praedicante laudata est ad quos perfidia habere non possit accessum And there plainely saith that Heresies and Scismes haue onely had originall because men would not obay Gods Preist nor allow onely one Cheife Preist and Iudge the Vicar of Christ in his Church And calleth the Iudgment of this Preist Christ Vicar the Pope of Rome the Iudgment of God not to be disobayed of any and from such disobedience Scismes and Heesies doe spring Neque aliundè haereses obortae sunt aut nata scismata quam inde quod Sacerdoti Dei non obtemperatur nec vnus in Ecclesiâ ad tempus Sacerdos ad tempus Iudex vice Christi cogitatur Cui si secundum ministeria diuina obtemperaret Fraternitas vniuersa nemo aduersum Sacerdotum Collegium quicquam moueret Nemo post diuinum Iudicium post populi suffragium post Coepiscoporum consensum Iudicem se iam non Episcopi sed Dei faceret nemo dissidio vnitatis Christi Ecclesiam scinderet nemo sibi placens ac tumens seorsim foris Haeresim nouam conderet nisi ita est aliquis Sacriligae temeritatis ac perditae mentis vt putet sine Dei Iudicio fieri sacerdotem 12. Now that these holy Popes stoode vpon the same supreame priuiledge for the Church of Rome being the common doctrine and practise of them all as Protestants confesse we neede not to stand vpon these in particular yet these Protestants doe assure vs first that Pope Cornelius maintayned Appeales to Rome Cornelius Epistolâ 2. facit mentionem Appellationis ad Apostolicam Magdeb. cent 3. c. 7. col 181. Rob. Barnes l. de Vit. Pontif. Rom. in Cornelio Sedem And made a generall Decree to free Preists from swearing except in matter of faith And condēned the Africā Bishops Decree about Rebaptizatiō Pope Lucius as they confesse maketh the Church of Rome the Mother of Churches and affirmed that the Popes of Rome neuer erred and contended that they cannot erre prouing it by that place where Christ said to S. Peter I haue asked for thee that thy faith may not fayle Lucius Romanam Ecclesiam Matrem Magdeb. Cent. 3. col 183. c. 7. Ecclesiarum facit Apostolicos Pontifices nunquam errasse asserit ne quidem errare posse contendit ex eo loco quod Christus Petro dixerit rogaui pro te ne fides tua deficeret And Pope Stephen made a generall Decree as these men affirme for the whole Church about receauing penitent Heretikes how they were to be receaued Stephani Papae Romani sententia rescriptum hoc Magdeb. cent 3. c. 8. col 190. Robert Barnes l. de Vit. Pont. Rom. in Stephano Io. Bal. l. 1. Act. Rom. Pontif. in Stephano fuit Si à quacumque haeresi ad Ecclesiam veniant nihil innouetur nisi quod traditum est vt manus illis imponatur in paenitentiam And generally for all Preists in all places that they should not vse at Masse any other then sacred vestments Ne Sacerdos aliâ veste quam sacrâ in sacris vteretur statuit By this holy Pope which our Protestants confesse was an holy Saint and Martyr and receaued a Crowne of Iustice thereby after he had conuerted many Gentils to Christ Cum multos Gentilium ad Christi fidem conuertisset capite mulctatus fit victima S. Sixtus Pope and Martyr Deo accept à Iustitiae coronâ 13. The like they testifie of all his Successours in this Age. S. Sixtus the Ambr. l. 1. Oshc c. 41. Prudent in Hymno de S. Laurent Magd. cent 3. cap. 10. in Sixto cap. 12. in Laurent col 297 298. next was Christi discipulus è terreno coelestis aeconomus factus Christiani gregis decus atque imitandum exemplar and preached the true word of God salutare Dei verbum populo proponens And yet this doctrine of this holy Pope by all Antiquities and these Protestants themselues was sacrificing preisthood Sacrifice of Masse Deacons assisting at the Altar Christ really present there and offered in Sacrifice with Lights vpon the Altar Hic primus è septem viris qui stant ad Aram proximi Hunc esse vestris orgijs moremque artem proditum est hanc Disciplinam foederis libent vt auro Antistites Argenteis scyphis ferunt fumare sacrum sanguinem auroque nocturnis sacris adstare fixos cereos And this was so common and publikly receaued and knowne that the Pagans themselues were not ignorant of it S. Dionisius Pope and Martyr Bal. l. 1. de Act. Rom. Pontif. in Dionys Robert Barnes in Vit. Pont. in eodem 14. Of S. Dionysius the next Pope these Protestants say he was famous for preaching the true faith and dilating of Christs Church and conuerted many and among others the daughter and wife of the Emperour Decius Cyrilla and Triphonia and dyed an holy Martyr Yet they also acknowledge he was a Monke and Eremite before he was Pope He diuided Parishes and Dioceses assigning their limits and made other generall Lawes for the whole Church concerning Heretikes and others to be accused and conuented 15. S. Faelix which was his next Successor was also as these men confesse S. Foelix Pope and Martyr an absolute vertuous man and renowned for he preached the word of God and died a glorious Martyr Yet they also say he was a Massing Pope and Bal. l. 1. de Act. Pontif. supr in Foelice Rob. Barnes in eod tooke order that none but consecrated Preists should say Masse he ordained that Masses should yearely be saide in honour of Martyrs on their Anniuersary dayes and no where but in sacred places 16. They say of Eutichianus the next Pope that he was vir Deo deditissimus à doctrinâ virtutihus Ecclesiae commendatus diuini verbi praedicatione salutem S. Eutichianus Pope and Martyr multis attulit populis A man most deuoted to God renowned for learning Bal. l. 1. Act. Ro. Pontif. in Eucichiano Barn in eod and vertue and by preaching the word of God brought saluation to many people and died a Martyr Yet as they acknowledge he tooke order for sacred Vesturs of Cleargy men so honored he Martyrs that with his owne hands he buried 300. and made generall Lawes for the whole Church 17. Of S. Caius the next and by common opinion the last of this Age they S. Caius Pope and Martyr say he was kinsman of Dioclesian the persecuting Emperour yet a most worthie Ruler of the house of God in the Roman Church and died a Martyr Bal. Barnes supr in Caio praepositus domus Dei in Ecclesià Romanâ probatissimus And yet he exempted Clergy men from lay Iudges and as S. Euaristus had done before gaue order that none should be a Bishop which had not before bene Ostiarius Lector Exorcista Acolythus c. 18. If our Protestants will haue S. Marcellinus to haue bene Pope in the S. Marcellinus Pope and
Martyre vel pro Martyre quem percutere iubebatur ipse potius mereretur percuti And so of a persecutour he became a companion in Truth and Faith Ex persecutore factus collega viritatis fidei Thus writeth Matthew of Westminster and others allthough with suppressing the name of this holy Martyr which the old Brittish Writer of S. Alban his life Capgraue and others call Heraclius and I am now to name him by it for allthough it was not giuen him in Baptisme Brit. Script Vitae S. Albani Manuscr Antiq. Capgr in eodem in water which he wanted yet his surest Baptisme in his owne blood for Christ his holy and most courageously and constantly sustained Martyrdome happily made him renowned and honorable thereby 2. This S. Heraclius hauing resolutely denyed his Paganisme craued pardon for his error and confessed Christ openly before so many persecutours and in the highest of their Malice and rage against S. Alban fell thereby into the same degree of Hatred with them for presently therevpon to speake in our old Authours words Inimici veritatis hominem arripiunt dentes excutiunt os eius sacrum dilacerant omnia eius ossa confringunt si nihil in corpore remansit illaesum fides tamen quae feruebat in pectore laedi non potuit The enemyes of truth apprehend him beate out his teeth rend his holy mouthe and breake all his boues and allthough nothing remayned in his body without hurt yet his feruent faith remayned without harme And being thus left so maymed lame and half dead with all the power and strength he could with his hands crept vp to the hill where S. Alban was Martyred whome when the Iudge espyed he said vnto him obsecra Albanum tuum pray to they Alban to sett thy bones in order and lay his head heare stricken off to thy body and thou shall receaue perfect health from him Bury him and lett him cure thee Heraclius answeared I most firmely beleeue that S. Alban by his merits is able to heale mee and easely performe that you mock vs with Tunc caput Martyris reuerenter assumens illudque corpori deuotus apponens desperatum corporis robur recuperare caepit sanus effectus Then reuerently taking the head of S. Alban and deuoutely laying it to his body he began to recouer the former strenght of the same despayred before And being thus miraculouslie recouered and made hole ceased not in the hearing of all the people to preach vnto them the meritt of S. Alban and Power of Christ and digging the earth buryed the body of S. Alban before them there Which the Pagans seeing said among themselues what shall we doe This man cannot be putt to death with sword we haue allready broken his body and he hath now receaued his former strength againe And apprehending him with horrible Torment they teare his holy body in peeces and lastely cutt of his head And so this happy souldiar perseuering in the faith of Christ together with most blessed Alban deserued to be honoured with the Crowne of Martyrdome 3. Hitherto the Relation of those our renowned auncient Historians whereby we doe not onely finde an example of Heroicall Christian fortitude in generall but learne euen in particular the holy and approued doctrine and custome of the Primatiue Christians of this kingdome aswell as of others to praye vnto holy Saints glorified in their Soules in heauen and reuerencing their sacred Relicks on earth thus miraculously allowed and approued of God before and for the euerlasting shame and confusion of so many his Persecutours and Enemies then present and all after commers that would oppose against those most Catholike doctrines and practises of the Church of Christ so publickly and inuincibly confirmed and warranted by his omnipotent and highest diuine Power before such a multitude both of Christians and Pagans so testifying the first by that meanes strengthned in the true faith the others in greate numbers as I shall presently declare conuerted to Christian Religion And the Iudge himselfe was hereby so moued and conuinced that he presently commanded the Persecution to cease Iudex tanta miraculorum Bed l. 1. Hist c. 7. caelestium nouitate perculsus cessari mox à Persecutione praecepit Iacobus Genuensis Bishop of Genua and his old English Translatour say this souldiar called Iacob Genuen Episc in Vita S. Albani S. Amphibal Anglic. Translat ib. by some before Herculius was a knight And they yeeld a reason besides their Assertion which was the noble renowne of S. Alban who as they say was Lord of the Citie of Verolame and Prince of the knights and Steward of the Land and the Iudge dred de for to slee him because of the greate loue that Emperour had to him and for reuerence of his dignitie and Power of his kindred vnto the time that he had informed Dioclesian And therefore when Iudgment was pronounced against him the which was deferred 6. Weeks vntill Maximian his comming into Britaine to see such wicked executions thus they deliuer it Than Maximian and Askepodot gaue finall sentence on him saying In the the time of the Emperour Dioclesian Albon Lord of Verolomie Prince of knights and Steward of Britaine during his life hath despised Iupiter and Appollyn gooddes and to them hath done derogation and disworship wherefore by the Lawe he is iudged to be deed by the hand of some knight And the body to be buryed in the same place where his heade shall be smitten of and his sepulchre to be made worshipfully for the honour of knighthood whereof he was Prince and also the Crosse that he bare And sklauin that he ware should be buryed with him And his body to be closed in a chest of Ledd and so layd in his Sepulchre This sentence hath the Lawe ordeyned because he hath renyed our principall Gods These Authours say Maximian and King Asclepiodote gaue this sentence THE XXII CHAPTER OF VERY MANY CONVERTED TO CHRIST by the miraculous death of S. Alban and after going to S. Amphibalus to be fully instructed by him suffered Martyrdome and being a thousand in number were diuers from the 1000. Martyrs at Lichfeild and those neare Verolamium 1. THAT we may take some notice of the greate numbers multitudes of people conuerted by the death and miracles of these two holy Martyrs we haue heard from approued Antiquities that euen many thousands had bene present eye witnesses of the miraculous diuiding of the water to giue free and dry passadge to S. Alban and those that were with him at his prayers when many drowned and lying in the bottome of the deepe Riuer were eyther miraculously preserued from death or so restored to life againe by his intercession the waters standing one both sides of their passadge like walls after their going ouer presently ioyned together againe and returned to their naturall current and flowing downeward as the propensitie of such liquid and heauy things requireth the fountayne one the topp of
meane degree in respect of the Pope of Rome and they were and euer would with all committed to their charge be obedient vnto him Qui licet Athanas Epis Aegipti epist ad Marc. Pap. supr exigui ordinis tamen vestri sumus vobisque obedientes cum omnibus nobis commissis sumus essesemper volumus 14. Therefore those Protestants which after so many hundreds of yeares would giue so large an extension to the sixt Canon of the Nicen Councell as thereby to make the Patriarke of Alexandria to haue equall power and preeminencie with the Pope of Rome doe most ignorantly or rather maliciously willfully err therein For heare we see the most holy and learned Patriarke there liuing in that time and present in that Councell and so best knowing the minde thereof testifing that the Patriarke of Alexandria and all Egipt subiect vnto it were and ought to be subiect and obedient to the See of Rome 15. The like hath the same learned and holy Patriarke together with the Athan. Episc Aegipt Theb. Lib. supr same Bishops of Egipt Thebris and Libia ackdowledged before And the Canon is plaine that the subiection of Egipt Libia and Pentapolis to the Bishop of Alexandria was by the permission of the Pope of Rome his preeminence ouer them thus by them all confessed reserued and no otherwise Antiqua consuetudo seruetur per Aegiptum Libiam Pentapolim ita vt Alexandrinus Episcopus Concil Nicen. can 6. in trib Lection horum omnium habeat Potestatem quia vrbis Roma Episcopo parilis mos est So haue two seuerall readings of that Canon and the third is more plaine Quandoquidem Episcopo Romano hoc est consuetum 16. Therefore allthough we giue the greatest honour and dignitie to that our greatest King Emperour Constantine the Greate or greatest that euer was due or truely giuen to any temporall Monarch or Commander in the worlde yet we may not vse the Pope of Rome S. Sylnester so dishonorably whome he so honored to take from him so greate Noble a Portion of the highest spirituall Pastorall charge and office iuridically to call and confirme Councels onely and peculiarly belonging to that Apostolike cheifest See by so many Titles to bestowe it vpon a Ciuill Gouernour both hauing no and renowncing all such power how soeuer potent worthie and deseruing in other respects And it is euident by Ruffinus Eusebius and others that Constantine was not present in but absent from the Nicen Councell when it gaue Iudgment in the Questions of Religion But the cheifest place in such Ruffin l. 1. Hist Eccl. cap. 5. affaires as before is manifest belonging to the Pope of Rome and he then being olde and absent it was supplied hy his Preists and Vicars Deputies Et Euseb l. 3. de vit Constantini cap. 7. Socrat. Hist l. 1. cap. 5. quanquam vrbis illius penes quam Imperium est Episcopus ingrauescente aetate praepeditus abfuit cius tamen Presbyteri qui aderant illius locum suppliuerunt THE XIII CHAPTER HOW BRITAINE RECEAVED THE NICEN Councell and agreed with the whole Catholike Church both in the obseruation of Easter and all other holy Doctrins and Obseruations 1. AS Constantine had hitherto bene most religiously carefull for the assembling this Councell assisting what he could in so glorious a worke as I haue related before So it now being ended and the Bishops dismissed he did as Sozomen and others testifie exceedingly reioyce to see the whole Church consenting in faith and Doctrine Cum iam Concilium Herm. Sozom. Hist Eccl. l. 2. cap. 1. Nicaenum venisset ad exitum Sacerdotes omnes domum Imperator supra modum ideo laetatus est quod Ecclesiam vniuersam de doctrina fidei consentientem viderat And endeuored as much to haue the Canōs sacred Decrees thereof now duely obserued executed in all places as he was desirous to haue them concluded 2. And therefore besides his generall Edicts and Epistles to particular men and States he sent Imperiall Letters vnto all Bishops which were absent from Epist Constant ad absentes Episcopos de Act. Cōcil Nic. apud Theodoret. Hist Eccl. l. 1. cap. 10. Socrat. Hist Eccl. l. 1. cap. 6. that Councell of the proceedings thereof the whole Epistle is extant in the Histories of Theodoret and Socrates with others and beginneth Constantinus Augustus Ecclesijs In these Letters he maketh an honorable memory of the faith and Religion of his Countrymen the Britans or the whole Nation or Ilands of Britaine or both the one and other shewing how they consented with all Catholike and orthodoxe Countryes in matters of Religion particularly in the true obseruation of Easter as S. Eleutherius and S. Victor Popes had before decreed and the Nicen Councell now generally receaued proposed and confirmed and Constantine had promised to the Councell to cause all others to consent to the same Ipse in me recepi vestram sapientiam facilé assensuram vt quod in vrbe Roma Italia in Africa in tota Egipto Hispania Gallia Britayne receaue◠the doctrine and Decrees of the generall Councell of Nyce and agreed withall orthodoxall Churches in all things and particularly in the obseruation of Easter Britānia in Libya vniuersa Graecia in Diaecesi Aseatica Pōtica in Cilicia denique vna consentienti sententia conseruatur hoc etiam a vobis quoque lubentibus animis approbaretur in Theodoret It is in Britannis or Britannijs in all the parts or diuisions of Britaine being then diuers as is before remembred and yet all and euery one of them whether where the English Scots or Welch now inhabite did agree in this as in other Catholike doctrins and custome with Rome Italy Afrike Egipt Spaine Gallia Libia all Greece the Diocesse of Asia Ponticus Cilicia And a litle before he saith that all Churches the parts of all the world inhabiting either the West South or North and diuers in the East obserued this manner and vse Quem omnes Ecclesiae totius orbis Const in Epist supr partes vel ad Occidentem vel ad Meridiem vel ad Septentriones incolentes seruant ac nonnullae quoque quae in locis ad Orientem spectantibus habitant 3. S. Athanasius also in his Epistle to Iouinian the Emperour plainely affirmeth that the Church of Britaine held the same faith with the Nicen Councell Athanasius epist ad Iouinian Imp. de fide and before the Nicen Councell as the words of Constantine also proue and from the beginning of Christianitie cognosce Religiosissime Imperator hanc esse quae a condito aeuo praedicata fuit quam Nicaeae Patres congregati agnouerunt eiusque Suffragatrices esse omnes omnibus in locis Ecclesias siue in Hispania sunt siue Britannia and not onely the Churches of the West South and North but of the Easte also except a few which were of the Arrian faction
with the Church of Rome now liued Britaine France venit in Franciam Italy Rome where he was so famous and the Easterne Churches agreed in such holy doctrine as he preached and committed to writing being the very same as Protestants themselues confesse which the Church of Rome now professeth condemning the opinions of Protestants as he had any cause to speake of such points beginning with the first and cheife Article of their Religion Iustification by faith as they confesse solam fidem ad salutem sufficere negat So of others And yet they say he had most diligently read and agreed with the Fathers of this Age the most learned Patres diligentissimè legit Originem Augustinum Hieronymum Ambrosium Eusebium Gennadium Nam ex horum interpretationibus suarum ipse in Paulum explicationum collectanea congessit ex alijs proculdubio And agreed with them in matters of Religion 4. Therefore this our renowned Doctor agreeing in all this with the best learned Magdebur cent 5. cap. 10. col 1284. Sedul in cap. 5. ad Ephes 5. ad Phil. 3. 4. ad Rom. Magdebur cent 5. c. 4. col 505. in that Age both of the Latine and Greeke Church with the Pope and Church of Rome where he was of so greate fame mirabili doctrina clarus as also in the other both Easterne and Westerne Christians where he had trauailed and preached and so glorious that the Protestants themselues acknowledge he was most rare for gifts of learning his works approued by Pope Gelasius some of theÌ„ receaued still vsed in the publike Church seruice and he stiled by that learned Pope as S. Bede after was for the like worthines venerabilis venerable Vir erat faeliâ—i ingenio praeditus acri iudicio facuÌ„dia indicibili Breuiar Roman Hym. ad Laud. in Natiuitate Domini Epiph. ad Vesper Epiphan Sedul Hymn de Christ l. 1. cap. peperisse Christum Neque minus ei cognita extitere diuina quam humana Adeo vt in Decretis Distinct 15. Gelasius Pontifex venerabilem Sedulium eum vocauerit eiusque non mediocri laude commendauerit scripta The Hymnes which the Catholike Church still vseth in the publike Seruice thereof at the Laudes in the greate Festiuitie of Christs birth and vigil of the Epiphany beginning A solis ortus cardine ad vsque terrae limitem Christum canamus principem natum Maria virgine and that of both the EueÌ„songs of the Epiphany which beginneth hostes Herodes impie Christum venire quid times non eripit mortalia qui regna dat caelestia were composed by him part of his workes and from him thus generally honored in the Church of Christ as that in honor of the blessed Virgin Salue sancta pareÌ„s enixa puerpera Regem Qui caelum terramque tenet per saecula cum virginitatis honore nec primam similem visa es nec habere sequenteÌ„ sola sine exemplo placuisti femina Christo Besides his greate trauailes and paines in preaching he wrote much Our Protestant Historians and others asscribe aboue 40. bookes to him Aldus Manutius who published diuers of his works aboue 100. yeares fince in the yeare of Christ 1501. or 1502. giueth many reasons that he lyued aboue 1100. yeares before that time Sedulium ab hinc mille centum annos ac plus eo fuisse colligimus Ald. Manut. Epist ante opera Iuuenci Sedulij c. Sedul Epist ad Macedonium Presbyterum and to haue liued in the same time with S. Hierome puto Hieronimum Sedâ—lium eisdem fuisse temporibus Which Sedulius himselfe in his Epistle to Macedonius seemeth sufficiently to proue speaking therein of S. Hierome as then liuing and writing as also of some holy parsons then in life to whome he wrote Therefore I place him in this Age yet not denying but he might liue to the beginning of that which followeth This our Sedulius much esteemeth in that Epistle Vrsinus a Bishop Vrsicinus Laurentius Gallicanus Preists and Faelix whome according to his name he nameth a truely happy man vere Faelicem for his contempt of this world cui mundus crucifixus est And others doe say they were his familiar friends and worthie men as he and they likewise doe Magdeburgen centur 1. of this Macedonius to whome he wrote Therefore not finding any Historian clayming these or any of them for any other Nation and hauing heard before that many Britans then went into those parts that they were entreated thereto and besides our owne forreine Antiquaries write that in those dayes our Arnold Merm Theatr. conuers gent. Britans did often goe on Pilgrimage to the holy Land and Rome and preach euery where as they went Britanni olim dum terram sanctam aut Apostolorum Limina visitarunt passim Euangelio praedicando seruiebant we may not vnprobably presume that these or some of them were also of this Kingdome And some write that saint Fridolin a Princes sonne of this Country some say a Scot S. Patrike very renowned in this Age. did in this Age wheÌ„ saint Hilary was Bishop of Poicters apud Pictauos Hilario Episcopo preach in Belgia Argentine Chur Rhetia Burgundy Basile Sigebert Chron. an 394. Fascicul tempor ad An. 384. Nen. Hist M. S. Floren. Wigorn. an 490. Probus in vit S. Patricij Capgrau in eod Genebr Chron. Sigebert Chron. an 491. Fascicul tempor an 423. Marian. Scot. aetat 6. an 491. Sur. Lippol 17. Mart. Baron not Mart. eod die Io. Bal. cent 1. in Patric Io. Pits in eodem Matth. Westm an 491. FloreÌ„c Wigorn. Chronic. an 372. and other places and founded many Monasteries by the Ryuer Rhine I may also ioyne saint Patrike borne in Britaine heare in this Century wherein he was not onely borne but liued in most holy conuersation many yeares both in this his natiue Country Ireland whether he was by Pagan Scottish Irish Pirats with his Christian Sisters and others violently carried hence there sold to serue Sigebert saith this was in the yeare of Christ 394 Sanctus Patricius in Hibernia cum suis sororibus veÌ„ditur vbi cum esset Regis Porcarius Angeli saepe alloquio fruitur The Author of Fasciculus Temporum saith he was sold thither with his Sisters ten yeares sooner and they were reuerenced there An. 384. Patricius magnus pater Hibernorum Apostolus circa haec tempora in Hibernia veneratur cum suis sororibus Angeli saepe colloquio fruitur 5. But if we calculate and compare the yeares of his life and death we shall certainely finde that he was solde into Iereland from hence longe before either of these times and was aboue 30. yeares old in this Age. All Historians agree that as he liued 122. yeares so he died in the yeare 491. by which accompt he must needs be borne in the yeare of Christ 368. or 369. and be aboue 30. yeares old in this Age. Marianus Scotus Probus Capgraue and others
it is from freewill or in the Lawe and Doctrine 8. That the grace of God is giuen according to our owne meritts 9. That men caÌ„not be called the children of God except they be alltogether without all sinne 10. And that it is not freewill if it wanteth the help of God because euery one hath in his owne will to doe any thing or not to doe it 11. That our Victory is not from the help of God but from free will 12. That to them which seeke pardon pardon is not giuen according to the grace and mercie of God but according to the merits and labour of them which by penance are worthie of mercy 4. S. Augustin in diuers places speaketh of this Councell and setteth downe Aug. l. Epist Epist 106. l. 2. Retract c. 47. l. 2. de pecc orig contr Pelag. Celsum c. 11. Aug. Hier. apud Baron ann 415. Binius to 1. Conc. Annot. in Conc. Diospolit Hilar. Epist ad Aug. inter Ep. Aug. Epist 88. Aug. l. de Haeres Haer. 88. these very Articles whereof Pelagius was charged and recanted by Pelagius though disseÌ„blingly for feare as appeared by him afterward Haec omnia Pelagius sic Anathematizauit So doe diuers others and add more errors which he held as that before Christ man was without sinne Prayer is not necessary Man is able by the Power of freewill not onely not to sinne but not to be tempted That women ought to sing in the Church That all men ought to be cloathed as Monkes S. Augustine addeth That man might not sweare at all Non debere iurare omnino The life of iust men in this life to be altogether without sinne And that the Church of Christ in this world consisteth of such Vitam iustorum in hoc saeculo nullum omnino habere peccatum ex his Ecclesiam Christi in hac mortalitate perfici He denied that the Church should offer prayers eyther for Infidels and such as resist the doctrine of God that they might be conuerted vnto him or for the faithfull that their faith might be encreased and they perseuer in it Destruunt orationes quas facit Ecclesia siue pro Infidelibus doctrinae Dei resistentibus vt conuertantur ad Deum siue pro fidelibus vt augeatur eis fides perseuerent in ea Their wicked grownd whereof was this because he held that men receaue not these things from God but haue them of themselues and that the grace of God by which we are deliuered Hect. Boeth l. 9. Scotor Hist fol. 179. Hollinsh Hist of Scotl. in eod 52. Reg. Buch. in eod Henric. Hunting Hist l. 3. August l. 3. contra Pelagian fere in initio c. 1. from impietie is giuen by our owne merits Haec quippe non ab ipso Deo accipere sed à seipsis homines habere contendunt gratiam Dei qua liberamur ab impietate dicentes secundum merita nostra dari 5. From which wicked and damned Heresie he also denied the vertue and necessitie of holy Sacraments aswell Baptisme as the rest as is euident in our Brittish Pelagian Hereticks sprung from him and particularly denying the Sacrament of Confession to a Preist and Penance as our Historians testifie in King Frequard of Scotland sonne of Eugenius diuers Brittish Preists therevpon noted and condemned of Pelagian Heresie Thus Pelagius at the least before his falle as S. Augustine testifieth was both a learned and holy man and his workes especially vpon S. Paules Epistles much commeÌ„ded Legi Pelagij quaedam scripta viri vt audio sancti non paruo profectu Christiani quae in Paâ—â—â— Apostoli Epistolas Expositiones brcuissimas continereÌ„t And writeth further that he was casta vita moribusque laudabilis Of a chaste life and laudable conuersation of life and doubted not to doe as Christ commanded the ritch man requesting counsaile to obtaine eternall life saying he had fulfilled all August supr lib. 2. cap. 16. Hier. in Praef. l. 3. in Hieren Isodor Pelusiot Epist 314. August l. de peccat Origin c. 5. 6. lib. 2. cont Pelag. c. â— de peccat Orig. c. 8. 22. Epist 157. Prosper contr Colâ—â—t Caelestin Epist ad Episc Galliae Gomad de Eccl. Dogm Possid in vit S. Aug. c. 18. Marian. Scot. aet 6. l. 2. an 419. Martin Polon Supput an 413. Matth. Westm an 415. Bal. l. de Script Brit. cent 1. in Pelagio Haeresiarca Gennad Honor de Script Bal. sup Io. Pits aetat 5. de vir Illustr Brit. in not pag. 84. Bed Hist Eccl. l. 1. c. 10. Matth. Westm Chron. an 404. the commandements of the Lawe that he should sell all he had and giue it to the poore and traÌ„sferre his Treasure into heaueÌ„ Yet to free our Kingdome now England and Wales also of giuing life to such a man S. Hierome saith he was by Nation a Scot progeniem haberet Scoticae gentis and a voluptuous MoÌ„ke voluptuosus Monachus as Isidorus Pelusiota noteth Both which may be reconciled if we say he was borne among the Scots and bredd in our greate Monastery of Banger in Britaine and there longe time an holy Monke but after falling both into Heresie and lewdenes of life he was often condemned both by the Popes of Rome S. Innocentius and others and in diuers Councels in Asia Afrike and Europe whither he had spredd his Heresies and not perfectly in him some times teaching and maintaining other whiles excusing or denying them vntill in the time of Pope Zosimus about the yeare of Christ 418. being by him finally condemned both he and his followers were driuen into Exile by Honorius the Emperour And that Heresie condemned in all the worlde Concilio apud Carthaginem habito 214. eo amplius Episcoporum ad Papam Zosimum Sinodi Decreta perlata sunt quibus probatis per totum mundum Haeresis Pelagiana damnata est 6. Yet after this it arose againe euen in Britaine and was then and there condemned by Pope Celestine and his Legats as now it was by Pope Zosimus and the remembred Councell of aboue 214. Bishops approued by him and by other Councels which some Writers euen of this Nation and Protetestants terme generall Councels Condemnatus per Episcopos in Ephesino Carthaginensi Milleuitano Concilijs generalibus Before his Heresie he wrote many Workes agreeing with Catholike doctrine and for them 25. in nuÌ„ber as they are recompted by some is placed by them among Catholike Writers euen those of Britaine his owne Countrie which in the first beginning of his falling into Heresie did so detest and abhore it not hauing bene infected with Heresie before that time that it presently by some Authors bannished him from hence Vt videtur Britones Pelagium eiusque sequaces in exilium eiecerunt ipsis mali principijs maturè occurrentes Which seemeth to be confirmed by sainct Bede and others testifying how in a very short time he spred his errors very farre venena suae perfidiae
obedient to the See of Rome 354 Chap. v. How the Emperour Seuerus which came into Britaine and ruled heare King after Lucius was of the Regall Race of the Britans and true heyre to the Crowne heare and so of others reigning heare after him 362 Chapt. vj. Of the state of Christians especially in Britaine in the time of Seuerus vnder whome allthough in some parts there was greate persecution of Christians yet not heare in Britaine but the Christians were heare in quiet without affliction 365 Chap. vâ—j How in the time of Bassianus sonne of Seuerus being Emperour â—e was both in Britaine whence he was discended and other places he was a friend to Christians and Persecutour of their Persecutours How sainct Zepherine the Pope then sent diuers Apostolike men into Britaine 369 Chap. viij How very many Kings with variable proceedings Ruled heare in Britaine before Constantius Father to the greate Constantine by sainct Helen our Brittish Lady yet the Christians heare were quiet from Persecution in all or most of their time 372 Chap. ix Of the Popes of Rome in this time how by all writers euen the Protestants themselues they were holy men and both they and other learned holy Fathers in this time were of the same faith and Religion which the present Roman Church and Catholiks now professe and Protestants deny and persecute 377 Chap. x. Of sainct Mello or Mellon a Britan sent Archbishop by Pope Stephen from Rome to Rhoan in Normandy Of sainct Mellorus a Noble Brittish Mâ—rtyr and a Prouinciall Councell of Brittish Bishops heare in Cornewalle in this time 386 Chapt. xj Containing an abbreuiate of some Roman Emperours and inuincibly prouing that the most holy Queene and Empresse S. Helen was a Britan of Regall Race the onely true and lawfull wife of Constantius Emperour and Constantine the Greate their true lawfull Sonne and Heire borne in Britaine 391 Chap. xij Of the other three children of Constantius and sainct Helen and particularly of two of them sainct Lucius and sainct Emerita renowned and glorious Martyrs for holy Christian Religion among forreine Pagans S. Lucius an holy Bishop preaching it to them in Germany 401 Chap. xiij That sainct Helen was all her life an holy and vertuous Christian neuer infected with Iudaisme or any error in Religion And that Constantius her Husband long liued and dyed a Christian and protected both Britaine and other Countries vnder him from Persecution 406 Chap. xiv By what wicked plotts practises and deuises Dioclesian and Maximian began and prosecuted their wicked Persecution of Christians in Britaine and how Constantius was innocent and free therein 413 Chap. xv When and by whome the Persecution called Dioclesians Persecution began in Britaine long before the Martyrdome of sainct Alban and many heare then martyred before him and in what sense the Title Protomartyr or prioritie in Martyrdome is yet duely giuen to him 417 Chap. xvj The wonderfull excesse and extremitie of this Persecution of the Christians in Britaine in generall and the most greuious torments miseries and afflictions they endured with theire renowned sanctitie constancie and patience 422 Chap. xvij Of diuers holy Martyrs most cruelly putt to death at Wincester Caerlegion and other places in Britaine long before the Martyrdome of S. Alban with their greate honour and renowne 426 Chap. xviij How sainct Amphibalus a Brittish Bishop and many holy and learned Preists of the Britans in this Persecution went to the Scots and Picts were reuereutly receaued of them and preached liued and continued there in greate Sanctitie and left greate Succession of such there after them 429 Chap. xix The returne of sainct Amphibalus from the Scots to the Britans his comming to the house of sainct Alban at Verolamium and preaching vnto him the miraculous vision and Conuersion of sainct Alban their exceeding zeale deuotioÌ„ deliuery of S. Amphibalus at that time 433 Chapt. xx Of the holy and most constant faith deuotion charitie sufferings miracles and Martyrdome of S. Alban 438 Chap. xxj The constant profession of Christ by the holy Souldiar Heraclius conuerted by the Miracles of S. Alban and his Martyrdome in at the same time and place with sainct Alban 442 Chap. xxij Of very many conuerted to Christ by the miraculous death of sainct Alban and after going to sainct Amphibalus to be fully instructed by him suffered Mattyrdome and being a thousand in number were diuers from the 1000. Martyrs at Lichfeild and those neare Verolamium 445 Chap. xxiij The Martyrdome of sainct Amphibalus and many others with him oâ— at that time and place and wonderfull numbers conuerted then to Christ by the Miracles then there shewed 447 Chapt. xxiiij How by Coilus being King and preuayling against the Roman Persecutours and their adherents heare the Persecution in Britaine ceased 450 THE FOVRTH AGE THE I. CHAPTER OF the greate peace and quiet the Church of Britaine enioyed during the whole life and Reigne of Constantius Emperor and King heare in Britaine and Constantine his sonnè by sainct Helen was heare brought vp in Christian Religion 457. or 475 Chapt. ij Of the finding the holy Crosse by S. Helen in Constantius his time His Christian life and death and crowning his sonne Conflantine Emperour heare in Britaine 462 Chap. iij. Of the coronation and Christian beginning of Constantine the greate Emperour and the generall restoring and professon of Christian Religion in all places of Britaine then 467 Chap. iv Of Constantine his profession of Christ his miraculous victories against his Pagan Enemies restoring and establishing Christian Religion and exalting the Professors thereof in all his Empire 470 Chap. v. The miraculous Baptisme of Constantine at Rome by S. Syluester Pope He was an holy and Orthodoxe Emperour to his death and both in the Greeke Church and with those of the Latine honored and stiled an holy Saint 474 Chap. vj. That S. Helen euer professed herself a Christian neuer ioyned with but against the Iewes Was in Britaine when Constantine was baptized in Rome and after going from Britaine to Rome was there with Constantine present at the Roman Councell consenting to the Decrees thereof 478 Chap. vij Of the presence at allowance and receauing of generall Councells by our Emperor Constantine our Archbishop and other Bishops of Britaine togeather with the doctrine then professed in those Councells and after practised in Britaine 482 Chap. viij The generall establishing endowing and honoring of Christian Religion Bishops Preists other Clergy men chast and Religious parsons in all places of the Empire by Constantine 486 Chap. ix ConstaÌ„tine did not prolonge his Baptisme so long as some write He was not baptized by an Arrian Bishop neuer sell into Arrianisme or any Heresie 489 Chap. x. The vndoubted truth of the donation and munificent enritching of the Church of Rome by Constantine the greate Emperour 497 Chap. xj Of the settling of the Imperiall Seat at Bizantium or Constantinople and Conuersion of or setling the Christian faith
reigned among them Which our English Protestant Bishops in their Theater coÌ„firme in this maÌ„ner It is certaine that the Britans were with the first Conuerts And Tertullian who liued within 200. yeares of Christs Natiuitie sheweth no lesse who the more to prouoke the Iewes against whom he wrote calleth to witnesse the fruitefull increase of the Ghospell Tertullian contr Iudaeos cap. 7. Petr. Cluniacen ad Bernard of saluation through many Contries and Nations and among them nameth the Britans to haue receaued the word of life The power whereof saith he hath peirced into those parts whether the Romans could not come Whence Petrus Cluniacensis supposeth the Scottish men the more auncient Christians 7. The like haue other Protestants and those their cited Authours which The NorthreÌ„ Brittans receaued the faith â—yther by S. Mansuetus or some other disciples of S. Pâ—tâ—r about this tyme. cannot be otherwise verified but applying this preaching of the faith of Christ vnto those NorthreÌ„ Britans either by this their holy Contriman saint Mansuetus the first Bishop we can finde of this kingdome or some other Associete of his sent hither at or about that time by the same holy Apostle S. Peter For in all other respects whether we speake of the Brittish Christians here in the time of Claudius or Nero of which these Protestants will tell vs Hector Boeth hist Scot. Georg. Buch. rer Scoticar l. 4. Rege 27. Holinsh hâ—stor of Scotland in Donaldus Hâ—ris descript of Britans Stowe Howes hist Theater of Brit. l. 6. Matth. west an 209. 198. and others more hereafter or the cominge of sainct Ioseph of Aramathia and his Religious Companions into this kingdome in the dayes of Nero or the generall Conuersion of the kingdome of Britaine vnto the Trenches of Seuerus in the time of King Lucius by Pope Eleutherius all these were longe before the Conuersion of the Scots in the time of their King Donaldus either by Pope Victor or Zepherinus as Harison rather supposeth the first time which is assined by any being in the 203. yeare of Christ and if it was vnder Pope Zepherine it was after that time for he was not chosen Pope vntill the yeare 209. before which time or the beginning it selfe of the Papacy of saint Victor which was in the yeare 198. this our Britaine on this side the remembred diuision had generally and publikly receaued the faith of Christ And the very words of Tertullian liuing and dying before this Conuersion of Scotland within the first two hundred yeares by these Protestants before and writing that his booke aduersus Iudaeos longe before and yet saying that the places of Britaine which the Romans could neuer conquere or come vnto Britannorum Romanis inaccessa loca did acknowledge Christ and his name did reigne in them before he wrote doe manifestly conuince it to be so For Tertullian liuing and writing in Afrike could not possibly take notice of things done here in an Iland so farre of presently after they were first effected and by no meanes could either he or any other writer speake of things done so longe after truely to repart them done so longe before If he had bene the greatest Prophet that euer was Therefore both the Testimony of him and Peter Cluniacensis also must needs to be true haue relation to these dayes of sainct Mansuetus and his Associats or others liuing in those times and sent hither by sainct Peter Or els how can we allowe and commend the spirituall loue and charitie of sainct Peter that most glorious Apostle whom we may not controle or of this holy sainct our Contryman made Preist and Bishop by him to this his most beloued contry if he had continually stayed at Tullum so farre hence or there abouts neuer coming hither to releeue the extreame spirituall needs distresses and miseries of this his natiue contry except others were then assigned by the same Apostle to supply and performe that charge In such a case the Order of Christian charitie had otherwise sent him hither and so required both of sainct Peter and this his disciple to preferre this Nation in their heauenly loue That spirit which moued holy Moyses to say to Exod. c. 32. v. 32. God Aut miserere populo huic aut dele me de libro quem scripsisti Either take mercy vpon this people my contry men or blot me out of the booke which thou hast written Rom. c. 9. v. 3. That which inforced and inflamed sainct Paul to write I could wish so our Protestants translate that my selfe were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh Yea the order and lawe of holy loue bound and tied with the chaines thereof the whole Colledge of the blessed Apostles to stay so longe in Iury among their brethren there before they preached vnto the Gentiles And Christ himselfe said he was sent ad oues quae perierunt domus Israel to the lost sheppe of the house of Israel and preached most to the Iewes of whose nation he had receaued his Incarnation Matth. 15. Camden in Belgae edit an 1586. Selden in Analect Girald Cambr. l. de sedis menou dignitate Ioh. Pris defens hist Britannic p. 73. 74. Parker antiq Britanni Anton Sabell lib. de occid Imper. alij 8. Therefore besides all the ProtestaÌ„ts of EnglaÌ„d before recited their cheifest Antiquary coÌ„cludeth that it is a thing certaine not to be questioned or doubted of but the Britans did receaue Christian Religion euen in the very infancy begining of the Church of Christ certum est Britannos in ipsa Ecclesiae Infantia ChristianaÌ„ Religionem imbibisse So M. Selden and others before alledged And though S. Mansuetus be called natione Scotus yet this nothing preiudiceth the preaching of the faith to the BritaÌ„s in the North part of this IlaÌ„d by him or others of his holy coÌ„panions For long after this time all or the greatest part of the inhabitaÌ„ts of that Northren CoÌ„try of Britaine were knowne BritaÌ„s not Scots as is euideÌ„t by all antiquities of this natioÌ„ the preuayling of the Scottish nation there first gaue the denominatioÌ„ of Scotland to it loÌ„ge after being then euen by the Romans called Britaine For as both auncient and late forreine and domesticall antiquaries agree this Iland was longe time after the dayes of sainct Mansuetus diuided into fiue distinct Prouinces and yet euery Sainct Mansuetus made Preist and Bishop by S. Peter prâ—ached in Britaine one called Britannia Britannia prima Britannia secunda Britannia Flauia Britannia Maximia Britannia Valentia Which last was that which was aunciently Albania and after abusiuely because the Scots possessed it Scotland Quinta Valentia Albania scilicet quae nunc abusiuè Scotia dicitur And although this holy Bishop of Britaine is ordinarily called in histories the Bishop of Toul in Lorraine where and where about he seemeth much to haue conuersed and preached after he was promoted to Episcopall order
