numbers of Devout men to embrace a Caenobitical Life Of this Bishop Nennion we read in the Life of St. Finanus That he having been in his Childhood instructed by St. Coleman was afterward recommended to the care of Nennion when he came into Ireland and return'd with Nennion into Scotland and there Learn'd of him the Rules of a Monastical Life at his See call'd the great Monastery Finanus there also studied the Holy Scriptures and by invoking the Name of Christ is said to have wrought many Miracles And having been thus instructed by Nennion he took a Journey to the See Apostolick there to supply his defects in saving knowledge seven years he continu'd at Rome daily advancing in Sacred Science and then ascended to the degree of Priesthood This Nennion in probability was one of those who interceded with King Arthur and about the same time that St. Finanus liv'd under his Discipline I shall pass by the Death of Guenevera King Arthur's Wife and his second Marriage with great Solemnities at the sametime with the Prodigious Victories ascrib'd to him by some of our Writers in Forreign parts and proceed to other transactions more probable occurring in his time In the year 527. two new Kingdoms were Erected in Britain without any disturbance from King Arthur in the Eastern Provinces of Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgeshire the Kingdom of the East-Angles was Establish'd and in Midlesex and Essex the Kingdom of the East-Saxons Which of these Kingdoms were first Erected is uncertain but both without doubt much about the same time The first King of the East-Saxons is believ'd to be Erkenwin the Son of Offa and the Kingdom of the East-Angles is thought to begin under Vffa from whom the succeeding Kings were Antiently call'd Vffings The year following the Isle of Wight by the Britains call'd Guith which signifies a divorce or renting asunder and by the Saxons Witland was Conquer'd by King Cerdic and given to his Nephews Stuffa and Whitgar But while Cerdic busied himself about the Invasion of the Isle of Wight St. David Bishop of Menevia Assembled a Provincial Synod call'd the Synod of Victory wherein all the Clergy of Wales or Cambria met together and confirm'd the former Decrees of the Synod of Brevy and added new ones for the Churches benefit from which two Synods all the Churches of Cambria receiv'd their Ecclesiastical Orders which also were confirm'd by the Authority of the Roman Church These Decrees were committed to Writing with his own hand and reserv'd in his own Church the Copies thereof being communicated to other Churches in that Province all which with many other Treasures of that Noble Library furnish'd by him have been lost partly by Age and Negligence but principally by the Incursions of Pirats who from the Isles of Orkney every Summer us'd to waste the Sea-Coasts of Cambria This loss indeed is to be deplor'd since by those Records we might have perfectly understood the state of the British Churches However we are assur'd that those Churches were regulated according to the Roman and practic'd the same both in Doctrine and Discipline and consequently that St. Augustine sent after to Convert the Saxons brought no Novelties with him since St. Gregory who sent him was exalted to St. Peter's Chair not above 60 years after this Synod It is written in the Life of St. Kined That when St. David had publish'd his Edicts for assembling this Vniversal Councel of Cambria he humbly invited St. Kined to it who excus'd his not coming in regard that for his sins he was become distorted and crooked in his Body and was besides unable to undertake such a Journey Whereupon it is said that St. Kined by the Prayers of St. David was restor'd to Heath and straightness and by his own Prayers reduc'd again to his Infirmity and Crookedness Whether this were so or no certain it is that this St. Kined fill'd Britain with the fame of his Sanctity He liv'd a Solitary Anachoretical Life in the Province now call'd Glamorganshire probably in the same place where yet remains a Chappel call'd St. Keneth's Chappel left as a Monument of his Sanctity as Cambden witnesses The Celebrating this Synod is the last publick Action we find recorded of St. David He would not accept of Metropolitical Jurisdiction but upon condition that he might transfer the See from Caerleon to Menevia a place of Remoteness and Solitude and in the Neighbourhood of many Saints and Religious Persons in the Islands and Territory adjoyning and therefore most acceptable to him Which Translation was approv'd by King Arthur and the Synod not then dissolv'd This Menevia is seated in the Province of the Dimetae now Pembrokeshire adjoyning to the most remote Province of Britain where the Soyl is Stony and Barren neither Cloathed with Wood nor interlac'd with Rivers nor adorn'd with Meadows but expos'd to the Sun and Windes yet with this Penury the Antient Saints and Bishops were best