaters sacrificed in Groues and woodes 241. 1. All Idols fell to the Ground at the entry of our Sauiour into Egipte 6. 7. S. Ioseph of Aramathia inclosed by the Iewes in a close Prison 136. 1. S. Ioseph watched by the high Preists themselues ib. S. Ioseph Miraculously deliuered from them 136. 2. S. Ioseph came into Britaine and when 22. 6. 106. 1. S. Ioseph the first foūder of a Monasticall life in Britaine 110. 4. S. Ioseph the most auncient of any Regular Abbot in the schoole of Christ 331. 8. S. Iosephs comming made doubtfull by some others wholy denie it ib. S. Ioseph was not sent hither out of France by S. Philip the Apostle 111. 1. S. Ioseph with S. Philip amongst the Gaules of Asia 120. 7. S. Ioseph came from parts not farre distant from where S. Philip preached ib. S. Ioseph landed about the North part of Britaine 121. 7. S. Ioseph probably directed into Britaine by S. Peter 121. 9. S. Ioseph was present at the Assumption of our Lady ib. All S. Iosephs Associats vowed chastitie vntill their arriuall in Britaine 124. 1. Diuers of S. Iosephs companions Noble personadges and some of our Brittish kings descended from them ib. S. Ioseph imprisoned in Venodocia 125. 2. 127. 1. S. Ioseph sett at libertie by a Noble man whome he conuerted to the faith 125. 2. S. Ioseph extreamly persecuted by the Iewes 126. 2. S. Ioseph with his associats preached litle 128. 2. S. Ioseph and his companions at the first gaue themselues to a Monasticall and eremiticall life 128. 2. c. S. Ioseph admonished by an Angle builded a Church to our Lady 109. 2. 128. 2. 129. 3. 136. 2. S. Ioseph releiued in his necessities by our B. Lady 329. 4. S. Ioseph did not actually conuert to the faith of Christ either King Aruiragus Coillus or Marius 131. 1. S. Ioseph how named an Apostle 135. 1. S. Ioseps praiers and duties to our B. Lady 136. 2. S. Ioseph makes Crosses and other pictures 138. 5 S. Ioseph brought hither reuerenced Relickes ib. S. Ioseph his death 170. 3. S. Ioseph buried and where ib. S. Ioseph his sonne a Bishop in Britaine 97. 9. S. Iosephs sonne consecrated Bishop by S. Peter or his Disciples ib. King Iosinas ouerthrew Idolatry 10. 3. Iouinian created Emperour 570. 1. Iouinian refused to be Emperor ouer Infidels ib. Iouinian made choise rather to leaue the warre then sacrifice to Idols ib. Iouinian allwaies a constant Catholike 571. 3. Iouinians short raigne 371. 2. Ireland named Ierna 28. 7. Irelands other names ib. Ireland by Britaine not conuerted in Constantins time 503. 6. c. In Ireland no Christian to be named before S. Patritius his time 26. 2. The
obedient to the See of Rome 354 Chap. v. How the Emperour Seuerus which came into Britaine and ruled heare King after Lucius was of the Regall Race of the Britans and true heyre to the Crowne heare and so of others reigning heare after him 362 Chapt. vj. Of the state of Christians especially in Britaine in the time of Seuerus vnder whome allthough in some parts there was greate persecution of Christians yet not heare in Britaine but the Christians were heare in quiet without affliction 365 Chap. vâ—j How in the time of Bassianus sonne of Seuerus being Emperour â—e was both in Britaine whence he was discended and other places he was a friend to Christians and Persecutour of their Persecutours How sainct Zepherine the Pope then sent diuers Apostolike men into Britaine 369 Chap. viij How very many Kings with variable proceedings Ruled heare in Britaine before Constantius Father to the greate Constantine by sainct Helen our Brittish Lady yet the Christians heare were quiet from Persecution in all or most of their time 372 Chap. ix Of the Popes of Rome in this time how by all writers euen the Protestants themselues they were holy men and both they and other learned holy Fathers in this time were of the same faith and Religion which the present Roman Church and Catholiks now professe and Protestants deny and persecute 377 Chap. x. Of sainct Mello or Mellon a Britan sent Archbishop by Pope Stephen from Rome to Rhoan in Normandy Of sainct Mellorus a Noble Brittish Mâ—rtyr and a Prouinciall Councell of Brittish Bishops heare in Cornewalle in this time 386 Chapt. xj Containing an abbreuiate of some Roman Emperours and inuincibly prouing that the most holy Queene and Empresse S. Helen was a Britan of Regall Race the onely true and lawfull wife of Constantius Emperour and Constantine the Greate their true lawfull Sonne and Heire borne in Britaine 391 Chap. xij Of the other three children of Constantius and sainct Helen and particularly of two of them sainct Lucius and sainct Emerita renowned and glorious Martyrs for holy Christian Religion among forreine Pagans S. Lucius an holy Bishop preaching it to them in Germany 401 Chap. xiij That sainct Helen was all her life an holy and vertuous Christian neuer infected with Iudaisme or any error in Religion And that Constantius her Husband long liued and dyed a Christian and protected both Britaine and other Countries vnder him from Persecution 406 Chap. xiv By what wicked plotts practises and deuises Dioclesian and Maximian began and prosecuted their wicked Persecution of Christians in Britaine and how Constantius was innocent and free therein 413 Chap. xv When and by whome the Persecution called Dioclesians Persecution began in Britaine long before the Martyrdome of sainct Alban and many heare then martyred before him and in what sense the Title Protomartyr or prioritie in Martyrdome is yet duely giuen to him 417 Chap. xvj The wonderfull excesse and extremitie of this Persecution of the Christians in Britaine in generall and the most greuious torments miseries and afflictions they endured with theire renowned sanctitie constancie and patience 422 Chap. xvij Of diuers holy Martyrs most cruelly putt to death at Wincester Caerlegion and other places in Britaine long before the Martyrdome of S. Alban with their greate honour and renowne 426 Chap. xviij How sainct Amphibalus a Brittish Bishop and many holy and learned Preists of the Britans in this Persecution went to the Scots and Picts were reuereutly receaued of them and preached liued and continued there in greate Sanctitie and left greate Succession of such there after them 429 Chap. xix The returne of sainct Amphibalus from the Scots to the Britans his comming to the house of sainct Alban at Verolamium and preaching vnto him the miraculous vision and Conuersion of sainct Alban their exceeding zeale deuotioÌ„ deliuery of S. Amphibalus at that time 433 Chapt. xx Of the holy and most constant faith deuotion charitie sufferings miracles and Martyrdome of S. Alban 438 Chap. xxj The constant profession of Christ by the holy Souldiar Heraclius conuerted by the Miracles of S. Alban and his Martyrdome in at the same time and place with sainct Alban 442 Chap. xxij Of very many conuerted to Christ by the miraculous death of sainct Alban and after going to sainct Amphibalus to be fully instructed by him suffered Mattyrdome and being a thousand in number were diuers from the 1000. Martyrs at Lichfeild and those neare Verolamium 445 Chap. xxiij The Martyrdome of sainct Amphibalus and many others with him oâ— at that time and place and wonderfull numbers conuerted then to Christ by the Miracles then there shewed 447 Chapt. xxiiij How by Coilus being King and preuayling against the Roman Persecutours and their adherents heare the Persecution in Britaine ceased 450 THE FOVRTH AGE THE I. CHAPTER OF the greate peace and quiet the Church of Britaine enioyed during the whole life and Reigne of Constantius Emperor and King heare in Britaine and Constantine his sonnè by sainct Helen was heare brought vp in Christian Religion 457. or 475 Chapt. ij Of the finding the holy Crosse by S. Helen in Constantius his time His Christian life and death and crowning his sonne Conflantine Emperour heare in Britaine 462 Chap. iij. Of the coronation and Christian beginning of Constantine the greate Emperour and the generall restoring and professon of Christian Religion in all places of Britaine then 467 Chap. iv Of Constantine his profession of Christ his miraculous victories against his Pagan Enemies restoring and establishing Christian Religion and exalting the Professors thereof in all his Empire 470 Chap. v. The miraculous Baptisme of Constantine at Rome by S. Syluester Pope He was an holy and Orthodoxe Emperour to his death and both in the Greeke Church and with those of the Latine honored and stiled an holy Saint 474 Chap. vj. That S. Helen euer professed herself a Christian neuer ioyned with but against the Iewes Was in Britaine when Constantine was baptized in Rome and after going from Britaine to Rome was there with Constantine present at the Roman Councell consenting to the Decrees thereof 478 Chap. vij Of the presence at allowance and receauing of generall Councells by our Emperor Constantine our Archbishop and other Bishops of Britaine togeather with the doctrine then professed in those Councells and after practised in Britaine 482 Chap. viij The generall establishing endowing and honoring of Christian Religion Bishops Preists other Clergy men chast and Religious parsons in all places of the Empire by Constantine 486 Chap. ix ConstaÌ„tine did not prolonge his Baptisme so long as some write He was not baptized by an Arrian Bishop neuer sell into Arrianisme or any Heresie 489 Chap. x. The vndoubted truth of the donation and munificent enritching of the Church of Rome by Constantine the greate Emperour 497 Chap. xj Of the settling of the Imperiall Seat at Bizantium or Constantinople and Conuersion of or setling the Christian faith
Britans so soone to embrace the doctrine of Christ. Thus write our best learned English ProtestaÌ„t Antiquaries with greate priuiledge Which inference of the Britains speedy conuersion to Christ although I doe not remember in Tertullian but is perhaps added by these men yet the effect of that illation is contained in Tertullian when he placeth the Tertullian contra Iudaeos Plin. Strab. Tacit apud Boeth l. 2. Iul. Caesar commorer Gallic l. 1. Theater of Brit. supr l. 6. Holinsh. and Stowe hist Hector Boet. Scotor hist l. 2. fol. 23. Britans among the first Christians That which is alledged from Postellus And others of the Druides prophesies of Christ is further confirmed by other vndeniable authorities for graunting as Iulius Caesar Plinius Strabo Tacitus and after them British English Scotish French and other histories doe witnesse that the cheife Schooles and Doctours of the druides were here in Britaine from whom they of France receaued instruction and direction Druidum religionem asseuerant ortam in Britannia inde in Galliam translatam 2. We are assured that this prophesie and doctrine among the Druides that a Virgin should conceaue and bring fourth such a wonderfull child as our Sauiour was was so publike and of such credit and authority in these parts that by regall and highest power and commaund Churches were builded and dedicated in honour of that mystery longe before the Blessed Virgin â—egende de l'Eglise de Chartets François Bellforest Cosmograph l. 2. p. â—03 in Indice D. Druides Mary was borne It is related by the auncient Annals and Register of the most auncient Church of the city of Charters in France Francis Belleforest and other historians in this manner Druides ils croyoient qu il deuoit naistre vne Vierge en terre laquelle enfanteroit le salut des hommes The Druides did beleeue that a Virgin should be borne on earth which should bringe forth the saluation of men This caused Priscus Prince of Charters to make an Image of a Virgin Franc. Bellefor Cosmograph l. 1. col 110. Hector Boeth hist l. 2. f. 22. 23. Ex Veremund Campobel Cornel. Hybernic holding an Infant in her Armes which he placed among the statues of the Gods of the Gentiles To which he offered sacrifice Which gaue occasion to the rest of the contrie to doe the like and gaue Reuenewes to the temple sacred to this Virgin and offerings before she was borne And this opinion continued there with them vntill after the death resurrection and Ascension of Christ the sonne of God And when S. Sauinian and Potentian were sent into those parts by S. Peter they found the people about Charters Orleans and those places honouring the memory of the Virgin which should bringe forth the sonne of God and in honour of her made a temple many ages plusieurs siecles before Christ was incarnate And so founde no difficulty to bring them to the faith of Christ and dedicated this Temple to our ladie as also S. Aduentine a disciple also of S. Peter the first Bishop of Charters did the like And the constancie of these there conuerted was so greate That when Quirinus Proconsul of France persecuted the Christians there he cast many of the faithfull Christians into a well within or vnder the same Church which is called the pit of valiant Saints 3. The like we must needs coÌ„clude of the Druids of this kingdome who in respect of those in France were Masters and Superiours and the Religion of those there deriued from them of Britaine whose cheife Seate being in the Isle of Man had so auncient a residence there that it was giuen them either by King Iosinas or his sonne and immediate Successour Finnanus an hundred yeares before Christ was borne And so greate knowledge of the true God and worshippe of him was in this Kingdome at that time that King Iosinas ouerthrew Idolatry and by publike decree commaunded the onely true God of heauen to be worshipped Viuentis Dei coeli cultuÌ„ authoritate instituit And although his sonne King Finnanus did permit or allowe idolatrie after Deorum simulachra restituit omnibus veneranda yet he did not forbidd but permitted and suffered all that would to worshippe the true God onely as his father Iosinas had ordained Hand tamen viuentis Dei caeli cultum patris authoritate institutum abolendum decreuit cuique faciens potestatem Deo quem elegerit libandi 4. The Scottish histories ascribe this reformation to two learned men whome they take to haue beene Preists of Spaine driuen by tempest in sayleing vpon this coast And we finde that in the time of King Salomon Spaine being tributary to him many true beleeuers and expecting the coming of the Messias were in the Kingdome of Spaine and among these his noble Ald. Minut. l. de Inscripi vrb Hispan 3. Reg. c. 5. seruant Adoniram very honorably mentioned in holy Scripture in the third booke of Kings sent for that tribute died and was buried there with this inscription Hebrwe This is the graue of Adoniram Seruant of King Salomon which came hither to exact tribute and died here Hoc est sepulchrum Adoniram Serui Regis Salomonis qui huc venit vt exigeret tributum mortuus est Aldus Manutius an eye witnesse thus testifieth And that the body was preserued with Balsamum And we reade that some of them expressely beleeued in Christ to come and prophesied of him longe before he was incarnate For we find that in the yeare 1230. a Iew at Tolletum in Spayne digginge in the grounde found a Zistus Senen Bibliothec. in Christo stone in which there was a most old booke in which amoÌ„g other things this was written in the third world or third age of the world the soÌ„ne of God shall be borne of the Virgin Mary and shall suffer for the saluation of men and that this booke should be fouÌ„d at that time to wit in the time of Feranda the virgin Castile and presently the Iew with his whole family was baptized In tertio mundo filius Dei nascetur de Virgine Maria pro salute hominum patictur 5. Neither did this knowledge of the true God by the Scots take the first beginning at that time of King Iosinas but carrieth as great antiquitie with them as that nation doth If we may beleeue Their best Historians which Hect. Boeth l. 1. Scot. hist fol. 1. 2. Rich. Stannys hurst in hist Hibern holinsh hist of Scotl. Buchan Rer. Scot. l. 2. Io. Harding Chronicle c. 50. f. 42. Et Melkinus vel Meto apud eundem supr deduce their name and Originall from Scota a daughter to King Pharao of Egypt that persecuted the Israelites in the time of Moyses for she being married to Gathelus and Driuen with her husband and company out of Egypt by the greate punishments God then imposed vpon that nation they were so fully persuaded of the maiesty of the true God of Israel and the
Iewes were scourged and intrapped for their vniust refusing by the same way which thy did preferre For as they preferred the Emperour reiected Christ so the iust permission of God did styrre vp their owne Emperours against them in such sorte that both the Senatours themselues were almost all deuoured and the whole citie most horribly afflicted for the space almost of 300. yeares together After the Passion and Resurrection of Christ this foresaied Tyberius Nero liued 6. yeares during which time no persecution was stirring in Rome against the Christians through the commaundement of the Emperour 7. And to come home into our owne Contry of Britaine we shall not onely finde all those preparing dispositions to Christian Religion rememored before in the time of Augustus the worshipping of one onely true God the birth of Christ to be borne of a Virgin with Churches founded to that honour still obserued by many and those the wisest best learned and of most integrity of life and conuersation But the time of these figures being now accomplished those professours came nearer to Christianity S. Martiall writeth S. Martial epist ad Burdegalen cap. 2. that he found in his time Temples and altars dedicated by the Druides Ignoto Deo to the vnknowne God Which he in the Apostles time interpreteth of Christ There were also so many in this kingdome then liuing in perpetuall chastity in honour of Christ a virgin borne of the blessed Virgin that as Opimerus Opimerus chronograph in Tyrio Caesare writeth in one Iland of this our British Sea in Insula in Britannico mari belonging to this kingdome there were seuen cheife Rulers in Religion which he calleth by Bishops names Antistites that liued in perpetua virginitate in perpetuall virginity Likely to be the same British Iland whereof Plutarch the Pagan Philosopher and after him Eusebius writeth all whose Plutarchus lib. de Oracul Eus l. â— praeparat Euang cap. inhabitans by the Britans were accompted holy Saints vbi incolae omnes sacrosancti à Britannis habentur We may adde vnto these and from the same approued Authours and others that as in diuers other nations and places drowned in the damnable errours of the Pagan Idolatries in worshipping hellish deuills in the place of God these wicked spirits being now conquered by the death and passion of Christ thereby seing their kingdome to be at an end and desolate did manifestly testifie the same by their silence and forsaking the Idols and Oracles when before they gaue answeares and were honoured Plutarch supr Sueton. Et alij as the Pagan writers themselues euen in whole bookes of that subiect are witnesses so here in our British Iland though so farre distant from the locall passion of Christ the deuils which were adored here for Gods both felt the power and vertue thereof and inforcedly confessed it in as manifest termes and signes as they which were honoured nearer to Hierusalem or rather more expressely and plainely then they did For in other Regions not so remote from Iury they did ordinarily onely confesse it by their silence and ceasing to be worshipped But in Britaine they made manifest so much as they could that the death of Christ had not onely depriued them of that morall life and beeing which they possessed by the idolatrie and false honour yeelded vnto them by their worshippers but that the Passion and death of Christ was a kinde of death euen to their naturall essence and liuing making therevpon a shew to their simple worshippers that they did altogether cease to be and liue valuing a dishonorable life to be worse then death 8. Plutarch Eusebius and others from the testimony of Dimetrius an eye witnesse himselfe with hundreds or rather thousands of Britans here with him seing obseruing and witnessing the same matter thus relate this history in the name person and words of the same Dimetrius a gretian trauayling and present here in Britaine at that time in these termes nauigaui ipse auxilio Plutarch lib. de Oraculis Euseb l. 5. praeparat Euan c. 9. Regis videndi gratia ad proximam Britanniae Insulam Cumque ibi essem magna tempestas in aere commota nimbis fulminibus omnes exterruit Quam rem accidisse Insulares dicebant quia ex daemonibus aliquis deficeret Sicut enim lucerna dum ardeat â—emini noceat extincta vero multis sic magnas animas aiebant propitias esse dum viuant dum verò extinguantur aut corrumpantur aut cum nimbis grandine vt modò pestifero cuncta replent veneno I sayled to the next Iland to Britaine and when I was there a greate tempest being raised in the ayre terrified all men with showers and lightnings which thing the Ilanders said did chaunce because one of the deuils did dye For as a candell so longe as it burneth hurteth no man but being extinguished offendeth many so said they greate soules are fauourable while they liue but when they are extinguished they either are corrupted or fill all places with stormes hayle as they doe now with pestiferous poyson Thus farre Plutarch which Eusebius â—iting addeth thus immediately from himselfe haec Plutarchus animaduerendum Eusebius l. 5. praeparat Euang. c. 9. autem arbitror diligenter quo tempore daemonis mortem fuisse dicit quippe Tyherij tempore Saluator Dominus nester cum hominibus conuersatus omne daemonum genus ab humana depulit vita Habes igitur a summis apud GeÌ„tiles viris non alio tempore vnquam quam temporibus Saluatoris nostri daemones extinctos fuisse Thus Plutarch and it is diligently to be considered at what time he saith the death of the deuill chaunged For in the time of Tyberius our Sauiour and Lord conuersing with men driue all kinde of deuils from mans life Therefore you haue it from the cheifest men among the Gentils that the deuils were not extinguished at any other time then in the times of our Sauiour 9. By which it is made euident in naturall knowledge That the learned Druides and other Philosophers here in Britaine acquainted with all these things at home and vnderstanding by frequent and certaine relation from Rome the mentioned miracles and proceedings concerning Christ and his holy Religion as these Protestants haue before declared and knowing by naturall science in Philosophy that deuils and intellectuall spirits are immortall and cannot dye which they confessed after their pithagoricall manner of the soules of men this imagined death of deuils neuer was heard of vntill the time and passion of Christ They could not but conclude that he had triumphed ouer them and put them to silence and was that sonne of the virgin vnknowne God sonne of God God of heauen and earth the liuing God maker and creatour of all things whom they had so longe expected to be reuealed to the world and many of them in such manner as is related before so longe time had worshipped prayed and sacrificed vnto