greate Britaine giue testimony vnto this in these words There are who vpon a very good ground from the words of Gildas the most auncient of our Brittish Historians will haue the sunne of the ghospell longe before the coming of Ioseph of Aramothia hither to haue risen in this our wâ—st and this Iland of Britaine to haue enioyed the very morning Assent the brigtnesse thereof perâ—iâ—g Theater of great Britaine l. 6. c. 9. §. 5. through the mustâ— cloudes of errour and shyning heare in Britaine euen iâ— the 〈◊〉 of Tiberius towards whose end Christ suffered his death and by whose Indulgence towards Christians their profession was propagated farre and neare Which assertion the saied Gildas doth not deliuer couldely or doubtingly but with great confidence and relying vpon good grounds as it appeareth when he saith Scimus c. we know for certainety that this was in the later times of Tiberius which was immediatly after our blessed Sauiours Passion Their Protestant Bishops Bale and Godwyn say The Britans receaued the doctrine and discipline of their Church from the Apoles of Christ The religion of the Britans was that which the Apostles by the commaundemeÌ„t of God deliuered to the Churches of the Christians And continued in the Country of the Britans from the Apostles tyme. Their most renowned Antiquary Sir Camden Clarentieux among Harolds is of the same opinion in diuers editions D. Fulke saith The Britans continued in the faith of Christ from the Apostles Godwyn Conu of Britaine p. 43. 44. Balaeus l. 2. de Act. Rom. pont in Gregor 1. Camden in Britan Fulke Answ to counterf Cath. p. 40. Powel Annotat in l. 2. Giraldi Cambren Itiner Cambr. c. 1. Holinsh. hist of Engl. c. 21. p. 102. Selden in Anal. Gildas epist de Excid Conq. Brit. cap. 6. time An other addeth The doctrine of the Britans and their worship of God was pure and from the Apostles themselues Holinshed saith the Britans Christianity neuer failed from the Apostles time In like manner write diuers others needlesse to be recited And most of them ground vpon the Authoritie of S. Gildas as some of them haue plainely before expressed 4. Therefore for better satisfaction of the Readers I will cite at lardge the words of that holy Auncient British writer as our English Protestants haue published him to the world and some Manuscripts also haue These they are Interea glaciali frigore rigenti Insulae velut longiore terrarum secessu soli visibili non proximae verus ille non de firmamento solum temporali sed de summa etiam caelorum arce tempora cuncta excedente vniuerso orbi praefulgidum sui corruscum ostendens tempore vt scimus summo Tyberij Caesaris quo absque vllo impedimento eius promulgabatur Religio comminata Senatu nolente à Principe morte dilatoribus militum eiusdem radios suos indulget id est sua praecepta Christus In the meane time to this Iland stiffe with forsen could and farre distant from the visible sunne That true sunne which is Christ doth vouchsafe his beames that is to say his precepts shewing to the whole world his glittering brightnesse not onely from the temporall firmament but from his high Tower of heauen exceeding all times in the latter time of Tyberus Caesar without any impediment his Religion was propagated the Prince threateing death to the accusers of his souldiers against the will of the Senate Hitherto the very words of S. Gildas as he is published by Protestants Who freely acknowledge that clause of the time of Tyberius to be wanting in other copies of that holy writer as namely in that which was put forth by Polydor Virgill and others And the very first word of this narration Interea Protestant Ann. in Prologum Gildae in Marg. in cap. 14. in marg in the meane time doe seeme plainely to conuince that they are no part of S. Gildas especially in that sence that he thought this kingdome to haue receaued the faith of Christ in the time of Tyberius but in the dayes of Claudius For they being of a Relatiue nature and hauing relation to that which went before they must in due construction of necessitie proue that this receauing of Religion interea in the meane time was when things last and immediately spoaken of before were done Which were the subiection of the Britans the second time to the Romans Which was in the time of Claudius coming hither in the fourth yeare of his Empire and of Christ the 44. which our Protestants Matth. Westm an Do. 44. 4. Claudij Stowe Holinsh. Camden with others Protest annot in c. 5. Gildae Protest annot tit in c. 6. Gild. notes vpon these places of S. Gildas doe make most manifest For the chapter which goeth immediatly before the recited Authoritie is thus by them intituled De secunda gentis subiectione of the second subiection or subduing of this Nation to the Romans Which was in the beginning of the Reigne of Claudius and then immediately followeth the next chapter wholy before recited and by these Protestants intituled De religione Of religion receaued heare Therefore if the Religion of Christ was receaued by the Britans by Gildas onely Interea in the time when they were subdued by Claudius it cannot be S. Gildas doth not affirme that the Britans receaued the faith in Tiberius time but in the dayes of Claudius gathered from him that they receaued it sooner Otherwise it was not receaued Interea in that time the words of the holy historian But howsoeuer that Authoritie is to be vnderstood It proueth at the least to the greate honour of this kingdome that it receaued the faith of Christ in the beginning at the least of the Empire of Claudius Which George maior and other his Protestant followers doe rather approue in this tenor that immediately after Christs Resurrection vnder Claudius the light of the Gospell was kindled in Britaine And this Georg. maior in Praefat. Stowe Howes histor in Agricola Theater of Britaine l. 6. c. 9. Godwyn Conu pag. 1. 2. Stowe and Howes hist in Agricola Godwyn supr pag. 2. must needs be by some one of the 12. Apostles or their Disciples by the sentence of these Protestants assuring vs first in these words soone after the Ascention of Christ the holy Apostles being dispersed through out the earth diuided the Prouinces among them by lot to preach the ghospell in And againe It is deliuered plainely by sondry auncient writers that Britaine fell in diuision among the Apostles And so of necessitie it must needs receaue the faith of Christ either immediatly by some one of that most blessed company or mediately by their Disciples or both which is most probable in so greate a busines exceeding the labour of one and not performed onely by the schollers and Disciples seeing by these Protestants grounding vpon auncient writers it fell out to the diuision Britaine receaued the faith
from one of the 12. Apostles by Protestants and portion of one of the cheife Masters in this sacred worke one of the Apostles of Christ himselfe Which the holy Prophet seemeth longe before to foreshew of this Iland one of the greatest and most remote longe from Hierusalem when speaking of the Apostles in the person of God he saith as Protestants Isai c. 66. v. 19. translate him And I will set a signe among them and I will send those that escape of them to the Nations to the Iles a farre of that haue not hard my fame neither haue seene my glory and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles Which diuers Protestants and not vnworthily apply to this Iland one of the Theater of Brit. l. 6. Godwyn supr Magdeburgen Centur. 1. l. 2. c. 7. col 518. Euseb l. 3. hist c. 1. Musculus ib. Prochorus hist c. 1. in tom 7. Biblioth patr S. Leo serm 1. de Apost Petro Paul Isidor l. de vita obitu Sanctorum c. 83. 71. Freculph Lexou To. 2. Chronic. l. 2. c. 4. Antiquit. Glast apud Capgrau in S. Patricio al. Hartman Schedel Chronic. Chron. f. 202. p. 1. Nicephorus hist Eccl. l. 3. c. 1. greatest in the world and furthest distant from Iury where this Prophesie was vttered 5. And this diuision a portition of the world among the Apostles to preach and publish the ghospell in is as these Protestants before doe warrant vs as also that Britaine as needs it must being one of the greatest Ilands of the world fell in this diuision among the Apostles Is plainely deliuered by soundry auncient writers The Magdeburgian Protestants tell vs that Eusebius saith it was a Tradition that the Apostles diuided the Prouinces of the world by lott amongst thē Quod Apostoli inter se sortiti sunt orbis terrarum prouincias And Musculus in his translation of Eusebius is witnes from Eusebius that it was the Tradition of the Church sicut traditio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continet Which is confirmed by S. Prochorus one of the seuen Deacons made by the Apostles as we haue his works S. Leo saith That the Apostles vndertooke to preach the Ghospell to the world diuiding it into parts among them diuisis sibi terrarum partibus S. Isidor or whosoeuer that auncient Authour of the booke de vita obitu Sanctorum among his works Freculphus Lexouiensis writeth so also and excludeth S. Paul from any part in this ordinary partition being after called an extraordinary Apostle Paulo cum caeteris Apostolis nulla sors propria traditur So we reade in the auncient Antiquities of Glastenbury Abbey Hartmanus Schedel saith of the Apostles totum orbem per Prouincias inter se partiti sunt The twelue Apostles parted the whole world among them by Prouinces So Nicephorus in many places Apostoli sicut diximus per omnem dispersi terram Prouincias orbis ad Euangelium praedicandum sorte partiti sunt The holy Apostles diuided among them by lot the Prouinces of the world to preach the ghospell Thus our English Protestants Godwyn Stowe Howes and others Godwin Conu of Britaine Stowe Howes hist in Agricola and others Breuiar Roman in vit S. Philipp Apost 1. Maij S. Matt. 21. Sept. Ioa. Whitgift Answer to the Ad. and def Bilson against the Purit Barl. Ser. of Bish. Bridg. def of the Eccl. gouern Covel def of Hooker Downam l. 4. c. 4. of Bishops 6. And to make all sure the Church of God in the publike offices of the holy Apostles S. Philip on the first day of may and S. Matthew the 21. of September propoundeth the same for a certaine truth vnto vs. Neyther doth the rule of our Protestants Religion their communion Booke impugne it and so none doe contradict it And our Parlament Protestants of England such as stand for the dignities and functions of Bishops against the Presbyterian Puritans such as their Bishops Whitgift Bilson Barlow Bridges and others make a reason of this diuision not onely the better to deriue true doctrine but Iurisdiction also vnto Bishops succeeding them both in doctrine and Episcopall power It is manifest say these men that the Bishops haue receaued and deriued their authoritie from the Apostles whose successors they are not onely in respect of doctrine but also in the gouernment of the seuerall Churches not onely Diocesian Bishops but Archbishops such as Metropolitans are were from the Apostles time And they exemplifie who these were in many places where the Apostles preached And yet this nothing hindereth any thing I haue written before of diuers Britans of this Nation conuerted to the faith of Christ before the time of Claudius for I shewed that to haue bene the great extraordinary grace and fauour of Christ to those persons now I entreate of the ordinary calling and Conuersion of this Country among others by the publike consent and agreement of the Apostles which although it was before the calling of S. Paul to be an Apostle yet I do not thereby goe about to exclude him from this holy worke wherein being extraordinarily called he laboured as extraordinary and probably also honored this Nation with his presence although after it had receaued the faith of Christ The diuision of the world being among the 12. Apostles before S. Paul his Consecration THE IX CHAPTER WHEREIN IS PROVED BY PROTESTANT Antiquaries that among the three Apostles S. Peter S. Paul and S. Symon Zelotes which are thought by any Antiquaries to haue preached heare in Britaine it was not S. Paul which first preached heare but S. Peter 1. NOw therefore being thus warranted by so generall a consent and harmony of cheife Protestants that the Faith of Christ was so soone preached in this Iland by some or other of the holy Apostles there is no difference cōcerning the vndoubted truth of that sacred Religiō whether it was by S. Peter Paul Andrew Iames Ihon or any of the rest all of them after the coming of the holy Ghost being as infallibly confirmed in grace and truth as S. Peter or whosoeuer in any opinion was cheifest among them yet in other respects it is not vnworthie a short inquiry by these men Needfull to knowe who was our first Apostles who in particular it was First because in the end of this first hundred of yeares I shall deliuer in particular so farre as these Protestants my Directours will giue me leaue what Religion it was which euery of our Apostles and Masters in Christ taught and deliuered to this Nation for knowledge whereof the knowledge who they were is first to be required Secondly in that respect we shall be tied with a more strict and binding obligation of dutie and debt to render our most obedient and respectiue filiall obseruance of religious children to that our worthie father in Christ who trauailed so farre and paynefull a iorney from Hierusalem to this Nation to make vs his regenerate children with so many and
Zelotes who according to diuers auncient writers among The Authour of the English Marty rologe printed ann 1608. 28. Octobr his greate mistaking authorities other his PeregrinatioÌ„s came into our IlaÌ„d of Britany about the yeare of Christ fourty and sixe and there preached the Christian faith baptized ordeined Preists DeacoÌ„s erected Churches and the like whereby we may worthely call him our Apostle and with greater solemnitie celebrate his feast by whom we receaued so singular graces benefites He afterward went into Persia with S. Iude to preach the ChristiaÌ„ faith to the infidels of that Country where at last he receaued the reward of his labours by martyrdome Nicephor l. 2. c. 40. Pol. Vir. l. 7. hist West ann 636. 652. Dor. in Synopsi Matth. Westm an 125. being nayled to a crosse though Dorotheus writeth that he suffered and was buried in Britany Hitherto this Authour and he citeth for his warrant as I haue placed theÌ„ in the Margin Nicephorus Polidor Virgil Matthew Westminster Dorotheus Of all which not any one affirmeth these things Matthew Westminster Poildor Vergil doe not so much as name S. Simon the Apostle except Matthew Westminster saith he was Bishop of Hierusalem next after S. Iames. Dorotheus doth not say that S. Simon the Apostle was either crucified or at all in Persia neither doth Nicephorus neither doth any of these or any other say that S. SimoÌ„ was heare about the yeare of Christ 46. neither caÌ„ that possibly be true by any coÌ„putation for by the vndeniable testimonies of many auncieÌ„t Fathers he was preseÌ„t with other of the Apostles at the death of the blessed Virgin in the same yeare or 45. yet by Nicephorus all that seeme to thinke Matth. Westm an 45. Dorotheus in Synop. Niceph. l. 2. c. 40. loc cit he was in Britaine he preached both through Mauritania all Afrike therefore noe being for him in Britaine at that time Nicephorus maketh it more vnpossible saying he trauailed through Egypt and Africk theÌ„ through Mauritania and all Lybia preaching the ghospell And the same doctrine he brought to the Occidâ—ntall Ocean Which all Cosmographers know not to be that part of the Otean which is next vnto vs vpoÌ„ the coste of Afrike for Britaine froÌ„ thence is in the Boreale North Ocean the Occidentall OceaÌ„ of Afrike is that which is next to the Asores Chanary Ilands others exteÌ„ding towards America Which seemeth to haue bene that which deceaued Nicephorus if he though Abrah Ortel in typo Orbis Africae descript Ptolom Bilibald Pirckeymher lij in Afric Stephan v. Brit. Isac in Lymphr S. SimoÌ„ came froÌ„ the west Ocean to the Brittish IlaÌ„ds taking perhaps all those IlaÌ„ds to be coÌ„prehended vnder that name But more probable it is that the Britannia to which S. Simon went if to any or was put to death in is the Britannia in the East Country neare vnto Persia For Isacius is witnes that of ould there were three Britaines this which we inhabit a second about Thyle now Island a third in the Easte which is most like to be that which Dorotheus Nicephorus meane in this matter Or if we will say that S. SimoÌ„ went froÌ„ the west coast Ocean of Afrike vnto Persia if he passed by the MediterreÌ„ Adriake sea which was his easiest iorney going by Iury as he did he passed by Britannis or Britannia an Iland in the Adriacke Sea called by some Elaphusa Stephanus v. Brettotia Brettannis or Elaphites 12. myles from Malta by Pliny And that there was an other Britania or BritaÌ„nis in the same passadge betweene Afrike Italy is testified by our English Protestants in their Theater who cite Polybius for Authour that Speed Theater l. 5. c. 4. Polyb. Eglog l. 10. 11. 42. Camden in Brit. Theater l. 5. c. 1. §. 11. Claudius Ptolomaeus in Geograph Sebast Munster in Cosmograph Bilibald Pirck-emher in Ptolom Abrah Ortelius in Theatro Orbis Rich. Hackluyt trauails of English c. Isidor l. de viâ—a morte Sanctoâ—um in S. Simone Harris Hist Ecc. of Britaine to 1. M. S. HaÌ„nibal was inclosed within the streights of Britaine which must needs be about Italy neare Afrike not out of his iorney by Sea to Iury Persia wheÌ„ if he had come by our Britaine to goe thither he should either haue returned the same way againe or compassed the greatest part of the whole coÌ„tinent passed the frozen seas by the North pole which way no man is remeÌ„bred and knowne to haue gone at that time yet vncertaine whether passable or no after his laÌ„ding he had most vast and Barbarous CouÌ„tries to trauaile through where no man writeth he euer was before he could come to Persia as all Cosmographers auncient late are witnesses wheÌ„ passing by the other Britaine or British IlaÌ„ds he had a short ready Iorney by sea by laÌ„d to trauaile onely through Iury or Syria to Persia those CouÌ„tries there where these ProtestaÌ„ts others tell vs he preached liued loÌ„g was put to death This was his trauaile by laÌ„d as we haue heard before froÌ„ such as wrote the life of that holy Apostle And that was the part which fell vnto him as S. Isidore others affirme when the Apostles diuided the world among theÌ„ to preach the Ghospell in 7. An other late writer there is who in his Manuscript History neuer printed would bring him hither after S. Paul which also some Protestants haue vrged before But I haue answeared this in theÌ„ already long before that time Britaine had by these protestaÌ„ts receaued the faith of christ The like I say to those Protestants which would haue S. Philip the Apostle to send S. Ioseph of Aramathia hither out of Fraunce in or about the yeare of Christ 63. many ChristiaÌ„s being heare by there owne coÌ„fession loÌ„g before that time yet wheÌ„ I come S. Philip the Apostle neuer came into Gallia Fraunâ—â— ly Britaine nor neare vnto it to the dayes of S Iosephs coming into this Iland I will proue at large that S. Philip the Apostle neuer came into this Gallia or neare vnto it For this place it will suffice that both by ProtestaÌ„ts Catholiks S. Philip the Apostle was crucified in Hierapolis in Phrygia many yeares before this his supposed sending S. Ioseph hither from this our Fraunce or Gallia So there is no place or possibilitie Protestant Author of the historie l'estat de l'Eglise printed an 1556. Euseb in Chronic. an 54. Philip. Borgom an 52. left for any Apostle but S. Peter to haue bene our first Father Master in Christian Religion Which I shall more plainely directly make this manifest hereafter In the meane time I am to set downe some former labours and proceedings of this holy Apostle S. Peter yet onely such as haue connection with our Ecclesiasticall Historie of Britaine THE XI CHAPTER
to be illuminated by thee assureth vs it was the whole west part of the world and not a portion of it onely that was thus by our blessed Sauiour commended and committed to sainct Peter to be illuminated in the true faith by him Neyther could the words of the Rabins or Sybils in this matter be otherwise performed in this greate fisher sainct Peter and his hooke not onely to subiect the city of Rome but Reges the Kings of the Empire and west vnto him nor Rome be truely termed the cheifest place or permancy of the Messias to rule in all the world except this his vicegerent sainct Peter and his successors there by the conuersion of these nations vnto Christ had effected and made it so As we see accordingly as they foretold this fisher his hooke haue made the name of Christ the lambe of God so glorious in that City ouer all the world of Christians and vsque ad fines saeculi and shall so continue to the end of the world as that prophesie agreable with the holy Fathers and scriptures themselues assureth vs. 6. And if we may beleeue the Protestant writers eyther of this or other nations they put vs out of all doubt that sainct Peter both by himselfe in his owne labours in these westerne parts and Plaga Quarter of the world and by his holy and learned disciples most diligently performed this office charge imposed vpon him Our English Protestants are witnesses that the labours trauailes of S. Peter in preaching in these CouÌ„tries were so longe painefull that he did not accomplish them vntill the foureteenth the last yeare of Nero Bassus and Tuscus being then Roman Consuls our Protestants words The holy Stowe and Ed. Howe 's hist of the Romanesan Dom. 70. in Iul. Agricola Apostle S. Peter hauing accomplished his preaching in the west parts returned to Rome where he preached againe as he did before Henricus Pantaleon a german Protestant writeth Cum Diuus Petrus Ecclesiam Christi Romae verbo Dei salutifero pasceret non contentus fuit vno in loco gentilium superstitiones tollere vineam Domini plantare verumetiam ad alias partes pios eruditos viros suos discipulos Henricus Pantal. de viris Illustrib Germ. parte 1. p. 200. ad an 55. emisit qui homines instruerent when S. Peter did feede the Church of Christ at Rome with the holesome word of God he was not content to roote out the superstitions of the Gentiles and plant the vineyard of our Lord in one place but he sent Godly and learned meÌ„ his Disciples to other parts to instruct the people What these were in particular which he thus sent and to what parts of the west he sent them I shall in some parte declare hereafter For this present I speake in generall Henricus 8. Rex Anâ—â—iae in assert 7. Sacram. art 2. of these westerne nations of which also King Henry the eight in his booke against Luther writeth Negare Lutherus non potest quin omnis Ecclesia fidelium sacro sanctam sedem Romanam velut matrem primatemque recognoscat ac veneretur quaecunque saltem neque locorum distantia neque periculis interiacentibus prohibetur accessu Luther cannot denie but euery Church of the faithfull doth acknowledge and reuerence the holy See of Rome as their mother and primate how farre distant soeuer it be from it and daungers betweene them And Marcus Antonius de Dominis euen at that time when he most professed himselfe a Protestant Marc. Anton. de Dominis l. 4. ca. 10. de Repub. Christ and defendor of our English Protestants and most earnest against the see of Rome yet thus confesseth Est caput Roma quatenus ab ea diffusum est Euangelium in reliquas totius ocoidentis Ecclesias in multas Orientis at que in barbaras etiam extra Romanum Imperium nationes Rome is the head because from it the Ghospell was diffused to the rest of the Churches of all the west and to many of the east and to barbarous Nations euen out of the Romane Empire Where we see plainely acknowledged that all the Churches of this west part of the world receaued the faith of Christ from sainct Peter and the See of Rome 7. Wherefore our King Iames in open Parlament publikely pronounced of the Roman Church It is our mother Church An other calleth Kinge Iames Speach in Parl. 1. Ormorod pict Pap. pag. 184. it The eye of the west From which this Nation among others must needs first receaue their sight in Christ Neither can any man without a preiudicate minde considering what hath beene written before be of other opinion Yet we may add much more to that which is already written As that Arnobius who liued with in the first 300. yeares of Christ speaking of the conuersion of the Gentiles and sainct Peters preachinge saith of him that Arnob. l. 2. adu gentes he preached in Insulis atque prouincijs omnibus quas sol Oriens aâ—que Occidens lustrat in all Ilands and prouinces which the sonne rising and setting doth compassc all Iles and prouinces in the west part of the world Michael Singelus saith of him Michael Syngelus in Martyrio Dionisij Areop Regiam vrbem miraculis editis illustrauit occiduâ—m obscuritatem in splendorem clarissimum commutauit Peter did make the Kingly city renowned with the miracles he wrought and chaunged the darkenes of the west into a most bright slyninge by which obscure west he must needs to speake truely meane these furthest and most westerne parts as I haue vrged in the like case before Nicephorus saith of sainct Peter Petrus per orbem habitabilem vadens Ecclesias vbïque constituit Nicephor lib. 2. hist c. 35. Romanam quos supradiximus Successoribus commisit Lino videlicet Anacleto tertio Clementi Peter trauayling throughout the inhabited worlds appointed Churches euery where and committed the Church of Rome to his successors which we haue named before Linus Anacletus so he calleth Cletus and Clement the third And againe Orbem peragrauit he trauayled throughout the world The like haue many others the number of them is too greate to be recited all agreing that after he came to Rome he consecrated there two Bishops sainct Linus and Cletus to supply the spirituall needs in that place and he himselfe trauayled often to preach in these western Regions as he did in the Easte before when he had his Residency at Antioch as the scripture itselfe with all or most Antiquities of that busines are witnesses And this may suffice in generall for the labours of that holy Apostle in these westerne parts so farre as they coÌ„cerne the History of this Nation which we haue in hand What he performed in particular in this kinde and belongeth to the Ecclesiasticall affaires of Britaine so much as these my Protestant directors will giâ—e me leaue shall immediately appeare THE XII CHAPTER WHEREIN
auncient Catalogues of their Churches that sainct Peter about the yeare of Christ 55. or before longe before S. Paul or any other Apostle came to Rome or to any of these parts sent S. Maternus Eucherius and Valerius who conuerted Alsatia Treuers Argentine Mentz Colin and those Contryes Of his directing and sending sainct Clement our renowned Countryman sainct Mansuetus with others into or neare the same parts I haue related before And to the parts of Germany nearer to Dēmarke the same glorious Apostle sainct Peter sent sainct Aegistus one of the 72. Disciples and sainct Marianus into the Coūtryes of Germany next to Holst and Denmarke who was Martyred there Flanders and the lowe Countryes receaued the faith from this our Nation by the preaching of such as were sent and authorized by the Church of Rome as our Protestant Authours of the Theater of greate Britaine tell vs. For Denmarke Norway Island and those parts we haue proofe from our Protestants of England the auncient lawes of sainct Edward and other Antiquities that they receaued the faith of Christ from such also of this Nation as were licenced warranted thereunto from the Popes of Rome The French and German writers both Catholiks and Protestants testifie Britannos Normannos Picardos omnemque maris Oceani tractum instruxit formanitque side sanctus Nicasius à sancto Clemente Apostolus illuc delegatus Imperante Nerone sainct Nicasius being sent thither Apostle in the tyme of Nero by sainct Clement did instruct and forme in the faith the Britans Normans Picards and all the coaste of the Ocean Sea 2. And to cōpasse all the next parts of the continent and make sure worke that no preachers of the faith of Christ did or could come hither but from S. Peter and his Apostolike See of Rome If we circuite France and Spayne and returne that way into Italy againe we shall finde it so For although we reade that S. Iames the Apostle was in Spayne yet it was before the Gentils were preached vnto and profited not there in that kinde but left the labour and glory thereof to sainct Peter The publike Acts of sainct Iames his life beare record Hispaniam adijsse ibi aliquos ad fidem conuertisse Ecclesiarum illius prouincia traditio est ex quorum numero septem postea episcopi a beato Petro ordinati in Hispaniam primi directi sunt It is the tradition of the Churches of that prouince that sainct Iames the Apostle went into Spayne and there conuerted some to the faith of which number seuen were after made Bishops by sainct Peter and were the first were sent thither The Romane Martyrologe Vsuardes sainct Beda Ado Pope Gregory the seuenth in his epistle to kinge Alphonsus or Adelphonsus Vincentius and others haue the like and name those seuen Bishops ordeynad by S. Peter and by him sent into Spayne to be these Torquatus Cresiphontes Secundus Indaletius Caecilius Hesichius and Euphasius Amonge whome Pope Gregory writeth of these Bishops sent into Spayne by sainct Peter Destructa Idololatria Christianitatem fundauere Religionem plantuere ordinem officium ostendere hauing destroyed Idolatrie they fownded Christianitie and planted Religion and shewed order and dutie The generall Spannish historye of Spayne Beuter and others write that sainct Iames conuerted there onely 9. parsons and speaking of the time of Claudius longe before sainct Paule came to Rome affirme Sainct Saturnine S. Peters disciple was sent into Spayne he which was the first Bishop of Tholose who preached at Pampelone and there conuerted in seuen dayes fourtie thousand parsons So that we see the kingdome of Spayne receaued the faith by sainct Peter his Disciples and direction 3. Now let vs wynde nearer to Italy and goe to Marseils where we finde that renowned history of S. Lazarus and Maximinus coming thither with sainct Mary Magdalen and her Sister sainct Martha That these two holy Bishops were also directed by sainct Peter we cannot doubt when we finde it proued by many Authours that sainct Maximinus was vnus ex Gulile Eisengr centenar 1. part 5. 72. Discipulis Christi cui à diuo Petro Apostolorum Principe Maria Magdalena commendata fuerat one of the 72. Disciples of Christ to whome Mary Magdalene was committed by sainct Peter Prince of the Apostles And as we reade in the acts of sainct Martha this Disciple of sainct Peter sainct Maximinus baptized Maistre Puiel hist in vita S. Mariae Magdal 22. Iulij Volater Petr. de Natal b. Antonin Vuern Bed Hamular Fortunat. Episcopus Treuer apud Eisengr Centen 1. part 1. dist 3. an D. 46. all that family And after their coming vnto Marseils their dependance of sainct Peter then being come to Rome was no lesse then before for the French Antiquities tell vs That after the Ascension of our Lord an 14. the Iewes raised so horrible a persecution against the Christians that the most part fled whether they could S. Maximinus accōpanied with S. Lazarus taketh Mary Magdalen Martha Marcella her hand-mayde and S. Cedoyne borne blynde whome our Lord made to see and committed themselues to the Sea to auoyde the fury of the Iewes they arriue at Marseils after by the persuasion of sainct Mary Magdalen the Prince of Marseils was Christened and went to Rome and was there directed by sainct Peter And this Iorney of King or Duke Stephē of Fraunce to sainct Peter at Rome to excuse himselfe of the Martyrdome of sainct Valeria his wife when he was a Pagan is the common opinion of French Historians treating of that time Therefore we cannot Question but those holy Bishops sainct Maximinus and Lazarus who thus directed others so greate a Iorney to Rome to be instructed and receaue directions from S. Peter there were in the same case of dependancie from him themselues 4. Thus wee haue compassed all the Sea coasts of Italy Spayne Fraunce round about and finde all places furnished with holy preachers from sainct Peter and the See Apostolik of Rome For the other Countryes of Germany Denmarke Norwey and the rest I haue related how their conuersion was longe after from this Nation And Origen writeth that those Countries in his time had not yet heard the word of the Ghospell Circa Oceanum Daci Origen tract 28. in Matth. Sarmati Scythae nondum audierunt Euangelij verbum Concerning the inward parts of Fraunce being a Country nearest vnto vs we finde all the Bishops thereof being many to be the Disciples of sainct Peter and sent from him And to begin with the cheifest and Primate there to whom the others were subordinate Eisengrenius from many Authors proueth that S. Guliel Eisengr Centen 1. part 1. dist 3. f. 56. an D. 54. He citeth Bed Martyrol prid cal Ianuar. Petr. de Natal l. 2. c. 25. Antonin part 1. tit 6. c. 25. §. 3. Martin in Chron. Vicel in Hagialog Vuern Carthusian in Fasic tempor Sauinianus or Sabinus one of the 72. Disciples of Christ was by sainct
before must needs be from S. Peter And we reade in an Epistle of Pope Ihon the fift written in the yeare 686. to Ethelred King of the Marshes and to Alfride King of Northumberland on the behalf of Bishop Wilfrid for the restoring his Chuch vnto him with certaine Monasteries that this land of Britaine first receaued the faith of Christ by S. Peter Ioa. Pap. 5. epist ad Ethelred Alfrid Reges Guliel Malmes l. 3. de Pontific c. de Archiep. Ebor ex libr. Step. Cantuariens in vita S. Wilfrid Archiepis Ebor. Harr. hist tom 1. cheife of the Apostles the words are as followe Dominis eminentissimis Ethelredo Regi Merciorum Alfrido Regi Deirorum Bernitiorum Ioannes Papa de vestra Religionis accâ—ssibus gratia Dei cooperante gaudemus feruorem fidâ—i â—ernentes in vobis quam ex praedicatione principis ApostoloruÌ„ Deo vestros animos illuminante percepistis efficaciter tenetis Pope Ihon to the most â—â—inent Lords Ethelred King of the Mercians and Alfride King of the Deires and Bernitians we reioyce of the accesses of your Religion the grace of God cooperating perceauing the feruour of faith in you which you haue receaued â—y the preaching of the prince of the Apostles Where we playâ—ely see the first preaching of the faith of Christ in those parts ascribed to S. Peter the Apostle For testimony whereof we may also add the words of Pope Alexander the third in his epistle to King Henry the second of England where he playnely saith That England was vnder S. Peters protection euer since Christs name was glorified there Or why did Arnobius that renowned father 1200. yeares since speaking of S. Alexand. Pap. 3. epist ad Henric. 2. Reg. Angl. Eugubin de donatione Const Arnobiuâ— lib. 2. contra gentes Peters trauayles say that he preached in all the Ilands and prouinces of the west in Insulis prouincijs quas Sol occidens lustrat except he thought he was heare in Britaine the most renowned Iland of all the western world Where the lesser and more vnnoble are included as by such generall words they are the most noble and worthie cannot be thought to be excluded 4. And so certaine this seemeth that a late writer inclineth to think that Harris in Theatr l. 1. S. Peter gaue denomination to some places at his being heare There is saith this Authour in the North parts an old Citie called Aldclihit which in the Britans time many hundred yeares passed bore his S. Peters name For Aldclihit in the Brittish tonge is as much to say as Peters Clyhit or Peterclyhit for so Henricus Huntingtoniensis a learned Author of reuereÌ„d antiquitie telleth vs in his first booke of Histories where he saith Orientalis autem habet in medio sui vrbem Guidi Henric. Hunting l. 1. hist occidentalis supra se hoc est ad dextram sui habet vrbem Aldclyhit quod lingua BritonuÌ„ significat Petrum Clyhit est autem iuxta fluuium nominis illius Thus in This Authour wrote before the printing â—f Henry of Huntington by the Protestans so citeth the Manuscript For the printed booke hath Petram Clyhit and not Petâ—um English the east part of Northumberland hath in the midst of it a cytie called Guidi and in the west part on the right hand thereof there is a cytie called Aldclyhit which in the Britans languadge doth signifie Peters Clyhit or Peter Clyhit The which standeth vppon a Ryuer of the same name In which sence also the words of S. Prosper seeme to be vnderstoode who writing of S. Celestine Pope of Rome his care to purdge this Iland of the Pelagian Heresie and conuert Ireland to the faith of Christ speaketh in this manner dum Romanam Insulam studet seruare Catholicam fecit etiam Barbaram Christianam while â—e studieth to keepe the Roman Iland Catholike he also made the Barbarous Iland Christia Whereas Prosper l. contra collatorem c. 41. by the Barbarous Iland he vnderstandeth Ireland so by the Roman Iland he meaneth and describeth this Iland of Britaine Which can in no other sence especially at that time be called the Roman Iland but as it was vnder S. Peters spirituall Empire and Regiment and his Successours Popes of Rome For first in respect of temporall subiection this Iland was neuer at any time wholly Romana Insula a Romane Iland all those Countryes beyond Seuerus or Adrians wall were free from subiection to the Romans and in S. Prosper his time and S. Celestine of which he speaketh It was further from hauing any such denomination both Scots Picts and Saxons hauing inuaded and spoyled diuers prouinces of that part Which the Romans did formerly possesse and the Romans at that time had nothing at all to doe in this Iland but the Britans had Kings of their owne as Vortigern Vortimer Aurelius Ambrosius and others Which construction of S. Prosper is more warranted by the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury who citeth Cardinal Pole the Popes legate in these termes neuer improuing but allowing them haÌ„c Insulae nobilitatem atque gloriaÌ„ Dei prouidentiae atque beneficientiae soli acceptam ferendam sed tamen Matth. Parket l. antiquâ—t Brâ—t â—n Reginaâ—d Pol. Cardina p. 351. 1. cap. 69. viaÌ„ ipsam atque rationeÌ„ qua haec nobilitas atque gloria parta est a sede Romana nobis pâ—imo semperque monstratam patefactam fuisse we must ascribe tâ—is nobilitie and glory of this Iland to haue the first of all receaued the faith of Christ to the prouidence and Bounty of God but yett that the away and meanes how this Nobilitie and glory â—as gotten to this nation was first and alwayes shewed and made open from the See of Rome Which must needs be extended and ascend to S. Peter and the Apostles time as the words primo semperque first and alwayes doe demonstrate for it is the common opinion of our Protestant writers and amonge them three of their Bishops here cited that Britanniae Ecclesiae origo ab Apostolis ipsis Parker in Indice v. Britannia Bal. l. de Scriptor Cent. 1. in Ioseph Ara. Godwyn Conu of Brit. c. 2. p. 15. Theater of great Britaine l. 6. cap. 9. pag. 202. probatur that the begynning of the Church of Britaine was from the Apostles 5. How the first Apostle that preached heare could be no other then S. Peter I haue made manifest by our Protestants before and in their Theater of greate Britaine their best learned Antiquaries from diuers authors and approued Antiquities thus testifie sainct Peter the Apostle is supposed to haue preached in Britaine And agayne That S. Peter the Apostle preached the word of life in this Iland as to other Nations he did for whome God had chosen him that from his mouth they might heare the ghospell and beleeue as himself alledgeth and that he heare founded Churches and ordeyned Preists and Deacons which is reported Metaphrast Gul.