contented accounting the remoteness from Worldly Tumults and noise to recompense sufficiently all such Incommodities This Menevia or as the Britains call'd it Menew was in memory of this Holy Bishop nam'd by the Converted Saxons David Minster and by the Britains Twy Davy that is David's House and at this day St. Davids The Bishop whereof was for many Ages the Metropolitan of Cambria but at length became subject to Canterbury Notwithstanding the Inhabitants of Wales since the Norman Conquest commenc'd a Suit against the Arch-bishop of Canterbury for their former Right and Independance but the Cause was judg'd against them The Pastoral care and Zeal of St. David in maintaining the Catholick Faith against Heresies especially against Pelagianism and Ecclesiastical Discipline against Vices and Disorders was signally approv'd and manifested in the Synod of Victory Assembled by him ten years after his Consecration Neither was this his Pastoral care confin'd to his own Province but extended it self abroad also even to Ireland from whence he was often visited and consulted by Devout men In those days it was a frequent custom amongst the Irish-men to go in Pilgrimage and their Devotion was to visit the Monuments of the Apostles in Rome Amongst the rest one Barro an Abbot in the Province of Cork went thither and in his return pass'd by Menevia where he staid for the accommodation of a Ship and Wind. And indeed it was the practice of Devout Irish-men either in their going or returning to seek the Conversation of the Holy Bishop David whose Name like a precious fragrant Oyntment was spread all abroad It appears by Bishop Vsher's Catalogue that Irish Saints were to be sorted into several Orders according to the times wherein they liv'd The first Order Was of such as liv'd either Contemporaries with St. Patrick or presently after him The second Order Contain'd such Saints as liv'd about this Age such as were St. Finanus call'd by the Irish Fin and by the Britains Gain or Win St. Brendon c. It is said the Saints of
English Upon which the Holy Pope perceiving that he was a sincere man of God confirm'd his Consecration knowing it came from God. Moreover at the earnest request of St. Kentigern though with some unwillingness he condescended to supply those small defects which were in his Consecration and so dismist him to the work of his Ministry enjoyn'd him by the Holy-Ghost So that it appears nothing essentially necessary in this Consecration was omitted because the Holy Pope supply'd the defects meerly upon importunity The greatest fault the Holy Bishop could impute to himself was his being Consecrated by one only Bishop against the express Canon of a General Councel though indeed considering the danger and unquietness of the times if the words of the Canon were transgress'd yet the intent was not as not obliging to Impossibilities And this sense of the Canon appears by the Resolution of St. Gregory to St. Augustine That he being the only Bishop in the Church of the Angli might himself alone ordain other Bishops It is said of this St. Kentigern That during the whole course of his Life his custom was to eat only every third day and sometimes every fourth his food was Bread Milk Cheese and Butter He always abstain'd from Flesh and Wine or any other Drink which could Distemper Next his skin he wore a very rough Hair-cloath and over that a Garment made of Goat-skins together with a close Cowle and his uppermost cloathing was a white Albe He always wore a Stole and carried a Pastoral Staff or Crosier not Spherical Gilded or set with precious Stones but of simple Wood bowing back at the Top and in his Hand he ever held a Book thus was he always in readiness to exercise his Function whenever necessity or reason requir'd He lay in a stone Chest made hollow like a Biere under his Head lay a stone and under his body were cast Cinders and Cilice of Hair in which posture with some unwillingness he admitted a short sleep after which he would plunge himself into Cold Water and so recite the whole Psalter This practice neither Snow nor Rain interrupted nor any thing but Sickness or Journeying He six'd his Episcopal See in the City of Glasco where he also ordain'd a great Congregation of Religious men who liv'd according to the form of the Primitive Church in community of all things The Infidels in his Diocess he converted to the Faith Apostates and Hereticks by his sound Doctrine he reduc'd to the bosome of our Holy Mother the Church He every where threw down Idols and Images of Devils and built some Churches He distinguish'd Parishes by their certain bounds He was always travelling to gain Souls to God never riding but in imitation of the Apostles always going on foot And because he would not eat his Bread in Idleness his custom was to labour with his hands in Agriculture About this time our famous King Arthur upon some unknown occasion Abroad left the