see hereafter Or if Cunobile yet liued as diuers of our Protestant writers doe seeme to thinke vpon the authority of Dio Cassius reporting that Adminus the sonne of Cunobeline being bannished out of Britaine by his Father was receaued Dio. l. 59. Stow. and howe 's hist in Caius Caligula Theater of great Britaine l. 6 cap. 4. into protection by Caius Caligula the fourth Emperour yet this hindereth nothing for all histories and antiquities are witnesses that notwithstanding the recited difference betwene the Emperour Tyberius and the Senate about the honour of Christ and liberty of Christians whether it was Cunobeline Guiderius or Aruiragus which then reigned here he stood in termes of amitie and peace with the Emperour and resisted not that his edict but rather was a fauourer and frend vnto it Which our Protestant Antiquaries incline vnto grounding themselues vpon the authority of Cornelius Tacitus Theater of great Britaine l. 6. c. 4. §. 4. p. 191. in this Manner In Britaine Tyberius neither maintained garrison nor attempted alteration and thereby as it may be thought their owne lawes and Princes bare sway among themselues howsoeuer the cause of Tribute was ballized if not in Tacitus Annal. l. 2. c. 5. subiection yet were well affected to the Romans as appeareth by Tacitus in the kinde intertainements and in releeuing their shipwracked souldiers that by Crosseinge the seas were by tempest dryuen vpon their coasts and courteously sent them thence by their petty Kings vnto Germanicus their Generall 8. Neither doth the British history gainesay this opinion although the Theater writers immediately after the last recited words doe adde Notwithstanding Ieffory of moÌ„mouth seemeth to affirme the coÌ„trary that bringeth fourth the the Reigne of one Guiderius and the valure of Aruiragus the sonnes of Cunobeline to withstand the Romish commaunde and vtterly to refuse the payment of the Tribute banding both against Tiberius as also against Caligula and Claudius the Emperours subceeding Which deniall of the Tribute Guiderius or Aruiragus to either Caius Caligula or Tyberius is not affirmed by the writer of the Brittish history which these men name Geffory of monmouth who truely translated Galfâ—id monum hist Reg. Brit. l. 4 c. 11. Ponticus Virun Brit. hist l. 4. it For this Authour saith first post illum Tenuantium promotus est ad Culmen regale Kymbelinus filius suus miles strenuus quem Augustus Caesar nutrierat Hic in tantam amicitiam Romanorum inciderat vt cum posset tributum eorum detinere gratis impenderet In diebus illis natus est Dominus noster Iesus Christus After Tenantius his sonne Kymbeline a valiant knight whom Augustus Caesar had brought vp was preferred to the kingdome He loued the Romans so much that when he might haue deteined their Tribut he freely payed it And in the next chapter where he bringeth in Guiderius and Aruiragus cap. 12. supr he addeth Expletis vitae suae diebus cessit regni gubernaculum Guiderio CuÌ„ ergo Tributum quod appetebant Romam ipsis denegaret superuenit Claudius qui in Matth. Westm an D. 44. Stowe and howe 's hist in Claudius Holinsh. hist of Engl. l. 3. in Theomantius c. 18. Strabo in Geograph in Brit. Imperium subrogatus fuerat when Kimbeline was dead Guiderius succeeded in the Kingdome Therefore when he denyed the Tribute which the Romans demaunded Claudius came hither being then Emperour which is that the Brittish history hath of this matter and also Ponticus virunnias word by word which was in the fourth yeare of Claudius seuen yeares at the least after the death of Tyberius Therefore it is euident by all accompts that during the life of Tyberius there was no breach but a continued amity betweene him and the Britans And so his Imperiall fauourable edict for all Christians was not could not be contradicted but receaued and approued in this kingdome by the Britans here And yet if the Kings of Britaine had denied their Tribute vnto Tyberius this would haue proued nothing but they were yet rather frends then enemies maintainers then persecutours of Christians which is euident in that King Aruiragus who at such time as the Roman Emperour Nero was a persecutour of Christians and Claudius before him yet this Brittish King was so greate a frend and fauourer of the Religion of Christ that euen by our Protestant Antiquaries themselues this nation was in their dayes an harbour Theater of great Britainel 6. Godwin Conu of Britaine Leland in Arth. antiq Glascon Capgrau in 5. Ioseph Aramat Stowe Howes hist in Aruiragus Holinsh. hist of Engl. in eodem of Canelden in Belg. Hardinge Chron. in Aruiragus Arnoldus Nurman theatro Conuers Gent. Gulielm Eiseng centent 1. Petrus de Natal l. 11. Anton. Democh l. 2. contra Caluin c. 33. and receptacle for such Christians as fledde hither from their persecution And this King did not onely permit them to enioy peace and quietnesse but releiued their necessities allowing them publike profession of their holy religion euen in Churches and oratories priuiledged by his authority and was so farre from being a persecutour that diuers haue written of which hereafter that he himselfe was also a Christian 9. By which and other such or more heauenly motiues it came to passe that I may boldly write this natioÌ„ of Britaine had diuers Christians euen in this time of Tiberius Among whoÌ„ that litle testimony of so holy auncient antiquities which by iniury of times is left vnto vs will giue me warrant to write that S. MaÌ„suetus borne in this kingdome was one no other natioÌ„ clayming them not vnprobably his holy Successours Associats S. Amon and S. Alcha especially if we follow those Authours which say That S. Mansuetus was sent as an Apostolike man Associate to S. ClemeÌ„t vncle of S. Clement the Pope first Bishop or Archbishop of Metz by S. Peter the Apostle in the time of Caius Caligula Emperour in the 40. yeare of the Natiuitie of Christ anno quod excurrit quadragesimo S. Petro Pontifice Maximo Caio Caligula Imperatore About the 40. yeare of Christ in the time of S. Peters Papacie and Empire of Caius Caligula Wherefore we must needs graunt he was a Christian some time before for neither Catechumens Neophites or newly coÌ„uerted were allowed to such functions And so he was a ChristiaÌ„ in the time of Tiberius which was the case also of S. Clement sent with him conuerted by S. Peter in that time of Tyberius as is before remembred And if S. Mansuetus borne in the furthest and more northerne and remote parte of this Iland and therefore termed natione Scotus trauailed so farre from hence as to Antioch or those easterne Arnoldus Mirm. Gulielm Eisengren supr Franc. Belleforest Cosmograp l. 2. col 263. Cat. Ep. tull parts beyonde or about Hierusalem to be then instructed by S. Peter before he came to Rome or any westerne nation as these authorities haue told vs we
which by their weake grownds and feeble Authorities haue so much as in them lieth made S. Pauls preaching in Britaine to be neither credible nor probable both which I haue thus disproued and proued it be both possible credible and probable that he was and preached in this kingdome THE XXXI CHAPTER CONCERNING THE TIME OF S. PAVLS coming into and preaching in Britaine That it could not be vntill the later end of the Empire of Nero a litle before the Martyrdome of S. Paule and was heare but a very short time 1. CONCERNING the time of S. Pauls supposed coming hither being but a circumstance of a doubtfull obiect and matter it selfe it must needs be more doubtfull and vncertaine the Authours of the English Martirologe and the Three Conuersions of Britaine asscribe his coming to the fourth yeare of Nero Engl. Martyrol die 25. Ianuar. The first saith According to diuers auncient writers in the fourth yeare of Nero the Emperor his Reigne the Ieweâ—â—eing by his Edict banished Rome he S. Paul The error of them which thinke S. Paul came into Britaine in the 4. yeare of Nero confuted parsonally came into Britaine and there preached the faith of Christ The other writeth in this order Arnoldus Mirmannius in his Theater of the Conuersion of all Nations affirmeth S. Paul to haue past to Britaine in the 4. yeare of Nero. Anno Domini 59. and there to haue preached Diuers Protestants seeme to incline to the same opinion and for the same respects But as I haue proued before this could not be and the first Authour contradicteth himselfe both in the time and his Authour of 3. Conu of Brit. p. 22. Engl. Martyr Iune 29. Authours for in an other place vsing the same Authorities of Theodoret Sophronius Venantius Fortunatus MirmaÌ„nius as in the former not any one of them speaking any such thing he saith It is recorded by diuers auncient writers that about the yeare of Christ threescore and seuen S. Paule came parsonally into our Iland of greate Britaine and there preached the Christian faith And the Authour of the booke of the Three Conuersions is as much deceaued if he thinketh Arnoldus Mirmannius did teach that S. Paul came hither in the fourth yeare Theater of great Brit. l. 6. Godwin Conuers p. 7. of Nero as our Theater Protestant writers doe cite him for Mirinannius speaketh of no yeare at all of S. Paule his coming hither But making S. Paule to begin his trauailes after his Imprisonment by Nero in the fourth yeare of his reigne caryeth him presently into Syria Pamphilia Licaonia Phaenice Mysia Phrigia Galatia Bithinia Achaia Macedonia the rest of Greece and Asia and after Arnold Mirm. Theatro conu gent. all this affirmeth he came into the west Spaine France and Britaine Quarto Neronis anno postremum iter ingressus peragrauit tertium aut quartum Syriam Pamphiliam Lycaoniam Phaenicen Mysiam Phrygiam Galatiam Bythiniam Achaiam Macâ—doniam reliquamque Graeciam pariter Asiam Illericum vsque Christianae Religionis prorogans pomaeria Demum ad Occidentis Europae Climata importare Euangelium studens Hispaniam primum hinc Galliam inde Britanniam petens Where he maketh his coming into these parts one of his last labours and his last of all except his returne to Rome to suffer Martyrdome in the later time of Nero. And he is no lesse deceaued which saith About the later end of Guiderius Reigne or not longe after Claudius returne to Rome it seemeth both by testimonie of auncient writers and by the course of S. Pauls peregination that he came into this land of Britaine and heare preached the Ghospell For it is euident Harris hist M. S. l. 1. c. 15. by diuers places of holy Scripture that it was both loÌ„ge after the returne Rom. 15. Act. ca. 26. c. 27. 