successor_n but_o whosoever_o consider_v that_o epistle_n well_o will_v not_o for_o innocent_n sake_n lie_v too_o much_o weight_n upon_o it_o for_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o double_a unction_n the_o saturday_n fast_o the_o eulogiae_fw-la send_v to_o the_o several_a parish_n in_o rome_n be_v apostolical_a tradition_n which_o all_o the_o western_a church_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v because_o they_o be_v first_o plant_v by_o those_o who_o be_v send_v from_o rome_n but_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v far_o from_o be_v evident_a for_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v there_o be_v church_n plant_v in_o the_o western_a part_n neither_o by_o st._n peter_n nor_o by_o those_o who_o be_v send_v by_o his_o successor_n yet_o let_v that_o be_v grant_v what_o connexion_n be_v there_o between_o receive_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n at_o first_o by_o those_o who_o come_v from_o thence_o and_o a_o obligation_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o all_o their_o order_n and_o tradition_n the_o patriarchal_a government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o found_v upon_o this_o but_o upon_o the_o ancient_a custom_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n as_o full_o appear_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o milan_n and_o aquileia_n though_o in_o italy_n the_o church_n of_o africa_n though_o probable_o the_o first_o preacher_n come_v from_o rome_n never_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o follow_v the_o tradition_n or_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o be_v very_o well_o know_v both_o in_o st._n cyprian_n and_o st._n augustine_n time_n but_o if_o the_o pope_n power_n be_v build_v on_o this_o ground_n what_o then_o become_v of_o the_o church_n of_o illyricum_n be_v the_o gospel_n bring_v thither_o from_o rome_n and_o as_o to_o the_o british_a church_n this_o very_a plea_n of_o innocent_a will_v be_v a_o far_a evidence_n of_o their_o exemption_n from_o the_o roman_a patriarchate_n since_o britain_n can_v be_v comprehend_v within_o those_o island_n which_o lie_v between_o italy_n gaul_n spain_n africa_n and_o sicily_n which_o can_v only_o be_v understand_v of_o those_o island_n which_o be_v situate_a in_o the_o mediterranean_a sea_n and_o if_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v produce_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n patriarchal_a jurisdiction_n over_o the_o british_a church_n why_o shall_v not_o we_o claim_v the_o same_o benefit_n of_o the_o nicene_n canon_n which_o leo_n urge_v so_o vehement_o in_o such_o a_o parallel_n case_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o afterward_o subjection_n and_o consent_n make_v a_o just_a patriarchal_a power_n for_o neither_o do_v it_o hold_v as_o to_o the_o british_a church_n who_o bishop_n utter_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o augustine_n the_o monk_n and_o if_o it_o do_v all_o the_o force_n of_o leo_n argument_n be_v take_v away_o for_o there_o be_v both_o prescription_n plead_v and_o a_o consent_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n concern_v in_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n but_o leo_n say_v the_o nicene_n canon_n be_v beyond_o both_o these_o be_v dictate_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o pass_v by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o he_o to_o suffer_v any_o to_o break_v they_o 1._o either_o this_o be_v true_a or_o false_a if_o false_a how_o can_v the_o pope_n be_v excuse_v who_o allege_v it_o for_o true_a if_o true_a than_o it_o hold_v as_o much_o against_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n as_o the_o bishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o as_o to_o the_o prescription_n of_o 60_o year_n he_o say_v the_o canon_n of_o nice_a be_v before_o and_o aught_o to_o take_v place_n if_o the_o practice_n have_v be_v never_o so_o constant_a which_o he_o deny_v nay_o he_o go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v though_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n be_v never_o so_o great_a that_o give_v their_o consent_n to_o any_o alteration_n of_o the_o nicene_n canon_n they_o signify_v nothing_o and_o can_v bind_v nothing_o can_v be_v more_o emphatical_a or_o weighty_a to_o our_o purpose_n than_o these_o expression_n of_o pope_n leo_n for_o secure_v the_o privilege_n of_o our_o church_n in_o case_n no_o patriarchal_a power_n over_o they_o can_v be_v prove_v before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o it_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n that_o those_o who_o claim_v a_o jurisdiction_n shall_v prove_v it_o especial_o when_o the_o act_n of_o it_o be_v so_o notorious_a that_o they_o can_v be_v conceal_v as_o the_o consecration_n of_o metropolitanes_n and_o matter_n of_o appeal_n be_v and_o be_v too_o evident_a in_o latter_a time_n when_o all_o the_o world_n know_v what_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n the_o pope_n exercise_v over_o these_o church_n i_o conclude_v this_o with_o that_o excellent_a sentence_n of_o pope_n leo_n privilegia_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la sanctorum_n patrum_n canonibus_n instituta_n et_fw-la venerabilis_fw-la nicaenae_fw-la synodi_fw-la fixa_fw-la decretis_fw-la nulla_fw-la possunt_fw-la improbitate_fw-la convelli_fw-la nulla_fw-la novitate_fw-la violari_fw-la the_o privilege_n of_o church_n which_o be_v begin_v by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n and_o confirm_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a can_v neither_o be_v destroy_v by_o wicked_a usurpation_n nor_o dissolve_v by_o the_o humour_n of_o innovation_n in_o the_o next_o great_a council_n of_o sardica_n which_o be_v intend_v to_o be_v general_a by_o the_o two_o emperor_n constans_n and_o constantius_n