Question that he was heare both in the time of Claudius and Nero also his being heare in the dayes of Claudius what time soeuer it was of his Empire must needes be long before S. Paul S. Ioseph of Aramathia or any other that is thought to haue preached heare or came into these parts as I haue proued already as also that S. Peter was heare in that time To which I add the testimony of Gildas our most auncieÌ„t renowned Historian who in his booke De Excidio Britanniae Gildas Epist de Excid Britan. of the destruction of Britaine thus writeth Ita vt non Britannia sed Romania censeretur Et quicquid habere potuisseâ— aeris argenti vel auri Imagine Caesaris notaretur Interea glaciali frigore rigenti Insulae velut longiore terrarum secessu soli visibili non proximae verus ille non de firmamento solum temporali sed de summa etiam caelorum arce tempora cuncta excedente vniuerso orbi praefulgidum sui coruscum ostendens radios suos primum indulget id est sua praecepta Christus So that this Iland might be rather deemed Romania then Britannia and what soeuer Coyne it had eyther Brasse siluer or gold it was stamped with the Image of the Roman Emperor In the meane time while these things were doeing Christ who is the true Sunne not onely from the temporall firmament but from the high Tower of heauen exceeding all times showing his exceeding brightnes to the whole world doth first afford his beames to wit his precepts to this Iland stiffe with frozen cold and by a long distance of land remoued from the visible sunne These be the true and vndoubted words of S. Gildas in all examples both written and printed which I haue seene and the other words of propagating the lawe of Christ by the permission of Tyberius the Emperor against the will of the Senate not so certaine to be the words of that holy and auncient Father but some later addition and cannot be well applyed to this kingdome where Tyberius had not such command and power as this Saint affirmeth the Romans had in this kingdome when Christ first afforded his precepts primuÌ„ Indulget Christus to this cold and termed frozen Iland For it is certaine by all Antiquities that this great subiection of the Britans vnto the Emperors of Rome did neuer fall out vntill the time of Claudius 3. Therefore seeing this Nation did first receaue the faith of Christ Primum at that time it must needes be in the time of Claudius when first and neuer before this Iland was in that state he there describeth And this is that very time which so many Antiquaries Catholiks Protestants S. Simon Metaphrastes Surius Lippomannus Sir William Camden Andrie Chesne and others before named agree vpon that S. Peter preached in this kingdome To which S. Paul himselfe by our ProtestaÌ„ts constructioÌ„ interpretation by his epistle writteÌ„ to the RomaÌ„s at that time among so many Christians in Rome then which he remeÌ„breth and neuer once saluting eyther S. Peter S. Aristobulus S. Clement or any one that is supposed to haue bene in these parts with S. Peter giueth no small allowance And yet in this epistle he taketh vpoÌ„ him certaine knowledge that the faith of the Romans which was plaÌ„ted by S. Peter annuntiatur in vniuerso muÌ„do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your faith is preached or shewed in all the world therefore also in Britaine so greate a NatioÌ„ of this westerne world the RomaÌ„ Empire for as our ProtestaÌ„ts inferre froÌ„ Rom. 1. v. 8. that epistle if S. Paul had not knowne S. Peter was not theÌ„ in Rome he would haue saluted him whom he so much honoured and loued For as in the beginning of that epistle he generally saluteth all omnibus qui sunt Romae dilectis Rom. 1. supr Dei vocatis Sanctis gratia vobis pax à Deo patre nostra Domino Iesu Christo To all that are at Rome beloued of God called Saincts grace be to you and peace from God our father and our Lord Iesus Christ So in the later end of the same epistle Rom. cap. 16. he saluteth by name Prisca Aquila Epaenetus Mary Andronicus Iulius Ampliatus Vrbanus Stachis Apelles and many others there named Neuer saluting S. Peter or any which are thought to haue bene with him either in Britaine Fraunce or Germany or any Nation on this side of Rome or sent thither about this time by S. Peter of which I haue named many before among which diuers were of the number of the 72. Disciples and acquaintance of S. Paul and among the acquaintance of this Apostle he doth not salute S. Aristobulus nor S. Narcissus though he saluteth their families then in Rome salutate eos qui sunt ex Aristobuli salutate eos qui sunt ex Narcissi domo salute theÌ„ that be of the houshold of Aristobulus Salute them that be of the household of Narcissus Therefore being so familiar with S. Aistobulus and Narcissus kind vnto theÌ„ that he saluteth their families for his loue to theÌ„ we must needs coÌ„clude that S. Paul well knew they were not then in Rome And being absent at that time from their families and thence and the knowne Disciples of S. Peter as all at Rome then were where should they especially S. Aristobulus our Bishop or Archbishop of Britaine as I haue shewed before be at that time but with S. Peter their Master heare who then at the writing of this epistle of S. Paul to the Romans was as I haue proued before by many testimonies both of Protestants and others in this our Britaine For this epistle of S. Paul was written after the assembly of tbe Apostles at Hierusalem about the Assumpsion of the blessed Virgin by all writers and S. Paul himselfe is Gal. 2. v. 1. 9. both witnesse that he saw S. Peter there and stayed some time with him and that the Church of Rome was then so well founded that their faith was famous and renowned in all the world therefore S. Peter the founder thereof being to bestowe the rest of his time by Christs direction vnto him in conuerting this our Britaine other western nations we must needes conclude from hence also that S. Peter which was then come from the East againe into these parts and was not at Rome but had left S. Linus and Cletus to supply Episcopall duties there was heare in Britaine at that time as so many before haue witnessed And as the holy Apostles at their meetings imparted their iorneys they were to take in preaching the ghospell one to an other as they did in their first diuision of the world among them for the better effecting their most holy office and charge committed to them by Christ So S. Peter â—â— much beloued of S. Paul and so greate a louer of him that he calleth him hiâ— most beloued would not conceale his intended
with them to continue to succeeding Generations How poore the ChristiaÌ„ Churches were in thâ—se times when the Church of Glastenbury builded by the Licence of King Aruiragus and at the entreatie of the Roman Lieutenant as Harding from others writeth by the holy company of S. Ioseph was made but of writhen wands and so desolate within one hindred and three yeares onely after the first building Harding Chroic c. 47. f. 7â— Antiq. Glascon apud Capgrau in S. Patricio Et M. S. antiq ib. Bed Hist Angl. Capgrau in Catal. in S. Niniano Bed hist Angl. l. 2. cap. 14. of it that caepit locus esse ferarum latibulum qui prius fuerat habitatio Sanctorum The place which had bene an habitation of Saints began to be a Dene of wylde beasts And diuers hundreds of yeares after this the first Church of stone to remayne durable that is remembred to haue bene in Britaine was builded by S. Ninian at witherne as S. Bede and others write and King Edwine of Northumberland long after S. Augustins coming hither was christened at Yorke in the Church of S. Peter the Apostle which he had builded of wood in Ecclesia S. Petri Apostoli quam ipse de ligno construxit And the dayes euen heare in Britayne were then such for Christians that we must rather seeke their places of abode and poore Oratories among the Desarts and obscure corners in Cells and Cotages then in populous cities and costly buildings As our auncient Christian Poet writing of such times in Britayne thus expresseth Sic vt erat celebris cultu numeroque Deorum Nochamus apud Bal. alios Cum Iouis Imperium staret Britannia tellus Sic vbi terrestres caelo descendit ad oras Expectata salus patribus fuit inclyta Sanctis Qui Neptunicolum campos Cambrica rura Corineasque casas loca desolata colebant Which our Protestants haue thus translated for vs. Tâ—â—aâ—eâ— of gâ—â—â—t Bâ—â—tainel 5. c. 4. As were the Britans famous for their zeale To gentile Gods whiles such they did adore So when the heauens to earth did truth reueale Blessed was that Land with truth and learning store Whence Brittish plaines and Cambreas desart ground â—o Bal. l. 1. dâ— vit Pontif. Roman Bap. Mantuan l. 1. de Fast And Cornewals â—rags with glorious Saints abound To which purpose a ProtestaÌ„t Bishop doth alledge an other Christian Poet in this maner Nam cum Caesarei gens sanguinolenta tyranni Praedacentur oues Christi nullasque liceret Christigenis habitare vrbes impune ferarum Consortes facti fines tenuere supremos Orbis When the persecution of Nero the Tirant grew so bloody and destroyed the sheepe of Christ and no Christians might without punishement liue in cites They became companions of wild beasts and inhabited the vttermost ends of the world Therefore if out of the priuate houses of Christians in those times we would finde any places to beare the names of publike Churches or Oratories for the Christians then conuerted though neuer so meane and obscure we must seeke them out of frequent and inhabited places in the Deserts and wildernesses whether the rage of persecution did not so easily penetrate 2. And to finde any such after so many huÌ„dreds of yeares and changes of things in this kingdome we must be content with probable Arguments and Probahle that S. Peters Church at westminster had some Originall at this time testimonyes as is vsuall in such cases not expect demonstrations which caÌ„not be giuen in such affaires AmoÌ„g such Deserts of that time diuers ProtestaÌ„t and other Antiquaries will tell vs the place of S. Peters Church at Westminster was Thus they write Thorney now Westminster was called Thorney-Iland for that is was ouergrowne with Briers and Thornes which Thorney place was in the Ihon Norden in Specul Britan. pag. 4. 2. Polidor Virgil. Angl. hist l. 2. pag 41. Holnish Hist of Engl. l. 4. c. 10. pag. 25. Harris descript of Brit. cap. 2. pag. 140. Richard Vit. Hist l. 5. Io. Selden Anaclet cap. 6. Sulcardus apud Vit. Seld. Stowe hist in K. Lucius Holinsh. hist supr Harrison sup Ihon Norden Specul Brit. part 1. in Middelsex pag. 42. time of King Lucius clensed about the yeare 186. which Lucius is said to lay the first foundation of the greate Temple of S. Peters Which clensing of that place by this religious King building a Church there and dedicating it to S. Peter giueth no swall argument vnto vs to thinke it had a more auntient founding with some Relation from the beginning to that holy Apostle otherwise there were many farre more fit and conuenient places in or about the City of London to build so stately a Church then a desolate briery and thorney Iland And the Church of S. Peter in Cornhill being dedicated to him and the Cathedrall Church by all Antiquities we cannot be of any other minde but S. Peter had some former title vnto that denomination Which is rather strengthned in that these Protestants from Antiquities testifie that Theonus Archbishop of London in King Lucius time who had his See at S. Peters in Cornhil and helped to the building thereof preached read and ministred the Sacraments there to such as made resort vnto him in this IlaÌ„d Church A Protestant Antiquary writeth I haue heard that there are or haue bene Records in the same Abbey of Westminster which declare it was a Church before the Britans receaued the faith of Christ He meaneth the time of King Lucius Then if he speaketh properly it proueth it was a Christian Church before that time For the word Church in English Kyrke in the Scottish languadge of the Greeke Chiriache the house of God our Lord cannot by Christians be applyed or giuen to the Idols or pagan Gods of the Infidels but onely to Christ our true Lord and God And this is confirmed by the knowne vision and words of S. Peter the Apostle in that place in the time of S. Ethelbert King of Kent and S. Mellitus Bishop of London which I haue alledged before from many allowed Antiquities where S. Peter said of this place and Church By some a Christian Church at Aldâ—lyhit Quem locum proprijs manibus consecraui which place I consecrated long agoe with my owne hands Which must needes as I before haue proued be vnderstood of his parsonall presence and consecration of that Church when he liued and Harisin Theatr. l. 1. preached heare for then onely and neuer since he had proprias manus his owne proper and naturall hands to execute either that or any function with 3. A late writer in his Manuscript History inclineth to thinke there was a Church founded by S. Peter the Apostle in the North parts of this Land aunciently called Aldclihit in the old languadge of that place Peters Clihit as though S. Peter founded it and it tooke the denomination from him and citeth Henr. Hunting hist l. 1. Matth. Parker
Antiq. Brit. p. 3. God wyn conu of Brit. c. 2. p. 10. S. Aug. in quad Ep. apud Auth. supr Henry of Huntington for his opinion as is allready declared The first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury and an other also named such a Bishop will help vs to finde an other in the I le of Glastenburye more auncient then that which was builded there by S. Ioseph of Aramathia and his companions in the yeare of Christ 63. this being then fully and perfectly framed and finished before their coming thither and so found by them absolutely perfected And they cite for their Authour S. Augustine the Apostle of England in a certaine Epistle written by him wherein he saith these holy men A Church at Glastenbury before that builded by S. Ioseph of Aramaâ—hia found at their coming thither a Church builded by no art of man but prepared by God for mans saluation Ecclesiam nulla hominum arte instructam immo humanae saluti adeo paratam repererunt Which is also recorded in the old Antiquities of Glastenbury written vpon parchiment fixed vpon broade bords which cite for the same historiam apud S. Edmundum Augustinum the history at S. Antiq. Gaston M. S. â—abulis fixae ex â—ist apud S. Edmundum S. Augustinum Edmunds and S. Augustines Which we must needes referre to the time of S. Peters preaching heare among other miracles to proue his doctrine by God so miraculously prouided a Church to preach the ghospell and Minister Sacraments in and perhaps a motiue to the Pagan King to graunt licence to S. Ioseph to builde their poore Chappell at Glastenbury and to endowe it with possessions Neither can we thinke this Church so priuiledged by that King to haue bene finished without allowance of S. Peter then present in this kingdome no Bishop being then heare but by his Authoritie or Consecration to dedicate and hallow it And when our Protestant Theater writers with others haue told vs that in diuers places of this kingdome euen in the Court of the Roman Lieurenant and among them his Lady and wife Pomponia Graecia there were many Christians before S. Iosephs coming hither which must needes be the spirituall children of S. Peter we may not make him so carelesse a Father that staÌ„ding in no worse terms with the then king of Britaine and Roman Lieutenant then by circunstances before it appeared he did but he prouided some Oratories or poore Churches either by those Princes permission or not contradiction for them to exercise their sacred Christian Religion in though the iniurie of so manie changes and alterations of gouernements in this kingdome with persecutions and Innouations in Religion haue buried their memories in obliuion and left the certaine knowledge and remembrance of so few vnto vs. And both Catholike Tâ—â—e Christian old Churches in the Ilâ— of â—â—wyâ— and Protestant Historians tell vs of two Miraculous auncient Chappels in the Isle of Iewis Boethius calleth it Leuisa the one dedicated to S. Peter the Apostle the other to his Disciple and Successor S. Clement where if the fire or Holinsh. hist of Scotland l. 4. c. 15 â—ector Boetius descript Scot. f. 14. light by mischance goth forth it is or was wont to be in Catholike times miraculously restored at the Altare No man to my reading writeth of their first founding but their names and dedication together with the Miracle giue no small argument they had some originall in or neare those times when S. Peter and S. Clement preached in this kingdome THE XX. CHAPTER WHEREIN FOR THE BETTER DECERNING of truely consecrated Bishops so many Ecclesiasticall matters depending therevpon is shewed by the Antiquities how these Bishops were heare consecrated in the Apostles time and succeeding Ages 1. HAVING thus set downe some holy Bishops consecrated by S. Peter with Preists and others subordinate vnto them and places wherein they preached practised and professed the first Apostolike Christian doctrine and Religion in this kingdome Order and Methode in Historie call vpon mee next to deliuer in particular so fare as our penury of Antiquities will giue mee leaue what Religion it was especially in points now controuersed which that glorious Apostle by himselfe and those his worthie Disciples taught the Christians of this our Britaine and professed in those and other Churches and places of Christian Assemblies But intending to reserue that labour to the end of euery hundred of yeares or to some other booke a parte to shewe the ReligioÌ„ of our Christian BritaÌ„s in that age in such I will heare onely speake of the Order maÌ„ner of coÌ„secrating Bishops heare in that happy time both because I haue made so late lardge mention of such holy Rulers and our Protestants of England still without exaÌ„ple of any others of these new Religions retayne their names and offices as they suppose as euer to haue bene from the Apostles time most necessary to rule direct and gouerne in the Church of Christ 2. It is the common opinioÌ„ of their Antiquaries that the Britans heare from their first receauing of the faith of Christ in the time of the Apostles neuer altered or chaunged it in any one essentiall thing at the least vntill the coming of S. Augustine hither in the later end of the sixt hundred yeare of Christ Then much more must we affirme by these men that the essentiall things in the consecration of true and lawfull Bishops vpon which all other depended were neuer chaunged otherwise the chaunge and alteration in these vnchangeable and vnalterable affaires had bene contrary to these mens assertions too greate and intollerable Then we reade in a very old Manuscript Capgraue to follow two Protestant Bishops with many others that Io. Bal. l. de Scrip. Cent. 1. in Asaph Godwin Catal. of Bishops in cod Asaph Pits l. de vir Illustr in eod S. Asaph in vit S. Kenteg M. S. Antiq. in eodem Io. Capgrau in S. Kentegerno Episcop Confess S. Asaph did write the life of S. Kentegern and dyed aboue a thowsand yeares since that when S. Kentegern vas consecrated Bishop allmost by these Authours 1200. yeares agoe Mos in Britannia inoluerat in consecratione Pontificum tantummodo capita eorum Sacri Chrismatis infusione perungere cum inuocatione Sancti Spiritus benedictione manus impositione Insulani enim quasi extra orbem positi emergentibus Paganorum infestationibus Canonum erant ignari Ecclesiastica ideo censura ipsis condescendens excusationem illorum admittit in hac parte A custome was growne of long time in Britaine in the consecration of Bishops to annoint their heads with infusion of holy Chrisme with inuocation of the holy ghost and benediction and imposition of hands For the Ilanders being as it were placed out of the world by often Infestations of Pagans were ignorant of the Canons And therefore the Ecclesiasticall Censure condesceÌ„ding vnto them admitteth their excuse in this point And immediately before this maÌ„ner
in the later end of the twelfth yeare of Nero as S. Simeon Metaphrastes noteth and the next yeare coming to Rome preached there some time and was Martyred in the beginning of the 14. and last yeare of Nero allthough Matthew of Westminster and some others set downe the death of S. Peter in the 13. yeare of Nero differing from those that say Nero killed S. Peter S. Paul and himselfe the 14. and last yeare of his Empire Nero Petrum se interfecit 2. By this we see the exceeding greate Pastorall and Fatherly care and S. Petâ—rs Pastorall â—are of Britaine â—â—nding Châ—ists Church in it loue of this greatest Apostle S. Peter to this kingdome that allthough he was so extraordinarily admonished by the holy Angel to returne to Rome yet he neither would nor did forsake this Nation vntill he had perfectly settled such an Hierarchicall Order and holy gouernement heare as I haue described and was needfull in the first founding of the Church of Christ among so many Countries and Prouinces of this Western world And the loue and dutie of many Britans especially such as were not so perfectly intructed in the faith cannot be thought but to haue bene reciprocall to that supreame Pastor How it is pâ—obable diuâ—rs Britans went with S. Peter from hence to Râ—me in so greate degree that it moued many of them to attend him in his returne to Rome to be better instructed in true Religion as diuers also after his departure hence did vndertake that Iorney to that end such as S. Beatus and his Associate were And S. Peter being now come to Rome immediately from this kingdome without staying in that Iorney as may be sufficiently gathered out of the words and admonition of the Angel vnto him before his going hence and both hauing in his company diuers Britans and at Rome finding yet aliue as appeareth by S. Paul writing to S. Timothie before diuers Christian Baron Tom. 2. Annal. Ann. 165. S. Iustin apud â—und supr Britans in that house which as is shewed before and Baronius from S. Iustine and others proueth was both his and other Christians common lodging patebat domus Pudentis ab initio Petri Romam aduentus hospitio Christianorum we are sufficiently allowed to be of that opinion that he was entertained now at this his coming againe to Rome froÌ„ Britaine in the same house as at S. Pâ—ter at 〈…〉 to Râ—m◠〈…〉 recâ—auâ—d againe in our Bâ—â—â—â—ns â—ouse with many â—â—herâ— his first coming and vsually in the time of his continuance and residence there And in this Noble Christian Britans house it seemeth S. Peter among other his Apostolicall labours and designments for the Church of God wrote his second Epistle wherein he maketh memory of some memorable things that chanced vnto him by all probable Iudgment in this Nation as of the Angells appearing vnto him the forewarning of his death at hand and that S. Peter in his 2. 〈◊〉 sâ—â—meth to 〈◊〉 â—f the visioÌ„ 〈…〉 â—râ—taâ—â—e it should be in Rome Knowing that shortly I must put off this my Tabernacle euen as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewâ—d mee As our English Protestants translatâ— which words of the holy Apostle doe seeme to haue reference vnto that Apparition and admonition to him of his death at hand of which I haue spoken 2. 〈◊〉 1. vers 14. before For we doe not finde in Histories more then two warnings heareof giuen by Christ to S. Peter the first and most euident in Britaine and the other more obscure at Rome recorded by S. Linus Egesippus S. Bede and Linus l. de Pass Apost Egesipp de excid Hieros l. 3. c. 2. Beda Sermone de S. Petro Paulo Tom. 7. others when S. Peter a litle before his death being sought for by Nero and willed by the Christians to forsake Rome to auoide the fury of the persecuting Tyrant being come to the gate of the Citie Christ appeared vnto him and being demanded by S. Peter whether he went Domine quo vadis Christ answered Iterum veniâ— crucifigi Which S. Peter interpreted to be spoken of his Passion because Christ who suffereth in all his members was also to suffer with S. Peter Intellexit Petrus de sua dictum passione quod in ea Christus passurus videretur qui patitur in singulis non vtique corporis dolore sed quadam misericordiae compassione aut gloriae celebritate And this cannot be well construed to be that admonition of his death which S. Peter wrote off in his Epistle being both obscure and in all probable Iudgment after the writing of that his Epistle and immediatly before his apprehension and death as appeareth by those Authours affirming S. Peter was presently taken and martyred conuâ—rsus in vrbem redijt captusque à persecutoribus cruci adiudicatus Therefore seeing besides this so obscure admonition giuen to S. Peter by Christ of his death we finde no other but that most cleare and manifest foretelling thereof to S. Peter by an holy Angel in Britaine we must needs conclude that the holy Apostle in that passadge of his Epistle how he should shortly leaue the Tabernacle and dwelling place of his soule his mortall body as our Lord Iesus Christ had shewed vnto him did this Nation that honour to remember in his holy writings that foresight and admonition of his end approaching made vnto him by the heauenly vision and Instruction thereof which he had in Britaine And signifiing in the first words of this his laste Epistle that he wrote it to all beleeuing Christians at that time saying Simon Peter a Seruant and an Apostle 2. Petr. 1. v. 1. 2. of Iesus Christ to them that haue obtayned like pretious faith with vs grace and peace S. Peters care and loue to Britaine to his death and after in heauen by his owne promise be multiplied We must needs acknowledge that coming then immediately from the Christians in this Nation whome he had so lately conuerted he most fatherly remembred them with others in those words and the whole Epistle following especially where he writeth I thinke it meete as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stirre you vp by putting you in remembrance Knowing that Vers 13. 14. 15. shortly I must pute of this my Tabernacle euen as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewed mee Moreouer I will endeuour that you may be able after my decease to haue these things allwayes in remembrance In which wordes this our kingdome of Britaine doth most iustly claime that S. Peter remembred it and rather then any other citing there the admonition which he receaued by the holy Angell heare and there protesteth his greate care he had of this CouÌ„try that it might not onely during his life but after his death remaine constant in the profession of Christian Religion And by Oecumenius and diuers others both the Greeke and Latine Text giuing way to that exposition S. Peter did there promise
cheife men for Iudgment in such things and ordayned to be their Doctours and Teachers had now not without some temporall losses and Indignities vtterly and publikely renownced and forsaken and how holy and honorable that Christian Religion was which with many labours and difficulties they had embraced Which seemeth to haue bene a singular help and furtherance to so easie timely and generall a Conuersion of this kingdome to Christ litle or no impediment now remayning but temporall disgrace and losses in departing from their so long receaued and prosessed Rites and Ceremonies which had bene lately qualified euen by the commanding letters and Edicts of some Emperours themselues in such respects THE V. CHAPTER OF THE GREATE ENCREASE OF CHRIstians in Britaine in the Papacie of S. Telesphorus and S. Higinius and how King Lucius himselfe did now either actually receaue and priuately professe the Christian Religion or made promise thereof 1. ANTONINVS Pius still possessing the Empire and King Lucius the Crowne of Britaine as diuers holde S. Sixtus gloriously ending his life by Martyrdome in the beginning of this Emperours time sub Antonino Pio vt sibi Christum Lucri faceret libenter mortem sustinuit temporalem S. Telesphorus Martyrol Rom. 6. die Aprilis Damas Pontif. in Telesphoro Matth. Westm an 139. Martin Polon in Telesphor Onuphr in cod Rob. Barns in Vit. Pontif. Rom. in Telesphoro Io. Bal. l. 1. de Act. Rom. Pontif. in Telesphoro Rob. Barns in Vit. Telesphori succeeded him in the Apostolike Roman See Which he continued aboue 11. yeares in all opinions Onely one English Protestant much forgetting himselfe or mistakeÌ„ by his Printer giueth him but 2. yeares 3. monethes 22. dayes This Pope was as our English Protestants informe vs eruditione ac pietate vir insignis tam ore quam sanguine fidelis Iesu Christi Testis fuit A man renowned for learning and pietie a faithfull witnes of Iesus Christ as well with word as bloud His doctrine they deliuer vnto vs in this manner Septem septimanas ante Pascha Ieiunium obseruanduÌ„ à Clericis instituit Tres Missas celebrandas in die Natalitio Christi sanciuit alijs diebus ante horam diei tertiam Missam celebrari prohibuit Gloria in excelsis Deo c. in Missa canendum praecepit he Instituted seuen weeks fast Lent before Easter to be obserued of Cleargie men He decreed that Preists should celebrate three Masses on the day of the Natiuitie of Christ vpon other dayes he forbad Masse to be celebrated before the third hower of the day He commanded that Gloria in excelsis Deo glorie to God one high the song of the Angels at the birth of Christ should be song at Masse The pietie of Pope Telesphorus and his Religion by Protestant witnesses in matters now controuersed by them 2. And heare I will ioyne S. Higinius immediate Successor to S. Telesphorus both in respect he continued but a short time in that highest spirituall dignitie litle aboue 4. yeares but he was exalted to a more permanent eternall and farre greater honor in heauen by Martyrdome For his holy life and conuersation thus our Protestants recommend him officia boni Pastoris Ecclesiastici Operatoris in Messe Domini persecit ac morte non incruenta sub mundi Tirannis Bal. lib. 1. de Vit. Rom. Pontif. in Higinio Rob. Barns alij Protestant supr in Vit. PoÌ„t Rom. in Higinio vitae finem accepit he performed the offices of a good Pastor and Ecclesiasticall workeman in the haruest of our Lord for which he ended his life by shedding his blood vnder the Tirants of the world That which they breifely set downe for his Religion and practise therein is this he commanded to dedicate Churches with solemne Ceremonie and Sacrifice That Churches should neither be diminished nor encreased without the consent of the Metropolitane He forbad the timber Tiles The Religion of Pope Higinius by English ProtestaÌ„ts testimony in Articles nâ—w questioned by them and other matter of Churches to be conuerted to prophane vses He appointed that in Baptisme a Godfather or Godmother should be had And that the Metropolitane should not conuict or condemne any man without the consent of the Bishops of his Prouince and if he did otherwise he pronounced the sentence to be voide Templa dedicare cum solemni ceremonia Sacrificio iussit Item Templa nec minuenda nec augenda esse sine Metropolitani consensu Trabes tegulas aliamue templorum materiam in prophanos vsus vertere vetuit Vnum vt vocant Compatrem vel virum vel faeminam in Baptismo adhiberi voluit Ne Metropolitanis aliquem vel reum ageret vel damnaret sine suae Prouinciae Episcoporum suffragio quod si fecerit secus latam sententiam irritam pronuntiauit Clerum in ordinem redegit gradus distribuit he brought the Clergie into order and distributed degrees Thus we are acquainted by these Protestants what the life and doctrine was of these Popes and cannot doubt but they which were so holy men by these witnesses and taught and professed the true Religion and suffered Martyrdome for professing and teaching thereof were farre from professing or teaching error otherwise they could not haue bene good Pastors and worke men in the haruest of our Lord and faithfull witnesses of Iesus Christ but the contrary 3. What was the encrease of Christs Church and Seruants heare in Britaine The great encrease of Christians in Britaine in the time of these Popes in their time we may easily coniecture by that which hath bene sayde before of so many learned men conuerted heare to the faith in the very later end of their immediate Predecessor which in all Iudgments must needs be much more verified of the dayes of these Popes for the cheife learned men and of their principall Schoole for learning being thus conuerted to Christ as we haue bene told before became Preachers of the Ghospell heare in Britaine Will. Harris sup in Descri of Brit. we cannot but assuer our selues of greate and plentifull fruite of their labours being manifest by the generall Conuersion of the whole Kingdome all Degrees and Estates now at hand a greate disposion thereof was made and diuers of the Druyds Nobles and others were now conuerted or els the generall Conuersion of all with so greate a change in all persons and places heare as our Histories mention and will hereafter appeare could not haue so soone ensued And this was made so euident then that one of these holy Pope Higinius carefull of the generall CoÌ„uersion of Britaine and manner thereof Popes Higinius or Eugenius as some call him began to take order how to settle and perfect our generall Conuersion at hand Which Ihon Harding in his auncient Chronicle doth manifestly declare though not citing his Authours when recounting how the Archflaming Seats were turned to Archbishopriks and those of Flamins 28. in number into so many Bishopriks he presently thus
Lucius either actually conuerted or consented to be a Christian in the time of Pope Higinius 5. Therefore to giue euery one his due I may not depriue S. Higinius Pope of this honour nor this Nation of the true Title of so greate a benefite and blessing by him and yet when I come to his time place and happy proceedings with this kingdome in such affaires I shall render vnto him his most worthely deserued glory For it is manifest in holy Histories that whatsoeuer was written to the Pope of Rome in the yeare of Christ 156. must needs be written to S. Higinius who then two yeares before and two yeares after vntill the 11. day of Ianuary 158. when he was martyred was Pope of Rome Euseb l. 4. c. 10. in chronic Martyrol Rom. 11. Ianua Ado alij eod die Baron Tom. 2. Annal Seuer Binnius To. 1. Conc. in Higin Damas Pontif. in Pio. Aniceto Sotere Baron Seuer Binnius Rob. Barn Ioa. Bal. in eisdem Marian. Scot. Mart Pol. alij Ethel verdus chron l. 1. an 156. and no other true or pretended And betweene him and S. Eleutherius were three Popes S. Pius S. Anicetus and S. Soter Which held the Papacie aboue twenty yeares S. Eleutherius first possessing that Apostolike dignitie in the yeare 179. which was 24. yeares after the time an 156. when King Lucius by so many Authours wrote to the Pope to be a Christian And this is more confirmed by the Testimony of our Countryman Ethelwerdus who testifieth that the Pope of Rome which was in the yeare of Christ 156. which was S. Higinius sent letters to King Lucius and a Legate to him also to the same purpose exhorting him to be a Christian to which he consented and after performed accordingly In sexto quinquagesimo anno beatissimus Christi famulus per Nuntium literas Lucium adijt Insulae Regem admonens eum de fide baptismo Catholico qui tum Britanniae Regni potestatem pollebat qui etiam concessit verifimili ratione Christianum se esse futurum quod perfecit Which confirmeth that which Harding hath before deliuered that Pope Higinius did confirme the spirituall labours and proceedings in Britaine in this time for heare is proued that the Pope then which could be no other but this holy Saint did both write his letters and send his Legate hither to such intent persuade the King to Christian Religion And we are assured that in this time both King Lucius sent to the Pope of Rome to haue Apostolike men sent hither to preach the faith of Christ to his subiects heare and the Pope both by letters and Legate sollicited King Lucius to receaue the Catholike faith and Baptisme and he so did quod perfecit but whether he was actually baptised at this time or onely promised it now and performed it after I am not heare to determine onely I adde that the very Authours themselues Matth. Westm anno gratiae 185. 186. 596. as namely Matthew of Westminster that teach the generall Conuersion to haue bene long after this yet confesse the Britans receaued the faith at this time in parte Britonum fides Christi anno Dominicae Incarnationis 158. habita nunquaminter eos defecit THE VI. CHAPTER WHEREIN IS INTREATED WHAT LEARned and Apostolike men they were which preached in this time in Britaine and conuerted King Lucius and very many of his people Such were S. Timothie S. Marcellus Mansuetus Theanus with others 1. HITHERTO we haue heard of the happy proceedings heare in plaÌ„ting the faith of Christ the letters Legate of the Pope and persuasion of the holy Christian Clergie heare which had taken so good effect that the King himselfe was eyther in act or by promise and desire a Christian it would make much to the honour of the Instruments of so holy a worke if we could finde out the name but of any one of them which then persuaded and conuerted this first Christian King of the world in publike profession and manner to be a Christian The auncient Charter which the Antiquities of Cambridge ascribe to King Arthur doth giue this honour or a great part thereof to the learned King Lucius persuaded to be a Christian by Brittish Christians of Cambridge Schollers of Cambridge which being conuerted to the faith of Christ and diuers of them now become Clergie men and Preachers moued King Lucius by their preaching to be a Christian gloriosus Rex BritaÌ„niae Lucius ChristianitateÌ„ amplectens praedicatione DoctoruÌ„ Cantabrigiae Which is more confirmed by the Chart. Regis Arth. 7. April an 531. Bull. Honotij 1. Academ CaÌ„tab concess 20. die Febr. an D. 624. Caius Antiquit. Accadem Cantabr li. 1. p. 75. 76. 77. Chart. Reg. Arthuri supr apud Caium supr p. 69. 70. auncieÌ„t Bull of Pope Honorius the first of that name to coÌ„firme the Priuiledges of Cambridge Vniuersitie a thousand yeares since other testimonies there are which say that both King Lucius did conferre and confirme by his publike Charter greate Priuiledges and Immunities to that Schoole and Pope Eleutherius likewise which he did not for any thing we finde in Histories to any other Schoole or Vniuersitie in the world nor any of his holy Successours many yeares after The cheifest motiue of these exemptions and Prerogatiues to that place we cannot interprete in any better sence then that King Lucius had receaued much spirituall benefite from thence which he requited with temporall honour and dignitie and the holy Pope Eleutherius bestowed that singular grace and fauour to that Schoole for the holy labours and frutefull effects it had wrought in the Church of Christ by their Conuersion and Preaching mouing King Lucius and so many men of sundry degrees in Britaine to forsake superstitious Idolatrie And embrace the Christian faith and Religion Will. Harrison descript of Brit. supr 2. A Protestant Antiquary before seemeth to leaue it as probable that one of these Cambridge men was Archbishop of Yorke and by some called Taurinus an other supposeth Eluanus and Meduuinus which were employed by King Lucius was not conuerted by S. Taurinus King Lucius in this holy busines and by diuers writers were Instruments both of his Conuersion and Baptisme were Schollers of Cambridge Fuisse Eluanum Meduuinum Cantabrigâ—â—nsis studij Alumnos conijcio But the opinion of Io. Caius Antiq. Cantabr Acad. l. 1. p. 99. S. Taurinus to haue bene Archbishop of Yorke in Britaine is before founde too feeble a grounde to build vpon And certaine it is by approued witnesses King Lucius not conuerted by Eluanus or Meduninus that Eluanus and Meduuinus were but Catechumens in Christian Religion when they were sent by King Lucius to Rome and they were there perfectly instructed in the faith and continued there so long that being become learned in Christian Religion after they had bene baptized and taken inferiour Orders not sodainely performed Eluanus was consecrated a Bishop