28. c. 25. Matth. Westm ad an 44. alij Stowe Howes hist in Claudius Cat. Prot. ReguÌ„ Brit. of Claudius the Emperor vnto Rome being about the 44. or 45. yeare of Christ and after his death also 8. or 9. yeares after this and after Nero had reigned some time before S. Paule came to Rome itselfe or any part of Europe or the West And this Author naming in generall auncient writers for his assertioÌ„ mistaketh them in this thing for none doth or can whether auncient or late writer contrary to Antiquitie and the holy Scripture so affirme The cheife testimonye he bringeth is from Theodoret affirming that S. Paul came into Italy and into Spaine and profited the Ilands that lye in the Sea in Italiam Theod. in Ps 116. venit in Hispaniam peruenit Insulis quae in Mariiacent vtilitatem attulit But I haue shewed before that Theodoret interpreteth himselfe of Ilands in the Adriaticall See and nameth them in the plurall number And it rather maketh against then for that opinion if by impossibilitie he could be vndestood of our Britaine for he setteth downe S. Pauls visiting those Ilands after his being both at Rome and Spaine 20. yeares at the least after the Returne of Claudius to Rome froÌ„ Britaine He alledgeth Petrus de Natalibus to as litle purpose writing as he saith that S. Paul conuerted one Lucius in Britaine and his Disciple S. Tymothie baptized him what this Lucius and Tymothie Petrus de Natal l. 1. c. 24. were I will entreate hereafter but certaine it is that S. Timothie Bishop of Ephesus continued at his chardge and came not hither and if we should suppose the contrary contrary to all Antiquitie yet coming hither with S. Paul and S. Paul not coming vnto any westerne part of many yeares after as I haue made demonstration before this disproueth and proueth not his purpose speaking of no time at all And this Authour contradicteth himselfe in this Relation for he expressely writeth in these words S. Paule after his second Imprisonment at Rome came into Britaine Which was many yeares as I haue Harris supr l. 1. allready proued after the death of King Guiderius and Claudius his returne to Rome and very long after this our Britaine had receaued the faith of Christ from S. Peter and his Disciples 2. And to manifest vnto vs that S. Paule did not come into Britaine vntill he had performed his promise of going into Spaine after his dismission from his imprisonment at Rome and his long trauaile into the East Countries againe we haue both Antiquitie and Scripture for sufficient warrant to be firmely of that minde For all those Authours which I haue cited before for S. Paules preaching in these parts especially in Spaine as the Martyrologes of the Romans Vsvardes S. Bede and Ado Petrus Cluniacensis Trithemius Antonius Democharez Eisengrenius Mirmannius Genebrard Matthew of Westminster with others as diuers Protestants namely the Magdeburgians Francis Bargoing their English Protestant Bishop Godwin their Publishers and Comments vpon Matthew Westminster with many others agree that after Matth. Westm an
come before winter and sheweth he had then once ben called to his answeare Yet it is certaine that S. Paul ouerliued that winter and was pute to death by all testimonies vpon the 29. day of Iune which must needs be at the soonest about a yeare after And that S. Pauls full intention was at his first Imprisonment presently vpon his libertie to goe to the Hebrues and the Easte againe besides that is said before he plainely protesteth in his Epistle to the Hebrues written at Rome in his first imprisonment when he saith know yee that our Brother Timothie is sete at libertie with whome if he come shortly I will see you Where it is euident that S. Paul intended vpon his deliuery presently to returne into the Easterne Countries againe to visite the Iewes and Hebrewes there to whome he write in these words and the whole Epistle and not to come to make any stay at that time in any Western Nation much lesse Britaine so remote and diametrically allmost distant from all those Countries 5. And when he returned from this his Easterne Iorney againe it is euident by his owne testimonie that he was taken and kept a Prisoner at Rome againe soone after his returne from the East that if he came into Britaine at all he If S. Paul was in Britaine his stay was very short had no time betweene that Eastern Iorney and second Captiuitie to make any aboade heare For in his second Epistle to S. Timothie when he was a Prisoner euen vntill his Martyrdome he writeth as though he was newly come forth of the East at that time writing to S. Timothy to haue the cloake and 2. Tim. 4. v. 13. parchments brought vnto him which he left at Troas with Carpus And speaking againe of that his late Iorney he saith Erastus aboade at Corinth But Trophimus haue I left at Miletum sicke These he writeth as late accidents in that Iorney which he would not haue done if after his coming from thence there had bene so greate distance of time that he might and did come to make any long stay in this kingdome And that he did not come hither after this but continued a Prisoner to his death at Rome it is euident before and he in this Epistle thus confirmeth it I am now ready to be offered and the time of my depature 2. Tim. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. is at hand I haue fought a God fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the faith Henceforth there is laid vp for mee a Crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous iudge will giue mee Thus our Protestants translate him Where we see S. Pauls trauailes were come to their end and his end and triumph by Martyrdome and Crowne and reward in heauen for his labours and merits one earth at hand 6. And to followe Historiall accompt and computation euen by Protestants allowance we shall be brought to the same want and distresse of time to bring S. Paule into Britaine to make but a small continuance heare for their best Antiquaries with common consent write in these words It seemeth Godwin Conu of Britaine p. 7. that S. Paule was called to his answeare in the third yeare of Nero which was the 59. of Christ and continued a Prisoner but with some libertie two yeares after so that it must needs be anno Domini 61. the yeare of our Lord 61. and the 5. of Nero Neronis 5. before he passed either into Spaine or Britaine And they affirme with the common Godwin supr p. 6. Protest notat in Mat. Westm an 157. FraÌ„cis Burgoing Hist Eccl. l. 3. c. 2. l. 2. c. 1. opinion also that S. Paule went from Rome into Spaine according to his promise and to vse their words spending some time there The Protestants of Geneua say that after S. Pauls libertie when he went into Spaine there were but sixe yeares of freedome for him vntill he was Prisoner in Rome againe or rather to the time of his death in the last yeare of Nero and further say During these sixe yeares vntill the last of Nero he visited the Churches of Syria of Asia and Greece Our Protestant Authours of the Theater of greate Britaine speaking of S. Paule his coming to Rome againe after this Easterne Iorney write in this manner Paule came not to Rome till the tenth of Nero and Theater of great Britaine l. 6. c. 9. §. 