giue the first entertainement to the blessed Apostle sainct Peter at his first coming thither as that Roman tradition of that their howse after by marriage with the holy Brittish Lady Claudia their daughter and heire with Pudens the Senator and so long after this coming of sainct Peter to Rome named the howse of Pudens the Senator assureth vs. Which I proue by an other vndoubted tradition of the Romans That S. Peter was 15. yeares in Rome before S. Paul came thither Romani autem dicunt Petrum annis 15. in Roma fuisse antequam Paulus ad Romam venit So writeth our Florentius Wigorniensis with the common consent of Antiquitie and writers both Catholiks and Protestants And the Roman Martyrologe itselfe telleth vs of this Pudens the Senator that he was baptized by the Apostles Qui ab Apostolis Coristo in baptismo vestitus Innocentem tunicam vsque ad vitae coronam immaculate cusiodiuit Martyrolog Rom. antiq die 19. Maij. And there calleth him plainely S. Pudens the Senator Father of S. Pudentiana the virgin S. Pudentis Senatoris patris supradictae virginis Pudentianae So that being baptized by the Apostles sainct Peter and sainct Paul for no others were then in Rome ab Apostlis this could not be by true accompt vntill at the soonest fifteene yeares after sainct Peter was first receaued in that howse And if the Martyrologe could carry that interpretation to vnderstand by Apostolis the Apostles in the plurall number one Apostle no propper constructioÌ„ yet by this frieÌ„dly more then lawfull interpretation he must needs be baptized by S. Peter so also a most vnprobable thing that diuers ChristiaÌ„s then being as before in Rome S. Peter could first coÌ„mit himselfe to a Pagan or Catecumene and he and the Christians of Rome make such an house their cheifest Church place of assembly for diuine things And to put all out of doubt this S. Pudens as I shall demonstrate hereafter in the proper place of him and saint Claudia his wife was either an infant or not borne when S. Peter came to Rome and was first lodged and receaued in that howse which after many yeares by title of marriage with our Lady the Lady Claudia came to be his howse not before but it still remayned in the hands of our Christian Britanes the Parents of that Lady there in Rome For more pregnant Martial Pocta Epigram proofe whereof we are told by him that liued in the dayes of this Pudens by the most common consent of writers both Catholiks and Protestants was well acquainted with him his state and Countrie that this PudeÌ„s was by birth and Countrie a Sabinite farre distant from Rome his howse at Sabinum the cheifest Towne there and no mention of any howse at all which of their owne eyther he or his parents had in Rome when by all testimonies of writers we are told the parents of Lady Claudia being Britanes were dwelling in Rome as hostages among others for this Nation there and without question had an howse there sutable and answerable to their honorable degree and that their daughter S. Claudia was borne there not in Britaine for no Auihour that I reade doth affirme she was borne in this Iland but onely of Brittish parents lyuing in Rome Claudia caerulcis cum sit progmata Martial l. 11. Epigr 54. de Claudâ—a Ruff. Godw. Conuers of Brit. p. 16. Theat of greate Britainel 6. Matt. Parker antiq Brit. p. 2. Io. Pits l. de vir Illustrib p. 72. Authour of conuers part 1. 2. Timoth. 4. Britannis Claudia borne of Britans But not in Britaine onely she is called of the Poet Martial peregrina a straunger as the children of straungers vsually are termed both with vs and other people And the time of her birth and age so conuince as I shall declare hereafter and may be plainely proued from S. Paul himselfe a litle before his death 4. And whereas we finde noe memory at all of any naturall parents of S. Pudens dwelling in Rome we haue sufficient testimony not onely of the permanent dwelling both of the Father and Mother of S. Claudia there before remembred but that by diuers probable Arguments they dwelled in that very howse where Pudens continued with them after his marriage with their daughter and were holy and renowned Christians although their natiue Countrie of Britaine hath hitherto bene almost wholy depriued of their honour and so must needs be by the Roman Tradition the first entertainers God win conu of Britaine p. 17. c. 3 â— Tim. 4. v. 21. of sainct Peter in Rome for as a Protestant Bishop in their common opinion writeth Pudens and Claudia were two young persons but faithfull Christians at that time vnmarried when Paul writ the second epistle vnto Timothie which was in the last yeare of Nero aâ— all men suppose that I haue reade except Baronius and that they were married in the later end of Vespasian or about the beginning of Domitian Therefore Pudens being so young in the end of Nero his Empire Although we graunt him then newly married yet this was by all computations at the least 24. yeares after the coming of sainct Peter to Rome And so it could not possibly be Pudens but the parents of Claudia our Britans that entertained first S. Peter in their house at Rome Who for certaintie being Britans of noble order degree lyuing in Rome as Hostages by all IudgmeÌ„t they enioyed more freedome and libertie in matters of Religion then the Romans did at that time The Emperours of Rome theÌ„ nor long after intermedling with the Britans for matters of Religion but leauing it voluntarie and free vnto them as other Tributaries to vse the Religion of their Contries or as they were best and most disposed priuately at the least euen in Rome itselfe without controlement So by the great mercy prouidence of God the subiection temporall captiuitie or restraint of diuers these our worthie Contrimen proued to be the most happy spirituall freedome in Christ both of those our Hostages there this whole kingdome afterward conuerted to the true faith from thence by this originall so renowned and glorious for euer to this Nation to haue in Rome it selfe the first Harbourers Receauers of that most Blessed highest Apostle S. Peter And thus I haue proued directly both against the Protestant Bishop of England denying it the truth of that Roman Tradition that sainct Peter was first with his holy Disciples receiued in Rome in the house which the Romans truely called the house of Pudens after he was God wyn supr Conuers of Brit. p. 17. c. 3. married to Lady Claudia of this Nation confuting his idle obiection of the young age of Pudens As also the Romans therefore calling it the house of Pudens because so it was in such sence as I haue declared and not truely inducing from thence that therefore Pudens the Roman Senator first entertained
S. Peter there for as I haue proued before this Pudens being a Sabiline and no Romane as of the citie of Rome by birth was neither Senator Christian Catechumen or perhaps not borne at that time and the house was onely called his house because longe after he was owner of it as it was also after called Domus S. Nouati Domus S. Timothaei and S. Pudentianae the house Martyrol Rom. die 20. Iunij 26. Iulij Baron Annot. ibid. Et in Sanct. Nouato Tim. Pudent Praxede Baron in annot 19. Maij. Authour of 3. Conuers part 1. p. 17. Rob. Barnes in vit Pont. Rom. in Pio 1. Martyrol Rom. 20. die Iunijin S. Nouato of S. Nouatus the house of S. Timothie the house of S. Pudentiana the blessed children of S. Pudens and S. Claudia our Contry woman who all successiuely possessed it termed by their name for the time as vsually houses places be by the owners name vntill in the time of Pope Pius the first It was by the Donation of S. Pudentiana absolutely conuerted to a Church and euer since after her death called the Church of S. Pudentiana as the Romane Antiquities themselues and their continually kept tradition together with some English Protestants and others testifie Which before was called the house of them as they possessed it in order or the house of them all sometimes as the old Roman Martyrologe calleth it the house of all those foure children of S. Pudens and Claudia for speaking of them all by name S. Nouatus Tymotheus Pudentiana and Praxedes it addeth horum domus in Ecclesiam commutata Postoris Titulus appellatur The house of these being chaunged into a Church is called the Title of Pastor 5. And it is euident that the Father of the Lady Claudia by all probabilitie God win Conu of Brit. pag. 17. Theater of great Brit. l. 6. §. 6. owner of this house where all his children longe after liued was yet liuing and possessor thereof both now and when S. Peter was first entertained there for Martiall the Poet which liued in this time and wrote in the dayes of Domitian and Nerua long after maketh an honorable memorie of the Father of Lady Claudia then lyuing calling him Socer of Pudens the Father of his wife S. Claudia our Contry woman by parents for the word Socer hath no other meaning then a Father in lawe Father to the wife whose Father in Cooper Rider Thom. Thomas Calepin alij v. Socer Martial l. epigr. saepe Io. Bal. l. de Script cent 1. in Claudia Ruffin Io. Pits l. de Vir. Illustrib in ead Godwin Conu of Britaine Et alij lawe he is or Father to the husband of that wife to whom he is so termed Socer Father in lawe Cothen Pentheros so in Hebrewe Greeke Latine and all languages Euident it is also that Pudens had no other wife but Claudia to haue any other Socer or Father in lawe by and she longe ouer lyued her husband Pudens And that this Father in lawe was as noble for his faith and Religion in Christ as by discent and birth we may easely enforme ourselues if from noe other grounds yet from the most holy and vertuous education of his daughter in that profession whoe by the examples and documents of her pious parents the best Tutours of children their greatest charge was by their Instruction come to that perfection in the lawe of Christ that being yet but young in all opiniōs when S. Paul wrote his secōd Epistle to S. Timothie a litle before his The Brittish parents of S. Claudia were Christians death she deserued the stile of one of the foure principall Christiās in the iudgemēt of that great Apostle as two greate Doctours S. Chrysostome Theodoret expound that passage of his Epistle Salutat te inquit Eubulus Pudens Chrysost inep 2. ad Tim. c. 4. Linus Claudia fratres omnes nominatim illos memorat quos nouerat magis fide feruere S. Paul saith Eubulus saluteth thee and Pudens and Linus Claudia and all the Brethren he remembreth them by name whom he knewe to be more feruent in faith and againe Theodoret vpon that place saith Meliorum Theod. in ep 2. ad Tim. cap. 4. in eund loc virtut is amantiorum nomina in serut alios autem commu ni appellatione vocauit S. Paul put in the names of them which were the best and most louing of vertue By which we may sufficiently see the greate pietie not onely of S. Claudia but her holy parents also the then honours of this kingdome that had caused her then vnder their charge to be taught and instructed in so excellent a manner in true Religion 6. And if I may haue the like licence to write for the Religion of this Father in lawe to Pudens which a Protestant Bishop taketh to proue Pudens the sonne in lawe a Christian I may doe it with much more reason for thus he writeth That the same Pudens was a Christian we haue a greate presumption in the Epigram Godwin Conu of Britaine pa. 17. Theater of greate Brit. l. 6. §. 6. of Martial where for his vertuous carriage he calleth him S. Maritus but a greater in an other of the same Martial wherein he yeeldeth him thanks for persuading him to amend his writings that for obscenitie and lasiuiousnesse are indeed not to be endured by Christian eares and this it is Cogis me calamo manuque nostra Emendare meos Pudens libellos That by this kinde of argument the Father of Claudia our Noble Contryman Martial l. 7. Epigram 11. was in all degrees as good or rather better Christian then his sonne in law Pudens was is most euident for those verses which Pudens did well like Martial l. 7. Epigram 57. ad Rufin and allowe yet by the testimony of Martiall himselfe might not be imparted to the Father in lawe of Pudens but would seeme light vnto him occupied in more serious things for thus he writeth vnto Pudens S. Eubulus named with honour by S. Paul probably was the Father of S. Claudia and a Britan. Commendare meas instanti Rufe camaenas Parce precor Socero seria forsan amat Where we see that the grauitie of the Father in lawe to Pudens was greater then his therefore much more we may presume from hence that he was a Christian then the other by that argument And yet we haue a better Author both for his Christianitie and name also for the other three named by Martyrol Rom. 20. Iunij in San. Nouato Martia in Epigram S. Paul to send salutations to S. Timothie from Rome at that time for certaine except Eubulus the first were most continuing in one house Pudens and Claudia were then married as is euident in the auncient Romane Martyrologe and others And seeing by the Romans tradition and other testimonies the house wherein they dwelled was the cheife lodging
hauing three sonnes Locrinus Albanact and Camber did at his death diuide the IlaÌ„d into three parts or Prouinces Loegria now England to Locrinus his eldest sonne Albania Scotland to Albanact the second and Cambria Wales to Camber the youngest Locrino primoginito dedit illam partem quae quondam Loegria nunc vero Anglia nominatur Albanacto filio natu secundo dedit Albaniam quae nunc Scotia vocitatur Cambro vero tertio filio dedit Cambriam quae modo wallia nominatur reseruata Locrino Regia dignitate This might suffice for this busines for being testified with so many domesticall and forreine priuate and publike witnesses that this Tripartited diuision was heare from the beginning and first name of Britaine we must needs for euery seuerall part and Prouince assigne a seuerall gouernment and order therein as their Rulers and Gouernours were diuers and distinct 2. But our Antiquities carry vs further and informe not onely that London Yorke and Caerlegion were the seuerall cheife Cities in this diuision but the Kings which founded them for such ordayned them likewise to be the Seats and Residences of three seuerall Archiflamens or Protoflamens For the glory and Noblenes of London therevpon named Augusta I haue spokeÌ„ before and as it is the common opinion in Antiquities that it is the most auncient Citie of this Iland builded by Brutus as not onely the Brittish Historie Galfridus Virunnius and our English Antiquaries after them but Gildas Sigebertus and others sufficiently witnes and except M. Stowe is deceaued in his Authours Aethicus an old Pagan Philosopher testifieth no lesse affirming that Brutus named this kingdome Brutannia And Ihon Harding in his plaine verse with others recordeth how he there from the very beginning instituted an Archflamens Seate And Troynouant he made full especially An Archflaume his Sâ—e Cathedrall certayne A temple thereof Apolyne to optaine By Troian Lawe This is commonly written to haue bene 1100. yeares before Christ And it is a coÌ„mon receaved opinion among our Antiquaries that EbraÌ„cus sonne to Mempricius about 100. yeares after builded the Citie of Yorke calling it after his name Kairbranke as both Brittans and Saxons Catholiks and Protestants consent Whereas Harding and Stowe with others affirme he seated an Archflamen Harding saith Hee made a Temple in Ebranke Citie Harding Chron. c. 21. f. 22. Stowe Hist in Ebranke Of Diane where an Archflamen he sett To rule Temples as that time was his dett In the tweÌ„tith yeare of his Reigne writeth Stowe he builded Kayrbranke since by the Saxons called Euorwike now corruptly Yorke wherein he builded a Temple to Diana and sett there an Archflamen and was there buryed when he had reigned 60. yeares Thus auncient these our Historians make Archflamens in Britaine and I haue related their very words not that I thinke the name and worde Archflamen but onely their office and calling among the Gentils to be so auncient as the time assigned to our Brutus but of youÌ„ger continuance and age by diuers hundreds of yeares the word Flamen not knowne vntill the time of Numa Pompilius and taken from a kinde of attyre worne vppon their heads on Festiuall dayes yet the office of Flamen Ranulp Higed l. 1. c. 24. and Pontifex and Archflamen and summus Pontifex was allwayes the same among the Pagans 3. The Institution of the third Archflamen at Caerlegion vppon vske was of later time as also the Foundation of that Citie first builded by Belinus as the Brittish Historie Galfridus Virunnius Matthew Westm Ranulph Higeden Caxton Harding Stowe Hollinshed and to write in his words most parte of Holinshed Hist Engl. lâ—b 3. cap. 4. Galfr. Mon. l. 3. Hâ—st c. 10. Vâ—run l. 3. Matth. West aetat 5. Ranulpâ— Higeden l. 1. c. 48 all our writers haue deliuered Galfridus calleth this Citie Kaerose Virunnius nameth it Caerusc the Monke of Westm Kaerusc Higeden termeth it Caerhuth And such nake it kept vntill the comming of the Romans hither when of their Legions wintring there it was named Caerlegion as also Chester was as the same Ranulphus which liued and wrote his Historie there with others witnesseth And this Caerusc was the Metropolis of those parts And as diuers of the Authours testifie Belinus seated an Archflamen there as he also confirmed the Archflamens of London and Yorke Thus among Harding Cron. f. 29. c. 33. others Harding relateth Three Archflamens he made through all Britaine As Archbishops now in our Lawes bene There Temples all to gouerne and domaine At Troynouant one Logres to ouersene Her fals Gods to serue and to queme At Ebranke an other for Albany And at Caerleon for Cambre one soueranly So hath Stowe with others And their generall agreement is that these Stowe Hist in Belâ—n were the cheife most renowned and Metropolitan Cities in Britaine which being so amply proued and so many consenting that there were Archflamens in them all so long before the coÌ„ming of Christ lesse Authoritie then we haue for this matter might serue vs to coÌ„fesse that seeing at the abolishing of these Pagan Rulers and Rites they ought to be and were changed into so many Archbishops or Metropolitans in Christian Religion And this is so euident a truth in Histories that the Protestant Bishop himselfe which before with one onely opposed against Archflamens freely confesseth that at this time Archbishops were placed in those three Cities in Britaine and in them onely where so many haue testified and shall testifie further hereafter these Archflamens were resident Thus he writeth At what time Christian Godwin Cat. of Bishops in London 1. p. 181. edit an 1615. Râ—â—â—gion 〈◊〉 first publiâ—ly receaued in this Island there were established in the same 28. Sees or Cathearâ—â—i Churches whereof three were Archbishopricks Yorke whose Prouince was Scotland and the North of England Caerlegion now called Carlcon vpon vsk to which the Churches of Wales where subiect and lastly London that had Iurisdiction ouer the rest of England 4. Therefore this which is the cheifest matter in this busines being thus granted by all and the other so sufficiently proued I will onely add to the former for the more euidency hereof the testimonie of some few others such as eyther were before the time of Geffery of MoÌ„mouth the Translatour of the Brittish History or tooke their notice from other Authours then that History Ranulphus Higeden in his Manuscript History citeh Alfridus Beuerlacensis who by a Protestant Bishop wrote an excellent History from the beginning of the Britans and coming of Brute hither to his owne time in the Reigne of King William the Bastard allmost 100. yeares before Geffery of Monmouth could write Ab origine Britannorum ad suam aetatem vsque contexuit Historiam Io. Bal. l. de Scrip. cent 2. in Alfrid Beueâ—lacen Alfâ—idus Beuerl apud Ranulph â—â—geden l. 1. c. 52 de Episcopâ—tâ—b in lâ—bro Manusc perpulchram And writeth as Ranulphus citeth him that in the time of Lucius the first Christian