it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o 720._o athanasius_n express_o affirm_v the_o british_a bishop_n to_o have_v be_v there_o present_a but_o some_o think_v this_o mistake_n arise_v from_o look_v no_o far_a than_o the_o latin_a copy_n in_o athanasius_n in_o which_o indeed_o the_o word_n be_v plain_a enough_o to_o that_o purpose_n but_o the_o sense_n in_o the_o greek_a seem_v to_o be_v the_o same_o for_o athanasius_n plead_v his_o own_o innocency_n from_o the_o several_a judgement_n which_o have_v pass_v in_o his_o favour_n first_o by_o 100_o bishop_n in_o egypt_n next_o by_o above_o 50_o bishop_n at_o rome_n three_o in_o the_o great_a council_n at_o sardica_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o which_o as_o some_o say_v above_o 300_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o several_a province_n there_o mention_v consent_v to_o his_o innocency_n but_o here_o lie_v a_o insuperable_a difficulty_n for_o 818._o athanasius_n himself_o elsewhere_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v but_o 170_o bishop_n in_o all_o there_o present_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v make_v 300_o there_o present_a which_o some_o have_v endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v by_o say_v the_o latter_a be_v the_o true_a number_n present_a but_o the_o former_a of_o those_o bishop_n scatter_v up_o and_o down_o who_o do_v agree_v in_o the_o sentence_n which_o pass_v in_o favour_n of_o athanasius_n but_o then_o the_o greek_a here_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o those_o present_n in_o council_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o understand_v than_o the_o word_n do_v not_o prove_v what_o he_o design_n viz._n that_o he_o be_v acquit_v in_o the_o sardican_a council_n in_o which_o although_o the_o number_n be_v not_o so_o great_a i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o exclude_v the_o british_a bishop_n it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o the_o 756._o synodical_a epistle_n of_o that_o council_n only_a italy_n spain_n and_o gaul_n be_v mention_v and_o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o 767._o subscription_n but_o it_o be_v well_o observe_v by_o 4._o bucherius_n that_o athanasius_n reckon_v up_o the_o british_a bishop_n among_o those_o of_o gaul_n and_o synodis_fw-la hilary_n write_v to_o the_o gallican_n bishop_n of_o germania_n prima_fw-la and_o germania_n secunda_fw-la belgica_n prima_fw-la belgica_n secunda_fw-la lugdunensis_n prima_fw-la lugdunensis_n secunda_fw-la provincia_n aquitanica_fw-la and_o provincia_n novem_fw-la populona_fw-la after_o he_o have_v distinct_o set_v down_o these_o he_o then_o immediate_o add_v and_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n of_o britain_n which_o make_v i_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o about_o that_o time_n the_o bishop_n of_o britain_n be_v general_o join_v with_o those_o of_o gaul_n and_o be_v often_o comprehend_v under_o they_o where_o they_o be_v not_o express_o mention_v and_o to_o confirm_v this_o 2._o sulpicius_n severus_n speak_v of_o the_o summons_n to_o the_o council_n of_o ariminum_n mention_n only_o of_o these_o western_a part_n italy_n spain_n and_o gaul_n but_o afterward_o say_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o britain_n be_v there_o present_a so_o that_o britain_n be_v then_o comprehend_v under_o gaul_n and_o be_v so_o understand_v at_o that_o time_n as_o sicily_n be_v under_o italy_n as_o 5._o sirmondus_n show_v and_o sextus_n rufus_n do_v put_v down_o the_o description_n of_o britain_n under_o that_o of_o gaul_n as_o 3._o berterius_n have_v observe_v for_o otherwise_o who_o can_v have_v
this_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o senseless_a and_o ridiculous_a legend_n for_o as_o kentigern_n bollandus_n observe_v if_o kentigern_n go_v seven_o time_n to_o rome_n how_o come_v he_o to_o put_v off_o the_o error_n of_o his_o consecration_n to_o the_o last_o if_o it_o be_v good_a before_o why_o not_o then_o if_o naught_o before_o than_o all_o the_o act_n perform_v by_o he_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o first_o consecration_n be_v invalid_a but_o there_o be_v no_o more_o error_n suppose_v in_o the_o consecration_n of_o kentigern_n by_o one_o bishop_n than_o there_o be_v in_o that_o of_o seruanus_n by_o palladius_n which_o as_o 2._o joh._n major_n say_v be_v good_a in_o case_n of_o necessity_n but_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o legend_n live_v long_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o person_n frame_v their_o story_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o their_o own_o time_n and_o because_o such_o a_o consecration_n be_v not_o then_o hold_v good_a therefore_o the_o author_n of_o his_o legend_n take_v care_n to_o have_v that_o defect_n supply_v at_o rome_n and_o to_o make_v amends_o he_o say_v that_o kentigern_n at_o his_o death_n recommend_v to_o his_o disciple_n the_o decree_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o necessity_n of_o subjection_n to_o the_o roman_a see_v from_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o british_a church_n what_o if_o kentigern_n have_v be_v often_o at_o rome_n be_v please_v more_o with_o the_o custom_n of_o that_o church_n than_o of_o the_o britain_n do_v it_o hence_o follow_v that_o those_o britain_n who_o maintain_v custom_n contrary_a to_o the_o roman_n do_v think_v it_o necessary_a to_o conform_v to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n when_o the_o plain_a evidence_n of_o fact_n be_v to_o the_o contrary_a and_o which_o have_v far_o more_o authority_n than_o such_o legend_n as_o these_o 3._o ninianus_n be_v 4._o say_v to_o have_v learn_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n at_o rome_n who_o convert_v the_o southern_a pict_n and_o found_v the_o church_n ad_fw-la candidam_fw-la casam_fw-la be_v