interpreter to his Nobles whilest the Bishop preacht to them Possessions were given by the King towards the founding of Religious Houses The little Children and Ancienter sort were by the Scots train'd up in observance of Regular Discipline for they were for the most part Monks as Aidan was whose House was for no smal time the head of all the Monasteries of the Northern parts and of the Abbeyes of the Redshanks which was bestow'd upon the Monks in consideration of their Sermons and preaching Chap. 4. In the year 565. A Priest and Abbot venerable both in Habit and Religious life call'd Columban came from Ireland into Britany to preach the word of God in the North The Southern Redshanks had long before receiv'd the Faith the word of God being preacht unto them by the reverend and blessed Bishop Ninia who was at Rome perfectly taught Martin the Faith whose See the English hold to this day famous for the name and Church of St. Martin where his and many other Saints bodies are An Island was given Columban by the King towards erecting of a Monastery Moreover he had a renowned Monastery in Ireland out of both which very many Monasteries were after founded by means of his Schollers These in observing the high Feast of Easter trusted to uncertain computes and no marvel since none sent them the Decrees made in general Councels for the keeping thereof yet they diligently observed all such works of devotion and chaste demeanour as they could learn in the Prophets Gospels and the Apostles writings This erronious observance of Easter lasted 150 years At last the reverend Father and Priest Ecbert reform'd them causing them to keep the same in due time Chap. 5. From this Convent of Monks founded by St. Columban Aidan was sent and consecrated Bishop to instruct England in the Faith His life so far surmounted the lukewarmnesse of our times that all his companions as well shaven Monks as Laicks gave themselves to continual Meditation Every devout person except between Easter and Whitsontide took up a custom to continue Fasting every Wednesday and Fryday until three of the clock in the afternoone See many excellent things of Aidan in Bede Chap. 6. Relates Oswalds rare Piety for which God gave him all the Dominions of four several languages the Britans Picts Scots and English It is also related how King Oswald bestowed a Silver dish with dainties on the poor who begg'd at dinner time The Bishop delighted with such a work of mercy took him by the right hand saying I pray God this hand may never be consum'd Which came to pass for being slain and his hands cut off that hand to this day remains uncorrupt and is reserved in a silver Shrine in St. Peters Church where with due honour it is worshipt by all Chap. 7. Relates How the tumultuous with their King receiv'd the Faith by Bishop Birinus his preaching who came into Britany by Pope Honorius his appointment promising to sow the seeds of the holy Faith in the remotest parts of England By the same Popes command the Bishop of Genua consecrated him Chap. 8. In the year 640. Erconbert was King of Kent and the first of the Kings of England who by Princely Authority commanded the Idols throughout his Realm should be destroyed and that the Fast of forty dayes should be kept appointing due punishment for the transgressours thereof Eartongarth this Kings daughter was a Virgin of rare virtue serving God in a Monastery in France all the dayes of her life For in those days when many Monasteries were not yet built in England divers for the love to Religious life were wont to go to the Religious Houses of France sending also their daughters thither to be brought up and espoused to the heavenly Bridegrome The Inhabitants thereabout even at this day relate many vertuous deeds and miraculous signes wrought by this Virgin dedicated to God The time of her departure being at hand she began to visite the Celâ— of the sick in the Monastery unto whose Prayers commending herself she signified her approaching houre as she had understood it by revelation Many brethren of the Monastery in the other house reported how at the same time they heard the melody of Angels singing and a noise as it were of a great multitude coming into the Monastery and going forth they beheld an exceeding bright light sent down from Heaven Which conducted her soule to the joyes of Heaven They report other miracles shew'd by the Hand of God in the same Monastery The honourable body of Christs Virgin and Spouse was buried in the Church of St. Stephen Three dayes after they remov'd it rearing the grave-stone higher at the doing whereof so sweet a smell came from the Earth that to all the Brethren and Sisters there seem'd to be opened Cellars of natural balm â—delburge also Aunt to Eartongath preserv'd the glory of perpetual Virginity which is so dear to God in great chastity of body How great her virtue was appear'd more fully after death for seven years after her body was found as uncorrupt as it had been free from stain of carnal concupiscence and was translated into the Church of St. Stephen Chap. 9. Relates How Oswald the most Christian King was slain at a place called Maserfield How great the Faith of this King was and how servent his devotion appear'd after his death by sundry Miracles for to this day Cures both of men and beasts are daily wrought in the place where he was slain Many carried away the dust where his body fell and casting it into water cured thereby many infirmities This was so often done that by taking away the Earth so deep a pit is now made that a man may stand upright in it And no marvel that sick persons are recovered in the place where he died who all his life time bestow'd his time in giving Alms and comforting the Needy Very many miracles are reported to be done by the dust of that place The Horse of a passenger hard by this place falling down became so ill that he gave him for lost The horse tumbling himself about at last lighted on the the place where Oswald fell and suddenly starting up was whole The Passenger quickly understood what it meant and marking the place came to his Inn where he found a young maid who had been a long time molested with the Palsie He told them what had hapned whereupon they carried her in a Cart to the place where being laid down she slept awhile and soon after waking she found her self cured and return'd on foot home with those that had brought her thither Chap. 10. Relates How a little linnen bag full of the earth where King Oswald fell dead being casually hung upon a post in a house that was quite burnt down this onely post remain'd untoucht by the fire upon which occasion many
young men undertook a stricter course of Religious observance in Ireland and how Egbert lying sick vow'd never to return home to his Country but to live as a Pilgrim all his life Besides the ordinary service of Canonicall houres he vowed to say every day the whole Psalter and fast once every week one whole day His request upon his Vow was heard as by revelation Edelthun his companion told him for recovering of his sickness he was made Priest and lived worthy of that Vocation Besides his Vows mentioned he made and kept others as that of Fasting the whole Lent never eating but once a day and then nothing but bread and thin milk and that sparingly This kinde of Fast he kept forty dayes together before Christmas and as long after Whitsontide all his life Chap. 28. Relates Wilfrids being consecrated Bishop how returning into England he instructed much the Church of England and reduc'd it to Catholike unity touching external rites and observances whereby it came to passe that Catholike Ordinances taking place and being daily more and more embrac't the Scots either yeelded or returned whence they came Ceadda also is made Bishop of the West Saxons renowned for Chastity Humility and abstinence Chap. 29. The most renown'd Kings of England Oswin of Northumberland and Ecbert of Kent deliberated about the peacable government of the Church For Oswin though bred among the Scots now understood that the Church of Rome was the Catholike and Apostolicall Church They both by choise and consent of the Clergy sent Wigheard a Priest of great virtue to Rome to be consecrated Archbishop to the end he might consecrate other Bishops for the Catholike Church of the English thorowout Britany But before his Consecration he departed this life which gave occasion of Pope Vitalians letter to Oswi as followeth To our most Honourable Son Oswi King We perceive your Excellencies pious devotion hoping assuredly that as you now reign over your people so in the life to come you shall reign with Christ c. It behoveth you being now a part of Christ to follow in all things the rule of the Prince of the Apostles as well in observing Easter as in all other things delivered by the Apostles Peter and Paul As touching one endowed with learning and other qualities fit to be your Bishop we cannot so suddenly have one ready as soon as we shall find one worthy of that vocation we shall direct him to you The presents your Higness sent to the blessed Prince of the Apostles for his perpetuall memory we have received beseeching with all our Clergie the goodnes of God for you We have sent you the favours that is the Reliques of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and of the holy Martyrs Laurence John and Paul of Gregory and Pancratius all to be delivered to your Excellency To your Lady our spiritual daughter we have sent a Cross having in it a golden Key made out of the holy Chains of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul Chap. 30. Relates How the East Saxons in time of the Plague fell to worship Idols but were soon reclaim'd The Fourth Book Chap. 1. RElates how upon Wighards death before mentioned the Pope enquired whom he might send for Archbishop to the Church of England In the Monastery of Niridan not far from Naples there was an Abbot call'd Adrian well learned in the Scriptures throughly instructed in Monastical government and very skilfull in the Greek and Latin