and the other Meduuinus made Preist were sent backe againe to preach in Britaine Consilio Senioris Romae placuit â—osdem Legatos baptizari Catholica fide suscepta ordinari Eluanum in Episcopum Meduninum autem in Doctorem Antiquit. Eccles Landaffeâ— Thus haue the auncient Antiquities of the Church of Landaffe and others Therefore I doe not see how it is probable that these men being but Catechumens should preach that faith to King Lucius before their going to Rome they themselues hauing not yet embraced it And much lesse dare I so boldly affirme as a Protestant Bishop and Antiquarie doth perhaps more for his hate to Rome then loue of truth and by good warrant that Eluanus and Meduuinus had often inculcated the faith of Christ to King Lucius Qui eandem ipsi fidem saepius inculcassent But to excuse this man he holdeth before that they Bal. l. de Scriptor Brita centur 1. in Eluan Meduuino were both baptized by Apostolike meÌ„ heare in Britaine were become Preists to preach and Minister the Sacraments and were recompted among the most renowned heare for those offices before they were sent to Rome Eluanus Meduuinus Britannorum Doctores in Britannia nati imbibitis primum Ethnicorum litteris scientiam habebant cum eloquentia non infaeliciter coniunctam Per Apostolicos viros tandem in Christo renati adeo Scripturis sacris operam dederunt vt in dispensandis Dei Ministerijs inter primos haberentur Per eos igitur vt per illos qui candem ipsi fidem saepius inculcassent litteris suis Rex Lucius ad Eleutherium Pontificem egit vt apud Romanos Christianorum adscriberetur numero If he had proued this by any allowed Authoritie we might haue harkned vnto him but citing none for any thing here affirmed but Ihon Capgraue Ioanne Capgrauio teste for King Lucius sending Eluanus and Meduuinus to Rome which no man denieth I dare not second him in the rest which he findeth no warrant to affirme Yet doe I not denie hauing proued so much before that as this man teacheth there were Apostolici viri diuers Apostolike men then in Britaine perswading King Lucius and his subiects to the Religion of Christ Such I seeke in particular and not Catechumens and yet more then probable it is that neyther Eluanus nor Meduuinus was eyther Christian or Catechumen at this time nor diuers yeares after or els we must make them to haue stayed at Rome aboue twenty yeares fot their better Instruction Baptisme and Consecration For I haue proued before that there was so long time euen from the death of this present Pope Higinius of whose dayes we now entreate and the beginning of the Papacie of S. Eleutherius to whom as Pope Eluanus and Meduuinus were sent by King Lucius So that finding no warrant to allow them Preists or Preachers as yet I must reserue them to King Lucius conuerted to the faith with many of his Subiects Nobles and others by S. Timothie and Marcellus BritaÌ„s their true time and place where I shall giue them their worthely due and deserued honour 3. But we finde some Apostolike men in this very time to haue preached the faith in Britaine to King Lucius himselfe as well as to his subiects and these to haue bene of this Nation though by warrant and Authoritie from the Apostolike See of Rome Among these two are cheifely commended vnto vs in this busines S. Timothie and S. Marcellus or Marcellinus And to begyn with S. Timothie we finde that he preuay led so farre with King Lucius that by his learning our King was induced to the Religion of Christ S. Lucius Britanniae Rex S. Timothei eruditione ad Religionem Christi inductus est Petrus Mâ—â—ssâ—us in Catal. Archiepisc Treuer in S. Marcello alias Marcellino Henric. Pantal. de vir Illustrib Germ. part 1. p. 116. Io. Naucler vol. 2. general pag. 565. Io. Caius l. 1. Antiq. Cant. Academ Legenda S. Timothei Petrus de Natalib l. 1. c. 24. Harris Theat l. 1. And to make this an opinion both of Catholiks and Protestants Henricus Pantaleon writeth that King Lucius of Britaine was the Disciple of S. Timothie S. Lucius ex Regio Britannorum sanguine Timothei Discipulus And citeth the Magdeburgian Protestants Stumphius and the Annalls of Curre in Germany And Nauclerus with others writeth plainely that one S. Timothie came into Britaine and Lucius King of Britaine and his kingdome of Britaine did receaue the faith of Christ from him Lucium Britanniae Regem cum tota Britannia à Timotheo Apostolo qui in Britanniam venerat fidem recepisse Where we see this matter constantly affirmed both by Catholike and Protestant Antiquaries that King Lucius did receaue the faith from one S. Timothie and he was so renowned that he is stiled an Apostle at the least to King Lucius and the Brittish Nation And that we might the better come to notice what S. Timothie this was that so deserued of this kingdome they doe allmost Indiuiduate him when they agree it was one S. Timothie Disciple to S. Paule the Apostle Of this name which can in any probable sence be termed S. Paules Disciples we finde but two remembred in Histories S. Timothie Bishop of Ephesus to whom S. Paule wrote two Epistles part of holy Scripture and S. Timothie sonne of our noble Countrywoman S. Claudia honoured in holy Scripture S. Pius Papa 1. Epist ad Iustum Viennens Epiâ—c Tom. 1. Biblioth Sanct. by S. Paules penne who as S. Pius Pope of Rome writeth was ab Apostolis educatus brought vp by S. Peter and Paule and so might iustly be termed Disciple to eyther of them and very probably tooke his name from the other S. Timothie familiarly acquainted in his parents house as appeareth in the same Epistle where it is also manifest that this youÌ„g S. Timothie and his holy Parents were of the most faithfull Disciples which S. Paule then had as they were also to S. Peter and his next following Successours for when allmost all had forsaken him in his imprisonment before his death these remayned constant and ministring vnto him And allthough S. Timothie was then 2. Tim. 4. very young yet now being come to be of auncient yeares was an holy Preist had performed the exhortation of Christ to perfection to giue all to the poore and followe him for he had giuen ouer his Patrimony leauing his house at Rome called of his name Timothinae Timothies house and preached the Ghospell And being by his Mother a Brittan remembred by the example and writing of S. Paul to haue an especiall care of this his Couâ—â—â—y and to manifest his true loue to it to winne it to Christ as he had before performed the same to the Natiues thereof which were at Rome So that if these Historians which testifie King Lucius was conuerted or persuaded to the faith of Christ by S. Timothie and said no more that he was S. Pauls Disciple
Pius his Empire and contradict himselfe as also he is singular when he saith of saint Anicetus that he was Pope but two yeares foure moneths three dayes Annos 2. menses 4. dies 3. others commonly tripling that time in his Papacie Therefore to auoide all the least inconuenience and exception I will ioyne also in this place saint Soter in all opinions vndoubtedlie Pope immediately before saint Eleutherus or Eleutherius and next to saint Anicetus by the more receaued Damasus Pont. in Sotere Martin Polon Suppu in Soter and to saint Pius by the other opinion The space of his Papacie is not agreed vpon the liues of Popes ascribed to Damasus ascribeth to him nine yeares seuen moneths and 21. dayes Martinus alloweth him so many yeares and dayes but detracteth foure moneths Sedit annis nouem mensibus tribus Matth. Westm an gratiae 175. diebus viginti vno The verie same hath Matthew of Westminster Sedit in Cathedra Romana annis 9. mensibus 3. diebus 21. Baronius and Binnius doe not afford him halfe so much time saying he was not Pope fully and compleately foure yeares but wanted twelue dayes of that terme defunctus habetur Baron Tom. 2. Annal. ann 179. Seuerin Binnius Tom. 1. Concil in Sotere Soter die 22. mensis Aprilis cum sedisset annos quatuor minus diebus duodecim And assigne the yeare of his death 199. from the Natiuitie of Christ and 17. of the Empire of Marcus Aurelius spoken of before continuing Emperour vntill the third yeare of the next Pope saint Eleutherius All which time and longer Lucius was still King in Britaine These two Popes as our Protestant writers of their liues are witnesses were holy men and Martyrs Saint Anicetus painefully gouerned the Roman Church in the holy ministery of the word and in greate constancie in the Christian faith shedd his blood for Gods truth Anicetus Romanae Ecclesiae in verbi ministerio sacro laboriosè praefuit in magna Christianae fidei constantia pro Dei veritate sanguinem postremò fudit Io. Bal. l. 1. de Act. Pontif. Rom. in Aniceto The like they testifie of saint Soter In armis Spiritualibus Christo fideliter militauit hoc vnum agens praecipuè vt animas per Baptismum Christo dicatas doctrina exemplo illi suo sponso saluandas adduceret mortemque sui corporis pro Christi ipsius testimonio pertulit Thus we are secured that both their example and conuersation of life as also their doctrine and Religion which they taught and professed was holy 2. What this was some what in particular these men thus deliuer vnto vs. Robert Barns l. de Vit. Pontif. Rom. in Anicet Anicetus decreed that if an Archbishop were accused by a Bishop it should be done eyther before the Primate or Pope of Rome He appointed that Archbishops should not be called Primats but Metropolitans except this prerogatiue of name was granted The Doctrine and Religion of S. Auicetus and Soter to any by the Pope of Rome He commanded that the crowne of Preists heads should be shaued round Anicetus Archiepiscopum à suo Episcopo aut coram Primate aut Romano Pontifice accusandum esse statuit Archiepiscopos non Primates sed Metropolitanos appellandos esse dixit nisi ista praerogatiua Nomenclaturae ei à Romano Pontifice concederetur Capitis verticem spherulae instar radendum sacerdotibus praecepit Soter appointed against that errour of the Gnostiks that a Robert Barns supr in Sotere Nunne should not handle the Pall nor put incense into the Censor and ordained that a Preist Should not say Masse except two at the least were present Ne Monacha Pallam contrectaret neue Thus in Acerram poneret statuit N◠sacerdos celebraret nisi vt minimum duo adessent ordinauit In these times the persecuting Emperours still reigning and Persecution raging not onely in the Easterne parts but in Italy France and Countryes in the continent neare vnto vs. This our Iland as an other world was allmost quite free thereof both now before and Gildas l. de Excid conq Brit. c. 7. after vntill the generall Persecution of Dioclesian as saint Gildas and others after him doe witnes vsque ad persecutionem Diocletiani Tyranni nouennem both in respect of the scituation remote distance and separation from the cheife Brittish Kings euer fauourers friends of Christians drewe many persecuted Christians hither commanding place of the Empire and that it euer had Kings not so depending of the persecuting Emperours and so farre from the name and nature of Persecutours that they euer were friends and fauourers of Christians and now the King and many both of his Nobilitie and other subiects had receaued Christian Religion This as our Protestant Antiquaries and others haue told vs of like former times drewe many worthie and learned Christians among others hither where for themselues they might more quietly enioy the libertie of their conscience and Religion and for others desirous to be instructed in the truth thereof and not kept back with such terrours of Persecution as in other Countryes they might with more confidence and boldnes and with greate hope of fruite and increase preach and teach it vnto them And so this Persecution in other Nations not sayling ouer itselfe but sending Apostolike men vnto vs eyther to conuert or by their holy doctrine conuersation and miracles which they wrought at the least so to dispose the minds and wills of many men in all degrees that it made our generall Conuersion now at hand more easie to be so speedely and vniuersally performed 3. That such was the state of Britaine for spirituall affaires in this Idolatry and superstition daily diminishing and decaying and Christiā Religion in all places and persons encreasing and multiplying both Authoritie and the knowne certaine effect it selfe the surest testimonie in such cases shall witnes heareafter And this was the condition thereof vntill about the beginning of the Papacie of S. Soter or the end of the first yeare thereof about the yeare of our Redemption 175. when as it appeareth by the Edict of Marcus Aurelius Emperour before the strange deliuery of him and his Army by the Christians Literae Marci Aurelij Anton. ad Senatum in fine operum S. Iustini Baron To. 2. Annal. an 176. Mat. West an gratiae 174. Tertull. Apol. c. 5. Euseb l. 5. c. 5. Oros l. 7. c. 15. Florent Wigor Chronic. an 161. vel 184. miraculous prayers he suffered many Christians to liue in quiet and had a great number of them about him inuenique magnam eorum multitudinem And seeing himselfe and his Army in distresse sent for them and entreated them to pray for his deliuery eos qui apud nos Christiani dicuntur accersiui ac rogaui Which he would not haue done being a wise and learned Emperour but that either by the Apologie of Athenagoras the vertues and Miracles of many Christians or
truth but in such sort did it as thereby he hath purchased vnto the same the Title of Primogenita Ecclesiae the most auncient and first begotten of all the Churches in the world for that as Sabellicus hath well noted allthough Christ was preached elswhere priuately Britaine the first Kingdome in the world which publikely and generally receaued the saith of Christ in many other Nations long before yet omnium Prouinciarum prima publicitus Christi nomen recepit Of all Nations it was the first that with publike approbation of Prince and State receaued the Profession of Christian Religion Thus farre he commendeth King Lucius for the carriadge of this busines afterward insinuating first to his Readers that there were Christian Preists and Preachers heare in Britaine when King Lucius sent to Pope Eleutherius about the generall Conuersion of this kingdome and to vse his words there is no doubt to be made that at their hāds if he were not he might haue bene baptised that were the Instrumēts of his Conuersion And then he immediately thus addeth to dishonour this Noble King for this his most honorable Ambassadge But what shall I say humanitūs aliquid passus est he thought happily it would be some litle glory vnto him and a countenance also to the action to fetch them that might seeme to be the Authours of this designe from Rome the Seate of the Empire the Mistresse of the world yea and also happily the vpholders of his Crowne and Authoritie regall Thus farre this Protestant Bishop and Antiquarie all which I haue answeared before and now breifely repeate if King Lucius was or might haue bene baptised by any heare all they as I haue proued before of S. Timothie Marcellus Mansuetus and others sent hither or conuerted being cōsecrated Preists or Bishops heare by Authoritie from the Apostolike Roman See he must needs also be baptised by power from thence if he had not sent this solemne Ambassadge thither So likewise if he stayed the returne of his Ambassadours Eluan and Medwin if the Pope had sent no others hither seeing by all Antiquities these were but Cathecumens and not baptised when they were sent to Rome but there perfectly instructed baptised and cōsecrated the one a Priest the other a Preist and Bishop if these or eyther of them baptised him and his people if they alone had bene able to performe so generall and greate a worke it had bene done by the power of the Pope of Rome who consecrated them and by Authoritie sent them hither to that end 6. So if King Lucius had appealed in this busines to the Bishops of France or any Country betweene Rome and vs and if they had harkened vnto him herein without consulting with the Pope of Rome yet all they being consecrated and directed thither by his Authoritie as we haue seene before King Lucius and his subiects resolued to be Christians must become such by the labour power and warrant of the Pope of Rome And by that which is saide before by the warrant of our Protestants of the both claymed and practised supreame spirituall power of all Popes from S. Peter to this time of S. Eleutherius and of him also it is euident that this kingdome nor any other could be in such solemne and publike manner conuerted and all Ecclesiasticall matters with change of Temporall lawes be established without the warrant and approbation of the Apostolike See of Rome and Church thereof in which respect and noe other Sabellicus and others which truely call this our Britaine the eldest daughter of the Church primogemita Ecclesiae so terme it in respect of the Church of Rome our holy Mother which brought forth this Country generally and publikly to Christ before any other in the world by sending holy Preachers and Apostolike men hither which so brought it to passe to the greate honour of this Nation Eleutherius Graecia oriundus sed Neapoli Anton. Sabellicus l. 5. Ennead 7 in Italia ortus successit Soteri Cum hoc nuper dignitatem adepto Lucius Britanniae Rex per litteras egit vt se suos vellet Christianorum numero addicere Missi sunt eo Fugatius Damianus viri pietate insigni hi Regem cum tota domo populoque vniuerso Baptismi Sacramento insignauerunt sublatoque malorum daemonum cultu vera in gente pietas constituta est Sic Britannia omnium Prouinciarum prima publicitus Christi nomen recepit Where it is euident that Sabellicus this Protestant Bishops Authour giueth this dignitie to Britaine to be the eldest and first borne daughter of the Church because the Roman Church first and before all other Nations did bringe it wholy forth to Christ wholy conuerting it in which sence the King of France accompteth and stileth himselfe primogenitus Annal. Galliae in Claudio Ecclesiae the first begotten child of the Church among Kings because Stephen a King in France rather a Duke was in their opinion in the time of Claudius the Emperour conuerted to the faith of Christ by Apostolike men sent from the See of Rome And our King Iames whome our Protestants would haue to be the fourth such supreame heade of their Church in England after King Henry the eight the yoūge child King Edward the sixt and Elizabeth a woman and Queene plainely and publikly in open parlament hath thus confessed I acknowledge the Roman Church to be our Mother Church Therefore except Mother and Daughter be not correlatiues and vnseperable Britaine King Iames speach in his 1. Parlament was the Daughter hauing no elder Sister Daughter of that Church was the first borne Daughter of the Church by this prerogatiue primogenita Ecclesiae 7. And the Arguments which this Protestant Bishop would haue to accuse or condemne King Lucius of vaine glory for sending to Rome to establish Godwin Conu of Brit. supr p. 35. the Conuersion of Britaine because Rome was then the Seate of the Empire Mistresse of the world and happily vpholder of his crowne and regall Authoritie doe aduance the honour of King Lucius his zeale in Religion and Dutie to the Roman Church For if the Conuersion of Britaine in so vinuersall established order could haue bene compassed without allowance of the Pope of Rome it had bene more secure for him to haue abstayned from that Ambassadge sent vnto the Pope liuing in state of Persecution for his Christian Religion and cheife office therein by the temporall and Imperiall Rome temporall Seate of persecuting Emperours their times of conniuency onely excepted temporall Mistresse of the world temporall Vpholder or friend to the Regall crowne of Britaine so farre as it did nothing which tasted of alienation from the Roman Pagan Imperours will and dignitie with which King Lucius his professing a Religion persecuted by them and suing for establishing and confirmation thereof by the Authoritie of the Pope of Rome which aboue all other things was most distastfull to the Roman Empire and had for
ex consulto sapientum partim antiquanda partim innouanda curaui And it is manifest by the Lawes of King Edward the Confessor as they were solemnely proued and proposed to King William the first by some named the Conqueror both as they are recorded by our auncient Historian Roger Houeden and M. Lambret the Protestant Lawyer and Antiquarie that he was so carefull to knowe and make semblance also of establishing these auncient Lawes reuiued and maintained by S. Edward the Confessor that Leg. S. Edwardi c. 1. apud Roger. Houed part 2. Annal. in Henr. 2. Guliel Lambert in Legib. S. Edwardi first he appointed a Iury of twelue sworne men in euery Shire taking their Oathes before the King that to their power they would truely and sincerly set downe the Decrees of their Lawes and Customes without any omission addition or mutation electi de singulis totius Patriae Comitatibus viri duodecim Iureiurando coram Rege primum confirmauerunt vt quod possent recto tramite incedentes Legum suarum consuetudinum sancita patefacereÌ„t nihil praeter mittentes nihil addentes nil praeuaricando mutantes And this so solemnely examined presented and performed â—e did confirme in all things these auncient Lawes termed S. Edwards Lawes for the reason before to be kept and continued as well as those which were added by himselfe as appeareth in his owne still extant Lawes hoc quoque praecipio vt omnes habeant teneant Legem sancti Leges Regis Gulielm 1. apud Gul. Lamb. in eod Edwardi in omnibus rebus adauctis his quae constituimus ad vtilitatem Anglorum And so it is euidently true that many of those auncient Lawes of Mulmutius and King Lucius by Pope Eleutherius direction did continue in the time of Iudge Fortescue as also at this present but where they haue bene taken away by our Protestant Princes to giue way to their new Religion THE XXI CHAPTER OF MANY ARCHIEPISCOPALL EPISCOpall and other Churches and Monasteries both of men and women founded and ritchly endowed and priuiledged in this time 1. KING Lucius being thus enformed and secured in conscience by these letters and declaration of the holy Pope and Pastor of Christs Church Eleutherius that the whole kingdome of Britaine with the Ilands belonged to his temporall chardge and Gouernment and that so much as he could he was to wine his subiects to the faith and Lawe of Christ and his holy Church and prouide for the peace and quiet of the same and the members thereof he did first in receauing and admitting these new corrected Lawes by the aduise of his Clergie and Nobles of his kingdome see them so qualified that they were for the defence and propagation of Christian Religion and further founded many Godly costly and memorable Monuments as Churches Vniuersities or Schools Monasteries and other such comforts â—elps and furtherances of Sainct Lucius King of greate Britaine the first King 〈◊〉 of Christs Church that holy end So that as he was the first King which publikly with his kingdome professed Christ so he wonne the honour to be the first Nursing Father among Kings of his holy Church as the Prophet had foretold erunt Reges nutricâ— tui Kings shall be thy Nursing Fathers He was first among Kings properly termed Vicarius Dei the Vicegâ—rent of God being the first King which so religeously performed his will And that Title which the Pope gaue to King Henry 8. when he was better then he proued after defensor fidei defendoâ—â— of the faith was among Kings the first due and Right of King Lucius for his so Heroicall Religeous fortitude and magnanimitie in defending the faith and Church of Christ And as the Brittish Historie Virunnius Matthew of The Popes Legats change the Pagan Temples into Christian Churches Westminster and others write of the holy Legats that besides their changing Flamens Archflamens into Bishops and Archbishops the Temples of the Gentils which were founded in honour of many Gods they dedicated the same to the one true God and to his Saints and replenished the same with diuers companies Churches dedicated to Saints of consecrated parsons Templâ— quae in hoâ—orem pluriâ—orum Deorum fundata fuerant vni Deo eiusque Sanctis dedicauerâ—â—t diuersisque ordinatorum caetibus repleuerunt Galfr. Mon. Hist Brit. l. 4. c. 19. PoÌ„tic Vir. l. 4. Mat. Westm an 185. Manuscr Gallic Antiq. an 180. Matth. Westm Hist an 187. So the same Authouâ—â— write of King Lucius Gloriosus Britonum Rex Lucius cum intra Regnum sâ—um verae fidei cultum magnificatum esse vidisset possesssiones territoria Ecclesijs â—iris Ecclesiasticis abundanter conferens chartis munimentis omnia communiuit Ecclesias vero cum suis caemiterijs ita constituit esse liberas vt quicunque malefactor ad illa confugeret illaesus ab omnibus remaneret The glorious King of the Britans Lucius when he sawe that the worship of the true faith was aduanced within his kingdome bestowing aboundantly possessions and The Churches are furnished with other Ecclesiasticall Clergy men besides Bishops Preists territories vpon Churches and Ecclesiasticall men he confirmed all things with charters and priuiledges And appointed that Churches and Churchyards should be so free that whatsoeuer malefactour should fly vnto them should remaine without hurt from all The Brittish Historie thus relateth it Interea gloriosus ille Rex Lucius cum intra Regnum suum cultum vere fidei magnificatum esse vidisset maximo gaudio Galfr. Mon. Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 1. fluctuans Possessiones Territoria quae prius Templa IdoloruÌ„ possidebant in meliorem vsum vertens Ecclesijs fidelium permanere concessit Et quia maiorem honorem Churches founded and endowed by King Lucius And what ReligioÌ„ they professed ipsis impendere debuerat augmentauit illas amplioribus agris mansis omnique libertate sublimauit In the meane time when that renowned King Lucius did see true Religion exalted within his kingdome most greatly reioicing thereat conuerting the Possessions and Territories which formerlie the TeÌ„ples of Idols did possesse to a better vse granted that they should remayne to the Churches of the faithfull and because he ought to bestowe more honour one them he augmented them with more ample lands and Mansions Which how greate and ample they were we may make some estimate if we reflect vpon the greate Ritches of the Idoll Temples heare before this Conuersion all which with an ample addition were now left to the Christian Cleargie and Churches 2. I will onely exemplify in one solemnitie of those Gentils and in one place of this kingdome London at one time thus related in the old Brittish Historie which our Protestants haue published litauerunt ibi quadraginta millia Galfr. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 4. c. 8. vaccarum centum millia ouium diuersorumque generum volatilia quae leuiter sub numero non cadebant
this Institution and Confirmation many hundreds of yeares by all Antiquities The exception which some may make by finding Britaine diuided into fiue Prouinces I haue fully answeared before and our cheife Protestants namely Doctour George Abbots Archbishop of Canterbury and such others as directed and assisted Maister Francis Mason in the Booke intituled Crosses and Christian Images then certaine tokens of Christians Of the Consecration of the Bishops of the Church of England he their Scribe will thus secondemee therein The Romans before this time of King Lucius his receauing the faith had diuided Britaine into three Prouinces one of theÌ„ was called Maxima Caesariensis the Metropolis whereof was Yorke An other Britannia prima the Metropolis whereof was London the third Britannia secunda the Metropolis whereof was CaerlegioÌ„ And prouing besides so many Authorities before cited by Asserius Meneuensis Schoolmester to King Alfred Ptolomaeus LuceÌ„sis William Reade Ihon LelaÌ„d that the Archbishops of this IlaÌ„d were onely seated in those three MetropolitaÌ„ Cities LondoÌ„ Yorke Caerlogion according to that diuisioÌ„ of Prouinces heare to cleare the obiectioÌ„ thus they had further in this busines Although Britaine was after the Nicen Councell diuided into fiue Prouinces Valentia and Flauia CaesarieÌ„sis being added to the former yet there were no new Archbishops erected The reason whereof was because those two new Prouinces were taken out of the former and consequently could not haue Bishopriks without the diminishing of the Authoritie of the former in whose Iurisdiction originally they were which was not sufferable because it was against the Canon of the Nicen Councell decreeing that in Antioch and in other Prouinces the dignitie prerogatiues and Authorities of Churches should be mainetained Hitherto these Protestant writers 4. And to leaue it without question that this placing both of Archbishops and Bishops also at this time in Britaine was both warranted and confirmed by this highest spirituall Papall Power and Prerogatiue in Pope Eleutherius among so many hundreds of Archbishops and Bishops as haue bene in Britaine as it conprehendeth England Wales and Scotland no Historie mentioneth no Antiquarie can proue that from this time of King Lucius vntill the Reuolt of King Henry 8. from the Church of Rome any one Archbishoprik or Bishoprik was eyther founded translated vnited diminished or any wise changed but it was eyther first done or afterward confirmed or made frustrate by this greate Apostolike and Papall Power of the Roman See I neede not the Assistance of Catholike Antiquities herein our Protestant Bishops and Antiquaries which haue written of this subiect of Bishops and their Sees Gul. Malmesb l. de Ant. Caenob Glaston doe leaue and cleare it for an euident truth And because such an including proposition without confession in particular would cost my Readers some labour to examine it let them take for pregnant witnesses hereof the two greate Flatterers of King Henry 8 Matthew Parker the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury a man of all Religions with that King his sonne King Edward The Popes Legats con inue diuers at Glastenbury renew and setle reâ—igious meÌ„ there in place of the first of S. Ioseph his company and Queene Elizabeth and Polidor Virgill a time Pleaser and Seruant thereof The first speaking of King Henry 8. his Lawes against the Popes Authoritie and the time of the Saxons saith that by them then made the Popes Power which had euer vntill then continued in England and was thought vnsuperable was ouerthrowne his legibus potentia Papalis quae nongentis amplius annis in Anglia durauit insuperabilis visa est concidit The other writeth then a liuing witnes that the supreamacie taken from the Pope and giuen to the King was a thing neuer heard of in any time before Habetur Concilium Londini in quo Ecclesia Anglicana formam potestatis nullis ante temporibus visum induit Henricus enim Rex Caput ipsius Ecclesiae constituitur By which also as in a glasse by a truely representing species we may behold that it neyther was nor could be any other then the Pope of Rome onely clayming and exercising such spirituall Power heare in those times which did or could giue a full and finall confirmation to those Vniuersities or Schooles and Religeous houses of Britaine with the Rule and Order they followed and professed in these daies 5. Yet we are not alltogether destitute of Instances in particular of such Honorius Papa 1. in Bulla Vniuersitati Canta-Cantabr coÌ„cess ann 624. 20. die Februarij apud Io. Caium l. 1. de antiq Cantabr Academ p. 75. 76 77. confirmation For Schooles or Vniuersities the Antiquaries of Cambridge produce the auncient Bull of Pope Honorius the first 1000. yeares since coÌ„firming that Vniuersitie and priuiledges thereof and in the same affirming that his Predecessours Pope Eleutherius in whose time we are Fabianus Leo Simplicius Foelix and Bonifacius gaue the like confirmation and exemption vnto it Praedecessorum nostrorum Romanae Ecclesiae Pontificum Eleutherij Fabiani Leonis Simplicij Faelicis Bonifacij vestigijs debitè inhaerentes authoritate omnipotentis Dei districtiùs inhibemus sub paena excommunicationis ne quis Archiepiscopus aut eorum officiales c. Where it is said that these Popes gaue these priuiledges against all parsoÌ„s by the Authoritie of God For the Schoole of GlamorgaÌ„ we haue the like testimonie that the Pope gaue the cheife charge thereof to S. Iltutus renowned both for his learning and piety as also his most worthie Schollers and their greate number in which were both Gaules and Britans in whome S. Sampson S. Paulinus S. Dauid S. Gildas Magistralis Charta MerchiaÌ„ni Regis l. Sanct. Wall Caius sup p. 147. Capgr Catal. in S. Ilâ—uâ—o Abbate Confessore Io. Bal. l. de Script Britan. cent 1. in Elchuto Morgan Manuscr Antiq. Mona sterij S. Aug. Cantuariae tibi cura concessa est à Pontisice as King Merchiannus testifieth in his Charter of priuiledge vnto him and that his Schoole or Vniuersitie For our Monasteries and Religeous houses then that they were confirmed and priuiledged by this holy Pope I shall more fully shew when I come to these Legats returne and visiting Glastenbury bringing with them a confirmation Immunities and Indulgences from S. Eleutherius to that most auncient and Religious Monastery with an approbation of the holy Rule and Order which there and in all Britaine after many hundreds of yeares was kept and followed In the meane time he that will but behold if he may the old Manuscript of S. Augustins in Canterbury shall there see aboue 100. particular Bulls of Popes confirming the liberties and Immunities of that house He may reade in the first Protestantically made Archbishop there that as I haue proued and shall proue of our Britans how all their Archbishops had their ordination Power and Authoritie from the Popes of Rome so amoÌ„g the Saxons Matth. Parker Antiq. Brit. vntill he first
de Scri. Brit. cent 1. in Samuele Beulano Io. Lelan apud Pits l. de Vir. Illustr in Elbodo Harris Hist Ecc. Manuscr lib. 2. c. 20. Sampson there remayneth litle or no memoriall but their names onely And in the names themselues there is difference in those Memorials of them And both of them omitt their most renowned Archbishop Elbodus who ioyned with S. Augustine and his company and wrote against his owne Britans and Scots for their vntrue obseruatioÌ„ of Easter Some thinke he was created Archbishop by Augustine M. Harris inclineth to be of opinion that S. Fugatianus one of Pope Eleutherius his Legats was the first Archbishop of Caerlegion and S. Damianus the other Archbishop of London yet with the common opinion he had placed S. Thean there before both which may stand with truth in due construction if S. Damianus resigned it to S. Thean who as he saith was Archbishop there 18. yeares And seeing we finde no finall departure of these two holy Legats from hence but rather a continuall aboade heare after their returne from Rome as though they were wholly designed for the spirituall good of this kingdome if we ioyne hearewith what eminent men and Bishops they were we may not deny them any cheife place of honour heare according to their worth and deseruings heare 5. The old writer of Sainct Gudwalus life Surius Haraeus and others say Anonym in Vita S. Gudwali Surius Haraeus in eod 6. Iunij he was Archiepiscopus Britannus an Archbishop of Britaine by his life and aboade of no other place but our old Caerlegion And if we should followe theire opinions which hold that Caerlegion was Augusta where our renowned Archbishop S. Augulus of whome I haue spoken before was Martyred we must also make him Archbishop there And the old Brittish Historie with diuers others testifieth that Tremonus was Arcbishop there Tremonus vrbis Legionum Archiepiscopus long before S. Dubricius And it was foretold Galfr. Monum Hist Briton l. 8. c. 10. before S. Dubricius probably was borne or Tremonus was Archbishop of Caerlegion that this Archbishops See should be translated from thence to S. Dauids and there the Archbishops Pall of Caerlegion should be worne Meneuia Matth. Westm an gratiae 464. Galfr. Monum l. 7. c. 9. pallio vrbis Legionum induetur Which was after verified in the time of S. Dauid as also the Prophesy of the Translation of London to Canterbury by S. Augustine and the seuenth Archbishop of Yorke going into Armorica performed in S. Sampson all foretold at one time together long before Therefore as in London and Yorke there were Archbishops so in this Citie Caerlegion Girald Cambr. Catal. Archiep. Men. Antiquit. MeneueÌ„ in â—atal Godwin Catal. in S. Dauids and Landaff Capgr in S. Dubrit S. Dauid also there were such and wearing the Pall Archiepiscopall iustifiing the vndeniable changed and performance of that prediction After this time all Historyes agree of S. Dubritius S. Dauid Eliud Theeliaus Kinocus immediately succeeding each other and Elbodus in S. Augustins time Of these three new Archiepiscopall Churches a late Protestant Antiquarie vpon diligent search as he would haue his Readers enforme themselues thus writeth more absolutely then others in which three Cities of London Yorke and Caerlegion vpon vske there had bene beforetime three Archflamins erected vnto Apollo Mars and Minerua but now raced to the ground and three other Churches builded in their steeds by Lucius to the intent that the Countryes round about might haue indifferent accesse vnto those places and therewithall vnderstand for certaintie whether to resorte for resolution 6. Neither are we vtterly left destitute of the names of the holy Bishops then placed in the inferior Sees for we haue sufficient Testimony of Thomas Many Bishops of other Sees not Archiepiscopall Rudburne a Monke of Winchester Moratus an old Brittish writer and others that Denotus was then made Bishop of Winchester And all the possessions of Tho. Rudburne Chron. Maiore Morat l. 1. c. 9. Nichol. Harpesfeld hist Eccles p. 6. cap. 3. the Pagan FlameÌ„ there were coÌ„ferred vpon him his Cleargie which were so ample that euen about that Citie all the Lands within 12. miles of it on all sides were belonging vnto it containing in number 32. Villadges Besides him we had diuers others as S. Damianus one of the holy Legats S. Eluanus our CountrymaÌ„ of Britaine sent Bishop hither by Pope Eleutherius Medwinus a Brittan S. Aaron sent also with the Legats and Eusebius sent hither to S. Timothy all now probably Bishops besides diuers of the old Archflamens Flamens and other learned Druyds long since conuerted for vertue and Radulph Niger Harrison descr of Brit. c. 9. Harris Hist l. 2. c. 20. learning and number sufficient to supply those Episcopall Sees and dignities Besides among the so many quamplurimis which came hither with S. Damianus and Fugatianus the second time no man can question but diuers of them were not onely renowned and men in all respects worthie of Episcopall order and dignitie but de facto were there so promoted and supplied some of those vacancyes The rest for the most part for want of the Brittish languadge to preach to the people heare not so fit to be Pastors in Churches were placed in Monasteryes and inferior Orders Deacons Subdeacons Acoluthists Exorzists and the rest then generally vsed in the Church of Christ especially at Rome by whose exemple the frame of our Brittish Church was framed by the Popes direction his Legats execution and his owne after Papall Confirmation 7. And so Britaine neither had then nor could haue any other Religion Britaine receauâ—th Church discipline from Rome at this time or Church Discipline Lawes and order but as the Church of Rome then practized Which some of our Protestants haue remembred and confirme it both with King Lucius request and suite and Pope Eleutherius graunt and allowance One of them expresseth it in these Termes The faith of Christ being Will. Harrison description of Brit. c. 9. thus plaÌ„ted in this Iland in the 177. after Christ and Faganus Dinaw with the rest sent ouer from Rome 178. it came to passe in the third yeare of the Ghospell receaued that Lucius did send againe to Eleutherius requiring that he might haue some breife Epitome of the order of Discipline then vsed in the Church For he well considered that as it auayleth litle to plant a costly vyneiard except it afterward be cherished kept in good order and such things as aâ—noye dayly remoued from the same so after Baptisme and entrance into Religion it profiteth litle to beare the name of Christians except we doe walke in the spirit and haue such thinges as offend apparently corrected by senere Discipline For otherwise it will come to passe that the weedes of vice and vicious lyuing will so quickly abound in vs that they will in the end choke vp the good seed
Histories then no further extending itselfe These Legats and Apostolike MissoÌ„ of Pope Eleutherius preached in the whole kingdome of Britaine then to Seuerus wall diuiding and separating Albania now commonly called Scotland from the other parts of Britaine now England So they or some of their Associats and holy company preached in the whole kingdome or I le of great Britaine and the cheife Ilands thereof for if Pope Eleutherius as before is proued subiected that part of Britaine now Scotland beyond the wall out of the temporall Iurisdiction of King Lucius at whose request and petition he sent Preachers hither vnto Yorke a Metropolitan See in his kingdome and Dominion he though highest iudge and Ruler in the Church of Christ and ouer such as beleeued in him yet ouer such as had not receaued the faith and Religion of Christ he would vse no such commande or Power to subiect them either to the Archbishop of Yorke London Cacrlegion or any other out of the temporall Dominion where they liued nor within the same if any such had bene there except they had bene Christians So the same holy learned Pope in his allowing all the Ilands betweene Britaine and Norwey with Denmarke vsque Noruegiam Daciam to belong to the Crowne of King Lucius in Britaine the ciuill Lawe and Ius gentium adiudging Ilands especially lesser Ilands to be parts of and belonging vnto the next Continent Norwey being a greate kingdome and in the mayne continent as a greate parte of Denmarke likewise was and is Britaine being proued to the Romans before to be an Iland separate from the greate Continent though the greatest knowne Iland it will bring many besides Protestants to defend this Donation of Pope Eleutherius and thereby the old right and Title of Britaine to the Ilands neare Norwey and Denmarke to be of opinion that diuers there were then conuerted to Christ and Pope Eleutherius laboured what he could for their Conuersion Otherwise the Pope though supreame Pastor and Ruler of the Church of Christ did not nor would claime such Power ouer Infidels neuer conuerted to the true faith or sheepe of the folde of Christ of which and not of Infidels he is cheifest Sheephard vnder Christ one earth 2. The old Antiquities of Glastenbury one of our best Records in such things assure vs that these our holy Legats and Apostles did heare preach Christ and baptized the Inhabitants throughout the whole Iland of Britaine and not onely in King Lucius and the Romans Dominion heare Phaganus Deruianus venerunt in Britanniam ad praedicandum Euangelium qui Antiq. Glast Guliel Malm. l. de Antiq. Caeno Glast Capgrau in S. Patricio baptisantes praedicantes vniuersam Insulam peragrantes Which Tertullian a learned witnesse and writer in this time within the first 200. yeares of Christ and writing in Afrike so farre from taking speedy and certaine notice or Intelligence of the affaires of this so remote kingdome proueth when he saith Britannorum Romanis inaccessa loca the places of the Brittans whether Tertull. l. cont Iudaeos c. 7. the Romans could not come had before his writing receaued the faith of Christ which must needs be performed at this time before Pope Victor his sending Preachers vnto the Scots at the request of their King and first Christian King of the Scots Donaldus And his Mission was vnto the Scots but this Conuersion of the Britans in the places vnaccessable to the Romans or to which the Romans had not made accesse must needs be of the Britans as they are so expressely named by that auncient writer of that time and these Britans were the same which then inhabited in the Country now and long since called Scotland of the Scots afterward entering and inhabiting there for all other places in Britaine had before suffered and knowne the Romans Accesse and Inuasion into them 3. No other part of Britaine is found in Histories into which they had not made accesse and there obtained Rule or thence receaued Tribute And in this our Protestant Antiquaries doe agree When thus they write It is certaine by Chemnitius citing Sabellicus that the Britans were with the first Conuerts and Protest Theater of great Brit. l. 6. §. 9. Chemnit in Exam. Concil Tridentin ex Sabellico Tertullian who liued within 200. yeares of Christs Natiuitie sheweth no lesse when the more to prouoke the Iewes against whome he wrote calleth to witnesse the fruitefull encrease of the Ghospell of Saluation through many Countryes and Nations and among them nameth the Britans to haue receaued the word of life the power whereof saith he hath pirced into those parts whether the Romaâ—s could not come Where they alledge Tertullian in the same sence for the Conuersion of the Britans euen in the places whether the Romans could not come vnto them yet they doe not plainely cite Tertullian as he wrote and I haue cited him before that the places heare conuerted to which the RomaÌ„s could not come The Britans the most auncient Christians in this part of the world or whole world for a kingdome to haue bene places of the Britans Britannorum Romanis inaccessâ— loca and of no other people or Nation Therefore I cannot allowe what they without controlle immediately thus write in that place whence Petrus Cluniacensis supposeth the Scottish men the more auncient Christians as not being in the like subiection to the Romans as other then were Which collection of Petrus Cluniacensis if these men or any other should allowe and not reproue they should thereby proue themselues much ignorant in the Antiquities honour and priuiledges of our Britaine in this respect contrary to all Historians and these men contrary to themselues often in this their Theater teaching Britaine and the Britans to haue bene the first Christian kingdome and Nation in the worlde No Scots or others especially in these parts of the knowne world the comming neare vnto them in that state or degree of glorie 4. And it is euident by our oldest British Historian S. Gildas and others Gildas l. de excid conquest Britanniae after him that the Scots were not seated or dwelling in the greate Iland of Britaine not in the most remote and Northren parts thereof vntill the departure of Maximus hence with the cheifest power of the Britans heare when and not before they inuaded the North parts vnto the wall of diuision omnem Aquilonarem extremamque terrae partem pro Indigenis murotenus capessunt The Britans Indigenae were the generall Inhabitants and Possessors there before And the picts did not vntill then inhabite any extreame parte of greate Britaine Picti in extrema parte Insulae tunc primum deinceps requîeuerunt and yet by all were heare planted before the Scots But they liued vntill then the Gild. Galfr. Monum Hist Brittan Matt. West Chron. Harding Chron. Scots in Ireland and the our-Ilands as the Picts also in those lesser Ilands did And the Britans
