nor to expunge and alter all that made against them as this p Spelman Conc. p. 110. 111. Wheloc Annot. in Bede l. 2. c. 8. passage of Augustine against all circumstances and the opinions of the most Candid Antiquaries doing their works of darkness in the light or according to the Brittish saying ymgudhio ar gefn y gist hiding themselves upon the back of chest Not contented with so small a slaughter of Innocents they march on triumphantly to destroy the rest with their famous Monastery of Bangor not above 10 Miles off where they were overtaken by by the Princes of North and south-South-wales and Cornwall c Hist Britt lib. 11. c. 13. who kill'd ten thousand sixty and six upon upon the place Edelfred himself wounded and beaten by Cadvan Prince of north-Northwales chosen for their Monarch as far as Humber Not to mention the cruel Wars that followed between Cadwalhan or according to Bede Cedwalla the Son of Cadvan and Edwin King of Northumberland upon whose overthrow England was shortly after cleared of all the Remainder of our Augustin's plantation in the North and in Kent also as was said Providence making room by the bloud of Martyrs for the plantation of the Gospel amongst the English in our Brittain upon a Brittish score and not a Roman It being more for the English Honour and Vnion and Innocence to have received the Faith from Gods Apostles through Brittish hands than from Rome and Augustine who during the short reign of him and his Italian successors were able by their principles and endowments to sow nothing here but Ignorance and Superstition and Schisme and Rapine and Sacriledge and Murders and Massacres all fathered upon God by Miracles and Revelations as is the usual method with Hypocrites For no Idol set up in any heart instead of Christ as is the World with the chief Governours and the Pope by the governed in the Church of Rome by their Doctrines and practice and every lust or sordid private end in any mans heart whatsoever in Christs throne by negligence and sensuality which is Spiritual servitude and Idolatry but this new Lord of the heart will have new Laws new Religion and and Customes and this new fundamental rule and precept that there must be no other Gods before it But out of zeal to it every thing though of God that shall stand in its way to cross and hinder must down and veile whether it be the voice of Conscience or the lives of the Innocent or the Rights of men and Churches and Nations and Kings or the honour and glory of Almighty God himself For as Christ in the heart mortifies all sin and vice therein so any Idol in the heart mortifies and extirpates all honesty and good Conscience and Christ himself in and out of it This being the great distemper and dangerous captivity of the Souls of men which God in all habitudes and Incarnations is so careful to prevent and preserve as a Hen her young ones from the Invasions of the Aire by careful Parents and sober Governours by Conscience within by the faithful advice of Friends without as a second Conscience by the examples and different ends of men good and evil by Scripture by his Son by his holy Spirit by Pulpits by Tribunals and Executions by Judgments and Plagues Famine Sword Fire and Captivity and Hell fire at last forever to consume it when his care and patience is too much abus'd and his soveraignity despis'd and disown'd and all other means have fail'd Their natural descent and extraction which is not in mens power were it in the modern English from the old Saxons and not from the Brittains in more than â—00 to one than from the other as is far more probable is no disgrace or imputation upon posterity all others having sometimes been equal to them herein in their Heathenish Original at least from Adam who by departure from God began all Idolatry and Heathenism which is the Scripture phrase for Atheisme throughout the World but to derive the Original of their Faith which is more in their choice and election from Hypocrites and Lyars and Murderers such whose present Communion ought to be abhorr'd and detested by all good Christians and by consequence any ancient and past Society or derivation from them the Eternal Soul being unconfined from space and time in its Election and Refusals No English Learned or Unlearned can or ought to involve themselves in such a guilt and participation of Crimes and Errours upon the colour of the first Conversion of their Ancestours by this ignorant and ungodly Monk from Rome because the colour and pretence it self is remov'd out of the way by good Providence and Gods regard to innocent bloud