Administration of his Kingdom to his Nephew Mordred Son of Loth King of the Picts by his Sister Mordred in the Absence of his Uncle invades his Throne upon pretence King Arthur was a Bastard and born out of Lawful Marriage To this Treason the Traytor adds the Crime of Incest violently taking his Uncles Wife Queen Guenhumara And to strengthen himself he enter'd into a Confederacy with the King of the West-Saxons to whom he yielded up several Provinces This infamous Crime soon brings King Arthur back into Britain inflam'd with rage against his abominable Kinsman Mordred was prepared to hinder his landing where a Cruel Battle was fought between them in which Auguselus King of Albania and Walwan another Nephew of King Arthur were slain notwithstanding which at last King Arthur with infinite difficulty landed and renewing the Fight made a great slaughter of his Enemies compelling Mordred to fly to Winchester whither he was pursu'd by King Arthur where in a second Battle after much Blood-shed he was again put to flight toward Cornwall But King Arthur not ceasing to follow at last overtook him near the River Camblan where Mordred having rang'd his Forces in a desperate fury rush'd amongst his Enemies resolv'd rather to die then once more to shew his back to them In this Combat which continu'd almost a whole day after horrible Bloodshed on both sides King Arthur with the Courage and fury of a Lyon rush'd into the Troop where he knew Mordred was and making way with his Sword at last with horrible slaughter dispers'd the Enemies There fell the Traytor Mordred and with him several Saxon Commanders Elaphius Egbrith and Bruning and many thousands with them But this Victory cost King Arthur his Life for in the Combat he receiv'd a Mortal Wound and was convey'd by the Charity of a Kins-woman of his a Noble Matron call'd Morganis into the Island of Avallonia now Glastonbury which gave occasion to the foolish British Bards to invent the Story Of Morganis a Faery Goddess who carried the Body of King Arthur into Avallonia by Magick skill with promise to Cure his Wounds and that he should return with his former Strength and Courage to govern the Britains Who for many Ages expected his return as foolishly as the coming of the Messias is look'd for by the Jews When Guenhumara heard of her Husbands return she fled to the City of Caerleon and there took the Habit of a Religious Woman among the Nuns in the Monastery of St. Julius the Martyr The true reason why King Arthur would be carried to the Monastery of Glastonbury doubtless was partly to prepare himself more perfectly for Death in the company and by the assistance of the Holy Monks there and that after his death he might be bury'd among such a world of Saints as repos'd there from the beginning of Christianity The like we read of Constantine who for the like purpose was bury'd in like manner That he might have the Prayers of such as in succeeding Ages should come to visit those Monuments King Arthur before his death gave to that Monastery Brent March Poulden and other Lands besides which the Pagan Angli took away but after being Converted to the Faith restor'd with Advantage King Arthur appointed for his Successor a Kins-man of his call'd Constantine and having recommended himself to the Prayers of the Monks he dy'd Happily and after a Christian manner was bury'd with a Cross His conveyance to Glastonbury was it seems by his own Order and done with all Secresie and by like order his Death and place of Burial studiously conceal'd For says Matthew Paris the King dying was desirous to be hidden least his Enemies should insult and his Friends be molested at so great a Calamity Hence it is that Histories relate little or nothing of his Death and Burial Insomuch as the British Nation out of their Affection to him contend that he is still alive upon which occasion the Prophecy was invented and father'd upon Merlin That he should appear and
by the most Wise Learn'd and Virtuous Emperour of the Romans must needs have a strange influence on the minds of many men throughout the whole Empire to incline them to conform themselves to his Judgement though his Practise were otherwise for Worldly respects and indeed it produc'd a number of Christians not only out of the Vulgar Rank but of Honourable and Noted Persons Insomuch as Tertullian a Christian Writer of the next Age declares to the Romans That though they counted Christians as Externs yet saith he we fill all your places your Cities Isles Castles Free-Towns Camps Tribes Corporations Palaces Senates c. No wonder then if our British King Lucius prepar'd as aforesaid and inform'd by Trebellius and Pertinax principal Officers sent into Britain not only of the said Miraculous Deliverance but what numbers of the Roman Nobility and Senators had thereupon given up their Names to Christ No wonder if Lucius thus convinc'd in Judgement and not deter'd by the Roman Civil Power