the_o first_o build_v of_o stone_n but_o what_o follow_v from_o hence_o because_o ninianus_n be_v make_v a_o christian_a at_o rome_n therefore_o the_o british_a church_n always_o own_a the_o pope_n supremacy_n they_o be_v indeed_o to_o seek_v for_o argument_n who_o make_v use_v of_o such_o as_o these_o 4._o he_o offer_v to_o prove_v the_o constant_a submission_n of_o the_o british_a church_n to_o the_o roman_a see_v from_o gildas_n himself_o and_o he_o make_v use_v of_o two_o argument_n 1._o from_o his_o calling_n the_o british_a churches_n sedem_fw-la petri_n the_o see_v of_o st._n peter_n i_o confess_v gildas_n have_v these_o word_n but_o quite_o in_o another_o sense_n for_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o invective_n against_o the_o clergy_n among_o other_o thing_n he_o charge_v they_o that_o they_o do_v sedem_fw-la petri_n apostoli_fw-la immundis_fw-la pedibus_fw-la usurpare_fw-la do_v he_o mean_v that_o they_o defile_v st._n peter_n be_v chair_n at_o rome_n no_o certain_o but_o he_o take_v st._n peter_n chair_n for_o that_o which_o all_o the_o clergy_n possess_v and_o imply_v no_o more_o than_o their_o ecclesiastical_a function_n and_o so_o he_o oppose_v it_o to_o 60._o the_o chair_n of_o judas_n into_o which_o he_o say_v such_o wicked_a man_n fall_v but_o if_o they_o will_v carry_v st._n peter_n be_v chair_n to_o rome_n they_o must_v carry_v the_o chair_n of_o judas_n thither_o too_o 2._o 4._o alford_n insist_o on_o this_o passage_n in_o gildas_n that_o they_o be_v more_o ambitious_a of_o degree_n in_o the_o church_n than_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o after_o a_o bitter_a invective_n against_o their_o symoniacal_a contract_n he_o add_v that_o where_o they_o be_v oppose_v they_o run_v beyond_o sea_n to_o compass_v their_o end_n now_o say_v alford_n whither_o shall_v this_o be_v but_o to_o rome_n for_o as_o leland_n observe_v in_o the_o case_n of_o giraldus_n cambrensis_fw-la sunt_fw-la enim_fw-la omne_fw-la venalia_fw-la romae_fw-la all_o thing_n be_v buy_v and_o sell_v there_o and_o therefore_o whither_o shall_v such_o notorious_a symoniacal_a person_n go_v but_o to_o rome_n this_o be_v a_o very_a surprise_a argument_n and_o be_v more_o wise_o pass_v over_o by_o mr._n cressy_n than_o insist_v on_o by_o alford_n as_o be_v a_o horrible_a reflection_n on_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n in_o those_o day_n but_o to_o say_v truth_n there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n of_o rome_n in_o gildas_n but_o if_o they_o will_v apply_v it_o to_o rome_n how_o can_v we_o help_v it_o to_o conclude_v this_o discourse_n 10._o alford_n be_v much_o displease_v with_o 110._o sir_n h._n spelman_n for_o parallel_v the_o case_n of_o the_o british_a bishop_n and_o augustine_n with_o that_o of_o the_o cyprian_a bishop_n against_o the_o patriarch_n of_o antioch_n but_o for_o what_o reason_n why_o say_v he_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n do_v not_o permit_v the_o cyprian_a bishop_n to_o decline_v the_o judgement_n of_o their_o patriarch_n but_o declare_v the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n not_o to_o be_v their_o patriarch_n very_o well_o and_o be_v not_o this_o the_o very_a case_n here_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n challenge_v a_o patriarchal_a power_n over_o the_o british_a church_n and_o appoint_v a_o archbishop_n over_o they_o but_o they_o deny_v that_o he_o have_v such_o authority_n over_o they_o they_o be_v govern_v by_o their_o own_o metropolitan_a as_o the_o cyprian_a bishop_n be_v and_o therefore_o by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n they_o be_v bind_v to_o preserve_v their_o own_o right_n and_o consequent_o to_o oppose_v that_o foreign_a jurisdiction_n which_o augustine_n endeavour_v to_o set_v up_o over_o they_o the_o end_n ola_n rudbeck_n atlantic_n c._n 7.23_o historical_a account_n of_o ancient_a church_n government_n in_o great_a britain_n and_o ireland_n letter_n to_o lord_n chancellor_n p._n 11._o v._o gratian._n lucium_fw-la in_o cambr._n evers_n p._n 248_o 249._o a_o primo_fw-la quidem_fw-la huius_fw-la regni_fw-la fergusio_n filio_fw-la ferchardi_fw-la ad_fw-la hunc_fw-la regem_fw-la fergusium_fw-la filium_fw-la erch_n inclusive_a 45._o reges_fw-la ejusdem_fw-la gentis_fw-la &_o generis_fw-la in_o hac_fw-la insula_fw-la regnaverunt_fw-la sed_fw-la &_o horum_fw-la sigillatim_fw-la distinguere_fw-la tempora_fw-la principatuum_fw-la ad_fw-la praesens_fw-la omittimus_fw-la nam_fw-la ad_fw-la plenum_fw-la scripta_fw-la non_fw-la reperimus_fw-la fordon_n scotichr_n l._n 4._o c._n 2._o defence_n of_o the_o antiquity_n etc._n etc._n p._n 29._o l._n 1._o f._n 6._o f._n 10.2_o p._n 6._o l._n 19_o f._n 10.2_o f._n 15._o leslae_fw-la l._n 2._o p._n 81._o buch._n l._n 4._o p._n 29._o p._n 245._o defence_n etc._n etc._n p._n 110._o just_o right_o of_o monarchy_n p._n 26._o leslae_fw-la hist._n p._n 77.79_o p._n 27._o p._n 26._o p._n 28._o p._n 27._o hect._n both_o hist._n l._n 1._o f._n 62._o leslae_n hist._n scot._n p._n 77._o p._n 29._o 29._o hect._n both_o l._n 3._o f._n 36._o l._n 40._o leslae_fw-la p._n 92._o 92._o hect._n both_o l._n 4._o f._n 59_o leslae_fw-la p._n 97._o 97._o hect._n both_o l._n 5._o f._n 75._o leslae_fw-la p._n 101._o 101._o hect._n both_o l._n 5._o f._n 79._o leslae_fw-la p._n 103._o 103._o hect._n both_o l._n 5._o f._n 81._o leslae_fw-la p._n 103._o 103._o hect._n both_o l._n 5._o f._n 90._o leslae_fw-la p._n 109._o 109._o hect._n both_o l._n 6._o f._n 90._o leslae_fw-la p._n 110._o leslae_fw-la p._n 392_o 396._o p._n 28._o scotichron_n l._n 1._o c._n 36._o scotichron_n l._n 10._o c._n 2._o scotichr_n l._n 4._o c._n 38._o buchan_n l._n 5._o p._n 45._o scotichr_n l._n 4._o c._n 41._o c._n 45._o defence_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o royal_a line_n p._n 20_o 21._o p._n 22._o scotich_n l._n 5._o c._n 59_o leslae_fw-la p._n 250._o hect._n both_o