for it shall be made further to appear that this pretended Plantation of our Augustine whatever it was was totally rooted out and extinguish'd here and himself to be no better than a Schismatic or a Pagan for his Intrusion in the account of the Canons of the universal Church as well as of our Injur'd Brittains and the Saxons or English to have had the Gospel rightly preached amongst them in every County by an Orthodox Brittish Ministry of different Principles from the Degenerate Church of Rome which is our fourth point to be cleared in order SECTION IX That the Gospel was planted among the English throughout their Counties by Brittish Ministry And that Augustin's Roman plantation here came to nothing and no Bishop lest in all this land of Rome's Ordination but one and he a Simonaick and that the body of the Nation are Old Brittains and our Princes especially and therefore by honour and nature bound to maintain the Rights of our Brittish Church against Forreign encroachments THat the Gospel by good Providence was planted amongst the Saxons or English throughout the Counties they had reduc'd by Brittish Preachers and Doctors and not by Roman for in the rest of Brittain the old Original Apostolical Faith continued which shall be largely proved by particular Instances of fact after two previous suppositions sent before to prevent and remove the Rubbish of vulgar errours and mistakes 1. And first it is to be remember'd and repeated that the Gospel from its first planting by the Apostles was never extinguish'd or eradicated from among the Brittains as it soon far'd with our Augustin's adventures upon the English but that they persevere to praise God to this day in the same Religion and Language with their forefathers these 1600 years and upwards as they trust to continue till Christ's second coming Being the same Religion that was alike preserv'd amongst the Cornish and several West-Saxons Counties and in the a Usher p. 1005. Cambrian or Cumbrian Kingdom of the Brittains in the North reaching from a Edenburgh Britt Dîn-eden id est Castrum Alatum Aden Britt Ala Din Castrum dinas Civitas Unskieth Insula Angusta ynis Britt Insula Caeth Arcta Lieth i. e. Lhaith Madida Pen-Vael caput valli
were the more lov'd and embrac'd for it by several of them returning as did Constantine the Son of Cador c Usher 540. Prince of Cornwall who upon Gildas his rebuke became a zealous Preacher of the Gospel from a bloudy Debauch and Mouric and Morcant Princes of Southwales became great Patrons and Benefactors to the Church for its fidelity to their Souls against their vitious humours both securing and gaining Heaven to themselves thereby the one by their Integrity the other by their Repentance But as to their blameless and more worthy Princes the Brittish Bishops were never distant from them neither in their d H. Spelmen Council p. 64. danger nor joyes nor deaths Eldad e Histor Brit. lib. 8. Bishop of Gloucester followed King Ambrose in all his Wars and Victories f Usher p. 1128. Dubritius Archbishop of St. David encouraged King Arthur's Army against the Infidels in his Badonic Victory The whole Clergy of the land alwayes assembled to interre g Hist Britt l. 8. c 12 16 24. their Princes at Stonehenge Cowardize in any of their Souldiers in the Cause of their Prince and Countrey h Concil Arelat praesentibus Episcopis Brittanniae can 3. was Excommunication with them The root of Brittish Valour was Conscience and Loyalty according to that Canon of the i Conc. Arausic c. 17. Council of Orange Fortitudinem gentilium mundana cupiditas fortitudinem â—utem Christianorum dei charitas facit Heathens are valiant for some lusts sake Christians for Conscience And it appears by good confession they never were reduc'd for want of Valour or Loyalty to their Prince k Cambrensis Descript Cambr. c. 8 Henric 2. à â—secretis Pitseus p. 276. Emmanuel Emperour of Constantinople requesting of King Henry the Second an account of his Kingdom and Rarities was returned this for one In quadam Insulae parte sunt Gentes quae Wallenses dicuntur tantae audaciae ferocitatis ut nudi cum armatis congredi non vereantur adeo ut sanguinem fundere pro patriâ promptissimé vitamque velint pro laude pacisci In a certain place of this Island there is a Nation called the Welsh of such bold and daring Spirits that they 'l make nothing to cope with Armed men though naked and to spend their bloud for their Countrey their lives for Honour is what they most desire and wish for Newbrigensis delivers the same Character in effect though not with the same Candour Barbaros