at last submitted his neck to the same easy yoak As for our Bale's conceit that Trebellius and Pertinax were both Christians and wrought upon Lucius there is no ground in History for it And as to the manner and order of this Kings Conversion it might have been more clearly publish'd to the World had not the Antient History of Elevanus who liv'd in the time of Pope Eleutherius been lost Nevertheless what may be glean'd out of Primitive Records as Relicks of Antient Tradition shall not be omitted especially if approv'd by modern Authors Amongst the rest thus writes Bale Lucius as he conjectures was scandaliz'd at the meanness and poverty of Christ as the Jews were For though Christian Religion had for the space of more than 100. years been propagated in Britain yet it seem'd to be depriv'd of its due splendour because hitherto Administred by simple poor and contemptible persons and wanted the Authority of the Empire to support it Therefore as soon as the said King was inform'd by the Emperour's Lieutenants that upon the ceasing of Persecution many Illustrious Romans had embrac'd the Christian Faith he then began to entertain a more worthy conceit of it and now seriously comparing this Holy Faith with what he had learn'd from his Druids the Simplicity and Sanctity of the one with the foul and barbarous Superstitions of the other and considering the inestimable Promises of Eternal Glory and Happiness propos'd and assur'd in and by the Gospel to any share whereof his own Priests never pretended the least claim he grew weary of his former Errours and was willing to be further instructed in those Verities with a few Beams whereof he had been formerly Enlightned And therefore though there wanted not such as had skill enough to satisfie this King in the Truth of Christian Religion especially Elvanus before mention'd and Medwinus among the Belgae yet the prudent King by their advice no doubt thought himself oblig'd to implore a greater Authority for the Establishing a new Church and settling the common Affairs of Religion amongst his Subjects However though in his neighbouring Kingdom of Gaule many renown'd and learn'd Bishops were then living especially St. Iraeneus Bishop of Lyons yet to none of these had Lucius particular recourse but sent two Messengers through that Nation directing them to St. Eleutherius a worthy Successor of St. Peter in the Apostolick Chair which He with the whole Christian World took to be the Fountain of all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction This he might well learn from St. Iraeneus against Heresies who declares That every Church and all Christians where-ever dspers'd should have recourse to the Roman Church by reason of its more Powersul Principality Tertullian also then an Eminent Priest would have given the same advice for thus he bespeaks his Readers Who ever thou art saith he who would'st better imploy thy Curiosity in the business of thy Salvation take a view of the Principal Churches founded by the Apostles If Italy be nearest to thee thou mayest repair to Rome from whence our Authority in Africk is likewise deriv'd a Church it is happy in its constitution To which the chief Apostles together with their Blood shed forth the whole Doctrine of Christianity And as for St. Iraeneus he gives a Catalogue of all the Bishops of Rome to the time of Eleatherius with whom he was Contemporary and with his Catalogue this Assertion By making known the Faith of that chiefest and most Antient Church of Rome renown'd throughout the whole World founded and constituted by the most glorious Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul and by an un-interrupted Succession of Bishops deriv'd to our times we confound all those who any way either by an unlawful self-love vain glory blindness or perversity of Opinion make separated congregations professing other Doctrine Therefore to Elutherius Pastor of this Church King Lucius address'd himself to obtain Laws and Ordinances necessary for the constitution of a well order'd Church in this Kingdom what his Message was our Bishop Vsher hath declar'd out of an Antient Book belonging to the Monastery of Abingdon namely That King Lucius having heard the Fame of the Sanctity of Preachers at that time in Rome sent his Messengers with publick Letters in great Expedition most devoutly and earnestly beseeching the venerable Pope Eleutherius that by his Order and Will he might be made a Christian It is true the Bishop will by no means attribute this to the Primacy of the Roman Bishop but to the Commerce and strict Alliance between the Conquer'd Britains and that Imperial City contrary to the plain Judgements of Irenaeus and Tertullian before-mention'd and the Traditionary practice of all Ages In the Protestant Author of the British Antiquities we may find who were this Kings Messengers namely Elvanus and Medwinus before-mention'd and what their Message was