and many most or allmost all our Kings in the meane time being Pagans the Christians heare were quiet for Religion by Antiquities The auncient Manuscript of Winchester saith that from the first planting of the faith in Britaine in the Antiquitat Manuscr Ecclesiae Wintonien time of King Lucius to the first yeare of Dioclesian an hundred yeares together ChristiaÌ„ ReligioÌ„ was quiet in peace the Religious men all that while liued quietly in their Monasteries Durauit Christianitas in Britannia a tempore Bed Eccl. Hist l. 1. c. 4. Fâ—orent Wigor Chron. An. 162. 184. Henr. Hunting Hist l. 1. in Marcus Anton. Verus Peruetus Antiq. Manuscr de primo statu Landau Eccles Matth. Parker l. de Antiq. Britan. Goscelin Hist Io. Bal. cent 1. de Script Brit. Godwin Conuers of Brit. Theater of great Brit. alij Gildas l. de Excid Conquest Brit. c. 7. vide licet a primo Anno Lucij Regis primi Britannorum Cristiani vsque ad primum Annum Dioclesiani Principis quieta in pace centum annis tamdiu Monachi Deo seruientes praedictum vetus Caenobium Wintoniense quiete inhabitabant S. Bede absolutely affirmeth of the Brittans that from the planting of the faith of Christ among them in the dayes of King Lucius they kept it vnuiolate and whole in quiet peace vntill the times of Dioclesian Susceptam fidem Britanni vsque in tempora Dioclesiani Principis inuiolatam integramque quieta in pace scruabant Florentius Wigorniensis hath the verie same words so hath Henry of Huntington The old Manuscript History of the first state of the Church of Landaffe iustifieth that the Brittans kept this their first faith sincere without any stayne of error vntill the Pelagian Herisie Quam Christianae Religionis fidem sine aliqua praui dogmatis macula sinceram conseruauerunt vsqueduÌ„ Pelagiana Haeresis orta est This is also the generall opinio of our Protestant Antiquaries Yet we must not make this so vniuersall a truth to thinke that all which receaued the Christian faith in those dayes of King Lucius did Religiously obserue the same and that all the Brittans without exception were Christians for we reade in S. Gildas whose Authoritie we may not easily reiect praecepta Christi licet ab Incolis tepidè suscepta sunt apud quo sdam tamen integrè alios minus vsque ad Persecutionem Dioclesiani Tyrani nouennem permansere Allthough the Precepts of Christ which the Britans receaued in the time of King Lucius were coldly entertained of the Inhabitants heare yet among some they remayned whole and with others not in such integritie vntill the Persecution of Dioclesian the Tirant 3. We shall finde hereafter many continuing heare in Britaine in Paganisime both of the Princes and people before Dioclesian his Persecution began in this or any other Nation Yet it will be remembred for euer to the eternall honour of those our Primatiue Christian Brittans that notwithstanding the vniuersall Inundation of licentious Paganisme which had reigned heare before the hazard of the disfriendship of the Idolatrous Roman Emperours and Senate then swaying allmost the knowne world and diuers Persecutions of Christians raging in that time and ciuill dissentions now further by the death of King Lucius falling out among our Brittans yet in all these tempests of calamities and afflictions they still without any interruption or corruption continued in their holy Christian Religion not onely secretly but with externall glory and splendor of Bishops Preists Religious men and women Churches Altars and their Ornaments as I haue before remembred And at this present when in morall and wordly vsuall proceedings nothing could haue bene more feared then a relapse to Idolatry by the death of so worthie and holy a gouernour as King Lucius a new zeale and deuotion was kindled in the harts of the Northren Brittanes and Scots in imitating the example of The Scots with their King Donaldus receaue the faith of Christ froÌ„ S. Victor Pope him and his happy Subiects in this kinde For at or presently after his death King Donald then reigning ouer the Scots receauing from Pope Victor as King Lucius before had done from Pope Eleutherius holy Preachers and Instructors receaued and publikly with his wife Nobles and Hector Boeth Scotor Hist l. 6. f. 89. other subiects professed the faith of Christ Talem dederat Regi Donaldo animum pacis Princeps Authour Christus Dominus quod verae pietati aspernato malorum Daemonum cultu sese Paulo ante addixerat Nam Seuero imperante Romanis apud Victorem Pontificem Maximum qui quintusdecimus post Petrum Ecclesiae praefuit per Legatos obtinuit vt viri Doctrina Religione insignes in Scotiam ab eo missi se cum liberis coniuge Christi nomen profitentes baptismate insignirent Regis exemplum Scotica Nobilitas sequuta auersata impietatem Christi Religionem complexa Sacro fonte est abluta Fuit annus ille quo Scoti adlumen verae pietatis Dei optimi maximi benignitate vocati sunt recepti ab eo qui primus fuit humanae salutis tertius supra ducentesimum Christ our Lord Prince and Authour of peace gaue such a minde to King Donald that contemninge the worship of wicked Deuills he addicted himselfe to true pietie For when Seuerus was Emperour of the Romans by his Ambassadors he obtained of Pope Victor the fifteenth after S. Peter Which ruled the Church that men renowned for Learning and Religion to be sent from him into Scotland that might baptize him with his children and wife professing Christ The Scottish Nobilitie following the example of their King forsaking impietie and embrasing the Religion of Christ was baptized This yeare wherin the Scots by the mercy of God allmightie were called and receaued to the light of true pietie was the third aboue two hundred from the first of mans Saluation Thus farre this Scottish Georg. Buchan Rer. Scoticar l. 4. c. Rege 27. Holinsh. Hist of Scotl. in K. Donald Historian from the Antiquities of that Nation to which their Protestant Writers doe also in substance consent as also the Protestant Antiquaries of England Among which one writeth in this manner King Donald in the dayes of the Emperour Seuerus sent a Messenger with letters vnto Pope Victor being the 15. in number as they say after S. Peter declaring vnto him that he was fully minded to receaue the Christian Religion and vtterly to forsake the superstitious seruice of the Heathnish Gods and therefore instantly required him to send some godly learned men to instruct him in the right beleife The Pope hearing this and being glad to encrease the faith of Christ through all parts of the world sent with all speed into Scotland such well disposed parsons as he thought most meete for that purpose who at their arriuall there did their endeuour in such diligent sort that not onely the King but also through his exaÌ„ple a greate number of the Nobilitie
were baptised and clerely forsooke their former errors and Idolatrie This was in the yeare after the birth of Will. Harrison descript of Brit. cap. of Relig. Edw. Grymston Booke of Estat in Scotland pag. 20. Christ our Sauiour 203. The like haue other English Protestants of this matter of whome one saith Scotland receaued the faith in the time of Pope Victor the first in the yeare 203. and Idolatrie did quite cease vnder King Crakinte who died in the yeare 313. Celestine the first sent Palladius thither to roote out the PelagiaÌ„ Heresie which began to encrease there vnder Eugenius the second who died in the yeare 460. since this time the Realme continued longe in profession of the Romish Church vntill these later dayes the Reigne of King Iames who now liueth 4. Thus we see how ignorantly or rather impudently some Protestants haue written in affirming that because some of the Britans and Scots of this Iland at the comming of S. Augustine hither were fallen into old and exploded error of some Churches of Greece that therefore without any warrant or Writer so affirming they receaued their first faith from the Churches of Asia when it is euident by all Antiquities and these Protestants themselues that the Britans did receaue Christian Religion from the Pope of Rome S. Eleutherius and the Scots from Pope S. Victor the two greatest Promulgers and Defenders of the true Paschall obseruation and greatest Enemies to the other erroneous custome and abuse that euer were And being so plainely All Britaine both Britans Scots and others Christians euer subiect to the Pope in Spirituall busines vntill Caluins time confessed by these Protestants before that the Scots which agreed in Religion with the old Christian Britans of this kingdome as all Protestants and others agree did continue in the Profession of the Romish Church from their first Conuersion vntill the crowning of King Iames the sixt a Child in his Cradell what a childish new vpstart Profession of Protestants must that needs be by their owne confession which beginning with not contradiction of a yet speachlesse Infant to build one such a grounde hath reiected the Authoritie of all Popes Councels Churches holy learned Fathers Saints holy Kings and Christian Rulers in so many hundreds of yeares Or how can any man Scot or other apprehend that except King Donald his Nobles and Counsailers therein had bene assured that the cheife disposition of spirituall affaires belonged to the See of Rome and Pope thereof that he a Christian in Iudgment at the least before as so auncient and approued Antiquities proue and in peace and amitie with King Lucius of Britaine where so many renowned Bishops and Clergie men then liued and to whome by the Testimonie and Decree of Pope Eleutherius before remembred all Scots â—nd Picts about this kingdome of Britaine were Feudatories and Subiects and that in France and all other Nations betweene our Scots and Rome there were many holy and learned Christian Bishops and Clergie men that he in prudence would or could haue sent so solemne Ambassadge and supplication to effect this suite to the Pope of Rome whose Emperour then or presently after and before this holy worke was wholly effected was the greatest enemy in the world to the Scottish Nation with all force malice and Power he could inuadinge it Therefore we must needs conclude euen by Protestant warrant and allowance that this whole kingdome of Britaine from the first Conuersion thereof to Christ did euer and continually vntill these dayes of Ihon Caluine that Father of the English Protestant Religion in all dutie and obedience perseuere in the vnitie and doctrine of the Popes and Church of Rome by whome it was first conuerted to Christianitie THE IV. CHAPTER THAT ALLTHOVGH THE BEING OF THE Scots in Britaine in the time of S. Victor is vncertaine and not proued but rather otherwise yet the Inhabitants of the part now called Scotland Britans or whosoeuer were conuerted in King Lucius and this time The Bishops of the conuerted Scots were euer true Bishops and they euer obedient to the See of Rome 1. BVT before we enter into any further particulars of the Conuersion of the Scottish Nation by S. Victor Pope and his Apostolike Disciples imployed therein which is very sparingly remembred in any Antiquities left vnto vs to deliuer our selues so farre as we can from Ambiguities and vncertainties it is requisite to say some what at least in generall of what parte place When the Scots now supposed to be conuerted to the faith came first into Britaine and where they now liued Country or Iland in or about this great Iland of Albion or Britaine these Scots were which are recorded to be conuerted at this time For whatsoeuer the Scots pleade that this hapned to their Nation long after their entrance into this greate Iland which they contend to haue bene in the yeare of the worlds Creation 4617. Annum quo Albionem Scoti ingressi fe runtur ab orbe condito tradunt supra quater millesimum sexcentesimum decimum septimum This Hect. Boeth descript Scot. Reg. fol. 4. Nicephor l. 1. Hist cap. 10. Alphonsus Rex Euseb in Chron. Isid l. 5. Origin Cyprianus lib. Exhort Martyr Hieron in Epist ad Tit. August lib. 12. ciuit cap. 10. Martyrolog Rom. Marian. aetate 6. an 1. Math. West an 1. Protest Angl. marginal Annotat in illum locum Holâ—insh Hist of Engl. l. 3. cap. 18. Iacob Gordonus in Apparatu cap. 2. seemeth to be a strange calculation and not firme enough to be builded vpon for how could the Scots liuing in darke ignorance of God and heauenly things and knowing nothing of the Creation of the world or such things but by all writers a very vnlearned rude and barbarous people exiled bannished and wandering men possibly haue any such certaine Tradition of their arriuall in Albion in such a yeare of the worlds Creation of which they were long time after vtterly ignorant And Hector Boethius the Scottish Historian which with other writers setteth downe this Conuersion in the 203. of Christ and yet maketh that to be in 5399. yeare of the worlds Creation differeth from all other Computations eyther of Nicephorus recompting the birth of Christ in the 5500. yeare of the world K. Alphonsus in the 6984. Euseb 5199. S. Isid 5220. S. Cyp. to his time 6000. and S. Hier. S. Aug. in their dayes 6000. long after S. Cyp. By the Roman Martyrologe 5199. betweene the Creation Christ By Marianus 4163. Matthew of Westminster maketh an other accompt some English Protestant Antiquaries make the distance betwene the Creation 3066. others 3807. Others of them reckon otherwise And by some writers it cometh to about 4000. yeares Such and so manifold variances being among learned Christians in this accompt we may not easely admitt for certaine what any man will therein propose from a Scottish PagaÌ„ surmised Tradition Especially when we haue many Antiquities both Brittish English and
the present Roman Church and Catholiks now professe and Protestants deny and persecute 1. AFter the Martyrdome of S. Calixtus S. Vrbanus the first of The Religion of the Popes then the same that is now by their aduersaries that name was Pope of Rome This man as Protestant Antiquaries English and others write liued in the time of that licentious Emperour Heliogabalus and by the sanctitie of his life and singular learning did bring many in all places to Io. Bal. l. 1. de Act. Rom. Pontif. in Vrban Pap. 16. Rob. Barnes in Vit. Pont. Rom. in Vâ—bano 1. Magdeb. cent 3. c. 10. c. 277. true Religion for which he was often bannished but secretly recalled by the faithfull Christians and at he last receaued the Croâ—ne of Martyrdome in the yeare of our Lord 233. Vrbanus Romanus sub libidinosa bestià Heliogabalo Caesare vixit vitaeque sanctitate doctrinà singulari multos vnâ—iquaque mortales ad Euangelium traxit Hic saepenumerò pro fide Christiana ab vrbe proscribebatur sed à fidelibus iterum claÌ„ reuocatus Martyrij coronam anno Domini 233. tandem accepit His Decretall Epistle is extant written to all Bishops S. Vrbanus Pope Martyred in the yeare of our Lord 233. of the common life and offering of the faithfull He plainely maketh mention of such a common life as was vnder the Apostles defeÌ„deth by his Decrees the goods â—â— the Church that no man should inuade them by force or fraude And he speaketh â—â— the voâ—â—e of them which promise to possesse nothing proper to themselues he instituted that Confirmation should be ministred after Baptisme He saith that by Imposition of the Bishops hands therein the holy Ghost is receaued Extat vna eius Epistola Decretalis scripta ad omnes Episcopos de communi vita oblatione fidelium Planè enim eiusmodi vitae communis meminit qualis sub Apostolis fuit Munit deinde Edictis bona Ecclesiae ne quis ea vi aut fraude inuadat aliqua dicit de voto promittentium se nihil rerum propriarum possessuros Instituit in fine Confirmationem post Baptismum dicit per manus Impositionem Episcoporum accipi Spiritum sanctum 2. Next vnto S. Vrbanus succeeded Pope Pontianus who as these Protestants Io. Bal. lib. 1. de Rom. Pont. Act. in Pontiano tell vs was Christi minister ac dispensator Mysteriorum Dei exilium supplicia pro Euangelio proque Ecclesia passus est post multas calamitates grauia tormenta Anno Domini 239. pro Christi fide martyrij paena subijt The Minister S. Pontianus Pope suffered Martyrdum an D. 239. of Christ and dispenser of the mysteries of God suffered exilements and punishments for the Ghospell and the Church and after many calamities and greuious Torments suffered the payne of Martyrdome for the faith of Christ in the yeare of our Lord 239. He taught that God would haue Preists so familiar with him that he Magdeburgen centur 3. col 278 in Pontian would accept of other mens Sacrifices by theÌ„ and by them forgiue their sinns and reconcile them to him And that Preists doe make with their owne mouth the body of our Lord and giue it to the people Sacerdotum dignitati multa tribuit Eos inquit Deus familiares in tantum sibi esse voluit vt etiam aliorum hostias per eos acceptaret atque eorum peccata donaret sibique reconciliaret Ipsi quoque proprio ore Corpus Domini conficiunt populis tradunt 3. After S. Pontianus succeeded S. Anterus who as our Protertants saye attributed S. Antherus Pope and Martyr succeeded S. Pontinus such supreame Priuiledge to his holy See that he ordained that Bishops might not goe from one Bishopricke to an other without the Authoritie of the Pope of Rome Episcopos ab vno Episcopatu ad aliam transferre si id Ecclesiae necessitas vel vtilitas exigat licere sed ne id sine summi Pontificis authoritate Robert Barnes l. de Vit. Pont. Rom. in Antero Io. Bal. l. 1. de Act. Pontif. Rom. in eod fiat cauit and beatified the Church with his blood in Martyrdome in the yeare of our Lord 243. decorauit hic Antherm anno Domini 243. Ecclesiam suo sanguine quam antea pauerat verbo which he had before fedd with the word of God 4. S. Fabian as these men say was Miraculously chosen Pope the forme of a Doue sitting vpon his heade when he was sought for to be Pope Cum ad S. Fabianus miraeulously chosen Pope PoÌ„tificatum designatus quaereretur Columba super eius caput sedere visa est He buil ded a Church-yard for the honour of Martyrs He decreed that euery yeare vpon Maunday Thursday new Chrisme should be consecrated and the old Barnes Bal. sup in Fabiano Magdeb. Cent. 3 c. 10. col 279. 280 c. 5. col 144. burnt That Preists should not be accused or punished in the teÌ„porall but Ecclesiasticall Court He forbad marriadge within the first degree of coÌ„sanguinitie That euery Christian should communicate at the least thrise euery yeare He decreede about satisfaction the Rite of penance Excommunication of the Age of such as were to be made Preists or admitted to holy Orders of oblations or Masses euery day Caemiterium pro Martyrum dignitate extruxit Singulis annis in caena Domini Chrisma vt renouaretur vetere combusto statuit Sacerdotes causam dicere mulctari in Sacro non prophano foro debere edixit Ne vxorem quis ducat intra quintum consanguinitatis gradum statuit Quisque Christianus vt singulis annis ter Eucharistiam sumeret praecepit Quaedam de satisfactionibus de ritu paenitentiae de excommunicatione statuit de aetate presbyterorum ordinatorum de oblationibus per singulos dies They add further how he coÌ„demned the Heresies S. Fabianus condemned the Heresies of the Nouatians and Helchites of the Nouatians and Helchites And that he both baptized Philip the Emperour and after put him to publike penance among the ordinarie penitents Whereas these men say that S. Fabian appointed that euery yeare vpoÌ„ Maunday-Thursday new Chrisme should be hallowed and the old burnt no man may thereby phantasie that he was the first Authour either of consecrating or yearely renewing of Chrisme for in the very place from whence these Protestants deriue this Constitution which is the secoÌ„d Decretall Epistle of this holy Pope he playnely saith that vpon that day when Christ supped with his Disciples and washed their feete Christ himselfe taught this consecrating of Chrisme and that the Popes of Rome thus receaued it from the Apostles And for the yearely renewing of it vpon that day he saith also that it discended from the Apostles by all his Predecessors Popes of Rome and so from the Apostles both the Church of Rome Antioch Hierusalem and Ephesus where the Apostles liued did euer obserue In illa Die Dominus
things belonging to the true Church of Christ by our Protestants confessions in all which and diuers other questions by their owne Testimonie S. Cyprian those Popes of Rome and the Church of Christ then differed from them and agreed in them all with the present Roman Church First for the validitie of Sacraments these men confesse that by the doctrine of S. Cyprian and the Church then the worthie receauers of them were vnited to Christ armed against the world the deuill and human concupiscence grace was giuen and sinnes forgiuen in them This was also the receaued old doctrine of the Church and Popes of Rome namely of Pope Cornelius as both he Eusebius the Magdeburgian Protestants and others witnesse by whose agreeing testimonie also both Pope Cornelius S. Cyprian and the Church of Rome and Affrike with all others differed from our Protestants and consented with the present Roman Church about the number of Sacraments First they say that both Cornelius and S. Cyprian taught that Confirmation was a Sacrament and by the Bishops Vnction with Chrisme the Magdeb. in Indice cent 3. v. Sacramenta cēt 3. c. 10. col 246. 247. 248. Cornelius Epist 2. Tom. 1. Conc. Euseb l. 6. c. 42. Magde cent 3. in Cornel. c. 10. col 240. Cypria Epist 72. Cyprian Ep. 52. ad Antonianum l. 1. Ep. 2. ep 54 Cyprian de Ablutione pedum Cornel. Epist apud Eusebium Magdeb. alios supr Magdeb. in Indice cē◠3. in Lucio Papa cēt 6. col 148. col 149. tit de caelibatu Vita monastica holy Ghost and Grace were giuen S. Cyprian also maketh Penance a Sacrament and plainely affirmeth that sinnes are loosed and forgiuen in it And both he and S. Cornelius then Pope giue as much to Preisthood and holy Orders S. Cyprian maketh it and others Sacraments equally as Baptisme Docemur quae sit Baptismi aliorum Sacramentorum stabilitas Nam Baptismum repeti Ecclesiasticae prohibent regulae semel sanctificatis nulla deinceps manus iterum consecrans praesumit accedere nemo sacros Ordines semel datos iterum renouat nemo sacro oleo lita iterum linit aut consecrat nemo Impositioni manuum vel ministerio derogat Sacerdotum Where he setteth this downe for a generall Ecclesiasticall Rule which no man was ignorant off or did disobay 11. And S. Cornelius then Pope by all the witnesses before Protestants and others setteth downe the honour and dignitie of this Sacrament in the Church of Rome when he affirmeth that in those dayes of Persecution there were in it besides the Bishop 46. Preists 7. Deacons 7. Subdeacons 42. Acoluthists Exorchists Lectours and Ianitours 521. And to make all sure that all these Orders then were Ecclesiasticall he setteth downe some of their Offices and how these Exorcists did dispossesse Nouatus by these Protestants being possessed by Sathan These Protestants also testifie the same of S. Cyprian his doctrine in this point and these Deacons Subdeacons did liue vnmarryed of this Pope Lucius as they confesse made a Decree Lucij Decretum de caelibatu Sacerdotum So they acknowledge of Pope Stephen that no Preist Deacon or Subdeacon might marry nullus Sacerdotum à Subdiacono vsque ad Episcopum licentiam habet coniugium sauciendi Likewise they doe sufficiently proue that S. Cyprian and these Popes agreed in the Supreamacie Magdeb. cent 3. c. 4. col 84. 85. Tit. de Eccles Primatu Romano of the Pope of Rome First for S. Cyprian in that very Treatise which they intitle de Ecclesiâ Primatu Romano of the Church and Roman Primacy they acknowledge he expressely writeth that the Roman Church is to be acknowledged of all for the Mother and Roote of the Catholike Church he calleth the Chaire of Peter the principall Church from which Preistly vnitie is risen And saith in diuers places that the Church was founded vpon Peter Cyprianus libro quarto Epistolâ 8. nominatim ait Romanam Ecclesiam ab omnibus alijs pro matrice radice Catholicae Ecclesiae agnoscendam esse Quemadmodum libro primo Epistolâ tertiâ in tractatu de simplicitate Praelatorum principalem vocat Ecclesiam Petri Cathedram à quâ vnitas sacerdotalis exorta sit Alibi passim dicit super Petrum Ecclesiam fundatam esse vt libro primo Epistolâ tertiâ libro quarto Epistolâ nonâ Tractatu secundo de habitu Virginum sermone tertio de bono patientiae in Epistolâ ad Quirinum And they adde further vtterly to ouerthrow their owne new found Ministeriall calling and Church and Princes proceedings against Clergie men that S. Cyprian taught an Ordinary Succession in Pastorall dignitie and that Bishops and Rulers of the Church were not to be iudged by others Habet Cyprianus alias opiniones periculosas vt quod Pastoratum ad ordinariam successionem libro 1. Epistolâ 6. allegat Item quod negat Episcopos Praepositos Ecclesiae iudicandos libro 4. Epistolâ 9. in Concilio These they call dangerous opinions and so they are for their new Religion which hath no Ordinary Succession but in all places hath ouerthrowne it and so farre proceeded to adiudge and condemne Bishops and Prelates of the Church that in the whole world there is not any one of that most sacred or Preistly calling or any inferiour holy Order none but meere Lay men which by their owne definitiue Article cannot make a true visible Artic. of Englis Protest Religiō art 19. Church to be founde in all their Congregations And yet this doctrine of S. Cyprian so periculous with these men is so farre from being really and truely dangerous that not onely by all Catholike Authours but by our English Protestants also both their particular Writers and publike Articles with their Art sup Art 36. Prot. publ glosse ther. Prot. Booke of Consecration in Pref. allowed glosse and authorized Booke of Consecration it is iustified to be vnquestionably true and most necessary And this allready proued by all Authoritie as also the doctrine of exemption of Bishops and Clergie men from being conuented before Lay Iudges and Tribunals The same is euident before of the Popes of Rome Spirituall Supreamacie And diuers of these testimonies of S. Cyprian therein are in his seuerall Epistles to Pope Cornelius That place where he calleth the Roman Church the Roote and Mother of the Catholike Church is in his 45. Epistle which is to Cornelius Pope where he plainely saith he exhorted all to follow that Church Vt Ecclesiae Catholicae radicem matricem agnoscerent ac tenerent Likewise his testimony that Rome is the Chaire of S. Peter the principall Church from which Preistly vnitie is risen is in his 55. Epistle which is to the same Pope Cornelius In which he affirmeth further that it is the Church of Rome whose faith the Apostle commended and to which false doctrine cannot haue accesse Eos esse Romanos quorum fides Apostolo
Lucius sonne to S. Helen this world and now greate Saints in heauen by forsaking terreane and temporall dignities to purchase spirituall and eternall We finde she had foure children heare in Britaine by her husband Constantius three sonnes whereof Annal. Eccl. Cathedralis Lucion in Aquitania Ion. Bouchet de Poictiers Annales Aquitan l. 1. c. 5. will Harrison description of Brit. c. 9. p. 25. col 2. Constantine after surnamed the Greate was the youngest S. Lucius the second the name of the eldest slayne or dying when he was but Younge is not so readily preserued in Antiquities and one daughter S. Emerita This S. Lucius is he that was Apostle to diuers peoples and places in Germany mistaken by some through I dentitie of name and Nation Regall discent and nearenes in time for King Lucius our first Christian King Grandfather to this Prince Lucius as the Annals of Aquitayne where he long time liued a most penitentiall and holy life in a Monastery which he there founded called after his name hath testified before and he also tooke his name Lucius from him de son Bisageal Roy d' Angleterre And this Lineal discent of Queene Helen from King Lucius proximitie in blood to him and thereby true Titler to the crowne of Britaine may seeme to haue bene a stronge motiue for the Romans so easely and desirously to consent vnto and procure the vniting Mariadge betweene her and Constantius The Historie of this S. Lucius S. Helen her sonne is thus recorded in those Antiquities as the Antiquarie of Aquitane relateth it from thence I fynde by the foundation of the Church of Lucon Bouchet l. 1. c. 5. supr Annal. Eccl. Cathed Luc. al. or Lucius in Poycters contayned in an Hymne beginning gaude LucionuÌ„ the said Lucius killed his elder brother son frere aisné and for that cause was bannished the Country and to liue in perpetuall Religion à tenir ReligioÌ„ perpetuell and embarked on the sea in a ship with greate riches and Relicks with many Preists and deuoute parsons Who all landed at Lucon which is vpon the sea and there Lucius founded a faire Abbey and Church to the honour of our Lady which he called by his name Where he lyued with his Preists Religiously And it was after erected into à Bishops See An English Protestant Historian thus relateth the occasion of Will. Harrrison description of Britaine p. 25. c. 9 Prince Lucius his forsaking Britaine his natiue Country It hapned that Lucius by meanes of a quarell growne betweene him his elder brother either by a fray or by some other meanes did kill his said brother whereupon his Father exiled him out of Britaine and appointed him from thenceforth to remayne in Aqnitayne in France He became a Bishop in the Church of Christ He erected a place of prayer wherein to serue the liuing God and is still called euen to this our time after Lucion or Lucius the first Founder thereof and the originall beginner of any such house in those parts In this also he and diuers others of his friends continued their times in greate contemplation and prayer and from hence were Translated as occasion serued vnto sondry Ecclesiasticall promotions in the time of Constantine his brother So that euen by this short Narration it is now easie to see that Lucius the King and Lucius the sonne of Chlorus were distinct parsons He had expressely said before in his merginall notation Chlorus had three sonnes and a daughter by Helena And thus more at Lardge in his Relation hereof Constantius Chlorus being at the first matched with Helena and before she was put from him by the Royall power of Dioclesian he had by her three sonnes besides one daughter called Emerita of which the name of the first is perished the second was called Lucius and the third Constantine S. Luâ—ius conuerted the Curienses and there was Martyred that after was Emperour And he after addeth Hereunto Hermannus Schedelius addeth also how he went into Rhetia with Emerita his Sister and neare vnto the Citie Augusta conuerted the Curienses vnto the faith of Christ and there likewise being put to death in Castro Martis lieth buried in the same Towne where his Feast is holden vpon the third day of December as may readily be confirmed whereas the bones of our Lucius were to be seene at Glocester That Schedelius erreth not herin also the auncient monuments of the said Abbay whereof he was the originall beginner as I said doe yeeld sufficient testimony beside an Hime made in his commendation intituled gaude LucionuÌ„ c. The said Schedelius furthermore setteth downe that his sister was martyred in Trinecastle neare vnto the place where the said Lucion S. Emerita S. Lucius his Sister Martyred dwelled whereby it appeareth in like sorte that she was not sister to Lucius King of Britaine Hitherto this Protestant Antiquarie But whereas he would make Hartmannus Schedel a witnesse that this was S. Lucius sonne of Constantius and S. Helena he is deceaued therein for that Authour saith expressly it was S. Lucius our King that was coÌ„uerted by Pope Eleutherius meanes Lucius Anglorum Rex Coilli Regis filius but supposing as it hath bene allready Hartman Schedel Châ—onic Chronic. f. 115. p. 2. proued that it was S. Lucius sonne of Constantius and S. Helena he goeth further and saith he conuerted all Bauaria and Rhetia betweene the Alpes Totam Bauariam Rhetiam inter Alpes Christo acquisiuit 2. But there be many german Authours which this Protestant might haue better cited for this purpose as Gaspar Bruchius Sebastian Munster with others who with diuers other Writers they alledge asscribe as much to S. Lucius that preached to the Rhetians as Schedel doth and more and yet plainely proue this could not be S. Lucius our King of Britaine who as Munster truely saith neuer went out of Britaine but liued dyed and was buried heare Britanniae ille Rex qui circiter annum Domini 190. floruit patriam nequaquam exiens piè apud suos obdormiuit And to demonstrate it could be no other Sebastian MuÌ„st Cosmogr l. 3. c. 344. p. 735. S. Lucius a Britan but this sonne of Constantius and S. Helena he bringeth from the German Antiquities that the Lucius which preached there continued his preaching vntill the most bloody Persecution of Dioclesian Ad vsque Dioclesionam illam cruentissimam persecutionem Which this onely S. Lucius did and could doe the other King Lucius being dead before Dioclesian was borne by all Antiquities And to cleare it further he writeth that diuers affirme he was of the kingely Race of the Britans borne among them neuer mentioning that he was a King Lucium hunc aliqui regio stemmate apud Britannos Cap. 214. ortum natum esse affirmant Gaspar Bruchius also hath the very same words for the opinion of diuers writers That S. Lucius which preached to the Gaspar Bruch l. de Episcopâ—â—b Geâ—maniae Catal
cum his qui nuptias contraxissent Priuilegijs frui iussitque praeter alia multa etiam vt nihil commodi etiam si genere proximi essent ex testamento suorum caperent Quinetiam eos qui nullos habebant liberos dimidiata parte bonorum quae erant reliqua mulctauit Haec lex a veteribus Romanis sancita fuit eo consilio vt non vrbem Romam solum verum etiam caeteram suam Ditionem hominum multitudine complerent quandoquidem haud longo tempore ante legem latam quamplurimos bellis intestinis ac ciuilibus amiserant Quare Imperator cum videret eos qui virginitatem excolere sine liberis esse propter Dei amorem in animum induxissent hac de re in deteriort esse conditione legem plebi promulgauit quae iubebat vt cum caelibes tum liberis carentes pari iure cum caeteris omnibus fruerentur Immo vero etiam decreuit vt qui castimoniae virginitati se consecrassent Priuilegio quodam prae caeteris donarentur Illud porro est plane maximum reuerentiae Imperatoris erga Religionem argumentum quod clericos vbique per legem ob eam rem conditam immunitate donari voluit quodque illis qui erant in iudicium vocati dedit potestatem si modo animum inducerent Magistratus ciuiles reijcere ad Episcoporum iudicium prouocandi atque eorum sententiam ratam esse aliorum Iudicum sententijs plus habere Authoritatis All these and more such publike Acts and duties of a Christian Emperour Eusebius Sozomen and others Euseb l. 2. de Vit. Constant c. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. l. 3. c. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. Sozom. Hist Eccl. l. 1. c. 8. 15. 16. 17. Ruffin Hist l. 1. c. 1. Socr. l. 1. c. 2. 3. 4. 5. proue to haue bene done by Constantine diuers yeares before some Roman Writers affirme he was baptized by Pope S. Syluester in the yeare before the Nicen councell the 324. of Christ THE IX CHAPTER CONSTANTINE DID NOT PROLONG HIS Baptisme so long as some write He was not baptized by an Arrian Bishop neuer fell into Arrianisme or any Heresie 1. THEREFORE for the honour of this our Emperour and Country Baron Spond An. 324. to examine this more particularly Baronius Spondanus and others both late and more auncient Writers doe demonstrate against some GretiaÌ„s not a litle suspected of that greate sinne Heresie of Arrius or Fauourers thereof with which suspition they haue not abstained to seeme to accuse this our renowned Emperour especially towards his later dayes that he was both innocent of that crimination and not baptized a litle before his death at Nicomedia by an Arrian Bishop but long before and somewhat before that Heresie was condemned in the Nicen Councell by S. Syluester Pope of Rome and in that his then Imperiall Citie of which I shall more plainely entreate hereafter Among their Arguments besides Authours of all kindes Greekes and Latins Pagans and Christians with other inuincible testimonies a reason of cheife importance is that so Religious and verruous a Prince and Benefactor of the Church of Christ by Religion would not and in conscience could not so long hazard his saluation by deferring his Baptisme the dore to enter into â—â— The same Argument by proportion I may vse against Baronius and all those that delay the Baptisme of this renowned Emperour vntill the 324. yeare of Christ when he had bene Emperour allmost 20. yeares before and so long and more a Christian in Iudgment and affection at the least as I haue inuincibly proued He that had sought by so many and chardgeable meanes to take away preuent and hinder negligences and sins in other Christians in all places of his Dominions may not be thought so negligent and forgetfull of his owne good and happines eternall so many yeares in so many dangers as he vnderwent to play his soule at hazard and tempt God so long and often in so high a degree 2. And these Authours Themselues set downe many Christian Acts and Baron Spond in Annal. an 313. 314. 315. 316. 317. 318. 319. professions of Constantine which free him from such neglect In the next yeare to his Victorie against Maxentius being the yeare of Christ 313. he gaue his sister Constantia a Christian as these men say wife to Licinius not then probable that he could be so mindfull of his Sisters spirituall good and carelesse of his owne when especially as all Histories testifie he made this match for the propagation of Christian Religion Licinus by this meanes Ioyening with him in this busines by his procuremeÌ„t He giueth the greatest reuereÌ„ce highest honour to the Decrees Sentence of Bishops gaue his Palace Laterane to Pope Melchiades in Rome and Reuenewes to all other Bishops in the tenth yeare of his Empire he celebrated the Feast and solemnitie thereof Christiano ritu as a Christian should and reiecteth the wonted Pagan exercises He granteth great libertie to all Bishops Warreth against Licinius for defence of Christian Religion pro defensione Religionis Christianae He was the onely Emperour none to resist him in the yeare of Christ 319. and then euery where he gaue peace to the Church of Christ paceÌ„ Ecclesiae vbique restituit abolishing the Witches and Southsayers of the Pagans All these besides other Christian workes and Acts Baronius confesseth Constantine publikly performed 5. or 6. yeares before the Nicen Councell How then can he probably teach that he was batized the yeare before He confesseth there were by his procurement 600. Bishops at the Councell of Arles in the yeare 314. in the yeare 325. 318. Bishops at Nyce in Bithinia and 377. at Rome 3. If Constantine cheife Agent to abolish the Pagan Flamens to whome these Bishops succeeded had not bene a Christian much longer how could so many Bishops be so soone assembled together or haue bene in the whole worlde The very summoning and assembling them from so many so remote and separated Nations into two places must needs demande a farre longer warning Againe it is euident both by Greeke and Latine Authours that Constantine was in the East and not at Rome where he was baptized when the Nicen Councell was kept and at the Citie of Nice before the Bishops were assembled there So many Disputs both with Arrians and Pagan Philosophers as were had in that Councell so many matters there handled and concluded and Canons by all Registers and Authours decreed in such publike affaires of so greate consequence in the whole Church of Christ after so long and difficult iornies before they could be assembled and many priuate differences contentions first ended before matters of faith were handled sufficiently warrant vs by example of all other Councells that this so generall and first of that nature that euer was must needs be of a longer continuance answeareable to the difficulties thereof and so this Councell ending in the 325.