7. in his thirtenth yeare from the Prison wrote his Epistle to Timothie as Eusebius declareth So by these men he was there a Prisoner at this time the space of three whole yeares which they further confirme when speaking of his imprisonments they say they were longe Paul well knowne in Rome by his longe Theater supr imprisonments So that to follow that opinion which is most honorable for S. Paul and this Nation and best pleasing our Protestants of England to bring him into this kingdome this by no probabilitie or warrant can be effected vntill his second returne from the Easterne parts when so short a time as before is allotted and limited for that iorney and his labours therein to visit France Spaine Syria Pamphilia Lycaonia Phaenice Mysia Phrigia Galatia Bithynia Achonia Macedonia all the rest of Greece and Asia the Ilands in the Adriake sea Spaine and France againe Britaine the Orchades and all the other Countryes or Ilands of this Ocean as Venantius Fortunatus and Arnoldus Mermannius affirme and Germany and Italy as he returned to Rome in the last Iorney of his life he being Martyred by S. Hierome and the common opinion in the 69. or 70. yeare of Christ by our CountrimaÌ„ Matthew Hieronym Catal Scriptur in S. Paul Arnol. Merman in Theatro Conu gent. Matthew Westm an 66. of Westminster and others 2. or 3. yeares sooner and of this time from the beginning of that Iorney in the 61. yeare of Christ probably two yeares a Prisoner the time of his oboade in Britaine must needs be very short and his labours pâ—â—portionably as litle in so much as we haue not any fure foundation to my reading to build for certaine any memorable thing in particular which he performed heare in this respect For allthough Arnoldus Mermannius saith of S. Paule that he left heare and there Preists and sent hither and thither Apostles Euangelists Prophets Doctors and Pastors partim relictis hic ibi Mystis partin huc illuc destinatis Apostolis Euangelistis Prophetis Doctoribus Arnol. Merm in Theatro Conu gent. Pastoribus yet he doth not vnderstand this in any sense of Britaine but other places of S. Paules preaching there remembred and cheifly those where he and no other Apostle preached which he sufficiently insinuateth when he addeth that the other Apostles did the same id quod etiam alij Apostoli fecerunt Which cannot be vnderstood of Britaine where they were not but of the peculiar places of their preaching And S. Paul an extraordinary Apostle vsed not to
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
the greate malice of the Iewes against Christians especially at that time the Emperor being so solemnely and miraculously baptized persuaded him to persecute those Iewes which denied Christ Constantino à Papa Syluestro baptizato scripsit ei sua mater Helena de Britannia vt negantes Christum Florent Wigor Chron. an 306. 328. Iudaeos persequeretur Marianus Scotus writeth also that S. Helen did write out of Britaine to ConstaÌ„tine when she heard he was baptized by S. Syluester Constantino autem à Papa Syluestro baptizato scripsit de Britannia sibi sua mater Marian. Scot. l. 2. aetat 6. an 321. Helena But the protestant Publisher as he is charged in many other things by M. Harpesfeild to haue done either hath mistaken him in that which followeth S. Helen neuer any Iewe or corrupted by such but allwayes an holy Christian or published some Copy not so to be approued for he bringeth in S. Helen in the next words to request her sonne to deny Christ and followe the Iewes vt negando Christum Iudaeos sequeretur Which cannot be the words either of Marianus or any learned Antiquary such as he was confessing S. Helen to haue bene at this time in Britaine as he doth for neither at this time nor diuers hundreds of yeares after S. Helen her death there is mention in Histories of any Iewes at all to haue bene in this kingdome Then much more it must needs be Historially a thing vnpossible and alltogether vntrue that there should then be one huntred fourtie and one of the most learned of the Iewes heare and S. Helen should bring them with her to Rome from hence as seemeth by some to be set downe in the RelatioÌ„ of the Dispute betweene S. Capgrau in S. Helena Syluester and the Iewes before Constantine and S. Helen in Rome adduxit secum Sancta Helena Romam centum quadraginta vnum doctissimos Iudaeorum But quite otherwise is proued before that S. Helen was an holy Christian when she was in this Nation before her going to Rome at the time of her writing from hence to her sonne Constantine there after his Baptisme When in the other sence that S. Helen wrote vnto her sonne to congratulate his Baptisme encouradge him constantly and religiously to professe Christian Religion to be a friend to the seruants and friends of Christ and a suppressor of Iewes and whosoeuer their Enemies we haue her owne religious education and all the Christian Cleargie and Nobilitie of Britaine à Christian kingdome and her natiue CouÌ„trie so calling vpoÌ„ her and neither Iewe nor Pagan of note learning or power for any thing we reade continuing heare either to hinder her in this or aduise her to the contrary to followe and fauour either Iewes or Gentils in their proceedinâ— 2. The like I may answeare to them which allthough they with the truth S. Helen wâ—nt not forth of Britaine with her sonne Constantine but after acknowledge S. Helen to haue bene the daughter of King Coel of Britaine and borne in this Nation yet they say she went hence with Constantine towards Rome at what time he went against Maxentius the Tyrant and with the children of Constantine trauailed to Bizantium and dwelling there was peruerted by the Iewes and so hearing of the Baptisme of Constantine in that Citie of Bithinia did write to him from thence commeÌ„ding him for renowncing Idolatrie but reprouing him for reprouing the Iewes Religion and being a Christian But this is euidently confuted before when by so worthie authorities and many arguments it was proued that S. Helen was in Britaine so farre distant from Bizantium at this time 3. And what man of Iudgment can admitt with any shew of reason that if S. Helen so wise a Princesse had left Britaine at that time the contrary whereof is alreadie manifest that she would also haue left her onely liuing child so renowned an Emperor Constantine and her three Vncles Ioelim or by some Leolim Trahern and Marius with a most mightie Army of her CouÌ„try Gâ—lfâ— Monum Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 8. Pont Virun l. 5. Capg in S. Helena Hard. Chron. Britans cum maximo â—c fortissimo Britannorum exercitu vnder the conduct of Constantine in his owne Empire where he triumphed and she was in securitie and honor to haue liued at Bizantium in Bithinia in the Territories and commande of a Tyrant professed Enemy to her sonne and her and many hundreds of myles from any parte of her sonnes Dominions or if she could haue bene so carelesse of her owne good and quiet would she haue bene so regardlesse of her most beloued sonnes Succession and Posteritie as to haue carried with her into those daungers and troubles all the children of Constantine Emperor which should succeede him as that Relation saith she did and Capgr Catal. in S. Helena was at Bizantium persuaded to be a Iewe Mater eius Helena sanctissima mulier cum fuiâ—â—epoâ—ibus Constantini filijs apud BizaÌ„ntiam ciuitatem quae postea Constantinopolis appellabatur aliquandiu commorata est vbi ab impiâ—s Iudaeis circumuenta Iudaicae perfidiae fortius adhaerebat Would or could such a most holy woman by the narration it self sanctissima mulier haue done so vnholy and vnaduised an Act or would CoÌ„staÌ„ntine so wise louing both sonne Father haue hazarded himself to haue bene so depriued both of mother and children But to manifest the apparant vntruth of this narration in all as it is euident before that S. Helen was still in Britaine so it is farre from question in History that his children were with him in Italy Priscus his eldest sonne was diuers times Euseb l. 4. Vitae Constantini ca. 68. Marian. Scot. aetat 6. l. 2. in CoÌ„stantino Martin Polon in eod Floren. Wigorn. in Chron. an 309 Baron Spond Annal. Tom. 4. Act. S. Agnetis in Breâ—iar die 28. Ianuar. Surius Tom. 1. Zachar Lipel Tom. 1. die 21. Ianuar. al. I. 1. C. Th. de Iudae Baron Anna. an 315. Baron Spond Ann. an 315. Conc. Rom. sub Syluestro can vlt. 1. Consul and made Augustus so were his other sonnes Constantinus ConstaÌ„s and Constantius Constantia also his daughter was at Rome and there healed at S. Agnes her Tombe So we must needs say with our worthie Antiquaries that S. Helen was in Britaine when her sonne was Baptized and from thence wrote vnto him to congratulate his Baptisme encourage him in the profession of Christ and to persecute the Iewes his enemies 4. And most probably vpon these letters and counsaile of S. Helen her sonne Constantine set out that his Edict against the Iewes remembred both in the Imperiall lawes and Histories that those Iewes which stoned or persecuted any of their company for being conuerted to Christianitie as then many of them insolently did should with all their Complices be burned And if any Christians should goe to their Sect they should be subiect to the same