hist._n l._n 13._o f._n 295._o gratian._n luc._n cambr._n evers_n p._n 248._o scotichr_n l._n 2._o c._n 12._o hect._n both_o l._n 1._o f._n 7._o hist._n eccles._n l._n 2._o â—_o 174._o scotichron_n l._n 1._o c._n 9_o chap._n 5._o leslae_fw-la paraen_n ad_fw-la nobil_n scot._n p._n 22._o defence_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o royal_a line_n p._n 39_o p._n 32._o p._n 32._o prodrom_n hist._n natur._n scot._n p._n 13._o p._n 15._o scotichr_n l._n 3._o c._n 19_o suffr_n petr._n de_fw-fr origine_fw-la frisiorum_n l._n 3._o c._n 2._o c._n 3._o p._n 14._o p._n 13._o p._n 14._o p._n 2._o 2._o hoc_fw-la solum_fw-la judicamus_fw-la quae_fw-la de_fw-fr scotis_n &_o corum_fw-la regibus_fw-la ab_fw-la anno_fw-la 330._o ante_fw-la caput_fw-la aerae_fw-la christianae_n cum_fw-la alexander_n macedo_n rerum_fw-la potiretur_fw-la in_o oriente_fw-la usque_fw-la ad_fw-la fergusium_fw-la 2._o regem_fw-la scotiae_fw-la quadragesimum_fw-la cujus_fw-la initium_fw-la conjicitur_fw-la à _fw-la scotis_n scriptoribus_fw-la in_o annum_fw-la christi_fw-la 404._o qui_fw-la ejectos_fw-la è_fw-la britannia_fw-la scotos_fw-gr dicitur_fw-la reduxisse_fw-la non_fw-la
object_v that_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a monument_n of_o such_o church_n plant_v by_o he_o in_o italy_n gaul_n germany_n or_o spain_n what_o certain_a monument_n be_v there_o of_o new_a church_n plant_v by_o he_o in_o the_o east_n after_o his_o return_n and_o it_o be_v so_o much_o less_o probable_a because_o the_o eastern_a writer_n who_o shall_v know_v best_a allot_v this_o time_n to_o his_o preach_v in_o the_o west_n but_o it_o be_v well_o observe_v by_o the_o learned_a 6._o m._n velserus_n speak_v of_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n in_o these_o western_a part_n that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o plant_v of_o church_n by_o the_o remain_a annal_n and_o monument_n because_o on_o the_o one_o side_n we_o be_v certain_a that_o their_o sound_n go_v out_o into_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o on_o the_o other_o great_a care_n be_v take_v in_o the_o several_a persecution_n especial_o that_o of_o dioclesian_n to_o burn_v all_o the_o monument_n which_o concern_v the_o christian_a church_n but_o yet_o as_o to_o britain_n we_o have_v undoubted_a testimony_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n plant_v here_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o none_o so_o probable_o as_o saint_n paul_n for_o gildas_n say_v the_o gospel_n be_v here_o receive_v before_o the_o fatal_a defeat_n of_o the_o britain_n by_o suetonius_n paulinus_n which_o according_a to_o sir_n h._n savil_n fasti_fw-la be_v the_o seven_o of_o nero_n the_o eight_o say_v petavius_n and_o st._n paul_n be_v at_o liberty_n the_o five_o have_v time_n and_o conveniency_n enough_o to_o settle_v a_o christian_a church_n in_o britain_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v encouragement_n and_o invitation_n enough_o for_o st._n paul_n to_o come_v into_o britain_n not_o only_o from_o the_o infinite_a number_n of_o people_n which_o â—_o caesar_n say_v be_v here_o in_o his_o time_n but_o from_o the_o new_a settlement_n that_o be_v daily_o make_v here_o by_o the_o roman_n after_o the_o first_o success_n which_o they_o have_v in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n for_o then_o colonies_n be_v draw_v over_o hither_o and_o not_o only_o military_a colony_n settle_v for_o the_o security_n of_o the_o roman_a conquest_n such_o as_o that_o of_o camalodunum_n be_v describe_v by_o 31._o tacitus_n former_o the_o royal_a seat_n of_o cynobelin_n king_n of_o the_o trinobantes_n but_o also_o civil_a and_o trade_n colony_n such_o as_o london_n be_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o therefore_o commend_v by_o tacitus_n for_o its_o admirable_a situation_n for_o trading_n and_o all_o accommodation_n to_o that_o end_n and_o upon_o the_o best_a enquiry_n i_o can_v make_v i_o very_o much_o incline_v to_o believe_v it_o of_o a_o roman_a foundation_n and_o no_o elder_a than_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n as_o will_v be_v make_v appear_v in_o another_o discourse_n and_o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o suetonius_n paulinus_n it_o be_v inhabit_v by_o roman_n and_o britain_n together_o be_v evident_a from_o tacitus_n when_o suetonius_n paulinus_n draw_v out_o the_o inhabitant_n the_o city_n not_o be_v then_o defensible_a against_o the_o britain_n who_o in_o that_o revolt_n destroy_v lxx_o thousand_o roman_n and_o their_o ally_n say_v tacitus_n but_o 168._o dio_n say_v two_o city_n london_n and_o verulam_n for_o camalodunum_n be_v destroy_v before_o and_o eighty_o thousand_o men._n this_o be_v a_o time_n of_o so_o much_o disorder_n and_o bloodshed_n that_o gildas_n with_o great_a reason_n place_n the_o plant_v of_o christianity_n here_o before_o it_o and_o st._n paul_n may_v have_v some_o particular_a encouragement_n at_o rome_n to_o come_v hither_o from_o pomponia_n graecina_n wife_n to_o a._n plautius_n the_o roman_a lieutenant_n under_o claudius_n in_o britain_n for_o that_o she_o be_v a_o christian_a appear_v very_o probable_a from_o the_o account_n tacitus_n give_v of_o she_o 32._o he_o say_v she_o be_v accuse_v of_o foreign_a superstition_n and_o that_o so_o far_o as_o to_o endanger_v her_o life_n but_o her_o husband_n clear_v she_o sit_v as_o judge_v according_a to_o the_o ancient_a form_n and_o she_o live_v long_o after_o but_o in_o perpetual_a sadness_n if_o tacitus_n be_v to_o describe_v the_o primitive_a christian_n he_o will_v have_v do_v it_o just_a after_o this_o manner_n charge_v their_o religion_n with_o superstition_n and_o the_o severity_n of_o their_o life_n abstain_v from_o all_o the_o feast_n and_o jollity_n of_o the_o roman_n as_o a_o continual_a solitude_n it_o be_v the_o way_n of_o the_o man_n of_o that_o time_n such_o as_o 16._o suetonius_n