in that our Mother Church thus they testifie and first of S. Syluester that Pedagoge ad Tutor of Constantine in these words There be very many Decrees of Pope Syluester of consecrating Chrisme confirming children adorning Churches couering Altars ordaining Massing Preistâ— annointing vesting them of worshiping adoring and reseruing the consecrated Hostes also of Deacons vesturs Albes Miters Palls Sacrifices Ceremonies Asiles Extreame vnctions other Rites Huius Syluestri permulta feruntur Instituta de Chrismate consecraÌ„do Ordinibus dandis pueris confirmandis templis ornandis Altaribus tegendis Missatoribus constituendis vngendis vestiendis Hostijsque vt vocant deificandis adornandis seruandis Item de Dalmaticis Cappis Corporalibus Albis Mitris Pallijs Pannis Peplis Sindonibus Sacrificijs Ceremonijs Asilis Extremis vnctionibus alijsque ritibus How a Preist should be vested when he sayd Masse that no lay man might empleade any of the Clergie That no Clergy man should be conuented before Magdeburgen centur 4. cap. 6. cap. 7. cap. 9. cap. 10. a secular Iudge If the Reliks of Saints or Martyrs were to be translated from other places they should be brought into Cities and Villages religiously in singing per Psalmodias Religiosè acciperentur ac deducerentur He approued and exercised the Primacy of the Pope of Rome as all other Popes then did The chast and Religious conuersation of Monkes and Nunnes were then vsed and liuers Monasteries of men and women then in Rome In the Clergie were these Degrees Bishops Preists Deacons Subdeacons Acoluthists Exorcists Lectors Ostiarij The Bishops Preists Deacons and Subâ—eacons were vnmarried and liued in chastitie Episcopi Presbyteri Diaconi aut virgines eliguntur aut certè post Sacerdotium in aeternum pudici That the sacrifice of Masse might not be celebrated but in places consecrated by a Bishop Missae celebrationem in nullis praeterquam ab Episcopo sacratis locis faciendam Concilium Româ—num sub Syluestro constituit And in the same Councell to which both S. Syluester and Constantine subscribed it is defined as I haue Concil Roman can 20. before cited that the Roman See is the cheifest See Iudge of all and to be Iudged of none Emperor Clergie Kings or people nemo iudicabit primam Sedem quoniam omnes Sedes à prima Sede iustitiam desiderant temperari Neque ab Augusto neque ab omni Clero neque à Regibus neque à populo Iudex iudicabitur These Protestants Magdeburgen c. 6. â—upr cent 4. also deluer for the doctrine and vse of this time for penitents to make sacramentall Confession of their sinnes and Preists to enioyne pennances and giue absolution vnto such Penitents Concerning holy Scripturs the third Councell of Carthage in the beginning of the next Age apprehending the same Canon of holy Scripturs which the present Roman Church now receaueth Concil Carth. â— can 47. faith plainely that it receaued it from the Fathers which were before them Pro confirmando isto Canone innotescat quia à Patribus ista accepimus in Ecclesia August l. 2. doctrin Christian cap. 7. legenda And S. Augustine liuing in this Age is witnesse that the Apostolâ—ke Sees Rome the cheife receaued it so How vaine and Idle our Protestants and their Article of Religion in reiecting Traditions and onely admitting Scripturs in matters of Religion is euident in so many recited Articles which these men haue granted and yet deny them to be contained in or to be deduced from Scripturs as also their Article and doctrine against Communion onely in one kinde contending as though it could not be practized or permitted when these Protestants themselues confesse that in this time euen in the Roman Church Communion onely vnder one kinde was vsed Ambros orat Funebri de morte Satyri and by the greatest Doctors then in the Church of God namely S. Ambrose who so writeth and at his death practized it in himselfe onely receauing vnder the forme of bread as Catholiks now vse and his brother Satyrus others often so accustomed euen when they were in health Which these Paulin. in vita S. Ambrosij Protestants thus confesse Peregrinantes ac Nauigantes EucharistiaÌ„ secum circumtulisse Christianos ex Ambrosio apparet ex oratione Ambrosij in funere fratris Satyrij Magdeburgen cent 4. cap. 6. col 429. 430. Ab honorato Ecclesiae Vercellensis Sacerdote Ambrosio morituro oblatum esse corpus Domini quo accepto expiraret Paulinus tradidit in vita Ambrosij These men also teach that the doctrine of the See of Rome and the Fathers at this time concerning freewill and originall sinne was the same with that of the Magdeburgen cent 4. cap. 4. cap. 10. Roman Church in these dayes So that if any man will compare but these points of doctrine which S. Syluester and Constantine then held and practized with the English Protestant Religion as it is set downe in the priuiledge Booke of the Articles thereof warranted by Parlament Kings Authoritie Conuocation of their Protestant Bishops Oath and Subscription of them and their whole Ministery he shall not finde any one true Article then amoÌ„g them all which are opposite to the Church of Rome and Religion thereof at this time But whether we are Catholiks placing spirituall Primacie in the See of Rome then in S. Syluester or Protestants asscribing it vnto their Christian Kings Constantine then both King and Emperour heare we must be of this holy Religion wherein these two greate Rulers were so vnited together in all points especially seeing these Protestants haue warranted these two Princes were holy and of themselues worthie paterns to be imitated now as the whole Catholike Christian world then ioyned with them in doctrine S. Syluester Magdeburgen cent l. 4. cap. 10. being Pope say our Protestants did faithfully performe his office in teaching and amended many things in the Clergie was renowned for working Miracles and by them conuerted many to the faith at seuen Ordinations he consecrated 65. Bishops all ioyning with him in Religion Syluester factus Episcopus docendi munere fideliter functus est vitiosa in ordine Ecclesiastico multa emendauit miraculis claruit etiam quibus multos ad fidem conuertit Ordinationibus sacris septem perfectis creauit Episcopos sexaginta quinque So likewise did all other knowne Catholike Bishops in the whole world either actually assembled in or consenting vnto the renowned Councels of so many hundreds of Bishops of Nice Rome Arles and other places in his time agreeing and consenting together for theÌ„selues and the whole Christian world committed to their charge in Religion Like was the case of Constantine so farre as temporall Prince had to deale in these affaires Of all Emperors that euer were he was he greatest in Power and Dominions and the greatest Reuerencer we finde in Histories of the See Apostolike and Popes of Rome in his time and all other Godly Bishops and assisted all he could the assembling
Emperor he recalled and restored all the Catholike Bishops which Constantius the Arrian had bannished as Theodoret and others testifie Iulianus Episcopos qui fuerunt in exilium à Constantio in vltima terrarum loca missi ad suam quemque Ecclesiam capessendam renocauit And declared Emperor in France and the West in ConstaÌ„tius his time when he and his Complices raged most against the Catholike Bishops soone after the dissoluing of the Councell of Ariminum as Sozomen Sozom. Socrat. Niceph. supr Socrates Nicephorus and others proue was so farre from concurring with him or his Agents either in this or any other designe by his Authoritie or Commission that in all places in the West and as he went towards Constantius in the East he discharged his Officers Commissioners in all Prouinces disgracing him in euery Citie so that all people reuolted from Constantius and submitted themselues vnto Iulianus His rebus prosperè faeliciter gestis Imperator à militibus declaratur Iulianus ad hunc modum regnare caepit Neque Legatos ad Constantium mittere neque vt patronum beneficum colere sed omnia pro suo ipsius arbitrio agere in animum induxit Magistratus in singulis Prouincijs commutare Constantium in quaque Ciuitate infamia notare conatur Quocircailli omnes se dedere à Constantio deficere caeperunt 6. S. Hilarius the best Calculator of those times Tragedies wherein he suffered so much by the Arrians for the Catholike doctrine can giue the most certaine euidence in this busines he in his Booke of Synods written to the Bishops of Britaine Germany and France after the summons of the Councell of Hila. l. de Synod contra Arrianos Ariminum cum comperissem Synodos in Ancira atque in Arimino congregandas saith that he had bene exiled three whole yeares toto iam triennio In his Booke offered to Constantius after the Councell of Ariminum when he was by him Hilar. l. ad Constantium Augustum Hilar. l. contra Constantium defunctum sent home free into France he iustifieth he remayned then in communion with all the Churches and Bishops of France with which our Britans then also communicated by all Antiquites Episcopus ego sum in omnium Gallicarum Ecclesiarum atque Episcoporum communione licet in exilio permanens Ecclesiae adhuc per presbyteros meos communionem distribuens And in his Booke against CoÌ„stantius being then dead he writeth that after the Bannishment of the Catholike Bishops Paulinus Eusebius Vercellensis Luciferus and Dionisius fiue yeares before he with the Bishops of France had seperated himselfe from the Communion of the Arrians Saturninus Vrsatius and Valens which two last were Constantius choasen cheife InstrumeÌ„ts publikly to persecute the Catholiks after the Ariminum Councell ended Post Sanctorum virorum exilia Paulini Eusebij Lucifiri Diosij quinto ab hinc anno a Saturnini vrsatij valentis Communione me cum Gallicanis Episcopis seperaui And particularly for our Bishops of Britaine in his Epistle or Booke to them with others directed to the Hilar. l. de Synodis prope Iâ—itium Lords his most blessed Brethren and fellowe Bishops of the Prouinces of Britaine Dominis beatissimis fratribus Coepiscopis Prouinciarum Britanniarum Episcopis he testifieth from their owne letters of their sincere faith sent vnto him in Exile beatae fidei vestrae literis sumptis that they continued vnspotted and free from all contagion of Heresie were partakers of his Exile and would not communicate with wicked Saturninus which had procured his BaÌ„nishment and denied Saturninus communion all that while three whole yeares Gratulatus sum in Domino incontaminatos vos illaesos ab omni contagio detestandae Haereseos perstitisse vosque comparticipes exilij mei in quod me Saturninus ipsam conscentiam suam veritus circumuento Imperatore detruserat negata ipsi vsque hoc tempus toto iam triennio Communione fide mihi ac spiritu coherere And that they had actually reiected and condeÌ„ned the Hereticall Decrees of Syrmium missam proxime vobis ex Syrmiensi Oppido infidelis fidei impietatem non modo non suscepisse sed nuntiatam etiam significatamque damnasse 7. And both after the Ariminum Councell and death of Constantius and Iulian his short Rule in the shorter Empire of Iouian commonly named Iouinian when that Persecution ended we haue an other the best witnesse of those dayes S. Athanasius confidently vpon his owne certaine experience and knowledge auouching to that Emperour that among many other Countries which he there recounteth all the Church of Britaine did inuiolably hold the faith of the Nicen Councell Cognosce Religiosissime Auguste hanc esse fidem quae Athanas epist ad Iouinian Aug. à condito aeuo praedicanda fuit quam Niceae Patres congregati agnouerunt eiusque Suffragatrices esse omnes omnibus in locis Ecclesias siue in Hispania siue Britanuia Omnium enim istoruÌ„ animos experimentis cognouimus scripta habemus Thus it is made euident that our Churches and Bishops of Britaine both before at and after the Councell of Ariminum were free from this infection of the Arrian Heresie euen at that time when S. Hierome saith of the whole world besides that the flame of this Heresie had destroyed it totum orbem eius flamma populata est And ingemuit totus orbis Artianum se esse miratus est The whole world groaned and maruailed to see itselfe an Arrian Which was soone after the Councell of Ariminum when ValeÌ„s Vrsacius by the Arrian Emperours Authoritie and Power vsed such cunning strategems and violence towards the Catholike Bishops especially in Italy and the Easterne Countryes where S. Hier. l. 3. in Epist ad Galat. Hier. aduers Luciferian Hierome liued and wrote 8. Yet neither dare I or doe I affirme that Britaine was absolutely and perfectly free in all the members thereof Ecclesiasticall temporall or all such as were directed hither by the Arrian Emperour or had ciuill command vnder him heare were vnspotted with this Heresie and that it did not at all inuade this Kingdome in some parsons and places it is a sufficient glory and singular prerogatiue vnto vs in so generall an Inundation to haue proued our Bishops and their Churches Innocent for besides diuers testimonies before of a common infection in all the world with this Pestilence we haue our owne best and most auncient Writers S. Gildas and S. Bede who as they doe confesse that from the time of Dioclesian his Persecution ended the Church of Britaine was in peace and quiet vntill the Arrian Heresie So they bewaile and complaine that this infecting all the world sailed ouer the Ocean in this Kingdome and other Heresies followed it afterward Mansit haec in Ecclesijs Christi Bed Hist Eccles Gent. Angl. l. 1. c. 8. quae erant in Britannia pax vsque ad tempora Arrianae vesaniae quae
corrupto orbe toto hanc â—tiâ—m Insulam extra orbem tam longe remotam veneno sui infecit erroris hac quâ—si via pistâ—lenâ—iaetrans Oceanum patefacta non mora omnis selues Haeresios cuiusque infulae 〈◊〉 semper aliquid audire graudenti nihil certi firmiter obtinenti insudit S. Gildas before him writeth to like purpose calling that Heresie Gild. l. de excid Brit. c. 9. in respect of this Nation transmarinum venenum a forreine and beyonde sea poison transported hither not bred heare nor naming any one particular Brittish Bishop Ruler of Church or Church infected with it And to grant this Kingdome then to haue bene vnder the Empire and Emperour Constantius then an Arrian which many of our owne Historians haue before denied all this will probably argue no more then that I haue yeelded vnto that some were infected heare but not of Bishops and learned Clergie In which sense Sozomen one of the best Examiners of those proceedings saith that he thinketh no Nation vnder the Roman Empire was quite free and cleare of that calamititie Nulla gens Romano subiecta Imperio ab hac calamitate credo vacua liberaque fuit And we haue a better witnes for Britaine to keepe it vndefiled Sozom. l. 4. Hist c. 26. from this and all other Heresies vntill that of Pelagius long after this time for so testifieth the old Manuscript Antiquitie of the Church of LaÌ„daffe written as it seemeth by the things therein handled before S. Gildas his time all being more auncient which plainely saith that the Britans neuer changed any point of faith which they receaued in King Lucius time nor were infected Antiquit. M. S. Eccl. Landauen with any spot of wicked Doctrine vntill Pelagius his Heresie arose Quam Christianae Religionis fidem sine aliqua praui dogmatis macula sinceram conseruauerunt vsque dum Pelagiana Haeresis orta est Therefore if the Arrian Heresie had any entrance hither it must needs be onely in some fewe particular men not in Publike parsons and Churches THE XXI CHAPTER CHIEFELY ENTREATING OF LIBERIVS Pope and Constantius Emperour manifestly clearing S. Liberius making him an holy Catholike Pope and Saint and the Emperour Constantius a true penitent and to dye a Catholike 1. THE Pope of Rome which succeeded to S. Iulius in the Hereticall time and Empire of this Constantius was Liberius and by them which number Saint Faelix substituted by the Arrians for Pope Liberius exiled in the Catalogue of Popes the same S. Faelix is likewise reckoned among the Bishops of that See Baron Spond Annal. an 357. Seuer Bin. Tom. 1. Conc. Annot. in vit Liberij Apostolike Diuers euen Catholike Writers doe seeme to hold that Liberius being bannished by the Arrian Emperour for refusing to communicate with the Arrian Hereticks did by troble and vexation yeeld to communicate with them externally but neuer consented vnto but euer in iudgment condemned their Heresie and so make him guiltie of a faulte in fact but not in faith in which he euer remained constant and vnmoueable And S. Athanasius whose testimony is greate and on whome they most rely in this opinion allthough he maketh Pope Liberius a most excellent paterne and example of constanty against those Heretiks yet in one place he writeth that either he by violence and threates of death consented to some materiall error by subscribing or the Arrians flandered him with such a fact testifiing Liberius was euer most free euen at this supposed time from Heresie and if any fault of fact was committed it was to be imputed to the wills of the Arrians and not of Liberius and Pope Liberius was no Arrian or consenter to them but an holy Pope yet Liberius then did not supply the Papall See but Felix was by theÌ„ reputed Pope by them substituted into the Papall See in place of Liberius being by them exiled Liberius post exactum in exilio biennium inflexus est minisque mortis Athanas Epist ad Solitariam vitam agentes Tom. 2. oper ad subscriptionem inductus est Verum illud ipsum quoque eorum violentiam Liberij in Haeresim odium suum pro Athanasio suffragium quum liberos affectus habebat satis coarguit Quae enim per tormenta contra priorem eius sententiam extorta sunt eaeiam metuentium sed ita cogentium voluntates habendae sunt Ruffinus Ruffin l. 1. Hist c. 27. leaueth it doubtfull whether Liberius was restored because he subscribed or at the instance of the Romans refusing to obay any other Bishop Liberius vrbis Romae Episcopus Constantio viuente regressus est Sed hoc vtrum quod acquieuerit voluntati suae ad subscribendum an ad populi Romani gratiam à quo proficiscens fuerat exoratus indulserit pro certo compertum non habeo By this it is euident that it could not be proued in those dayes that Liberius made any subscription or yeelding at all such as pleased or could please the Arrian Emperour and his Heretiks But Sozomen Socrates Theodoret and others comming to more certaine and prefect Intelligence of these things then Ruffinus confesseth he had attained vnto doe more clearely testifie that this report of Pope Liberius subscription was but the inuention and fiction of the Arrians who knowing Sozom. Histor Eccl. l. c. 4. 14. the greate Power of him and his See and that Constantius was so vrged by the Romans and Westerne Bishops to restore him that he could not deny it fathered this lye against Liberius for the Emperours and their excuse Imperator compellere tentauit Liberium fateri filium patri non esse consubstantialem In which he could not preuaile and then they raised this Rumour and slaunder rumorem dissiparunt Liberium verbum consubstantiale reiecisse asseruisseque filium patri dissimilem esse When this holy Pope at that very time as the same Authour proueth to disproue this slaunder intâ—rdicted all which allowed of that error Confessionis fidei formulam à Liberio adduxerunt quae illis qui filium patri non substantia caeteris rebus omnibus similem asseuerarent interdixit Ecclesia Yet the Imperour rather moued by feare then loue gaue him leaue to returne to Rome Emperator dat Liberio potestatem Romam reuertendi For the Romans so loued and honored Liberius for his excellent gifts and principally for so constantly defending the true faith and courageously resisting the Arrian Emperour that they tooke Armes for his exilement Populus Liberium tum quod in alijs rebus vir excellens spectatus erat tum quod Imperatori animo adeo excelso constanti in fide defendenda contradixerat tam eximie charum habuit vt seditionem plane maximam eius exilij causa conflaret resque ad caedem prorumperet 2. Socrates saith plainely that Liberius was restored because the Romans caused sedition for his Bannishment and threwe Felix whom the Arrians had Socrates l. 2.
Hist c. 29. putt in his place out of the Church and the Emperour therevpon against his will consented to his returne Liberius ab exilio reuocatus sedem Episcopatus propterea recuperauit quod populus Romanus seditione conflata Felicem Ecclesia illa eiecerat Imperatorque ipse etiam inuito animo illis consenserat Where we see it was rather the Act of the Romans Catholiks then the Arrian Emperour that Liberius was restored with the Romans and against the Emperours will Theodoret sheweth that the Matrons of Rome were also Agents herein protesting to their husbands that if they would not procure the returne of Liberius they would forsake them and goe vnto him Cum Romae esset Constantius Magistratuum Primariorum ciuium coniuges obsecrant maritos vt supplicent Constantio pro Pastore qui restituatur Ecclesiae suae seque nisi impetrassent desertis ipsis ad magnum illum Pastorem deuenturas minantur And they themselues Theod. l. 2. Hist c. 17. went to the Emperour to vrge him hearein and not to suffer such a Citie to want their Pastor and though the Emperour answeared they had Felix a worthie man which kept the Nicen faith and onely communicated with Arrians this could not content them iustifiing that no Citizen of Rome would come into the Church while he was there And hearevpon the Emperour consented to his returne to Rome Accedunt laudabiles Matronae ad Imperatorem pretiocissimis vestibus ornatae quo magis Imperator nobiles ratus precibus voluntatique ipsarum gereret morem Erat autem deprecatio talis Misereri vellet tantae ciuitatis spoliatae Pastore suo expositae Luporum insidijs sed Imperator Respondit non illam Pastore alio indigere quae prudentem bonumque haberet fuerat autem creatus post Liberium vnus ex Diaconis illius vir fidelis Faelix nomine qui incurruptam quidem seruabat Niceae expositam fidem sed violatoribus illius coniungi non verebatur nemo tamen omnium ciuium Romanorum in aedem orationis est ingressus cum ipse intus foret Quod ipsum matronae tum Regi significarunt Itaque flecti se passus iussit optimum quidem Liberium de Exilio reuocari 3. Therefore seeing both the Westerne Catholike Bishops by their letters Legates made Intercessiō for Liberius his restoring the Romās made Tumults for him and their wiues did thus vrge his returne and none of them would communicate with Felix cōmunicating with the Arrians and Liberius being restored did so much detest subscription or communication with Arrians that after the Assemble of Ariminum he did rather and most willingly by all Authours chose to be exiled againe the second time then to subscribe vnto or communicate with them I dare not thinke that so worthie a man by all witnesses was euer guiltie of so foule a fact And Constantius which had by all meanes tempted his constancy both by feares and flatteries would not haue bene vnwilling but most willing with his returne vpon that condition he whome he and his Arrians put in Liberius place performing no more but otherwise so firmely continuing in the Catholike faith hating Arrianisme Damasus Sen. Anastas in Vit. Faelic 2. Tom. 1. Conc. Martyrol Rom. Iulij 29. Bar. Annal. ann 357. Seuer Bin. Tom. 1. Conc. in eod Marian. Scot. aetat 6. in Constant Martin Polon Sup. put in Faelice Regino Chron. Sozom. l. 6. Hist c. 22. that by many Writers and of greate worth he excommunicated that Emperor for that Heresie and for that same cause suffered Martyrdome vnder him Hic fuit Catholicus hic declarauit Constantium filium Constantini esse Hereticum Et propter hoc ab eodem Constātio capitis decollatione martyrio coronatus His Marble Tombe founde in the Church of S. Cosmas and Damian had this Inscription in old Characters hic iacet corpus sancti Faelicis Papae Martyris qui Constantium Haereticum damnauit 4. And concerning Liberius his faith to the end Sozomen the most diligent Relator of his Actions setteth downe for his last memorable Act that when there was Question in Syria and some other places about the consubstantialitie of the holy Ghost with the Father the sonne Pope Liberius hauing notice thereof wrote his Decretall Epistle to the Easterne Bishops that they should with the Bishops Preists of the West confesse the holy Trinitie And they all yelded to the iudgment of the Pope Liberius Quae controuersia cum in dies magis magisque cresceret Episcopus Romanus de e◠certior factus scripsit ad Ecclesias Orientis literas vt vna cum Sacerdotibus Episcopis Occidentis Trinitatem consubstantialem esse gloria aequalem existimarent Quo facto singuli rebus ab Ecclesia Romana semel indicatis acquieuerunt haecque controuersia finem habere visa est 5. The Macedonian Heretiks as the same Sozomen Socrates and others testifie submitted themselues to his Papall sentence And all the Bishops of the West except Auxentius Bishop of Millan embraced the doctrine and Decrees Sozomen l. 6. c. 11. Socrat. l. 4. c. 11 Sozomen supr c. 23. of the Nicen Councell together with Pope Liberius De doctrina autem neque Romani neque vlli alij in Occidente inter se dissentiebant sed omnes Concilij Nicaeni Decreta approbabāt atque Trinitatem tum honore aequalem tum potentia censebant Auxentio solo excepto qui cum esset eo tempore Ecclesiae Mediolanensis Antistes vna cum alijs quibusdam res nouas moliri contra communem Episcoporum Occidentis consensum doctrinam Arrianam defendere idem cum his qui non filium solum sed spiritum sanctum quoque patri dissimilem quae controuersia Posteris excitata erat existimabant sentire in animum induxit Therefore haue the Fathers before iustly called him an excellent renowned man and inferior to none vir excellens spectatus optimus Saint Ambrose calleth him a man of holy memory Sanctae Ambros lib. 3. de Virg. Epiphan Haere◠75. Basil Epist 74. Bed in Martyrol 8. Cal. Octob. Martyr Vuandelbert 23. Septemb. Niceph. lib. 10. Hist cap. 1. memoriae S. Epiphanius a blessed man beatum And S. Basile a most blessed man beatissimum In auncient Martyrologes he is a Saint So S. Bede and this Country among others hath receaued and honored him 6. Some also there be which labour to free Constantius the Emperour himselfe from being a formall and obstinate Heretike among whome Nicephoras saith he was seduced by giuing too much credit to the Arrian Bishops conuersing with him and yet allthough he caused the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consubstantiall for peace sake to be put out of the Creed yet he still professed the true Constantius Emperor by some excused to be no Heretike but a professed Catholike a◠his death sence and meaning of that word saying and holding that Christ was the true sonne of God begotten from Eternitie
very probably be gathered by his extraordinary fauour and loue towards that greate light of Christs Church in that time S. Hilary most famously knowne to be the greatest Propugner and Defendor of the Nicen faith which was theÌ„ in the world and had written much against the Arrians and among the rest twelue Bookes of the blessed Trinitie and openly still professed himselfe a Catholike and the Arrians damnable Heretiks and both dedicated and deliuered this his Profession and Apologie in a Booke euen to the hands of Constantius and was by him with greate libertie freedome and honour restored and sent to his Bishoprike in France And in that his Apologie proueth that Constantius of himselfe but that he was much abused and violented by the Arrians had long desired to knowe the true Catholike faith in that Controuersie Recognosce fidem quam olim optime ac religiosissime Imperator ab Episcopis optas audire non audis Hilar. l. ad Constantium Augustum Dum enim a quibus ea requiritur sua scribunt non quae Dei sunt praedicant orbem aeternum erroris redeuntis in se semper certaminis circumtulerunt 8. And allthough being sodainely taken with sicknes and death no Catholike Bishop in any probable iudgment being present he was in extremitie baptized by Enzoius an Arrian as S. Athanasius writeth yet this proueth not but as S. Gregory saith he might be saued allthough he had repented before that Baptisme For the same S. Athanasius granteth in the same Epistle that those Arrians or Seminarrians which Constantius ioyned with did then keepe and vse the Catholike forme of Baptisme in the name of the Father and the sonne and the holy Ghost Qui in Ecclesia credunt baptizantur in nomine patris filij Spiritus sanctiâ—â— â—nd not that condemned forme in nomine patris maioris filij minoris c. Aâ—â— besides S. Gregory Nazianzen cited before Theodoret and others testifice that allthough Constantius being deceaued by them which could leade him as they listed did not admit the worde of Coessentialitie yet he manifestly confessed the sence Christ to be the naturall sonne of God begotten of the Father from eternitie and to be God vtterly reiecting and condemning them which durst call him a Creature which were they which vsed that inualide forme of Baptisme Etsi Constantius non admittebat vocem Theodor. Hist Eccl. l. 3. c. 3. Coessentialitatis circumuentus ab ijs qui quouis ducere eum poterant significationem tamen manifeste coÌ„fitebatur quod diceret filium germanum ante secula ex patre genitum Deum verbum prorsus abdicatis ijs qui auderent condituram dicere filium Thus hath Theodoret. And S. Gregorie Nazianzen and Nicephorus the same Greg. Nazian supr Niceph. l. 10. Hist c. 1. before saying that he professed the true and sinceere meaning of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consubstantiall sinceram dictionis eius sententiam est professus And declared himselfe an open knowne Enemy of them who durst call Christ a Creature Tum certus manifestusque eorum qui creaturam illum vocare ausi fuissent hostis extitit And add that in all things he was a paterne of his holy Father but cheifely in pietie and worship of God and in abolishing Idols error and superstition Is fuit patris sui exemplar in omnibus rebus maxime vero in pietate Dei cultu atque in simulachrorum erroris superstitionis abolitione 9. This ConstaÌ„tius was at the time of his death by Sozomen about 45. yeares old annos natus circiter quadraginta quinque full 45. saith Socrates vixit Constantius Sozom. Hist Eccles l. 5. c. 1. Socrat l. 2. c. 37. vlt. Socr. Sozom. supr Nicephor Hist Eccl. l. 9. c. 50. Baron SpoÌ„d Annal. Tom. 4. annos 45. besides the time he reigned with his Father after his death say Socrates Sozomen and Nicephorus he was Emperour 25. yeares viginti Annos praeterea quinque post patris mortem imperauit he died on the third day the Nones of Nouember tertio Nonas NoueÌ„bris by Nicephorus his accompt in the 367. yeare of Christ Quum à Christo nato trecentesimus sexagesimus septimus ageretur Some set downe his death somewhat sooner as they haue done his Fathers before aboue 25. years soonerthen this Accompt of Nicephorus of the yeare of Christ 367. for Constantius his death yet grant he was Emperour 25. yeares after his Father died THE XXII CHAPTER IVLIAN THE APOSTATA NEVER PERSECVTED the Christians of Britaine But they during the whole tyme he was Caesar or Emperor were heare in peace and quiet both from Persecution Paganisme or Heresie 1. CONSTANTIVS the last ouerlyuing sonne of Constantine being dead Iulianus Brother to Gallus and sonne of Constantius Chlorus by Theodora a man by no Title of discent Heire or King of Britaine was acknowledged for Emperour for allthough this Constantius last Emperour by the instigation and persuasion of Eusebia Empresse made him a Caesar in the Empire he himselfe not able to discharge the whole charge for manyfold trobles and Inuasions of the Barbarous as the Romans termed strangers into 〈◊〉 places of the Empire especially in Gallia now France where as Zosimus saith they tooke 40. Cities neare the Riuer of Rhene Francos Alamanos Saxones quadraginta sitas ad Rhenum vrbes coepisse prorsus easdem deuastasse Ciues Incolas infinitae multitudinis cum innumerabili spoliorum copia secum abduxisse and gaue vnto him in Zosimus Hist l. 3 Socrat. Hist Eccl. l. 3. c. 1. Cassiodor Tripart Hist l. 6. c. 1. Niceph. l. 10. c. 1. Ammianus l. 21. Baron SpoÌ„dan Annal. ann 360. Marriage his Sister Helena And sent him to gouerne the part of the Empire on this side the Alpes postquam Iulianus in Italiam accersitus aduenisset Caesarem Constantius declarat Helenam ei sororem in MatrimoniuÌ„ tradit ad Nationes Transalpinas eum dimittit yet it is euident by Ammianus and others that he had no child by her which liued but she herselfe died before her brother Constantius Emperour Neuertheles the Ecclesiasticall State of Britaine rather gained then lost by his being Caesar in these Westerne parts and Emperour afterward For allthough Constantius had married his Sister Helena vnto him and in that respect so longe as she liued might seeme to haue a care rather to preserue then destroy him yet she dying as before during her brothers life that imagined loue of Constantius could not loÌ„ger endure in that respect and both Socrates Cassiodorus and others testifie it was thought that when Constantius sent him into the dangerous Warrs of Gallia he did it to haue him slaine by the cruell and potent Enemies Dicitur à nonnullis Constantium illum Socrat. l. 3. cap. 1. Cassiodor Tripartit Hist l. 6. c. 1. Niceph. Hist l. 10. c. 1. Socrat. supr alij Ammian lib. 21. Baron an 361.