custodes adhibueuÌ„rt Ille vero militibus meis custodientibus euÌ„ die tertia resurrexit Sed intantum exarsit nequitia eoruÌ„ vt dareÌ„t eis pecuniam dicentes dicite quia discipuli eius corpus ipsius rapuerunt veruntamen milites cum accepissent pecuniam quod factum fuerat tacere non potuerunt nam illum resurrexisse testati sunt à Iudaeis se pecuniam accepisse ideo suggessi hoc ne quis aliter referens mentiatur existimet credendum mendacijs Iudaeorum Pilate wrote vnto Tyberius Caesar of our Lords Passion in this manner It lately chaunged which I haue made proofe of That the Iewes through Enuey haue destroied themselues and their posterity with cruell damnation For when their Fathers had a promise that God would send vnto them his holy one from heauen who worthely should be called their King and promised him to be borne of a Virgin to the earth This God of the Hebrewes when he came I being president when men bad seene him to cause blinde men to see to haue cleansed the Lepors cured the diseased of palseis to haue driuen deuils from men to haue raised the dead commaunded the winds to haue walked vpon the sea with his feete and to haue done many other meruailous things when all the people of the Iewes said he was the sonne of God The principall of the Iewes were malitions against him deliuered him vnto me deuising many lies said he was a MagicieÌ„ and did against their lawe And I beleeuâ—d it was so hauing whipped him deliuered him to their will But they crucified him and being buried they appointed keepers vnto him But he arose againe the third day my souldiers keeping him But their iniquitie so flamed out that they gaue money vnto theÌ„ saying say you that his disciples tâ—oke him away But the souldiers wheÌ„ they had receaued the money could not conceale that which was done for they both witnessed that he arose againe and that they had receaued money froÌ„ the Iewes And therefore I haue suggested this least any man relating it otherwise should make a lie and thinke we chould giue credit to the lies of the Iewes Hitherto the very words of the Bal. in Flor. wig Matth. Floril Magdeburg ceÌ„t 1. l. 1. c. 10. col 354 Tertull Apolog. aduers gentes Naucl. in Chron. volum 2. gener 2. p. 512. c. â—â—gl Protest in Matth. Westm an Do. 37. And Ranulp Hyged Polycronic l. 4 epistle of Pontius Pilate himselfe to the then Emperour not onely allowed by our English Protestants and other our Authours the greatest Chronographers of their time by their Iudgment but word for word so iustified by the german Protestents by Tertullian and almost all auncient writers and others treating of that Age approuing it 3. And Tyberius the Emperour hauing sent Volusianus as before to inuite christ to come vnto him to heale his leprosie Christ being put to death before Volusianus his coming thither he brought froÌ„ theÌ„ce with him as our ProtestaÌ„ts Authours of EnglaÌ„d are witnes that miraculous image of christ which he gaue to S. Veronica in an haÌ„d kerchour wherwith he wiped his face going to his PassioÌ„ with greate reuereÌ„ce presented it to this Emperour at Rome he as reuerently receaued it for say thes Authors Caesar pannts sericis viam sterni fecit imaginem sibi praesentari praecepit Qui mox vt eam fuit intâ—â—tus pristinam asse cutus est sanitatem Et haec imago vsque hodie Romae in Ecclesia Apostolorum Principis populo demonstratur quae à portatrice à quibusdam Veronica appellatur Caesar caused the waâ— to be spred with clothes of silke and commaunded the image to be presented vnto him Who presently as he had beholded it obtained his former health And this image euen to this day is shewed to the people in the Church of thâ— Prince of the Apostles at Rome and is called by the name of her that carried it Veronica And although Pilate as before had so excused himselfe and Acknowledged Magdeb. cent 1. lib. 2. c. 3. Nicep l. 2. c. 10. fore to 1. in Tiberius Christ for the Messias vnto this Emperour yet say the German Protestants Narrat Nicephorus Pilatum ideo maximis Romae affectum esse contumelijs quòd Maria Magdalena Romam adierit Saluatoris res ibi retulerit Nicephorus maketh narration that Pilate suffered most greate reproches at Rome because Marie Magdelen went to Rome and there related the things of our Sauiour in Tyberius time Whereby Tyberius was so moued and conuinced for the acknowledging Matth. Westm And Ran. Higed supr Tertull. in Apolog. Gyld l. de conquest excid Britan. Freculph l. exouien to 2. chron l. 1. c. 9. of the truth of Christs doctrine That these English Authours thus confesse with S. Gildas Tertullian and many others Tunc Caesar cum suffragio magni fauoris retulit Epistolam ad Senatum postulans vt Christus Deus haberetur Sed Senatus consecrationem Christi recusauit indignatione commotus quod non secundum morem prius epistola sibi delata fuisset Caesar with his voyce of greate fauour related the epistle of Pilate to the Senate requesting that Christ should be accompted God But the Senate refused the consecration of Christ moued with indignation because the epistle was not first deliuered to them as the custome was 4. S. Chrisostome in diuers places relateth this history and proueth that both Pilate vnder whom Christ was put to death Tiberius the Emperour the whole Senate at Rome vpon their certaine knowledge there of his wonderfull life and miracles were conuinced in iudgment that Christ was God And the Senate onely and vpon meere worldly respects resisted against it Quum igitur facta Christi renuntiata essent per nuntios rogauit prouinciae praeses S. Io. Chrisost Hom. 66. ad popul Antioch hom 28. in c. 12. Epist 2. ad Cor. num illis videretur ipsum suis suffragijs creare Deum Hic enim hanc habebat potestatem Deos creandi decernendi cum igitur ei omnia Christi opera renuntiata fuissent misit gentis princeps interrogatum an eis videretur ipse Deus decernendus Illi vero non annuerunt indignantes aegre ferentes quòd ante decretum sententiam suam effulgens Crucifixi virtus omnem terrarum orbem in sui traxisset venerationem Hoc autem ipsis nolentibus dispensatum est ne mortali decreto Christi praedicaretur diuinitas nec vnus de multis esse videretur qui ab eis fuerant Instituti When all the Acts and miracles of Christ were related by the Messengers of the President to the Senate at Rome the President of the prouince Pontius Pilate demaunded of the Senate whether they would declare him to be God for the Senate had this power of making or decreeing Gods Therefore when all the workes of Christ were brought vnto him The
WHEREIN DIVERS PROTESTANTS INclyne to thinke S. Peter preached heare in Britaine before his coming to Rome and what probabilitie that opinion hath 1. DIVERS English Protestant writers whether for loue to S. Peter or dissick to Rome knowing what great warrant ther is for sainct Peters preaching heare incline to affirme it to haue bene before he came to Rome Amonge whome the THEATER WRITERS producing diuers testimonies Theater of great Britaine l. 9. c. 9. §. 5. for his being in Britaine they add If Peter were heare at all It was before he went to Rome and that the Ghospell was preached heare before it was in Rome if Peter were the first as some hold that preached there both Diuers English Protestants incline to thinke S. Peter preached in Britaine before he came to Rome and how probably which may be more probable if we consider the huge multitudes of Christians fifteen thousand saith Baronius which dispersed themselues into all parts of the worlde Vpon the martyring of S. Stephen at Hierusalem Where we see that they make the coming of S. Peter into this our Nation to haue beene so soone after the Ascension of Christ that they seeme to suppose it to haue beene before his coming to Rome and make it the more probable opinion their owne phrase that it was soone after the Martyrdome of S. Stephen which was to speake in their owne words presently vpon the death of Christ which was diuers Theater supr yeares before any Authoritie teacheth he came to Rome And their opinion before that Britaine receaued the faith in the time of Tyberius will make theÌ„ of that minde being before proued that S. Peter was the first Apostle that preached heare For which they bring his owne testimony to S. Brithwald and other testimonies And that which is written before of S. Mansuetus a Bishop of this Nation sent to Toul in Lorraine by S. Peter in the time of Caius Caligula giueth some allowance to this opinion if we will followe those Historians which write he was sent thither at that time in the yeare of Christ 40. making it not vnprobable but he was sent from S. Peter being in or neare this Iland 2. The like I may say of S. Aristobulus made Bishop as William Eisengrenius saith in the yeare of Christ 39. who as commonly Protestants will tell vs hereafter was our Bishop heare in Britaine and this the rather because we Guliel Eisengr Centenar 1. part 1. dist 7. fo 67. 