old Latine Manuscript History mortuus est Lucius sepultus in Claudiocestria The old Manuscript of S. Peters Church in Cornhill at London auoucheth from diuers Antiquities that he was buried at Gloucester where the Church of S. Francis was after builded being at the time of his death the Cathedrall and Episcopall Church of that Citie as I haue remembred Ihon Harding also witnesseth of this Kings death and bury all at Glocester At Cairglowe buried after his dignitie 6. And not to exclude the testimony of our Protestant Antiquaries in this Relation in their Theater of great Britaine written and coÌ„posed by diuers of their best Historians and published with their common applause and Approbation they make this History of King Lucius his death in Britaine a matter without question true and thus scoffingly condemne those writers Which would carry him to end his dayes in Germanye That this Lucius should be the Apostle to the Bauarians or that his Sister Emerita was crowned with the Flames of Martyrdome fifteene yeares after his death I leaue to the credit of Aegedius Schudus and Hermannus Scedelius the Reporters Others of them plainely say Lucius was buried at Glocester Yet this generall consent of Antiquitie for his first buriall at Glocester doth nothing hinder but as the kuowne deuotion both of the Britans and Saxons after them towards holy Reliks did often and with greate reuerence and solemnitie remoue the bodyes of holy Saints or parts of them for their greater honour So it might or did after fall out with the whole body of this renowned King or some part thereof And the Tradition of Winchester is that the whole body of King Lucius or a greate part thereof being once remoued before was the second time Translated thither there lieth in the bodie of the greate Church vnder a marble stone eleuated about two foote froÌ„ the pauement the same stone being now broken in two places hauing vpon â—t and those holy Reliks a Crosse of 7. greate brasse buttons whereof 5. are set downe in length and the other two making the perfect figure and forme of the Crosse one on each side of the others making the length And this reuerent Translation of King Lucius body to diuers places in Britaine is sufficiently insinuated by the old Authour of the French Manuscript History I Manuscr Gallic sup c. 9. haue cited before who allthough he confidently affirmeth that King Lucius died at Glocester deuia a Gloucestre yet he addeth that he was afterward buried in the cheife See in the Citie of Caerlegion En Leglise del Primer See cest assauoir en la cittie de Legions estoit enterres and this he saith was in the 196. yeare of Christs Incarnation l'an de l'Incartion 196. 4. or 5. yeares sooner then others before haue set downe his death except the forenamed Manuscript Compilation which hath the same Computation of his death saying sepultus Compilatio M. S. de gest Brit. Angl. in Lucio est Anno Incarnationis Dominicae 196. herede carens THE III. CHAPTER HOW NOTWITHSTANDING THE DEATH of King Lucius without Heire to succeede in the gouerment of the kingdome the Brittans perseuered constantly in the Christian faith and the Scots by Preachers sent from Sainct Victor Pope of Rome at the entreatie of their King Donalde receaued the faith and as the Brittans continued in it vntill the Protestants time euen by their owne confessions 1. AND both to assure vs further of the vndoubted truth of those Histories which testifie the death and buriall of King Lucius to haue bene in Britaine and not in any forreine The greate losse Britaine had of King Lucius his death Region as also to giue vs better notice and triall what honour peace and quiet spirituall and temporall with other happines this kingdome enioyed by King Lucius blessed life and loste them by the losse of him it is the constant agreement of Antiquities Galfr. Monum Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 1. Virun l. 5. Histor Matth. Westm An. 201. Holinshed Hist of Engl. l. 4. c. 19. Compilatio M. S. de gest Brit. Angl. in Lucio that Britaine now made by his death destitute not onely of so worthie a King but also of any certaine Heire or Successor of that Regall Race fell to intestine discord and variance by which it was miserably afflicted long time vpon that occasion Caruerat ille sobole oritur seditio inter Britones de successuro in Regnum Romana potestas infirmata est A Protestant Historian thus writeth in generall of this matter King Lucius dyed without issue by reason whereof after his decease the Brittans fell at variance which continued about the space of fiftene yeares as Fabian thinketh howbe it the old English Cronicle affirmeth that the contention betwixt them remained fifty yeares though Harding affirmeth but foure yeares Which his words of Hardings opinion that this variance among the Brittans continued but 4. yeares are to be ameÌ„ded for Harding setteth downe Matth. Westm An. 205. Florent Wigor in Chro. Marianus Scotus Martin Polon in Seuero Harding Chronic c. 51. f. 44. the dissentions of the Brittans as other Historians doe and maketh them of as long continuance onely he saith that Seuerus the Emperour came hither foure yeares after the death of King Lucius to seeke to appease things so doth Matthew of Westminster Florentius and others as farre as Harding doth his words be these of King Lucius death For cause he had non heire to keepe the land Through all Britaine the Barons gan discord Vnto the time that Romans tooke on hand To chose a Prince by their stedfast accord But 4. yere were gone or then they could accorde In which then Seuer the Senatour Hether came to be their Gouernour Where Harding doth limit the foure yeares onely to the Romans to take notice and deliberate of these things and conclude to send Seuerus hither saying But foure yeares were gone or then they could accorde Meaning the Romans about this matter for it is euident both by Harding and all other Antiquaries that Seuerus did not accord the Britans but the variance continued heare during his whole life and he was slaine at Yorke in the same contention as both Harding and all others testifie Harding saith But King Fulgen of Pightes and Scots againe Harding Chron. c. 53. s 45. With hoost full great seiged Ebranke citee Which Seuer rescowed and was slaine And Fulgen also for beten there did die And he continueth the Brittans warrs and tumults heare long time after Seuerus his death and his sonnes after him as other Antiquaries likewise Christians in Britaine quiet for Religion vntill the Persecution of Dioclesian doe finding litle quiet heare vntill the later end of Constantius Father of Constantiue the Greate Emperour Which will more appeare hereafter so farre as it carrieth any connexion with our Ecclesiasticall History 2. And yet notwithstanding such a worlde of vnquietnes heare
Wigor 198. 220. Matth. Westm An. 205. 206. noble Parents constat Seuerum fuisse Maiorum claritudine nobilissimum yet not able to describe his Auncestrie doth sufficiently proue him a stranger to those Countryes and their Historians And to make further Manifestation herein allthough he was borne in Afrike about Tripolis so farre from Britaine yet he had Marryed a Brittish Lady as diuers of the same Authours and others testifie and had by her Bassianus his sonne after King of Britaine and Emperour also Some say her name was Martia and the first wife of Seuerus and Sister of Fulgentius the Britan that warred against and slew Seuerus at Yorke Fulgenius Matris Bassiani frater as the Brittish History reporteth And this Brittish Lady could not be Married to Seuerus after his comming into Britaine but longe before where he then liued in the East parts of the world For in Britaine he liued but a short time by our Protestants calculation in their Catalogue of the Kings of Britaine 4. yeares The Magdeburgian Protestants haue the like accompt following Eusebius Florentius Wigorniensis maketh his aboade heare but three yeares The Monke of Westminster scarcely alloweth him 2. yeares continuance heare The like haue others all agreeing he was old and feeble at his comming hither Yet Bassianus his sonne by our Dio in Caracalla Brittish Lady was so old at his death that he succeeded him both in this kingdome and the Empire who being Emperour but 6. or 7. yeares was as Dio and others write at his death goeing on his 29. yeare of Age aetatis annum agens vndetrigisimum Allmost 20. yeares olde when his Father first landed in Britaine 4. Therefore it is so farre from being a disproofe of Seuerus his discent from the Regall Race of our BritaÌ„s because he was borne in Afrike that liued so remote from hence with so many difficulties ioyning himselfe in Marriadge with a Lady of Briraine of so Noble a Family that her brother claimed to be King heare is a pregnaÌ„t ArgumeÌ„t that he also was of our Brittish kingly Race and so discended as our Antiquarie hath before described And in this respect being the fittest most likely maÌ„ by his true Title to the Crowne of Britaine with the vnion of the Roman Brittish forces to appease the Tumults heare Galfr. Mon. Hist l. 5. c. 2. Harding Chron. in Seuer c. 52. alij by this his vndoubted Right to the Crowne of Britaine he was so coÌ„fident to effect this designe that he brought but two Legions of Roman Souldiers to assist him For the more willing enterprise whereof Britaine the Natiue Country of his Empresse she still liuing and Bassianus their sonn 's vndeniable Title to be King heare after his Father called vpoÌ„ him to take this expeditioÌ„ in his owne parson otherwise most vnfitt for such a Iorney and attempt for as diuers write he was not onely olde but so lame and trobled with the Goute that for the most part he was carried in his bed-couche Senex iam morbo articulari Hector Boeth Scot. Hist l. 5. f. 87. laborans lectica plurimum vehebatur Thus it appeareth how probable it is that Seuerus was not onely discended of the Line of our Brittish Kings but was immediate true Heire to the Crowne of Britaine for being granted that he was right Heire to Androgeus the eldest sonne of King Lud there could be Galfrid Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 3. c. 20. l. 4. c. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Matth. Westm aetat 5. ca. 25. 26. 27. 28. Hard. Chron. c. 41. 42. 43. 44. Holinsh. Hist of Engl. l. 3. c. 10. Stowe and Howes Hist in Lud. Cassibelan Theomantius Balaeus l. de Scri. Brit. centur 1. in Fulgenio none to claime it before him For it is the generall consent of our Historians Brittish or Saxons Catholiks or Protestants that King Lud left two sonnes behinde him younge at his death the forenamed Androgeus being the eldest vndoubted Heire of Britaine and Theomantius or Tenancius the secoÌ„d two Brothers Cassibelan which next ruled in respect of the Minoritie of his nephewes Androgeus the eldest going a way with Iulius Caesar and Nennius after CassibelaÌ„ by the departing hence of the eldest brother Androgeus Theomantius ruled After whome Aruiragus Marius Coillus and Lucius by whose death without Issue or Heire in Britaine the immediate true Right of this kingdome belonged to Seuerus And after Seuerus his death Bassianus his onely sonne by the Brittish Empresse his wife Sister to Fulgenius of the Regall blood of Britaine Fulgenius vir sanguine Regio clarus and so neare Titler to the Crowne that he with greate assistance aduaunced his claime vnto it being both by Father and Mother his Father Vncle taken away by death the next immediate Heire was both King of Britaine and Emperour by all Antiquities And by this we finde how vntrue or to no purpose the supposed Decree of the Roman Senate was to disable those to gouerne heare which discended of Brittish Parents THE VI. CHAPTER OF THE STATE OF CHRISTIANS ESPECIALLY in Britaine in the time of Seuerus vnder whome allthough in some parts there was greate persecution of Christians yet not heare in Britaine but the Christians were heare in quiet without affliction 1. NOW to speake somewhat of Seuerus his Alienation or affection from or to Christian Religion it is the common opinion and our owne Antiquaries be of the same that in diuers places of the Empire he was an enemy so farre vnto it that many terme him the fift Persecutor among the Emperours after Nero and many Christians in diuers Prouinces were Martyred in his Empire Post Neronem Marian. Scot. l. 2. aetat 6. an 283. Matth. Westm An. 195. Florâ—nt Wigor in Cron. An. 189. 211. Iudas Scrâ—ptor Eccle. teÌ„pore Seueri apud Euseb l. 6. c. 6. Baron To. 3. Annal. An-204 Spartianus in Seuero Euseb in Chron. l. 6. c. 2. Hier. l. de Scrip. Eccl. in Origene c. 54. Magd. coÌ„t 3 Dio. Hist Rom. l. 51. Acta S. Phil. Martyris apud Baron To. 2. An. 204. notaâ— in Martyr 13. Sept. Martyr Rom. 13. Septemb. Bâ—d Vâ—nard Ado. eod die Act. S. Philipp supr Cornel. Tacitus l. 17. Seuerus quintam Persecutionem in Christianos excitauit plurimique Sanctorum per diuersas Prouincias Martyrio coronantur And it is so certaine by all forreine Antiquities that there was such Persecution in his time that it was allmost a common opinion that the comming of Antichrist was at hand as an Ecclesiasticall Writer of that time hath left to Posteritie propterea quod persecutionis tumultus contra nos excitatus multorum mentes tam grauiter perturbaret Antichristi aduentum omnium ore atque sermone iactatum iam tum appropinquare arbitratus est Yet we doe not finde any expresse Edict or Prohibition of him vntill about the tenth yeare of his Empire When as
conqu Brit. c. 7. ad Persecutionem Diocletioni Tiranni And not onely in the time of Dioclesian his Persecutiō following in this Age we finde euen whole Cities Townes as Verolamium and others vtterly destitute of Christians but long before and about this time we are assured that there were very many Britans and not of meane estate but such as were publikly employed about the affaires of S. Mello a Britan Archbishop of Roan in Normādy the kingdome and sent from hence to Rome about it that eyther were fallen from Christianitie or neuer forsooke their Pagan Religion For we reade both in auncient Manuscripts and other Authours in the life of S. Mello a Britan and after Archbishop of Roan in Normandy sent thither by S. Stephen Pope not onely that he and his Brittish Companions which were then sent to Rome to paye the Tribute of Britaine there were Pagans and sacrificed in the Temple of Mars but it was then the custome of the Britans comming thither about that office so to doe which to be a custome could not be Manuscr antiq in Vita S. Mellonis Episc Confessoris Io. Capgrau Catalog in eod younger then these dayes time short enough betweene this and that time to make a custome Tempore Valeriani Imperatoris Mello quidam de maiori Britannia oriundus Romam venit vt Patriae suae Tributū solueret Imperatori seruiret Ibique sicut mos erat cum socijs suis ad templum Martis ductus est vt sacrificaret And it seemeth this custome had bene from the first submission of the Britans to the Romans for both Protestants and others affirme that in Octauius Augustus time Ambassadours came from Britaine to Rome swearing Fealtie in the Stowe Howes Hist in Octauius Augustus Temple of Mars offering gifts in the Capitall to the Gods of the Romans And we haue Testimonie in our Histories that after King Lucius death and this very time which we haue now in hand it was the vse and custome of our Britans heare when any of their Nobilitie or Gentry were to obtayne the dignitie of Knighthood to send them to Rome to receaue that honour there and after such Pagan Rites and ceremonies that Christians could not in conscience so accept thereof And yet such multitudes euen in this time flocked thither from hence so to be created that in this time when S. Amphibalus was conuerted Iacob Genuen Episc in Catal. Sanctor in S. Amphabel and Alban to the faith by Pope S. Zepherine as Iacobus Genuensis a learned Bishop writeth 15. hundred were so created Of all which we finde no memory that any more were Christians then S. Amphibalus and S. Alban and yet both these conuerted after they had thus professed Paganisme S. Amphibalus by Pope Zepherine who after made him Preist at Rome and S. Alban S. Alban descēded of the Romans long after his returne from Rome by the same holy Saint Amphibalus sent hither by Pope Zepherine in Britaine And yet as the old Brittish Writer of Author Britan. Antiq. in Vita S. Albani Capgr in eod S. Alban his life Capgraue and others witnesse S. Alban was rather discended of Noble Roman then Brittish Parentage Albanus ex illustri Romanorum Prosapia originem ducens probably both of Roman and Brittish Auncestours 4. And it seemeth the condition of many of others was not vnlike and thereby a greate allurement for them to continue in the Romans Religion of whose blood they were discended in whose municipall and priuiledged Townes many of them liued and from whome they hoped and expected to receaue terreane honours and Aduancements The Britans generally or for the most part professing the holy Christian Religion preferring heauenly before earthly honours Yet it is euident by this is saide that in this short tract of time after the death of King Lucius many of the Britans by the continuall trobles of that time and conuersation with Pagans were either fallen from Christianitie or as holy Gildas saith professed it but coldly tepidè in respect of that zeale and feruour which was vsed in the dayes of Saint Lucius And yet Seuerus of himselfe was not so much giuen to wicked life but renowned Martin Polon Supput in Seuero not onely for warlike affaires but for learning and studyes Praeter bellicam gloriam ciuilibus studijs scientia Philosophiae clarus fuit And so greate an enemy to Incontinēcy that he puished Adultery by Lawe with death with such seueritie that Dio writeth that whē he was Consul he foūde by Records Dio in Seuero Herodianus in Seuero Herodianus l. 3. that 3000. had bene put to death for that offence Ego cum Consul essem inueni scriptum in Tabulis tria millia Maechorum morte fuisse mulctata And was after his death made a God among the Pagans And Herodianus saith he died rather of greefe for his childrens wickednes then of sicknes Maerore magis quam morbo consumptus vita functus est Which greefe for the sinns of his sonnes as also Galfr. Mon. l. 5. c. 2. F. or Wigorn. An. 195. 217. Mat. Westm an 205. Harding Cron. c. 53. f. 44. Galfr. Mon. Hist l. 5. c. 2. Matth. Westm an 206. Hard. sup Pont. Virunn l. 5. Dio Hist l. 55. of his owne in permitting the Christians in many places to be greuiously persecuted I would not deny but that he died of any such greefe is vntrue being most certaine that he after so many Conquests in other Countryes when he came to fight against his Country Christians he was enforced dishonorably to make a Wall and Trench of aboue 130. miles in lenght to keepe his Enemyes back from inuading him and slaine in battaile by Fulgenius others call him Fulgentius brother by some before to his first lawfull true wife the Empresse Martia a Briton Interfectus est Seuerus Imperator In acri certamine interficitur Seuerus And by the Roman Writers themselues he was at this time when he was so slaine at Yorke 65. yeares old And allthough he left 32. Legions as Dio writeth to defend that his temporall Empire which had so persecuted the Church of Christ yet that temporall Empire with all those propes began to stagger and notwithstanding so greate Persecution the kingdome of Christ as Tertullian then liuing witnesseth was adored and ruled in all places Cum Romani tot Legionibus suum Imperium muniant nec trans istas gentes Tertullian aduers Iudaeos c. 7. porrigere vires regni sui possint Christi autem Regnum nomen vbique porrigitur vbique creditur ab omnibus gentibus supranominatis colitur vbique regnat vbique adoratur And particularly heare in Britaine as he hath said before Christianitie reigned whether the Pagan Romans could not nor durst come but walled and trenched in themselues for feare 5. He left behinde him two sonnes Bassianus his eldest by his lawfull wife of Britaine before remembred and Geta by
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
