writeth not so clearely of that matter as he might haue done leauing it almost doubtfull to his Readers by saying he will Godwin Conu of Britaine p. 16. c. 2. not stand to dispute it whether that Brittish Lady Claudia so honorably remembred by Martial the Poet lyuing in that time was the same Claudia which S. All obiections to disproue Claudia honored by S. Paul for a renowned Christian not to be our Brittish Lady Claudia are disproued Paul hath so renowned which words take away some credit from the true opinion making her a Christian and to be one and the same woman For our Protestants themselues which receaue her into the number of holy Christians deriue their greatest Authoritie for their affirming thereof from S. Pauls words recounting S. Claudia among the holy Christians at Rome 2. Allthough I haue sofficiently cleared the truth in this matter before to the eternall honor of that most noble Ladye and this her Country of Britaine yet for satisfaction of all I will now fully answeare all obiections It Martial Epigr. de morte PudeÌ„tis Bal. l. de Scrip. Brit. cent 1. in Claudia Rufina Doroth. in Synop in Pudens Martyr Rom. die 19. Maij. Vsvard eod die Bed Martyrol in S. Praxede â— Conu part 1. p. 17. 2. Timoth. 4. may be obiected by these men that Pudens spoaken of by Martiall the Poet husband to our brittish Claudia died in Cappadocia diuers hundreds of miles from Rome When the Ecclesiasticall monuments which speake of S. Pudens the Christian spoaken of by S. Paul say he died at Rome And S. Bede with others saith S. Praxedes his daughter was buryed at Rome by her Father Pudens as likewise her Sister S. Pudentiana was Other obiections there be of the difference of the supposed time and age hindeâ—ing the Christian Claudia to be so be wtifull in the dayes of Martial as he commendeth our brittish Claudia This Poet writing in the time of Vespasian and Titus and dying in the dayes of Traian whereas S. Pauls Christian Claudia was a woman and of note in Rome in the last yeare of Nero. Besides our Brittish Lady Claudia both as Martiall and our English Protestants are witnesses had onely three children or at the leaste they name but three S. Nouatus S. Praxedes and S. Pudentiana Whereas the old Roman Martyrologe proposeth vnto vs 4. Christian children of the Christian Parents S. Pudens and S. Claudia name those three remembred Nouatus Praxedes Pudentiana and S. Timotheus a Preist Romae depositio S. Nouati filij S. Pudentis Senatoris fratris S. Tymothei Martyrol Rom. die 20. Iunij in S. Nouato presbyteri sanctarum Christi virginum Pudentianae Praxedis qui ab Apostostolis eruditi sunt in fide Againe S. Bede and others write that the wife of Pudens the Christian mother to S. Pudentiana was called Sabinella Cuius mater erat Sabinella But these are easily answeared And first for S. Pudens finding but one of that name in this time for his dying or being rather in Cappadocia and yet buried at Rome we may either say that he returned to Rome before his death insinuated by Martial Martial l. 6. Epigram 58. Io. Pitseus lib. de Illustrib Britan. Script aetate 2. p. 72. in Claudia Rufina Martyr Bed 14. cal Iunij Rom. Martyrol die 19. Maij. Sospite me sospes Latias reueheris ad vrbes Or with other writers that his body by the Christians was brought from Cappadocia to Rome if the report of his death in Cappadocia is true Pudens in Cappadocia dicitur aâ—imam efflasse 〈◊〉 â—orpus Christiani Romamtranstulerunt in caemiterio Priscillae via Salaria sepultâ—re honoratae tradiderunt vbi postea Pudentiana Praxedes sepultae fuerunt And S. Bede saith he was buried at Rome 3. The obiection of the bewtie of our Brittish Claudia so recommended by Martial was neither worthie of proposing or deseruing answeare being but a blast of a vayne moÌ„uth vented by the pen of a Poet forward enough as such men be to giue too greate a flattering florish to womens bewtyes yet as our ProtestaÌ„t Antiquaries not vnprobably calculate she could not be aboue 40. yeares of age at the most when this Poet so commended her in that respect Godwin Conu of Brit. p. 17. 18. Theater of great Brit. l. 6. c. 9. and when his Epigram thereof was published although as he well saith that Epigram happily might be written some yeares sooner when her bewtte was more fresh and againe except the said Epigram as often it falleth out in those cases was made longe before it was published or some time after their marriage Which is most probable the Poet taking notice onely of three children she then had S. Tunotie not then yet borne And it is no meruaile if S. Timothie her sonne an holy Preist liuing in obscurity in that time and much in this kindome of Britaine as hereafter I shall shew was vnknowne to a Pagan Poet especially seeing for such respects there is litle memory of him in Ecclesiasticall monuments 4. How it came to passe that S. Claudia was also called Sabinella the same Poet will sufficiently informe vs when he telleth vs expressely that her Lady Claudia of Britaine the same holy Christian Claudia whome S. Paul remembreth husband S. Pudens had an house at Sabinum in Italy where she also liued after the auncient manner had her name Sabinella from thence Which two denominations of Claudia and Sabinella onely agreeing to our Brittish Claudia and by no possibilitie to any else I conclude it for a certaintie both by reasons and Authorities that our Brittish Lady Claudia mentioned Martyrol Rom. 20. die Martij Graeci in Menol. eod die Mart. Rom. 28. Maij Menol. Graecorum eod die by Martiall was the same renowned Christian Claudia which S. Paul speaketh of with so honorable memory The name time place and all circumstances agree and pleade it is so For of that name in that time place I finde no other such in Histories nor longe time after in any other place and then of two one at Amisis in Paphligonia the other at Ancyra in Galatia a Matrone and Martyr longe after this time and farre distant from Rome Italy where our S. Claudia liued and died Againe among the Roman writers much is spoken of her husband S. Pudens and their holy children bredd vp and borne amongst them and allmost a silence of the blessed Mother S. Claudia but that Martial lib. 4. Epigram 10. Godw. Conu of Brit. p. 17. Parker Antiq. Brit. pag. 2. Camd. in Brit. Stowe hist Bal. cent 1. Pitz. aetat 2. in Claudia Rufina Harrison descri of Brit. Harris hist l. 1. Theater of great l. 6. c. 9. Andre du Chesne histoire generale d'Angleterre c. p. 152. Mart. l. 11. Epigram 30. Io. Herald epist dedicat an t hist Mariâ—ni Scoti it pleased God by S. Pauls pen to remember her which argueth she was
onely by the Lawe of God but by the Heathen Romans themselues First because when Constantius marryed S. Helen he was not admitted Prefect heare but after Secondly S. Helen a Britan enioying by old compositions betweene the Romans and Britans the Roman Priuiledges was not by their Lawe a stranger Thirdly if she had so bene yet being also next Heire to the Crowne of Britaine and this marriadge betweene her and Constantius agreed vpon and publikly confirmed by both Romans and Britans and their Lawes no exception could be made against them by any Lawe Fourthly Constantius claiming the kingdome of Britaine by his wiues Title she neither was nor could be a subiect to him in that respect and so the pretended reason of that Pagan Edict ratio Potentatus Soueraintie had no place in this case Fiftly this reason did disable all Roman Kings Emperours and Prefects to marry for by marriadge their wiues were as others vnder their Principalitie and so the Lawe in itselfe voide by the grounde thereof Sixtly this Lawe onely concerned Pagans but both Constantius and Helena were now Christians as hereafter in conscience and Iudgment And so must needs interprett that Pagan Constitution to be both against the Lawe of God Nations and farre from hindering the vndoubted lawfulnes of their true and most necessarie desired and allowed marriadge both by the King Nobles and Lawiers of Britaine and the Emperour and Senate of Rome whose grant and consent was a full euacuation or Dispensation of that their Lawe in their owne proceedings to preuent and appease the greate contentions and bloody wars betweene the Romans and Britans at that time by no other means to be qualified but by this marriadge and vnion 8. If from forreyne Antiquities we will come home to the Historians of this Nation most likely to knowe and write the truth of this their most honorable Country woman they will putt vs out of doubt that she was the daughter of our King Coel and the true wife of Constantius King Coel and he so couenanting that Coel should continue the kingdome during his life and Constantius marrying his daughter and Heire Helen should with her succeed him therein Constantius duxit filiam Coel cui nomen erat Helena Pulchritudo eius Prouinciales puellas superabat nec vspiam reperie batur altera quae in Music Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 6. Pontic Virun l. 5. Hist Matth. Westm an 302. Old Eng. Hist part 3. f. 34. Henr. Hunting Hist l. 1. Necham apud Camden in Essex in Colcester Io. Capgr Catal. in S. Helena Annal Manuscript antiq plurim is instrumentis siue in Liberalibus Artibus doctior illà censeretur Caruerat Pater alterâ sobole quae Regni solio potiretur Vnde eam ita docere laborauerat vt Regnum post Patris obitum faciliùs tractare quiret So writeth the old Authour of our Brittish History Ponticus Virunnius Matthew of Westminster our old English Historie Henry of Huntingt on writing before Galfridus translated the Brittish Historie Necham Capgraue with very many old Manuscript Histories which I haue seene And they all agree she was the daughter and Heire of King Coel of Britaine that she was solemnely marryed to Constantius vpon publikly agreed Articles and Hostages giuen one eyther side datis obsidebus betweene the Romans and Britans That she was by her Husband an Empresse by her Father a Queene Helena sanctissima faemina ex marito Imperatrix ex patre Regina Coelis Regis Britanniae vnica fuit filia And in auntient Insciptions so generally stiled In antiquis Inscriptionibus pijssima venerabilis Augusta passim nominatur This is the old tradition of the Towne of Colchester bearing to this day for the Armes thereof in memory Camden Necham supr Manuscr antiq pr. Britannia quae nunc Anglia Henric. Hunting Archidiac l. 1. Hist Andre de Chesne Hist l. 4. Michael Drayton Polyolbion Songe 9. Seld. Illustrat p. 144. Io. Selden Analect c. 7. p. 50. 51. of her and her finding the holy Crosse a Grosse knotty betweene 4. Crownes Ciues Helenam Constantini magni matreÌ„ suam alumnam esse asserunt ex Coelo Rege natam in memoriam Crucis ab illa repertae crucem nodo sam inter quatuor Coronas interpositam publico in Clipeo gerunt And she both made the old wall of Colchester and London and paued the greate way in Merioneth-shire called in that languadge of the Britans Sarn Helen the highe way of Helen to this day 9. This is the common opinion of our Protestant Antiquaries Bale Gosceline Leland the Theather Writers Hackluit Hollinshed Harrison Camden Selden and others too many to be recompted therefore I will onely cite the two last as of cheife name and latest time among them The one speaking of the Persecution of Dioclesian heare saith that this kingdome brought forth a Prince Constantine the Greate of Brittish blood the greatest honour of this Iland borne in true Marriadge betweene Constantius Chlorus and Helen daughter of King Caelus and citeth a Panegyrist liuing and writing in that time for an vndoubted warrant hereof Terra ista nostra Principem cui nihil prius erat quam Christianam fouere Religionem Britannico sanguine natum summum Insulae duces tunc tâ—mporis nutriuit atque in Imperium euexit Constantinum nempe illum quem ex Helena Coeli Reguli qui Asclepiodotum regno spoliauerat filia primis nuptijs ducta Constantius Chlorus Caesar duÌ„ Britannijs agebat susceperat De re illa Christiana maximè meruit de Britannica de quo Britannia patria O fortunata nunc omnibus beatior inquit Anonymus Panagyrestis terris Britannia quae Constantinum Caesarem prima vidisti And in an other Booke and place Panegyric Constantino dictus Io. Selden Illustr vpon PolyolbioÌ„ p. 129. 130. speaking of this renowned woman he saith She was wife to Constantius or Constans Chlorus the Emperour and Mother to Constantine the Greate daughter to Coile King of Britaine where Constantine was by her brought forth Do not obiect Nicephorus Callistus that erroneously affirmes him borne in Drepanum of Bithynia or Iu lius Firmius that sayes at Tarsus vpon which testimonie not vncorrupted a Lips de Roman Magnitud l. 4. c. 11. NimiuÌ„ lapsus greate Critique he meaneth Lipsius hath violently offered to depriue vs. both of him and his Mother affirming her a Bithynian nor take aduantage of Cedrenus that will haue Dacia her birth soyle But ouer Histories and with them the Latine Ecclesiastique relation in passadges of her inuention of the Crosse and such like allowed also by Cardinall Baronius make her thus a Brittish woman And for greate Constantius birth in this land you shall haue Authoritie against which I wonder how Lipsius durst oppose his conceipt In an old Panegyrist speaking to Constantine liberauit ille he meanes his Father BritaÌ„nias seruitute tu etiaÌ„ nobiles illic oriuÌ„do fecisti He freed Britaine of bondage thow