66 dist 8. Sophron. Patria Hierosol l. delabor S. Petr. Paul finde that about the same time and in the same yeare if we may beleeue this Author the same holy Apostle S. Peter placed S. Pancratius Bishop of Tauronienium and sainct Marcianus Bishop of Syrocufa in the Iland of Sicilia neare vnto Italie and diuers others farre distant from Hierusalem Antioch or any Easterne place of the aboade of that greate Apostle as S. Clement with diuers others into the hither parts of Germany as the antiquities of those places are witnesse And if we call to memory the vnspakeable labours and expedition vsed by this Apostle in such sacred a busines before remembred how in that time he is said to remaine at Antioch he visited as the Scripture is euidence Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia the hither partes Petr. 1. v. 1. of Asia from whence we shall not finde it a more difficult iorney for that renowned Apostle to vouch safe to visite this Iland of Britaine if we consult with Cosmographers in these affaires then to come from Antioch in Syria the cheife place of his residency at that time to visit all those Contries related in which he preached as the Scriptures assure vs. But these be but coniectures vpon which I may not found an Historiall Narration especially when we haue a whole world of witnesses to the contrary that Rome was the first place in the west whether S. Peter came and was cheifly directed vnto And S. Peter came to Rome before he came into Britaine the cheifest reason of the dispersion of the Disciples at the martyrdome of S. Stephan is before answered how they preached onely to the Iewes And the Scripture is manifest that the Apostles were then at Hierusalem except the Apostles and not dispersed And the history of the Acts of the Apostles keepeth Act. c. 8. v. 1. S. Peter preaching in the East Ionge after this to the Iewes and Gentiles vntill such time in the dayes of Claudius Emperour it pleased Christ our blessed Sauiour as many and greate Authorities doe warrant vs to send and direct this his cheifest Apostle to make a great parte of his Residencie at Rome the greate and commaunding Imperiall Citte at that time in the world that he might the better by that meanes preach the Ghospell both by himselfe S. Peters seating himselfe at Rome foretold by holy scripture â—â—bbins and Sibils before Christ. and his Disciples to these Westerne Nations and Contries of the world 3. Of this mission of S. Peter to Rome Esay the Prophet though in more generall termes had longe before admonished saying as I haue alledged before that God would send of his Apostles into Italy Of this the auncient Rabbins before Christ were witnesses as a Iewe himselfe hath proued against the Iewes that Rome should be the cheife place of the Lawe and Religion of the Messias Sybilla Erythraea longe time before preached this Hieronymus à sanct fide l. contra Iudaeos Sybill Erithaer in l. Nasalographi 1. Imperial Scrip. Venetijs an 1516 per Patriarch Venet. approbat Pontif. Rom. to the Gentiles when Prophesying of Christ and his twelue Apostles thus she foretolde in vltima aetate humiliabitur Deus humiliabitur proles diuina Iungetur humanitati deitas iacebit in faeno agnus puellari officio educabitur Deus homo Eliget sibi ex piscatoribus deiectis numerum duodenarium vnumque diabolum non in gladio bellouè Eneadem vrbem Regesque subijciet sed in hamo piscantis in deiectione pauperie superabit diuitias superbiam conculcabit morte propria nocturno suscitabit commutabitur viuet regnabit consummabuntur haec omnia fietque regeneratio Vltimo bonos iudicabit malos Surget stella mirabilis Danaos illuminabit orbem illustrabit In Eneadem latus piscatoris nomen agni vsque ad fines seculi virtute perducet Inde in Eneade iuncta vinctos à diabolo liberabiâ— In the laste age God will be humbled and the sonne of God will be humbled the lambe shall lye in Hay God and man shall be brought vp by a virgin seruice he shall chuse vnto him out of fishers and meane persons a number of twelue one of them a deuill He shall make subiect vnto him the citie of Aeneas Rome Kings not by sworde warre but by the hooke of a fisher in deiection pouertie he shall ouercome Riches he shall treade downe pryde with
preaching in Britaine and the west Nations that he followeth him and others in that opinion in these words Cum non sicut in Orientales orbis Baron Annal. to 1. an Christi 58. pag. 597. partes sciamus caeteros Apostolos missos esse in occidentem vno excepto Barnaba qui ad breue tempus Ligures docuit vel Iacobo Si tamen consenserimus ijs qui tradunt eum cito rediturum Hispaniam penetrasse caeterorum autem neminem esse missum liquido appareat Petri igitur muneris erat vt qui iam quamplures Orientis prouincias praedicando Euangelium peragrasset iam quod reliquum esse videbatur lustraret orbem occidentalem vsque ad Britannos quod tradunt Metaphrastes alij Metaphr die 29. Iunij Christi fidem annuntians penetraret when we know that the rest of the Apostles were not sent into the west as into the Easterne parts of the world except onely Barnabas who a short time taught the LigariaÌ„s or Iames if we shall consent to them who deliuer that quikly to returne from thence he went into Spayne It manifestly appeareth that none of the others were sent into the west part of the world Therefore it was the office of Peter who hauing trauailed very many prouinces of the Easte in preaching the ghospell now which was left to doe he should compasse the westerne world and as Metaphrastes and others deliuer penetrate to the Britans preaching the faith of Christ Where he maketh it a certaine knowne truth and manifestly apparent in Histories Sciamus liquido appareat that none of the twelue Apostles but onely S. Peter preached the word of Christ in Britaine and among others citeth and followeth S. Metaphrastes for that manifest truth And when he had alledged diuers and approued Authors for Christs appearing to S. Peter and sending him into this west part of the world he addeth Metaphrastes his consentiens Metaph. 29. Iun. haec scribit visus est ei Dominus in visione dicens Surge Petre vade ad Occidentem opus enim habet vt tuis illustretur facibus ego ero tecum Metaphrastes consenting vnto these writeth thus our Lord appeared to him S. Peter in a vision Baron Annal. to 1. in Indice v. Petrus Theater of great Brit. l. 6. saying o Peter arise and goe to the west for it hath neede to be lighted with thy links and I will be with thee And he saith plainely for his owne opinion Petrus a Domino monitus in occidentem venit Peter admonished by our Lord so to doe came into the west as hereafter setteth downe his time of coming hither into Britaine in the tyme of Claudius the Emperor 2. Therefore except we would be so willfull that we should neither belâ—eue so many worthie witnesses nor Christ himself we cannot be doubtfull Godwyn Conu of Brit. c. 1. p. 6. pag. 5. in these things And it is more to be noted in this Protestant Bishop who in an other place calleth the same S. Simeon Metaphrastes an Authour without exception and vseth him as a principall witnes in other matters of as greate importance How grosse and ignorant that exception of a Protestant Sutcliff subuers prope fuit Doctor is to the Reuelation made to S. Brithwold our Bishop about S. Peters preaching heare because as he saith the holy man to whome it was made is not named is allready manifestly proued his name being set downe together with his learning pietie and worthines by so many worthie Authours before remembred And more childish is that which an other by direction of the Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury writeth ignorantly or malitiously affirming that it was not this history and Reuelation which Alredus Francis Mason Ordinat of Bishops l. 2. cap. 2. pag. 47. 48. committed to writing but an other about the Dedication of the Church of westminster in the time of King Edward the Confessor to a Recluse an holy man of that time When both the matter men to whome these things were reuealed the times places and all circumstances are quite different And both the histories and Reuelations for the most part of them are set downe by S. Alredus Willian of Malmesbury the auncient Manuscripts of S. Edwards life Ihon Capgraue and the Protestant Authours themselues before alledged 3. But our Protestants further obiect Onuphrius denieth he S. Peter went Theater of great Britaine l. 6. c. 9. westward being expulsed by Claudius but to Hierusalem and thence to Antioch where he liued till the death of Claudius To which I answere this is euidently false by their owne words immediately before which be these I see not well how it can stand either with Eusebius his accompt which keeps him S. Peter so longe at Rome or Onuphrius as before from him alledged For if Eusebius assigning S. Peter to be so longe at Rome 24. or 25. yeares did so fix him there that he could not in that time visite this Iland nearer to Rome then Antioch is How dare these men in their next words thus auouch that S. Peter went from Rome expulsed by Claudius to Hierusalem and from thence to Antioche in Siria and staied there vntill the death of Claudius These two cannot possibly agree but I haue reconsiled these things before And whereas these men would frame their building to keepe S. Peter out of Rome by vertue of the Edict of Claudius bannishing the Iewes from thence it is ouerthrowne before for I haue proued that S. Peter was longe time in Rome in the life of Claudius after that Edict Secondly it is euident by all Antiquities that S. Peter was gone from S. Sim. Metaphr 29. Ian. S. Damas orat 2. de dormit Deiparae Dion Areopag epist ad Timot. Nicephor l. 2. c. 22. Mat. Westm an 45. 49. Godwin Conuers Act. c. 18. v. 2. Rome to Hierusalem to be present by reuelation with the other Apostles at the Migration of our blessed Lady Mary the virgine and our Protestants do not deny it longe time 4. yeares by Matthew of Westminster and others before the Edict of Claudius this being as both the scriptures and histories agree in or about the 49. yeare of Christ and the other in the 45. And how could the Edict of Claudius concerne S. Peters either expulsion or keeping out of Rome when both by the Scripture Iosephus Orosius Ado others it onely concerned the tumultuous Iewes Claudius Imperator Iudaeos tumultuantes à Roma expulit Claudius the Emperor expelled the Tumultious Iewes from Rome for S. Peter was not within the compasse of that Edict being neither in Religion a Iew but a chife Christian then fauoured rather then Act. 18. Ioseph Oros l. 7. c. 6. Orosij Ado. chron aetat 6. in Claudio FloreÌ„t Wigorn. an 50. or 72. c. persecuted by Claudius much lesse was he accused of any tumult there And though no good Christian can thinke that our cheife Pastor S. Peter did feare