quorum numero beatum Melorum fidenter credimus extitisse Which is further confirmed in the same Antiquities testifying that after many yeares the Reliks of this holy Saint were with greate reuerence translated to the Church of Amsbury and there in their shryne layed vpon the Altar Post multorum annorum curricula Praedicatores Alienigenae scrinium cum Reliquijs sancti Melori circumquaque deferentes peragratis terrarum tractibus iniunctum sibi officium exercentes Ambrisburiam tandem deuenerunt super altare Reliquias sanctas posuerunt The remouing of these Reliks to the Church and Nunnery of Amsbury must needs be before the preuayling of the Pagan Saxons and Hengist his murthering our Noble Britans and taking King Vortiger Prisoner hard by that place at Stonehendge by Treachery For at that time both that and all other Religious houses and Churches those Pagans could enter to were destroyed Yet the Historyes haue told vs before that many yeares were passed ouer betweene the buriall and remouing these holy Reliks thither Neither dare I affirme that this History is more auncient then this time For excepting the Religious house of Glastenbury all others had their Foundation after the Cōuersion of King Lucius who dyed in the beginning of this Age. And probably we may coniecture this Translation of these sacred Reliks was in the time of S. Germanus and Lupus the Legats of Pope Celestine being and preaching heare for they were praedicatores Alienigenae Strange Preachers and the most renowned strange Preachers we can thinke these to be much deuoted to the reuerēce of our holy Brittish Reliks by all Historyes making solemne Pilgrimadges vnto thē And if we affirme these holy Reliks were first interred in these dayes the circuite of many yeares post multorum annorum curricula after which they were remoued by strange Preachers will well agree with the comming of those strangers the Popes Legats hither about the yeare of Christ 432. which was before the Nunnery of Amsbury was destroyed 5. The Historie of this holy Saint is thus sett downe by the auncient writers S. Meliorus his Martyrdome thereof Melorus or Meliorus was the onely Sonne and Heire of Melianus Duke of Cornwayle Who in the seuenth yeare of his Gouernment calling an Assembly of the Nobles to consult about the affayres of his Country was in the same assembly murthered by his owne Brother named Rinoldus his Sonne Melorus being but 7. yeares old at that time This Rinoldus hauing thus killed the Father knowing his Sonne to be the onely true Heire and fearing if he should liue to mās estate he might take the Dukedome from him being his iust inheritance sought to murther him also and bringing him into Cornewayle where there was a Councell of Bishops and others gathered together whose consent he laboured to haue for the putting of Melorus to death to make himselfe secure in his so wickedly procured dignitie But when the holy Bishops assembled detested so barbarous impietie and cruelty and would in no wise assent vnto it This wicked vsurping Vncle to make this child loathsome and so vncapable or vnfitt for Gouernment caused his right hand and left foote to be cutt of After which he had an hand of siluer and a foote of brasse and was brought vp in a Monastery in Cornewayle vntill he was 14. yeares old daily profiting and encreasing in vertue and holy learning aswell as in yeares And this his siluer hand did miraculously bend too and froe and stretch out itselfe to doe the office of a naturall hand as if it naturally consisted of bones sinewes veines blood and flesh Mirumque in modum manus illa argentea quasi reflexus carneos habere manum extendere recludere caepit quasi natiuam ossibus neruis venis sanguine atque pelle Wherevpon the wicked Tirant his Vncle taking him from the Abbot and Religeous men committed him to one named Cerialtanus to be brought vp bribing him with promises of many possessions and rewards to putt Melorus to death which he most wickedly and barbarously effected cutting of his head Which done the Sonne of Cerialtanus with the consent of his Father bearing the head of the holy Martyr vpon the wall of the Castle fell downe from the wall broke his neck and died Cerialtanus then tooke vp the head of the Saint and brought it to the Tirant his Vncle. Who with ioy receauing it badd the wicked Murtherer goe to the topp of an hill adioyning and whatsoeuer he could there see he would giue him to possesse Cerialtanus going to the hill thinking to see round about sodenly was struken blinde one both his eyes and presently died And the wicked Vncle touching the sacred head brought vnto him within three dayes after ended his wretched life with a miserable death The Bishops and Clergie buried his holy body and head with great honour together Where they which faithfully prayed vnto him did obtayne their desire Sepulto ab Episcopis Clericis capite cum sacro Bishops Preists others pray to S. Meliorus Martyred corpore Corpus sanctum cum honore sepelierunt vbi opem eius cum fide implorantes optatum remedium gaudentes consequi solebant THE XI CHAPTER CONTAYNING AN ABREVIATE OF SOME ROman Emperours and inuincibly prouing that the most holy Queene and Empresse S. Helen was a Britan of Regall Race the onely true and lawfull wife of Constantius Emperour and Constantine the Greate their true lawfull Sonne and Heire borne in Britaine 1. I Haue spoken before how the Roman Emperours after the death of Heliogabalus vntill Constantius marryed first or after receaued againe Helen daughter of Coel had litle command in this kingdome and so not so necessarie to be much remembred in the Ecclesiasticall Historie thereof none of them except the two Philips the Father and Sonne dignified in Histories with name of Christianitie therefore it will suffice to sett downe breefely their names and continuance of their Empiers which our Protestant Antiquaries doe thus propose vnto vs After Seuerus Bassianus Surnamed Antonius Carracalla succeeded How 's Stowe Hist Titul the Romans in Seuerus in the Empire he was murthered by Martialis when he had gouerned sixe yeares Macrinus one yeare Antonius Heliogabalus three yeares Alexander Seuerus 13. yeares Iulius Maximus 3. yeares M. Antonius Gordianus one yeare Iulius Philippus they omitt Philip the second his Sonne the first Christian Emperour 5. An Epitomie of the Roman Emperours yeares Decius 2. yeares Trebonianus Gallus and Vibius Hostilianus two yeares Iu lius Aemilianus foure moneths Licinius Valerianus sixe Lacinius Gallicinus fifteene At this time there arouse in diuers Countries thirtie Vsurpers which are called the thirtie Tirants of the which Lollianus Posthumus Victorianus Tetricius as it is supposed kept Britaine from Gallicinus Flauius Claudius two Aurelianus fiue Tacitus sixe moneths Florianus three moneths This yeare 276. Aurelian the Dane was chosen Emperour he hated Christians and in the fourth yeare of his Reigne he
Annal. Treuer Sigeb Chron. alij her loue to that Citie and in respect of learning then there florishing as in the Metropolis of those parts she had part of her education and instruction in so greate learning there this will rather confirme that she was then actually an holy Christian For this Noble Citie receauing the faith of Christ by S. Maternus and his Associats Disciples of S. Peter the Apostle sent thither by him had euer since faithfully continued therein so generally and constantly that about the yeare of Crist 288. when that bloody Tyrant Maximianus Herculius Galerius which forced Constantius to putt away his true wife S. Helen to take the prophane Strumpett Theodora his daughter or daughter in Lawe by his Prefect Rixiouarus persecuted the Christians in those parts all the Inhabitans of Treuers were founde to be Christians and Pamachius Gouernour of the Citie being also a Christian with 11. Senatours thereof so encouraged them in their holy faith that all the Citizens men women and children not one excepted were putt to death for that glorious cause Haec vrbs à D. Materno ac eius socijs lege Christianâ imbuta est inde tempore Maximiani Tyranni qui fuit anno Domini 288. agente truculentissimo Rixiouaro Petrus Merssaeus Catal. Archiep. Treu. in encom eiusdem Francis Irenicus ib. Ro. Martyrol die 5. 6. Octobr. Sigebert in Chron. An. 1071. Tabul Eccles Treuer Petr. Merssaeus in Annal. Archie Treuer in ValeÌ„tino Praefecto tota ob Catholicam fidem interempta est Tum vrbis Gubernator ac Princeps fuit in clitus Pamachius Senator Pius qui ob Cristi Religionem cum vndecim Senatoribus ac totâ Ciuitate interfectus est Hij enim optimi viri ciuitatem illam ad Christi Religionem ita animauerant vt pro eâ constanter occumbere non dubitarent hic nulli aetati nulli sexui parcitum sed omnes ad vnum interempti The Roman Martyrologe and Sigebertus call that Christian Gouernour of Treuers and Martyr Palmatius and not Pamachius nor Palmachius And this opinion is more strengthned by the greate Religeous loue of S. Helen to that Citie after this desolation there procuring S. Agritius Patriarke of Antioche a man of admirable holines and learning to come forth of the East to be Archbishop there with allowance of S. Siluester then Pope of Rome enritching him and that Citie with most pretious Reliks the Seamelesse Coate of our Sauiour one of the Nayles wherewith he was fixed to the Crosse the Knife he vsed at his last Supper a greate parcell of the holy Crosse the body of S. Annal. Archiep. Treuer in S. Agritio 27. Matthias the Apostle and others causing her Pallace to be conuerted and dedicated a Church in honour of S. Peter The old Christian Writers and Inscriptions which before call her euen from the time of her Marriadge with Constantius and before sancta pijssima holy most Godly and the like will not be iustified in a Christians mouth penne or pencell except such esteemed her then a Christian for no other can by Christians be stiled and honoured with those Titles Neyther may we with prudence conceaue that King Coel at her Marriadge with Constantius hauing possession of or Title vnto Britaine a Christian kingdome nor the Religeous Christian Archbishops Prelates and Nobles thereof then at freedome in Religion would haue condiscended to such a match if neither Constantius nor she had bene a Christian that had not bene the way to procure to themselues peace and freedome which they sought but hazard of new trobles Tumults and PersecutioÌ„ which they thereby hoped to auoide Experience gaue a good Argument hereof to the Christians of this Nation for so long as this holy Lady and Queene was permitted to continue with her Husband the State of Christianitie was quiet heare and the persecuting Emperours Dioclesian and Maximian could compasse nothing against it in this kingdome but when they had forced Constantius to forsake her and take a Pagan in her place she herselfe was persecuted her Christian children bannished and that generall affliction and desolation of Religion ensued in this Nation that no semblance of the like is left in Histories to Posteritie The Christian Antiquities of Aquitaine will giue new strength to this in these their owne words Because Constantius was enforced to take Theodora daughter of Herculius he putt Queene Helen away who patiently Antiq. Aquitan apud Bouchet in Annal. c. 5. bore the Iniury and liued in merueilous holines separated from all worldly curiosities and Royall honours by the space of 17. or 18. yeares Such holines and merueilous holines no Christian may or will asscribe to any but true Christians among whome onely such holines is to be founde and with no others Besides our learned Antiquarie Ioannes Capgrauius doth freely confesse that before she was marryed to Constantius she was instructed and taught in the Christian Catholike faith in fide Catholicâ instructa atque edocta and liued Io. Capgr Catal. in S. Helena Christian like repraesentabat in suâ conuersatione gloriosa sacri Baptismatis mysteria And was a greate means to bring her Sonne Constantine to be a Christian he saith further of her that she was a most holy woman a most firme bulwarke or foundation of Christian Religion by her Husband an Empresse by her Father a Queene Helena sanctissima faemina Christianae Religionis Euseb de Vita Constant l. 3. c. 42. basis firmissima ex marito Imperatrix ex patre Regina Eusebius saith that Helen the Empresse was an holy Mother of the holy Emperour Helena Augusta pij Imperatoris pia mater And addeth further that through all her life she brought forth those true fruites of pietie which the Precepts of our Sauiour prescribe and this both in words and deeds In omnium bonorum affluentia omne vitae suae tempus ad extremam vsque senectutem obijsset Et tum verbis tum rebus ipsis veros pietatis fructus quos Praecepta Seruatoris praescribunt extulisset Therefore if all her life both in word and deed she liued as Christ commanded by the testimony of this old Authour well acquainted with her and her Sonne both he and all that will receaue him for an able witnesse must confesse she was a Christian all her life for no other doth or can keepe the Precepts of Christ in word and deed all their life And whereas the greatest Caesar Baron Annal. An. 315. Sponcâ—n â—b Seuer Bin. Tom. 1. Concil in Ann. in Concil Rom. sub Syluestâ—o obiection against this hath bene vrged by some out of the Acts which some would haâ—e S. Siluesters where it is said that S. Siluester baptized S. Helen the best Roman Writers themselues Baronius Spondanus Seuerinus Binius and others proue them to be erroneous euen in these particular respects concerning this matter in teaching Constantine was a Christian before Helena And that she was borne in Bithynia
Christians Ista fiebant anno Christi 292. regnante in Britannia Constantio Chloro Sub cuius postea regimine cū Imperator esset a tanta clade ita immunes eius vrbes erant vt Asilum Christianis afflictis tutissimum foret illa ipsa Britannia And to proue he continued in this true Christian affection and faith euen to his death an other taking vpon him onely to be an Interpretor of old Authours thus relateth his last Actions whilst he lay on his death bedd hearing Hollinsh Hist of Engl. l. 4. c. 27. that his sonne Constantine was come and escaped from the Emperours Dioclesian and Maximian with whome he remayned as Pledge he receaued him with all Ioy and raysing himselfe vp in his bedd in presence of his other sonnes and Counsellors with a greate number of other people and strangers that were come to visit him he sett the Crowne vpon his sonnes head and adorned him with other Imperiall Robes Niceph. and garments executing as it were himselfe the office of an Herald and withall spake these words vnto his said sonne and to his Counsellors there about him Now is my Tripart Hist death to me more wellcome and my departure hence more pleasant I haue heare a lardge Epitaph and monument of buriall to witt myne owne sonne and one whome in earth I leaue to be Emperour in my place which by Gods good help shall wipe away the teares of the Christians and reuendge the crueltie exersed by Tyrants This I rekon to chance vnto me insteed of most felicitie And we finde how his body being found at Caernaruon likely Translated thither from Yorke where by common opinion he dyed in the time of King Edward the first was honorably Matth. Westm 1283. Thomas Walsingh Vpodig Neustriae an 1283. by his commandement buryed with other Christians in the Church Apud Caerneruon corpus Maximi Principis patris nobilis Imperatoris Constantini erat inuentum Rege Iubente in Ecclesia honorificè collocatum Which Christian dutie and obsequy would not haue bene performed vnto him especially so honorably and publikly in so Christian Catholike a time without either certaine knowledge or very probable opinion of his Christian Catholike Religion The Ceremonies solemnities and prayers vsed in such a case could not in conscience so be performed for a man dying in any other Profession The Harris Manuscr Hist l. 4 c. 2. Writers of this relatiō are of too greate Authoritie to be questioned And some Writers there be which hold his first buriall and funerall at Yorke was with Christian solemnities and obsequies such as could not be vsed but for a Christian And they produce Eusebius to testifie no lesse Who speaking of Constantius death and funerall saith that he being a most holy man was buryed Eusebius de Vita Constant lib. 1. c. 16. with greate pompe with Hymnes and prayses as a most blessed man Genitorem sanctissimum cum omni splendore maxima pompa extulit faustis acclama tionibus suaui hymnorum concentu omnes beatissimum illum celebrant And maketh his death as his life also so holy and Christian like that he saith God gau◠euident testimony thereof to all men then liuing Hunc morum vitaeque piè Religiosè ad virtutem institutae exitum esse in Imperatore Constantio vniuerso generi mortalium qui nostra memoria vixerunt Deus euidenter monstrauit THE XIV CHAPTER BY WHAT WICKED PLOTTS PRACTISES and deuises Dioclesian and Maximian began and prosecuted their wicked Persecution of Christians in Britaine and how Constantius was innocent and free therein 1. WHEN Dioclesian and Maximian the most infensiue Enemies of the faithfull Seruants Church of Christ intēded their mercylesse and matchlesse persecution against thē the easilyer to make it as vniuersall generall as it was bloodly Tyrannicall And perceauing that neither Nero nor any other their Predecessor in that prophane Impietie had or could before them trāsporte their rage in that kinde ouer our Ocean into this kingdome protected and Rampired both by cituation Sea Christiā Kings Rulers or fauourers of Christianitie and Immunities frō the Romā seuerities in such nature their study and practise was first to surprise ouerthrowe these firme Bullwarks Forts against them And therefore assuredly knowing that by the Regall clayme Title of Britaine Queene Helen was the lawfull and vndoubted Heire Owner thereof that she was a Christian discended of such parents absolute Queene of such a Country the rare vertues wisedome she was endued with her potency thereby with hir Victorious and triumphant husband Constantius that they had children to succeed them in the gouernment and kingdome of Britaine and such as by credible Antiquities before were Christians and thereby more likely to enlardge and dilate then restrayne or hinder the profession of Christianitie they knew these Impediments to their wiked designements must be taken away before they could take effect Wherevpon beginning with the cheifest and principall propugnacle the Title of Queene Helen her marriadge with Constantius and Loue betweene them they first assaulted this by pretended disabilitie in that Title Marriadge Her lawfull Title by Regall Lineall discent and Inheritance they frustrated in their Iudgment which then had no Iudge on earth by their pretended not to be examined Imperiall clayme and Preeminencie taking and reckoning for their owne whatsoeuer they could gett and keepe by force and sword And their more then Panegyricall Orator Mamertinus saith plainely in his Oration to Maximian the Emperour that the Britans were not onely subiect vnto him but that he landing in Britaine The Britans receued him with greate Triumphe offered themselues to his presence Mamertin orat Panegyric ad Maximian Imper with their wiues and children reuerencing not onely himselfe but euen the sailes and tacklings of that ship which had brought his diuine presence vnto their coasts and when he should sett foote on land they were ready to lye downe at his feete that he might as it were march ouer them so desirous they were of him That both the Britans and Nation adioyning to the boundes of that Isle were obedient to his commandements And giueth nothing to Constantius but as in the Right and Title of that Emperour 2. Like to this haue some others of the flattering Roman Writers by which we see they went about vtterly to disable Queene Helen to haue any S. Helenae compelled to departe from Constantius Title to this kingdome This they so vrged to Constantius and so disgraced his Marriadge with that renowned Lady that in the end they cōpelled him to putt her away and take Theodora the Pagan daughter of the persecuting S. Lucius and his Sister S. Emerita banished out of Britaine Emperour Maximian in her place Then they bannished S. Lucius and S. Emerita their holy children and after martyred them and to make all sure in their prodeedings detayned Constantine their other child
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