Sedis primus Institutor vbi aedem condidit diuo Martino suo Auunculo sacram Where we see that saint Ninian was the first Founder of that Episcopall See most renowned for sanctitie and miracles and dedicated his new Church vnto the honor of saint Martine his Vncle as they write 9. There was also an aâ—ncient Church in the same place dedicated to saint Ninian of which besides others both old and late Writers saint Alcuinus or Io. Pits aetat 5. in S. Nin. Gul. Malmes l. 3. de gest Pont. Angl. Alcuin Epistol ad fratres Candidae Casae Albinus in an Epistle to the Religeous men inhabiting there maketh this memory of the sanctity of that place and worthines of the miraculous man there buried as William of Malmesbury citeth him Scribit Alicuinus in Epistola ad Fratres eiusdem loci Candidae Casae dicens deprecor vestrae pietatis vnanimitatem vt nostri nominis habeatis memoriam in Ecclesia sanctitissimi patris vestri Nimae Episcopi qui multis claruit virtutibus sicut mihi nuper delatum est per carmina metricae artis quae nobis per fideles nostros discipulos Eboracensis Ecclesiae scholasticos directa sunt in quibus facientis cognoui eruditionem facientis miracula sanctitatem Where we haue the most learned Authour of this Land and his Age an ample witnesse of the learning holines miracles of this renowned Bishop Apostle and first Conuerter of the Picts by some of the Southerne Scots also Io. Pits supr to Christ Omnium primus Pictos Australes Scotos ab Idolorum cultu ad fidem Christi perduxit 10. We finde in this Age also many others renowned men and Saints of this Manny Brothers and Sisters children of Prince Bragbam Saints in this time Kingdome Braghan stiled King of Brecknocke a Noble BritaÌ„ who had 12. soÌ„nes and so many daughters all of them holy Seruants of Christ and happy Saints Rex Breghenocensium Fuerunt Regi illi filij duodecim filiae totidem omnes Deo placentes vitae sanctae Among these saint Canoch his eldest sonne and Manuscr Ant. in vit S. Keinae Virg. Capgrau in eadem Manuscript Gapgrau supr in S. Cadoco in S. Gundleo Heire forsaking his wordly honor and glory gaue himselfe wholly to the contemplatiue and Religeous life and estate therein long liuing and dying a glorious Saint His eldest daughter S. Gladus or Gladusa was married to King Gundleus also a Saint and they were the happy Parents of that our Illustrious Eremite Monke Bishop and Martyr saint Cadocus The second daughter named Melari or Melaria was Mother to saint Dauid our greate and renowned Archbishop his Father An other of the holy daughters was saint Keina who liuing a sacred virgin in a most strickt and austeare course of life was Miraculous at her birth in her whole life at and after her death The rest of these holy children are not so well remembred in our Histories but so in generall as I haue related King and Saint Gundleus husband of the eldest daughter and Father of saint Cadocus leauing his Rule and dignitie to his sonne saint Cadocus S. Gundleus how holy Religeous who shortly after also resigned it for the loue of the heauenly Kingdome builded a Church and there liued in greate austeritie and penance all his life many yeares his foode was bread of Barley the third part of Ashes and water his inward cloathing sackcloth he hauing forsaken all so much as the State of such a King neuer receaued any thing from others but liued by his labour euer at midnight rissing and diuing himselfe in the cold water Regale Palatium deseruit regno Cadoco filio suo commendato ad monticulum sibi ab Angelo nuntiatum peruenit Ecclesiam construxit ibi in magna abstinentia vitae sanctimonia viuere caepit Vtebatur autem cilicio pane hordeaceo cinere in tertia parte admixto aquamque potare consueuit nocte vero media surgens in aquam frigidam se immersit nihil de alieno sumens proprio labore vitam duxit And thus M. S. Antiq. Capgr in S. Cadoco Caradoc in vit S. Gildae Capgr in eod S. Dauide M. S. Capgrau in S. Carautoco perseuered to his death being very old in the next Age where I shall speake more of him and his holy sonne S. Cadocus who in this Age also began to be famous 11. So was S. Gildas Albanius both a renowned Preacher and Miraculous man in this time S. Carautocus also Sonne and Heire to king Kederic hearing that his Father being very old intended to resigne his Rule and gouernment vnto him fledd secretly a way in poore attyâ—e and embraced the Religâ—ous life and proued so excellent a man euen in this time that he preached in Ireland 30. yeares before S. Dauid was borne whose birth was in this time Tâ—â—ginta S. Gildas and S. Caratocus were now renowned annis ante natiuitateÌ„ sanct Dauid Episcopi in Hibernia coâ—uersari â—â—pit Multos populos in Hibernia ad fidem coÌ„uertit And it seemeth by the old Writer of S. Cadoc his life that he was euen in this Age a renowned man hauing besides S. Cadocus now renowned his holy conuersation and preaching in Britaine both in the part now named EnglaÌ„d as that called Scotland 7. yeares He went on Pilgrimage three times to Hierusalem seuen times to Rome and once to the holy Relicks of S. Andrew newly brought hither in this Age by S. Regulus as I shall set downe So S. Goudwall an holy Bishop or Archbishop heareafter where he was admonished by an Angell to stay and preach 7. yeares S. Gudwall also was renowned in this Age both in Britaine and other place Gudwà lus BritaÌ„niae finibus ortus ex nobili prosapia of Noble pareÌ„tage he was Manuscr Ant. de vit S. Gudwal Capgrau in eod Sur. Tom. 3. Molan add ad Vsuard Franc. Haraeus 6. Iun. Auth. of Engl. Martyr die 22. Febr. 6. Iunij brought vp in learning was consecrated Preist and after Bishop and by some an Archbishop in this Kingdome And that he might more quietly giue himselfe ouer to the contemplatiue life placing a worthie Bishop and Successor in his Pastorall charge and place went into a Monastery within his Diocesse hard by the Sea and there with an hunded and fourscore Monkes liued a most holy and Miraculous life He and his holy company in seuen ships went ouer into Flamders and preached there where by some he died and was first buryed at BlaÌ„dine neare GaÌ„t but Capgraue with the Antiquities which he followeth affirmeth his body was buryed heare in Britaine in an I le called then Plecit where it rested with greate honour vntill the Christian Britans bannished out of their Country by persecuting Pagans carried his holy Relicks with them and buryed them in that Monastery of Blandine Peractis
THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORIE OF GREAT BRITAINE DEDVCED BY AGES OR CENTENARIES FROM THE NATIVITIE OF OVR SAVIOVR VNTO the happie Conuersion of the Saxons in the seuenth hundred yeare whereby is manifestly declared a continuall Succession of the true Catholike Religion which at this day is professed taught in and by the Roman Church WRITTEN BY RICHARD BROVGHTON THE FIRST TOME CONTAINING THE FOWER HVNDRED FIRST YEARES TO WHICH ARE ANNECTED FOR THE GREATER BENEfite of the Reader ample Indexes after the Preface both of the Authors out of which this Historie hath bâ—ne colâ—ecâ—ed and of the Chapters and at the end of this Tome a copious Index of the Speciall and particular matters contained in these fower hundred of yeares Remember the old dayes thinke vpon euery generation aske thy Father and he will declare to thee thy elders and they will tell thee Deut. 32. v. 7. DO FLAMMA ESSE SVVM FLAMMA DAT ESSE MEVM AT DOWAY By the Widowe of MARKE WYON at the signe of 〈…〉 M. DC XXXIII TO THE MOST ILLVSTRIOVS RIGHT HONOVRABLE AND VERTVOVS LADIES THE LADIE CATHERINE DVTCHESSE AND DOVVAGER OF BVCKINGHAM SOLE DAVGHTER AND HEIRE TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE FRANCIS LATE EARLE OF RVTLAND AND THE LADIE CECILIE COVNTESSE AND DOWAGER OF RVTLAND DEEM it not I beseech you MOST ILLVSTRIOVS NOBLE LADIES any the leaste disparagement to your NOBILITIES or blemish to your VERTVES that your humble seruant and Secretarie hath presumed to ioyne you within the narrowe straites and precincts of one and that so short an Epistle whom both terrene Dignities and heauenly Blessings haue so happily vnited in one most Noble STOCKE and LINAGE He is not ignorant that the SPLENDOR of a DVTCHESSE cannot commonly be paraleld by the DIGNITIE and TITLE of a COVNTESSE yet when he coÌ„sidereth the RENOWNE of a COVNTESSE descended from most antient and Noble Families Daughter to the Noble and by Name and Discent most antient S. Iohn Tufton of Tufton and before shee was wife to her moste Noble Father wife to the noble heyr of the greate and antient L. Hungerford should any whitt eclipse shadowe or obscure the RADIANT BEAMES of a DVTCHESSE but rather by adding Splendor to Splendor make both more GLORIOVS and RESPLENDENT Moreouer he apprehendeth a mutuall and long AFFECTION euen from the yonge yeares of the one betwixt MOTHER and DAVGHTER as also the vnited hearts of WIFE and DAVGHTER both embracing the most Noble Earle of Rutland of famous Memorie the one with the LOVE of a WIFE towards her HVSBAND the other with the AFFECTION of a DAVGHTER to her deare FATHER Whose LOVE to requite he with his owne hands stiled your GRACE his DEARE DAVGHTER and your HONOVR his DEARE WIFE of whome he further gaue his most ample Testimonie and in these words I WILL SAYE THAT THERE WAS NEVER MAN HAD A MORE LOVING AND VERTVOVS WIFE THEN SHE HATH BEENE TO MEE And as your LOVE hath beene GREAT to this most honourable Earle who was Discreet in his words Prudent and iust in all his Actions Charitable to the Poore Affable to all Faithfull to his Countrie Gratious to his Soueraigne Constant in his Faith and Religion most beloued and honoured of all and then whome noe Noble man of England was more affected or more Generally honoured in his life or more Bewayled and lamented after his death So your VERTVES doe shine in this world with a most resplendent LIGHT and are the DIAMONDS and PEARLES which adorne the RING of your Auncient NOBILITIE And these his and your Heroicall VERTVES being grounded on the ROCK of a true FAITH as they haue made the Earle so they will make you CONSTANT SVPPORTERS of holy CATHOLIKE RELIGION These being fixed to the ANCHOR of HOPE as they haue guided him so will they direct you to the quiet HAVEN of eternall FELICITIE Yea it is verily to be hoped that he by these VERTVES is there alreadie arriued whilst the one of you like a PHAROS and the other like the CYNOSVRE with the FLAMES of CHARITIE doe giue LIGHT vnto others in this time of DARKNES Wherefore MOST VERTVOVS LADIES to whome after the most Noble Earle to whome this WORKE was first designed and for whome before his death it was sett on the PRESSE can I more worthilie dedicate these CENTVRIES OF OVR ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORIE then to these in whome the Noble Earle still in renowme SVRVIVES If you esteeme NOBILITIE ioyned with SANCTITIE behold here LVCIVS HELENA and CONSTANTINE three great SAINCTS three great PRINCES and all great PROMOTORS and ESTABLISHERS of the RELIGION which you imbrace If you take pleasure to see the DAMASKE ROSES of MARTYRDOME here is an ALBAN our PROTOMARTYR here is an AMPHIBALVS with many more all stout and valiant CHAMPIONS Who haue sealed the TRVETH of our FAITH with there dearest BLOOD They all were once PILGRIMS in this VALE of TEARES as you both now are but now they are glorious COVRTIOVRS in the Triumphant HIERARCHIE If you followe theire STEPS and imitate theire VERTVES and CONSTANCIE in FAITH you may haue great CONFIDENCE to be Partakers of the like GLORIE and in the meane time your NAMES being prefixed before their HEROICALL ACTIONS may impetrate theire PATRONAGE in all your corporall and Spirituall NECESSITIES and I shall pray to THEM and to all the SAINCTS and by THEM to the SAINCTE of SAINCTS to bestowe on you here all TEMPORALL and in HEAVEN all ETERNALL FELICITIE MADAMS YOVR GRACES AND YOVR HONOVRS Most humble and deuoted Seruant R. B. THE PREFACE TO THE READER AMONG all Writers things written or to be written whatsoeuer none haue bene or can be in any time or place or by any person more vsefull or necessary then such as haue truely written bene or shall be written of the true office and dutie of all men of all Estates and conditions to God and his higâ—est ruling Powers this being the cheifest end of all men in this world to doe and performe sucâ— dutie This is the end of all good Lawes and Lawemakers Histories and Historians diuine and humane to giue and leaue direction both in present and to Posteritie to all men how to liue in dutie to heaueÌ„ly and terrene Authoritie And to take the worde Historie Historia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the most true and proper sence meanind and etymology 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spectare vel cognoscere to beholde or knowe what they write The holy Prophets Apostles Euangelists and other holy Writers of holy Scriptures beholding and most certainely knowing of God by diuine reuelation what they committed to writing are most properly and truely the best Historians and their Writings most properly best and truest Histories and next to them the true Narration or History of their Traditions and holy doctrine and teachings which were most true and certaine taken from the most auncient and approued Antiquities Antiquaries and Registers ef those things where they were performed And in times and places of Controuersies Contentions Questions about Religion noe
Baron Annotat. in Martyrolog Rom. die 16. Ian. Baron Tom. 2. Annal. Ann. 159. an 166. virginum de qua mentio habetur in Actis S. Pudentianae à Pastore conscriptis There was a most noble Matrone in Rome called Priscilla GraÌ„dmother of the virgins PudeÌ„tiana and Praxedes of whoÌ„ there is mention in the Acts of Pudentiana written by S. Pastour The like he writeth in other places where as she is there called by him the mother of PudeÌ„s Mater Pudentâ—s he must needs be vnderstood to speake in their Phrase which ordinarily all Mothers in lawe by the absolute name of Mothers as the coÌ„mon custome is Sometimes in other places Baronius faith S. Priscilla was wife to S. Pudens and mother to S. Nouatus Pudentiana and Praxedes so likewise doth Zepherinus Binius when it is euident before that S. Claudia our Brittish Lady was the onely wife of S. Pudens and Mother to those Saints Therefore to excuse the one from errour and the other from contradiction they must holde that both the Mother of S. Claudia and she herselfe also was sometimes called Priscilla as she was in Vmbria termed Sabinella of her husbands house at Sabinum there And this may sufficiently be gathered from those Antiquities Baronius citeth in which one S. Priscilla is called Priscilla Seniour the elder or old Priscilla to make which iustifiable we must haue also Priscilla Iunior the youÌ„ger or youÌ„g Priscilla this is vsuall for distinction sake where the mother and daughter Father sonne be of one and the same name to call the Father and Mother by their name with the addition old or elder and the sonne and daughter with the distinction younge or younger added vnto them And there be other distinctions betweene these two The eldest grandmother to those holy children as the Roman Martyrologe with others testifieth who died at Rome hauing employed Martyrol Rom. die 16. Februarij hereselfe and her goods to the seruice of Martyrs die 16. Pebruarij Romae Sanctae Priscillae quae se suaque Martyrum obsequio mancipauit Where we see her festiuitie kept vpon the 16. day of February and that she dyed at Rome Of the other the younger if by any called Priscilla we finde no such obseruation nor that she died at Rome but quite otherwise that after her husband S. Pudens death she liued so longe at his house at Sabinum in Vmbria that she thereupon tooke her name Sabellina and by all writers dyed there farre from Rome Secondly S. Pastor who liued in the Apostles time familiarly in that our Brittish house as I shall shewe in due place is witnesse euen Baronius acknowledging it That the elder S. Priscilla Grandmother to S. Nouatus Tymotheus Pudentiana and Praxedes which were S. Claudia her children was foundresse of that renowned Church-yard in via Salaria S. Pastor in actis S. Praxedis apud Baron in Annot. Martyr Rom. die 16. Ian. at Rome which boare her name caemiterium Sanctae Priscillae via salaria and was founded longe before S. Claudia was of yeares to be Authour thereof Caemiterium via Salaria nomine sanctae Priscillae Priscillae seniori Pastor tribuit in act is S. Praxedis And it must needs be this and noe other which prepared that most charitable Christian costly worke for we finde no other saints of that name especially in that time but onely her and S. Priscilla wife of S. Aquila diuers times mentioned by