tongue This man was commanded by the Pope to take upon him the Bishoprick but he answered that he was not fit for so high a Degree yet promising to produce one worthy of that Vocation he offered to the Pope a certain Monk call'd Andrew belonging to a Nunnery but he being sickly could not perform it There was at that time in Rome a Monk named Theodore very learned him Adrian presented to the Pope to be consecrated Bishop by him yet Adrian was to accompany him into England to have a diligent eye that Theodore being a Grecian introduced not after the manner of the Greeks any doctrine contrary to the Faith received This man being made Subdeacon staid a while in Rome till his hair was grown to take the round Ecclesiastical tonsure which before he had taken according to the East Church after the manner of St. Paul The King sends Ridfrid his Lievtenant into France to conduct him At his arrival Theodore gave Adrian the Monastery of St. Peter the Apostle where he was Abbot thirty nine years Chap. 2. Relates How Theodore accompained by Adrian visited all the Countrey and how all men did most gladly receive and hear him He taught the right way of good life with the canonical rites and orders of Easter for he was the first Archbishop unto whom all the whole Church of the English did consent unto from their entrance into Britany never was known happier times Chap. 3. Relates How the most blessed Bishop Chad who of a Monk of Lesting was made Bishop was used to go preach the gospell more on foot than on horse-back He govern'd after the example of the antient Fathers in great perfection of life King Wulpher gave him land to build the Monastery of Etbere where untill this day the steps of Monastical life which he began still remain His chief residence was at Lichfield where he died and was buried and where his fear continueth to this day He made himself a private Mansion whether as often as he was at leisure from the Ministery of the Gospel he was wont to repaire to pray and read with seven or eight of the brethren It hapned when his houre was come to pass out of this world he was in the said Closet with one brother only whose name was Owen all the rest being return'd to Church as the houre required This Owen was a Monk of great perfection and had forsaken the world with a pure intention and hope of reward in heaven a man worthy to whom God should reveale his secrets and of credit in what he saith For being Governour of Queen Edildreds Court he despoiled himself of all and came cloth'd in poor apparrel to the Monastery of the said Father One day as he was employed abroad the rest being gone to Church the Bishop being alone in the Oratory of the House Owen heard suddenly as he after told a most sweet consort of voices singing and rejoycing coming down from heaven to earth drawing neerer untill it came to the roof of the Oratory where the Bishop was where entring it fill'd it and compast it round about An houre after he heard the same joyfull song ascend from the same Oratory to heaven He being astonisht the Bishop opened the Oratory window beckening with his hand whereupon Owen came to him to whom the Bishop said Go quickly to the Church and call those seven brâ—thren hither Being come he
received of the Saints in heaven Which practise in those dayes many English both of Nobles and Commons Spirituall and temporall Men and Women were wont to performe with exceeding emulation Chap. 8. Relates How Theodore Arch-Bishop of Canterbury departed this life very aged and how the number of years he lived were signified unto him by revelation He was buried in St. Peters Church A man worthy of perpetuall remembrance for his singular vertues of whom with his companions it may be said That their names shall live in glory from generation to generation Then the Church of England received such comfort and encrease in spirituall matters that it never received the like before nor after Chap. 9. Berechwald succeedeth Theodore in Canterbury who was Abbot of Rashwulfe now called Reculver in Kent a man well knowing in the holy Scripture skilfull in Ecclesiasticall and Monasticall orders and discipline He consecrated Toby Bishop of Rochester one expert in the Latine and Greek Tongue Chap. 10. Relates How Egbert a Reverend Priest and servant of God to obtaine Heaven led a Pilgrims life in Ireland He took upon him the office of an Apostle desirous to preach the word of God to the German provinces which had not yet received it or if this could not be to travell to Rome to see and worship the Tombes of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs But by revelation from Heaven neither of these was effected For Boisell once Abbot of Mailrose appearing after Mattins to a Religious Man bad him go tell Egbert that he must not perform that Journey but that it was Gods will that he should go and instruct Columbe's Monastery This Columbe was the first Preacher of the Faith to the Picts and the first Founder of a Monastery in the Isle of Hu which was had in great estimation Egbert neglecting for awhile to go to the Monastery as he was commanded of God Boisell appeared again to that Religious man telling him that he should say to Egbert that whether he would or no he should go to Columb's Monastery Which so fell out For by tempest he was drive thither yet one of his companions Wigbert by name excelling in contempt of the world and profound knowledge for he had led an Anacorrites life in great perfection many years arrived in Frizland but without successe So he returned to his former solitary life Chap. 11. Egbert By Revelation from God not being suffered to preach in Germany he sent other holy and vertuous men of whom that notable and excellent man Willibrord Priest was chief They converted Frizeland from Idolatry to the Faith of Christ two other English Priests who had voluntarily liv'd in banishment in Ireland for hope of eternal life whose names were Henwald came into Saxony to win souls to Christ The barbarous observing them to be of another Religion for they sung Hymns Psalms and devoute Prayers and daily offered the sacrifice of the holy Host having with them holy Vessels a little Table hollowed instead of an Altar suspecting they came to withdraw their Land from worshipping their gods murthered them and to witness their Martyrdome there appeared Miracles from Heaven For their bodies being cast into the river of Rhene were carried almost forty mile against the main stream to their companions and a great bright beam of light reaching up to heaven shin'd every night over the place where their bodies were One of them appeared in the night to a companion of his nam'd Tilmon who of a Souldier was become a Monk telling him that he should find their bodies where he should see a light shine from heaven which happened accordingly The day of their Martyrdome or Invention is in those places celebrated with due veneration King Pipin with great glory entombed them at Collen T is reported that in the place in which they were killed a Spring bubbled up which to this day affordeth plenty of water Chap. 12. Willebrord with these Holy men his companions having license of the Prince to preach in Frizland went first to Rome where Sergius sate in the See Apostolike that by his approbation and benediction he might settle to the Apostolike office of preaching to the Heathens hoping withall to receive of him some Reliques of Christs holy Apostles and Martyrs that when casting out Idols he erected Churches he might have in readiness some holy Saints Reliques to bring in their place and to dedicate them in their honour whose Reliques he had received All things succeeding to his desire Swibert is chosen their Bishop and consecrated in England by Wilfred and returning converteth a great number At last building a Monastery in an Isle of the Rhene leading there a very austere and continent life he died His successors possesse the same to this day Pepin sent that vertuous and worthy Prelate Wilbrord to Rome by consent of all that he might be made Archbishop of Frizland upon Saint Cicilyes day Anno 690. and in her Church he was consecrated and named Clement by the Pope and sent to his Bishopriâ—k of Vtreckt in Holland He erected many Churches and Monasteries through the Countrey This Willebrord otherwise Clement liveth yet a Reverend Father Chap. 13. At the same time was wrought in Britany a Miracle worthy of perpetuall rememberance and not unlike to the ancient Miracles of times past A certaine man in Northumberland dead for a time rose againe to life and told many things worthy the relating of which we touch some few I am saith he truly risen again from the death but henceforth my conversation must be far unlike my former life Rising up he went to Church and continued there in prayer untill day Then he divided all his goods into three parts one he gave to his wife another to his children the third he gave in almes to the poor Then he entred into the Monastery of Maitrose and being shaven he made his abode in a secret habitation assigned him by the Abbot where he lived untill his dying day in such austerity of body that though his tongue had said nothing yet his life spake that he had seen many terrible things He related what he hath seen in this manner The Countenance apparel of my guide was ful of light we came to one great broad valley of infinite length all full of terrible fire there was also another valley intolerable with hail and snow Both places were full of souls tossed as with a whirlewind out of one into the other I began to think that this was Hell but my guide said Think not so Then having mentioned all the rest of the visions he relates how his guide told him That this valley so full of horrible flames and so bitterly cold was the place where their souls remain to be tried who deferring the Confession of their sins and amendment had recourse to Pennance at the point of death yet because they made