more particularly viz. To request the Roman Bishop that he would be pleas'd to direct his Legates with order to Baptize him being already indued with Christian Doctrine and that they might bring the Roman Laws with them according to which he might Order and Establish both the Ecclesiastical and Civil State of his Kingdom The Pious Bishop Eleutherius much more zealous to propagate the Divine Doctrine than to Illustrate his own Fame signify'd to the King his inexpressible joy for the gaining of so great a King to the Obedience of Christ but for the Civil ordering of his Kingdom thought his interessing himself therein would be to little purpose for those Laws were not necessary for the constitution of a Christian Commonwealth and that by them many things were establish'd which ought not to be observ'd by those who profess the Christian Faith c. St. Bede mentioning these requests of the King to Pope Eleutherius adds presently That he obtain'd the effect of his Pious Petition as to so much thereof as concern'd his further instruction in Christian Religion As may appear by the Pope's Answer preserv'd to this day by Matthew of
inviting his Countrymen to the imitation of his Virtue and Piety St. Germanus and Lupus encourag'd him to go into Ireland and that especially upon this occasion On a day St. Patrick in his sleep saw a man coming to him out of Ireland with many Letters in his Hand one of which he gave to the Saint who read it In the beginning of it was written This is the voice of the Inhabitants of Ireland As soon as St. Patrick had read these words He heard the voices of many Infants crying to him as out of their Mothers wombes in several Provinces of Ireland Holy Father come and converse amongst us St. Patrick having heard this felt great Compunction in his Heart but could read no more of the Letter As soon as he awak'd he gave Thanks to God being assur'd by this Vision that our Lord had call'd him to be an Instrument of the Salvation of those who thus cry'd unto him It is written That St. Patrick hereupon asking Councel of our Lord touching this Affair and by the means of the Angel Victor receiv'd this Divine Oracle That forsaking his Country and Parents he should pass over into Gaul there to be more perfectly instructed in the Christian Doctrine and Discipline Palladius sent into Brittain by Pope Caelestine being as yet but a Deacon sound the Civiller part formerly under the Roman Jurisdiction defil'd with Heresie and the Northern parts under the Scots wholly buried in the mists of Paganism Of this he sent notice to the Pope who re-call'd him to advise of Remedies for both these mischiefs To oppose the Pelagian Heresie he directed Germanus and Lupus to rescue the Northern parts of the Island from Paganism he sent back Palladius after he had exalted him to an Episcopal Degree as his Legate and Apostle of the Scottish Nation as Prosper more at large relates It is said that Palladius attempted the Conversion of the Irish but in vain so that the British Scots were the peculiar objects of his care and endeavours and this appears the more clearly for that Servanus and Tervanus the two principal Disciples of Palladius are reckon'd among the Learned Teachers of Britain of whom the former was sent to instruct the Inhabitants of the Orcades and the other to the Picts over whom he was created Archbishop and as some say succeeded St. Ninianus The labours both of Servanus and Tervanus were very prosperous but Palladius is thought not to have liv'd above a year after he was made Bishop Soon after the first Voyage of Palladius into Britain the People thereof being neither willing to receive that perverse Doctrine which Blasphem'd the Grace of Christ nor able to refute the Subtilties of those who maintain'd it by common advice crav'd assistance from the Gallican Bishops who in a Synod for that purpose assembled made choice of St. Germanus and St. Lupus one Bishop of Auxerre and the other of Troyes to pass over into Brittain to confirm the Faith of Coelestial Grace All which was done as appears by Prosper with the Consent and by the Direction of Pope Caelestine Germanus was born at Auxerre descended from Illustrious Parents brought up in good Literature wherein he so advanc'd himself that he became an Ornament to his Country and that nothing might be wanting to the perfecting of his Learning after he had frequented the Gallican Schools where he was taught the Liberal Sciences he went to Rome where he inrich'd his Mind with the perfect knowledge of the Imperial Laws At his return he was made Governour of the City and Territories of Auxerre the place of his Nativity While he was Governour there Amator the Bishop of that City a Holy man preparing himself in the Church to perform his Office and perceiving Germanus their Prefect entering with a Body and Mind compos'd to Modesty and Piety commanded immediately that the Doors should be fast Lock'd And