and_o 98._o pliny_n as_o well_o as_o 15._o tacitus_n to_o speak_v of_o christianity_n as_o a_o barbarous_a and_o wicked_a superstition_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o write_n be_v forbid_v by_o their_o law_n which_o they_o make_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o religion_n and_o this_o happen_v when_o nero_n and_o calphurnius_fw-la piso_n be_v consul_n after_o st._n paul_n come_v to_o rome_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v she_o one_o of_o he_o convert_v by_o who_o he_o may_v easy_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o britain_n and_o thereby_o be_v more_o encourage_v to_o undertake_v a_o voyage_n thither_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o st._n paul_n do_v make_v considerable_a convert_v at_o his_o come_n to_o rome_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o mention_v 4.22_o the_o saint_n in_o caesar_n be_v household_n and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o some_o of_o the_o british_a captive_n carry_v over_o with_o caractacus_n and_o his_o family_n may_v be_v some_o of_o they_o who_o will_v certain_o promote_v the_o conversion_n of_o their_o country_n by_o st._n paul_n but_o i_o can_v affirm_v as_o britan_n moncaeius_fw-la do_v that_o claudia_n mention_v by_o st._n paul_n be_v caractacus_n his_o daughter_n and_o turn_v christian_a and_o after_o marry_v to_o pudens_n a_o roman_a senator_n who_o marriage_n be_v celebrate_v by_o martial_a in_o his_o note_a epigram_n to_o that_o purpose_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o claudia_n ruffina_n be_v a_o britain_n who_o be_v so_o much_o commend_v by_o 53._o martial_a for_o her_o wit_n and_o beauty_n but_o if_o these_o epigram_n be_v write_v in_o trajan_n time_n as_o be_v very_o probable_a it_o be_v somewhat_o of_o the_o late_a for_o the_o daughter_n of_o caractacus_n who_o come_v in_o claudius_n his_o time_n to_o rome_n but_o 6._o alford_n digest_v all_o this_o well_o enough_o only_o he_o be_v extreme_o concern_v lest_o she_o shall_v be_v make_v the_o apostle_n of_o britain_n and_o preach_v here_o before_o st._n peter_n but_o the_o 3._o author_n of_o the_o antiquitates_fw-la britannicae_n who_o he_o reflect_v upon_o say_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o he_o will_v impute_v to_o he_o he_o only_o say_v that_o if_o she_o be_v a_o christian_n she_o will_v acquaint_v her_o countryman_n as_o much_o with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o she_o do_v before_o with_o martial_a be_v witt._n wherein_o there_o be_v no_o profaneness_n or_o absurdity_n but_o he_o add_v that_o in_o so_o noble_a a_o family_n the_o rest_n of_o her_o kindred_n who_o be_v baptize_v with_o she_o may_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o disperse_v christianity_n in_o the_o british_a nation_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n for_o his_o bid_n claudia_n to_o keep_v at_o home_n and_o make_v room_n for_o st._n peter_n to_o come_v to_o britain_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n but_o if_o this_o claudia_n be_v st._n paul_n disciple_n why_o may_v not_o she_o excite_v that_o apostle_n to_o go_v into_o her_o country_n to_o plant_v christianity_n there_o as_o he_o have_v do_v with_o so_o much_o success_n in_o other_o place_n and_o whether_o st._n peter_n or_o st._n paul_n be_v more_o probable_o the_o apostle_n of_o britain_n be_v now_o to_o be_v consider_v and_o i_o affirm_v 3._o that_o st._n paul_n be_v the_o most_o likely_a to_o come_v hither_o of_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n the_o several_a tradition_n about_o st._n james_n simon_n zelotes_n and_o philip_n be_v so_o destitute_a of_o any_o ancient_a testimony_n or_o probability_n that_o the_o competition_n among_o the_o apostle_n can_v lie_v only_o between_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n some_o writer_n of_o our_o church_n history_n have_v endeavour_v for_o particular_a reason_n to_o prove_v st._n peter_n to_o have_v preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o britain_n but_o their_o proof_n be_v very_o slight_a and_o inconsiderable_a and_o depend_v chief_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o simeon_n metaphrastes_n or_o other_o legendary_a writer_n or_o some_o monkish_a vision_n or_o some_o domestic_a testimony_n of_o his_o pretend_a successor_n or_o some_o late_a partial_a advocate_n such_o as_o 8._o eysengrenius_n who_o profess_v to_o follow_v metaphrastes_n all_o which_o together_o be_v not_o worth_a mention_v in_o comparison_n with_o the_o author_n on_o the_o other_o side_n i_o shall_v therefore_o examine_v the_o probability_n
among_o the_o britain_n be_v only_o speak_v of_o the_o maeatae_n and_o caledonii_n in_o their_o great_a confusion_n when_o all_o the_o reins_o of_o government_n be_v cast_v off_o and_o the_o people_n do_v what_o they_o listen_v as_o tacitus_n describe_v they_o in_o his_o time_n say_v that_o they_o be_v draw_v off_o from_o their_o former_a obedience_n to_o their_o king_n by_o the_o head_n of_o several_a faction_n among_o they_o so_o that_o although_o in_o the_o most_o ancient_a time_n here_o be_v monarchical_a government_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o extend_v over_o all_o britain_n as_o the_o monkish_a tradition_n pretend_v concern_v king_n lucius_n and_o i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o predecessor_n of_o he_o even_o from_o the_o come_n of_o brutus_n to_o his_o day_n but_o neither_o our_o religion_n nor_o our_o government_n need_v such_o fiction_n to_o support_v they_o suppose_v then_o that_o king_n lucius_n succeed_v cogidunus_n though_o not_o immediate_o in_o the_o government_n of_o that_o part_n of_o britain_n commit_v to_o his_o care_n i_o see_v no_o inconvenience_n in_o allow_v that_o king_n lucius_n hear_v of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n either_o by_o the_o old_a british_a