the Apostles Peter committed to his protection and patronage Chap 23. Relates How the rest of the Scots admitted the Apostolike manner of keeping Faster and shaving their Crownes by the means of Egbert a worthy Priest Onely the Britanes saith Bede remain still hardned in blindness whereas all English-men are in all points throughly instructed in the Rule of the Catholick Faith Egbert on Easter day after he had said solemne Masse in remembrance of our Lords Resurrection departed this life The Brethern rejoycing to see their Master passe to God to be their Patron and Intercessor Chap. 24. Relates Who were the Bishops at this time through all England and how all things now being brought to unity many as well Noble as Private laying aside their Armes earnestly strove to get both themselves and their Children to be shaven and tied with Monasticall Vowes rather than to exercise themselves in warlike affaires This is at the present the state of Britany this year of our Lord 731. The end of the History of the Church of England The words of venerable Bede in the 3 Tome of his works THus much touching the Ecclesiastical History of the Britans especially of the English nation as I could learn by the writings of my Ancestors by tradition of my elders or my own knowledge I Bede the servant of God and Priest of the Monastery of the BB. Apostles Peter and Paul at Wyre-mouth have brought to an end When I was seven years old I was delivered by the hands of my friends to be brought up of the Rd. Abbot Benedicâ— and afterward to Câ—â—lfrid In which Monastery spending all the dayes of my life I applyed my whole study to the meditation of holy Scripture observeing regular discipline and dayly singing service in the Church In the 19 year of my age I was made Deacon and at 30 Priest which orders I received by the hands of the Rd. Bishop John of Beverley DEar Reader I doubt not but in perusing of this book many thoughts will arise in thy mind touching the author thereof the authority of the copy and the sincerity of our true dealing therin now then is the proper time to read again the preface where I am confident thou wilt find full satisfaction in all FINIS Faults escaped IN the Preface page 1. line ult. dele s in disputants Leaf 3 l. 1. dele it 1 Page 26. line 13. for legs read leg. page 36. l. 15. for were r. was p. 5â— l. 3. for Angels r. Angles p. 53. l. 13. for them r. him p. 58. l. 17. in the margent for 904 r. 604. p. 81. l. 2 for redwals r. redwal p. 81. l. 20. for buli r. built p 116. l. 10. for plat r. plot p. 132. in the margent superogation r. supererogation p 135. l. 2. for pecaple r. peaceable p 136. read Reliques gift for Kings p. 150. l. 12. for berring r. Berking p. 151. in the margent r. habitation seperate from men p. 153. in the margent r. consecrated p. 154 l. 5. for ediburge r. edilburge p. 155. l. 5. for sister r. sisters P. 161. l. 3 for salvation r. splendor p. 167. l. 12. for celestial r. clerical p. 167. l. 18. for by the boy r. of the Boy Entichus r. Eutichus p. 137. l. r. hitherto p 192. l. 9. dele punctum at prophetick p. 193. l. 1 for flock r. flockt p. p. 197. l. 20. for rejoyce r. rejoyced p. 123. l. 12. r. lyeth for dyeth the marginal note p. 240. saints our patrons and intercessours must be placed at the end of the cap. 23. p. 239. The old Britans receive their Faith from the Pope 156. Englands first Martyr for entertaining a Priest in his house Amphâ—bal this holy Priests Name Christian Priest-hood treason under Dioclesian A Miracle A Miracle A Miracle Daily Miracles at St. Albans about the middle of the third Age untill the seventh Age Churches erected to Martyrs about the year 400. Holy-dayes in their Honour England prone to novelties This Heretick had the great St. Augustine his adversary whilest he lived The Apostle of Scotland sent by the Pope of Rome an. 423. Altars an. 429 Germanus Bishop of Auxerre Lupus was first a Monk in the Abbey os Lirine and thence made Bishop of Troyes The miraculous use of Holy water about 430. Devills cast out at the command of Priests about 430. Custome of wearing holy Relicks These Relicks work miracles Pilgrimages to Saints bodies Ann. 430. In shrining of Rolicks Veneration of Relicks A Miracle Multitude of Miracles Lent religiously observed at the begining of the fourth Age A miraeulous Victory Intercession of Saints A Miracle Bishops and Priests give their blessing Bishops punish Hereticks Catholike Faith confirmed by miracle Miracles at St. Germans body see this holy Bishops life in Surius July 30. The English receive the Faith from Monks sent from the Pope An. 582. Good works for hope of reward Abbots Crosses images enter with our Faith and destroy Idolatry The manner of Processions The ancient custome of Allelujah in the Church Our Apostles addicted to watching fasting voluntary poverty A Church dedicated to St. Martin where they say Mass Our Apostles workers of many Miracles in proof of their doctrine S. Gregory in a letter to the Bishop of Alexandria writes how above ten thousand were there Christned on Christmass-day Our Apostle a Monk First Christian Clergy Regular Chastity of them that took orders Mass in chief parts of Christendome Mass Baptizing Infants 〈…〉 The use of the Pall. Saying of Mass How our Bishops depended on Rome in their investiture The Primacie of Canterbury in England instituted by the Pope and not by the King Ann. 600. Abbots Holy Water Altars Relicks Birth-dayes of Martyrs Our Apostle endowed with the grace of Miracles The Pope imparts the blessing of S. Peter Christ-church in Canterbury Monasteries and Churches in honour of Saints Churches consecrated The first Abbot shines with Miracles An. 605. The Pope stiled Bishop of the whole world This Popâ— ouâ— Apostle 2 Cor. v. 2. First a Monk of Eminent Sanctity Then made Priest and the Popes Legat at Constantinople Masses at the bodies of Saints The least addition of the Mass observed by Antiquity but the first use of the Mass it self is too ancient to be observed as begun by the Apostles S. Gregory his zeal for our conversion This Synod was held in Worcestershire at a place called Augustines Oke The Roman Tradition confirmed by miracle Abbots Division from the Church of Rome The ruin of the Authors thereof prophesied The prophesie made good from heaven Multitude of Monks among the Britans though converted 156. After Schism their Faith and Prayers availed not An. 904 The Antiquity of St. Pauls in London Also of St. Andrews at Rochester Dedication of Altars to Saints Commemoration of the dead at the Altar Our Apostles gift of miracles witnessed in his very Epitaph St. Peter first Pastor of the Church and Prince of the Apostles
ENGLANDS OLD RELIGION Faithfully gathered out of the HISTORY OF THE CHVRCH of ENGLAND As it was written by Venerable BEDE almost a Thousand years agoe that is in the year 698. after the Passion of our SAVIOUR BEDE saith he ended this History in the year 731. after the Incarnation We have not altered any part of this Fathers own words in any Point concerning Faith only here and there is omitted what belongeth not to that purpose By H. B. It was needful for me to exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered Jude v. 5. At Antwerp With Permission 1658. THE PREFACE TO HIS Dear COUNTREYMEN THat the faith first delivered was the true faith no man can deny but he that will accuse Christ and his Apostles of falshood All the difficulty is how assuredly to know this faith To come to know it by force of argument and disputation surpasseth the capacity of most wearieth many brings many to despair lulling them at last into a total neglect of that whereof they ought to be most diligent It would doubtlesse be a very ready and easie way even to the most unlearned to find this faith out most assuredly if it were possible with small expences and little labour by travelling into some countrey where all men confess this true faith to be still uncorruptedly practised For there without any noise of disputation we shal stand veiwing with our own eies what is practised in that happy country so that though a thousand crafty sophysters and subtile disputants should go about by words to perswade me who am unlearned that the practises of that country were not the same that my own eyes most attâ—ntively and frequently see again and again it wil not be possible for me prudently to give the least credit to these captious disputants but I would ever credit more my own eyes then their arguments Now then all the difficulty is how to make us witnesses of what is practised in such a country as undoubtedly holdeth and practised the true faith and to doe this with smal expence amd little labour I hope dearest country man thou canst not say that the price of this little hook can either put thee to any considerable expence or the labour of some three or at the most four howers required for the reading thereof put thee to much labour Yet if this be done by thee thou wilt be as good as an eye witnesse of the faith practised in our countrey in that age wherein it is very easie to prove the true faith to have undoubtedly flourisht in this our countrey First because this faith was confirmed by the Preachers thereof with a number of miracles related in this short book written by as worthy a man as ever was known to have handled Pen in England in a book which no man ever judgd corrupted or written by any other pen then Venerable Bedes a person not to be paralel'd by any other of our nation Secondly This faith here described as practised in England immediately upon her conversion under Pope Gregory was not found one jot differring from that faith which the Scotts before us had received by Palladius their Apostle sent by Pope Celestine Anno. 423. as we shew here out of Bede li 1. c. 13. Only the Scotts fell to celebrate Easter at a wrong time not using likewise the same manner of shaving their crowns in their clergy either Religious or Secular They differed not about any one of these points in which Protestants differ from Roman Catholicks as we note l. 4. c. 4. whence being at last brought viz. to keep Easter and to use the same manner of shaving the