S. Paul being a Iewe who could not be authour of that foundation at Rome First because probably it was founded before she came to Rome being at Corinth there saluted by S. Paul in his 1. Cor. c. 16. first epistle to the CorinthiaÌ„s was with her husband coadiutresse to S. Paul with her husbaÌ„d in those parts before they came to Rome as the same Apostle testifieth Salutate PriscaÌ„ AquilaÌ„ Adiutores meos in Christo Iesu qui pro anima Rom. 16. mea suas ceruices supposuerunt Neyther did she with her husband stay so longe at Rome to effect such a busines for as S. Luke proueth they came from Act. 18. Rome vpon the bannishment of the Iewes from thence by Claudius which was soone after their coming thither And they were at or neare Ephesus a litle before S. Pauls death as he proueth writing his second epistle then to S. Timothie Saluta Priscillam Aquilam And the old Roman Martyrologe 2. Tim. 4. with others giue euidence they ended their liues in Asia the lesse vpon the 8. day of Iuly when the other S. Priscilla died as before at Rome farre from thence the 16. of Ianuary â—ctaua Idus Iulij In Asia minori Sanctorum Martyrol Rom. 8. Iulij Aquilae Priscillae vxoris eius de quihus in Actibus Apostolorum scribitur 9. And Baronius who was an eye wetnesse of the chargeable worke of that foundation found in his time shall proue all the wealth both of this S. Priscilla and her husband S. Aquila being but Tentmaâ—ers erant autem scenofactoriae Act. c. 18. artis as the scripture testifieth was not able to effect such a worke Baronius which had seene and often visited it compareth it to a citie for Baron Annal. Tom. 2. an 130. lardgnesse and streets vnder the earth relating that the whole citie of Rome was amazed to see it Mirabile dictu vidimus saepiusque lustrauimus Priscillae caemitcrium haud pridem inuentuÌ„ atque refossum via salaria tertio ab vrbe lapide quod nullo magis proprio vocabulo dixerimus prae cius amplitudine multisque atque diuersis eiusdem vijs quà m subterraneam ciuitatem quippe quòd ipsius ingressu primaria via caeteris amplior pateat quae hinc inde vias diuersas habeat easdem frequentes quae rursum in diuersos viculos diuidantur Angiportus rursus vt in ciuitatibus statis locis velutfora quaedam ampliora sint spatia ad conuentus sacros agendos eadâ—mque Sanctorum Imaginibus exornata nec desint licet nunc obstructa ad lumen recipiendum desuper excisa foramina Obstupuit vrbs cùm in suis suburbijs abditas se nouit habere ciuitates So wonderfull and chargeable a worke with such streets turnings Churches altars for holy Masse Images of Saints and the other things of price as they argue the ritch and noble degree of the blessed foundresse so for a lady of Britaine a straunger there to be at so excessiue chardg and expences to prouide such a Sanctuary for the honour of Christ safety releife and coÌ„forte both temporall and spirituall of his Seruants in a forreine Countrie must be a perpetuall glory of this Nation And to giue further testimonie that this our renowned Country woman was foundresse thereof we finde expressely that diuers of her family and posteritie namely S. Pudens her sonne in lawe her grandechildren his daughters S. Pudentiana and S. Praxedes as likely S. Nouatus and Timotheus were honorably
hither the time as before consenteth Morauia from whence they came is neare the parts where S. Philip preached The place where they arryued agreeth with S. Ioseph Iorney for by the Antiquities Antiquit. Glast Io. Capgrau in S. Ioseph alij of Glastenbury and others he must needs land about the North of this Iland from whence coming to GlasteÌ„bury he came by the parts now called Northewales and was imprisoned there and the number which landed with him was so greate that no Historye maketh memory of any such to haue arriued heare at or neare that time the Romans onely which were not friends but Enemyes to them excepted 8. And yet if we follow Ihon Harding he will tell vs that S. Ioseph and his Religeous company came hither with Vespasian Lieutenant to the Roman S. Ioseph by Harding and others came into Britaine with Vespasian the Roman President heare Emperour and he himselfe also afterward Emperour and that by the entreatie of Vespasian to the then King and Queene of Britaine Aruiragus and Genuissa those fauours freedoms which by our Histories he enioyed at Glastenbury were bestowed vpon him for speaking of Vespasian he saith With whom Ioseph full holy and full wise Ihon Harding Cronicle fol. 40. cap. 47. Of Aramathie with his fellowes fourtene Into this land then came and gaue contene For whome so then Vespasian prayed the King The Queene also to him to be good Lord fol. 41. And good Lady which they graunted in all thing When Vespasian to Rome returned home againe The King endued Ioseph in Meatrine Which Relation wanteth not probability to make it good for Vespasian Eutrop. l. 7. Mart. Polon Supputat an D. 71. in Vespasiano came hither out of Germany by which S. Ioseph must needs passe in his Iorney to Britaine from the Asiaticall Gallia and the adioyning Countries where S. Philip preached and in his way were those Disciples of S. Peter of whome I haue spoaken before S. Egistus Marianus Maternus Valerius Eucharius Clement Mansuetus and others Neyther was Vespasian an Enemie but a knowne friend and louer of Christians as I shall shewe when I come to the time of his Empire and the times of S. Iosephs and Vespasians S. Ioseph probably was directed into Britaine by S. Peter the Apostle coming hither may without difficultie be reconciled especially if we speake of their aboad heare 9. And if we will followe the best Antiquities we haue or Protestants themselues in this matter we shall easily finde that S. Ioseph rather came hither by direction of S. Peter then any other Apostle for first they assuer vs that Antiquit. Glast in Tabul Antiq. Capgrau in S. Ioseph and Patr. Godwin Conuers pag. 36. cap. 3. Godw. supr pag. 9. cap. 2. S. Ioseph was present with the Apostles at the time of the Assumption of the most blessed Virgin Mary secondly to speake in a Protestant Bishops words he receaued directions for his preaching and discipline eyther in the Councell of the Apostles gathered at Hierusalem or else of S. Philip the Apostle in France This second is disproued before and this Protestant authour himselfe doth disablâ— S. Philip the Apostle his being in France then much more that he directed S. Ioseph there And if S. Ioseph was then directed by some of the Apostles at Hierusalem to come into Britaine by whome should he take directions therein rather then of S. Peter who alone among the Apostles was to preach at that time in Britaine and these westerne parts Againe it is euident by the Scripture itselfe that S. Peter preached in Galatia or the Asian Gallia where S. Ioseph is said to haue bene Further these Protestants tell vs that S. Ioseph came hither in the beginning of the persecution of Nero and to auoide it one of them a greate Antiquary writeth in this manner I will adde in few words what I haue read of Iosephs arriuall heare First of all therefore you shall Will. Harrison descrip of Brit. p. 23. Theater of great Brit. l. 6. Godw. Conu note that he came ouer into Britaine about the 64. yeare after Christ when the persecution began vnder Nero. Therefore seeing that persecution by all Antiquities was in Rome and the nearer places of the Empire vnto it S. Ioseph was not altogether a stranger thereabouts otherwise he could not come from any of them by reason of the persecution there 10. To conclude we reade in the most approued Antiquities of Glastenbury that one which came in the company of S. Ioseph was his kinsman consanguineus Ioseph and a maÌ„ of such note that the History termeth him Rex a King Antiquit. M. S. â—laston intabul antiq some Prince or cheife Ruler among them Rex Orcaniae was named Petrus Peter which name was so new at that time being first giuen hy Christ himselfe to S. Simon Bar-Iona Peter the Apostle and rare in the world not found in Scripturs but onely in him and vnknowne also in histories being rather a name of signification then vsuall denomination to import what a Rocke and foundation of the Church of Christ S. Peter the Apostle was to be we cannot but thinke this Peter S. Iosephs Kinsman receaued that his name with his baptisme and Christianitie of S. Peter the Apostle and not altogether without iust merit of that name for as Ecclesiasticall writers and holy Scripture make S. Peter the cheife Piller spiritual in the Church of Christ so this Peter S. Iosephs Kinsman was as this Antiquitie affirmeth a temporall foundation and Father euen to Kings and Princes in these parts and in particular it lineally deduceth from him King Loth that marryed the Sister of King Arthur Therefore if so cheife a man in S. Iosephs company was in all probable Iudgment so nearely depending of S. Peter the Apostle we may not rashly make the rest such strangers vnto him but that they had direction from him in their proceedings as I haue euidently before proued and shall make it more manifest hereafter that when they were come hither they depended of him and his Disciples in things spirituall And such subordination had these holy men to the See Apostolike of Rome that when in the time of King Lucius their memory was allmost forgotten heare in Britaine for any thing we finde in Histories it was renewed from Rome euen as our cheifest Protestants themselues acknowledge among whome their first Protestant Archbishop affirmeth that S. Phaganus and Damianus were informed at Rome before their coming hither of the dwelling of S. Ioseph and his companions Matth. Parker Antiq. Brit. p. 3. in Britaine de Iosephi sociorumque in Britannia olim habitatione And maketh this his reason because Ioseph as also the other Apostles and Disciples dispersed throughout the whole world vsed to certisie by Messengers and letters their fellowes at Rome what they had done and suffered in euery Region for Christ and what profit they had And that by this meanes the
world but by that office and priuiledge gaue chardge to those that were in the Easte to doe the same And there setteth downe what Order S. Peter Epist r. supra and the other Apostles tooke for setting of Patriarks or Primats in the cheife Cities where in the Pagans time their Archflamens were and cheifest Doctours Archbishops for their lesse cheife Flamens and Bishops in the other ordinary Cities And what was appointed him by S. Peter and he promised Matt. Westm an 94. Protest not ib. Francisc Belleforest hist Gall. Francisc Feuâ—ardentius in lib. 1. Iren. cap. 3. Anton. Democh. cont Calum Guliel Eisengr ceÌ„t in his behalfe that he effectually performed as into France which he named with other kingdomes of his chardge before he sent S. Denys Nicasius Taurinus Trophimus Regulus Paulus Saturninus Astroniomus Martialis Gratianus Iulianus Lucianus Firmius Photinus with others and the places whether he directed them are for the most part Archbishop Sees to this day Therefore we cannot doubt but eytheâ— S. Clement did well knowe that this kingdome of Britaine was yet prouided of such Apostolike men still liuing from S. Peters establishing them heare or els sending so many into our next neighboring Countrie he remembred Britaine in the same or like measure especially seeing it is euidently his owne words that he had a greater care of Britaine accompted a rude and barbarous Countrie at that time and among such reputed by S. Clement and so distinguished by that note from Italy Spaine France and Germany by him where recompting them he addeth that into those Nations that be more rude or barbarous he must send more wise and Clem. supr Ep. 1. austiere Bishops or preachers then into the other Ciuill Nations Vbi autem ferociores rebelliores gentes esse cognouerimus illuc dirigere sapientiores austeriores necessè habemus qui quotidie non cessent diuina seminare semina multos Christo lucrari ad rectam fidem viam veritatis perducere And this the rather Anaclet Epist 3. because he setteth downe the Apostles Order which he was to followe to Primats and Archbishops by S. Peter and S. Clement their order heare in Britaine besides other Biâ—hops constitute Primats where the Pagans had their cheife Archflamens as he did in France and his immediate Successour S. Anacletus as he himselfe and diuers others testifie did write a booke or Cataloge he calleth it a Tome of the names of the Cities both in Britaine and other places where such were to be resident and this according to the prescript and practise of S. Peter and S. Clement Episcoporum ordo vnus est licet sint Primates illi qui primas Ciuitates tenent Illi autem qui in Metropoli à beato Petro Apostolo ordinante Domino Girald Cambr. l. 2. de Iure Metrop Eccl. Meneuen ad Innoc. 3. Ioa. Pris defeÌ„s hist Britan. p. 73. 74. Matt. Park antiq Brit. p. 24. Werner Rolwinck in Fascic an Dom. 94. Harris descript of Brit. Harris Hist Manus l. 1. Godwin Catal. Yorke Parlm 1. Marian. Scot. l. 2 aetat 6. Method apud eund ib. Martyr Rom. die 11. Aug. Vsuard eod die Petr. de Natal l. 4. Vincent l. 11. à praedecessore nostro praedicto sancto Clemente seu a nobis constituti sunt non omnes Primates vel Patriarchae esse possunt sed illae vrbes quae praefatis priscis temporibus Primatum tenuere Patriarcharum aut Primatum vtantur nominibus quiahaec eadeÌ„ leges saeculi in suis contineÌ„t Principibus aliae auteÌ„ primae Ciuitates quas vobis conscriptas in quodam Tomo mittimus à sanctis Apostolis à beato Clemente siue à nobis Primates praedicatores acceperunt And according to this Cataloge or Tome of S. Peter S. Clement and S. Anacletus iuxta Tomum Anacleti ex Anacleto huius Insulae diuisionem Canterbury London Caerlegion Yorke and Alba in Scotland by some taken to be the Citie now called S. Andrewes vrbs Legionum Cantuaria Londonia Eboraca Alba vnde Albania prouincia were designed Sees of such Primats as Giraldus Cambrensis in his second booke to Pope Innocentius the third Sir Ihon Prise Matthew Parker the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury with others testifie 7. Therefore seeing he plainely writeth that some of these Cities euen in Britaine had receaued such Primats from S. Peter or himselfe and we finde it witnessed by many that one S. Taurinus sent by S. Clement was Archbishop or Primate of Yorke which is one of the Sees remembred for such both by S. Peter S. Clement and S. Anacletus we may not vtterly deny that he was our first Primate in that Citie And if he was the same which was Bishop of Eureux in France sent by S. Clement as diuers hold being vsuall in that time as Methodius Marianus and others teach for one Bishop S. Taurinê° thought by some the first Archbishop of yorke and sente by S. Clement to preach in diuers places and Countryes he liued long much propagated the faith of Christ was renowned for Miracles he wrought as the auncient Roman Martirologe with others giue euidence Euangelij praedicatione Christianam fidem propagauit ac multis pro ea susceptis laboribus miraculorum gloria conspicuus obdormiuit in Domino But whereas some say and Harris supr l. 1. Matth. Westm an gratiae 115. Hector Boeth Scotor hist l. 5. for 76. 77. 78. alledge S. Antoninus for Authour that this S. Taurinus did raise from death a daughter of Lucius King of Britaine filiam Lucij Legis Britanniae a morte suscitauit I cannot be of that opinion for first Lucius our Christian King was not borne vntill the yeare of Christ 115. and we doe not reade of any daughter or child he had And though Lucius Antenous the Roman Prefect did as some write prescribe lawes heare and in that respect might S. Antoninus mistaken by some for writing S. Tauriâ—â—â— raised from 〈◊〉 a daughter 〈◊〉 â—ius King in 〈◊〉 be called King and liued in Yorke in the time of Adrian the Emperour and so both his name Title the place and time might well agree that S. Taurinus might there raise his daughter to life if he had any which died there being so Miraculous a man miraculorum gloria conspicuus Yet this could not be that Miracle which S. Antoninus speaketh of for in that very place which is cited for the raising of the daughter of King Lucius of Britaine he hath no such thing not once naming any Britaine much lesse any King of Britaine but plainely saith that the Father of that daughter which S. Taurinus raised from death to life was Lucius ciuis Ebroicensis Lucius a Citizen Francis Godwin Cat. of Bishops Yorke 1. of Eureux which is in France and farre from our Eboracum Yorke in Britaine Where as a Protestant Bishop writeth It is reported that Constantius Chlorus the Emperour appointed Taurinus Bishop