then accompanied with many of the Clergy and Nobility laid hold on Germanus and devoutly calling on the Name of the Lord cut off his Hair and devesting him of his Secular Ornaments respectfully cloath'd him with a Religious Habit and said thus to him Now my Dear Brother it is our Duty to be diligent in preserving this Honour committed to thee without stain For as soon as I am dead Almighty God commits to thee the Pastoral Charge of this City Amator shortly after dy'd in whose place Germanus succeeded about the year of Grace 418. From the first day in which he undertook the Episcopal Office to the end of his Life he never us'd Wine Vinegar Oyle nor so much as Salt to give a Relish to his Meat At his Refections he first took Ashes into his Mouth and after that Barley-bread and this so slender and ungrateful Diet he never us'd till toward Sun-set sometimes and as is said he would Fast half a Week yea seven whole days without any satisfaction given to his craving Stomach his Bed was hard Boards cover'd over with Ashes and to prevent any profound sleep he would admit no Pillow under his Head He spent indeed whole nights in continual Sighing and incessantly water'd his hard Couch with his Tears He was a zealous observer of Hospitality and when ever any poor or Strangers came to him he would prepare for them a Plentiful Feast while himself Fasted yea with his own Hands he would wash their Feet Kissing and sometimes Bedewing them with showers of Tears He built a Monastery into which he oft retir'd feeding and refreshing his Mind there with the wonderful sweetness of Caelestial Contemplation St. Lupus was born at Toul a City of the Leuci of a Noble Family after his Fathers death he was sent to School and there imbew'd in the study of Rhetorick he Married the Sister of St. Hilarius Bishop of Arles she was inflam'd with the Love of Chastity from her youth Hence it was that after seven years spent in Marriage by Divine Inspiration both of them exhorted one another to a state of Conversion Lupus by a strong impulse from Heaven was mov'd to visit the Blessed St. Honoratus first Abbot of the Famous Monastery of Lerins to whose Discipline he humbly submitted himself in continual Watchings Fastings and Mortifications and intending to Sell his Possessions and distribute the Money to the Poor he was on a suddain compell'd to take upon him the Bishoprick of Troyes where he behav'd himself so well that he was stil'd the Father of Fathers Bishop of Bishops and a second Jacob of his Age. These two Holy men under the conduct of our Lord took upon them to be the Apostolick Reformers of the British Churches their Humility and Austerity of Life had a proper and specifick Virtue to oppose the Pride and Sensuality of the Pelagian Hereticks What befell them at Sea would not be omitted At first their Ship was carried with favourable Winds from the Gallick Coasts 'till they came into the midst of the Sea where no Land could be discover'd but presently after the
the place where the sick Saint lay was preserv'd for the flames as if afraid to touch him flew quite over his lodging though on each side of it they rag'd with violence but left it untouch'd The multitude seeing this rejoyc'd and were well pleas'd that their Labours and Endeavours had been over-master'd by Divine Power Whilst this Holy man lay there he was watch'd and attended by a numberless multitude some seeking Health for their Souls some for there Bodies The wonderful Miracles which our Lord wrought by his Servant were so many they can scarce be re-counted he being infirm himself gave Health and Strength to others neither would he suffer any remedy to be apply'd to his Infirmity but on a certain night he saw a person standing before him in White Garments who stretching forth his Hand seem'd to raise him up from his Couch commanding him to stand firmly after which his pain pass'd away and his strength was so restor'd that the day following he confidently undertook to pursue his journey At this time the Picts and Saxons with joynt Forces made War upon the Britains who were therefore drawn together in a Body but being distrustful of their Ability to resist such Powerful Enemies they humbly implore the assistance of these Godly Bishops which they chearfully promis'd and hastening into the British Army so encreas'd the Courage and Resolution of the Britains as if a new Army had been joyn'd unto them so as our Lord himself by the Ministery of these his Captains seem'd to be General of the Army It was now the Holy time of Lent which the presence of these Holy Bishops caus'd to be observ'd with the greater Devotion and their daily Preaching invited many to partake of the Sacrament of Baptism A Church was thereupon prepar'd against the Solemnity of Easter and though the place was no other then open Fields yet it was ordered as if it had been in a City The Army went in Procession moisten'd with the waters of