crowns of their Priests and Monks which the English did they disagreed from them in nothing at all as is cleer out of the three last chapters of Bede The Faith therefore which thou here seest practised in England is the very same which was held forth and practised in Scotland from the first conversion thereof which was not four hundred years after Christs passion it being but four hundred and twenty three years after his Incarnation as hath been said yea this Faith thus practised in England is the very self same which was taught the old Britans a little more then a hundred years after Christs Passion For it was in the hundred fifty sixth year after his Incarnation that holy pope Eluetherius sent those Apostolick preachers who baptized King Lucius and his people as you shall see l. 1. c. 4. The old Britans being by the English who subdued this land being as yet heathens driven into Wales still kept the faith they received and at the time that the English were converted they were not found to differ from what S. Austin taught the English in any one point in which the Protestants or any of our other Religions differ from Roman Catholicks in so much that as Bede relateth l. 2. c. 2. they were ready to joyn with Austine if he had but risen up unto them when their seven Bishops entred the synod where he was and in this synod all their controversie then was about keeping Easter at a several time and about some difference in Baptisme neither was there any point hindring Austine to hold communion with them but these two They remaining obstinate in defending these against the Roman and universal Church became Schismaticks were confuted by miracle and their ruine miraculously foretold to be at hand for this their division and schism God presently fulfilling the prophesâ—e The faith then which thou in this History behouldest practised in our English Church in all points now in contrâ—versie is the very same with that saith which the old Britans received a very little more then a hundred years after Christs passion in which Age all agree the true faith of Christ to have been uncorruptedly delivered it being not a full hundred yeares after the finishing of the Scripture Behold then according to the reach of thy capacity without carrying thee out of thy own countrey or parish I have brought thee into one in which all men must needs confesse the true faith to â—e most uncorruptedly practised as well at that time in which this History was written as at the foâ—rth Age when this faith was practised in Scotland as also at the entrance of the second Age in which this faith was practised by our old Britans Begin then to travel through this countrey as it was in that Age by the benefit of this book which is no new one but written in the very words in which I give it thee For as much as concerns all points of faith therein delivered almost a thousand years agoe and when these things were but just done and even upon the place in which they were done that so thou mightst 〈◊〉 be assured that neither distance of time or place hindred our most learned and holy Historian from telling the very truth spend but a few hours I pray thee in travelling
tending to a crown of glory 29. These Priests hear Confessions and either presently give absolution or defer it for a time as they see cause 30. They reserve the Sacrament which consequently they often administer in that one kind in which it is reserved 31. They use Exorcisms against the Devils who are cast out at their command many times 32. The people flock to them to crave their blessing 33. They give this Blessing with their hand making the sign of the Cross God sometimes miraculously curing the sick by the blessing of holy Priests and Bishops 34. The Bishops who ordain and govern these Priests are themselves governd by their Metropolitans and Primats These Primats are placed in this Authority by the Pope and alwaies invested by him giving them their Pall to use only at solemn Mass 35. The Primacie of the Bishop of Canterbury is not instituted by any King but by the Pope giving that Bishop full power over all English Bishops though living then under several Kings 36. These Bishops when they suffer any grievances from their Metropolitans or Primats in England do make their Appeal immediately unto the Pope as to their highest Superior on Earth their Accusers prosecute their Accusation not in England but in the Popes Court at Rome they being there cast obey humbly in their own Kingdom and by the sentence of the Pope English Bishops depos'd are acknowledg'd to be legally restor'd and this even in a publick Synod of the English Church And this Appeal used by their most holy Bishops 37. The most holy also and most Apostolick Bishops ask the Popes license and blessing to preach to Heathens 38. They have evermore recourse to the Pope in the most important Ecclesiastical causes 39. They admit the use of such priviledges as the Pope granteth to any in England 40. They admit of more Councels then the four General Councels 41. The Pope in these Ages is stiled Bishop of the whole World He is said to exercise this his Supremacy in place of S. Peter who is call'd the first Pastor of the Church and Prince of the Apostles is the ordinary name by which then at every word they call'd S. Peter S. Peter also owneth the deeds of his Successors who also give the blessing of S. Peter to Kings as to inferiors for without all contradiction the less is bless'd by the better as S. Paul saith Heb. 7. v. 7. Hence also as a father he calleth Kings his sons 42. He sends Apostolick Preachers over the world 43. Those who divide from Prelats commissioned by him are accounted Schismaticks and God bringeth ruine upon them as is miraculously by such Prelats prophecied unto them They also by manifest Miracle are convicted to follow falsity 44. The Tradition of the Church is to be held and that of the Church of Rome is preferr'd before all other 45. The Church of Rome held at this time Catholick and Apostolick 46. The yearly Feasts kept by us after the custom of the Roman Church 47. Conformity to be held with that Church which is spread over the face of the Earth 48. Decrees of Councels to be observ'd and that it is a damnable sin to hold against the Church when we are fully certified that she teacheth such or such a point contrary unto us 49. All these things were believ'd and practis'd by the English Church at that Age in which she in all things followed the Catholick Rule As here Bede testifieth Behold dear Countrymen near half a hundred things all to be seen by thee in that old English Church of which not any one can be seen in the present English Church This thou beholding attentively with thy own eies without any noise of disputation or intanglement of captious arguments wilt be able manifestly to conclude that all these half hundred points so oppos'd and scoffed at by all Protestants shew those ancient English not to have been Protestants And to see this thou canst not but have learning enough if thou canst but read It is also here as clearly to be seen that no one of those Religions with which England doth now so abound was the Religion of those daies And that all that you most scoff at in the Religion which you call Popery was then most in use Now lest thou shouldest not observe these thing as thou readest this little book I have everywhere in the Margent noted down for thee all the places where every one of these half hundred points may be beheld by thee in the short passage through this Book In less then a quarter of an hour thou by casting an eye upon these Marginal notes maiest take a sufficient proof of any point here mentioned and see if what I say be not as clearly to be seen in the practise of this old pure Church as it is here set down by me in this Summary of such things as are in this Book to be view'd Whence the Reader cannot but see either the gross ignorance or over-lashing boldness of Dr. Henry Ferne who durst lately say that the faith which England cast off in Hen. the 8. his daies or rather in the daies of Q. Fliz. was not the same faith which was brought into England at our conversion under S. Gregory and thac if we had kept that faith the English Church could not justly have in this Age divided from the former English Church And yet neither he nor any though never so learned a Protestant Dr. is able to shew the time when or the place where or the persons who or the means â—y which or any one single point in which all England chang'd the faith receiv'd under S. Gregory That faith as we prov'd in the beginning of this Preface was the same which the Scots had receiv'd in the fourth Age and which the old Britans received even in the beginning of the 2d Age after Christs Passion not full 100. years after the Scripture was finisht At that tâ—me then undoubtedly the faith of England was uncorrupt You have east off the faith agreeing in all points now in controversie with that faith therefore you have 〈◊〉 off the true faith And this very faith is the only faith which England cannot now endure but forceth us point by point to abjure in her new coined oath of Abjuration so unlike is this present English Church to the Old English Church If this short Work makes thee not to see this with thy eies I desire no kind of credit with thee but if with thy own eies thou seest all this then I beseech thee as thou lovest thy own soul not to let those find credit with thee who would perswade thee that to be false which thy eies tell thee to be most true I know there is no way to answer this so palpable a conviction but by finding some shift to detract from this Historie what shift this will be I cannot devise First Thou canst not say that the History saith not what we make it say For we