Christoque fideliter commendatas tandem de terris ad Christum migranit quarto decimo Calendas Augusti iuxta Patrem sanctum Pudentem sepulta About the yeare of Christ 160. Baronius Baron Tom. 2. Annal. an 162. seemeth to hold it was in the next yeare 161. And by all accompts it must needs be in a little before or after this time for all writers of her life affirme she died in the dayes of the Papacie of S. Pius and Empire of Antoninus Pius who by all recknings of his Imperiall Gouernment died a litle before or soone after this yeare 3. Very soone after the death of S. Pudentiana died also her brother S. Nouatus S. Pastor Epist ad S. Timoth. supr as among other testimonies we reade in that Epistle which S. Pastor or Hermes sent to their Brother S. Timothie then farre out of Rome and probably by the circumstances of time and others heare in Britaine where he S. Nouatus Preist a Brittan by his Brittish Mother S. Claudia thus writeth that S. Praxedes being afflicted much for the death of S. Pudentiana Pope Pius many Noble Christians and her Brother S. Nouatus came to comfort her and within a moneth and 28. dayes after his returne from her S. Nouatus fell sicke and about 13. dayes after died of that sicknes Post mensem dies viginti octo aegritudine detentus est Nouatus postquam abcesserat à conspectu Virginis Praxedis And tertio decimo die transiuit ad Dominum It seemeth by S. Pastor in this his Epistle to S. Timothie of his happy death and disposing his temporall Riches that he was a Preist a Sacrificing Massing Preist as it is euident before S. Pius then Pope was for S. Pastor there plainely testifieth that both Pope Pius and Nouatus did often remember S. Timothie at the Altar of our Lord. Idemque Nouatus vos frequenter cum Beatissimo Pio Episcopo ad altare Domini commemorabat The cheife cause of this so often their remembring S. Timothie our Brittish Preist preaching heare in Britaine is often remembred in the Masses of S. Pius Pope and S. Nouatus S. Timothie in the holy Sacrifice of Masse especially by S. Pius the Pope I cannot ascribe but to the greate care that holy Pope had of the greate chardge he with his Predecessour had committed to S. Timothie about his preaching and labours in Britaine so much concerning the Apostolike See and Church of Christ that an holy Pope and Pastor could not but often remember and commend it in his best office of Sacrifice to God And S. Nouatus so holy a man as all Antiquities of him giue euidence so louing a Brother and carefull of his Countries Conuersion and good of the Christians then distressed that he left all his worldly wealth to be disposed by this his Brother S. Timothie diligently labouring in the Haruest of Christ in Britaine and S. Praxedes his Sister the cheifest Nurse and Releeuer of Gods seruāts in Rome to be imployed to such holy ends and vses could not be vnmindefull in his prayers and Sacrifice of such a Brother and his Countries most important busines which he had in hand This holy Saint was as also his Father Mother Brother and Sisters instructed in the faith by the holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paule Romae Depositio Sancti Nouati filij Beati Pudentis Senatoris fratris Martyrol Rom. 20. die Iunij Bed Vsuard Ado eod die sancti Timothei Presbyteri Sanctarum Christi Virginum Pudentianae Praxedis qui ab Apostolis eruditi sunt in fide That he was a Preist the Martyrologe is silent but that which I haue before cited from his renowned acquaintance and friend S. Pastor giueth vs sufficient warrant to be of that opinion How The house of S. Nouatus an other Harbour for the Popes and Saints in Rome he in herited his parents vertues in exercising all works of pietie harbouring and releyuing the persecuted and distressed Seruants of God that his house which had bene the first lodging of S. Peter and harbour to diuers his Successours and a Receptacle fosterer of all Christiās resorting thither both for spirituall and temporall comforts was so continued all his time Se suaque Act. S. Nouati c. in Antiq. cod Baron tom 2. Annal. an 159. Christianorum obsequio mancipasse cōstat And his most Noble house was open to all Christians Nobilissima Christianis patens apud quam Thermae Nouati This was a distinct house and place from that where his holy Sisters formerly liued as both the two auncient Cardinals Titles in Rome S. Pudentiana and S. Praxedes still continued from that time as I haue shewed before and the visitation which saint Nouatus going from his owne house to his Sister saint Praxedes after saint Pudentiana her death registred by saint Pastor then present in an other distinct house where she then continued in Harbouring and releyuing the Saints of Christ aboundantly testifie S. Pastor to the greate honour of saint Nouatus and Praxedes also thus relateth it 4. That saint Nouatus accompanyed with S. Pius the Pope and many Noble Christians went to saint Praxedes her house to comfort her about her Sisters death Multi nobiles Christiani ad eam veniebant consolabantur eam vna cum Episcopo Pio ventique ad eam Germanus vester Nouatus And saint Pius together with saint Praxedes and saint Pastor went from saint Praxedes her house to the house of saint Nouatus when and where he was sick and staied with him there 8. dayes eamus ad eum fuimus in domo eius diebus ac noctibus octo And vntill after the death of saint Nouatus who gaue all his substance to saint Timothie and saint Praxedes she had no Interest in that house How charitable and munificent saint Nouatus was to the poore Christians may some what appeare by saint Pastor his Relation of him when he went to comfort his Sister where he saith of him to saint Timothie Germanus vester Nouatus qui est frater noster in Domino multos Christianos pauperes donis suis resecit ministrauit omnibus de facultatibus suis Your naturall Brother Nouatus who is our Brother in our Lord did releeue many poore Christians with his guifts S. Nouatus dying leaueth all to S. Timothie and S. Praxedes to be employed for releife of Christians and ministred to them all out of his substance And as in his life he had euer an especiall care of the spirituall good of this kingdome his Country so at his death he was not vnmindefull of it but gaue all be had to his Brother saint Timothie then labouring and preaching heare and to his Sister saint Praxedes as mindefull of it though she was at Rome Hoc placuit ei vt vobis vna cum beata Praxede omnem substantiam suam relinqueret And made as it were Superuisours of this his last Will
renowned man being openly together with the holy Christians Cariton Caritina Euelpistius Hierax Pean and Valerian Menol. Graecor cal Iunij Metaphrastes die 1. Iunij Sur. Lipol eod die or Liberian conuented and examined by Rusticus Praefect of the Citie of Rome vnder the named Emperours in what place the Christians there vsed to assemble and his schollers came together to heare him Iustine answeared that he euer continued at Timothies Bath neare the house of one named Martius and hauing bene now twice in Rome knew no other place and there he preached to all that resorted to him Respondit Iustinus Ego prope domum Martij cuiusdam ad balneum cognomento Timothinum hactenus mansi Veni autem in vrbem Romam secundo neque alium quempiam locum nisi quem dixi cognosco Ac si quis ad me venire voluit communicaui cum illo veritatis doctrinam By which it is euident that this our Christian British house in Rome after the death of S. Praxedes and S. Timothie his warrant to dispose of it was employed to such holy vses as formely it was and that it now continued notwithstanding the greate trobles and Persecution against it the most famous and renowned place in Rome for entertayning maitaining afflicted Christians there preaching ministring Sacraments and other holy exercises And that it still continued at our Countriman S. Timothie his disposition as the still bearing his name as owner or cheife commander thereof Balneum cognomento Timothinum proueth which it could not truely beare vntill after the death of S. Nouatus the immediate and onely Possessor of it from his parents before And it seemeth that allthough S. Timothie had left it in the power of S. Pius Praxedes and Pastor to dispose of it they still reserued the Right and Interest thereof to S. Timothie and though at the Consecration of it for a Church it was termed Titulus Pastoris the Title or Church where S. Pastor was ordinary and cheife Preist yet S. Pastor dying presently after S. Praxedes as Baronius writeth and by S. Pius Epistle to S. Iustus Bishop of Vienna Baron Tom. 2. Annal. ann 164. Martyrol Rom. die 26. Iulij Pius Pap. Epist ad Iustum Episcop Viennen where he saith of S. Pastor that S. Pastor hauing this Title or Church conferred on him deceased presbiter Pastor titulum condidit dignè in Domino obijt And so preserued the hereditarie Right together with the Title and Church thereto S. Timothie the true heire and owner thereof from his Auncestors by lawfull and lineall discent THE X. CHAPTER OF THE LAST HOLY LABOVRS OF S. TImothie in Britaine his honour with S. Denys the Areopagite his returne from hence to Rome and Martyrdome there and Martyrdome of S. Pius Pope in the same place 1. I Left saint Timothie diligently labouring in Christs Haruest in Britaine and now I must attend to doe him honour at his glorious death and Martyrdome at Rome but before we bring him hither to take his heauenly rewarde for his sufferings and trauailes there we must for the greater glory of him S. Timothie his effectuall last labours in Britaine for the Conuersion thereof and our Nation by him make some esteeme how farre he profited and preuailed in that imployment We haue heard before that by the paynes and preaching of him and our Countryman saint Marcellus both our King Lucius became a Christian and a great part of Britaine began to professe the faith of Christ S. Lucius Britanniae Rex S. Timothei eruditione ad Religionem Christi inductus est Britannia magnam ex parte fidem Christi profiteri caepit And the perseuering of saint Timothie so seriously and with such intentiue feruour that no thing could separate him from that most Heroicall Enterprise not the death of his dearest Sister and Brother S. Pudentiana and Nouatus nor so ample and Noble a Patrimonie now fallen vnto him assureth vs if we had no other testimonie to adheare vnto that he was now Father of many spirituall children had many such Brothers and Sisters and by labouring long heare among the stones and Rocks of Britaine had founde out and procured to this kingdome greater and more enduring Mines of Treasure then all saint Pudens and Claudia his parents or saint Nouatus his Brother their wordly Riches could yeeld vnto him I can hardly be drawne to other opinion finding no reason to warrant mee but his inflamed loue to the spirituall good and happines of Britaine bounde and fixed him heare with the chaines thereof vntill with vnexpressible Ioy he did see and reape that fruite of his holy works my Authours before haue told vs of that by his meanes King Lucius was induced to Christian Religion and a greate parte of Britaine professed it And this was the occasion of his returne from hence and going to Rome hoping by that Iorney to be the happy Messenger and Instrument of relating His returne to Rome and occasiō thereof and procuring that which was reserued for the honour of saint Eluanus Meduuinus Damianus Fugatianus and their Associats after to see and effect the generall and publickly warranted both by Pope and Prince Conuersion of this Britaine now hindered for a time by a sodden and new raysed storme of Persecution vnder new Emperours For allthough at the time of saint Timothie his beginning his Iorney from Britaine to Rome the Church of Christ was at some ease and quiet Antoninus Pius that friend to Christians yet continuing his Empire or if Marcus Aurelius Antoninus the persecuting Emperour had begun his Empire yet he had not begun his Persecution at that time or the knowledge thereof had not yet trauailed so farre as Britaine to giue warning and notice to King Lucius of any such thinge eyther acted or intended But when he and his new Christian people heare had for certaintie learned what barbarous and cruell Persecutions were now in hand as all Antiquities of that time doe witnes and to be silent in others that our Noble Brittish Christian house in Rome which had continued so long quiet and bene such a Seminary of Religion for this kingdome was now so cruelly afflicted 23. renowned Martyrs tyrannically and without all tryall putt to death in the place and house itselfe as I haue related and saint Iustine and his sacred company after that carryed also from thence to durance and Martyrdome and saint Timothie our Apostle Countryman and owner of that holy house together with saint Marke his happy companion in Martyrdome and likely in his Trauailes in Britaine were taken from that place to Martyrdome and Pope Pius also which much conuersed there and should haue bene a cheife meanes in directing and assisting our generall Conuersion if it had then taken effect putt to death by these Emperours for that cause 2. These and such cruelties euen against the Christians of this kingdome by these persecuting Emperours being now knowne in Britaine there was no hope left of