Baptism and being inslam'd with the fervour of Holy Faith they contemn'd the Guard of outward Weapons and expected a more sure Protection from Heaven This Posture of the British Army came to the Enemies knowledge who not doubting of Victory against Unarm'd People with great chearfulness hast'ned to set upon them The Britains had notice of their march and as soon as the Solemn Feast of our Lords Resurrection was past the greater part of the Army being newly Baptiz'd betook themselves to theirs Arms and prepar'd for Battle St. German being their General he made choice of a Band of Light Arm'd men and takes a view of the Country round about observing also a Valley compass'd with Mountains directly in the Enemies way he leads part of the Army into that Valley The fierce Enemies approaching and being discover'd by those who lay in Ambush St. German their Leader gave order to all his Soldiers That with loud clamour they should repeat the words by him pronounc'd And immediately while the Enemies thought to fall on presuming they had not been discover'd the Holy Bishop three times cry'd out aloud Allelujah whereupon the rest of the Army with one voice Thundred out likewise Allelujah the noise whereof was Terrible multiply'd and increas'd by the Eccho from the Mountains round about The sound alone of this Sacred Word suffic'd to terrify the Enemies Army which fell a trembling as if not the Rocks only but Heaven it self had fallen on their Heads insomuch as they all betook themselves to a general flight in all haste casting away their Weapons and glad to escape with their Naked Bodies Great numbers of them in their Head-long flight were swallow'd up by a River through which a little before they had march'd with confidence and leasure enough The main body of the British Army without striking one stroak was a chearful Spectator of the Vengeance of Almighty God to whom only they gave the Glory of the Victory The Holy Bishops indeed Triumph'd to see the Enemies defeated without Blood-shed they Triumph'd for a Victory obtain'd not by Arms but Faith only And having thus every way settled this Rich Island in Security both from the Pelagians and Saxons they prepar'd themselves for their return to the great Grief of the whole Nation The place of this unbloody Battle is said to be a Town call'd Mold in Flintshire where is a Field call'd from St. German in the British Tongue Maesgarmon there is also the little River Alen which runs hard by wherein probably the Picts and Saxons were drown'd besides the place being near the Sea it lay fit to set on board the Saxon Armies St. Gregory the great in expounding the words of Job makes mention of this Allelujah resounded thus by the Britains The Blessings conferr'd on this Island were in some degree recompens'd by their safe and prosperous return which they are said to have ascrib'd to the Intercession of our Tutelar Saint and Protomartyr Alban Their absence from home and residence here in Britain was little more than the space of a year in which time many wonderful things were wrought by them during the time that St. Germanus remain'd in Britain St. Patrick then 68 years of Age inseparably adher'd to him having learn'd from him many instructions in Christian Doctrine and Discipline and receiv'd many examples of Virtue and Piety for imitation By him likewise he was encourag'd to undertake the Conversion of the Irish Nation but with all admonish'd To expect a Commission from the See of Rome to execute that Apostolick Office. For which purpose he accompanied St. Germanus to Gaul from whence the next year he went to Rome being desirous to have his Journey into Ireland confirm'd by Authority from Pope Caelestinus St. Patrick took with him a Priest nam'd Sergetius a Devout Servant of our Lord as a Companion in his Travels when he came to Rome he committed himself to the Praebends of the Roman Church to be the more perfectly instructed in their Institutes He repair'd also to the Holy Pope Caelestinus and humbly casting himself at his feet besought him To employ his care for the Conversion of the Pagan Irish Nation The Petition was very acceptable to the Pope who chang'd this Holy mans Name from Magonius to Patricius as Prophecying That he should be the Father of many Souls His Name thus chang'd he was promoted to Episcopal Dignity and then directed to his Voyage into Ireland St. Patrick himself in one of his Epistles transcrib'd out of a Copy in the Abby of Glastonbury which Epistle is mention'd here before makes all this clear Together with the Episcopal degree the Pope bestow'd on St. Patrick 12 years Indulgence He was accompanied in his Legation with 20 Eminent Persons for his assistance one of which was Sergetius before mention'd He diverted in his return to his Instructor St. Germanus from whose Liberality he receiv'd Chalices Priestly Vestments and store of Books with many other things proper for his Ministery