christian_n such_o as_o eluanus_n and_o medwinus_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v or_o by_o some_o of_o m._n aurelius_n his_o soldier_n come_v hither_o after_o the_o great_a deliverance_n of_o the_o roman_a army_n by_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o christian_n which_o have_v then_o late_o happen_v and_o occasion_v great_a discourse_n every_o where_o the_o emperor_n himself_o as_o 15._o tertullian_n say_v give_v the_o account_n of_o it_o in_o his_o own_o letter_n may_v upon_o this_o be_v very_o desirous_a to_o inform_v himself_o thorough_o about_o this_o religion_n and_o there_o be_v then_o frequent_a intercourse_n between_o rome_n and_o britain_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o colony_n that_o be_v settle_v and_o the_o governor_n and_o soldier_n pass_v to_o and_o fro_o he_o may_v send_v eluanus_n and_o medwinus_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la to_o be_v full_o instruct_v in_o this_o religion_n and_o either_o the_o same_o person_n alone_o or_o two_o other_o with_o they_o call_v faganus_n and_o duvianus_n common_o come_v into_o britain_n may_v have_v so_o great_a success_n as_o to_o baptize_v king_n lucius_n and_o many_o other_o and_o thereby_o enlarge_v the_o christian_a church_n here_o the_o 188._o old_a book_n of_o landaff_n give_v a_o much_o more_o modest_a account_n of_o this_o whole_a matter_n than_o either_o geffrey_n of_o monmouth_n or_o any_o of_o his_o follower_n there_o we_o find_v only_o that_o king_n lucius_n send_v eluanus_n and_o medwinus_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la the_o twelve_o bishop_n of_o rome_n to_o desire_v that_o he_o may_v be_v make_v a_o christian_a through_o his_o instruction_n upon_o which_o he_o give_v god_n thanks_o that_o such_o a_o heathen_a nation_n do_v so_o much_o desire_n christianity_n and_o then_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n they_o first_o baptize_v these_o ambassador_n and_o be_v well_o instruct_v they_o ordain_v they_o make_v eluanus_n a_o bishop_n and_o medwinus_n a_o teacher_n and_o so_o they_o return_v to_o king_n lucius_n who_o with_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o britain_n be_v baptize_v and_o then_o according_a to_o the_o instruction_n of_o eleutherius_fw-la he_o settle_v the_o ecclesiastical_a order_n cause_v bishop_n to_o be_v ordain_v and_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v teach_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o all_o this_o account_n but_o what_o seem_v to_o have_v great_a probability_n in_o it_o the_o same_o account_n be_v in_o capgrave_n out_o of_o john_n of_o tinmouth_n in_o the_o life_n of_o dubricius_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o original_a tradition_n of_o the_o british_a church_n which_o geffrey_n of_o monmouth_n have_v corrupt_v with_o his_o flamen_n and_o archiflamin_n and_o other_o afterward_o make_v a_o epistle_n for_o eleutherius_fw-la to_o king_n lucius_n but_o can_v not_o avoid_v such_o mark_n in_o the_o way_n of_o write_v as_o evident_o discover_v the_o imposture_n and_o when_o the_o monk_n hand_n be_v once_o in_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o give_v over_o for_o some_o of_o they_o carry_v faganus_n and_o diruvianus_n as_o some_o call_v he_o to_o glassenbury_n other_o make_v they_o consecrate_v the_o church_n at_o winchester_n to_o which_o they_o say_v king_n lucius_n have_v a_o particular_a kindness_n and_o give_v all_o the_o land_n and_o privilege_n which_o the_o flamen_n have_v to_o the_o bishop_n and_o monk_n a_o gift_n that_o will_v never_o make_v they_o the_o rich_a or_o the_o safe_a other_o make_v king_n lucius_n to_o find_v st._n peter_n church_n at_o westmister_n the_o church_n in_o dover_n castle_n st._n martin_n by_o canterbury_n st._n peter_n in_o cornhill_n where_o the_o metropolitan_a church_n they_o say_v be_v place_v by_o he_o and_o theanus_n make_v the_o first_o bishop_n who_o be_v succeed_v by_o eluanus_n who_o go_v on_o the_o embassy_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la and_o beside_o these_o they_o make_v he_o to_o found_v and_o endow_v so_o many_o church_n with_o such_o unlikely_a circumstance_n as_o have_v make_v other_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v ever_o such_o a_o person_n in_o the_o world_n as_o king_n lucius_n that_o be_v the_o common_a effect_n of_o say_v much_o more_o than_o be_v true_a to_o make_v what_o be_v real_o true_a more_o doubtful_a and_o suspicious_a but_o there_o be_v one_o difficulty_n yet_o to_o be_v clear_v for_o all_o this_o story_n in_o its_o best_a circumstance_n seem_v to_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a church_n here_o before_o for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v what_o need_v he_o to_o have_v send_v as_o far_o as_o rome_n to_o be_v instruct_v unless_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v then_o know_v to_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o it_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o if_o the_o contest_v lay_v between_o these_o two_o thing_n whether_o it_o be_v more_o credible_a that_o christianity_n be_v plant_v here_o before_o king_n lucius_n or_o that_o king_n lucius_n be_v baptize_v by_o order_n from_o eleutherius_fw-la i_o shall_v very_o much_o prefer_v the_o former_a because_o the_o authority_n of_o gildas_n as_o to_o the_o british_a christianity_n be_v to_o be_v rely_v on_o before_o the_o late_a writer_n and_o gildas_n assert_v the_o one_o and_o although_o he_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n as_o bede_n or_o any_o after_o he_o he_o never_o take_v the_o least_o notice_n of_o king_n lucius_n and_o eleutherius_fw-la and_o if_o a_o negative_a argument_n will_v hold_v any_o where_n it_o be_v where_o a_o person_n have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o know_v as_o any_o that_o follow_v he_o and_o as_o great_a