quorum numero beatum Melorum fidenter credimus extitisse Which is further confirmed in the same Antiquities testifying that after many yeares the Reliks of this holy Saint were with greate reuerence translated to the Church of Amsbury and there in their shryne layed vpon the Altar Post multorum annorum curricula Praedicatores Alienigenae scrinium cum Reliquijs sancti Melori circumquaque deferentes peragratis terrarum tractibus iniunctum sibi officium exercentes Ambrisburiam tandem deuenerunt super altare Reliquias sanctas posuerunt The remouing of these Reliks to the Church and Nunnery of Amsbury must needs be before the preuayling of the Pagan Saxons and Hengist his murthering our Noble Britans and taking King Vortiger Prisoner hard by that place at Stonehendge by Treachery For at that time both that and all other Religious houses and Churches those Pagans could enter to were destroyed Yet the Historyes haue told vs before that many yeares were passed ouer betweene the buriall and remouing these holy Reliks thither Neither dare I affirme that this History is more auncient then this time For excepting the Religious house of Glastenbury all others had their Foundation after the Cōuersion of King Lucius who dyed in the beginning of this Age. And probably we may coniecture this Translation of these sacred Reliks was in the time of S. Germanus and Lupus the Legats of Pope Celestine being and preaching heare for they were praedicatores Alienigenae Strange Preachers and the most renowned strange Preachers we can thinke these to be much deuoted to the reuerēce of our holy Brittish Reliks by all Historyes making solemne Pilgrimadges vnto thē And if we affirme these holy Reliks were first interred in these dayes the circuite of many yeares post multorum annorum curricula after which they were remoued by strange Preachers will well agree with the comming of those strangers the Popes Legats hither about the yeare of Christ 432. which was before the Nunnery of Amsbury was destroyed 5. The Historie of this holy Saint is thus sett downe by the auncient writers S. Meliorus his Martyrdome thereof Melorus or Meliorus was the onely Sonne and Heire of Melianus Duke of Cornwayle Who in the seuenth yeare of his Gouernment calling an Assembly of the Nobles to consult about the affayres of his Country was in the same assembly murthered by his owne Brother named Rinoldus his Sonne Melorus being but 7. yeares old at that time This Rinoldus hauing thus killed the Father knowing his Sonne to be the onely true Heire and fearing if he should liue to mās estate he might take the Dukedome from him being his iust inheritance sought to murther him also and bringing him into Cornewayle where there was a Councell of Bishops and others gathered together whose consent he laboured to haue for the putting of Melorus to death to make himselfe secure in his so wickedly procured dignitie But when the holy Bishops assembled detested so barbarous impietie and cruelty and would in no wise assent vnto it This wicked vsurping Vncle to make this child loathsome and so vncapable or vnfitt for Gouernment caused his right hand and left foote to be cutt of After which he had an hand of siluer and a foote of brasse and was brought vp in a Monastery in Cornewayle vntill he was 14. yeares old daily profiting and encreasing in vertue and holy learning aswell as in yeares And this his siluer hand did miraculously bend too and froe and stretch out itselfe to doe the office of a naturall hand as if it naturally consisted of bones sinewes veines blood and flesh Mirumque in modum manus illa argentea quasi reflexus carneos habere manum extendere recludere caepit quasi natiuam ossibus neruis venis sanguine atque pelle Wherevpon the wicked Tirant his Vncle taking him from the Abbot and Religeous men committed him to one named Cerialtanus to be brought vp bribing him with promises of many possessions and rewards to putt Melorus to death which he most wickedly and barbarously effected cutting of his head Which done the Sonne of Cerialtanus with the consent of his Father bearing the head of the holy Martyr vpon the wall of the Castle fell downe from the wall broke his neck and died Cerialtanus then tooke vp the head of the Saint and brought it to the Tirant his Vncle. Who with ioy receauing it badd the wicked Murtherer goe to the topp of an hill adioyning and whatsoeuer he could there see he would giue him to possesse Cerialtanus going to the hill thinking to see round about sodenly was struken blinde one both his eyes and presently died And the wicked Vncle touching the sacred head brought vnto him within three dayes after ended his wretched life with a miserable death The Bishops and Clergie buried his holy body and head with great honour together Where they which faithfully prayed vnto him did obtayne their desire Sepulto ab Episcopis Clericis capite cum sacro Bishops Preists others pray to S. Meliorus Martyred corpore Corpus sanctum cum honore sepelierunt vbi opem eius cum fide implorantes optatum remedium gaudentes consequi solebant THE XI CHAPTER CONTAYNING AN ABREVIATE 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 1. I Haue spoken before how the Roman Emperours after the death of Heliogabalus vntill Constantius marryed first or after receaued againe Helen daughter of Coel had litle command in this kingdome and so not so necessarie to be much remembred in the Ecclesiasticall Historie thereof none of them except the two Philips the Father and Sonne dignified in Histories with name of Christianitie therefore it will suffice to sett downe breefely their names and continuance of their Empiers which our Protestant Antiquaries doe thus propose vnto vs After Seuerus Bassianus Surnamed Antonius Carracalla succeeded How 's Stowe Hist Titul the Romans in Seuerus in the Empire he was murthered by Martialis when he had gouerned sixe yeares Macrinus one yeare Antonius Heliogabalus three yeares Alexander Seuerus 13. yeares Iulius Maximus 3. yeares M. Antonius Gordianus one yeare Iulius Philippus they omitt Philip the second his Sonne the first Christian Emperour 5. An Epitomie of the Roman Emperours yeares Decius 2. yeares Trebonianus Gallus and Vibius Hostilianus two yeares Iu lius Aemilianus foure moneths Licinius Valerianus sixe Lacinius Gallicinus fifteene At this time there arouse in diuers Countries thirtie Vsurpers which are called the thirtie Tirants of the which Lollianus Posthumus Victorianus Tetricius as it is supposed kept Britaine from Gallicinus Flauius Claudius two Aurelianus fiue Tacitus sixe moneths Florianus three moneths This yeare 276. Aurelian the Dane was chosen Emperour he hated Christians and in the fourth yeare of his Reigne he
olde Greeke Writer sayth they were Arrian Heretiks Pagans which denyed Constantine to be legitmate and that they lyed therin Ariani Pagani calumniantur vti spurium Magnū Constantinum quin ipsi mentiuntur Egbertus saith she was Queene and Mother of Constantine Berengosus an eye witnesse of the most things writing of her saith first she was a Queene Helena Regina and so the lawfull wife of Constantius for the Concubine of the greatest King or Emperour that euer was is not thereby a Queene in such sence as these Authours name her Queene to Rule and gouerne Augusta cum filio conregnabat Nor can the lawfull true wiues of Kings be termed Queens by such worthie Authours except they were Queens by Title of Inheritance or such like as our Antiquaries write of Queene Helen that she was daughter and Heire to her Father King S. Helen her sumptuous Pallace Coel. Which this worthie Authour doth also though a stranger to vs confirme when he proueth she was of a most Noble Parentage and by experimentall Idem Berengosus l. 3. c. 2. sup Arguments because he had seene the old buildings of her stately Pallace continuing in his time the pauement whereof was Marble and Toochstone the most Regall Pallace in all those parts the walles were guilded with gold Her chamber was so sumptuous that the like was not in the world and to free her from all slaunders the chamber of her heart and soule was farre more pure and in all things she was obedient to the will of God and yet externally pleasing her husband Constantius although more pleasing to God then to her husband Nobilitatem eius apud Treuiros aedificiorum suorum adhuc antiqua testatur gentilitas vbi pauimentum domus illius varijs Marmoribus Pario quondam lapide stratum benè declarat quantum ibi prae aliis videretur habere Primatum Praeterea vero ipsa planities parietum fuluo auro velut Hiacinthino textu depicta bene testabatur insignia nobilitatis eius inuictae Insuper etiam Praediorum eius copiae Ecclesijs Dei olim collatae bene declarant quam nobilissima generis polleret Antiquitate sed cubile ipsius aureis setis instructum insignitum nobilitatem quodāmodo in ea quasi Romanorum testabatur Quiritum maximè cum ab ortu solis vsque ad vltimam Thyle cubili huic simile non posset inueniri Quia cubiculum cordis sui cubicularius ille nulla vnquam inquinauit pollutione de quo scriptum est in Cubili suo astitit omni viae non bonae Quoniam intrinsecus tantis ac talibus decorata fuit virtutibus idcirco per omnia in omnibus diuinis placebat obtutibus quia vero specie suâ pulchritudine forinsecus erat ornata ideo viro suo Constantio amabilis videbatur grata quoniam internae pietatis aeternae pulchritudinis ita instructa est norma vt Deo placeret in animâ Constantio in formâ secundum enim opinionem vulgi veritatem rei officiosa erat in obsequio viri sed officiosior ad obsequium Dei quoniam amor Constantij Dei ita in corde illius duplici ratione fuit distinctus vt Constantio exterius Deo subderetur interius 5. Thus we see how farre this most blessed and Noble Queene and Empresse was in all times from being base either by birth or conuersation such sanctity of life could neuer agree with that fowle name by which some haue so wrongefully termed her such Parentage Pallaces and Reuenewes able to entertaine the greatest Princes according to their state and dignitie must denominate their Noble Owners with better termes and attributes then Hostesse Inkeeper Stabularia Except we will expound them in so lardge a sence that we shall so stile Abraham and Loth that lodged the Angels those that entertained Christ all Receauers of Kings Princes and Emperours and all harbourers and exercisers of Hospitalitie for so both S. Helen and King Coel entertained Constantius the one an Husband the other a sonne in Lawe as Princes vse It seemeth this Palace and lands in and about Treuers to haue discended to S. Helen by her Mother or some Ancestor of that Country for both Beringosus saith S. Helen was brought vp at Treuers Helena Treuiro-Indigena ciuitatis And Ottho Frisingensis saith she was by some of her Ancestors Berengos supr l. 2. c. 1. Ottho Frisingen Chron. l. 4. c. 45. come from thence Helena ex Pago Treuirorum oriunda And Treuers being at that time the most renowned place of those Countries for Nobilitie Learning and Christian Relegion and she the onely child of her Father King Coel and to succeed him in the kingdome of Britaine he sent her thither to haue the most Noble education and there it was probably where she first came to be acquainted with Constantius then liuing in those parts And this made the Attonement betweene Constantius for the Romans and king Coel to be so soone and peaceably effected without any effusion of blood as our Antiquities testifie whereof it will be a difficult thing to giue any other reason in any morall iudgment 6. This Marriadge betweene Constantius and S. Helena daughter of King Coel is proued by many other forraine Historians so hath the auncient Bishop Iacob Genuen in S. Helena Trithem l. de Orig. Francorum Io. Naucler Chron. generat 6. p. 565. Hist Manuscr Gallic Antiq. c. 29. Iacobus Genuensis and Trithemius So plainely writeth Nauclerus Constantius Caesar in Britanniam missus Insulam Romanis pacauit eamque post interitum Coelis ductâ illius filiâ Helenâ vxore solus administrauit A very old Frēch Manuscript hath thus Constans came into Britaine and after the death of King Coelreigned ouer Britaine and tooke Helen daughter of Coel to wife This Helen was a woman of greate vertue and passing in Beuty all the Maydes of the Prouince of Britaine and there was not found any other so learned in Instruments of Musike and the 7. liberall Arts. For her Father Coel had no other child which might gouerne the Realme after him and therefore procured that she was so learned that she might Reigne after him Bouchet saith Cohel Duke of Cohelcester slew Asclepiodotus in Bouchet Annals de Aquitaine l. 1. c. 5. Nicholas Giles Annal. de France f. 8. p. 2. Zonaras Annal. Tom. 2. in Diocletiano Constante Zonar sup in Constantino Magno Battaile and was made King of Britaine Constantius married his daughter Helena and had Constantine by her An other French Historian saith Helena Mother of Constantine the Greate was daughter of Coel King of the Britans And whereas some would haue Zonaras to be a mouer of this question it is most cleare that Zonaras plainely saith S. Helen was the first and true wife of Constantius Constantine his eldest Sonne and so declared his lawfull Heire Successour Filio natu maiore Magno videlicet Constantino ex priore coniuge Imperij