must needs make him no lesse auncient then I haue before remeÌ„bred him to haue bene borne in Britaine brought vp at Rome in the dayes of saint Syluester Pope and greate CoÌ„stantine Emperor Which the time of his death by all accouÌ„pts will also confirme if we consider the long liues of our holy men as saint Patrik Dauid Kentigerne and others in those neare succeeding dayes this worthie man is remembred particularly in Histories to haue liued vntill he was very old ad senium vsque plenus dierum aetate maturus and yet some place Io. Bal. cent 1. in Ninian Pits aetat 5. in eodem S. Alred Capgrau in vit eius him for his death with S. Ambrose and others in this Age others to haue dyed in the yeare 422. and they which make his death latest say it was in the yeare of Christ 431. or 432. which is farre from making him an extraordinary old maÌ„ for those dayes from that time I suppose his birth to haue bene in And by all reckenings in Historians saint Palladius and saint Patrike were sent hither from Rome in those yeares 431. 432. when the longest accoumpt setteth Hect. Boeth l. 7. Anton. Fitzharbert l. Ant. Rel. Cath. in Ang. pag. 17. Bal. cent 1. in Nin. Pits in eodem downe the death of saint Ninian And yet no Historian writing of their comming hither either maketh saint Ninian then liuing or lately dead which could not haue bene omitted in so singular and rare a man as S. Ninian was sent from the same place and authoritie of Rome and preaching in the same Countries and parts whether they came and where they preached by Commission from the same Apostolike Roman See if he had not bene dead some time before neither had their sending thither bene so needfull as it is made in Histories if his death had not bene knowne at Rome before their coÌ„ming sending from thence to performe the same Apostolike office and dutie in the same Prouinces which and where saint Ninian in his life time so nobly and gloriously supplied and executed by the same Legatine Power and authorite from Rome 7. Therefore I must needs set downe this renowned Britan Apostle of the Picts and most of his holy labors with the Conuersion of that people to Christ to haue bene in this Age and before the Empire of Maximus And yet it appeareth S. Ninian preached also to his Country Britans hy the old Writer of saint Ninian his life that although he was principally sent by the Pope to be their Apostle he preached vnto others in Britaine before he conuerted the Picts for at his first comming as I haue insinuated from that Author before S. Ninian was receaued heare as a Prophet sicut Prophetam eum habebant Greate coÌ„curse of people came vnto him greate ioy with all meruaylous deuotion and prayse of Christ euery where Magnus populorum fit concursus ingens cunctis laetitia mira deuotio laus quoque vbique resonat Christi all of these are sufficient Arguments that these first eâ—tertainers of S. Ninian heare were our Christian Britans and not the PagaÌ„ Picts Which is made more manifest by that which immediatly followeth capit mox malè plantata enellere male collecta dispergere malè aedificaâ—a destruere Purgatis ab omni errore fidelium mentibus omnia quae fidelibus agenda verbo docuit operibus exemplo monstrauit multis miraculis confirmauit He began to pâ—ll vp things ill planted scatter things ill gathered and destroye things ill builded and purging the mindes of the faithfull from all error whatsoeuer he taught by word the beleeuers to doe he shewed it in deeds and example and confirmed it with many miracles Where it is euident that they were beleeuing Christians although by neare cohabitation or conuerse with Pagans defiled with some Heresies or errors to whom he thus first preached and people different and distinguished from the vnbeleeuing Picts as they are expressely thus set downe and his preaching to these was afterward as thus it is remembred diuers from the other in the same History Interea Sanctus Ninianus Australes Pictos quibus adhuc error Gentilis inhaerens Idola venerari ac colere compellebat aggrediens Euangelij veritatem sequentibus signis praedicabat caeci vident claudi ambulant leprosi mundantur surdi audiunt mortui resurgunt oppressi à daemonibus liberantur Sicque fides suscipitur error abdicatur distructis templis Ecclesiae eriguntur currunt ad salutis lauachrum diuites pauperes gratias Deo agunt in Insulis quae procul sunt habitantes Ordinauit Presbyteros Episcopos consecrauit totam terram per certaâ— Parochias diuisit In the meane time S. NiniaÌ„ going to the Picts which yet were PagaÌ„s and worshipped Idols preached the truth of the Ghospell vnto theÌ„ with these signes following The blynde seâ— the lame walke lepers are cleÌ„nsed the dead are raysed and they which were oppressed with deuils are deliuered And so the faith is receaued error abandoned Pagan temples are destroyed Christian Churches erected Ritch and poore are baptized those that inhabited the Ilands a farre off giue thanks to God He ordayned Preists consecrated Bishops and diuided the whole land by certaine Parishes 8. And hauing thus conuerted and confirmed this people vnto and in the faith of Christ being the cheifest end of his Mission and comming hither he returned to his Church confirmatis in fide omnibus ad Ecclesiam suam est regressus This house Episcopall Church which he now returned vnto was the same which he had builded before of stone called for the rarenes of such building in Britaine that being the first as our Histories say thereby named Candida Bed Hist lib. 3. cap. 4. Capgrau in S. Niniano Guliel Malmes lib. 4. de gest Pont. Angl. Casa the White House or Church at a place called Witerne betweene Scotland and England as they are now termed vpon the Sea coast allmost quite enuironed with the Sea excepting the passadge on the North side thereof Candida Casa vocatur locus in extremis Angliae iuxta Scotiam finibus vbi beatus Confessor Nima requiescit Natione Brito qui primus ibidem Christi praedicationem Euangelizauit Nomen loco ex opere inditum quod Ecclesiam ibi ex lapide polito Britâ—nibus miraculum fecerit This Church saint Ninian dedicated to S. Martine of Tours so soone as he vnderstood he was dead which was in the end of this or beginning of the next Age by all accompts this Church being quite finished before that time Quoniam iam Sanctum Martinum quem miro semper venerabatur affectu à terriâ— ad caelos migrasse didicerat ipsam Ecclesiam in eius honore dedicauit By the Scottish Histories thus related Inter nostros Ninianus Episcopus sanctitate Hector Boeth Hist l. 7. Bal. cent 1. in Nin. Bernic miraculis clarissimus ac Casae Candidae Pontificalis in Galdia
Iland now called S. Andrewes from that time of his holy Reliks taking that name of honor then a poore Village in Pictland now in the diuision of Scotland The fame hereof being spreed through the Country of the Picts very many resorted to visit and reuerence these holy Reliks from all places thereabouts brough gifts to offer to the holy Apostle ConfluxeruÌ„t illuc vndique donaria Christi Apostolo offerentes Among these was Heirgustus King of the Picts whom S. Regulus and his Religious company entertained with a ioyfull maner of Procession in Hymnes and Canticles The King Prostrating himselfe vpon the ground kissed the sacred Reliks with greate reuerence and after Masse whereof the King was most obseruant ended he gaue his owne Palace to S. Andrewe S. Regulus and the Preists to serue God Sacrifice of Masse with vestiments and ornaments beloÌ„ging to Preists at Masse there And he builded an other Church not farre off dedicated to S. Andrew the Apostle Which he did endowe with most ample gifts as Chalices Lauatories and other vessels of gold and syluer with very costely Preistly and Church Ornaments to continue for euer belonging to the holy Sacrifice ornauit id templum Donarijs amplissimis pateris cyphis calicibus peluibus laxacris ex argento auroque ac alia praetiosa supellectili in sacrorum vsum quaesita sacerdotibus ad diuina perpetuo exequenda ibidem costitutis This example of King Heirgustus was long time followed by the Kings of the Picts so long as they continued there and by the Kings of the Scots after possessing those parts honoring S. Andrew for the Patron of their Country Heirgusti exemplum longa Regum series primo Pictorum deinde Scotorum qui deletis Pictis ea loca tenuerunt religiose est insequuta Diuum Andream pro numine habentes tutelari Which the Protestant Historians themselues both Scots and others doe freely and plainly confesse as being a certaine and vndeniable true Historie agreeing both in Boeth l. 6. fol. 109. Hollinsh Hist of Scotl. supr the time place and other circumstances of the miraculous sending and transporting these holy Reliks into this kingdome in the place remembred from Patras in Achaia about the yeare of Christ 369. and the greate deuotion reuerence wherewith they were receaued and preserued heare 4. The first Religious men which were placed in this new Monastery with Culdeyes the old Monkes heare most holymen S. Regulus and his company were those which the Scots and Picts for their singular pietie and Religion honored with the Title Culdeis Sacerdotes Deicultores vulgo appellati Preists commonly called Worshippers of God these were first placed in it Fuere in eo à primaeâ—a eius conditione primum Sacerdotes Dei cultores vulgo appellati These Culdeis were Britans of those parts where the Romans ruled and the Persecution of Dioclesian extended it selfe and raged which fled to the Scots not so subiect to the Romans for succour in that raging time and many of them after the Persecution ended continued there still preaching vnto the Scots many of these conuerted ioyning with them in that holy Religious life and remayned there to many generations in greate honor and Sanctitie reuerenced both of Kings Subiects as all Antiquaries euen Protestants thus confesse in the Reigne of King Finchormach or Finchomarke a litle before this time and diuers hundreds of yeares after Scoti liberati Georg. Buchan Rer. Scoticar l. 4 in Reg. 35. Finchomarcho Holinsh Histor of Scotl. in Fincomarke curis externis nihil prius habuerunt quam vt religionem Christianam promouerent occasione illinc orta quòd multi ex Brittonibus Christianis saeuitiam Diocletiani timentes ad eos confugerant è quibus complures doctrina vitae integritate clari in Scotia substiterunt vitamque solitariam taÌ„ta sanctitatis opinione apud omnes vixerunt vt vita functorum cella in templa commutarentur ex eoque consuetudo mansit apud Posteros vt prisci Scoti templa cellas vocent Hoc genus Monachorum Culdeos appellabant Mansitque nomen institutum donec Monachorum genus recentius eos expulit By which testimonie of Antiquaries euen Protestants it is both proued that our auncient learned and Religious Britans as S. Ninian and his Associates and our Brittish holy Preists and Culdies were principall instruments in conuerting as well the Scottish as Pictish Nations to the faith of Christ and that the Pope of Rome which directed S. Ninian Religion then heare the same with that of the present Roman Church hither he and the Picts whom he conuerted our British Preists and Culdeis and the Scots receauing instruction in Religion from them and the Church of Greece with whose Monkes all these ioyned were Professors of one and the same Catholike faith in the Sacrifice of Masse and Ceremonials thereof prayer and inuocation to Saints in heauen their protection towards men on earth worshipping their Reliks Pilgrimages to holy Places Religious Monasticall life and such others before expressed by them From these Monkes and Culdeis the Bishops of those parts were chosen vntill Pope Celestine sent Boeth l. 7. f. 133. S. Palladius hither Antea ex Monachis Culdeis Pontifices assumerentur And they preached and taught the Lawe of Christ throughout all the l. 6. f. 102. Scots Countries Christi Seruatoris doctrinam per omnes Scotorâ—m Regiones concionando multis pijsque sudoribus seminantes 5. And although this History of S. Regulus in comming so longe a iorney with those sacred Reliks and the greate reuerence the Northren parts of this Kingdome then gaue vnto them may seeme strange to men not well affected to such holy duties and ignorant in the deuotion and Religion of these times yet they may learne this was not singular to the Gretians Picts and Scots but to all other Christan Nations especially the Britans not to seeke further then belongeth to their History For as S. Regulus brought those holy Reliks Pilgrimages to holy Reliks of Saints out of Greece so our Britans in these times went into Syria as farre as Antioch on Pilgrimage to S. Simeon Stellita to worship sacred things there tooke it for a greate happines blessing to bring froÌ„ thence any litle peece Nicen. Concil 2. Theod. Hist Sanctorum Patrum in S. Simeone Euagr Hist Eccl. l. 1 c. 13. of a Thong cutt from his leather Coate and in Rome itselfe they thought it to be a greate protection to haue but a litle Image of him to stand at the entries of their houses as both the second Nicen Councell and Theodoret are ample witnesses Non solum confluebant qui nostram habitant Regionem sed Ismaelitae Persae Armenij qui sunt eis subiecti Iberos Homeritae qui illis sunt interiores Venerunt autem multi quoque qui habitant extrema Occidentis Hispani inquam Britanni Galli qui quod est
egregius vita quoque conuersatione illustris sermone Fastidius not improbably Archbishop of London ingenio clarus scripsit nonnulla deuota opuscula some of our owne Writers say he was Archbishop of London which the recited Authors rather approue then impugne when they stile him Bishop of the Britans meaning Io. Bal. l. de Script Brit. cent 1. in Fastid Prisc Io. Pits aetat 5. in eod by that phrase properly spoaken that he was cheife or Archbishop of them Fastidius Episcopus Londinensis Metropolis ad Archiepiscopatum Londonensem euectus Aluueus spoaken of before that baptized S. Dauid Tremaunus vrbis Legionum Archiepiscopus and Amaloers are thought to be Archbishops Galfr. Mon. Hist Brit. l. 8. c. 10. of Caerlegion Very litle memory besides their names of those of London is left except those I haue spoaken of before Yet by good Arguments though Archbishops of Caerlegion in this time more generall both from auncient forreine and domesticall Writers we are assured they were learned and holy Catholike Archbishops gouerning the people vnder them in vertue and true beleife This is confessed by Protestant Antiquaries before making the Britans both Cleargie and others orthodoxe true beleeuers and good people longe after this Age by our Brittish Histories in the greatest sway of libertie and wickednesse heare by the Saxons entry the Archbishops Bishops and others of the Cleargie Heare were holy and truely Religious and so continued so longe as their temporall gouernment continued in so much that when sainct Augustin came hither The Bishops of Britayne now learned truely Catholike and holy men and there was then but one Archbishopricke and seuen Bishopricks left by the Pagan Saxons they were all furnished with most Religious Prelats In parte Britonum vigebat Christianitas quae à tempore Eleutherij Papae habita nunquam inter eos defecerat Augustinus inuenit in eorum Prouincia septem Episcopatus Archiepiscopatum religiosissimis Prâ—sulibus muniâ—os Abbatias complures Galfrid Mon. Hist Brit. l. 11. cap. 12. Bed Hist l. 2. cap. 2. Io. Goscelin Hist Eccl. Parker l. antiq Brit. p. 8. in quibus Grex Domini rectum ordinem tenebat And S. Bede also testifieth these Bishops and others of the Brittish Cleargie were most learned men Septem Britonum Episcopi plures viri doctissimi And other our Historians euen Protestants doe proue that not onely in that Age and this we haue now in haÌ„d but in euery other in quouis saculo Britaine had such learned Prelats And for forreine Writers euen those which were most renowned in the world in their dayes euen in this very time they witnesse as much of our Brittish Bishops I Britaine now an holy and Religious kingdome haue cited S. Hilary for the Latine and S. Athanasius for the Greeke Church before to such proofe and purpose S. Chrysostome often speaketh of the Chrysost Tom. 4. Hom. 28. coÌ„m in c. 18. Epist 2. ad Corinth apud Speede Theat of Brit. l. 6. Serm. de Pentec Tom. 3. greate deuotion and Religion of our Britans how firme they were in the true faith of Christ builded Churches and Altars offered the holy Sacrifice on them and not onely our Prelats and Preists were thus Religious but our Kings themselues did lay downe their Crownes at the Church dore and made the signe of the Crosse on their forehoods Reges ingredientes Limen Ecclesiae deponunt coronam Crucem Christi depingunt in suis frontibus And name our two Kings and Emperors Theodosius the Father and sonne for Paterns of Basilius Epist ad Occidentales Episcopos in fine Tom. 3. edit Basil 1565. such Religion Theodosius pater filius Theodosij religione ac pietate insignes The Epistle of S. Basile to the Westerne Bishops OccideÌ„talibus translated by Wolefangus Masculus the Protestant in which our Brittish Bishops were comprehended proueth that our Bishops then were knowne vnto all the world to be men instructed and endued with the grace of God vnspotted in matters of faith and keeping the Apostles Tradition Vos cunctis mortalibus praedicamini viri gratia Dei instructi quòd in fide illibati permaneatis Apostolorum depositum Our Brittish Bishops not onely renowned heare and in these Westerne Nations but in the Easterne also there teaching true Râ—ligion and condeÌ„ning Herâ—siâ— illaesum seruetis And therefore most earnestly entreateth them as he did in other Epistles to come into the East Countries afflicted with Heresie to confound the Heretiks and comfort others Obsecramus vt nunc tandem manum Orientalibus porrigatis Ecclesijs quae iam velut in genua depressae inclinant ac viros aliquos mittatis qui illas de praemijs admoneant quae patientiae ac passionibus pro Christo toleratis reseruantur Vos ò dilecti ac desiderati fratres sitis vulneratorum medici eorum qui adhuc sani existant Praedotribae quod morbidum est curantes quod sanum ad pietatem instruentes Therefore hauing proued by most worthie witnesses before that not onely among the Westerne Nations but all others in the then Christian world this Kingdome of Britaine was most free from Heresie and by S. Basils iudgment aswell in that respect as that our Bishops were learned and trauayled into remote Countries euen to Councels and as Theodoret hath testified multi Britanni many holy and learned Britans went in that time to the Easterne Countries whether S. Basile so exhorted them to come and where so greate necessitie was then of their helpe and assistance in so greate and important affaires we may not doe that wrong to our Noble Nation but acknowledge that diuers of our learned Britans tooke in hand and performed those worthie offices as S. Basil so vrgently desired And among these we may boldly name and place Coelus Sedulius a very Sigebert Bostius apud Bal. cent 1. in Coelo Sedul Io. Trith l. de Scrip. Eccles in eod Conr. Gesner Bibliot in Caelio Sedul Magdeb. cent 5. c. 10. Henric. de Erford hist Sedul in Princ. lib. Epistol learned man and by Sigebert Bostius Trithemius and others a Bishop for one He being brought vp vnder our Archbishop Hildebertus heare in our Britaine though he himselfe as he and others write Scotigena come of the Scottish Nation proued a man of greate and extraordinarie knowledge in all kind of learning especially diuine and trauayled into those Easterne Countries Italiam perlustrauit Asiam postremo Achaiae finibus excedens in vrbe Roma mirabili doctrina clarus effulsit And did not onely by his words and preaching confirme the Catholiks confounding Heretiks but by his many learned Writings refuted all Heresies of those times and places as is plainly extant in them leauing vnto Posteritie an vndeniable testimony in his owne Parson of his labours and written Bookes that all Countries then where he These our Bishops of Britaine agreeing with all Catholike Churches professed the same faith
Reliques 588. 3. Heirgustus builded a Church to S. Andrew ib. S. Helena borne of noble Parents in Britaine 392. 2. S. Helena the sole heire and daughter to King Coel. ib. S. Helena was not borne in Bithinia 392. 3. S. Helena but younge when she married Constantius 377. 6. S. Helena the lawfull wife of Constantius 392. 3. From whence it came that she was called Concubine 393. 1. 397. 6 S. Helens sumptuous pallace 395. 4. S. Helenas lands about Treuers probably descended to her by her Mother 395. 5. S. Helenas Sanctitie of life 395. 4. S. Helenas beauty learning and other qualities 398. 8. Whence first called Stabularia 400. 9. S. Helena in some sort may be called and Inholdresse 397. 6. S. Helena the Mother of 4. Children 401. 1. S. Helena alwaies a Christian 406. 1. c. S. Helenas guifts to the City of Treuers 407. 2 S. Helena not baptized by S. Syluester 408. 3. S. Helena compelled to depart from Constantius 414. 2. S. Helena perswades Constantine to persecute the Iewes 478. 1. S. Helena neuer a Iew or corrupted by such 478. 2. S. Helena departed not out of Britaine with her sonne Constantine 478. 2. c. S. Helena present at Rome at the Roman Councell consented to it 480. 4. S. Helena visiteth the holy lande 513. 1. S. Helenas great labours in finding out the holy Crosse 515. 8. c. The time she found the Crosse 463. 2. S. Helena sent part of the Crosse and the Nailes to her sonne 519. 20. S. Helena builded a new City called Hierusalem 521. 1. S. Helena buildeth a sumptuous Church at our Sauiours sepulcher 521. 1. S. Helena waites on two Nunnes in Hierusalem 522. 5. S. Helena founded a Religeous house of Nunnes 527. 23. S. Helena builded a Tēple where she found the holy Crosse 522. 7. S. Helena founded diuerse other Churches 522. 7. sequent S. Helena turned the Potters fielde into a buriall place for strangers 525. 19. S. Helenas happy death 527. 23. The yeare of the same 527. 26. Two Cities builded in her name 527. 25. S. Helenas body carried from Rome to Constantinople 528. 24. The day of her festiuity 528. 25. Heliogabalus Bassianus sonne chosen Emperour 372. 3. Heliogabalus name and linadge ib. Heliogabalus trew heire to Britaine but neuer enioyed it 373. 2. Heluius S. Ioseph of Aramathias nephew 124. 1. Heluius came in S. Iosephs company into Britaine ib. Hengistus his murders 600. 4. Hengistus destroies Monasteries ib. Heraclius a Souldiar conuerted and how 440. 3. 442. 1. Heraclius his desire of Martyrdome 442. 1. Heraclius beaten and cruelly brused 443. 2. Heraclius cured by touching S. Albans head ib. Heraclius buried S. Alban ib. Heraclius martyred ib. Hermes the cheife Prefect of Rome conuerted by S. Alexander Pope 197. 3. Herod declared by the Senat King of the Iewes 5. 5. Herod builded Cesarea in honour of Augustus ib. Hiberia a Country so called in Armenia 28. 5. A Hierarchy acknowledged by Protestants in the Church 93. 1. c. The Hierarchy of Archbishops Bishops c. setled in Britaine by the Popes Authority 272. 1. c. The Hierarchy of the Church of Britaine deriued from S. Aristobulus 93. 2. The Hierarchy instituted by S. Peter in Britaine did continue without interruption vntill Queene Elizabeths Protestant Persecution 41. 1. S. Higinius Successor in the Papacy to Sainct Telesphorus 208. 2. S. Higinius his Religeon by English Protestants testimony in thinges now questioned by them ib. S. Higinius carefull of the conuersion of England 209. 3. S. Higinius sent a letter to King Lucius to further his conuersion 211. 5. S. Higinius Martyred 219. 1. Hildebertus the learned Tutor of Coelius Sedulius probably Archbishop of Yorke 590. 1. or 560. 1. Historians deputed vnto the Emperours reigne the yeare werein he died 201. 1. Historians mistooke in setting donne the time of King Lucius conuersion 220. 3. Historians often mistaking the name of Pope Eleutherius 221. 3. Hugh Earle of Shrewsbury dieth a miserable death and why 567. 5. I. S. Iames the Apostle preached not in Ireland 25. 1. S. Iames preached in Spaine 26. 2. S. Iames preched only to the Iewes in Spaine 27. 5. S. Iames cōuerted according to some but 9. persons in Spaine 26. 2. Idolaters sacrificed in Groues and woodes 241. 1. All Idols fell to the Ground at the entry of our Sauiour into Egipte 6. 7. S. Ioseph of Aramathia inclosed by the Iewes in a close Prison 136. 1. S. Ioseph watched by the high Preists themselues ib. S. Ioseph Miraculously deliuered from them 136. 2. S. Ioseph came into Britaine and when 22. 6. 106. 1. S. Ioseph the first foūder of a Monasticall life in Britaine 110. 4. S. Ioseph the most auncient of any Regular Abbot in the schoole of Christ 331. 8. S. Iosephs comming made doubtfull by some others wholy denie it ib. S. Ioseph was not sent hither out of France by S. Philip the Apostle 111. 1. S. Ioseph with S. Philip amongst the Gaules of Asia 120. 7. S. Ioseph came from parts not farre distant from where S. Philip preached ib. S. Ioseph landed about the North part of Britaine 121. 7. S. Ioseph probably directed into Britaine by S. Peter 121. 9. S. Ioseph was present at the Assumption of our Lady ib. All S. Iosephs Associats vowed chastitie vntill their arriuall in Britaine 124. 1. Diuers of S. Iosephs companions Noble personadges and some of our Brittish kings descended from them ib. S. Ioseph imprisoned in Venodocia 125. 2. 127. 1. S. Ioseph sett at libertie by a Noble man whome he conuerted to the faith 125. 2. S. Ioseph extreamly persecuted by the Iewes 126. 2. S. Ioseph with his associats preached litle 128. 2. S. Ioseph and his companions at the first gaue themselues to a Monasticall and eremiticall life 128. 2. c. S. Ioseph admonished by an Angle builded a Church to our Lady 109. 2. 128. 2. 129. 3. 136. 2. S. Ioseph releiued in his necessities by our B. Lady 329. 4. S. Ioseph did not actually conuert to the faith of Christ either King Aruiragus Coillus or Marius 131. 1. S. Ioseph how named an Apostle 135. 1. S. Ioseps praiers and duties to our B. Lady 136. 2. S. Ioseph makes Crosses and other pictures 138. 5 S. Ioseph brought hither reuerenced Relickes ib. S. Ioseph his death 170. 3. S. Ioseph buried and where ib. S. Ioseph his sonne a Bishop in Britaine 97. 9. S. Iosephs sonne consecrated Bishop by S. Peter or his Disciples ib. King Iosinas ouerthrew Idolatry 10. 3. Iouinian created Emperour 570. 1. Iouinian refused to be Emperor ouer Infidels ib. Iouinian made choise rather to leaue the warre then sacrifice to Idols ib. Iouinian allwaies a constant Catholike 571. 3. Iouinians short raigne 371. 2. Ireland named Ierna 28. 7. Irelands other names ib. Ireland by Britaine not conuerted in Constantins time 503. 6. c. In Ireland no Christian to be named before S. Patritius his time 26. 2. The
Irish deriue their first preaching of the faith from such as came out of Britaine 25. 2. Diuers Islands conuerted immediatly after the promulgation of the Gospell 32. 4. Ilands about Britaine the refuges of persecuted Christians 425. 3. or 428. 3. Iteanus an Abbot 602. 7. Iulianus Apostota sonne of Constantius Clorus by Theodora 562. 1. Iulianus created Cesar ib. Iulianus married Helena Constantius his Sister ib. Iulianus inuadeth the Empire 554. 5. Iulianus renowned for his victories ib. Iulianus chosen Emperour 554. 5. 562. 1. Iulianus fauorable first to Catholikes 554. 5. Iulianus recalled Bishops banished by Constantius ib. Iulianus his short reigne 563. 2. Iulianus his persecution neuer extended to Britaine ib. Iulianus went aboute to build Hierusalem in fauour of the Iewes 564. 3. S. Iude Martyred in Persia 46. 4. Pope Iulius exempted Priests from secular iudges 540. 5. Pope Iulius maintained that no CouÌ„cell might be called with out the allowance of the Roman See ib. SS Iulius Aaron Martyred at Caerlegion 426. 2. SS Iulius and Aarons education ib. SS Iulius Aaron honored with Pilgrimages and praiers ib. SS Iulius Aarons heroical magnanimity 428. 3. or 425. 3. SS Iulius Aaron Martyred and on what day ib. Iulius Cesar made Britaine tributarie to the Romans 1. 1. Iulius Cesar carried Britans to Rome as hostages ib. Iulius Philippus the first Christian Emperour 391. 1. S. Iustins Apologie for Christians 202. 3. 230. 4. S. Iustin defended the same publikly in disputation 230. 4. S. Iustus ordained Bishop 210. 4. S. Iustus Bishop of Vienna Martyred 220. 2. K. S. Kebius sonne vnto Salomon Duke of Cornewaile 565. 1. S. Kebius refused the principality of Cornewaile 566. 2. S. Kebius went into France and why ib. S. Kebius consecrated Bishop by faint Hilarius and when ib. S. Kebius present at the Councell of Ariminum ib. The time of his death 565. 1. The place of his death 566. 3. S. Kebius his Miracles ib. S. Kebius place of aboad ib. S Keina a Noble Britans daughter 585. 10. S. Keina liued allwaies a holy virgin ib. S. Keina renowned for Miracles ib. S. Kentegern renowned for his regular life according to our Brittish Order 332. 8. S. Kentegern erected a Monastery in Wales 310. 8. The manner of liuing of his Monkes ib. The number of Priests and Preachers in his Monastery 332. 8. S. Kentegerns state of life approued by saint Gregorie ib. The Kings of Britaine were rather friends then enemies to Christian Religion in Tiberius daies 23. 7. No King of Britaine after our Sauiours Passion ioyned with the Romans in their Religion 164. 3. The King of France stileth him selfe Primogenitus Ecclesiae and why 251. 6. Kinges must reuerence the Church and not rule it 301. 5. Kimbeline King of Britaine 1. 1. Kimbeline present at Rome at the strange reports of our Sauiour 8. 9. L. THe Latin tongue frequent in Britaine 268. 3. None could beare office that vnderstode it not ib. The skill in the Latin tongue a great healp to the Britans conuersion ib. A Law amongst the Romans about the worshipping of their Gods 15. 6. A Law amongst the Romans concerning the illegitimation of wiues 397. 6. The auncient Lawes of Britaine for the most part ascribed to Mulmutius Dunwallo 301. 6. The old Lawes of Britaine translated out of the Brittish language into Latin ib. Lentulus Writes to Tiberius Concerning Christ 12. 2. Leporius Agricola a Monke of Bangor 607. 2. Leporius once a Pelagian ib. Leporius conuerted and made priest ib. Liberius succeeded saint Iulius in the Papacy 556. 1. Liberius was no Arrian or consenter to them ib. Liberius exiled by the Arrians ib. Liberius slandered by the Arrians to haue subscribed vnto their Articles 557. 1. The people in Armes for his returne ib. The Matrons of Rome seeke for his returne 558. 2. Liberius permitted to returne 557. 1. Liberius interdicted those who affirmed the error of the Arrians ib. Liberius exhorts the Easterne Bishops to confesse the holy Trinity 558. 4. Lich-feild why so called 446. 3. Licinâ—us Emperour in the East 486. 1. Licinius married Constantia ib. Licinius professed himselfe a friend to Christians ib. Licinius fell to warre with Constantine 487. 2. Licinius ouerthrowne ib. Licinius hangeth himselfe ib. S. Liephard a Bishop and Martyr of Britaine 587. 12. Lights vsed in the Church 552. 5. S. Linus care of Britaine 167. 4. S. Linus consecrated diuers Preists of this Nation 167. 4. S. Linus conuersed most with Britans at Rome 164. 3. S. Liuinus Disciple to saint Benignus 332. 9. S. Liuinus made Priest ib. Liuius Gallus slain 475. 4. Lollius Vrbicus sent with forces into Britaine 219. 1. Lollius Vrbicus fought some battailes against the Britans ib. London once called Augusta 94. 4. 178. 7. London called Augusta in respect of the Nobility of the place 181. 10. London builded by Brutus 280. 2. London the most auncient Citty of Britaine ib. London an Arch-flamens Seat ib. London a Primats See 178. 6. London opprest with the persecution of Dioclesian 426. 1. S. Lucius King when conuerted 193. 2. S. Lucius beginning of his reigne 201. 2. S. Lucius makes intercessioÌ„ to Rome to become a Christian 210. 4. 217. 8. S. Lucius consented at least to be a Christian in the time of Pope Higinius 211. 5. S. Lucius the first Christian King in the world 212. 1. S. Lucius perswaded to Christianity by the Christians of Cambridge 212. 7. S. Lucius not conuerted by S. Eluanus or Meduuinus 213. 2. S. Lucius conuerted by S. Timothius and Marcellus Britans ib. S. Lucius consulted with the Archflamens before he entered into disputation concerning Religion 217. 7. S. Lucius hindered by diuers human feares from open profession of of Christian Religion 219. 1. S. Lucius professed not Christian Religion publickly vntill the time of Pope Eleutherius 221. 3. S. Lucius deales with Pope Eleutherius about a generall Conuersion of Britaine 221. 3. S. Lucius certified of the Emperours and Roman Nobilities good liking of Christian Religion 238. 4. S. Lucius his Ambassage to Rome and time thereof 248. 3. A Protestant answered for blaming his Ambassage 250. 5. c. S. Lucius did write to Rome for the establishing of his temporall Estate 256. 3. S. Lucius did write to Pope Eleutherius for the Roman Lawes 295. 1. Pope Eleutherius his answere corrupted ib. S. Lucius his Lawes were for the most part our old Britan Lawes 301. 6. S. Lucius the first King Nutricius of Gods Church 304. 1. S. Lucius first deserued the Title of Defender of the faith ib. S. Lucius founded the Vniuersity of Bangor in Wales 380. 6. S. Lucius founded diuers other Monasteries both of men and women 308. 7. S. Lucius carefull to haue things in Britaine confirmed by the Popes authority 312. 1. S. Lucius kingly munificence and bountie 338. 2. S. Lucius death 346. 3. The day of his death 347. 1. 349. 5. S. Lucius preached not in Germany neither was he Martyred or died there 347.
ib. S. Mello conuerted by S. Stephen Pope 387. 2. or 397. 2. S. Mellos Christian life ib. S. Mello made Preist and Bishop ib. S. Mello Archbishop of Rohan in Normandie 367. 3. 387. 2. or 397. 2. S. Mello Miraculously sent to that See 387. 2. 3. or 397. 2. 3. S. Mello cured a wounded man 388. 3. S. Mello died and was buried at Rhoan ib. S. Melorus sonne and heire of Mellianus Duke of Cornewaile 389. 4. S. Melorus brought vp in a Monastery of Cornewaile 388. 4. 390. 5. S. Melorus his hand and foote cut of 390. 5. S. Melorus Miraculous hand ib. S. Melorus murdered ib. S. Melorus buried by the Bishops and Cleargy ib. Meneuia probably an Episcopall See before S. Dauids time 586. 12. Metallanus King of the Scots 1. 1. Metallanus sends giftes to Augustus Caesar 2. 3. Metallanus dieth after a peaceble reigne ib. S. Metropolos Archbishop of Treuers 198. 5. Miracles wrought 136. 2. 327. 5. or 328. 5. There were Monasteries of Religious men in Britaine in all Ages 311. 9. A Monasterie dedicated to S. Iulius 603. 9. A Monasterie at Meneuia founded by S. Patrike ib. A Monasterie at Naucaruan in Wales 604. 9. A Monastery called Mancari Monasterium 603. 9. A Monastery of Nunnes in Northwales ib. Monkes holines and austoritie of life 328. 2. c. Monkes continued night and day in praiers 330. 6. The Monkes of Britaine conuerted many Nations 331. 7. The Morauians setled in our Northren partes 120. 7. Mordraius setteth S. Ioseph at libertie 125. 2. Mordraius conuerted by S. Ioseph ib. Mordraius King of the I le of Mā ib. Morgret Abbot of Glastenbury 602. 7. Doctor Mountagues entertainment of Queene Anne 110. 4. N. S. Nathaniel probably preached in Britaine 97. 8. S. Nathaniel succeeded S. Aphrodisius in the See of Burdges in France ib. Nennius Helius brother to King Lud and Cassibelam 131. 1. Nennius Helius time of death ib. Neophits not admitted to Episcopall and Priestly functions 207. 8. Nero put S. Peter and S. Paule to death 165. 1. Nero murdered himselfe ib. Nerua reuockes all Domitians Edictes 170. 2. Nerua recalled all whome Domitian had banished ib. The time he kepte the Empire 171. 4. S. Nicasius first Bishop of Rhoan 95. 5. S. Nicasius preached in Britaine according to some ib. S. Ninian a Noble Britan by birth 357. 3. When borne and who his parents 579. 3. S. Ninians pilgrimage to Rome 580. 4. S. Ninian brought vp at Rome in the time of S. Syluester 583. 6. S. Ninian consecrated Bishop and sent vnto the Picts ib. S. Ninian visiteth his vncle S. Martine ib. S. Ninian ioyfully receiued in Britaine 580. 5. 584. 7. S. Ninians Miracles 58◠5. S. Ninian preached also to his Country Britans 583. 7. S. Ninians Episcopall Church called Candida casa and why 584. 8. S. Nouatus S. Claudias eldest sonne 199. 6. S. Nouatus instructed in the faith by S. Peter and S. Paule 226. 3. S. Nouatus furthers the Conuersion of Britaine ib. S. Nouatus house a harbor for Saints at Rome 229. 3. S. Nouatus death 225. 3. S. Nouatus was a sacrificing massing Priest 225. 3. S. Nouatus lefte all his worldly welth to relieue Christians 226. 3. S. Nouatus house turned into a Church 224. 1. 229. 3. S. Nouatus Church made a Roman Title ib. S. Nouatus Church decaied with oldnes ib. S. Nouatus Church decently renewed by Cardinal Caietan ib. Numa Pompilius ordained the order of Flamens 277. 6. Nunneries renewed in Britaine 310. 9. O. OCtauian recorded to haue slaine the Roman Proconsuls in Britaine 542. 3. Diuers difficulties concerning this Octauius 543. 4. Octauius doubtfull whether he were euer King in Britaine 543. 5. c. King Offa restored S. Albans Church and Monastery destroied by the Saxons 600. 5. S. Onesimus S. Timothies successor in Ephesus 215. 4. or 216. 4 Oracles silent at the birth of our Sauiour 16. 7. The Orcades subiect to the Archbishop of Yorke 283. 4. Orders and degrees acknowloged by Protestants to haue bene in the Church of God euen from Christ 91. 4. 180. 4. Orders a Sacrament 382. 10. or 392. 10. Orders not to be iterated ib. The honour and dignitie of this Sacrament in the Church of Rome in Pope Cornelius time 328. 11. Inferior Orders were to assist at Masse euen in he Apostles time 189. 4. Orders giuen with imposing of handes euen in the Apostles time 190. 5. Osees Prophecy of our Sauiours comming 7. 7. Otho ouerthrew Vitellius in three Battals 165. 1. Otho ouerthrowne in the 4. battaile ib. Otho impatient of disgrace killeth him selfe ib. Otho Emperour but three Monthes ib. Oxford builded by King Ebrancus 287. 3. Oxfords diuers names 287. 3. P. THe Pagans confesse the miraculous Stare at our Sauiours berth to haue shewed the comming of Christ into the world 6. 6. S. Palladius the Scots first Bishop 336. 5. S. Palladius sentinto Scotland by the authority of the See of Rome 336. 5. 357. 3. Pamachius Gouernour of Treuers Martyred 407. 2. Paternus a defender of Arianisme excommunicated 563. 2. S. Patrikes birth time 594. 5. S. Patrike descended of a Noble linadge 595. 6. S. Patrikes parents ib. S. Patrikes birth-place ib. S. Patrike carried out of Britaine by Pirates ib. S. Patrike sold to Miluc named a King in the North of Ireland 595. 5. S. Patrike set to keep cattaile 595. 6. S. Patriks extraordinary deuotion ib. S. Patrike in 4. thinges compared to Moyses and what they are ib. S. Patrike three times taken Prisoner 596. 7. The second time Miraculously restored to his Countrie ib. S. Patrike liued at Glastenbury and when 328. 2. 596. 7. S. Patrikes strange calling to be the Apostle of Ireland 597. 8. S. Patrike consecrated Bishop where and by whome 598 8. S. Patrike sent into Ireland by S. Celestine Pope 25. 2. S. Paule excluded from any part in the ordinary partition of the world among the Apostles 39. 5. S. Paule accustomed to write to none but Christians 158. 9. S. Paule preached in Italy Spaine and France 144. 1. S. Paule preached in Britaine ib. S. Paule could not be the first that preached in Britaine 41. 2. S. Paule came not into Britaine in the 4. yeare of Nero. 147. 1. c. S. Paule came not into Britaine presently after the returne of Claudius the Emperour vnto Rome 148. 1. S. Paule came not into Britaine vntill he had performed his promise of going to Spaine 148. 2. S. Paule a long time Prisoner at Rome 150. 4. S. Paule after his first imprisonment went into the East 149. 3. S. Paule made but a short stay in Britaine 150. 5. c. No sure ground of any memorable thing performed by S. Paule in Britaine 151. 6. S. Paule ordeined Prists only where the other Apostles came not 152. 6. S. Paule put to death 150. 4. The yeare of his Martyrdome 151. 6. S. Paulinus the first Arch-bishop of Yorke in the Saxons time 332. 9. S. Paulinus liued