right hand and appointed his freind Ioseph of Aramathia to be cheife of theÌ„ These came into Britaine in the yeare of our Lords Incarnation 65. and of the Assumption of blessed Mary the 15. where we finde no mention at all of those pretended motiues concerning the Druids and other circumstances related before by these Protestants and vntruely fathered vpon these Authours but truely though illegittimate and Bastards onely begotten and brought forth by the false pens of these Protestant Relators And the time of S. Iosephs coming hither to differ also so much by these alledged Authorities from that which some of them cite from their concealed Gildas as I haue before related And the very substance of the narration itselfe of S. Philips sending S. Ioseph hither out of France grounded vpon the Authoritie of Freculphus very suspitious that the true originall Manuscript of Gulielmus Malmes buriensis though some Transcripts which I haue seene doe warranteth no such thing For this William Monke of Malmesbury himself in his second booke De gestis Ponfiticum Anglorum which was written after his booke of the Antiquitie of Glastenbury doth take plaine exception to the History of S. Patrike his buriall there whereon this narration is grounded saying Iacet ibi Patricius si eredere dignum Natione Britto â—eati Germani Antisiodorensis Discipulus quem a Papa Caelestino ordinatum Episcopum Hyberniensibus misit Apostolum So doe two English Protestant Bishops Godâ—in supr Bal. l. de Script cent 1. in Patric Gaufrid Abb. Bâ—â—ton in vit S. Moduenae M. S. one cited before thinking this was a second Patrike which the Abbot of Burton saith Pope Leo sent into Ireland and was also a Saint And the same William of Malmesbury doth in the same Manuscript History of Glastenbury soone after the first pretended citation from him set downe the Authoritie of Freculphus onely to proue that S. Philip preached in Gallia his words be these Freculphus Historiae libro 2. cap. 4. testatur Philippum Gulielm Malm. l. de Antiq. Glaston M. S. Paulo post initium Apostolum Gullis verbum dei praedicasse Freculphus in the seconde booke and fourth Chapter of his History doth witnes that Philip the Apostle did preach the word of God to the Gaules Neuer writing one word that Freculphus affirmed S. Philip to haue sent S. Ioseph from thence into Britaine Which Freculphus doth not teach in that or any other place his words in the place alledged be onely Freculphus Episcopus LexouieÌ„ Chron. to 2. l. 2. c. 4. p. 448. these Philippus a Bethsaida ciuitate hic Gallis praedicat Christum Barbarasque gentes vicinasque tenebris tumenti Oceano coniunctas ad scientiae lumen fideique portum perducit Deinde in Hierapoli phrygiae Prouinciae vrbe crucifixus lapidatusque obijt rectoque sepultus Cadauere ibidem requiescit Philip of the citye Bethsaida preacheth Christ to the Gaules and brought Brabarous Nations and neare to Darkenes and Ioyned to the swelling Ocean to the light of knowledge and the hauen of faith And afterward crucified and stoned died in Hierapolis a citic of the Prouince of Phrygia and there resteth his body being buried vpright Which be the Author l. d. vit mort Sanct. inter opera S. Isid in S. Philipp Apostol words also of the Authour of the booke of the life and death of Saints de vita morte Sanctorum among the works of S. Isidor And Freculphus hath not any word of S. Ioseph of Aramathia at all neither speaketh more of S. Philip but a little after setting downe breifely as likewise the sayed Authour of the life and death of Saints doth where euery Apostle preached he saith of S. Philip Gallias accepit he tooke the Countries Gallia Which as I will demonstrate Freculph supr l. 2. p. 45 1. in the next Chapter were not ment of this Gallia or France next vnto vs whether S. Philip the Apostle neuer came 5. And to refute the grosse error and ignorance of them that cite S. Isidor or other Authour of the booke of the life and death of Saints for S. Philips sending S. Ioseph out of France into Britaine besides the negatiue testimonie Io. Bal. l. de Scritorib cent 1. in S. Ioseph Aramat Franc. Godwin Conu of Britaine p. 11. of both those Authours which haue no such thing at all the Protestant Bishop Ihon Bale and others so much acknowledge among whome Francis Godwin the Protestant Bishop must needes be one who bringeth the auncient Antiquitie of Glastenbury engraued in brasse which saith he had seene and alledgeth it word by word for the coming of S. Ioseph and his companions hither with the time and other circumstances and yet hath not one word that they were sent hither by S. Philip out of France or that he was at any time in this Gallia The same I affirme of all FreÌ„ch writers both late auncient not any one among so many which to my reading and memory teacheth that either S. Philip the Apostle sent S. Ioseph of Aramathia into Britaine out of France or that he himself euer preached there or sent any preachers thither which will more manifestly be proued in the next Chapter â—ollowing But the Gallia where S. Philip the Apostle is by some supposed to haue preached is farre distant from this our neighbouring Gallia or France And so the similitude or IdeÌ„titie of one and the same name for diuers Countries gaue accasion of Error vnto some few such as reading that S. Philip the Apostle was in a Country called Gallia and S. Ioseph of Aramathia liued and died heare in Britaine to make this false and Ignorant collection That S. Ioseph was sent hither by S. Philip out of this next Gallia where he neuer Acta per Legat. Antiquit. Glast Manuscr Tabul Fix was And it is euident by our old Antiquities of Glastenbury that S. Philip neyther did nor could send S. Ioseph or any hither from our next France which had not that name vntill some hundreds of yeares after when the Frankes of Sicambria came first into some parts of that kingdome thus it testifieth from the old Acts of the first Christians at GlasteÌ„bury in S. Iosephs time In antiquis scriptis inuenerunt qualiter sanctis Apostolis per vniuersum orbem dispersis Sanctus Philippus Apostolus cum multitudine Discipulorum in Franciam veniens duodecim ex ipsis in Britanniam misit ad praedicandum S. Damianus and Phaganus sent hyther by Pope Eleutherius did finde in an old writing how when the Apostles were dispersed into all the world S. Philip the Apostle with a multitude of Disciples coming into Francia sent twelue of them into Britayne to preach This Manuscript Antiquitie first written in S. Iosephs time and after founde in the dayes of King Lucius long before any Frankes gaue name vnto our next France or came thither giueth demonstrance that S. Philip was among the Frankes of Sicambria which many others also
in the later end of the twelfth yeare of Nero as S. Simeon Metaphrastes noteth and the next yeare coming to Rome preached there some time and was Martyred in the beginning of the 14. and last yeare of Nero allthough Matthew of Westminster and some others set downe the death of S. Peter in the 13. yeare of Nero differing from those that say Nero killed S. Peter S. Paul and himselfe the 14. and last yeare of his Empire Nero Petrum se interfecit 2. By this we see the exceeding greate Pastorall and Fatherly care and S. Petâ—rs Pastorall â—are of Britaine â—â—nding Châ—ists Church in it loue of this greatest Apostle S. Peter to this kingdome that allthough he was so extraordinarily admonished by the holy Angel to returne to Rome yet he neither would nor did forsake this Nation vntill he had perfectly settled such an Hierarchicall Order and holy gouernement heare as I haue described and was needfull in the first founding of the Church of Christ among so many Countries and Prouinces of this Western world And the loue and dutie of many Britans especially such as were not so perfectly intructed in the faith cannot be thought but to haue bene reciprocall to that supreame Pastor How it is pâ—obable diuâ—rs Britans went with S. Peter from hence to Râ—me in so greate degree that it moued many of them to attend him in his returne to Rome to be better instructed in true Religion as diuers also after his departure hence did vndertake that Iorney to that end such as S. Beatus and his Associate were And S. Peter being now come to Rome immediately from this kingdome without staying in that Iorney as may be sufficiently gathered out of the words and admonition of the Angel vnto him before his going hence and both hauing in his company diuers Britans and at Rome finding yet aliue as appeareth by S. Paul writing to S. Timothie before diuers Christian Baron Tom. 2. Annal. Ann. 165. S. Iustin apud â—und supr Britans in that house which as is shewed before and Baronius from S. Iustine and others proueth was both his and other Christians common lodging patebat domus Pudentis ab initio Petri Romam aduentus hospitio Christianorum we are sufficiently allowed to be of that opinion that he was entertained now at this his coming againe to Rome froÌ„ Britaine in the same house as at S. Pâ—ter at 〈…〉 to Râ—m◠〈…〉 recâ—auâ—d againe in our Bâ—â—â—â—ns â—ouse with many â—â—herâ— his first coming and vsually in the time of his continuance and residence there And in this Noble Christian Britans house it seemeth S. Peter among other his Apostolicall labours and designments for the Church of God wrote his second Epistle wherein he maketh memory of some memorable things that chanced vnto him by all probable Iudgment in this Nation as of the Angells appearing vnto him the forewarning of his death at hand and that S. Peter in his 2. 