Constantino parebat in summa laetitia vitam egerunt And were not onely quiet vnder him but thus liued in greate Ioy and did encrease being honored and rewarded by him creueruntque in dies magis magisque tam beneuoli tamque pacis concordiae studiosi beneficijs ornatae 6. And relating his experiment to proue constant Christians before remēbred and how he admitted such for his nearest friends and Counsailers in amicorum atque adeo Consiliariorum numero habere decreuit He gathereth from hence that the Gaules Britans and others vnder him were by him exempted from the penall Lawes of the persecutors he taking them away and making them frustrate in his Dominions Hinc capere coniecturam licet neque Gallis neque Britannis neque alijs qui circiter montes Pyrenaeos ad Oceanum Occidentalem vsque incolunt contra leges visum esse Christianam Religionem dum adhuc vita suppeditabat Constantio profiteri And the obiections which Baronius maketh doe rather proue then improue the quietnes of Christians in this Nation when Constantius was heare For first the vnquietnes of Italy rather helped then hindered our peace our Persecution proceeding from thence now not able to persecute vs nor take reuendge of Constantius for protecting vs. And his being in Britaine he being so friendly allwayes to Christians as Baronius often confesseth must much more procure ease and freedome to our Christians where there was noe man of power to contradict or resist it Constantius being both King and Emperor heare and the kingdome of Britaine a Christian kingdome Therefore howsoeuer his reasons make doubt of some other places whose state and condition was not like vnto ours of Britaine Bed l. 1. Hist c. 8. Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 5. 6. Manusc Galli antiq c. 28. 29. Virun l. 5. Hist Harding Chron. cap. 57. 58. 59. 60. Henricus Hunting Hist l. 1. Socrates Eccles Hist l. 1. c. 1. Eus l. 1. Vit. Cōstantini c. 9. Theodoret. Hist Eccl. l. 1. c. 24. they doe not moue any question of the quiet thereof in cause of Religion but establish and confirme it And therefore our owne best allowed and auntient Historians S. Bede Galfridus Henry of Huntington an old French Manuscript Virūnius Harding others setle Constantius heare in Britaine after all our Persecution ended nothing but all fauour to Chrstiās heare in his time and not onely a tolleration graunted but publicke profession of Christianitie generally allowed by Regall and Imperiall warrant of Constantius vsed exercised as shall immediatly more plainely appeare in the next Chapter 7. And if we had rather harken to forreine writers in or neare that time we haue sufficient warrant not onely that he recalled himself from the worship of the Pagan gods as diuers are witnesses Constantius se à Deorum Gentilium veneratione auocauerat But as Eusebius and others testifie of him he gaue free power and licence to all vnder him to exercise Christian Religion without any molestation illis qui ab ipso regebantur liberam verae in Deum religionis sine Constantine the greate first instructed in Christian Religion in Britaine molestia excolendae permisit potestatem And this as he writeth when the greatest Persecution was in other places And had care to instruct his sonne Constantine the Greate which he left his Heyre in the same faith as we may easely conclude from the words of Constantine himselfe registred by Theodoret huius Dei adiutus ope orsus ab vltimis Oceani finibus vniuersum orbem terrarum Sozom. Eccles Hist l. 1. c. 5. Chronicon Monast Abingdonien apud Nich. Harpesfeld Hist Eccl. 10. saecul p. 203. c. 9. firmae salutis spe erexi that euē from the ends of the Ocean meaning Britaine he was assisted by God And Sozomen saith it is euidently knowne vnto all men that greate Constantine was first instructed in the Christian faith amōg the Britans Apud Britannos liquidò constat inter omnes Constantinum primum religione Christiana imbutum And the Cronicle of Abington neare Oxford testifieth he was brought vp in that old Abbey which we must needs asscribe to his parents Constantius and Helena And we find not any other but Constantius except we will apply it to King Coel and then it was receaued and approued by him who heare in Britaine caused the persecutors to be putt to death and the Persecution therevppon ceased as S. Gildas writeth emarcescentibus Gild. l. de conq Brit. c. 8. nece suorum Authorum nefarijs Decretis For this must needs be applied to Persecutors in Britaine and not to the Tyrants Dioclesian and Maximinian the Persecution heare endeed longe before their death as is proued before and neither of them nor any other Emperor but Constantius hauing power or commaund heare at this time And herevpon our Protestant Historians themselues thus testify of him Constantius abolished the superstition of the Stowe Howes Hist tit Romās in Constantius Constantine Gentils in his Dominians So that afterward Britaine felt no persecutions Constantius renounced the Idolatrie of the Gentils THE II. CHAPTER OF THE FINDING THE HOLY CROSSE by S. Helen in Constantius his time His Christian life and death and crowning his sonne Constantine Emperour heare in Britaine 1. I Haue shewed before out of S. Gildas and others aswell that the Persecution called Dioclesians did not continue ten yeares in this kingdome in one place he termeth it Persecutionem Dioclesiani Tyranni nouennem the nine yeares Persecution of Dioclesian the Tyrant and in the next Chapter not wholly ten yeares longe bilustro turbinis necdum expleto As also that it wholly ended Gildas l. de excid cōquest Brit. c. 7. 8. in the time of King Coel those Persecutours then hauing no power or Authoritie heare and so together with their other ouerruling and commanding Decrees the bloody Edicts of persecuting Christians heare were vtterly extinct and made inualidate and as is euident before neuer being renewed but alltogether omitted by Constantius this greate friend of Christians such of this Nation were fully and vndoubtedly thereby restored to their auncient liberties Priuiledges and Immunities in matters of Religion if Constantius and Helen our Emperour and Empresse King and Queene had then giuen no further and expresse approbation vnto them Which we may not reasonably call into question when we remember their absolute and independing regall right and possession without contradiction they had in this kingdome the naturall loue and affection they bore vnto it and that to them with their Religious care and desire they had to defend and aduance Christian Religion euen in times and places when and where they were not so enabled nor drawne therto with so many and strong bands of dutie and affection We haue heard before that other Churches vnder his Empire were endowed by his benefits and munificence thereby they lyued in greate Ioy and encreased the choysest Christians were his dearest Friends and
14. Augustus multo antea ab ipso Deo Rege omnium declaratus fuit 6. This renowned Emperour Constantius died by diuers in the 306. yeare of Christ by others in the 307. by some in the yeare 308. as is meÌ„tioned before by all at such time that as I haue proued already it must needs be he which amoÌ„g the Roman Emperours first gaue order and warrant for the restoring reestablishing ChristiaÌ„ ReligioÌ„ heare in Britaine after the desolatioÌ„ thereof by Dioclesian Maximian died happily most blessedly faelicem acter Euseb supr l. 8. c. 14. beatum vitae finem consecutus And was so renowned that euen by the Pagans he was accoÌ„pted a God ac primus apud eos in numerum deoruÌ„ relatus And had all Constantius buried as a ChristiaÌ„ in Yorke with greate and Emperiall honor honour after his death giuen vnto him which belonged to an Emperour Cuncto post mortem Imperatori debito potitus est honore He was most honorably and Christian like buried in the Citie of Yorke Constantine his sonne the new Emperour present at his funerall going before his corps with an infinite number of people and Souldiars attending with all honour and pompe some Euseb l. 1. de Vita Constantini c. 16. going before others following with most sweete harmony of singing Constantinus paterna purpura indutus magna paternorum amicorum turba eum comitante funeri praeiuit patremque produxit quinetiam populi infinita multitudine militumque constipanti agmine partim antecedentium partim subsequentium genitorem sanctissimum cum omni splendore maxima pompa extulit faustis acclamationibus suaui hymnorum concentu omnes beatissimum illum celebrant This was the Euseb supr end which God shewed of this Emperours godly and Religious manners and life euidently to all people then liuing as Eusebius witnesseth then also liuing hunc morum vitaeque pie religiose ad virtutem institutae exitum esse in Imperatore Constantio vniuerso generi mortalium qui nostra memoria vixerunt Deus euidenter monstrauit And calleth him as before Sanctissimum most holy which he a learned Christian Bishop could not giue to any but an holy professed Christian in his knowledge or Iudgment and therefore atrributeth so much to Constantius in this kinde that he calleth Constantine the Greà te himselfe whome he so extolleth for his Christian Religion aduancement thereof Eusebius Hist Eccl. l. 8. c. 14. a follower of his Fathers pietie in such affaires paternae pietatis Imitator THE III. CHAPTER OF THE CORONATION AND CHRISTIAN beginning of Constantine the greate Emperour and the generall restoring and profession of Christian Religion in all places of Britaine then 1. CONSTANTIVS hauing thus honorably ended his dayes declared Euseb lib. 1. de Vit. Constantini c. 15. Marian. Sco. in ConstaÌ„t Martin Pol. in eod Constantine his eldest sonne successor in his Empire his whole Army doth presently with mutuall consent Ioy proclaime him King Emperour ExteÌ„plò secundo prospero applausu nouuÌ„ Regem Imperatorem Augustum ipsa prima voce coÌ„tentius praedicant CoÌ„staÌ„tine proclaymed Emperor in Britaine And all Nations subiect to his Fathers Empire were filled with incredible Ioy and vnspeakeable gladnes that they had without intermission so worthie and renowned an Emperour Omnes gentes quaeipsius obsequebantur Imperio incredili Euseb lib. 1. Vit. Const c. 16. laetitia efferuntur gaudio pene inexplicabili propterea complentur quod illustri praeclaro Imperatore ne breuissimo quidem temporis momento caruissent Of the comming of this most noble Britan to the Empire escaping and preserued from so many daungers and difficulties before so generally and ioyfully chosen and accepted and prouing afterward so happy a Ruler Eusebius saith Chosen and designed thereto by God himselfe that he was chosen by God himselfe and that no mortall man could glory of this onely Emperour his aduancement Constantinum Principem Imperatorem Deus omnium Author totius mundi Gubernator suo solum arbitrio delegit Euseb supr c. 18. eo consilio vt cum alij omnes Imperatores hominum suffragijs ad eum dignitatis gradum â—scendere consueuerint de hoc Imperatore solo ad honorem efferendo nemo mortalis omnino gloriaretur For allthough he was generally orderly chosen and accepted by men yet as the same Authour writeth he was Miracoulously preserued by God and by his extraordinary protection brought safely from all danger to his Father heare in Britaine old and ready to die to be inuested in the Empire after him Constantius cum ad summam prope senectutem prouectus Euseb l. 1. Vit. Const c. 12. communi naturae quod debebat esset persoluturus iam migraturus è vita Deus tunc rursus facinus quoddam admirabile eius causa edidit qui ei mortem oppetituro sua prouidentia curauit vt filius eius natu Maximus Constantinus ad capessendum Imperium praesto esset And so soone as he was Emperour as the same Authour then lyuing and well â—â—owen vnto and knowing Constantine testifieth and so declared by the Armies as the custome was being chosen of God longe Euseb Eccles Hist l. 8. c. 14. before to that end insisted in his Fathers steps in fauouring and aduancing Christian Religion Huius Constantij filius Constantinus mox atque Imperator Britaine now quiet for Religion And all holy places â—â—stored perfectissimus ac Augustus ab exercitibus multo antea ab ipso Deo Rege omnium declaratus fuit paternae erga nostram Religionem pietatis imitator esse caepit So that in this part of the world as Britaine and France where CoÌ„stantine succeeded his Father and now reigned there was no Persecution vsed against Christians but all fauour and Indulgence towards them And that assertion Euseb in Chronic Floren. Wigorn in Chron. Mar. Scot. aetat 6. l. 2. in ConstaÌ„t of diuers Historians both of this and other Nations which affirmeth that the Persecution begun by Dioclesian and Maximinian did continue after their forsaking the Empire and vntill the seuenth yeare of the Reigne of Constantine vsque ad annum septimum Constantini is to be vnderstood of those parts which vntill about that time were not vnder the Rule of Constantine but to Galerius Seuerus and Maxentius Persecutours and so Florentius Marianus and others expownd it And it can haue no other construction to be true for euident it is in Histories that not onely from the beginning of the Reigne of Constantine but in his Fathers time all Christians vnder their gouernment were free from Persecution And so soone as Constantine had conquered Maxentius and was sole and absolute Emperour all Christians in the world vnder him were deliuered from Persecution and sett at libertie euen publickly to professe their Religion And from his first entrance into the Empire and to be King of Britaine
publikly acted with so many circumstances which could Constantine without all doubt baptized by S. Siluester Pope at Rome not be concealed in the greate commanding Citie of the world by the sole Emperour thereof and S. Syluester the highest Ruler in the Church of Christ testified by almost all Ecclesiasticall Historians too many to be remembred being recompted to be aboue 40. Classicall Christian Writers for this matter Iodoc. Cocc in the saur Cathol Tom. 1. l. 7. art 9. omitting many of greate name Antiquitie and Authoritie The Pagans themselues euen of the same Age as Ammianus Marcellinus Zosimus and others giue plaine Testimony vnto it the first expressely speaketh of Constantins Fonte Constantinianum Lauacrum in Rome The other setteth downe Ammian Marc. lib. 27. cap. 2. the whole History at lardge after his ethick manner Zosomen also testifieth that this History was common among the Pagan Writers in his time memoratum Zosom lib. 2. de Constantino Zosom Hist Eccles l. 1. c. 5. R. Abrah leuit in Chron. Iudaic. R. Abrah Esra in c. 11. Daniel Michael Glycas part 4. Annal. à gentilibus And the Iewes also euen their most malitious against Christians as R. Abraham Leuita and R. Abraham Aben Esra doe confesse and proue the same So doe the best Greeke Historians Theophanes Metaphrastes Zonaras Cedrenus Glycas Nicephorus and others Some of these as Michael Glycas calling them Arian Heretiks who say he was baptized at Nicomedia by the Arian Bishop thereof Ariani quidam constanter asserunt eum ab Epicopo Nicomediae baptizatum esse and saith it is out of doubt that he was baptized at Rome his Baptistery there still continuing to proue it inuincibly true Non dubium est quin magni Imperatoris huius Baptisterium quod adhuc Romae conspicitur illustri ratione veritatem commonstret So haue the rest And Theop. Ceram supr in Chrono Theophanes plainely saith this was one of the Arian Heretiks fictions and lyes against Constantine to staine his glory vntruely with And their Authenticall publikly receaued Menologion of the Greeke Church doth not onely say that S. Syluester baptized Constantine at Rome clensing him both from his Leprosy of Soule and body Syluester propter summum virtutis gradum Menol. Graecor Kalend. Ianuar. defunsto Melchiade antiquiori Romae creatus est Episcopus Hic multorum patrator Miraculorum Constantinum Magnum ad fidem conuertit cum animae corporis Constantine a Saint with the Greeks in their Menologie morbos diuino Baptismate ab eo expulisset but it receaueth and enrolleth this Glorious Emperour in the Catalogue of holy Saints and so he is generally honoured among them and in the Latine Church his name was euer enrolled in the Ecclesiasticall Tables called Dyptica and publikly recited at Masse Nichol. Papa Epis ad Michael Imperatorem which was not allowed to any but Orthodoxe and holy Christians 6. Therefore he must needs be free from all such suspition wherewith those suspected Gretians haue charged him the cheifest of them Eusebius as I haue proued before contradicting himself herein and making Constantine a professed Christian receauing Sacraments many yeares before this pretended Baptisme at his death Therefore I may worthely say of this renowned Emperour with our learned and auncient Historian That he was the flower of Henric. Hunt Hist l. 1. in Constantino Harding Chro. c. 63. f. 50. Britaine a Britan by blood a Britan by Country before whome and after whome neuer any the like went out of Britaine Constantinus flos Britanniae hic Britannicus genere patria ante quem nec post similis est egressus de Britannia And an other in his olde Poeme of the same our renowned King and Emperour first testifing he was baptized at Rome by Pope Syluester and there cured of his Leprosie addeth He died after that at Nichomeid In Cataloge among the Saintes noumbred Of May the twentie and one day indede Vnder shryne buryed and subumbred Among all Christen Kings worthy to be remembred Whose day and feast the Greekes haue eche yeare Solâ—mply as for a Saint full clere Our old English Chronicle also testifieth of this Emperour This Constantine Old Engl. Hist part 4. f. 38. was a glorious maÌ„ and a Victorious in Battayle In gouerning of the comyn people he was very wise and in the necessitie of byleue he was without comparison deuoute his piete and his holynes be so written in the bookes of holy Doctors that without doubte he is to he nobred amoÌ„g Saintes And the Greekes say that in the end of his life he was made a Monke S. Aldem saith greate Constantine was corporally and spiritually S. Aldelm lib. de Laudib Virgin c. 12. cured in Baptisme at Rome by S. Syluester Imperatoris Constantini diuturna valetudo Elephantiosa corporis incommoditas accepto baptismatis Sacramento a S. Syluestro citius curata est And as Niphorus a Gretian writerh this is Niceph. Hist l. 7. c. 35. l. 8. c. 5. 4. the consent of the whole Church that he was baptized at Rome by S. Syluester Ecclesia a Syluestro eum Romae baptizatum esse certo praedicat And againe nos Ecclesiae vinuersali consentientes Romae eum sacro Lauacro tinctum esse Siluestro administram ei imponente manum diximus THE VI. CHAPTER THAT S. HELEN EVER PROFESSED HERself a Christian neuer ioyned with but against the Iewes Was in Britaine when Constantine was baptized in Rome and after going from Britaine to Rome was there with Constantine present at the Roman Councell consenting to the Decrees thereof 1. THIS our Triumphant Emperor and glory of Britaine hauing thus victoriously conquered his spirituall as well as corporall Enemies and by Baptisme thus happily made so glorious and profitable a member of the Church of Christ the ioyfull newes and tydings thereof was soone diffused and knowne to the holy Christians though farr distant from Rome as that thing they most desired to be effected and as much reioyced to heare it was so religiously performed And among the rest his blessed mother S. Helen then lyuing heare in Britaine her natif Contry after the death of her husband Constantius dying heare who as before had in the best manner she could instructed her sonne Constantine in the true Christian Religion and desired nothing more then to vnderstand he publikly and with so greate zeale now openly professed that which she had so often and earnestly exhorted him vnto was not a litle ioyed with the certaine notice hereof And with all hast she could prepared herself for so long a Iorney by her corporall presence to be both a more effectuall partaker and encreaser of such Christian comforts And to giue argument of her Ioyes by message in the meane time writing vnto him from Britaine as our Antiquaties affirme and among other things to expresse her greate zeale in Christian Religion and to exhort her sonne to the like vnderstanding of