Successore declarato And saith futher that Constantine was the Sonne of Constantius by blessed Helena Eum ex beatâ Helenâ procreauit Pater Which could not be truely said if she had not bene his lawfull wife for otherwise she had rather deserued the name of cursed theÌ„ blessed Helen And he confirmeth this truth not onely by terrestriall but heauenly testimonie shewing that when Constantius Zonar supr in Constante was sick an Angel appeared vnto him commanding him to leaue the Empire to Constantine Fertur Constanti aegrotanti Angelus astitisse qui iuberet vt Constantino relinqueret Imperium Which is also testified in this manner by Pompon Laet. Rom. Hist compend in ConstaÌ„tino Magno Pomponius Laetus Eum Pater Caesarem fecerat caelesti nuntio admonitus quum aegrotaret vt primum Constantinum successorem faceret qui esset ab tyrannis Romanum Imperium liberaturus militibus Dei opem laturus Constantius the Father had made Constantine his Sonne Caesar being thereto admonished by an heauenly messadge when he was sicke who was to deliuer the Roman Empire from Tyrants and help the souldiars of Christ And although Baronius and his Epitomer Spondanus citing this Angelicall vision and admonition from Zonaras and seeme to thinke that Eusebius did not remember it mirum haec praeterijsse Eusebium Baron Tom. 2. An. 306. Spondanus ibid. Yet if the Translator and Notator of Eusebius deceaueth vs not euen by his testimony Constantine was made Emperour by the Counsaile of God diuino consilio Constantinus Imperium consecutus est And Eusebius himselfe expressely Iacob Grynaeus in c. 18. l. 1. Euseb l. 1. de Vit. CoÌ„st supr saith God the Authour of all things and Gouernour of the whole world did by his owne will choose Constantine Prince and Emperour Constantinum Principem Imperatorem Deus omnium Author totius mundi gubernator suo solum arbitrio delegit Therefore we may not call that holy marriadge into question which so many human testimonies and God himselfe hath thus approued to be lawfull And so it is confirmed by other forreyne Authours The old Inscription of the Church of S. Gereon at Cullen founded by her proueth her to Petr. Merssaeus in Catal. Archiepisc Colonien be a Queene and so an example to Kings Regibus exemplum sacroque Chrismate plena Condidit hoc templum Sancti Gereonis Helena And by the same Authour she is called Empresse also pia Helend Augusta Petr. Merss Catal Archiep. Treuer Anton. Sabelic Ennead lib. 8. Ennead 7. Walter Rollew Fascul temp Ann. 234. Io. Baptis Egnat in Constantino Magno Gonstant Manass in Annal. apud Camden in Rom. in Britannia in Constant Baron Spond An. Christi 306. And her Pallace mentioned Sabellicus also maketh her the true wife of Constantius The like hath Walterus Rollewinke saying Queene Helen was Mother of Constantine and then an holy woman Helena Regina Mater Constantini sanctae admirandae deuotionis ciuilitatis Ioannes Baptista Egnatius saith that Constantine was borne of Helena wife of Constantius Rerum Constantinus potitur ex Helena Constantij vxore susceptus And Constantinus Manasses as our Protestant Antiquaries confesse long before Nicephorus time proueth S. Helen to haue bene the true wife of Constantius and separated from him for a time onely for feare of the Emperour The same haue Baronius Spondanus and other late forreyne Writers expressely calling the other assertion figmentum a forgery and vnworthie of confutation Teaching it is euident that she was a Brittish Lady eandem fuisse Britanniam constat And they relye vpon our Britan and English Antiquaries as most fitt Relators of so memorable a matter of their owne Queene and Country directly testifying she was the daughter and Heire of King Coel the vndoubted and true lawfull wife of Constantius and named Stabularia Inholdresse by the friends of Theodora the Concubine of Constantius putt to him against his will When she was so honorable by birth that her Father King Coel receaued Constantius in all Regall manner So farre she was from being an Inholdresse or daughter of such a man Eandem stabulariam fuisse à nonnullis assertum S. Ambrosius tradit Sed eo planè nomine vulgo dicta quod hospitis apud quem diuertit Constantius Ambros orat in funere Theodos in Britanniâ filia fuisset At qualis hospitis qui Ducem totius exercitus domi exciperet Quamobrem qui antiquas res Britannicas sunt prosecuti quod compertum habuerunt ex antiquis Annalibus Helenam tradunt fuisse filiam vnius ex Britanniae Regulis Coel nomine apud quem hospitatus Constantius quam pulcherimam nouit eius filiam accepit in coniugem How they haue freed her from the imputation of the name of Concubine by some Writers layed vpon her by misapplying a Roman Pagan Edict they haue witnessed before and thus further cleare it Inde manasse videtur illa opinio quod Helena fuerit Constantij Concubina L. Praefectus D. de Ritib nupt L. eos qui. D. eo quia non creditae sunt nuptiae quas Ciuis Romanus cum peregrinâ contraxisset atque amplius quod Romanorum legibus cautum esset vt si aliquis Praefectus vxorem duceret in eà Prouinciâ in qua officium gerebat Matrimonium non esset quod ratio Potentatus eiusmodi nuptias prohiberet Verum cum ijsdom legibus iustae efficerentur nuptiae si post depositum officium in eadem voluntate perseueraret constat Helenam verè fuisse Constantij coniugem ac Matrimonium ratum quod ille sic eam duxit vt cum à prouincià discessit ac MagistratuÌ„ deposuisset nunquaÌ„ illam dimiserit vsque ad nuptias Theodorae That opinion that Helen was the Concubine of Constantius seemeth to haue proceeded from thence that it was not esteemed with some Pagans Marriadge which a Citizen of Rome had contracted with a stranger and the rather because it was prouided by the Lawes of the Romans that if any Prefect should marry a wife in that Prouince where he bore office it should not be Matrimony because the reason of Principalitie did forbid such Marriadges But when by the very same Lawes the Marriadges were made lawfull if after the Office giueÌ„ ouer or ended the Husbanâ— perseuered in the same will It is euident that HeleÌ„ was the true wife of ConstaÌ„tius and the marriadge betweene them lawfull Because Constantius so marryed her that when he went out of that Prouince and left his Office he neuer dismissed Helen vntill he was compelled by the Emperour to take Theodora Thus these Roman Writers haue cleared this our gloriâ—us Brittish Queene and Empresse from that imputation which some by pretext of such Pagan Edict of the Romans haue layed vpon her vniustly 7. To which I adde that both that Lawe and the reason thereof was froÌ„ the beginning voide in the case of Constantius Helena And they were truely Husband and wife not
Persecution in Religion and such other greeuances as were ordinarily suffered vnder the Pagan Romans gouernment But the Romans greedy of their owne honor and thereby impatient of our Brittish ease and peace as our Histories deliuer vnto vs began now to bethinke themselues of the losse they had of Britaine which had forsaken them Romani recolentes damnum quod de amisso regno habuerant and falling Galfrid Mon. l. 5. Hist c. 6. into deliberation whom they were best to send with their forces hither to regaine it vnto them againe concluded Constantius to be the fittest Constantius father of Constantine the Greate his coÌ„ming into Britaine and when man both for his long experience and successe in Martiall affaires being made a Caesar before in the 292. yeare of Christ when he forsooke S. Helen and tooke Theodora and for the greate loue of the Britans vnto him after he married S. Helen and his kindnesse vnto them vntill by the compulsion of Maximinian he left that his holy true wife which old loue and liking betweene them was now most like to be renewed and restored againe Theodora the breache and occasion of the discontinuance thereof Berengos Abbas l. 3. c. 3. de Inuent Laude S. Crucis Matth. West an 302. Galfrid Mon. Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 6. Pont. Vir. Hist l. 5. Hard. Chron. c. 60. f. 48. Matth. Westm sup an 302. Manuscr Gallic antiq c. 23. Marian. Scot. aetat 6. l. an 293. 295. 298. 303. 304. 305. Baron Annal. An. 304. Spond ib. Marian. Scot. aetat 6. l. 2. an 305. being now lately dead And therefore they sent Constantius hither to procure the regaining of Britaine vnto their Empire Romani legauerunt Constantium qui Hispaniam aliasque terras quamplures ipsis subdiderat vt Britanniam Romanae redderet dignitati Matthew of Westminster setteth downe this his second comming into Britaine to haue bene in the second yeare of this Age anno gratiae 302. An old French Manuscript also maketh it much about this time Marianus Scotus keepeth him out of Britaine a litle longer and all they which before haue proued he was in forreine Countries vntill the end of the last Age or after make this vndoubted and certaine And seeing all agree he was sent hither by others of higher dignitie he must needs come into Britaine in this voyadge when he was a Caesar and before he was Emperor which was in the yeare of Christ 304. Dioclesian and Maximinian then relinquishing the Empire and leauing it to Constantius and Galerius Marianus placeth it in the yeare following 305. And it is most manifest in this accompt that Constantius could not make this his second Iorney into Britaine vntill this Age was entered and so was most free from our Persecution ended heare before this time But so soone as he now came hither Ambassadges of peace without any hostile Act were sent betweene our King Coel and Constantius And Constantius free from all persecution of Christians in Britaine with greate loue and liking on both sides this honorable peace was concluded to wit that King Coel should during his life quietly possesse and enioy the kingdome of Britaine onely paying vnto the Romans the auncient Tribute and nothing els nihilque aliud praeter solitum Tributum Romanae dignitati Galfr. Monum Hist Reg. Brito l. 5. c. 6. Pont. Virun l. 5. Hist Manusc Gallic sup Matth. Westm Ann. 302. Hard. Chron. c. 60. 61. solueret And that Constantius should take againe his wife S. Helen daughter and Heire to King Coel and by her right be King heare after the death of her Father King Coel. By which couenant and Article agreed vpon and truely executed as it was the first marriage betweene Constantius and Helen was euen by Roman Pagan lawes themselues proued and declared to be true and lawfull and the children therein begotton legitimate and the taking of Theodora liuing with her and children by her to be adulterate and vtterly The first mariage betweene Constantius S. HeleÌ„ true marriage by the RomaÌ„ PagaÌ„ lawe and the children therein begotten legitimate that with Theodora adulâ—â—â—ate vnallowable in any sence euen by their owne Pagan Constitutions For although those PagaÌ„ wicked Decrees did allowe to the Presidents of Prouinces which were vnmarried without penaltie to keepe Concubins prophanly thinking as some new protesting Christians haue done that men vnmarried could not liue chast yet they neuer permitted it to married Prefects and Presidents such as Constantius was as their owne Historians witnesse vt Praesides Prouinciarum si vxores non haberent acciperent singulas concubinas quod sine his esse non possent By which Roman Heathnish lawe Theodora was not onely the Concubine and no wife of Constantius but a Concubine prohibited Aelius Lampridius in Alexandro Seuero in their owne proceedings and her children in like case of reproach with her 2. Therefore Constantius being against his will by the power of Maximinian before seperated from S. Helen his true wife and a Christian from Matth. Westm Galfr. Monum alij supra â— Manuscript Histor Eccl. Wintonien Caius Histor Cantabr Accademiae p. 19. that time euer in his affection could not but be most ready and ioyfull to be so quietly and honorably reconciled vnto her againe Which is sufficiently insinuated by our cited Antiquaries testifying that Constantius in all things granted to King Coel his demands requiring nothing of him for the RomaÌ„s but their old Tribute Cuius petitionibus adquiesceÌ„s ConstaÌ„tius nihil praeter solitum tributum ab ipso petebat Which as our Antiquaries say was 1006. pounds onely in money One of our Historians saith of this matter in this manner Harding supr c. 60. Of which Coustance was glad of his entente And here abode at prayer of the King Whereby he did sufficiently declare the greate content and ioy he had of this reconciliation to his wife S. Helen and her Father his Father in lawe King Coilus rather choosing preferring during his life to make his aboad heare as a subiect then now being chosen and designed Emperor to continue in any other Nation with that greatest temporall glorie and commaund 3. Thus he signified this so longe and much desired attonement Helenam Coeli Regis filiam in societatem Thori recepit Which worde recepit that Constantius did at this time receaue Helen againe if we had no other Argument or authoritie vsed by diuers our auncient Antiquaries proueth that this was the reconciliation and not first marriage of these noble parsons which is inuincibly proued already to haue bene aboue 30. yeares before And vnpossible it is that any of these Authors which speake of this vnion should take it for their first Vnion in Marriage for all of them Matth Westm an 302. 305. Marian Scot. Ann. 305. 306. acknowledge that Constantius died soone after this reconciliation The Monke of Westminster sayth within 3. yeares by Marianus within 2. yeares
where all agree Restitutus was affirmeth that in the former Councell 11. yeares before Bishops were assembled out of all parts of the world Ad Arelatensem vrbem ex omnibus mundi partibus celebâ—atum Concil Arel 2. 1 can 18. Arelat Concil 1. can 7. fuisse ConciliuÌ„ In which we finde a Decree for all Nations that the Presidents of Countryes being Christians were to be at the direction of the Bishops in such places concerning Religion Which must needs besides that is said before giue vs sufficient Argument that in this yeare 314. Constantine was a professed Christian I haue somewhat out of Order of time ioyned this second Councell of Arles to the first in regard they were by the common opinion kept so neare together in one place vnder one Pope S. Syluerster one Emperour of our Country Constantine and our Archbishop with others of this kingdome was present in them such men as he neuer going alone without others of their Clergie to any Councell Bishops or Preists and in this time especiall care being taken by our renowned Emperour as I haue shewed before Epistol Const ad Chrest supr Concil Roman can 1. Histor Tripartit l. 3. c. 2. l. 2. cap. 3. from his owne publike order that they should at his charge and cost so be safely conueyed with their due Attendance to that place where these Councels were to be assembled and there also to be prouided for during the time of the Councells at his cost Quibus Augustus Constantinus vehicula annonas praestari praecepit THE VIII CHAPTER THE GENERALL ESTABLISHING ENDOWing and honoring of Christian Religion Bishops Preists other Clergymen chast and Religious parsons in all places of the Empire by Constantine 1. NEITHER did this renowned Emperour confine his loue and fauours towards Christian Religion vnto the Christians of his owne the west Empire but vnto all as God by an holy Angell before reuealed both Catholiks and Protestants so acknowleding that Christians in the whole world should be at peace and Idolatry was generally to Baptist Mantuan l. 2. de vita S. Blasij Io. Bal. l. 1. de Act. Pont. Roman in Sylu. 1. be ouerthrowne by this Noble Emperour Nunc bonus expulsis Romana in regna Tyrannis Adueniet Princeps sub quo pacabitur orbis Et finem accipiet veterum cultura Deorum This Noble Emperour and Instrument of God the more easily and peaceably to procure and setle this generall quiet and securitie of Christians Licinius being now Emperour in the East he married his half Sister Constantia daughter of his Father Constantius by Theodora vnto him she was by common opinion a Christian at this time by which meanes and at the least in respect of other fauours receaued from Constantyne Licinius professed himself a Friend to Christians and ioyned with Constantine in diuers Edicts Edicts of Constantine and Licinius Emperours for Christians quiet in all places Euseb Histor l. 9 cap. 9. l. 10. cap. 5. Zozomen Histo l. 1. cap. 7. Euseb sup l. 10. c. 5. l. 9. cap. 9. for their quietly enioying and professing their Religion restoring to them their Liberties lands goods Churches and other freedomes And that these their Priuiledges to Christians might come to the knowledge of all they caused them to be published in all places vt autem Constitutionis huius honestatis nostrae determinatio omnibus innotescere valeat haec scripta nostra passim proponi ad omnium cognitionem duci conueniet ne quenquam honestatis huius nostrae constitutio latere queat And as Eusebius witnesseth both Constantine and Licinus did send these their Lawes for the Immunities of ChristiaÌ„s euen to Maximinus the Tyrant in the East to be obserued by him Cum ipse Constantinus tum Licinius Imperator cum eo Deum bonorum omnium Authorem vtrique placantes vna sententia ac voluntate legem pro Christianis perfectissimam ac plenissimam constituunt ac ipsam legem Maximino qui adhuc Orienti dominabatur amicitiam erga ipsos praetexebat mittunt And he either for loue or feare caused it to be promulged and published by his Authoritie to all Presidents vnder him All this was done by Constantine the yeare next after his Victory against Baron Annal. An. 313. Spondan ibidem Marian. Scot. aetat 6. l. 2. an 309. Maxentius as Baronius and others write in the 313. of Christ but by Marianus setting downe the death of Maximinus in the yeare 309. it must needs be sooner if his accompt be true 2. But howsoeuer it is euident by Eusebius others that Maximinus soone after mouing warre against Licinius by instigation of his Idolatrous Preists being ouerthrowne brought to misery did put those his Seducers to death Euseb Histor l. 9 cap. 10. worshipped the God of Christians and published a most absolute Lawe for their libertie and freedome His Constitution is extant in Eusebius all this was effected and he miserably died in the 313. or 314. yeare of Christ by Baronius Baron Spond an 313. 