Conformity to be held with that Church which is spread over the whole world Apostles sent all the world over by the Pope Recourse to the Pope in Ecclesiastical affairs Our English Authors say Mellitus his going was to obtain priviledges for Westminster Abbey then built Decrees of Councels to be follow'd as sure rules A Church dedicated to our Lady and all Martyrs which yet is to be seen at Rome and whether were brought saith Spondan the Reliques of many Martyrs from places without the City Persecutors of this Faith punished Saying of Mass Communion under one kinde S. Peter prince of the Apostles He owns his Successors the Popes deeds The miraculous effect of St. Peters apparition A Church in honour of our Lady St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Our Primats of England still work miracles A place it seems dedicated to the crowned Martyrs Authority of 〈◊〉 Bishops from the Pope Noâ—e Mr. Baâ—ter how unlike the Pope then seemed to Anâ—ichrist Our Primats invested with the Pall by the Pope The Nâ—â—thumbers miraculously converted Baptizing Intants Note Mr. Baâ—ter how unlike the Pope then seem'd to Antichriâ—t The Pope an enemy to Idol worship St. Peter stiled Prince of the Apostles and our Protector His blessing sent from the Pope The Pope still sollicitous to further our conversion St. Peter stiled chiefest and Prince of the Apostles and our Protector The Faith then taught commended from Heaven I would those of our Country would imitate this Prince Paulâ—â— knows what is in the Kings brâ—ast Altars of stone Monasteries Abbots Altars sacrifice Miracles wrought at certain places A Pall sent by the Pope who still investeth our Archbishops The Pope a true Father even to Kings Efficacy of Saints Prayers The Pope exerciseth his Supremacy in England The Pope doth this in the place of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Decrees of the Church to be followed Golden crosses and Chalices consecrated to the use of the Altar yet to be seen Our Church musick from Rome Yet Idolatry highly hated An. 642. Veneration of holy places and crosses Miracles hence ensuing The very chips of that Crosse work miracles untill this day Prayers and sacrifice for the Dead The Moss of the Cross works miracles upon one as yet living Monks Monasteries Religious different in habit Purity of dâ—ctrine from Rome Churches dedicated to Saints Monasteries Strict followers of onely scripture erre for many years together Shaving of Monks Strict Fast on Wednesday and Friday among the Laity Miraculous reward of Alms Veneration of Relicks miraculously uncorrupt to this day The Apostle of the tumultuous sent from the Pope Transgressors of the Fast of forty dayes punished Vowed Nuns espoused to the heavenly bridegroom Such Nuns graced with the gift of Miraclâ—â— The Habitation of men separated from Women Vow'd 〈◊〉 dear 〈…〉 〈…〉 by 〈◊〉 Ouâ— Historyes say he was slain at Oswistry in Shâ—opshire the very â—ligh test 〈…〉 woâ—k 〈…〉 Strange Miracles by Râ—liks Miracles by Reliks Translation of Reliks 〈◊〉 to be held in 〈◊〉 vâ—neration by all faithfuâ—l This confirm'd from Heaven as is testiâ—ied by wittnesses yet living Abbesses The â—odgings of men apart from the Nunnery Exorcisms Relikâ—chase away the Devill Miracles at Saints Tombs The person yet alive saith Bede on whom the Miracle was dâ—â—e Power of Saints Prayers That speech God have mercy on their soules of what Antiquity Our unworthiness supplied by intercession of Saints Cures wrought by Relikes Water hallowed An. 644. Good works Satisfactory Daily prayers for the dead Hallowed Oile doth Miracles How authenticall this is A Miracle Translation of Reliks Altars Churches dedicated in the honour of the Prince of the Apostles Thus then they called St. Peter Miracles By Relikes Our Kings became Monks Monks graced with Visions How authentical this is Altars Miracles at Saints Tombs A prophesie of the ruine of such as converse with those who are excommunicated Antâ—quity of Godfathers Kings confide in the Prayers of religious men Lents forty days fast The laudable custome of fasting Monks Monasteries Religious rules Churches in honouâ— of our Lady Altars Intercession of Saints Vows made to God Nuns Monasteries perpetual Virginity God approveth this coutse of life Prayers of religious men in what esteem Dayly prayer for the dead The Fast of Lent Bishop Wilfrid instructed at Rome Clergy men wear shaven Crowns This Synod was at Whitby in Yorkeshire St. Peter and Paul lived preacht and suffered at Rome The strong plea of Tradition Errour then damnable when the Authority of the Church is rejected By the Prince of the Apostles Peter still understood Mat. 16. 18. The Roman Tradition preferr'd The Clergy weare shaven Crowns Abboâ—â— Monasteriâ—â— The distinct Habit of Râ—ligious and Clergie men I'heir blessings craved given by hand that is by the sign of the Crosse Works of Superogation vowed Canonicall Houres Vows of Austerity approved from heaven Lent The antiquity of the holy Feast of Christmass The Church of Rome the Catholike and Apostolike Church Still recourse unto Rome concerning 〈◊〉 Primaâ—â— The Pope Father even to Kings Peter twice here understood by the Prinâ—â— of the Apostles 〈…〉 Kings Crosses Reliques An Indulgence granted thereunto as to Medals say our Divines Abbotâ— Monks Nuns The Pope still invests our Primates Shaving of Clergy men Shaving of Clergy men Our Bishops Monks and of great sanctity The Cathedral at Leiâ—chfield now dedicated to St. Chad. Good works done out of hope of reward done with pure intention A prophetical vision Good works a preparation to death The blessing of men St. Peter still â—alled Prince of the Apostles Translation of Reliques Miracles by them Monks Pilgrimages to Rome The See Apostolike appoints out Primats Our Bishops still Monks Erconwald was first Abbâ—â— of Chertsey in Surrey Miracles Reliques Nuns They doe Miracles Their habitation seemed from men Virgins consecrared to Chrâ—st A prophetical Vision By patience we satisfie for our sins Good works the golden cords which life usup to heaven Holy Nuns We pray to Saints as to these who hear us Visions Abbesses Miracles Nuns Efficacy of prayers to Saints at their Reliques Monastical life prefer'd before Kingdomes Religious habit different from Sceular This King became a Monk in the Monastery of St. Peter and St Paul in London A prophetike Vision A Miracle very publike Our Kings turn Pilgrims Our Bishops Monks Godfathers Monks Our Faith confirmed from heaven Monks A prophetical Vision Masses Intercession of Saints approved from heaven Masses commanded by the Apostles Intercession of Saints avouched by the Apostles St. Peters Ecclesiasticall Tonsure Sacrifice Communion under one kinde Masses Yearly Feasts of Martyrs The Isle of Wight last converted Wilfrid their Apostle The faith of all the Bishops and Doctors of England The Antient English blessed Church received more than the first four Councells Abbots and Monks By prince of the Apostles still St. Peter understood Priviledges of Popes admitted in England Abbiâ—s How antient our Church Musick is above that of the Protestants Celebration of Feasts
over this book and it will make thee though thou best unlearned as good as an eye witnesse of the faith which was first delivered by Christ and his Apostles and their immediate successours so that I hope in God a thousand crafty sophisters shall not be able to make thee deny that thou hast seen what thine own eyes most assuredly testifie to have attentively beheld viz. that is the true Old Religion as it was in her best age And because travellers desire to have Card or Map of all the countryes and Townes which they are to see in their Travels I will also as in a short Map give thee a brief sum of all that thou art to see practised in this Old Church of England when she was in her greatest purity that is when she was agreeing wholy with the faith practised in the beginning of the second age after Christ Come then along with me where thou shalt see First among the old Britans before ever Austen entrâ—d England such swarmes of Monks that even that one Abbey or Monastery of Bangor contained above one and twenty hundred Monks Scotland also which received her Faith in the fourth Age after Christs Passion sends forth her Monks to joyn with those Apostles sent us by St. Gregory and his Successors But now in this our new English Church to be a Monk is to be a Traitor then they were our Apostles Secondly These Apostles of ours did Miracles so frequently that the Pope thought it necessary to write to them to be mindful of humility for fear the multitude of Miracles they wrought might by pride endanger them Thirdly our English both high and low eagerly then embraced Monastical Vows This course of life was accounted the most ready way to Heaven Our Kings left their Thrones and shaving the crowns of their heads put on the habit of poor Monks Everywhere in your travels you shall meet with Abbyes and Abbots and Abbesses with Monasteries and Monks with Nuns and Nunneries Fourthly These Monks and Nuns shine frequently with extraordinary sanctity of life are endowed with the gift of Prophecy very often made partakers of Heavenly Visions and Apparitions and graced with many Miracles Fifthly The Vow'd Virginity of these Nuns is approv'd from Heaven and by reason of these Vowes they are called Virgins consecrated to Christ Spouses of Christ true Queenes espoused to the Heavenly Bridegroom Sixthly In the very Desart thou shalt meet with Hermits with Anchorets with men leading a perfect solitary life using extraordinary austerity in fasting watching and other penal rigours and these men graced from Heaven with Miracles If thou hadst rather look upon the Layity thou shalt find Seventhly That among them it is a point of great sanctity to joyn perpetual Virginity with Wedlock and God approveth also this by Miracle Eighthly Thou shalt find good works done by all for hope of reward and these good works held to be the golden cords lifting them up to Heaven Moreover they are judged according to their Works and not accounted justified by faith only Ninthly Sins believed to be redeem'd by good Works and satisfaction to be made by our patient sufferings Tenthly They confess to Priests the secret sins of their heart most openly and plainly doing the pennances