Audaces alieni sanguinis z Newbrigensis l. 2. c. 5. avidos proprii prodigos And if they had not been not only overpowred but outwitted by Edward the first by a mercyful Providence they had sought it out to the last man with disadvantage rather than survive their Prince Rege incolumi mens omnibus una amisso rupâ—re fidem And since they came under the English Crown they have acted and greatly suffered in several Civil Wars but never against the Right Soveraign A fair Inducement to our Royal Princes of Wales not to rest content with the bare title but to be better acquainted with their people for their encouragement as we find Prince Arthur of late to have kept his Court amongst them for the best bloud will clot if never cherished by the heart Nor were the Princes and Gentry and People inferiour in their respects and honour to their Church which with Tertullian is a great sign and Character of the true and Orthodox By the Law of Howel Dha l Leges Howel Dha apud Spelman c. 29 Of the three that were of the Quorum to make a Court the Clergy man ever was one and the alone custos rotulorum The Ancient Princes never feasted nor consulted nor went to m Histor Brit. lib. 8. c. 7.8.12 l. 29. c. 4.14 â—5 War without their Bishops as before Ethelfred's cruelty towards the Monks of Bangor went soon to all their hearts which cost him above 10000 of his men upon the place and the loss of his Kingdom shortly after their common respects to the meanest of their Clergy appears out of Cambrensis n Câ—mbrens descript Cambr. c. 18. viro cuilibet Relligioso monacho vel clerico vel cuicunque Religionis habitum praeferenti statim projectis armis cernuo capite benedictionem petunt any Church-man they met whether Monk or Minister that wore the habit of Religion they threw aside their arms and with humble bow and Reverence asked his blessing the greatest Gentry for Birth and quality of right Brittish education and Principles are observ'd to our days not to take the right hand of any Minister minding him by their respect which they count no disparagement to mind himself and his coate the better The Church of Rome procures the like Reverence from the greatest of her Grandees but by Romish Arts and Indirect sollicitations as 40 dayes pardon of venial sins for kissing the Garment of him that celebrates with other secular contrivances and Inducements But the Brittish Church hath respect from her own and others of high degree and Dignity without such bribes and politick encouragements The Churches of Scotland and Ireland her Daughters sided with her against Popery about a 1000 years ago with utmost zeal and vigour when she was desolate and over-powr'd The greatest Pillars of our Church in latter years the renowned Arch-Bishops Vsher and Parker and Bramhall with others bestowed learned pains in her particular honour and defence when she had but small power to requite their Love not to mention the like esteem in the breasts and mouths of many if not all our Reverend and learned Mitres both dead and living Nor were nor are their People that retain their right Brittish principles less wanting in mutuall Charity and respects to one another and especially in compassion towards the weaker and poorer sort for in such kind of charity and succour none perhaps came nearer to the Primitive Christians who had all in o Act. 4.35 Common amongst them than our Right Ancient Brittains of whom saith Cambrensis p. Cambrens descript Camb. cap. 18. Nemo in hac gente mendicus omnium enim c. though they were poor yet none was in want amongst them if any had it to give de q ibidem Usher p. 364. quo libet pane apposito primum fractionis angulum pauperibus dant of every loafe set upon the their table the first cut was laid aside for the poor their frequent meetings prohibited by the severe Laws of Henry the fourth therein called Cymmorthaes were clubs of the Richer sort amongst themselves to relieve their poor friends and neighbours as the word imports being comportations or Collections to set up the poor not wholly out of use to this day Largitatem p. Cambrens descript Camb. cap. 18. dapsilitatem cunctis virtutibus anteponunt Lberality and Hospitality for others to farewell by them they fancied above all other vertues whatsoever I suppose he alludes to