receaued the faith from one of the 12. Apostles 39. 4. Protestants confesse that onely either saint Peter saint â—aule or saint Simon preached here 41. 1. Protestants deny all priority of power amongst the Apostles 43. 1. Protestants grante Bishops to haue succeeded the Apostles both in doctrine and Episcapall power 40. 6. Protestants arguments to weake to bring saint Paule into Britaine 140. 3. c. The Protestant English Theater Writers much ouerseene in diuers thinges of Historie 204. 5. ProtestaÌ„ts errors CoÌ„cerning the Ambassadors of King Lucius 257. 6. Publius Suetonius vtterly destroied the Druids in the I le of Anglesey 239. 6. or 234. 6. S. Pudens by birth a Sabinete 55. 3. S. Pudens a Municeps of Rome 165. 4. S. Pudens not borne when saint Peter came to Rome 55. 3. S. Pudens house in Rome fell vnto him by his wife Claudia 55. 2. S. Pudens a soldiar for the Romans 159. 9. S. Pudens husband to our Brittish Lady Claudia 154. 2. S. Pudens compelled Martiall to correct his Epigrams 156. 6. S. Pudens neuer came into Britaine or neere it 158. 9. S. Pudens neuer preached any where 158. 9. S. Pudens reported to haue died in Cappadocia 154. 2. S. Pudens either returned from Cappadocia or else his body was brought from thence to Rome 154. 2. S. Pudentiana baptised and instructed in the faith 224. 2. S. Pudentianas pietie 160. 10. 224. 2. S. Pudentianas charity towards Christians 199. 6. S. Pudentiana entertained during the Persecution 96. persons in her house 160. 10. S. Pudentiana erected an Altar in her house 224. 2. S. Pudentiana made a Font in her house 225. 2. Sainct Pudentiana redeemed many slaues ib. She set them at liberty after Baptisme ib. S. Pudentianas Chruch the auncients Title of Cardinals in Rome 199. 6. S. Pudentiana died the first of sainct Claudias Children 224. 2. S. Pudentiana buried by her Father sainct Pudens 225. 2. Puritans denie euen the Apostles to haue bene coÌ„secrated Bishops 92. 1. R. S. Regulus a holy Abbot in Achaia 587. 2. S. Regulus sent by Constantine to worshippe sainct Andrews Reliques 588. 2. S. Regulus admonished from heaueÌ„ to carry some of those Relikes into Britaine ib. S. Regulus his safe arriuall in Britaine 588. 3. S. Regulus entertainment by King Heirgustus ib. S. Regulus obtained Heirgustus Palace for a Monastery ib. What Religion is 243. 3. The Religion taught in Britaine by the Apostolike men sent by Pope Alexander 199. 7. Religion not changed in Britaine at least vntill the comming of S. Augustinâ— euen according to Protestants 103. 2. Religion in Britaine kept from any staine of error vntill the Pelagian Heresie 351. 2. Christian Religion not brought into Britaine by the onely temporall swaye of the King 241. 1. Religious florishing Estate in Britaine in King Lucius time 422. 1. Religious greatly esteemed in Britaino 601. 6. Relikes honoured 325. 4. 588. 2. c. Restitutus Archbishop of London subscribed to the Counceil of Arles 482. 1. Restitutus without authority affirmed by a Protestant to haue married 484. 4. Rinoldus killed his brother Melianus 389. 5. Rinoldus sought to murder his nephew Melorus 390. 5. Rinoldus laboreth for the Bishops consent thereto ib. Rinoldus maimeth him and lastly killeth him ib. Rinoldus his miserable death ib. Rome horribly afflicted for almost 300. yeares and why 16. 6. Rome the Mother of all other Churches 53. 6. Christs extraordinary loue to the City of Rome 19. 2. The Roman Church hath Power ouer all other Churches 186. 2. The same deriued not from the Apostles but from Christ himselfe ib. The Roman Church acknowledged to be our Mother Church by King Iames. 251. 6. The Romans vsed to bring vp at Rome the Britan chiefe Nobility and why 2. 2. The RomaÌ„ people striue who should first honour Christ as God 15. 5. Many Romans goe into Iury to be instructed in the faith 19. 2. Romans did not intermedle with the Britans in Matters of Religion 164. 3. The Romans accustomed to make those Emperours Gods who lefte a Successour behind them 370. 2. The Roman Law against such as were vnmarried 488. 7. S. S. Sabinus consecrated by sainct Peter Primat of France and Archbishop of Sens. 65. 4. The Sacraments validity 65. 10. A sacrifice offered at London for the repulse of Iulius Cesar 305. 2. Saintes bodies translated 349. 6. c. Saintes make intercession for the liuing 381. 9. or 391. 9. Salii superstitious Priests of Mars 220. 2. S. Saluine probably borne in Britaine 198. 6. S. Saluine the third Bishop of Verdune in Loraine ib. S. Sampson Archbishop of Yorke 217. 7. S. Sampson not the first Archbishop of Yorke but the seuenth 318. 3. S. Sampson consecrated in a vision and by whome 98. 10. S. Sampson consecrated afterwardes with externall rites 99. 10. S. Sampson preached in Britaine and when 217. 7. Sanctuaries violated 309. 8. S. Saturnine saint Peters Disciple first Bishop of Tholose 64. 2. Saturninus an Arian excommunicated 563. 2. S. Sauinian and Potentian easely conuerted the people about Charters Orleons c. and why 10. 2. The Saxons destroyed Churches and Monasteries 601. 7. c. The SaxoÌ„s cruelty towardes Priests and others 602. 7. Schollers of Cambrige conuerted and conuerting others 203. 4. c. Many other learned Schollers of Britaine conuerted 206. 8. Scota King Pharaos daughter 11. 5. Scota driuen out of Egipt ib. Scotland called Valentia from Valentinian 188. 3. More concerning the name of Scotland 29. 7. Scotland subiect to the Arch-bishop of Yorke 283. 4. Scotland had aunciently many Monasteries 601. 11. Scots deduce their name from Scota King Pharaos daughter 11. 5. The Scots originall 355. 1. All Scots banished out of their CouÌ„try by Maximus 356. 2. When the Scots came first into Britaine and where they then liued 354. 1. c. The Scots not seated in Britaine vntill the departing of Maximus 335. 4. The auncient Scots the same people with the old inhabitants of some of the maritimate parts of Spaine 28. 6. The Scots receaued not the faith of Christ vntill the time of Pope Victor 335. 4. 352. 3. Scots in some sense more auncient Christians then Britans 125. 2. The Scots called Churches Celles and why 429. 1. The Scots accustomed to send their Bishops vnto Rome to be consecrated 358. 4. The Christian Scots truely obedient to the See of Rome 358. 4. Scripture will not make an Infidell a good Christian without a Preacher or Interpreter 158. 8. Scripture receaued here in King Lucius time in the Latin tongue with the same Canon of Bookes which the Roman Church now vseth 339. 4. S. Sebastian martyred 416. 4. Sedulius v. Caelius The Senat refused the consecration of Christ and why 14. 3. c. The Senat puts out an Edict against Christians 13. 5. The Senat could make no Decree against the Priuat worshipping of Christ 15. 6. The Senat most horribly afflicted for the space of almost 300. yeares why 16. 6. The Senat neuer disinabled
Peter the Apostle Consecrated Primate of all Fraunce and Archbishop of Sens in the 54. yeare of Christ when Tybertus Claudius was Emperor and to him succeeded in the yeare 74. sainct Potentianus Martyr also one of the 72. Disciples and Scholler of sainct Peter cheife of the Apostles and Companion of sainct Sauinian sanctus Sauinianus siue Sabinus vnus ex 72. Christi Discipulis a sancto Petro Apostolo Primas totius Galliae Senonensis Archiepiscopus consecratus est anno Christi 54. Tyberio Claudio Caesare Augustoâ—cui successit anno d. 74. sanctus Potentianus Martyr â—â—â—e ex 72. Petri Apostolorum Corypha discipulus beati Sauiniani in Itinere comes peregrinationis Therefore If the two first Primates of all Fraunce were the Disciples of sainct Peter and by him placed in that Dignitie ouer all the Bishops of Fraunce the rest must needs be at his Dispotion and substitution and the first of them being so placed in the yeare of Christ 54. in the Empire of Claudius when sainct Paul was a strunger in this part of the world this prerogatiue and honour must needs be yeelded to sainct Peter who was the first did send the first preachers and Bishops into Fraunce in the time of Claudius by all testimonies longe before sainct Paul came into any westerne parte or Nation his first coming thither being in the time of Nero and yet as a Prisoner to Rome and so continuing there two yeares as both Scripture and Historyes giue ample Testimony The Authorities for this sending and mission by sainct Peter are too many to be alledged Therefore I will onely set downe diuers of these first Bishops and the yeares wherein they were first consecrated and directed thither as they are gathered and collected out of many Authors by Eisengrenius and Democharez that It may be euidently knowne by the time it selfe that onely sainct Peter by his Disciples founded the Church of Fraunce 5. I haue spoaken of sainct Maximinus and sainct Lazarus the first Bishop Guliel Eisengr Centenar 1. in S. Maximin Lazaro Iuliano of Aquens the second of Massilia consecrated and deputed to those places by sainct Peter no other Apostle being in these parts to accomplish that holy worke these being ordeined Bishops there as these Authors tell vs in the yeare of Christ 46. in which yeare also sainct Simon Leprosus whom our Sauiour cured of that infirmitie was consecrated Bishop of Cenomanenses This Anton. Democ. l. 2. de MissacoÌ„tra Caluin Gul. Eisengren Cent. 1. part 1. dist 3. also was called sainct Iulianus In the yeare following 47. sainct Martial Disciple and Godchila to sainct Peter D. Petri Apostolorum Principis in Baptismate filius was with diuers others sent by the same holy Apostle and was father in Christ to so many Prouinces and people in Fraunce as the Annals thereof doe mention In the same yeare sainct Trophimus out of whose spirituall Magdeb. Centu. 1. in Trophim mart Rom. in S. Troph Tom. 1. coÌ„cil Gul. Eisengr CenteÌ„ 1. Matth. Westm Arnold Mirm. in Theatr. conuers gent. alij Gul. Eisengr centen 1. in S. Aphrodisio fountaine as Pope Zosimus writeth all the Ryuers and brookes of Fraunce were filled was ordeyned Bishop of Arles which must needs be by sainct Peter being twelue yeares at the least before that time some thinke he was left there by sainct Paul In the yeare following being 48. sainct Aphordisius by birth an Egiptian and Prefect of all Egpyt at the time when our Sauiour being driuen into Egypt the Idols of the temples there fell doune being the Disciple of S. Peter Prince of the Apostles at Antioch was consecrated Bishop of the Church of Buturigum in Fraunce sanctus Aphrodisius genere Aegyptius totius Aegypti praefectus eo tempore quo puero Iesu in Aegyptum fugato in templa Deorum illato Idola omnia corruerunt B. Petro Apostolorum Coryphaei apud Antiochiam Discipulus Buturicensis Ecclesiae consecratus est Antistes anno Christi 48. sedit annis VolaterraÌ„ comment l. 13. Petrus de Natalib l. 3. c. 218. Gul. Eiseng Centenar 1. part 1. dist 3. Franc. Belleforest to 1. Eisengr Centen 1. fol. 56. sex moritur 11. calâ—ndas Aprilis anno Saluatoris 54. he was Bishop there sixe yeares and dyed the eleuenth of the calends of April and sanctus Vrsinus à beato Petro consecratus consecrated by sainct Peter whom some call Nathaniel succeeded hym in his Bishoprick in the yeare of Christ 54. And the same yeare 48 except Eisengrenius and others cited by him deceaue vs Paulus Sergius was consecrated Bishop of Narbon eight or more yeares before sainct Paul came to Rome and so by no other Apostle but sainct Peter The next yeare after the 49. of Christ by the last accompt sainct Clement surnamed Flauius with Caelestus Faelix and our contryman sainct Mansuetus first Bishop of Tullum were directed in Gallias the parts of Fraunce by sainct Peter In the yeare 54. thes Authors testifie That sainct Amator Potentianus Sauinianus Fronto with others were sent Bishops by sainct Peter into Fraunce all longe before sainct Paules coming to Rome And for a Religious memory and due honour of sainct Peter and the See of Rome in that respect Those Sees of Bishops which were first founded by sainct Peter and his Successour sainct Clement of whom Annal. Gall. Booke of Estat in Fraunce Edw. Grymston p. 97. I shall speake hereafter in his proper place are for the most part the cheifest Archbishops Sees there at this time As the Archbishops of Reims Sens Lyon Soissons Amiens Noyon Paris Charters Orleans Anger 's Mans Beuuis Burges Bishops sees founded in Fraunce by S. Peter in honor thereof are for the most part Archbishops Sees at this time Tours Chalon Auxerre Troys Meaux Angolesme Baion Narbon Rouen Burdeaux Aix Vienna and others all first founded by sainct Peter the Apostle and his Successor sainct Clement as before sainct Peter and in sainct Clement hereafter is and shall be related 6. And because some Question hath bene by whom sainct Trophimus so renowned in Fraunce was first sent to Arles there to passe ouer other testimonies the epistle of the Bishops of that Prouince to sainct Leo the greate S. Trophimus sent to Arles in FrauÌ„ce by S. Peter Pope of Rome cleareth this for to be sainct Peters doing Omnibus Regionibus Gallicanis notum est sed non sacrosanctae Ecclesiae Romanae habetur incognitum quod prima inter Gallias Arelatensis ciuitas missum à beatissimo Petro Apostolo Epistola coÌ„prouincialium Episcoporum Metropolis Arelaten ad S. LeoneÌ„ Papam inter epist S. Leonis epist 108. in Tom. 1. concil sanctum Trophimum habere meruit sacerdotem exinde alijs paulatim regionibus GalliaruÌ„ donum fidei Religionis infusum It is knowne to all Countries of Fraunce neyther is it vnknowne to the holy Romane Church that Arles the cheife citie of Fraunce deserued to haue for
Preist sainct Trophimus sent from sainct Peter the Apostle and from thence by little and little the gift of faith was infused to the other Regions of Fraunce Where we see it proued by the publike letters and testimonie of all the Bishops of that Prouince That it was a certaine and confessed truth among all the Churches of Fraunce and knowne also at Rome that sainct Trophimus who was so renowned in Fraunce was sent thither by sainct Peter which yet doth not condemne their opinion which say sainct Paul in his Iorney from Rome to Spayne left him by the way at Arles whether he was formerly sent by sainct Peter and sainct Paul finding him at Arles went on his Iorney leauing sainct Trophimus where he found him Which confirmeth that I haue deliuered before of this matter and thus I haue compassed and circuited all CouÌ„tries round about vs find that they all first receaued the faith of Christ in these times by sainct Peter the Apostle and his disciples and no other meanes but this was left or to be fownde in histories to bring the first knowledge of saluation to this Kingdome And hauing this farre entreated of sainct Peters Disciples let vs now speake of that most glorious Apostle himselfe his preacing heare THE XIIII CHAPTER WHEREIN IS PROVED BY MANY ARGVments Authorities and Antiquaries both Catholiks and Protestants that sainct Peter the Apostle parsonally preached and founded Christian Religion in this kingdome 1. NOW I am come to giue that glory to this kingdome whereof a Protestant thus speaketh we should accompt it Godwyn Conu of Britâ—ine p. 6. a greate glory to our Nation to deriue the peti-degree of our spituall linadge from so noble and excellent a father as sainct Peter And diuers others of that profession will seeme to giue that Preeminencie vnto him To satisfie therefore these men and giue that due honour to this kingdome this is sufficieÌ„tly proued before by those that haue told vs he preached in all kingdomes and Ilands of the west therefore this Cuontry so greate and ample a portion of the westerne world and the most florishing Iland thereof cannot be excluded from this prerogatiue This moued our first Christian King Lucius and the S. Peter his personall preaching and founding our Church in Britain proued by all human authoritie cheifest of the cleargie heare in that time in the first publik and generall conuersion of this kingdome to dedicate the first and principall Churches of this Land to this glorious Apostle as our first father and founder in Christ as namely two in one cittie of London the one of them the Metropolitane cheife See diuers hundreds of yeares scituated in Cornhill and still keeping the name of sainct Peters Church The other at westminster also to this day Stowe hist in K. Lucius an D. 179 Holinsh. ib. hist of Engl. The Table of S. Peters Church there Ihon Norden Specul Britan. part 1. p. 42. Camden in Brit. Belgae Sommersetshâ—re Francis Mason Consecrat l. 2. c. cap. 2. pag. â—0 retayning the name sainct Peters Church and diuers others in this kingdome when except that of Glastenbury dedicated to our blessed lady sainct Mary we cannot finde the like of dedicating so auncient and many Churches to any other sainct sainct Paul sainct Ioseph or whom soeuer supposed to haue preached heare 2. The next argument shall be from the testimonie of our holy King Inas and the Clergie of England then Who in the place of the olde Church of Glastenbury building a very magnificent new Church dedicated it to Christ sainct Peter and sainct Paul and in the high forefront thereof engraued certaine verses in the honour of sainct Peter and sainct Paul among which these three are founde Surgit in his templum quod placet ara Deo Anglia plaude lubens mittit tilâ— Roma salutem Fulgor Apostolicus Glasconiam irradiat The first which our Protestants omitt to translate is thus in Thâ—se to wit sainct Peter and sainct Paul a Church and an Altar pleasing vnto God is raised The other two are thus tranâ—lated by our Protestants Be glad England Rome sâ—â—deth health to thee and Apostolicall Brightnes doth lighten Glastenbury And they say that this is ment either of doctrine or protection But the words mittit â—â—bi Roma salutem That Rome sâ—nt saluation vnto Britaine and the Apostolicall brightnes of sainct Peter and Paule did illuminate Glastenbury doe include onely doctrine and Saluation and no mention there at all is had of protection which is contrary to protestant Religion and in Catholik Religion for so worthie a King as sainct Inas was to ascribe the patronadge of Glasten burie to sainct Peter and sainct Paul if neither of them had giuen Influence to the first settling of Religion there and exclude sainct Ioseph who both liued and died in that place is an harsh vnworthie construction And to giue further testimonie that the words of that Inscription are altogether to be vnderstood of our first conuersion and receauing the faith from sainct Peter and Rome all those verses excepting the words Anglia and Glastonia England and Glastenbury are taken word by word from Venantius Fortunatus Bishop of Venant Fortun. l. 3. c. 7. Poyctires in Fraunce who testifieth in those verses as I haue by others proued before that Gallia Fraunce and the Allobroge people of Sanoye and the Dolphinists were conuerted by S. Peter and his disciples and S. Paul also preached there as I shall shew hereafter And therefore among the rest of the encomiasticall verses of those two glorious Apostles hath these Gallia plaude Lubens mittit tibi Roma salutem Fulgor Apostolicus visitat Allobrogas Which King Inas applyed to Britanie and Glastenbury in the same maÌ„ner onely changing Gallia into Anglia and Allobrogas into Glastoniam and to make a true verse visitat into Irradiat in the maner before related Anglia plaude lubens mittit tibi Roma salutem Fulgor Apostolicus Glastoniam irradiat Which he neither would nor truly could haue done except as venantius Fortunatus truely found by vndeniable Authorities that Fraunce and the people of Sauoy and Delphinate did first receaue the doctrine of Saluation from Rome S. Peter and S. Paul So King Inas had sufficient warrant to apply the very same and in the same sence to Britaine or England and Glastenbury to haue receaued the first light of faith from the same Rome and holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul 3. I may add to these the testimony of Kenulphus King of the Mercians with vs to Pope Leo the third where in his epistle vnto him thus he writeth vnde Tibi Apostolica dignitas inde nobis fidei veritas Innotuit from whence Apostolicall dignitie was deriued vnto thee which by all consent was from S. Peter Kenulphus Rex Mercior epist ad Leonem Pap. 3. the Apostle from thence the truthe of faith appeared or was made knowne vnto vs Which by the reason
and being before the Diuision of Prouinces was fully made into Archiepiscopall Sees ruled diuers cheife Churches and farre distant as Collen Tungers and Treuers as also his Successour S. Maternus did and both of them were probably heare in Britaine and conuerted many heare for Marianus ioyneth these with other S. Valerius and S. Maternus Disciples os S. Peter were by probabilitie in Britaine sometime holy Preachers and Bishops of those dayes which preached not onely in their owne Prouinces but in these vttermost and extreme parts Qui non solum propria Prouincia sed in extremis vltimis industrij illustres existentes regna Tyrannorum vicerunt And this greate encrease and multiplication of Christians continued all this age in these Countries as these forreyne Antiquaries tell vs and vntill the death of S. Maternus which was in the yeare of Christ Marian. Scot. aetat 6. in Nerua 133. as they witnes all which time and longer our renowned Bishop and Countriman still liued and often visited this his natiue Country preaching heare And yet before the end of this age we had a new supply of Apostolike men sent hither from the See of Rome and Authoritie thereof as I shall further declare in the next Chapter THE XXXVI CHAPTER OF THE STATE OF ECCLESIASTICALL affaires in Britaine in the Papacy of S. Clement Empire of Traian and Reigne of King Coillus vnto the end of this first hundred of yeares of Christ 1. S Cletus hauing happily ended his life by Martyrdome S. Clement tooke vpon him the gouernement of the Apostolike Roman See and the tyrannicall time of Domitian being now by his death expired and his Acts for their crueltie generally recalled by Nerua though Emperour Marian. Scotus l. 2. aetat 6. Method apud eund col 255. Martin Pol. Supput in Clem. Traiano Matth. West an 102. 98. 117. 124. alij litle aboue one yeare Traian succeeded him holding the Empire vntill or about the yeare of Christ 117. being for diuers yeares a Persecutor of Christians especially about Rome the Easterne and other parts remote from this Nation where King Coillus agreat friend and fauouror of Christians reigned 2. Before I proceede further in S. Clements dayes my promise before and vrgent reasons to be remēbred hereafter doe call vpon mee to cleare the doubt whether S. Clement was ordained by S. Peter his Successor immediate or noe S. Clement himselfe thus writeth in these words S. Peter himselfe Clemens Rom. Epist 1. for his greate charitie towards all men when he perceaued his death at hand in the Assembly of our Brethren the whole Church hearing him taking mee by the hand vttered these words heare mee my brethren and fellowe Seruants because as I am taught of him my Lord and Maister Iesus Christ that sent mee that the day of my death is at hand I ordayne this Clement your Bishop to whome onely I commit the Chaire of my preaching and doctrine To him I deliuer the power of binding and loosing deliuered to mee by our Lord that of all things whatsoeuer he shall decree on earth the same be decreed in heauen For he shall binde that which ought to be bounde and shall loose that which ought to be loosed as he which perfectly knoweth the Rule of the Church Ipse Petrus pro immensa charitate quam erga omnes homines gerebat in ipsis diebus quibus vitae finem sihi imminere praesensit in conuentu fratrum positus apprehensa manu mea in auribus totius Ecclesiae haec protulit verba audite me fratres conserui mei quoniam vt doctus sum ab eo qui misit me Domino magistro meo Iesu Christo dies mortis meae instat Clementem hunc Episcopum vobis ordino cui soli meae praedicationis doctrinae Cathedram trado Ipsi trado à Domino mihi traditam potestatem ligandi soluendi vt de omnibus quibuscunque decreuerit in terris hoc decretum sit in caelis Ligabit enim quod oportet ligari soluet quod expedit solui tanquam qui ad liquidum Ecclesiae regulam nouerit This Act so concerning and so publikly effected and concerning the whole Church registred by so worthie a present witnesse and partie in that busines leaueth no place of exception vnto it especially when we see allmost all that followed cōfirming it S. Anacletus the next successor to S. Clemēt whom our greatest Anaclet epist 1. 3. to 1. Concil Matt. Parker Antiq. Brit. p. 24. Io. Pris defens hist Brit. p. 73. Rob. Barnes l. de vit Pontif. in Anacleto Alexādro Alexand. Pap. 1. epist 1. S. Leo 2. apud Marian. Scot. l. 2. aetat 6. col 238. Florent Wigor an 50. 75. Bed Martyr 9. cal Decembr Hier. l. de Scriptor in Clem. Epiph. haeres 27. Ioa. Pap. 3. Epist decretal Tom. 2. Concil Egbert Ser. 3. de incremento manifestatione Catholicae fidei Protestāts approue approueth both that Epistle this very part thereof containing this Act of S. Peter in diuers places S. Alexander likewise carrying with him Protestant approbation twyce in one Epistle citeth and alloweth the same Act for S. Peters Ipse Apostolorum Princeps in ordinatione beati Clementis populum instruens And againe beatus Princeps Apōstolorum Petrus qui in ordinatione sancti praedecessoris nostri Clementis instruens clerum populum So doth S. Leo the second as S. Marianus Florentius Wigorniensis and others testifie S. Bede saith the same of S. Clement Hic ex praecepto beati Petri Ecclesiae suscepit pontificatum S. Hierome saith most of the Latines held so plerique Latinorum secundum post Petrum Apostolum putant fuisse Clementem S. Epiphanius a Grecian is of the sameopinion Pope Ihon the third aboue 1000. yeares since expressely setteth downe this History from that Epistle of S. Clement And Egbertus cōuincibly thus proueth this Epistle nec vnquā defecit in Ecclesia Romana fides quam habuerat quam praedicauerat Petrus sicut ei promiserat Dominus quando imminente passione sua dixit ad eum Ego rogaui pro te vt non deficiat fides tua hoc est fides Ecclesiae quam tibi commisit Beatus autem Petrus cum sciret appropinquare sibi passionem suam sanctum Clementem quem ad fidem conuerterat baptizauerat ordinauit in Episcopum eiusque gubernationi sedem suam Ecclesiam quam ipse rexerat commisit ita successor beati Petri factus estin Sede illa Nam quod Linus Cletus successores Petri fuisse leguntur ita intelligendum est quod adhuc ipso viuente Coadiutores eius extiterunt in gubernando populum Dei Romae ad hoc abipso erant in Episcopos ordinati vt scribit quidam Apostolicorum Patrum Episcopis Germaniae Galliae The faith which Peter had and preached did neuer faile in the Roman Church as our Lord promised him when a
litle before his Passiō he said vnto him I haue asked for thee that thy faith faile not That is the faith of the Church which I haue commited to thee And Peter when he knew his passion to be at hand tooke S. Clement whome he had conuerted and baptized and ordained him Bishop and committed to his gouernment his See and Church which he had gouerned and so he was made the successor of S. Peter in that See For where we reade that Linus and Cletus were the successors of S. Peter we must so vndestand it that while he liued they were his Coadiutors in gouerning the people of God at Rome and for that end they were ordained Bishops as an auntient Pope writeth to the Bishops of Germanie and France which must needs be this Epistle of Pope Ihon the third before mentioned both the subiect being the same this auncient Authour related and written to the Bishops of Germany and France as the beginning of that verie Epistle is thus an able testimonie Ioannes Episcopus vniuersis Germaniae Galliae prouincias constitutis in Domino salutē So we haue besids a world of other witnesses the Decretall Epistles of two aunciēt Popes Io. Pap. 3. in fine Epist Marian. Scot. Florent Wigor supr Bed in Martyr Manuscript an t in Bibliotheca publ Cantabrigiae volum 28. tract 9. Sabellicus l. 9. Ennead 7. Henticus Hunting hist l. 3. this of Pope Ihon aboue a thowsād yeares since who in the end of this Epistle calleth it his Decree and the other of S. Leo so named by S. Marianus Florentius Wigorniensis and others Leo secundus in sua decretali Epistola To these I may add S. Damasus Pope commonly esteemed Authour of the Pontificall cited by S. Bede before Anastasius time to whom Bellarmin asscribeth it and directly said in an old Manuscript in Cambridge to be written by Damasus Gesta Romanorum Pontificium Authore Damaso 3. So writeth Sabellicus saying S. Damasus was authour of it and gaue it to S. Ierome to peruse Damasus omnium qui antese fuerant Pontificum vitas monumentis tradidit deditque id opus Hyeronimo cognoscendū and it is euery where approued by our best Historians Florentius Wigorniensis William of Malmesbury Henry of Huntington and others among which this last saith plainely for this matter that S. Augustine did ordayne S. Laurence his Successour at Canterbury in his life time as S. Peter did S. Clement at Rome Laurentium vero adhuc viuens ordinauerat Augustinus in Archiepiscopum exemplo S. Petri qui Clementē similiter ordinauerat I haue cited Florentius Wigorniensis sor the same opinion before S. Damasus saith plainely that S. Peter consecrated S. Clement Bishop and committed his See and the Church to his chardge leauing vnto him that highest spirituall Pontificall power which Christ committed vnto him Petrus beatum Clementem Episcopum consecrauit cui Cathedram vel Ecclesiam omnino disponendam commisit dicens sicut mihi gubernandi tradita est à Domino meo Iesu Christo potestas ligandi soluendique ita ego tibi committo And if I should grant vnto Bellarmin which truth of History will not permit mee that Anastasius who liued 800. yeares since was Authour of this worke his allowance is that I haue him a publikely approued witnes for this matter so many hundred yeares auncient Which he confirmeth also in the life of S. Clement as also this Epistle to 8. Iames testifying from the same Epistle that S. Peter committed the Papall dignitie and chardge of the Church to him and that Linus and Cletus are numbred before him onely because S. Peter made them Bishops before that time Clemens ex praecepto beati Petri suscepit Damasus in S. Clemente Ecclesiae Pontificatum gubernandum sicut ei fuerat à Domino Iesu Christo Cathedra tradita vel commissa Tamen in Epistola quae ad Iacobum scripta est qualiter ei commissa est à beato Petro Ecclesia reperies Ideo Linus Cletus ante cum scribuntur quia ab ipso Principe Apostolorum ad ministerium Sacerdotale exhibendum sunt Episcopi ordinati The like is testified by S. Clement in his third Epistle not subiect to that censure some taxe this with in that it is written to S. Iames Bishop of Hierusalem thought to be dead at this time where he plainely calleth S. Peter his Ordinator beatus Petrus Instructor Ordinator noster The Clemens Rom. Epist 3. l. Recognit Gelasius Catal. Illustr Vir. in Rufino like he doth in those bookes which with Gelasius and Rufinus who translated them out of Greeke allmost 1300. yeares since by common agreemcnt all acknowledge to be S. Clements vndoubted works And the mayne obiection against this Epistle of S. Iames the Apostle his death before S. Peter is not worthie recitall For Nichephorus Marianus Florentius Wigorniensis Martinus Polonus and others which acknowledge that yet approue this Epistle and S. Clement to haue bene chosen Successour to S. Peter by that testimony And S. Dorotheus that auncient Father and many others are witnesses S. Dorothaeus li. de 72. Discip l. de 12. Apostolis that the next Successour to the first S. Iames first Bishop of Hierusalem was besides his other name Simon or Simeon called also Iames and by the Hebrew phrase of speaking calling neare kinsmen Brothers named the Brother of our Lord as the first Iames his Brother was by that custome 4. Therefore I may now boldly say with our holy and learned auncient Marian. Scotus l. 2. aetate 6. in Adriano S. Aldelmus l. de laudib Virginitatis c. 12. Bishop Saint Aldelmus conuerted by S. Gregory the greate as he himselfe writeth à quo rudimenta fidci baptismi Sacramenta suscepimus that S. Clement was the first Successour of S. Peter and the second Gouernour of the Roman Church allthough some in vaine and without cause preferre Linus and Cletus before him Clemens caelestis Clauicularij primus Successor secundus Romanae Ecclesiae dispensator quanquam nonnulli Linum Anacletum in Pontificatus Regimine nequaquam S. Clement yeelded the Papacy to S. Linus soone after S. Peters death sine causa praeferant Yet I doe freely and willingly yeeld to saue the honour and manner of speaking of the Roman Martyrologe and some auncient Fathers for the Canon of the Masse naming S. Linus and Cletus before S. Clement hath onely meaning of prioritie in time that as Baronius interpreteth S. Epiphanius and Rufinus and might haue added many more S. Clement gaue place to these to execute the Apostolike dignitie before him and vpon Baron Annal. Tom. 1. an Christi 69. Henric. Spondan p. 124. Epiph. haer 27. Rufin Praefat. in Clem. Wern Rolwink Fascic temp an 94. this motiue as some haue written least by accepting the chardge imposed one him by S. Peter in his life he might leaue an example of daunger to other Prelates to substitute Successours whome they
Martyr end of this Age seeing they bring him to the greate Councell of Sinuessa of 300. Bishops besides many other greate Clergie men They haue this greate Barnes supr in Marcello Magdeburg cent 4. c. 9. To. 1. Conc. in Marcellino Conc. Sinuessano in 3. exāplar antiq generall Councell the first that euer was in the worlde in all Copies plainely pronouncing no man euer Iudged the Pope of Rome The first See is indged by none Nemo vnquam iudicauit Pontificem Prima Sedes non iudicatur à quoquam Now I will returne againe to the time of Pope Stephen where I left THE X. CHAPTER OF S. MELLO OR MELLON A BRITAN SENT Archbishop by Pope Stephen from Rome to Rhoan in Normandy Of S. Mellorus a Noble Brittish Martyr and a Prouinciall Councell of Brittish Bishops heare in Cornewalle in this time 1. THE Historie of out renowned Britan S. Mello or Mellon by most Authours fell our in the time of S. Stephens being Pope And it should seeme by out Histories which speake of many and long defections of the Britans in these dayes and their withdrawing their Tribute and obedience from them except when Quintus Bassianus Alectus or such men were sent hither with power from the Romans to keepe Britaine in their subiection that S. Mello S. Mello went to Rome his going from hence to Rome with others of this kingdome to pay the Brittans Tribute there was in the time of that Bassianus or some such Roman our Antiquities being sparing to giue vs warrant to say that the Britans did so carefully pay their Tribute vnder their other Rulers which loued not the Romans but laboured to free themselues and this Kingdome rather from that subiection And this the rather because as I haue proued before it is probable the other Britan Rulers heare were Christians and so would not easely imploy Pagans in such a busines and seruice For it is the constant agreement of the Writers of this Relation that this Mello with his Associats was at his S. Mello was first a Pagan going to Rome and being there also at the first a Pagan at the performing of his temporall dutie there did after the manner of the then Infidell Romans Manuscr antiq in Vita S. Mellonis Capgtau in codem Anual Eccl. Rothomagen Dionys Alexandrin Euseb l. Eccl. Hist cap. 9. Matth. Westm an 25◠Trebellius Aurelius Victor Eutropius alij in Galeriano Euseb in Vita Constantini l. 4. Cōstan orat ad Sāctorum caetum c. 24. Florent Wigor an 250. 272. Euseb Hist Eccl. l. 7. c. 12. sacrifice in the Temple of Mars being a souldiar by profession and this was in the time of Valerian the Emperour Tempore Valeriani Imperatoris Mello quidā de Maiori Britannia oriundus Romam venit vt patriae suae Tributum solueret Imperatori seruiret ibique sicut mos erat cum socijs suis ad Templum Martis ductus est vt sacrificaret And by the History of this renowned man it seemeth to haue bene in the beginning of this Emperours reigne about the yeare of Christ 256. when by the testimony of Dionysius and Eusebius he was more friendly to Christiās then any of his Predecessors euen those that were Christians as the two Philips the Father and sonne and all his Court was full of Christians and as a Church of God Valerianus prae Antecessoribus suis sic comparatus fuit initio vt erga homines Dei placidus esset animo amico praeditus Neque enim quisquam Imperatorum ante eum tam clementer ac placidè erga eos affectus fuit ne illi quidem qui palam facti Christiani dicebantur sic initio ille familiarissimè amantissimè idque palam nostros complectebatur tota illius aula referta erat pijs Ecclesia Dei facta For Valerian after seduced by the Magicians became a most greuious Persecutor of Christians vntill being takē Prisoner by the Persians was detained there Prisoner vntill his death made a Footestoole for their King when he tooke his horse who caused this cruell Emperour to haue his skin to be pulled of and his body powdred with salt By which miserable life and death of Valerianus being Father to Gallienus who was also a persecuting Emperour the sonne recalled all Edicts against Christians and gaue them free vse and exercise of their Religion publicis Edictis Persecutionem contra nos motam remisit vt doctrinae nostrae Praesides cuncta liberè pro Consuetudine sua obirent So there was not such freedome after in the time of Galerianus for S. Mello or others to be present at the Sermons either of S. Stephen then Pope or any Christian Preacher as the life of S. Mello witnesseth he was an hearer of Pope Stephen and by him conuerted Neither can it well appeare how this Brittish Saint being a Souldiar and a Pagan at his comming to Rome in the time of Valerian not 8. yeares enioying the Fmpire and both conuerted to Christ and baptized by S. Stephen and by him promoted to Preesthood by all Ecclesiasticall Orders and degrees Quem Stephanus Papasibi adhaerentem per omnes Ecclesiae gradus vsque ad Sacerdotium promouit and after made him Bishop could come to such perfection in the Papacy of S. Stephen who suffered Martyrdome about the 257. yeare of Christ by common conputation longe before the death of Valerian except he had bene conuerted in the beginning of his Empire 2. This Mello Mellon or Mellanius cōming to Rome with others of this kingdome to pay the Tribute thereof to the Romans as I haue sayed before and to serue the Emperor and resorting to the Assemblyes and meetings of S. Mello conuerted by S. Stephē Pope the Christians not yet forbidden in the beginning of Valerianus his Empire hearing S. Stephē Pope preaching was cōuerted by him to the faith of Christ and baptized being thus instructed he sold all that he had eu the Armour which he wore in the warrs and distributing the money which he receaued Sainct Mellomade Priest and Bishop Act. Vit. S. Steph. Pap. apud Baron Tom. 2. Annal. Ann. 259. Damasus in Pōt in Stephano 1. Baron Tom. 2. Annal. An. 260. Martyr Rom. 22 die Octobris Vsuard Martyr 22. die Octobris S. Mello miraculously sent to be Archbishop of Rohan in Normandie to the poore following his Conuerter S. Stephen and giuing himselfe wholly to Christian deuotion and study of Diuinty profited therin so much not being ignorant in human Learning which he had obtained in Britaine euer renowned for studies and Learned men was by S. Stephen by all inferior Orders which I haue before remēbred promoted to holy Preisthood after Miraculously chosen of God therevnto was by the same holy Pope Cōsecrated Bishop and both extraordinarily by God and ordinarily by Pope Stephen sent to gouerne the Church of Rhoan in Neustria now called Normandy in France after he had suffered many
miseries and afflictions for his holy faith with S. Stephen and others of his Cleargie imposed vpon them by Valerianus as may plainely be gathered out of the Acts and life of S. Stephen And whereas S. Damasus or whosoeuer the aūcient Writer of the liues of the Popes commonly asscribed to him doth testifie that S. Stephen did Consecrate three Bishops onely speaking of no more Episcopos per diuersa loca tres Baronius doth and well conclude that our holy Britan S. Melanius was one of them and renowned for sanctitie Ex ijs vnus fuit Melanius Episcopus Rhotomagensis sanctitate celebris Citing for that the old Roman Martyrologe Manuscr antiq de Vita S. Mellonis Iacob Genuensis in Catal. de eodem Capg in S. Mellone Petrus de Natalibus l. 9. cap. 93. Tabulae Episcoporum Rhotomagen Vincent l. 11. c. 74. which saith of this holy Bishop that he was Consecrated by Pope Stephen and by him sent to preach the faith about Rhoan where he was Bishop in France Rhotomagi S. Melanij Episcopi qui a sancto Stephano Papa ordinatus illuc ad praedicandum Euangelium missus est Vsuardus also hath the same vpon the same 22. day of October 3. The manner of his Miraculous Mission and sending to be Archbishop of Rhoan in Normandy is thus registred in the old Manuscript of his life the auncient Learned Bishop Iacobus Genuensis Capgraue Petrus de Natalibus and others Cumque Ieiunijs vigilijs instaret quadam Die Missam co celebrante viderunt ipse Papa Angelum Dei stantem ad dexteram altaris Qui peracta missa dedit ei virgam Pastoralem quam manu tenebat dicens accipe virgam sub quâ reges populum Rhotomagensis Ciuitatis in sinibus Neustriae Tibi enim illic praeparatus est a Deo locus licet labor incognitae vitae sit tibi onerosus nequaquam tamen tibi timendum quoniam sub vmbrà alarum suarum proteget te Dominus Iesus Christus Tunc acceptâ benedictione a Papa Iter arripuit As he continued in fastings and watchings when he said Masse on a certaine day both he and the Pope did see an Angell of God standing at the right hand of the Altar Who when Masse was ended gaue vnto him a Pastor all staffe which he held in his hand saying take the rodd with which thow shall Rule the people of the Citie of Rhoan in the borders of Neustria For there a place is prepared for thee by God and allthough the Labour of the vnknowne life be burdensome vnto thee yet be not a fraide because our Lord Iesus Christ will defend thee vnder the shadowe of his wings So receauing benediction from the Pope he tooke his Iorney In which comming to Antisiodorum he Miraculousely cured S. Mello cured alame man he died and was buried at Rhoan a man there most greuously wounded Comming to Rhoan he there faithfully performed his sacred office renowned for vertue and Miracles he ended his life there about the yeare of our Lord 280. his body is there still kept with greate reuerence in the Cathedrall Church of that Citie neare to the body of S. Nicasius first Bishop there sent by S. Clement Pope Successor to S. Peter Tab. Eccl. Rhotomagon apud Anton. Democharez contra Caluin Io. Molan in addition ad Vsuardum 22. Octobr. Martyr Rom. die 11. Octobris Bed Martyrol Prid. Idus Nouembr and this the second as the Annals of that Church giue testimony Molanus saith he was Archbishop of Rhoan and was there most honorably buried In Gallijs ciuitate Rothomagi notalis Sancti Meloni qui eiusdem vrbis primus Ecclesiā Archiepiscop us rexit ibidemque sepultus gloriosissimè quieuit But the Roman old Martyrologe saith plainly that S. Nicasius was Bishop there Nicasij Episcopi Rhotomagensis S. Bede in his Martyrologe setteth downe the Festiuitie of this holy Saint on the 12. day of Nouember pridie Idus Nouembris Sancti Melani Rodouicae ciuitatis Episcopi All others place it vpon the 22. of October What spirituall benefite the rare example of this holy Brittish Bishop by his strange conuersion in neglecting the seruice of the Emperour and honour thereof to be the poore seruant of Christ in persecution his Miraculous calling and Mission in Episcopall dignitie his life renowned for vertue and Miracles multis virtutibus Miraculis clarus and so long continuing so glorious and Archbishop so neare to this our Nation his Country we may in prudence apprehend though Iniquitie of times hath depriued vs of their memory so farre that for this his short History we are forced to appeale to forreine Antiquities 4. And yet we haue sufficient warrant left vnto vs by our owne Histories not onely in generall assuring vs that our Britans continued their first faith quietly and inuiolably vntill Dioclesians bloody Persecution but particular testimonie that euen in this time by arguments we had such a florishing Church heare in Britaine that we had not onely Bishops and Preists in greate numbers but which few other Nations can so soone for themselues giue instance in both publike Councells of Bishops and diuers Religious houses both of men and women We reade in the old Manuscript Historie of the life of S. Melorus liuing in the beginning of the Britans Christianitie cum in exordio Manuscr Antiq. de Vita S. Melor Io. Capgr Catal. in eod Harris Hist of Brit. to 3. Christianae fidei conuersa est Britanniae gentilitas that there was a Councell of Brittish Bishops kept in Cornewayle but a corner of this kingdome In Cornubia Concilium Episcoporum congregatū And this holy Saint was there brought vp and instructed in a Monastery nutritus in quodam Monasterio Cornubiae A Councell of Bishops in Cornwaile in this time where the distinctiue word quodam one certaine Monastery of Cornewayle doth sufficiently notifie that besides all others in other parts of Britaine there were then more Monasteryes in that Prouince of Cornewayle Which is further proued by that which followeth in the same Authours what an especiall care the Abbot of that place had of this Noble glorious Saint yet a child Abbas illius loci sufficiently prouing there were then other Abbots of other Abbayes in that Country There also mention is made of the Church Nunnery Altar and Abbesse of Anbesbury whether the Reliks of that holy Saint were brought after they had bene honorably buryed by the Bishops and Preists sepulto ab Episcopis Clericis capite cum Sacro corpore That these Bishops Preists Monasteryes and Religious men and women of Britaine were in this time I am vrged to thinke because these Historians haue told vs before that these things were in the beginning of Christianitie heare and add that then many beleeued and following the Apostles Precepts were famous for Miracles and that S. Melorus was one of that number Multi Domino credentes Apostolica praecepta sequentes varijs virtutum Miraculis fulserunt de