enjoynâ—d them for satisfaction 11. They rigorously fast all Fridays and the 40. daies in Lent and the transgressors are punish't by Law 12. They go on Pilgrimage even as far as Rome both King and people practise this as a thing of great vertue 13. They everywhere worship Reliques God confirming it by many Miracles Hence Reliques were esteem'd presents for Kings 14. They use Invocation of Saints holding their unworthiness to be supplied by their Merits and therefore desiring to have them for Patrons in Heaven And God approveth this their devotion by a world of Miraculous Graces given at the devout Invocation of these Saints 15. They daily pray for the Dead and it was a common Proverb then to say God have mercy on their soules as Oswald said when he died himself 16. Hence that party found credit among the most understanding and most Vertuous of those Times who reported bimself in a miraculous Vision to have been an eye-witness of Purgatory-paines and to have been told by an Angel that very thing which the Papists in these daies say that many souls are delivered from Purgatory before the day of Judgment 17. That this deliverance is effected by Alms and other good deeds done for them especially by offering the Sacrifice of the Mass both which last poinâ—s as well the Greeks as the Latins defin'd in the Councel of Florence in these words These soules who are purged as abovesaid that is by the Prayers Alms and other pious works and by the Sacrifice of the Mass are forthwith received into Heaven and behold God clearly In coelum mox recipi intueri clare Deum 18. Hence also he finâ—s the like Credit who recounted of himself that when in a Battel it was reported he was slain whereas he was not slain but only kept prisoner in fetters his Brother who was a Priest thoâ—ght so saying often Moss for his soules release his fetters alwayes fell off on their own accord God testifying what should have befaln his soul had he been prisoner in Purgatory 19. Hence also they make Vows of practising extraordinary Austerities to satisfie in this world for their sins which Vows are here approv'd from Heaven But because I know thou longest most to view attentively their Churches their Church-Service and their Clergy and the manner of the Government instituted by Christ shining in the Primitive practice of his Church for The 20. Point That thou shalt everywhere see their Churches dedicated to the Virgin-Queen of Heaven to the Apostles and Holy Martyrâ— 21. In this deâ—ication Holy Water is used as also â—oly oyâ— bâ— both which Miracles at several occasions arâ— wrought 22. Their Altars also of Stone are consecrated so also their Chalices which are sometimes maâ—e of pure gold they have rich Church-stufâ—e Altar-clothes They have manâ— Altars of sâ—one in one Church these they also dedicate to Saints 23. The Sacrifice of the Mass is offered upon these Altars And because in journeys among Heathens Altars of stone cannot be found they carry with them portable Altars 24. By these Altars the bodies of Saints are richly enshrin'd and upon the Altars are plac't Reliques brought from other places even as far as Rome 25. A number of lights both day and night burn in these holy places 26. They use Pictures of our Saviour and of our Lady and place in their Churches Crosses of gold and silver 27. Their Priests who are ordain'd for the Ministery of the Altar and to offer Satrifices are commanded to live a single life 28. These Priests wear shaven crowns in honour of our Saviouâ—s Crown of Thorns whose ignominy they glory to carry in the highest part of their body and profess that by it they are
1. c. 4. did not pretend any cause of division from Augustines Doctrine about Mass use of the Crosse and Images worship of Saints and Relicks or any other point wherein we and Protestants differ A demonstrative argument that none of these things brought in by Augustine were contrary to what was delivered to the Britans not a full hundred years after the Apostles time So that as long as Augustines Religion was kept in England the Apostles Religion was kept Chap. 3. Augustine ordain'd two Bishops Mellitus Justus Mellitus he sent to preach to the Province of the East Saxons whose chief City is London As soon as the Province by Mellitus preaching had receiv'd the word of Truth King Ethelbert built St. Pauls Church in London where Mellitus and his successors ever after were to hold their Bishops Seat Justus was ordain'd by him Bishop of Rochester in Kent where Ethelbert built St. Andrew the Apostles Church After this the dearly beloved Father in God Augustine dyed and his body was laid by the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Canterbury which after it was finisht was brought in and honourably buried in the North-part thereof where also were interred the bodies of all the Archbishops following as long as there was room This Church hath an Altar in it dedicated to the honour of St. Gregory Pope at which Altar every Saturday the Commemoration of these departed Bishops is celebrated by the Priest of the place Upon St. Augustines Tomb is written Here resteth Augustine the first Archbishop of Canterbury who being sent hither by blessed Gregory Bishop and by working of Miracles supported by God brought King Ethelbert and his People from Idolatry to the Faith of Christ He dyed the 26. of May CHAP. 4. Laurence succeeded him in the Bishoprick whom Augustine yet living ordain'd least after his death the State of the Church rude as yet and newly converted might have wavered and faln if it had lackt a Pastour and guide never so little Wherein he followed the example of the first Pastour of the Church the most blessed Prince of the Apostles Peter who having laid at Rome the foundation of Christs Church consecrated Clement his Coadjutor and Successor Laurence seeing the ground-work of his Church to enlarge which was well and throughly laid endeavoured to raise the same to a perfect height by frequent exhortations and continual example of pious works He earnestly laboured as a true Shepheard not onely for the modern Church of the English but also for the Church of the old Inhabitants of Britany and Scots in Ireland whose profession as soon as hâ— knew to be lesse Ecclesiastical and not well ordered in many points especially about Easter they not celebrating it in due time He wrote unto them beseeching them to receive and keep the society of Catholike observance with the Church of Christ spread over the whole world To our dearest brethren the Bishops and Abbots in Scotland Laurence Mellitus c. When the See Apostolike according to the usuall manner of sending to all parts of the world directed us hither to preach the word of God We c. About this time Mellitus Bishop of London went to Rome for advice of the Apostolike Pope Boniface and for necessary causes of the English Church This Pope call'd a Councel of Bishops to appoint some order concerning the life of Monks Mellitus sate among them to the end that what there was legally decreed he confirming might bring with him to the English Church as precepts and rules to be observed He brought also letters from the Pope to Laurence Archbishop to the Clergy and the King This Pope cleansed the Temple Pantheon converting it into a Church in honour of our Lady and the Martyrs Chap. 5. In the year 613. Ethelbert King of Kent after he had raigned six and fifty years entred into eternal blisse the one and twentieth year after he had receiv'd the Faith and was interr'd in St. Martins Porch within the Church of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul Edbald his son much harm'd the tender sprigs of the Church but Gods scourge was not wanting for both an unclean spirit and a frâ—nzie possest him Moreover the death of Sabereth King of the East Saxons and Nephew to Ethelbert much encreased the persecution of the Church who going hence to the everlasting kingdome left three sons who all fell to Idolatry These Princes seeing the Bishop in the Church after he had said Mass giving to the people the Sacrament said unto him Why doest thou not give us also of that white bread To whom he answered If you will be washt in that wholesome Font wherein your Father was you may also eat of this blessed bread but if you contemn the laver of life you may not tastâ— the bread of life Hereupon the King commanded Mellitus and all his company to depart the Realm so he and Justus went over into France Chap. 6. Laurence the Archbishop being now ready to forsake Britany and follow Mellitus and Justus commanded the night before he was to go that his bed should be laid in the Saints Peter and Paulâ— Church where after many prayers and tears powr'd out to God for the State of the Church the blessed Prince of the Apostles appearing in his sleep unto him scourged him a good while and with Apostolicall Authority asked him Why he meant to forsake the flock which he himself had committed unto him and to what Shepheard running now away he would leave the sheep of Christ beset with ravening Wolves By these stripes and the words of St. Peter Laurence the servant of God imboldned came and presented himself to the King and throwing open his garment shew'd him how pittifully he had been beaten When the King all amazed demanded who durst inflict such stripes upon a man of his dignity when he understood it was for his salvation and that by the Apostle of Christ he became afraid and abandoning the worship of Idols and his unlawfull wedlock embraced the Faith of Christ and was baptized promoting the good of the Church to the utmost of his power He call'd home Mellitus and Justus commanding them to return to their Churches and instruct their flock Thus the King with all his Subjects from that day that he was converted submitted himself to the Precepts of God He built a Church in honour of our Lady the blessed Mother of God within the Abbey of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles which Mellitus hollowed Chap. 7. Relates How the holy Archbishop Laurence departing hence to heaven his body was buried in the Abbey-Church of St. Peter the Apostle Mellitus of London succeeded in the See of Canterbury the third after Augustine who by birth was noble but nobler by his singular virtue It chanced that the City of Canterbury was set on fire and great part consum'd and the raging flames drew nigh