the Christian Cleargie there should be free from Tributs and Vectigals and all this was done as he setteth downe before the ouerthrowe Constantine gaue to Licinius or Licinius opposed against him Which Baronius affirmeth was in the 316. yeare of Christ And in the very next yeare 314. of Christ the same Authour Baron Annal. An. 314. Matth. Westm An. 321. Ado in Chronic. Baronius setteth downe the first Councell of Arles where as he from Ado and others writeth there were 600. Bishops assembled together with Claudius Vitus Eugenius and Cyriacus the Popes Legats and addeth further from Eusebius that Constantine himselfe was there present with the Bishop Sed ipsum Imperatorem Constantinum cuÌ„ Episcopis interfuisse Eusebius declarat Which presence and sitting of ConstaÌ„tine with the Bishops in Councell Euseb l. 1. de Vita Constant cap. 37. Eusebius plainely confesseth Tanquam communis Episcopus a Deo constitutus ministrorum Dei coegit Conâ—â—lium in media istorum frequentia ac congressu adesse vna considere non dedignatus in medio consessu quasi vnus e multis assedit And yet affirmeth that diuers other Councels were called and kept in Baron An. 315. this yeare as at Ancyra in Galacia Neocaesarea in Pontus and Laodicea in Phrigia In the next yeare 315. he affirmeth Constantine published a Decree in preuenting murthering of children like a good Christian Prince Constantinus Imperator dignam planè Christiano Principe edidit sanctionem And an other against the Iewes which persecuted such of their Profession as became Christians commanding therein all such Iewes with their partakers to be burned And subiected all Christians which should forsake their Religion and professe Iudaisme to the same punishment So we might proceede to the other yeares betweene this and the 324. yeare wherein Baronius would haue him to be baptized needles to be related in this place these being more then sufficient to proue he was baptized longe before that time Which Ensebius doth giue plaine testimony vnto euen by Baronius his owne calculation for Baronius setting downe the warre betweene Constantine and Licinius to haue bene in the yeare 316. Eusebius saith that Licinius did then oppose against Euseb Hist l. 10 cap. 8. 9. God Allmightie whome he knew Constantine did worship Licinius vbi belelum Constantino inferre decreuit etiam ipsum omnium Deum quem a Constantino colisciebat impugnare aggreditur Eusebius thus writeth immediately after those Letters written to Anilinus Caecilianus and others before about the seuenth yeare of Constantinus as Baronius before hath witnessed Eusebius there also calleth Constantine a man renowned for all kinde of pietie omnis pietatis virtute clarus 7. And to put vs out of all doubt in this busines Euseb doth manifestly proue Euseb l. 1. vit Constant c. 34. 35. 36. 37. 41. that Constantine had giuen such freedome and donations to the Church of Christ as be remembred honored Bishops builded Churches caused Councels to be called and was present in them with the Bishops and many things of like nature before the tenth yeare of his Empire Heremias Sozomen before Sozom. l. 1. Hist cap. 8. hath witnessed that he receaued the Sacraments in the Church in this time Sacra mysteria percipere Which none but actually and really Baptized Christians might doe or did at any time If any man shall obiect that S. Melchiades Pope was a Maryr and so not likely to receaue such fauours from Constantine Baronius well answeareth he was accompted as many others were for the greate Persecution he endured vnder Maximian and not because he Baron An. 313. was violently put to death for Religion but dyed in a peaceable time Which the old Roman Martyrologe confirmeth Romae S. Melchiadis Papae qui in persecutione Martyrolog Roman die 10. Decembr Maximiani multa passus reddita Ecclesiae pace quieuit in Domino Which proueth that CoÌ„stantine had giuen Libertie to ChristiaÌ„s before S. Melchiades death which was within a yeare and litle more of Constantine his Victory against Maxentius After which time there is a silence in Histories of any Persecution where Constantine reigned And therefore S. Syluester being fled to the Mountaine Soractes in Persecution when he was sought for to christen Constantine by Diuine Vision argueth for them that hould before that the was baptized in the seuenth yeare of his Empire and by S. Syluester not then Pope but soone after and so said to be baptized by S. Syluester Pope because a litter after by the death of S. Melchiades he was choseÌ„ to that dignitie 8. The opinion of Constantine his Leprosie and miraculous curing thereof at his Baptisme can be no argument for the deferring thereof to a later time for we find that his daugter S. Constantia or Constantina was also infected with that desease as most probable from her Father and as miraculously cured thereof at S. Agnes her Tombe by her prayers as her Father was by S. Syluester his baptizing him So that we may rather say of them both so miraculously cured to the greate glory of God Conuersion of many as Christ said of the man borne blinde whome he gaue sight vnto that neither he nor his Parents in that respect had sinned but that the workes of God might be manifest in him Then with Pagans impute such punishment to the demerits Io. cap. 9. of Constantine which Euagrius ernestly contendeth to cleare him off And the greatest matter that is obiected being the death of Crispus his sonne this Euagr Hist l. 3. cap. 40. 41. could be no cause to deserue that Leprous punishment Crispus death being longe after Constantine his Baptisme wherein he was cleansed from that infirmitie Which both Baronius and Spondanus confesse and affirme Sozomen Baron SpoÌ„d An. 324. proueth by many Arguments that Crispus liued many yeares after his Father Constantine was a Christian Costantini ad Christum conuersionem plurimis arguâ—entis demonstrat longè ante Crispi obitum contigisse ipsumque Câ—â—spum plures vixisse annos postquam Pater Christo nomen dedisset 9. Therefore I meruaile how they could write before that Constantine was not baptized vntill the 324. yeare of Christ in which they say Crispus his death was and now thus confidently teach that which I onely contend that Constantine was a Christian longe many yeares before that time And Nicephorus Platina and others teach that this Crispus was baptized by S. Nicephorus lib. 7. cap. 33. in fine Platina in Marco Syluester together with his Father Constantine when Maxentius was ouerthrowne in the seuenth yeare of Constantine Vna cum ipso Crispus eius filius diuinum participauit lauacrum ambo candidam vestem induerant pulsis vrbe Tyrannis And Sozomen plainely affirmeth that Crispus died in the 20. yeare of the reigne of Constantine and before in his life being Caesar ioyned with Sozomen Hist Eccles l. 1. c. 5. his Father in many Lawes for
of God with eternall felicitie in heauen but had such honour and renowne also heare on earth that greater she could not haue she was Empresse the Coine stamped with her Image she had power ouer the Imperiall Treasure to vse it at her pleasure and being gloriously to dye about fourescore yeares old left her sonne Emperour and grandsonnes Caesars and the better to perpetuate her memory on earth two Cyties were founded of her name one in Bithinia the other in Palestina Pro quibus rebus videtur dignè a Deo remunerata esse Nam vita quam hic degebat eius generis fuit vt neque splendidior neque illustrior esse potuerit Augustaitem fuit appellata eiusque Imagine nummi signati Thesauri quoque Imperatorij potestatem a filio adepta eo pro arbitratu vsa est Mortem gloriasam obijt tum cum annos circiter octoginta confecisset filium simul cum nepotibus Caesaribus totum Imperium Romanum gubernantem post se relinqueret Denique nomen eius iam mortuae obliuione minime obrutum est sed sunt duae vrbes altera in Bythinia in Palestina altera vtraque eius nomine nsuncupata velut pignus ad illius memoriam perpetuandam aetati posterae relictâ— 24. At her death her sonne so greate an Emperour diligently wayted on her and held her hands and so most blessed woman she seemed vnto wisemen not to dye but leaue a worse for a better life Suo filio tanto tamque eximio Imperatore ipsi praesto assistente sedulo inseruiente manus ipsius tenente finem ita viuendi fecit vt beatissima quidem iure optimo non mori prudentibus videretur sed vitam caducam fragilem cum caelesti aeterna reuera commutare Her body Euseb lib. 3. de vit Const c. 46. Martyrol Rom. 18. Aug. Socrat. Hist l. 2. cap. 13. Niceph. l. 8. c. 31. honored with renowned obsequies attended with a wonderfull company of wayters on it was so conueyed from Rome vnto Constantinople and there layed in an Imperiall Sepulchre Eius autem Tabernaculum splendidis exequijs decoratum nam maxima satellitum turba ad ciuitatem quae principem locum tenet Imperij deportatum fuit ibique regali Sepulchro conditum 25. As she is glorious in heauen so on earth her Feast in the Latine Church is Martyrol Rom. supr Vsuard Ado. eod die Menolog Graec. 12. Cal. Iul. Inscript Antiq. ante valuas Eccles S. Gereonis Colon. Petr. Merssaeus Catal. Elect. Eccl. in Archiep. Colon. Io. Pitseus de Illustr Brit. Scrâ—pt aetate 4. in sancta Helen Io. Bal. l. Script Brit. centur 1. in Helen Fláuia celebrated the 18. day of August in the Greeke the 20. of Iune and in old Monuments proposed for and most honorably and singularly named a Paterne and Example for greate Kings and Princes and an Empresse full of grace as in the old Church of S. Gereon in Collen one of her Noble foundations Regibus Exemplum Sacroque Chrismate Plena Condidit hoc templum Sancti Gereonis Helena ConstaÌ„tinus Manasses calleth her faeminam beatissimaÌ„ A late English Writer writeth that from Christ to her time there scarcely was to be found a woman more adorned with all vertues and learned in all sciences A Christo nato vsque ad illud tempus vix viderat sol faeminam omnibus virtutibus ornatiorem in omnibus scientijs doctiorem And to giue vnto her Protestants praises not too lauish in commending such holy Saints they are enforced to confesse Helena Augusta Seremissimi Coeli Regis haeres vnica filia Magni Constantini Caesaris mater incomparabili decore fide Religione bonitate pia magnificentia Eusebio etiam teste per totum resplenduit orbem Inter omnes aetatis suae faeminas nulla inueniebatur eâ in liberalibus artibus doctior nulla in instrumentis musicis peritior aut in linguis Nationum copiosior Innatam habebat ingenij claritudinem oris facundiam ac morum ornatissimam compositioneÌ„ hebricè graecè Latinè erudita Marito Constantio Chloro Caesare Eboraci defuncto cum Anna illa Euangelica in sancta viduitate perdurauit ad vltimum vitae diem tota Christianae Religioni dedita Sunt enim Authores qui narrent peristam cessante persecutione pacem Ecclesijs datam ad tantam Philosopbiae cognitioneÌ„ eam ferunt peruenisse vt ediderit de Prouidentia Dei Librum vnum De immortalitate animae librum 1. c. The Empresse Helena Mother of Constantine the Emperour for her incomparable beauty faith ReligioÌ„ goodnes and pious magnificence as Eusebius himselfe witnesseth was renowned throughout all the world Among all woman of that Age none was found more learned in Liberall Arts none more skillfull in musicall InstrumeÌ„ts none more copious in the languages of Nations She had a naturall promptnes of wit eloquence of speach and most commendable conuersation in life Excellenlly learned in Hebrue Greeke and Latine Her husband Constantius Chlorus Emperour dying at Yorke with holy Anne spokeÌ„ of in the Ghospell she perseuered in holy wydowe hood vntill her death wholly deuoted to Christian Religion And Authours say that by her peace was giuen to Churches She is reported to haue come to so greate knowledge in learning that she wrote a Booke of the Prouidence of God one of the Immortalitie of the soule one the Rule of well lyuing One of Epistles to her sonne Constantin one of her Reuelations one to S. Anthony the Abbot one of Greeke Pontic Virun Hist Brit. l. 5. verses extant in Ponticus Virunnius his time as he writeth extant adhuc Carmina quae dam graeca quae illius fuisse perhibentur Thus this glorious Saint and Empresse ended her life so holy vertuous as Sozomen writeth that none could Sozomen Hist Eccl. lib. â— cap. 1. be more honorable renowned then it was vita quam hic degebat eius generis fuit vt neque splendidior neque illustrior esse potuerit 26. Baronius and the Roman Writers dare not for certaine deliuer or in Baron Spond Annal. an 326. particular set downe the yeare of her death but say it is not knowne quoto anno Domini defuncta fuerit incompertum habetur But our English Historians both Catholicks Protestants are more confident say she dyed in the 337. yeare of Christ being then as others also testifie 80. yeares old Octogenaria Io. Pitseus aetat 4. in S. Helena Ioh. Bal. l. de Script Britan. in Helena Flauia Baron Spond supr Sozomen l. 2. Hist cap. 1. Eus l. 3. vit Const cap. 45. Euseb l. 4. vit Const Baron SpoÌ„d Annal. an 335. Marian. Scot. aetat 6. an 385. Euseb supr cap. 40. Socrat. Hist Eccl. l. 1. cap. obdormiuit in Domino quinto Calendas Septembris anno Redemptionis humanae 337. And Baronius doth not write to the contrary but rather inclineth to confirme it when writing of the yeare
of Christ when by Socrates reckening Constantine the Greate dyed When Theodoret saith plainely that this greate Constantine restored S. Athanasius by his Decree restituit autem Alexandriae decreto suo Athanasium quamuis adesset Eusebius summis Theodoret. l. 2. Histor cap. 1. viribus dissuaderet And Sozomen also doth euidently testifie that the Greate Constantine in his life time commanded S. Athanasius to be restored and so left it in his last Will and Testament and recordeth this returne of S. Athanasius as the first matter of moment done after his death Dum haec geruntur Theodoret. Hist lib. 1. cap. 31. Athanasius ex Gallia ad solem Occidentem vergente Alexandriam reuertitur Quem Constantinus dum adhuc maneret in vita reuocari in patriam iusserat Fertur etiam eum hoc idem in Testamento suo praecepisse Which Constantine the Sonne then ruling in those parts speedely and honorably for S. Athanasius performed testifying in his Publike Letters extant in the Workes of S. Athanasius Sozom. Histor Eccl. l. 3. cap. 2. Theodoret Sozomen and Socrates himselfe that it was his Fathers Ordinance and Commande Cum Dominus noster faelicis memoriae Constantinus Augustus Pater meus haberet in animo Episcopum illum ad propriam Sedem locumque restituere morte ante occupatus occumberet quà m id quòd erat sibi in optatis Epistol Const filij apud Athan. Apol. 2. Theod. l. 2. c. 2. Sozom. l. 3. c. 2. Socrat. l. 2. c. 2. Niceph. Hist Eccl. lib. 9. c. 3. l. 8. c. 54. explere posset consentaneum existimaui vt ipse institutum tam pij Imperatoris mihi exequendum susciperem 4. And the same Socrates manifestly proueth that this returne of S. Athanasius to Alexandria from Treuers after his so longe continuance there was presently vpon the death of Constantine the Father so soone as the certaine notice thereof did come to his sonne Constantine in France Eusebius setteth downe many memorable things of this greate Emperour done by him yet lyuing after the time of his supposed death by Socrates Namely the marriage of his second sonne with greate sumptuousnes the Father Emperour leading his sonne by the hand to that Solemnitie the Ambassages and gifts sent Euseb lib. 4. de vit Const c. 49. 50. 51. 56. 57. vnto him from the Indians His diuiding the Empire betweene his sonnes His dayly making of Lawes both concerning ciuill and warlike affaires assiduè leges ferebat aliquando de rebus ciuilibus aliquando de bellicis He prepared his greate Expedition against the Persians in so forcible and victorious manner associating diuers Bishops with him to giue assistance both by their counsaile and prayers that the Persians vnderstanding thereof fearing themselues not able to make resistante sent Ambassadors vnto him to entreate for peace Oratores ad eum de petenda pace mittebant which they obtayned vpon conditions for the quiet of Christians among them 5. Among these prouisions he caused a moueable Church magnificently to be made to carry with him in his Army for his Cleargie and himselfe to serue God in Ad bellum illud suscipiendum Tabernaculum ad Ecclesiae similitudinem magnificientia faciendum curauit in quo Deo victoriarum datori ipse cum Episcâ—pis supplicaret And further to explode the error which holdeth he was not baptised vntill a little before his death when these Ambassadours came vnto him it was the holy time of Easter and Constantine watched all night with Constantine his greate deuotion at the feasts of Easter other Christians in the Church magna agebatur diei Paschâ— eo tempore celebritas Imperaror cum caetâ—ris pernoctans vota precesque Deo persoluebat And this custome he yearely vsed in this greate Festiuitie as the same Author present witnesse thereof thus testifieth Statis quotidie teÌ„poribus soluscuÌ„ sololoquebatur Deo Cap. 21. 22. supr supplici voce in genua proiectus humili vultu deiectis oculis à Deo petebat ve quibus egeret rebus per illum consequeretur Sed hanc Religionis executationeÌ„ salutaris festi temporibus augeÌ„s omnibus viribus cum animi tum corporis diuinos sacroruÌ„ ritus obibat quasi qui huius magnae solemnitatis exempluÌ„ omnibus praeberet NocturnaÌ„ verò in hoc festo per vigilationeÌ„ tam claram reddidit quà m diurnaÌ„ lucem accensis tota vrbe per certos homines quibus hoc munus delegatum fuit quà m celsissimis cereis caÌ„delis etiam laÌ„padibus igneis omnes latebras collustraÌ„tibus vt illâ— mystica pernoctatio longe clarior ipsa solis luce redderetur Ad hunc moduÌ„ Deo ille sâ—o quasi sacerdos quidam sacra faciebat He did dayly at certaine vsuall times huÌ„bly vpoÌ„ his knees pray vnto God but this exercise of religion he encreased in the times of the Feast of Saluation with all The ceremony of lights in the Church vsed by Constantine in greate aboundance of them and watchings power of soule and body executing the sacred ceremonies giuing as it were an example vnto all of this greate Solemnitie In this Feast he made the watching in the night as bright as the light of the day most high waxe condels were set vp burning in all the Citie as also laÌ„pes shyning in euery corner diuers meÌ„ being assigned to execute that office So that this mysticall watching through all the night was made farre more bright then the light of the sonne After this manner as if he had bene a Preist he serued God 6. Vpon the opportunitie before remembred of the King of Persia sending Constantine procureth quiet for the Christians in Persia Ambassadors vnto Constatine to procure peace he also wrote vnto that King Sapores that the ChristiaÌ„s in his Dominions which were there in greate numbers at that time cum accepisset apud Persas frequentes esse Dei Ecclesias infinitum pene populum Christi gregibus contineri might liue at libertie and freedome Euseb l. 4. supr Sozomen lib. 2. Hist cap. 14. for their Religion And if we may beleeue Eusebius then lyuing and best knowing the affaires and proceedings of this most Noble Emperour after all these things were compassed and brought to end he began that glorious and renowned worke and foundation of the most sumptuous Church of the twelue Apostles in Constantinople vbi iam haec peracta fuerunt omnia Euseb supr c. 58. Apostolorum templum in fui cognomine ad perpetuam illorum memoriam conseruandam aedificare caepit Where it is euident by this then lyuing Authour and witnesse that he did not begin to build this Church vntill long after his tricennall Feast first finishing and ending those things I haue remembred and others And yet the glory and statelines of that worke as it is described by the same Writer was such that it could not be effected finished in many yeares Cap. 60. supr and yet
Constantine laboured all he could euen till his dying day to haue the holy faith of Nice continue stable and permanent for euer and to innouate any thing therein should be to conteme so many holy Confessors and Martyrs which had professed it and the old Institution and obseruation of the Catholike Church continuing vntill his Empire Cum intelligamus Constantinum Principem omnium Posterorum memoria Epist Concil Arimin ad Constant Imperat. apud Socrat. l. 2. Hist cap. 29. post mortem celebrandum diligenter elaborasse vt fides illa Nicaae literis prodita accuratissimè perquisita explorataque esset absurdum plane videretur eo iam post acceptum Baptismum vita functo ad tanquilâ—itatem sibi debitam profecto aliquid in ea nouare tot sancâ—os Confessores Martyres qui huius doctrinae Authores inuentoresque fuerunt quique vt vetus Ecclesiae Catholicae institutum poscebat omnino senserunt inque eo perstiterunt perpetuo prorsus contemnere Quorum fidem ad tui Imperij tempora Deus per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum perduxit And there earnestly exhort him that no Innouation be made but suffer them to perseuer quietly in the faith of their Predecessors directed by the holy ghost and neither to adde nor detract any thing to those auncient Decrees which by his Fathers pietie had bene obserued and kept so long vnuiolate Tuam clementiam obtestamur vt non permittas quicquam nouari ad eorum contumeliam qui vita excesserint sed nobis facias potestatem in his quae sunt à Maioribus quos quidem ingenuosè prudenter spiritu sancto illis opem ferente omnia transegisse constat Decreta sancitaque firmè perseuerandi Flagitamus ne quid veteribus Decretis vel detrahatur vel adijciatur omnino sed omnia quae patris tui pietate vsque ad hoc tempus obseruata fuerunt rata firmaque permaneant neque de caetero nobis quicquam de ijs rebus facessus molestiae aut a nostris ipsorum Ecclesijs nos abesse sinas By this greate euidence of 400. witnesses both our renowned Constantine both lyuing and dying and this Kingdome of Britaine is hitherto free from all suspition of Heresie Of the continued Innocency of Britaine from that fowle and allmost generall Infection I shall speake more heareafter that which I haue said before sufficiently excuseth Constantine And both Theodoret SozomeÌ„ doe most plainely cleare him The first affirmeth that he was so earnest a Professor and Patrone of the Nicen faith all his life that so long as he liued no man durst openly deny it dum vixit Constantinus nemo â—am apertè reijcere ausus est The other doth euidently proue that he was so grounded in the true Catholike faith established Sozom. Hist Eccl. lib. 3. c. 1. at Nice that the Arrian Preist which seduced his Sister Constantia and his sonne Constantius afterward being by his Sisters meanes present with him at his death and trusted to deliuer his last Will to his sonne Constantius neuer durst bewray himselfe to Constantine that he was an Arrian much lesse persuade that holy Emperour to that Heresie peâ—ceauing how firme and constant he was in the true Catholike faith non fuit ausus palam facere Theodoret. Hist Eccl. l. 2. c. 3. malum suum cum videret quanta esset regiae mentis in re diuina firmitas But he reserued the vomiting of that his poison to Constantius whome he infected after his Fathers death THE XIX CHAPTER HOW BRITAINE HAD MANY BISHOPS at the true greate Sardican Councell they and the other Bishops Preists and Christians heare professed the true Catholike faith and were free from Heresie 1. NEITHER was Constatius soone after his Fathers death infected with the Arrian Heresie either to endanger Britaine or any other Nation vnder his Dominion but consented to the recalling of S. Athanasius from Exile Epist Constantij ad S. Athanas apud Socr. l. 2. Histor c. 18. Athan Apolog. 2. Socrat. l. 2. c. 16. Sozo l. 3. c. 10. 11. Nicephorus Histor Eccl. l. 9. c. 12 Sozom. supr c. 11. Conc. Sardic ep to 1. Conc. Athanas epist ad Antioch Tom. 1. oper S. Athan. apud al. and some time to his continuing his dignitie at Alexandria And whether it was for loue of S. Athanasius or feare of his Brother Constans writing earnestly vnto him in fauour of S. Athanasius he wrote diuers frendly letters vnto him after this of which Socrates setteth downe three and consented to the calling of the greate generall Councell of Sardyce 10. or 11. yeares after the death of Constantine the Greate his Father as Socrates and Sozomen affirme wherein S. Athanasius was proued innocent and as he then present with many others proueth the Nicen faith was confirmed and vtterly forbidden to be questioned Sancta Synodus quae Sardis conuenit Decreto sanciuit ne quid vlterius de fide scriberetur sese contentos esse Nicaena fide declarauerunt vt cui nihil deesset in qua integra solida pietas contineretur neque edendam esse aliam professionem fidei ne illa quae Nicaae scripta est suos numeros non habere videretur neue illis quibus libido est semper noua statuere occasio huiusmodi suppeditaretur vt iterum atque iterum de fide definiant Athanas Apol. 2. contra Arrianos 2. And at the calling of this Councell the same renowned Catholike Doctor calleth this Constantius as also his Brother a knowne Catholike Emperor Diuers Bishops of Britaine 5. at the least present at the generall Councell of Sardice But probably diuers more a most Religeous Prince in Magno Concilio Sardico ad EdictuÌ„ Religiosissimorum Principum Constantij Constantis And we are sure that at this time our Kingdome of Britaine retayned the former glorious estate and glory of Religion it had before in the dayes of Constantine and was still free from the Arrian Heresie For the same glorious Confessor S. Athanasius present in that Councell saith that among more then 300. Bishops assembled there which Sex Ruf. Breuia Rer. gest po Ro. ad Valentiniani Aug. Sigonius l. 4. de Occid Imperio p. 89. 90. Arnold Mylius in Antiq. nomin Region Insular c. Sepher Bin. Annot. in Conc. Sardic to 1. CoÌ„c Baron Spond An. 347. Athanas Apol. 2. freed him and professed the Nicen faith the Bishops from the Prouinces of Britaine ex Prouincijs Britanniarum were there And as the RomaÌ„ Writers testifie there were from the diuision of the Empire by Constantine and as many suppose before fiue Prouinces heare in Britaine Britanniae quinque Maxima Caesarieâ—â—â—s Valentia Britannia prima Britannia secunda Flauia Caesariensis So that if we should allowe but one Bishop out of euery of these Prouinces to haue bene at the Sardyce Councell and there to haue subscribed for the rest of their Prouinces or Diocesses we must grant fiue Brittish