314. and Spondanus largest reckoning And by the same Computators Licinius afterward violating his faith and falling to warre with Constantine and persecuting Christians being brought to distresse and desolation hanged himself in the yeare of Christ 318. Constantine must needs be acknowledged Baron Spond an 318. to haue bene the sole and onely commanding Emperour in the worlde before this time for Sozomen with others witnesseth that Licinius the last then bearing that name vtterly ouerthrowne both at Sea and land by the forces of Constantine first hopelesse of recouery fledd to Nicomedia and some time Sozom. Histor l. 1. cap. 7. after liued an obscure and base life at Thessalonica before he came to that desperate end Licinius pedestribus copijs naualibus amissis se Nicomediam recepit postea vitam priuatam Thessalonicae ad tempus degens ibi è medio sublatus est 3. Eusebius from the Testimony of Constantine himself writeth strange Miracles wrought by the Banner of this Emperour bearing the Crosse that Euseb lib. 2. Vit. Constant cap. 7. 8. 9. in what part soeuer of the Army it was seene the Enemyes fledd and rane away And if in any part of his Army the Souldiars began to faint presently The miraculous Banner of Constantine hauing the signe of the Crosse in it vpon the bringing of this holy Banner thither they recouered and obtained Victory whereas there were 50. men appointed to attend this Banner and in turns to beare it neuer any one of them in executing that office did miscary Among these onely one which bore it seeing the Warre to be greate and in his Iudgment dangerous deliuered this Ensigne to an other and departing from it was wounded and died but he which tooke the Banner from him had no hurt at all And when very many darts were cast at him they all missed his body and were Miraculously receaued in the slender
the Christian Cleargie there should be free from Tributs and Vectigals and all this was done as he setteth downe before the ouerthrowe Constantine gaue to Licinius or Licinius opposed against him Which Baronius affirmeth was in the 316. yeare of Christ And in the very next yeare 314. of Christ the same Authour Baron Annal. An. 314. Matth. Westm An. 321. Ado in Chronic. Baronius setteth downe the first Councell of Arles where as he from Ado and others writeth there were 600. Bishops assembled together with Claudius Vitus Eugenius and Cyriacus the Popes Legats and addeth further from Eusebius that Constantine himselfe was there present with the Bishop Sed ipsum Imperatorem Constantinum cuÌ„ Episcopis interfuisse Eusebius declarat Which presence and sitting of ConstaÌ„tine with the Bishops in Councell Euseb l. 1. de Vita Constant cap. 37. Eusebius plainely confesseth Tanquam communis Episcopus a Deo constitutus ministrorum Dei coegit Conâ—â—lium in media istorum frequentia ac congressu adesse vna considere non dedignatus in medio consessu quasi vnus e multis assedit And yet affirmeth that diuers other Councels were called and kept in Baron An. 315. this yeare as at Ancyra in Galacia Neocaesarea in Pontus and Laodicea in Phrigia In the next yeare 315. he affirmeth Constantine published a Decree in preuenting murthering of children like a good Christian Prince Constantinus Imperator dignam planè Christiano Principe edidit sanctionem And an other against the Iewes which persecuted such of their Profession as became Christians commanding therein all such Iewes with their partakers to be burned And subiected all Christians which should forsake their Religion and professe Iudaisme to the same punishment So we might proceede to the other yeares betweene this and the 324. yeare wherein Baronius would haue him to be baptized needles to be related in this place these being more then sufficient to proue he was baptized longe before that time Which Ensebius doth giue plaine testimony vnto euen by Baronius his owne calculation for Baronius setting downe the warre betweene Constantine and Licinius to haue bene in the yeare 316. Eusebius saith that Licinius did then oppose against Euseb Hist l. 10 cap. 8. 9. God Allmightie whome he knew Constantine did worship Licinius vbi belelum Constantino inferre decreuit etiam ipsum omnium Deum quem a Constantino colisciebat impugnare aggreditur Eusebius thus writeth immediately after those Letters written to Anilinus Caecilianus and others before about the seuenth yeare of Constantinus as Baronius before hath witnessed Eusebius there also calleth Constantine a man renowned for all kinde of pietie omnis pietatis virtute clarus 7. And to put vs out of all doubt in this busines Euseb doth manifestly proue Euseb l. 1. vit Constant c. 34. 35. 36. 37. 41. that Constantine had giuen such freedome and donations to the Church of Christ as be remembred honored Bishops builded Churches caused Councels to be called and was present in them with the Bishops and many things of like nature before the tenth yeare of his Empire Heremias Sozomen before Sozom. l. 1. Hist cap. 8. hath witnessed that he receaued the Sacraments in the Church in this time Sacra mysteria percipere Which none but actually and really Baptized Christians might doe or did at any time If any man shall obiect that S. Melchiades Pope was a Maryr and so not likely to receaue such fauours from Constantine Baronius well answeareth he was accompted as many others were for the greate Persecution he endured vnder Maximian and not because he Baron An. 313. was violently put to death for Religion but dyed in a peaceable time Which the old Roman Martyrologe confirmeth Romae S. Melchiadis Papae qui in persecutione Martyrolog Roman die 10. Decembr Maximiani multa passus reddita Ecclesiae pace quieuit in Domino Which proueth that CoÌ„stantine had giuen Libertie to ChristiaÌ„s before S. Melchiades death which was within a yeare and litle more of Constantine his Victory against Maxentius After which time there is a silence in Histories of any Persecution where Constantine reigned And therefore S. Syluester being fled to the Mountaine Soractes in Persecution when he was sought for to christen Constantine by Diuine Vision argueth for them that hould before that the was baptized in the seuenth yeare of his Empire and by S. Syluester not then Pope but soone after and so said to be baptized by S. Syluester Pope because a litter after by the death of S. Melchiades he was choseÌ„ to that dignitie 8. The opinion of Constantine his Leprosie and miraculous curing thereof at his Baptisme can be no argument for the deferring thereof to a later time for we find that his daugter S. Constantia or Constantina was also infected with that desease as most probable from her Father and as miraculously cured thereof at S. Agnes her Tombe by her prayers as her Father was by S. Syluester his baptizing him So that we may rather say of them both so miraculously cured to the greate glory of God Conuersion of many as Christ said of the man borne blinde whome he gaue sight vnto that neither he nor his Parents in that respect had sinned but that the workes of God might be manifest in him Then with Pagans impute such punishment to the demerits Io. cap. 9. of Constantine which Euagrius ernestly contendeth to cleare him off And the greatest matter that is obiected being the death of Crispus his sonne this Euagr Hist l. 3. cap. 40. 41. could be no cause to deserue that Leprous punishment Crispus death being longe after Constantine his Baptisme wherein he was cleansed from that infirmitie Which both Baronius and Spondanus confesse and affirme Sozomen Baron SpoÌ„d An. 324. proueth by many Arguments that Crispus liued many yeares after his Father Constantine was a Christian Costantini ad Christum conuersionem plurimis arguâ—entis demonstrat longè ante Crispi obitum contigisse ipsumque Câ—â—spum plures vixisse annos postquam Pater Christo nomen dedisset 9. Therefore I meruaile how they could write before that Constantine was not baptized vntill the 324. yeare of Christ in which they say Crispus his death was and now thus confidently teach that which I onely contend that Constantine was a Christian longe many yeares before that time And Nicephorus Platina and others teach that this Crispus was baptized by S. Nicephorus lib. 7. cap. 33. in fine Platina in Marco Syluester together with his Father Constantine when Maxentius was ouerthrowne in the seuenth yeare of Constantine Vna cum ipso Crispus eius filius diuinum participauit lauacrum ambo candidam vestem induerant pulsis vrbe Tyrannis And Sozomen plainely affirmeth that Crispus died in the 20. yeare of the reigne of Constantine and before in his life being Caesar ioyned with Sozomen Hist Eccles l. 1. c. 5. his Father in many Lawes for
but was among other his singular gifts and graces in that time endowed with the spirit of Prophesie and thereby foretold vnto the Emperor Maximus heare in Britaine before his going from hence the vnhappy end he should come vnto Martinus Turanensis Antistes vir pietatis eximae Maximo praedixisse fertur quum in Britannia adhuc esset infelicissimum eius vitae exitum So Sabellic l. 9. Ennead 7. Polydor. Virgil. Angl. Hist l. 3. pag. 5. writeth Sabellicus and Polidor Virgil in the very same words and diuers others before them as the word fertur vsed by them both sufficiently proueth for which we may be bold to vse Seuerus Sulpitius who wrote saint Martins life liuing in that time and familiarly acquainted with him for witnesse for he speaking of the comming of saint Martine to Maximus at Treuers before his attempting any thing against Valentinian in Italy that he should at the first preuaile but shortly after be ouerthrowne and perish he addeth that saint Sulpitius Seuer l. de vit S. Martini cap. 23. Martine Prophesied this vnto Maximus longe before S. Martinus eidem Maximo longe ante praedixit futurum vt si ad Italiam pergeret bellum Valentini ano Imperatori inferens sciret se primo quidem impetu futurum esse Victorem sed paruo post tempore esse periturum quod quidem ita vidimus Which Prophesie vttered by saint Martine to Maximus longe before must needs be heare in Britaine for after such time as saint Martine was thus renowned Maximus was not longe time before this longe ante any where but in this our Britaine And were it not that the Historie of saint Martine vsually read in the Church on his Feast saith he was borne in Pannonia now called Austria we might giue no feeble reasons that he was borne in Pomonia one of our Ilands for heare we are sure he was heare was his Sister or Sisters heare many of his kindred heare many Churches and Monuments of honor founded in his name his name and memory farre more celebrated heare then in Pannonia now Austria or any other Nation whatsoeuer excepting France where he was longe time a most glorious and worthie Bishop Our Iland Pomonia neare those places in Britaine where saint Patrike the sonne of his Sister Couche and saint Ninian sonne of an other his Sister by the Scottish Antiquities was borne often entercourse being betweene our Britaine France at that time of our learned holy men with saint Hilary Tutor to saint Martine which we cannot by any warrant of Antiquitie affirme of Pannonia or Austria especially Sabaria now Lazius Abrah Ortelius de Ant. Regionib oppid alij in descrip Austriae named Stain or Stein in the furthest part thereof set downe for the place of his birth by Sulpitius Seuerus not allwayes holding the soundest opinion in all things and others afterward from him from his Authoritie 3. And except we should vtterly and very rashly deny the Authoritie of S. Bede William of Malmesbury the old Manuscript History of the life of saint Ninian and others whose Authoritie we may not neglect or alltogether condemne the best Scottish Antiquaries in relation of their owne auncient and Religious affaires and proceedings which would bring all our Antiquities into question we must needs say that saint Martine and his Sisters were in Veremund Hist Scot. Willelm ab Elphinscun Hect. Boeth Hist Scot. l. 7. Britaine heare longe before his seating himselfe in France for these Scottish Antiquaries tell vs that S. Martine was Vnkle to saint Ninian Ninianus Episcopus sanctitate Miraculis clarissimus ac Casae Candidae pontificalis in Galdia sedis primus Institutor aedem condidit diuo Martino suo Auunculo sacram And saint Ninian wonderfully allways honored saint Martine Sanctum Martinum miro M. S. Antiq. in vit S. Ninian Capgrau in eod Bed Hist Eccl. l. 3. c. 3. Henric. Hunting Hist l. 3. Gul. Malmes l. 3. de gest Pont. Angl. vit S. Nin. Capgrau in eod Pits Bal. cum alijs in Ninian Hect. Boeth Hist Scot. l. 6. f. 108. 109. Hollinsh Histor of Scotl. semper venerabatur affectu The Historians both of Scotland and England haue warranted vs sufficiently before that the Picts whose first Apostle was saint Ninian as saint Bede Henry of Huntington William of Malmesbury and others write Nima Natione Brito primus ibidem Christi praedicationem Euangelizauit did receaue the faith of Christ at the least in the time of their King Heirgustus when he and his people about the yeare of Christ 369. or 370. were conuerted Christians By which accompt if it be true that saint Ninian was borne of a Sister of saint Martine marryed to saint Ninian his Father heare a Noble and holy Christian Britaine this Sister of saint Martine must needs be marryed heare in Britaine before such time as S. Martine came first into France by Sulpitius Seuerus and other forreine Historians And it further inuincibly proueth that saint Ninian was in this Age many yeares brought vp at Rome made Bishop there and by the Pope sent Apostle vnto the Picts longe time sooner then the common opinion of Antiquaries assigneth to his comming hither And euident it is by all Histories that saint Martine dying as before S. Ninian Apostle of the Picts a Britan sonne of S. Martins Sister renowned in this time about the 400. yeare of Christ was liuing at Tours in France many yeares after saint Ninian the Apostle of the Picts was sent vnto them by the Pope from Rome and had conuerted them also Therefore I may boldly with the Scottish Histories accompt him among the holy and learned Fathers of this Age whereof he spent a greate parte in most holy and austeare conuersation of life preaching the Ghospell of Christ and conuerting Infidels to his true Religion allthough lyuing longe as the Secretaryes of this greate Saint say he suruiued vntill the next Age where I shall more remember him In this place I shall onely entreate of him and his proceedings as they belong vnto and were done in this fourth hundred of yeares 4. This holy man borne heare in Britaine in the Westerne part thereof where the Sea diuideth England and Scotland so now called his Father was Manuscr Ant. in vit S. Ninian Io. Capgrau in eodem a noble Christian and so great that the old Writer of his life writing presently after the Saxons setling there as his words of Brittish Kings there ruling within the memory of some then liuing quorundam memoria comprobatur doe sufficiētly proue calleth him a King Pater eius Rex fuit Religione Christianus His Mother as his Neighbouring Antiquaries of Scotland haue told vs was Sister to saint Martine not Couche the Mother of saint Patrike being greate difference M. S. Antiq. Laurent Surius Zachar. Lippol die 17. Martij in S. Patricio alij euen in time betweene their births and saint Patriks Mother