occasion_n to_o discover_v what_o he_o know_v both_o which_o will_v hold_v in_o the_o case_n of_o gildas_n compare_v with_o bede_n or_o late_a writer_n it_o be_v worth_a while_n for_o we_o to_o know_v whence_o bede_n have_v his_o first_o information_n of_o this_o matter_n for_o he_o profess_v to_o follow_v other_o writer_n about_o the_o british_a affair_n and_o in_o many_o place_n he_o follow_v gildas_n exact_o but_o in_o this_o he_o pass_v by_o what_o gildas_n say_v about_o the_o primitive_a christianity_n of_o britain_n and_o instead_o thereof_o put_v in_o this_o story_n of_o king_n lucius_n 27._o bale_n say_v that_o eluanus_n avalonius_n be_v a_o disciple_n to_o those_o who_o be_v the_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o he_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o britain_n with_o good_a success_n but_o king_n lucius_n be_v persuade_v by_o his_o druid_n will_v not_o come_v to_o any_o resolution_n but_o to_o satisfy_v himself_o lest_o he_o shall_v be_v deceive_v by_o his_o countryman_n he_o send_v eluanus_n and_o medwinus_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la and_o eluanus_n upon_o his_o return_n write_v a_o book_n de_fw-fr origine_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la britannorum_fw-la of_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o british_a church_n and_o pit_n be_v sure_a to_o follow_v he_o where_o he_o have_v no_o reason_n but_o leland_n never_o mention_n this_o book_n nor_o the_o write_n of_o medwinus_n belgius_n and_o of_o king_n lucius_n himself_o all_o relate_n to_o this_o matter_n but_o eluano_n leland_n only_o take_v notice_n that_o eluanus_n and_o medwinus_n be_v employ_v upon_o a_o embassy_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la that_o by_o his_o mean_n he_o may_v become_v a_o christian_n which_o say_v he_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v unless_o he_o be_v first_o inform_v what_o christianity_n be_v which_o he_o think_v be_v preach_v to_o king_n lucius_n by_o they_o be_v two_o of_o the_o old_a british_a christian_n and_o there_o he_o relate_v how_o by_o chance_n he_o meet_v with_o a_o old_a ms._n of_o the_o british_a affair_n join_v with_o geffrey_n of_o monmouth_n wherein_o this_o story_n be_v tell_v exact_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o book_n
of_o landaff_n and_o no_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o any_o other_o person_n send_v back_o but_o those_o that_o go_v and_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v judge_v bede_n follow_v this_o old_a british_a tradition_n only_o leave_v out_o the_o name_n of_o the_o person_n send_v and_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o british_a church_n after_o the_o baptism_n of_o king_n lucius_n for_o bede_n say_v as_o little_a as_o he_o well_o can_v that_o tend_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o british_a church_n so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o which_o seem_v the_o true_a account_n of_o this_o embassy_n eluanus_n and_o edwinus_fw-la be_v british_a christian_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o send_v to_o eleutherius_fw-la have_v be_v probable_o the_o person_n employ_v to_o convince_v king_n lucius_n but_o he_o know_v the_o great_a fame_n of_o rome_n and_o it_o be_v tell_v he_o not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v christian_n there_o but_o a_o bishop_n in_o that_o city_n the_o twelve_o from_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o desire_n to_o understand_v how_o far_o the_o british_a christian_n and_o those_o of_o rome_n agree_v and_o he_o may_v reasonable_o then_o presume_v that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v there_o true_o teach_v at_o so_o little_a distance_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o a_o place_n whither_o as_o 3._o irenaeus_n argue_v in_o this_o case_n a_o resort_n be_v make_v from_o all_o place_n because_o of_o its_o be_v the_o imperial_a city_n these_o be_v reasonable_a consideration_n which_o may_v move_v king_n lucius_n to_o send_v this_o embassy_n to_o rome_n and_o not_o any_o opinion_n of_o st._n peter_n have_v appoint_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n there_o of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o imagination_n then_o nor_o a_o long_a time_n after_o in_o the_o british_a church_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o contest_v of_o the_o british_a bishop_n with_o augustine_n the_o monk_n of_o which_o in_o its_o due_a place_n if_o any_o credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o king_n 69._o arthur_n diploma_n to_o the_o university_n of_o cambridge_n this_o matter_n will_v be_v full_o clear_v for_o there_o it_o be_v express_o say_v that_o king_n lucius_n be_v convert_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o cambridge_n for_o which_o reason_n he_o give_v large_a privilege_n to_o that_o university_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o king_n arthur_n and_o in_o the_o ms._n annal_n of_o burton_n it_o be_v say_v that_o anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 141._o nine_o of_o the_o doctor_n and_o scholar_n of_o cambridge_n be_v baptize_v i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a what_o objection_n have_v be_v make_v by_o learned_a antiquary_n against_o both_o these_o passage_n and_o how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o language_n and_o history_n of_o that_o time_n nor_o that_o this_o passage_n in_o the_o annal_n of_o burton_n be_v put_v into_o the_o ms._n copy_n by_o another_o hand_n as_o the_o learned_a 51._o primate_n observe_v by_o compare_v the_o copy_n of_o they_o in_o the_o library_n of_o c._n c._n c._n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v just_o plead_v that_o in_o the_o bull_n of_o honorius_n i._o bear_v date_n an._n dom._n 624.20_o febr._n there_o be_v mention_v make_v of_o the_o privilege_n