admonisht them to keep among themselves and towards all Charity to follow the ruleâ— and orders of Monastical discipline which they had either learnt of him or of their forefathers Then he told them that his departure was nigh For the most lovely guest quoth he that was wont to visit our brethren many had died of the Plague out of the Monastery hath vouchsafed this day to come to me and call me out of this world Go ye to Church again and speak to the brethren That with their Prayers they both commend unto our Lord my departure and remember with watching prayers and good works to prepare also for their own When the Brethren had taken his blessing and were gone Owen casting himself on the ground said I pray you good Father what song was that I heard of that I heard of that joyfull company descending from heaven upon this Oratory and again returning He answered if you heard the singing and understood the comming of the heavenly Companies I charge you to tell no man thereof before my death They were indeed Angels who came to call me to the heavenly rewards which I alwayes loved and long'd for and after seven dayes they promised they would return and take me with them The seventh day as it was promised after he had received the body and blood of our Lord his holy Soul was carried as we may well believe by Angels to everlasting joy Among his manifold merits he was renowned for Chastity Abstinence Preaching Prayer voluntary Poverty Agreeable to this Revelation is that which I now adde Ecbert a Monk in Ireland whom Higball Abbot went to see said He knew one yet alive who when Chad past out of this world beheld a company of Angels descend and carry up his soul with them St. Chad was buried first neer St. Maries Church but afterwards his bones were remov'd to the Church of the most blessed St. Peter Prince of the Apostles in both which places in token of his virtue frequent miracles in healing of the sick are wont to be wrought One yt had a Phrensie lying by his tomb all night the next morning came out well and in his perfect senses declaring to the great joy of all that there he had by Gods goodnesse got his health The place is covered over with a wooden tomb like a house having a little hole on the side wherein they that come thither for devotion are wont to put in their hand and take of the dust which putting into water they give to sick beasts or men to drink whereby they forthwith become whole Chap. 4. Relates How the Bishop Colman leaving England took with him some thirty English Monks and afterwards founded a Monastery for them in Ireland after the example of the Venerable Fathers living under rule and under a regular Abbot in great continency getting their living with the labour of their hands Chap. 5. The year 670. 2. King Oswi of Northumberland died he bore such affection to the See Apostolike of Rome that had he lived he purposed to have gone thither for to end his life in those holy places having for that purpose entreated Bishop Wilfrid to be his guide This Chapter further relates how Theodore call'd a Synod of Bishops at Hertford The result of this Synod was that they maintain'd the Ancient Canons of the Church Theodore at the beginning thereof said I Theodore though unworthy appointed by the see Apostolike Archbishop of Canterbury c. Chap. 6. Theodore the Archbishop being offended with Winfrid Bishop of the Mercians for a crime of disobedience deposed him appointing in his place Sexwolph who was founder and Abbot of the Monastery of Medshamsted now called Peterborough Winfrid returning to his Monastery Artbear there piously ended his life Theodore also appointed Erconwald Bishop of London whose life and conversation was counted most holy as to this day his heavenly vertues and miracles do well declare for his Horse-litter wherein he was wont to be carried when he was sick being yet kept by his disciples doth daily cure such as have Agues or are otherwise diseased The very chips also that are cut off from it and brought to the sick are wont to give them speedy remedy He built two goodly Monasteries for himself and his Sister Edilburge furnishing them with good Rules that for his Sister at Berring in Essex where she was Mother of the Nuns behaving her self in all vertuous conversation as was shewed by Miracles from Heaven Chap. 7. In this Monastery many wonderfull signs and Miracles were shew'd which for the benefit of posterity are written by many who knew them when the Plague raging thorow the Island came to this Monastery and had entred upon that part where the men lived so that daily one or other was taken out of the world This good Mother being carefull of her company at such a time as the visitation of God touched that part of the Monastery in the which the Handmaids of God dwelt by themselves apart from the men askt the Sisters In what place of the Monastery they would have their bodies buried when God should visit them When she could get no certain answer from them she and all the rest received a most certain one and from God For one night as these Handmaids of Christ went forth of the Chappel after Mattins to the graves of the Brethren that were dead singing accustomed prayers to our Lord behold suddenly a light sent down from Heaven in manner of a Sheet came over them which strook them with such fear that they ceast from singing which brightness whereunto the mid-day seem'd night being again lifted up went to the south part of the Monastery and there staying awhile withdrew to heaven so that none of them doubted but that the very light which should receive their souls into heaven did also shew a place for their bodies to rest in Chap. 8. There was a childe about three years old brought up in this House of Virgins dedicated to God to be employed in Meditation among them This Childe being strucken with the plague coming to the pangs of death spake to one of those consecrated Virgins of Christ calling her by her name Fadgit This Virgin being suddenly taken with the sicknesse departed this life following the voice that called her Another of the Handmaids of God taken with the same disease and brought to the last told them that a certain holy man appear'd to her who died the same year bringing her word that when the morning drew neer she should depart to everlasting light The Truth was prov'd by the death of the Maid Chap. 9. When Ediburge the pious Mother of this devout congregation was to depart this world a wonderfull vision was seen by one of the Sisters whose name was Thorithgid who had lived long in that Monastery and was alwayes diligently employed in serving of God in great
of three dayes humbly to implore Gods mercy There was in the house at that time a little Boy lately converted who was taken with the sickness When the second day of Fasting and Prayer was come it hapned that in the morning there appeared unto him the two most blessed and chief Apostles St. Peter and Paul for the boy was innocent and endow'd with the Sacrament of Faith The Apostles saluted him saying Son fear not death for we will this day bring thee to Heaven but thou shalt stay till the Masses be said and after thou hast received the Viaticum or journey-earnest of the body and blood of our Lord thou shalt be convey'd to everlasting joyes Call Eappa the Priest and tell him thus Our Lord hath heard your prayers and looked mercifully upon your fasting there shall not one more dye of the plague in this Monastery and they that are sick shall recover But thou alone said they shalt be set free and go unto the Lord whom thou haft served Tell them it hath pleased God to doe thus for them through the intercession of the dear servant of God King Oswald For on this day was he Martyred by the Infidels and taken up to Heaven Let them look their Book wherein are registred the departed and they shall find it so Let them therefore say Masses through all the Oratories of the Monastery giving thanks as well that their prayer is heard as also in the memory of the said King who formerly was their King and therefore earnestly prayed for them as for those of his Nation And when all the brethren are come together to Church let them be partakers of the heavenly sacrifice and so end their fast All this being related by the boy the Priest enquired after what manner they appear'd He answered They were comely and resplendent in habit and countenance above any he had ever seen the one with the celestial Tonsure the other with a long Beard and they said they were Peter and Paul servants of Christ sent for the defence of the Monastery The Priest believing the words by the Boy seeking in the Records found that Oswald was slain that day calling therefore together the brethren he commanded Masses to be said and that all should communicate after the accustomed manner and also caused a particle of the same sacrifice of the Lords Oblation to be brought to the sick Boy which done he died the same day confirming by his death the truth of the Apostles words for no more but he dyed out of the Monastery By this Vision many were stirred up to pray and call for mercy in adversity as also to use the wholsome help and medicine of fasting And from that time as well in the Monasteries as in very many other places the Birth-day of the said King began yearly to be kept holy with celebration of Masses The 15. Chapter nothing but Civil Affairs Chap. 16. Relates How King Cedwall though not yet Christned bound himself by Vow that if he took the Isle of Wight he would give unto God the fourth part thereof which he perform'd He gave it Wilfrid for the service of our Lord Thus this Island after all the Provinces of Britany was converted Chap. 17. At this time Theodore the Archbishop hearing that the Faith was much