Hist c. 29. putt in his place out of the Church and the Emperour therevpon against his will consented to his returne Liberius ab exilio reuocatus sedem Episcopatus propterea recuperauit quod populus Romanus seditione conflata Felicem Ecclesia illa eiecerat Imperatorque ipse etiam inuito animo illis consenserat Where we see it was rather the Act of the Romans Catholiks then the Arrian Emperour that Liberius was restored with the Romans and against the Emperours will Theodoret sheweth that the Matrons of Rome were also Agents herein protesting to their husbands that if they would not procure the returne of Liberius they would forsake them and goe vnto him Cum Romae esset Constantius Magistratuum Primariorum ciuium coniuges obsecrant maritos vt supplicent Constantio pro Pastore qui restituatur Ecclesiae suae seque nisi impetrassent desertis ipsis ad magnum illum Pastorem deuenturas minantur And they themselues Theod. l. 2. Hist c. 17. went to the Emperour to vrge him hearein and not to suffer such a Citie to want their Pastor and though the Emperour answeared they had Felix a worthie man which kept the Nicen faith and onely communicated with Arrians this could not content them iustifiing that no Citizen of Rome would come into the Church while he was there And hearevpon the Emperour consented to his returne to Rome Accedunt laudabiles Matronae ad Imperatorem pretiocissimis vestibus ornatae quo magis Imperator nobiles ratus precibus voluntatique ipsarum gereret morem Erat autem deprecatio talis Misereri vellet tantae ciuitatis spoliatae Pastore suo expositae Luporum insidijs sed Imperator Respondit non illam Pastore alio indigere quae prudentem bonumque haberet fuerat autem creatus post Liberium vnus ex Diaconis illius vir fidelis Faelix nomine qui incurruptam quidem seruabat Niceae expositam fidem sed violatoribus illius coniungi non verebatur nemo tamen omnium ciuium Romanorum in aedem orationis est ingressus cum ipse intus foret Quod ipsum matronae tum Regi significarunt Itaque flecti se passus iussit optimum quidem Liberium de Exilio reuocari 3. Therefore seeing both the Westerne Catholike Bishops by their letters Legates made Intercessiō for Liberius his restoring the Romās made Tumults for him and their wiues did thus vrge his returne and none of them would communicate with Felix cōmunicating with the Arrians and Liberius being restored did so much detest subscription or communication with Arrians that after the Assemble of Ariminum he did rather and most willingly by all Authours chose to be exiled againe the second time then to subscribe vnto or communicate with them I dare not thinke that so worthie a man by all witnesses was euer guiltie of so foule a fact And Constantius which had by all meanes tempted his constancy both by feares and flatteries would not haue bene vnwilling but most willing with his returne vpon that condition he whome he and his Arrians put in Liberius place performing no more but otherwise so firmely continuing in the Catholike faith hating Arrianisme Damasus Sen. Anastas in Vit. Faelic 2. Tom. 1. Conc. Martyrol Rom. Iulij 29. Bar. Annal. ann 357. Seuer Bin. Tom. 1. Conc. in eod Marian. Scot. aetat 6. in Constant Martin Polon Sup. put in Faelice Regino Chron. Sozom. l. 6. Hist c. 22. that by many Writers and of greate worth he excommunicated that Emperor for that Heresie and for that same cause suffered Martyrdome vnder him Hic fuit Catholicus hic declarauit Constantium filium Constantini esse Hereticum Et propter hoc ab eodem Constātio capitis decollatione martyrio coronatus His Marble Tombe founde in the Church of S. Cosmas and Damian had this Inscription in old Characters hic iacet corpus sancti Faelicis Papae Martyris qui Constantium Haereticum damnauit 4. And concerning Liberius his faith to the end Sozomen the most diligent Relator of his Actions setteth downe for his last memorable Act that when there was Question in Syria and some other places about the consubstantialitie of the holy Ghost with the Father the sonne Pope Liberius hauing notice thereof wrote his Decretall Epistle to the Easterne Bishops that they should with the Bishops Preists of the West confesse the holy Trinitie And they all yelded to the iudgment of the Pope Liberius Quae controuersia cum in dies magis magisque cresceret Episcopus Romanus de e◠certior factus scripsit ad Ecclesias Orientis literas vt vna cum Sacerdotibus Episcopis Occidentis Trinitatem consubstantialem esse gloria aequalem existimarent Quo facto singuli rebus ab Ecclesia Romana semel indicatis acquieuerunt haecque controuersia finem habere visa est 5. The Macedonian Heretiks as the same Sozomen Socrates and others testifie submitted themselues to his Papall sentence And all the Bishops of the West except Auxentius Bishop of Millan embraced the doctrine and Decrees Sozomen l. 6. c. 11. Socrat. l. 4. c. 11 Sozomen supr c. 23. of the Nicen Councell together with Pope Liberius De doctrina autem neque Romani neque vlli alij in Occidente inter se dissentiebant sed omnes Concilij Nicaeni Decreta approbabāt atque Trinitatem tum honore aequalem tum potentia censebant Auxentio solo excepto qui cum esset eo tempore Ecclesiae Mediolanensis Antistes vna cum alijs quibusdam res nouas moliri contra communem Episcoporum Occidentis consensum doctrinam Arrianam defendere idem cum his qui non filium solum sed spiritum sanctum quoque patri dissimilem quae controuersia Posteris excitata erat existimabant sentire in animum induxit Therefore haue the Fathers before iustly called him an excellent renowned man and inferior to none vir excellens spectatus optimus Saint Ambrose calleth him a man of holy memory Sanctae Ambros lib. 3. de Virg. Epiphan Haere◠75. Basil Epist 74. Bed in Martyrol 8. Cal. Octob. Martyr Vuandelbert 23. Septemb. Niceph. lib. 10. Hist cap. 1. memoriae S. Epiphanius a blessed man beatum And S. Basile a most blessed man beatissimum In auncient Martyrologes he is a Saint So S. Bede and this Country among others hath receaued and honored him 6. Some also there be which labour to free Constantius the Emperour himselfe from being a formall and obstinate Heretike among whome Nicephoras saith he was seduced by giuing too much credit to the Arrian Bishops conuersing with him and yet allthough he caused the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consubstantiall for peace sake to be put out of the Creed yet he still professed the true Constantius Emperor by some excused to be no Heretike but a professed Catholike a◠his death sence and meaning of that word saying and holding that Christ was the true sonne of God begotten from Eternitie
and was a professed and open Enemy to all which durst call God the Sonne a Creature Quamuis facilitate ingenij illecebris Religionis ab Episcopis in quorum potestate fuit seductus sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consubstantialis verbum ex fidei Symbolo sub vnionis coniunctionisque omnium praetextu sustulerit sinceram tamen dictionis eius sententiam est professus Quum etenim Deum verbum germanum filium ante secula ex patre genitum dixit tum certus manifestusque eorum qui creaturam illum vocare ausi fuissent hostis extitit The like Niceph. l. 9. c. 50. he hath in other places and citeth S. Gregory Nazianzen to like purpose who doth as much or more excuse him he saith he died an holy death was buried with all honour and reuerence with holy Christian singing Himes and lights sanctis carminibus nocturnis himnis lucernarum ignibus Christiani obitum pium cohonestandum censent He calleth him the most holy of all Emperours and most louing of Christ Imperatorum santissime Christi amantissime He saith he was after his death glorified in heauen changing his earthly for an heauenly Empire Qui ad Deum translatus sis gloriae caelestis haeres tanto longius a nobis secesseris quanto Imperium illud quod cum hoc commutasti est augustius Thus S. Gregory Nazianzen is cited by Nicephorus But in his owne workes Greg. Nazien l. de Laud. S. Athanasij orat 1. 2. in Iulian. he is more plaine for the excuse coÌ„mendatioÌ„s of CoÌ„stantius defeÌ„ding him or excusing him in all matters obiected against him Which were three things that he caused the death of his sonne in Law the secoÌ„d for making IuliaÌ„ which proued an Apostate Emperor the third for his professing or fauoring the ArriaÌ„ Heresie All which he confessed at his death in his last words repeÌ„ted Tria haec Greg. Nazian l. in Laud. Athan. mala Imperioque suo principatu indigna ipsuÌ„ agnouisse narrant vnuÌ„ quod generi suo necem attulisset alteruÌ„ quod IulianuÌ„ ApostataÌ„ Imperatorem nominasset tertium quod nouis fidei dogmatibus studuisset simulque cuÌ„ his vocibus è vita aiscessisse The word narraÌ„t meÌ„ testifie proueth this was the testimony of others besides S. Gregory and yet he lyuing in that time and those parts a man of so greate renoâ—ne his owne Authoritie if it had bene singular is not to be lightly esteemed Yet diuers others besides those witnesses confesse as much Zonoras saith of this Constantius citing others as much as S. Gregory did that this Emperour at his death professed himselfe to be penitent for those Errors Constantius obijt Io. Zonar Tom. 3. Annal. in Constantio trium vt aiunt se paenitere professus caedis propinquorum collati in Iulianum Tituli mutatae Religionis And for this cheife point for changing his Fathers Religion and following the Arrians Nicephorus saith he did not a litle repent Niceph. Hist lib. 10. c. 1. him Quem non parum quod aliquid de paternae fidei professione mutauerit paenituit And Theodoret one of his greatest Accusers herein confesseth as much and more affirming he did bitterly complaine that he had changed his faith acerbe fuit conquestus quod fidem immutasset And againe he died with groaning and Theodor. Hist Eccl. l. 2. c. 32. vlt. Theod. l. 3. c. 1. bewayling that he had chaÌ„ged his Fathers faith CoÌ„stantius cuÌ„ gemitu queremonia ob mutatam fidem paternam excessitè vita S. Gregory Nazianzen saith that at his death he purged and excused himselfe both before God and man in many words Deo hominibus multis verbis se excusasset atque purgasset Greg. Nazian orat in Iulian. conatuque suo animique impetu testacum Christianis reliquisset quanto pietatis tuendae studio impelleretur Wherevpon this holy learned Father saith he had pleasure to thinke of his end Ex postremis voluptas nascitur He saith this was the Orat. 2. in Iulian. more coÌ„mon opinion quod communius est that he died an holy death pio fine vitam clauserat he was buried with such solemnities as Catholiks vse in the Funeralls of them which make an holy end Publicis laudibus faustisque ominationibus pompisque deducitur ac Religiosis etiam his nostratibus cultibus nocturnis cantionibus faciumque gestationibus quibus nos Christiani pium è vita discessum honore prosequi consueuimus 7. And to confirme the opinion of men with the Authoritie and testimony of heauen and Angels he saith it was commonly related multorum auribus diuulgatum est that as his body was with such solemnitie carried to Constantinople to be buried there an Angelicall Harmony was heard by many as a reward of his pietie Vox quaedam summis è locis à nonnullis exaudiebatur velue psallentium prosequentium Angelicorum opinor caetuum quod pietatis illi praemium erat funebrisque remuneratio The same is related by Nicephorus and others Niceph. l. 9. Hist c. 50. Greg. Nazian orat 1. in Iulian. Wherevpon the same holy Father stileth him the Emperour most excellent most diuine and most louing of Christ ô Imperatorum praestantissime ac diuinissime Christique amantissime And confidently affirmeth he was after his death ioyned to God had receaued the Inheritance of the heauenly glory and departed hence to change his Empire for a better Qui Deo-coniunctus sis celestisque gloriae haereditatem acceperis atque hactenus à nobis migraris vt Imperium Greg. Nazian orat in laudem Athanasij cum meliore commutares Which no good and learned man such as this S. Gregory was could or would say of an irrepentant Heretike Therefore when he saith of this Emperour in an other place that some reported that he had vnprofitable repentance at his death inutili vt ferunt paenitentia in extremo vitae spiritu affectus he must needs speake as his owne words vt ferunt proue in the opinion of others And yet there speaking of the three things before cited which he repented him of two of them were theÌ„ remedilesse to wit the disinheriting of the next Heires to the Empire now being dead giuing Title to Iulian who had then vsurped the Empire and by force kept it But for his owne saluatioÌ„ there was no time too late in his life to haue true effectuall and iustifiing repentance And S. Athanasius then in exile farre from the place of Constantius his death and writing presently after that he was baptized by Athanas Epist de Synodis Aâ—ia Seleuc. Enzoius an Arrian and not hearing of his repentance after testified both by men and Angels as his silence thereof proueth might haue probable cause to thinke and write that he died as he liued an Arrian Constantius Haereticus suit ad finem vsque permanens in ea impietate This also may and
intermedium occupant De Italia enim superuacaneum est dicere Aiunt enim Romae quae est longè maxima eum fuisse adeo omnium sermone celebratum vt in officinarum omnibus vestibulis Porticibus ei paruas posuerint Imagines hinc sibi praesidium tutelam parantes Cum ergo venirent innumerabiles conabantur omnes contrectare ex pelliceis illis vestibus aliquam percipere benedictionem Where we see yet the Religion deuotiō not of Manuscr Antiq. Capgr in Vit. S. Cadoci Episcopi Martyris a few but many Britans then multi Britanni to goe so farre on Pilgrimage to holy parsons places and Reliks among those our glorious Monke Abbot Bishop and Martyr S. Cadocus went thrise on Pilgrimage to Hierusalem seuen times to Rome and to these Reliks of S. Andrew in Scotland staying preaching there seuen yeares as is also before remembred THE XXVII CHAPTER OF MANY RENOWNED ARCHBISHOPS OF all our Archiepiscopall Sees heare many other learned and holy Bishops and Apostolike men heare in this time and their Religion the Catholike Religion 1. WE reade in this time there was a learned Bishop or as Trithemius stileth him Archbishop of the Scots called Hildebertus Tutor and Instructor of that renowned learned Father of this Nation Caelius Sedulius Sedulius Hildeberti Scotorum Archiepiscopi ab ineunte aetate Discipulus Io. Trithem l. de Script Eccl. in Sedulio Ioa. Bal. lib. de Scrit Britan. in Caelio Sedulio Others giue him onely the Title a very learned Bishop of the Scots Hildebertus eruditus Scotorum Praesul But if we vnderstand this in that common sence and meaning as Bishops and Archbishops of places are taken and vnderstood that Hildebertus should be Archbishop of any See or Citie among the Scots sainct Palladius being by all Antiquities set downe to be their first Archbishop excepting the Archbishops Hildebertus the learned Tutor of Caelius Sedulus probably Archbishop of Yorke of Yorke and he sent by Papall and extraordinary Authoritie as Apostle to that Nation I dare not ioyne with them further in opiniō herein then say he was in this Age one of our Archbishops of Yorke and by that right Title Archbishop of all Scots or whatsoeuer Christian people in the North parts and Ilands of this kingdome Britaine vnder that Archiepiscopall Iurisdiction by Pope Eleutherius first order and Institution 2. Which I may further confirme by the authoritie of all them which call him Archbishop of the Scots they also teaching that he was Instructor of Author apud Bellarm. lib. de Script in Sedul Io. Trithem in Caelio Sedul Bal. in eod cent 1. Iodoc. Cocc in Catal. Scriptor Sedulius in his yoūger yeares à tenera aetate and those that write of Sedulius the time wherein he florished and died some place his deth vnder Cōstantius sonne to Constantin the Greate some in the 430. yeare of Christ others in the yeare 460. by none of these Accompts could Hildebertus be otherwise called Archbishop of the Scots then in that meaning I haue deliuered At the time of the first accompt the Scots were not in this kingdome as I haue made manifest before and before Hildebertus could be Tutor to Sedulius by either of the later reckonings the Scots were probably driuen out of Britaine by Maximus about the yeare 379. when Sedulius being long time Scholler to this Bishop must needs be old in the 430. of Christ and much older neare an hundred yeares old if he liued vnto the yeare 460. yet he is not by any Writer noted for an old man We cannot say that this Hildebertus was Archbishop of the Scots in Ireland for although diuers hold that diuers of the Scotish Irish had receaued the faith of Christ before saint Palladius or S. Patrike were sent vnto that Nation by Pope Celestine yet it is made plaine by the old Writer of the life of sainct Modwenna and others that at the comming of sainct Patrike thither the Irish people there were eyther Pagans for the most part or not well instructed in Christiā Religiō gentes illae partim Paganicis erroribus M. S. Antiq. de vit S. Modeuen Virg. Capgrau Catal. in eadem inuolutae partim fidem nondum plenè intelligebant Which could not be probably truely said of any Nation hauing so learned an Archbishop as Hildebertus is proued to haue bene with other Bishops Preists and Cleargie men as that greate dignitie inferreth and bringeth with it And the Antiquaries not onely of this but other Nations agree that sainct Palladius was the first Archbishop or rather Bishop that was euer sent into Ireland in the time of Pope Io. Trithem l. de Script Eccl. fol. 26. in Pallado Celestine and by him long after this Age Palladius Britannorum seu Scotorum Insulae Hiberniensis à Caelestino Papa primus ordinatus Episcopus Where Trithemius calleth him the first Bishop no Archbishop of that people yet he confesseth that sainct Patrike was immediatly after by the same Pope made Archbishop there Post quem sanctus Patricius genere Brittus à sancto Caelestino Papa consecratus in Archiepiscopum Hiberniensem 3. I doe not find the names of any others either certainely or probably remenbred in Histories to haue bene Archbishops of Yorke in this Age except Archbishops of London in this time Taurinus spoaken of before did in the beginning thereof supply that place of dignitie there The names of the Archbishops of Londō haue bene better preserued amōg which in this Cētenary of yeares we finde first S. Stephē commonly Will Harrison descript of Engl. Stowe Hist in Lucius Godwin Catal. of Bishop London Harris Hist Manuscr l. 4. cap. 7. by our Protestant Antiquaries accounpted the seuenth Archbishop there to which some Catholike Historians as M. Harris in his Manuscript History seemeth to agree But seeing I haue proued S. Augulus our holy Archbishop Martyr whom they passe ouer to haue bene Archbishop there ioyning with Theanus Eluanus Cadar Obinus Conā Palladius all which they place reckō before Stephē there be foūd seuen Archbishops there before him and he cannot be the seuenth but the eight in that See Next to Stephē they accoumpt in this Age Iltut or Iltuta after him Restitutus which was at the Councell of Arles spoken of before then Dedwyn Theodwyn Tadwyne Tatwyne or Tacwyne then Thedred Tidred or Theodred An old Manuscr Hist Gallic an 427. Gennad in Catal honor ib. Philip. Berg. Hist Io. Trith l. de Script Eccl. in Fastidio French Manuscript History testifieth that one named Gouncelyn was Archbishop of London about this time And whereas both Gennadius Honorius Philippus Bergomensis Trithemius and other strangers tell vs that Fastidius about this time was a Brittish Bishop very learned a deuoute and worthie both Preacher and Writer and therefore by them registred among the holy Writers of his time Fastidius Episcopus Britannorum in Scripturis sacris eruditus verbi Dei Praedicator