〈◊〉 sâ—â—meth to 〈◊〉 â—f the visioÌ„ 〈…〉 â—râ—taâ—â—e it should be in Rome Knowing that shortly I must put off this my Tabernacle euen as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewâ—d mee As our English Protestants translatâ— which words of the holy Apostle doe seeme to haue reference vnto that Apparition and admonition to him of his death at hand of which I haue spoken 2. 〈◊〉 1. vers 14. before For we doe not finde in Histories more then two warnings heareof giuen by Christ to S. Peter the first and most euident in Britaine and the other more obscure at Rome recorded by S. Linus Egesippus S. Bede and Linus l. de Pass Apost Egesipp de excid Hieros l. 3. c. 2. Beda Sermone de S. Petro Paulo Tom. 7. others when S. Peter a litle before his death being sought for by Nero and willed by the Christians to forsake Rome to auoide the fury of the persecuting Tyrant being come to the gate of the Citie Christ appeared vnto him and being demanded by S. Peter whether he went Domine quo vadis Christ answered Iterum veniâ— crucifigi Which S. Peter interpreted to be spoken of his Passion because Christ who suffereth in all his members was also to suffer with S. Peter Intellexit Petrus de sua dictum passione quod in ea Christus passurus videretur qui patitur in singulis non vtique corporis dolore sed quadam misericordiae compassione aut gloriae celebritate And this cannot be well construed to be that admonition of his death which S. Peter wrote off in his Epistle being both obscure and in all probable Iudgment after the writing of that his Epistle and immediatly before his apprehension and death as appeareth by those Authours affirming S. Peter was presently taken and martyred conuâ—rsus in vrbem redijt captusque à persecutoribus cruci adiudicatus Therefore seeing besides this so obscure admonition giuen to S. Peter by Christ of his death we finde no other but that most cleare and manifest foretelling thereof to S. Peter by an holy Angel in Britaine we must needs conclude that the holy Apostle in that passadge of his Epistle how he should shortly leaue the Tabernacle and dwelling place of his soule his mortall body as our Lord Iesus Christ had shewed vnto him did this Nation that honour to remember in his holy writings that foresight and admonition of his end approaching made vnto him by the heauenly vision and Instruction thereof which he had in Britaine And signifiing in the first words of this his laste Epistle that he wrote it to all beleeuing Christians at that time saying Simon Peter a Seruant and an Apostle 2. Petr. 1. v. 1. 2. of Iesus Christ to them that haue obtayned like pretious faith with vs grace and peace S. Peters care and loue to Britaine to his death and after in heauen by his owne promise be multiplied We must needs acknowledge that coming then immediately from the Christians in this Nation whome he had so lately conuerted he most fatherly remembred them with others in those words and the whole Epistle following especially where he writeth I thinke it meete as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stirre you vp by putting you in remembrance Knowing that Vers 13. 14. 15. shortly I must pute of this my Tabernacle euen as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewed mee Moreouer I will endeuour that you may be able after my decease to haue these things allwayes in remembrance In which wordes this our kingdome of Britaine doth most iustly claime that S. Peter remembred it and rather then any other citing there the admonition which he receaued by the holy Angell heare and there protesteth his greate care he had of this CouÌ„try that it might not onely during his life but after his death remaine constant in the profession of Christian Religion And by Oecumenius and diuers others both the Greeke and Latine Text giuing way to that exposition S. Peter did there promise
and being before the Diuision of Prouinces was fully made into Archiepiscopall Sees ruled diuers cheife Churches and farre distant as Collen Tungers and Treuers as also his Successour S. Maternus did and both of them were probably heare in Britaine and conuerted many heare for Marianus ioyneth these with other S. Valerius and S. Maternus Disciples os S. Peter were by probabilitie in Britaine sometime holy Preachers and Bishops of those dayes which preached not onely in their owne Prouinces but in these vttermost and extreme parts Qui non solum propria Prouincia sed in extremis vltimis industrij illustres existentes regna Tyrannorum vicerunt And this greate encrease and multiplication of Christians continued all this age in these Countries as these forreyne Antiquaries tell vs and vntill the death of S. Maternus which was in the yeare of Christ Marian. Scot. aetat 6. in Nerua 133. as they witnes all which time and longer our renowned Bishop and Countriman still liued and often visited this his natiue Country preaching heare And yet before the end of this age we had a new supply of Apostolike men sent hither from the See of Rome and Authoritie thereof as I shall further declare in the next Chapter THE XXXVI CHAPTER OF THE STATE OF ECCLESIASTICALL affaires in Britaine in the Papacy of S. Clement Empire of Traian and Reigne of King Coillus vnto the end of this first hundred of yeares of Christ 1. S Cletus hauing happily ended his life by Martyrdome S. Clement tooke vpon him the gouernement of the Apostolike Roman See and the tyrannicall time of Domitian being now by his death expired and his Acts for their crueltie generally recalled by Nerua though Emperour Marian. Scotus l. 2. aetat 6. Method apud eund col 255. Martin Pol. Supput in Clem. Traiano Matth. West an 102. 98. 117. 124. alij litle aboue one yeare Traian succeeded him holding the Empire vntill or about the yeare of Christ 117. being for diuers yeares a Persecutor of Christians especially about Rome the Easterne and other parts remote from this Nation where King Coillus agreat friend and fauouror of Christians reigned 2. Before I proceede further in S. Clements dayes my promise before and vrgent reasons to be remēbred hereafter doe call vpon mee to cleare the doubt whether S. Clement was ordained by S. Peter his Successor immediate or noe S. Clement himselfe thus writeth in these words S. Peter himselfe Clemens Rom. Epist 1. for his greate charitie towards all men when he perceaued his death at hand in the Assembly of our Brethren the whole Church hearing him taking mee by the hand vttered these words heare mee my brethren and fellowe Seruants because as I am taught of him my Lord and Maister Iesus Christ that sent mee that the day of my death is at hand I ordayne this Clement your Bishop to whome onely I commit the Chaire of my preaching and doctrine To him I deliuer the power of binding and loosing deliuered to mee by our Lord that of all things whatsoeuer he shall decree on earth the same be decreed in heauen For he shall binde that which ought to be bounde and shall loose that which ought to be loosed as he which perfectly knoweth the Rule of the Church Ipse Petrus pro immensa charitate quam erga omnes homines gerebat in ipsis diebus quibus vitae finem sihi imminere praesensit in conuentu fratrum positus apprehensa manu mea in auribus totius Ecclesiae haec protulit verba audite me fratres conserui mei quoniam vt doctus sum ab eo qui misit me Domino magistro meo Iesu Christo dies mortis meae instat Clementem hunc Episcopum vobis ordino cui soli meae praedicationis doctrinae Cathedram trado Ipsi trado à Domino mihi traditam potestatem ligandi soluendi vt de omnibus quibuscunque decreuerit in terris hoc decretum sit in caelis Ligabit enim quod oportet ligari soluet quod expedit solui tanquam qui ad liquidum Ecclesiae regulam nouerit This Act so concerning and so publikly effected and concerning the whole Church registred by so worthie a present witnesse and partie in that busines leaueth no place of exception vnto it especially when we see allmost all that followed cōfirming it S. Anacletus the next successor to S. Clemēt whom our greatest Anaclet epist 1. 