write he was 16. yeares old when he was carried into Ireland and was kept there in seruitude 6. yeares Cum esset annorum 16. venditus est sex annis vixit in seruitute So he returned into Britaine being 22. yeares old about the yeare of Christ 390. Florentius Wigorniensis agreeth in the yeares of his Age 122. that he died in the yeare 491. and was borne in the yeare 372. and that he was carried Prisoner into Ireland in the 16. yeare of his Age as others doe saith An. 410. that his two Sisters stolen away with him were named the one Lupuit and the other Tigris He was sold to Miluc called a King in the North of Ireland his Sisters into an other part but he placing his death in the 491. yeare sayin An. 491. the was theÌ„ compleate 122. yeares old Anno 491. Sanctus Patricius Hiberniae Archiepiscopus annorum 122. beatissimo fine obijt doth misse his calculation and must say as I haue written before that he was borne in the 369. or 368. yeare of Christ 6. There where diuers other Christian Prisoners carried hence at that time with him into Ireland by those Pagan Pirats Cum esset annorum sexdecim cum caeteris in captiuitate ducitur Whose vertuous behauiour there made such way and disposition to that wilde Pagan Nation that theit Conuersion after by saint Patrike was made more easie For to speake cheifely of this holy YouÌ„ge man allthough he was borne of a Noble Linage Caphurnius vir morum honestate conspicuus diuitijs ac honoribus inclitus being his Father his Mother Sister to the renowned saint Martine Bishop yet now sold among Pagans and put Probus in S. Patric M. S. in vit eius Capgrau in eod Surius Lippom. die 17. Martij to the seruile office of keeping Swine though he began thereby to forget his Noble carnall birth yet of his spirituall Natiuitie in Christ he was so mindefull that euery day and night he prayed an hundred times Centies in Die centies in nocte Deum exorabat By which greate and extraordinary deuotion we may gather though not otherwise expressely remembred in what piety and Religeous conuersation he had bene brought vp heare by his holy Parents Nennius Histor Briton in S. Patricio Matth. Westm an 491. he exercised in Britaine before he was carried Prisoner heÌ„ce NeÌ„nius our old Brittish Writer Matthew of Westminster and diuers others compare him vnto Moises especially in foure respects first for the Angell appearing vnto Moses secondly for his fasting 40. dayes and 40. nights Thirdly for the yeares of his Age 120 fourthly for his graue and sepulchre vnknowne The first of these of the holy Angell often times appearing vnto and comforting saint Patrike keeping his cattaile as vnto Moses was perfectly and in an excellent manner performed not once or seldome but often times declaring his name Victor Conqueror conuersing with him victor Angelus saepe loquebatur cum eo And FloreÌ„t Wigorn. Chronic. supr Manuscr Antiq. Capgrau in S. Patricio testifying vnto him how acceptable his prayers and fastings were in heauen and he should shortly be deliuered from his Captiuitie Apparuit ei Angelus Domini Victor nomine qui frequenter eum Visitans dixit bene ieiunas cito exiturus ad patriam tuam And brought him money for his Ransome The Writer of S. Patricks life testifing that in his time the prints on the earth where the Angell stood were still coÌ„tinuing Stetit Angelus super terraÌ„ vsque hodie manent vestigia eius And allthough I dare not set downe his fast of 40. dayes and 40. nights which Nennius relateth to haue bene on the topp of the hill Eile Quadraginta diebus totidemque noctibus in cacumine montis Eile ieiunauit Wherein he secondly compareth him to Moises to haue bene at this time yet we haue heard his fasting now was such that the Angell commended it bene ieiunas Yet the old M. S. Antiq. de vit S. Patricij Io. Capgrau in eod Writer of his History Capgraue and others are witnesses that he fasted together in this time 30. dayes neither eating nor drinking and yet was well and merry Mansit Patricius diebus triginta non manducans neque bibens hilaris tamen perseuerabat The other two things wherein they compare him to Moises for his Age of 120. yeares and his place of buirall vnknowne must be reserued to their time at and after his death when they chaÌ„ced Onely this heare I add that whereas Nennius giueth vnto him onely with Moises 120. yeares others 122. or 123. the old Manuscript of his life Probus with others say he liued 130. or 132. yeares completis à Natauitate sua annis centum triginta migrauit ad Dominum Which giueth me more warrant to place a greate part of his life in this Age. M. S. Capgr supr Probus in vit S. Patricij Baron Spond an 491. For these Authours are so farre from making his Natiuitie later then I haue done that they say in the yeare of Christ 425. he was 64. yeares old Anno Domini quadringeÌ„tesimo vicesimo quinto hic erat annus aetatis suae sexagesimus quartus and so 39. yeares old in the end of this Age. Neither did S. Patrike in those his often and continuall prayers day and night centies in Die centies in nocte Prayer to Angels and Saints and their protection of lyuers one earth die nocteque precibus intentus pray onely to God omitting his Angels and Saints but vnto these also to his Angels by their often visiting and assisting and to his Saints as namely to Elias to help and deliuer him against the deuill tempting and afflicting him who heard his prayers and so freed him that the deuill confessed he should neuer haue any power ouer him Patricius vocauit Heliam bina voce in adiutorium venitque Helias liberauit eum ait ad eum diabolus ab hac die non habeo Potestatem in te vsque ad diem mortis tuae 7. The old Irish Writer of saint Patrike his life called Probus whomesome Probus in vita S. Patricij Tom. 3. oper Venerab Bedae doe vntruely take to be saint Bede the Booke being placed amoÌ„g his Workes the Authour disclosing therein both his name Probus and Country Ireland affirmeth that saint Patricke was three times taken Prisoner and ledd Captiue and the second time also Miraculously deliuered and restored to his Country Britaine Where he was diligently instructed in learning by the best Professors thereof optimus vsus praeceptoribus among whome saint Martine his Vncle Probus supr Sur. Lippom. die 17. Martij Bar. Spond in S. Paâ—ric Bal. cent 1. in Patricio Pits in eod Hollinsh Hist of Ireland was one staying with him foure yeares vntill his death as it seemeth by the time thereof before related A late Writer then bringeth him to Glastenbury and to haue
subscribed to the Roman Councell vnder S. Syluester 481. 5. Constantine subscribed in the Councell of Arles 483. 3. Constantine did neuer call or confirmed any Councell as a supreame iudge or sentencer 541. 5. Constantine put out an Edict for the quiet of Christians in all places 486. 1. Constantine ouerthrows Licinius 487. 2. Constantine by publike Edicts ascribeth his victories to Christ 487. 4. Constantine honoreth the chast and virginall life 488. 7. Constantine exempted the Cleargy from secular Iudges 489. 7. Constantins donation and munificent enriching the Church of Rome 497. 1. l c. Constantine determined to place his Emperiall seat at Troy 500. 1. Constantine in a Vision commanded to build his Emperiall City at Bizantium 501. 1. Constantine cals his Emperiall Seat Constantinople 502. 2. or 495. 2. Constantine acknowledge the Primacy of the Church of Rome 506. 3. Constantine furdereth the Councell of Nice 507. 6. Constantine refuseth to sitt downe vntill the Councell had caused him so to doe ib. Constantine bannished Arrius 507. 7. Constantins humble reuerence to S. Anthony 522. 6. Constantine made peace with the Persians 531. 4. Constantine procureth quietnesse for the Christians in Persia 532. 6. Constantins greate deuotion at the feast of Easter 532. 5. Constantine frounded a famous Church to the 12. Apostles in Constantinople 532. 6. Constantine erected in the same stately Images of all the Apostles ib. Constantine held prayers and protection of Saincts and helpe to the dead by them and prayer for the dead by the liuing 533. 6. Constantine reuerenced Relikes ib. Constantine commanded S. Athanasius to be restored 531. 3. Constantins death 534. 8. Constantine died not so soone as some write 530. 1. Constantine liued vntill the yeare 339. or 340. 531. 3. Constantins dead body vsed with great Christian pompe 534. 8. Constantius dead body greatly reuerenced by the Christians 534. 8. Constantine worshipped in his picture after his death 535. 9. Constantine prayed for by Preists and others after his death ib. Constantins Reliques worke many miracles 535. 10. Constātins Image workes many miracles ib. Constantine enrowled among the Saints in the Greeke Meneologe 477. 5. S. Constantia Constantins daughter a Virgin and holy Nunne 535. 10. S. Constantia cured from a Leprosie by S. Agnes ib. S. Constantia erected a Nunnery by the place where she was cured 536. 10. Constantius not presently after his Father Constantins death infected with the Arrian Heresie 548. 1. Constantius consented to the recalling of S. Athanasius from exile ib. Constantius sent diuers friendly letters to S. Athanasius ib. Constantius falling into Heresie a great hurt to Catholike Religion in many places 544. 7. Constantius consented to the calling of the great Councell of Sardice 548. 1. Constantius laboureth to peruert the Councell of Ariminum 553. 4. Constantius persecuteth Catholikes 553. 5. Constantius commandeth Vrsatius to persecur the Bishops that would not subscribe to the Arrian Heresie ib. Constantius mallice against Liberius Pope ib. Constantius his Persecution came not into Britaine ib. Constantius by some excused to be no Heretike but a professed Catholike at his death 559. 6. Constantius confessed Christ to be the naturall sonne of God 561. 8. Constantius acknowledged three faults at his death and which they were 559. 6. Penitent for the same ib. Constantius his holy death 560. 6. An Angelicall harmony heard at his buriall 560. 7. Constantius baptized by Enzoius an Arrian ib. Constantius baptized with the true forme of Baptisme 561. 8. Constantius Age and time of death 561. 9. Constantius sent Iulian the Apostata to the dangerous warres of Gallia with intention to haue him slaine 562. 1. Constantius secretly incited Vadomarus King of the Frankes to take armes against Iulian. ib. S. Cornelius Pope maintained appeales to Rome 384. 12. or 395. 12. Sainct Cornelius his other Decrees ib. S. Cornelius Martyred 379. 5. Couche or rather Conche S. Martins Sister married in Britaine 577. 1. Couche S. Patrikes Mother ib. Couldeis men so called by the Scots and who they were 588. 4. Couldeis the principall instruments in conuerting the Scottish and Brittish Nations 389. 4 Couldeis chosen for Bishops ib. Generall Councells necessary 506. 3. No generall Councell to be gathered without the authority of the Church of Rome 540. 4. The first Councell of Anthioch ordained that in euery Prouince their should be a Metropolitan 188. 3. A Councell of Bishops in Cornewall 388. 4. A Councell gathered by S. Syluester at Rome 480. 4. This Councells Decrees concer-cerning Orders the Primacie c. 481. 5. The first Councell at Arles in France consisting of 600. Bishops 482. 1. The Legats of the Pope their present ib. This Councels Decrees 482. 2. The Councell of Nice gathered 505. 1. c. The Popes Legats subscribed first in the same 506. 2. The Councell of Nice desireth the Confirmation of the Pope 509. 12. The Councell of Sardice confirmed the Nicen faith 548. 1. The Coūcell of Sardice Orthodoxall 550. 3. The generall Councell of Sardice quite different from an hereticall Conciliable of the same name ib. The Councell of Ariminum gathered 551. 1. The number of Bishops there both Catholike and Arrian 552. 2. The Councell of Ariminum subscribed to a Materiall error 553. 4. The Councell of Ariminum dissolued ib. Crathlint King of the Scots builded S. Amphibalus a Church in the I le of Man 430. 2. Crathlint his great zeale and deuotion ib. Creete an Iland in the Adriatike Sea 142. 4. Creete aunciently knowne by the name of Hecatompolis 143. 4. 210. 3. The Metropolis of Creete Metropolis to the adiacent Ilands 143. 4. Crosses made and worshipped 138. 5. 328. 5. c. Crosses and Images certaine tokens of Christianity 323. 2. or 321. 2. The Crosse of our Sauiour found out by S. Helen 515. 8. c. The Crosse of our Sauiour knowne by a miracle 520. 22. The Crosse of our Sauiour diminished not for being cut and carried away 520. 21. Crucifying neuer vsed by Britans 45. 3. Curia a City in Rhetia when builded 348. 5. Curia when first a Bishops seat ib. A custome amongst the Romans to haue all strange euents related to the Emperour at Rome 3. 3. D. S. Damasus Author of the Pontificall 174. 2 S. Damasus an aduancer of that Religion which Protestants call Papistry 576. 8. S. Damianus and Fugatianus appointed by S. Eleutherius for his Legats into Britaine 260. 1. S. Damianus and Fugatianus their Power and Commission 260. 2. c. S. Damianus and Fugatianus planted Christian Religion in Britaine 263. 5. c. S. Damianus and Fugatianus were both Bishops 265. 7. S. Damianus and Fugatianus preaching in Britaine and many conuerted by them 266. 1. c. A Protestant confuted for affirming them to haue preuailed litle in preaching 267. 2. S. Damianus and Fugatianus conuerteth vniuersities 269. 4. Sainct Damianus and Fugatianus change the Pagan Temples into Christian Churches 304. 1. S. Damianus and S. Fugatianus returned to Rome for the