other Bishops were subiecte 283. 4. Diuers Archbishops of London numbered 591. 3. Archflamens antiquity 275. 5. Archflamens were called Priests amongst the Gentils 276. 6. Archflamens were the same that PoÌ„tifices Maximi ib. Archflamens and Flamens in Britaine ruled not onely in spirituall but also in temporall affaires 217. 7. All Archflamens and Flamens in Britaine conuerted together with their Cities 270. 5. Archflamens and Flamens for the most part made Bishops after theiâ— Conuersion 217. 7. S. Aristobulus ordained Bishop 92. 1. S. Aristobulus consecrated by diuers Authors before S. Paul 94. 3. S. Aristobulus his death in Britaine by Martyrdome 171. 3. King Arthur descended from Heluius nephew to S. Ioseph of Arimathia 124. 1. Aruiragus King of Britaine 2. 2. 23. 7 Aruiragus put away his wife Voada Sister of Cataracus King of the Scots 132. 3. Aruiragus married Genuesse Claudius his supposed daughter 2. 2. 132. 3. Aruiragus leaues his kingdome to his sonne Marius 2. 2. 132. 3. Aruiragus write a booke in defence of plurality of wiues 132. 2. Aruiragus worshipped the Emperor Claudius as God 132. 2. Aruiragus dedicated a Temple vnto Claudius ib. Aruiragus granted Priuiledges to S. Ioseph of Arimathia 108. 1. 128. 2 Aruiragus was not a Christian conuerted by S. Ioseph 131. 1. c. Aruiragus small beneuolence towardes Christians 132. 2. Aruiragus liberality towards the Pagan Gods ib. Aruiragus in some sense may largely be termed a Christian 134. 7. Aruiragus buried in the Church he builded to Claudius 132. 3. Asclepiodotus Duke of Cornewayle King of Britaine 373. 2. Asclepiodotus slew the RomaÌ„s Captaine Lucius Gallus 375. 4. Asclepiodotus deposed Alectus sent hether against Carausius 373. 2. Asclepiodotus excused by some from any furthering of the Persecution of Dioclesian 451. 2. Asclepiodotus slaine by Coel. 451. 2. Asclepiodotus a Perturber of the Romans 452. 4. Asclepiodotus his death gratefull to the Romans 452. 4. The lenght of Asclepiodotus reigne 376. 5. or 373. 5. S. Athanasius recalled from exile 548. 1. S. Athanasius proued innocent by the Councell of Sardice ib. S. Attila Abbot next to S. Columban in his Monastery of Luxouium 332. 9. Aualonia so called from Aualla in the Brittish toÌ„gue signifying fruits 329. 4. S. Augulus Archbishop of London 94. 4. S. Augulus probably the first Archbishop of London 179. 7. S. Augulus probably sent into Britaine by S. Clement Pope 180. 8. S. Augulus Martyred though not in the Persecution of DioclesiaÌ„ 179. 7. S. Augustine our Apostle of EnglaÌ„d with his Associats was of no other but the old Apostolike Order and Rule that was vsed in S. Gregories Monastery 331. 7. S. Augustins Disciples ioyned in our auncient Brittish Order 332. 9. S. Augustine placed himselfe at Canterbury 210. 4. S. Augustine ordaâ—ned onely tow Bishops ib. S. Augustine did not preuaile so farre as to conuert halfe the Brittish Nation 210. 4. Augustus the Emperour established peace through the whole world 1. 1. Augustus consulteth with Sibilla Tiburtina about being made a God 3. 1. Sibyllas answere 4. 1. Augustus his strange Vision ib. Augustus erected an Altar with this inscription Haec Ara est primogeniti Dei 4. 2. Augustus great esteeme of the Sibils bookes 4. 3. Augustus would not be called Lord and why 5. 3. Augustus answere which he receaued from Pithius Apollo 6. 6. Auitus the second Bishop of Tungers 198. 5. Aulus Plancius the Emperor Claudius his Lieutenante in Britaine conuerted 88. 2. Aurelian the Emperour raiseth the 9. Persecution 391 1. Aurelius Ambrosius renewed the decaied Monasteries of Britaine 601. 6. Aurelius Ambrosius celebrateth the Feast of Pentecost with great solemnitie 601. 7. Aurelius Ambrosius buried in a regall manner ib. Aurelius vid. Marcus Auxentius Bishop of Millan an Arrian 559. 5. B. BAngor a famous Monastery 620. 8. Bangor Monasteries great number of Monkes ib. Bangor Monasteries Monkes deuided into 7. companies vnder 7. Priors 603. 8. The miraculous Banner of Constantine hauing the signe of the Crosse in it 487. 3. S. Barnabas S. Aristobulus brother preached in Italy only by directioÌ„ of S. Peter 63. 1. S. Barnabas sent from the East to Rome to diuulge the comming of Christ 19. 1. Bassianus Seuerus his sonne chosen both King of Britaine and Emperour 370. 2. Bassianus slew his halfe brother Geta chosen by some Romans for Emperour 370. 2. Bassianus brought vp by a Christian Nurse ib. Bassianus accustomed either to weep or turne his face when any Christians were put to death ib. Bassianus innocent of Christian bloude 371. 2. Bassianus causeth innumerable Roman Pagans to be killed ib. Bassianus slaine where and by whome 372. 3. Bassianus married the Sister of the holy Christian Lady Mummea 372. 3. Bassianus left a sonne named Heliogabalus 372. 3. S. Beatus a Britan Apostle of the Heluetians 63. 1. S. Beatus consecrated Preist by Pope Linus ib. S. Benedicte Biscop the first Abbot at Canterbury after those of S. Augustins Mission 333. 9. S. Benedicte went hence to the Monastery of Lirinum thence to Rome and liued among the Roman Monkes ib. S. Benedicte was a Monke of our auncient Brittish Order ib. S. Bernac a holy Abbot 604. 10. S. Bernac renowned at Rome for killing a pestiferous serpent ib. S. Bernac flead from Rome to auoid human applause ib. A Bishop imports as much as an ouerseere or cheife Commander 98. 9. Bishops consecrated with annointing with holy oyle 103. 2. The same Vnction a Sacrament 105. 5. Vsed by the Apostles ib. In this externall ceremony the grace of the Sacrament giuen 104. 3. This Vnction the generall vse both of the Greeke and Latin Church in the first vnspotted dayes of Christianity 105. 4. 190. 5. Bishops function acknowleged by Protestants to be a diuine ordinance 91. 1. Bishops superiority and authority exercised in ordering of Bishops and Ecclesiasticall Ministers by Protestants confession grounded in the word of God 93. 1. No trew Bishops or Preists among Protestants 106. 5. One Bishop in the primitiue Church vsed to preach in diuers Countries 178. 7. All Bishops may appeale to the See Apostolike 344. 2. Bishops not to be iudged 383. 11. or 393. 11. The Bishops of Scotland alwayes trewly consecrated as the Roman vse was 358. 4. Bishops Sees founded in France by S. Peter which are for the most part Archbishops Sees at this time 67. 5. The places and names of diuers auncient Bishoprikes 288. 5. Bishops Sees vnder the Archbishop of London in King Lucius time 292. 9. Bishops Sees vnder Yorke 292. 9. Bishops Sees vnder the Archbishop of Cambria 293. 11. or 263 11. Bishops of Britaine present at the first Nicen Councell 545. 7. Diuers Bishops of Britaine fiue at the lest present at the generall Councell of Sardice 548. 2. The Bishops gathered at the CouÌ„cell of Ariminum refused to be maintained by the Emperor Constantius 551. 1. Bishops of Britaine present at the Councell of Ariminum 551. 1. The Bishops of Britaine sincere faith testified by S. Hilarius 555. 6. The same
testified by S. Athanasius 555. 7. The Bishops of Britaine before S. Augustins time learned and truely Catholike and holy men 592. 3. Bishops of Britaine renowned in the Eastern Nations teaching there true Religion and condemning of Heresies 592. 3. Vide. Archbishop Braghan a noble Britan stiled King 585. 10. Braghan had 12. sonnes and 12. daughters all happy Saints ib. S. Brendon found in an Iland of America a Monastery of disciples of sainct Patrike and sainct Albeus 328. 3. Brennus commonly supposed to be a Britan and brother to our King Beline 119. 4. S. Briget became a Nunne in the I le of Mona 605. 11. or 608. 11. Britaine the Queene of Ilandes 32. 4. Britaine called by some an other world 141. 3. Three Britains of old 48. 6. Britaine deuided into Cambria Loegria Albania by Brutus 280. 1. Britaine deuided also into 5. Prouinces 35. 8. 187. 2. Britaine deuided into 3. Prouinces by the Romans their names and Metropolis 314. 3. Britaine had aunciently 28. Cities 285. 1. Their names 285. 1. c. The number of Britan Ilands 141. 3. Britaine subiect to diuers pettie Kings 127. 1. Britaine made Tributary to the Romans by Iulius Caesar â—1 1. Britaine kept vnder the Romans with a small garrison 1. 1. Britaine neuer so seruil to the RomaÌ„s as other kingdomes 232. 2. Britaine neuer subiects to the RomaÌ„s Iure belli 238. 4. All Britaine belonged to the RomaÌ„s in the time of Maximus 575. 6. Britaine had alwaies its owne Kings both by inheritance and descent froÌ„ their auncient Brittish Regall Race 232. 2. The old right and Title of Britaine to the Ilands neere Norway and Denmarke 334. 1. Britains Conuersion foretold by the Prophets of the old TestameÌ„t 31. 3. Britaine began to be enlightned with the sunne of the Gospell euen in the daies of Tiberius 21. 4. Britaine enioyed diuers Bishops and Preists after sainct Aristobulus death 171. 3. Manifold lets of the generall Conuersion of Britaine 232. 1. c. Britaine generally conuerted vnder S. Eleutherius 255. 3. 270. 6. Britaine receaued in king Lucius time the old Decrees of the primitiue Popes 338. 4. Britaine the first kingdome in the world that generally and publikly receaued the faith of Christ 250. 5. Britains generall Conuersion neither lawfully might or could be established without the help and Power of the Roman Apostolike See 248. 3. Britaine receaued Church discipline from Rome and when 320. 7. Great encrease of Christians in Britaine in Pope Higinius time 209. 3. Britaine a Paterne to deuide other Prouinces into Diocesses and Parishes 338. 1. Britaine at variance by reason of King Lucius death without a successor 250. 1. Britaine distempered in ciuill affaires by the longe absence of Constantine 542. 2. Britaine at ciuill warres 542. 3. Litle Britaine probably the place giuen by Constantine to the Brittish Souldiars which had serued him in his warres 542. 2. Britaine as free as any Nation from the Arrian Heresie 544. 7. Britaine receaued and obserued the Nicen faith 546. 9. All Britaine not perfectly free from the Arrian contagion 555. 8. Britaine in S. Ninians time did agree in Religion with the present Roman Church 589. 4. All Britaine subiect vnto the Pope in spirituall busines vntill Caluins time 353. 4. Britans carried as Prisoners and Hostages to Rome 1. 1. The Britans temporall dependance on the Roman Empire occasion of their greatest spirituall good 2. 3. The Britans beleife of Christ to come did not diminish in the inhabitants after the death of Iosinas and Finnanus 11. 6. Many Britans liued in perpetuall chastity before the Natiuity of Christ and why 16. 7. Some Britans came to more knowledge of Christ in Tiberius daies 12. 1. Many Britans conuerted at Rome 19. 2. A reason out of S. Ambrose of the Roman Britans so quicke Conuersion 20. 3. Britans of the Northren parts CoÌ„uersion before those of the South 34. 6. The Britans first Apostle necessary to be knowne 40. 1. With what Nations the Britans had commerce at Rome 21. 4. The Britans well affected to the Româ—ns vnder Tiberius 23. 4. Diuerse Britans probably conuerted with S. Mansuetus by S. Peter 32. 5. Diuers BritaÌ„s probably accompaned S. Peter from hence to Rome 162. 2. The first Christian Britans honor loue towards S. Peter 164. 3. Our Britan Christians probably buried S. Peter ib. Britans both at home and else where enioyed quietly vnder the RomaÌ„s the free vse of Christian Religion vntill the Persecution of Dioclesian 164. 3. 20000. Britans serued vnder Vespasian at the sacking of Hierusalem 166. 2. Credible that many of these Britans were Christians ib. Many Britans receaued the faith in the time of Antoninus Pius 203. 4. Britans euer loued learning 206. 8. Many Britans went to Rome to inable themselues in learning Religion for the generall Conuersion of Britaine 222. 4. Britans the first Christian people in the world 335. 3. Britans and Scots receaued not their first faith from any Church of Asia 353. 4. Many Britans fall againe into Paganisme 367. 3. Britans sent to Rome to pay Tribute accustomed to sacrifice in the TeÌ„ple of Mars 367. 3. Britans knighted at Rome with Pagan rites and ceremonies 367. 3. The Britan Christians manifold miseries in Dioclesians Persecution 423. 2. c. Britans fly to the Scots and Picts to auoide Persecution 429. 1. The Britan Christians care in restoring Religion after the Persecution of Dioclesian 180. 8. The Britans deuotion to S. Simeon Stellita 589. 5. The Britans detested the Pelagian Heresie 610. 6. S. Brithwald a Monke of Glastenbury 333. 9. Saint Brithwald chosen Abbot in the Monastery of Reculuer in Kent ib. S. Brithwalds Vision of S. Peter 76. 12. Brutus a Troian landed heare in the time of Hely and Samuel 280. 1. Brutus called this Country before named Albion Britannia ib. Brutus deuided at his death the Iland to his sonnes ib. C. S. Cadocus Bishop and Martyr a Prince by birth his Monanastery where builded 603. 9. S. Cadocus large almes 604. 9. Caelius Sedulius a Scot a man of great learning and by some a Bishop 593. 3. Caelius Sedulius preached in the East ib. Caelius Sedulius professed the same faith with the present Roman Church 593. 3. Caelius Sedulius his workes approued by sainct Gelasius Pope ib. Caelius Sedulius stiled by S. Gelasius Venerabilis ib. Some of his writings vsed in the Church publike seruice ib. Caerlegion first builded by Belinus 281. 3. Caerlegions diuers names ib. Caerlegion not so called from any Roman Legion 181. 10. Caerlegion an Archflamens Seat 281. 3. Caerlegions Archbishops 319. 4. The glory of Caerlegion 428. 3. or 425. 3. Caerlegion Schoole brought forth many glorious Martyrs during the Persecution of Diocletian 427. 2. S. Caffo sainct Kebius Disciple 567. 4. A strange wounder performed by him ib. Sainct Caius Pope and Martyr 385. 17. S. Caius Kindsman to the Emperour Dioclesian ib. S. Caius his Decrees ib. Caius Caligula the Emperor a freind to Christians 30.
11. S. Claudias childrens paines and charges in furthering the Conueruersion of Britaine 199. 6. S. Claudia endeed her daies at Sabinum in Vmbria 161. 10. Claudius the Emperor banished the Iewes from Rome 82. 3. Claudius brought the Orcades and Anglesie into subiection 335. 4. S. Clement goes into Iury to receaue instructions about our Sauiour 19. 2. S. Clement conuerted by S. Peter ib. S. Clement was personally with S. Peter in Britaine 164. 3. 176. 5. S. Clement succeeded S. Cletus in the gouernment of the Roman See 173. 1. S. Clement constituted by saint Peter his successor 173. 2. S. Clement numbered after S. Cletus and S. Linus and why 174. 2. c. S. Clement yeelded the Papacy to S. Linus 175. 4. S. Clement twice Pope 176. 5. S. Clement sent Bishops into Britaine 177. 6. Sainct Clement sent Bishops into France ib. S. Clement by the prerogatiue of the See of Rome commanded the Bishops of the East to sēd Bishops and Preachers into the West ib. S. Clemant bānished by Traian into the Iland Chersonesus 185. 1. S. Clement Martyred ib. S. Cletus succeeded S. Linus in the See Apostolike 169. 1. Coel King of Britaine 373. 2. 452. 4. Coel Father to the Empresse Helena ib. Coel slaines Asclepiodotus 451. 2. Coel ceaseth the Persecution against Catholiques ib. Coel frees Britaine from the Power of the Romans ib. Coel enacteth a seueare Law against the Romans and their fauourers 453. 4. Coel in dread of Constantius 376. 5. or 373. 5. Coel concludeth a peace with Constantius ib. Coel gaue Constantius his daughter Helena in mariage ib. Coel either twice King or else not King vntill towards his death 376. 6. or 373. 6. Coel propably a Christian 453. 4. Coel his death 459. 3. Coillus whē King of Britaine 196. 1. Coillus begot Lucius in his old Age. ib. Coillus confirmed the Priuiledges of the Monastery of Glastenbury 198. 6. Coillus supposed to haue bene a Christian King 198. 3. Coillus was no Christian King 133. 5. Coillus in some sense may largely be called a Christian 134. 7. Coillus did probably write vnto Pope Alexander that he was willing to giue way to Christian Religion 198. 6. S. Columbanus write a Rule of Monasticall life 330. 6. S. Columbanus his Rule confirmed by Pope Honorius 330. 6. 332. 8. S. Columbanus a Monke of Bangor of our auncient Brittish Order ib. S. Columbanus founded many Monasteries both of Monkes and Nunnes of our old Order ib. The Mōkes of Lirinum vnited them selues with S. Columbanus in his Rule 332. 9 The 10. Commandements giuen by God in the Law of Moyses 244. 4 The 10. Commandements all of the Law of Nature excepting that of obseruing the Sabboth ib Commodus succeeded his Father Marcus Aurelius Antoninus in the Empire 247. 1. Commodus exceeded all former Emperours in impiety ib. Commodus fauorable to Christians ib. Communion vnder one kind vsed in the time of Pope Cornelius 381. 8. or 391. 8. Communion vnder one kind vsed in S. Syluesters time in the Church of Rome 539. 2. Conche S. Martins Sister and S. Patrikes mother v. Couche Sacramentall Confession in S. Syluesters time 538. 2. Confirmation allowed for a Sacracrament by S. Cyprian 382. 10. or 392. 10. Confirmation defined to be a Sacrament in the Councell of Arles 483. 2. Constantius Clorus elected Cesar 391. 1. Constantius employed in cruel warrs in Germany 418. 2. Constantius hath the recouery of Britaine committed vnto him 392. 1. 458. 1. Constantius twice in Britaine 376. 5. or 373. 5. Constantius concluds a peace with King Coel. ib. Constantius marrieth King Coels daughter Helena at his first comming into Britaine ib. Constantius mariage with S. Helena trew mariage euen by the Romā Lawes 458. 1. Constantius put away S. Helena 409. 4. Constantius by his diuorchment of Sainct Helena depriued himselfe of regall Power in Britaine 409. 4. Constantius receaues Theodora a Pagan Concubine vnder the name of wife 409. 4. Constantius mariage with Theodora adulterate 458. 1. Constantius receaueth againe his wife S. Helena 458. 1. This was at his second being in Britaine 376. 5. or 373. 5. Constantius no instrument of Persecution 409. 4. 460. 5. Constantius finding the Christians in Britaine free at the death of King Coel so preserueth them 411. 4. c. 460. 5. c. Constantius alwaies a worshipper of the trew God 410. 4. or 419. 4. Constātius memorable acte to make triall of trew Christians ib. Constantius restoreth Christian Religion in Britaine and other places 463. 2. c. Constantius permitteth Churches to be erected 464. 4 Constantius fals sicke at Yorke 465. 4. Constantius warned by an Angell to leaue the Empire to Constantine 396. 6. 465. 5. Constantius crownes his sonne Constantine Emperour and prophesieth that he should aduance Christian Religion 465. 5. Constantius dieth at Yorke 401. 9. The time of Constantius death 466. 6. or 464. 6. Constantius sumptuous buriall at Yorke ib. Constantius buriall performed according to some with Christian solemnities 412. 5. Constantius body found at Caernaruon and honorably emtombed among other Christians ib. Constantine the Great sonne of Cōstantius and S. Helena 396. 6. Constantine a Britan by birth ib. Constantine escapeth from Dioclesian and Maximian 465. 5. Constantine arriues safely at Yorke ib. Constantine crowned Emperour ib. Constantine proclamed Emperor in Britaine 467. 1. Constantine designed to be Emperor by God himselfe 467. 1. Constantine kept Britaine quiet for Religion ib. Constantine restored all holy places in Britaine ib. Constantine had his education at Abingdon 469. 3. Constantine in Britaine prepares warre against the infidell Persecutor 470. 1. Constantine carried with him from Britaine a greate Power of his Country Brittish Souldiars 542. 2. Constantine committed the gouernment of Britaine to the Roman Proconsuls 542. 3. Constantine a worshipper of Christ before his miraculous Conuersion 471. 2. Constantins miraculous Vision of the Crosse ib. Constantins Vision of Christ in his sleepe ib. Constantine commands Christ onely to be worshipped 472. 3. Constantins miraculous Victory against his Pagan enemies by the signe of the Crosse 472. 4. Constantine aduanceth Christian Religion in all places destroying Idolatry 472. 5. Constantins wonderfull care deuotion and expedition in establishing Christian Religion and destroying Idolatry 473. 5. Constantins greate reuerence to the signe of the Crosse the ensigne of his Victories 473. 6. 488. 6. Constantine troubled with a Leprosie 475. 2. Constantine counselled by the Pagan Flamens to wash himselfe in a Bath of childrens bloude 475. 2. Constantine abhorreth the fact restoreth the children with rewards ib. Constantins Vision of Sainct Peter and S. Paul ib. Constantins Baptisme Confirmation at Rome by Sainct Syluester ib. The miracles which happened thereat ib. Constantine did not prolonge his Baptisme so longe as some write 489. 1. c. Constantine made a publike Oration persuading to embrace Christian Religion 476. 4. Constātine puts out an Edict against the Iewes 480. 4. Constantine consented and in dew manner
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