3. to 1. Concil Matt. Parker Antiq. Brit. p. 24. Io. Pris defens hist Brit. p. 73. Rob. Barnes l. de vit Pontif. in Anacleto Alexādro Alexand. Pap. 1. epist 1. S. Leo 2. apud Marian. Scot. l. 2. aetat 6. col 238. Florent Wigor an 50. 75. Bed Martyr 9. cal Decembr Hier. l. de Scriptor in Clem. Epiph. haeres 27. Ioa. Pap. 3. Epist decretal Tom. 2. Concil Egbert Ser. 3. de incremento manifestatione Catholicae fidei Protestāts approue approueth both that Epistle this very part thereof containing this Act of S. Peter in diuers places S. Alexander likewise carrying with him Protestant approbation twyce in one Epistle citeth and alloweth the same Act for S. Peters Ipse Apostolorum Princeps in ordinatione beati Clementis populum instruens And againe beatus Princeps Apōstolorum Petrus qui in ordinatione sancti praedecessoris nostri Clementis instruens clerum populum So doth S. Leo the second as S. Marianus Florentius Wigorniensis and others testifie S. Bede saith the same of S. Clement Hic ex praecepto beati Petri Ecclesiae suscepit pontificatum S. Hierome saith most of the Latines held so plerique Latinorum secundum post Petrum Apostolum putant fuisse Clementem S. Epiphanius a Grecian is of the sameopinion Pope Ihon the third aboue 1000. yeares since expressely setteth downe this History from that Epistle of S. Clement And Egbertus cōuincibly thus proueth this Epistle nec vnquā defecit in Ecclesia Romana fides quam habuerat quam praedicauerat Petrus sicut ei promiserat Dominus quando imminente passione sua dixit ad eum Ego rogaui pro te vt non deficiat fides tua hoc est fides Ecclesiae quam tibi commisit Beatus autem Petrus cum sciret appropinquare sibi passionem suam sanctum Clementem quem ad fidem conuerterat baptizauerat ordinauit in Episcopum eiusque gubernationi sedem suam Ecclesiam quam ipse rexerat commisit ita successor beati Petri factus estin Sede illa Nam quod Linus Cletus successores Petri fuisse leguntur ita intelligendum est quod adhuc ipso viuente Coadiutores eius extiterunt in gubernando populum Dei Romae ad hoc abipso erant in Episcopos ordinati vt scribit quidam Apostolicorum Patrum Episcopis Germaniae Galliae The faith which Peter had and preached did neuer faile in the Roman Church as our Lord promised him when a
that will not stand to their Iudgment they interdict him which punishment amongst them is held most greuious They that are so excommunicated are accompted in the number of the wicked and vngratious All men shune them all men eschue their company and communication This is one of the cheifest things that they labour most to beate into mens minds that the soules dye not but doe after death passe from one to an other And hereby they thinke men should be most stirred vnto vertue when the feare of death is nothing regarded Also they dispute many other things as of the starrs and of their mouings of the bignes of the world and the earth of the nature of things of the strength and power of the Gods Immortall and doe therein instruct the youth Thus we haue heard what those Druids and their followers which had not before submitted themselues to Christ did or could plead for the maintenance of their pretended Religion and honour and glory which they principally enioyed by profession thereof 3. Now lett vs a litle examine their cause by their owne Authours and their owne proceedings for to write at lardge of their most grosse and inhuman absurdities would require a volume from mee as the like hath done of other writers against such Pagan Gentils their superstitions Whereas all creaturs cry out vnto vs especially the more Noble as the Celestiall bodies in searching whose natures and effects these men were most conuersant that there is an eternall and omnipotent maker and causer which created all things who being without begining or ending was made or caused by no other caeli enarrant gloriam Dei opera manuum eius annuntiat firmamentum And diuine worship is onely due vnto him for his allmightie excellencie and the benefites which man a reasonable creature receaued and further expecteth and needeth to receaue from him which we commonly call Religion a Religeinge Religation or dutifull binding of man enformed with a reasonable intellectuall and immortall soule ordayned as it were the Lieutenant and Viceroy of God to gouerne this inferiour world by his better eternall part assured that better and eternall things are ordayned for him if he doth not depriue himselfe of them but seeke finde out and performe the will and commandement of so infinite good and bountifull a Creatour Preseruer and Maitayner of all things especially for the vse and end of man so dignified and exalted among his creaturs Which these Druids and their Disciples were so farre from effecting that they gaue him noe honour at all neuer remembring him among those they worshiped but doing the greatest dishonour they could vnto him in giuing that glory and maiestie which is onely proper and due to him to his rebellious creaturs and professed enemies damned and infernall soules hundreds of thowsands before them and diuers of these by probable Historicall accompts of later time and Creation then the Authour of their owne Sect Druius was And if we will followe Iulius Caesar who of all writers writeth most of their pretended ReligioÌ„ liuing in the time of their cheifest sway and best knew what they professed he writeth of the Germans that they differed much from the French and their Druids in Religion Hauing no Sacrifices and onely accompting them for Gods whome they see and by whome they are manifestly knowne to be helped as the Sunne Moone and such visible things and heard not of any other God Germani multum à Gallorum consuetudine differunt Neque Sacrificijs student Deorum numero Iulius Caesar l. 6. Belli Gallici Andreas Althanur BreÌ„zius in scholijs in Cornel. Tacit. l. de sit Mor. Germ. Henric. Pantal. l. de Vir. Illustrib part 1. p. 40. 41. eos solos ducunt quos cernunt quorum apertè opibus inâ—antur Solem Vulcanum Lunam reliquos ne fama quidem acceperunt Yet the German writers are so confident that the Druids ruled there in Religion that they shew vs to this day in Germany as farre as Bauaria two especiall places where they were wonted to assemble vnder greate Okes to exercise their superstitions and in detestation thereof two Monasteries called Oberaltaich and Nideraltaich were founded there to blot out their memory In Banaria quoque inferiore sub quereu magno superiore inferiore suam superstitionem exercebant quae loca postea in Monasteria conuersa etiamnum Oberaltaich Nideraltaich appellantur Therefore these could not be Professours Teachers of the true God his worship and Religion which for diuers people and Countries and for themselues also had such varietie and change of Gods and Religion in diuers times and places and yet all of them professing most grosse and stupid ignorance or willfull Idolatrie the greatest Irreligion to God that can bee 4. And as they thus proued themselues to be Athests leauing no possible true God to be worshipped so by their errour of Transmigration of soules from one body to an other they fall into one of these absurdities that one soule might and should in the end informe many euen hundreds of bodyes or els cease at the last to informe cease to be and made mortall And as Chimericall a fictioÌ„ it was of theÌ„ to say as Lucan expoundeth them that when a soule left a body in this world it went into an other world and there informed an other body Vobis Authoribus vmbrae Non tacitas Erebi sedes Ditisque profundi Luc. l. 1. Pallida regna petunt Regit idem Spiritus artus Orbe alio longe For so they must needs make more worlds where generation and corruption is besides this terrestriall and sublunary were we inhabit And therefore iustly doth the same Authour call their profession Barbarous rites a false manner of worship and singular against all the world besides Et vos barbariâ—os ritus moremque sinistrum Sacrorum Druidae positis repetistis ab armis Solis nosce Deos caeli sidera vobis Aut solis nescire datum And thus in their Religion we finde neyther true God to be worshipped nor true man to worship him And their practise both tooke away all things that are required to true worship and Religion and they exercised in place of them quite contrary and vnlawfull things Which we shall euidently perceaue if we examine them by the Decaloge or Ten commandements giuen by God in the Lawe of Moyses commonly thought both by Diuinitie and Philosophie to be the Lawe of Nature except that of the Sabboth day to be obserued 5. The first of one onely God we haue heard how they transgressed it so likewise of not making any Idoll to adore or worship hauing the Idols and false Gods before remembred S. Gildas is an able witnes that the monstrous Idols of Britaine in this time were not inferiour in number to those of Egipt commonly esteemed the most Idolatrous Nation of the world and some of them with deformed lineaments remayned to be seene in his time And this blinde people of Britaine
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
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
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
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.
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