grant_v to_o the_o university_n of_o cambridge_n by_o pope_n eleutherius_fw-la and_o that_o withal_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o doctor_n and_o scholar_n there_o and_o that_o this_o bull_n of_o honorius_n be_v allow_v to_o be_v authentic_a in_o the_o bull_n of_o eugenius_n iv_o upon_o the_o controversy_n about_o jurisdiction_n between_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n and_o the_o university_n of_o cambridge_n bear_v date_n an._n d._n 1433._o 14_o cal._n oct._n which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n to_o all_o that_o rely_v on_o the_o pope_n authority_n that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n lucius_n and_o eleutherius_fw-la there_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o cambridge_n to_o have_v instruct_v king_n lucius_n in_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o eluanus_n and_o medwinus_n may_v be_v of_o that_o number_n especial_o consider_v that_o camboritum_n or_o as_o many_o copy_n have_v it_o camboricum_n be_v a_o roman_a colony_n and_o mention_v in_o the_o best_a copy_n among_o the_o 28_o city_n of_o britain_n and_o the_o roman_a colony_n have_v their_o school_n of_o learning_n wherein_o the_o several_a professor_n of_o art_n and_o science_n do_v instruct_v both_o the_o roman_a and_o british_a youth_n of_o which_o i_o may_v have_v occasion_n to_o discourse_v afterward_o after_o this_o time_n we_o meet_v with_o little_a concern_v the_o british_a church_n till_o the_o persecution_n of_o dioclesian_n in_o which_o they_o have_v a_o considerable_a share_n for_o the_o time_n it_o last_v here_o for_o although_o the_o name_n of_o no_o more_o be_v preserve_v than_o only_o of_o st._n alban_n aaron_n and_o julius_n yet_o both_o 8._o gildas_n and_o 7._o bede_n say_v that_o many_o more_o suffer_v martyrdom_n then_o in_o britain_n as_o 144._o baronius_n acknowledge_v and_o although_o dioclesian_n be_v a_o prince_n of_o infinite_a ambition_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o command_a himself_o to_o be_v worship_v as_o god_n and_o therefore_o have_v so_o great_a a_o antipathy_n to_o christianity_n that_o his_o whole_a reign_n may_v be_v call_v as_o asâ—am_n m._n velserus_n say_v one_o perpetual_a persecution_n yet_o he_o have_v so_o much_o art_n as_o to_o throw_v off_o the_o odium_fw-la of_o it_o upon_o other_o to_o which_o purpose_n he_o first_o make_v choice_n of_o maximianus_n a_o brutish_a and_o fierce_a man_n who_o stick_v at_o nothing_o for_o the_o shame_n or_o the_o cruelty_n of_o it_o as_o he_o be_v set_v forth_o by_o eutropius_n and_o victor_n and_o therefore_o be_v a_o fit_a instrument_n as_o occasion_v serve_v to_o execute_v dioclesian_n malice_n against_o the_o christian_n which_o he_o do_v not_o fail_v to_o perform_v as_o appear_v by_o the_o thebean_a legion_n which_o suffer_v in_o the_o first_o expedition_n against_o the_o bagaudae_n for_o refuse_v to_o take_v a_o oath_n to_o extirpate_v the_o christian_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rebel_n as_o 1._o sigonius_n and_o afrae_fw-la velserus_n relate_v the_o story_n but_o the_o great_a persecution_n under_o dioclesian_n of_o which_o gildas_n and_o bede_n speak_v do_v not_o certain_o begin_v till_o anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 303._o dioclesian_n and_o maximianus_n be_v one_o the_o eight_o the_o other_o the_o seven_o time_n consul_n as_o 12._o lactantius_n have_v evident_o make_v to_o appear_v but_o in_o the_o next_o year_n upon_o the_o resignation_n of_o these_o two_o galerius_n maximianus_n and_o constantius_n chlorus_n be_v declare_v emperor_n and_o it_o be_v general_o say_v by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o constantius_n stop_v the_o persecution_n in_o the_o province_n under_o his_o government_n so_o that_o either_o the_o persecution_n in_o britain_n must_v be_v before_o the_o other_o or_o it_o can_v continue_v but_o a_o little_a time_n to_o solve_v this_o etc._n alford_n say_v there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n but_o to_o make_v this_o persecution_n to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o three_o of_o dioclesian_n and_o the_o first_o of_o maximianus_n at_o which_o time_n 31._o baronius_n say_v a_o very_a sharp_a persecution_n be_v begin_v against_o the_o christian_n at_o rome_n which_o be_v about_o the_o time_n when_o maximianus_n begin_v his_o expedition_n into_o gaul_n against_o the_o bagaudae_n and_o in_o his_o passage_n over_o the_o alps_n the_o thebean_a legion_n suffer_v the_o circumstance_n of_o which_o story_n be_v so_o agreeable_a in_o all_o respect_n that_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o only_o preserve_v by_o eucherius_n but_o by_o venantius_n fortunatus_n helinandus_n beda_n vsuardus_n and_o ado._n but_o maximianus_n make_v then_o no_o long_a stay_n in_o gaul_n and_o for_o several_a year_n after_o both_o dioclesian_n and_o he_o be_v so_o take_v up_o in_o warlike_a expedition_n that_o they_o have_v no_o leisure_n for_o a_o sharp_a and_o long_a persecution_n and_o i_o can_v however_o see_v no_o ground_n for_o any_o persecution_n in_o britain_n about_o that_o time_n by_o dioclesian_n or_o maximian_n for_o when_o he_o come_v against_o the_o bagaudae_n carausius_n be_v employ_v to_o secure_v the_o sea_n against_o the_o frank_n and_o the_o saxon_n but_o understand_v maximian_n design_n to_o take_v he_o off_o he_o watch_v his_o opportunity_n and_o with_o a_o good_a fleet_n and_o considerable_a army_n come_v for_o britain_n and_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o government_n here_o and_o maximian_n have_v no_o fleet_n leave_v to_o pursue_v he_o hither_o this_o revolt_n of_o carausius_n happen_v within_o few_o year_n after_o dioclesian_n and_o maximian_n be_v joint_a emperor_n viz._n an._n dom._n 286._o but_o alford_n say_v the_o old_a writer_n of_o saint_n alban_n be_v life_n pitch_v upon_o anno_fw-la