opposed at Constantinople by the Heresie of Eutichus and desiring that the English Church which he govern'd might continue free from any such spot gathered an Assembly of many Reverend Priests and Doctours where he found an uniform consent of them in the Catholike Faith Theodore By the grace of God Archbishop of the Isle of Britany and with him sitting the other Bishops at Hetfield c. After debate and conference We have set forth the true Catholike Faith in such sort as our Lord delivered it c. We have received the five holy and general Synods of the blessed and beloved Fathers of God viz. of 318. assembled at Nice against the wicked Arius and his opinions and of 150. at Constantinople against the fond Sect of Macedonins and that at Ephesus the first time of 200. against wicked Nestorius and that of Calcedon of a 130. against Eutichus and at Constantinople the second time where was assembled the fifth Councell against Theodore and others Also we receive the Synod held at Rome in the time of the most holy Pope Martin We worship and glorifie our Lord as those men have done neither adding nor diminishing and we excommunicate with heart and mouth those whom they excommunicate and whom they have received we receive Chap. 18. At this Synod was present and confirm'd the Catholike Faith a Reverend man nam'd John the cheif Chantour of St. Peters and Abbot of the Monastery of St. Martins who was come from Rome by command of Pope Agatho having for his guide the Reverend Abbot Benedict For having built a Monastery in England in honour of the Prince of the Apostles he came to Rome as often before with Ceolfrid his companion in the same work after Abbot and was receiv'd most honourably by the Pope of whom he obtain'd Letters of Priviledge by Apostolike Authority as he knew King Egfrids will was by whose liberal gift he had erected it He brought this John with him into England to teach the Abbeyes the yearly course and order of singing as it was taught at St. Peters in Rome which he did teaching the Chantours and Choristers of the Abbey the order and form of singing and reading committing to writing thosethings which appertain'd to the celebration of the high Feasts and Holy-dayes through the year which have been hither kept in the same Abbey and are now in all places copied out They came to hear him from all the Monasteries of the Province and many invited him to come unto them He had in charge from the Apostolike Pope diligently to observe what Faith the Church of England profest and bring him word thereof to Rome So the Copy of the foresaid Synod was given to him to carry to Rome wherein the Catholike Faith was found sound and uncorrupt but in his return he died His body for the love he bore to St. Martine whose Monastery he govern'd was honourably buried at Towers Neverthelesse the Copy of the Catholike Faith was brought to Rome and joyfully received by the See Apostolike Chap. 19. King Egfrid took to wife Ediltrude daughter of the King of the East-Saxons yet she remain'd twelve years a Virgin as Bishop Wilfrid a man of holy memory did inform me enquiring purposely thereof because some doubted it And that such things may be done in our time as formerly as Histories witness we may not question This also was a signe of the divine Wonder that the body of the same Virgin being buried remain'd uncorrupt which shews she ever lived untoucht And t is well known she long besought the King that she might
a Monasticall and Solitary life than all worldly wealth After some years spent in a Monastery he made a Voyage to Rome to see what rights and ceremonies were observed there as well of Seculars as Religious He told the Queen the desire he had to visit the Monuments of the Holy Apostles which she approved At Rome he became acquainted with a Holy learned Arch-deacon called Boniface one of the Apostolike Popes Councellors by whose instructions he learnt the foure Books of the Gospell and Easter and many other things concerning the discipline of the Church which he could not attaine to in his Country Returning into England he was favoured by King Alfrid who had learned to follow in all things the Catholike Rules of the Church This King finding Wilfrid Catholick gave him Stamford and Rippon which the Scots had before to build Abbeies He was made Priest and followed the the Kings Court as Preacher and not long after was made Bishop by Agilbert Bishop of Paris In King Egfrids raigne he was deprived of his Bishoprick of Yorke and another ordeyned in his place Wilfrid going to Rome to plead his cause before the Apostolike Pope was driven into Frizland where he preacht unto them Christ And where many thousands being cōverted and baptized by him he was the first began this Evangelicall work which the most Reverend Bishop Willebrord afterwards finished Wilfrid having past the VVinter with his new Converts reassumed his journey to Rome where his cause was debated in presence of Pope Agatho many Bishops He was found by all their judgments to be without any fault and worthy of the Bishoprick The Pope gathered a Sinod at Rome of 125 Bishops against those who held but one will and operation in Christ Wilfrid sate among them where he was to declare his Faith and the Faith of his Countrey which was found to be Catholick This was thus registred in the Acts. Wilfrid the vertuous Bishop of Yorke appealing to the See Apostolike for his cause and by that Authority absolved and placed in Judgement Seat in the synod together with 125. other Bishops hath declared for all the Northerne parts of Britany the true and Catholike Faith confirming the same with subscription Wilfrid at his returne converted the South-Saxons and in the second year of King Aldefrid was restored to his Bishoprick After five years being again turned out he followed his appeale at Rome and his accusers being present he again was acquitted Returning through France he fell sick to death and told Acca how in that sicknesse one appeared to him in a white habit telling him that he was St Michael who said to him I am sent by God to recall thee from death For our Lord hath given thee life by the intercession of our Lady Mother of God but remaine prepared for after foure years I will come again to visite thee Thou shalt be restored to the greatest part of thy possessions and end thy life in peace Recovering he came into England where King Aldefrid refusing to restore him shortly dyeth Then a Synod is called by the votes of all he is reestablisht After four years of Peace he died in a Monastery of Abbot Cudbalds but entered in his own Monastery at Rippon in the Blessed Apostle St. Peters Church by the Altar These Verses are in his Epitaph Wilfrid that worthy Prelate Lyeth buried in this grave Who mov'd with Godly Zeale To Christ this Temple gave And of the Apostle Peters name St. Peters Church did call Christ gave To whom the Keyes of Heaven Cheif Governour of all He guilded it with finest gold With Scarlet hung it round And set up there a Crucifix Of Gold even from the ground Chap. 21. Acca succeeded Wilfrid in the Bishoprick of York a man for his courage and gallant deeds gracious in the sight of God and Man He enlarged the Church dedicated to St. Andrew and adorned it with many exquisite works He did both then and doth at this very day endeavour to gather together the Holy Apostles and Martyrs Reliques that he may in their honor build Altars He provided Holy Vessels lights and other necessaries appertaining to the better adorning the Church of God Chap. 22. Naitan King of the Picts abandoning the Errours which he and his Country had long kept touching Easter brought them all to the Catholike observation which that he might effect he required aide of the English whom he knew to have fram'd their Religion according to the Church of Rome and See Apostolike He sent Embassadors to that end to Reverend Abbot Ceolfrid of the Monastery of St. Peter and Paul He requested further to be instructed what manner of Tonsure the Clergy then should use He desired to have some cunning workmen sent him to build a Church after the manner of Rome promising to dedicate it in the honor of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles and to follow ever more the order and faith of the Church of Rome and See Apostolike In Ceolfrids letter to the King be these words We exhort you most humbly to take care that your Clergy may beare the same Tonsure which the Church doth receive For as all congregations of the faithfull are accustomed to carry the signe of the Crosse in the forehead that by the power thereof they may be defended from the assaults of the Devil and by often remembrance of it be instructed so it behoveth them who being made by vow Monks or by profession of the Clergy binde themselves more strictly with the bridle of continencie to beare on the Head by shaving the shape of a Crown as our Saviour did a Crowne of Thornes at his Passion as well to express their ready minde to suffer mockeries for Christ as strengthen their hope for a Crowne of glory In the same letter he Relateth what concerning this point he said to the Scotish Abbot Adaman I said quoth he Brother if you seek the fellowship of St. Peter why do you follow the manner of shaving which he used whom St. Peter did excommunicate and why rather shew you not that you desire with your heart his character with whom you desire to live in blisse If you desire to follow his steps and counsell whom you took to have as a Patron with God the Father then he commands thus It beseemeth you most puissant Prince to observe all that agreeth with the unity of Christs Catholick and Apostolick Church So it will come to passe that the Prince of the Apostles will open to you and yours the gates of Heaven By this advise in short time this Prince with all his dominions was brought to the true observation of Easter all the Ministers of the Altar and Monks had their heads shaven round in forme of a Crowne and the whole Nation being reformed did rejoyce to see themselves disciples of the most blessed Prince of