Brittish Rights and Priviledges as the Catholick Goths and Vandalls to succeed St. Peter The Conquerors and Conquered being the same persons in fiction but as much against the will of the one as with the desire and lust of the other like Jonas in the belly of the Whale But the English and Brittains are further one and the same people by Adoption of Laws more than by the power of the Sword and by Contracts and Treaties and Surrenders and Trust as Wives are the same persons with their Husbands The English therefore are bound to maintain the Rights and Immunities of the Brittish Church in point of Honour and Trust as well as for their own Concern and Interest When the a Liv. Decad. 1. l. 7 Campans could not prevail with the Romans to take their part against the Samnites who were too strong for them they surrendred their City and Country to the Romans and pleaded by their Embassadour Quandoquidem nostra tueri adversus vim c. vestra certè defendetis If you cannot be prevail'd upon to defend Our Interests against our Enemies we leave it upon you to defend your Own Tum jam fides agi visa deditos non prodi Then they conceived themselves bound by Faith to defend their charge and Prostrate allyes which was a greater tye upon their noble spirits than the preservation of their Empire and there is no spirit so mean nor a Hen upon any dunghill to be found without the like sence and concern and courage to power towards her young ones in like dependance And as a greater part of the Loegrian-Brittains came under the power of the Saxons by guift and alliance and by craft r Dolo non fero W. Malemsb lib 3. de gestis pontific Londin Dr. Heylin Help to History p. 37. more than by the Sword so when the Brittains of Wales agreed with Edward the first to accept a Prince of his nomination that were born in Wales Å¿ Dr Powel History of Wales and understood no English which proved to be his own eldest Son born about that time in Carnarvon Castle and ever afterwards the eldest Sons of every successive King of England this his Heading the body of that Nation with his own Son on the one hand whom they believed to be their own flesh and bloud on the other was a manifest Incorporation of Wales by the Intention of both in the person of the Prince several †Statul Ann. 12 Edw. 1.27 H. 8. c. 26. Acts of Parliament giving confirmation afterwards thereunto But which is the fullest completion of Union Both Nations are one not only by Law but by Bloud not in the Prince of Wales alone but in the King himself which is all in all He being bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh For our English Kings and Princes are now more Brittains than any of our Cambro-Brittains being Royal-Alban-Loegrian-Cambro-Brittains all in one and the same person and therefore more bound by Nature and Honour as well as Soveraignty to be zealous to assert the Ancient Liberties of the Brittish Church against Rome's Enchroachments and usurpations than any other Brittains whatsoever Now no persons can be imagin'd to be made one and the same by stronger tye than by such triple Union by bloud and by their wills and consent and by necessity whether they will or no And though generous natures are apt to be free and liberal yet what wiseman ever parted with his Birth-right or what person of spirit or honour ever relinquish'd or betrayed his trust and charge over the Rights of others out of liberality I shall conclude these Previous Observations against vulgar mistakes and comprize my subsequent Proofs in a passage of an Anonymons Author published in the late times reported to be Mr. Selden and very right in this Their courage at last revived and by divers Victories by the space of 200 years God stopped the hasty conquest of the Saxons the result whereof by Truces Leagues Commerce conversation and Marriages between both Nations declared plainly that it was too late for the Saxons to get all their bounds being predetermined by God and thus declared to the world In all which God taming the Britton's pride by the Saxon's power and discovering the Saxons darkness by the Britton's light made himself Lord over both people in the conclusion These Suppositions premised I come to Positive proofs for the Conversion of the English that it was by Brittish Ministry and not by Roman For some of our Incomparably Learned Writers give it almost for graunted though they sufficiently fortifie against the inconvenience that our English Christians stand not so secure from the danger of this Romish pretention as the Brittish do For the Brittish Bishops sayes the great and good Dr. Hammond u Dr. Hammond of Schism p. 113. still holding out against this pretention and that with all reason on their side if the title of conversion which the Romanist pleads for our subjection may be of any validity with him it must needs follow that the Whole Island cannot upon this score of Augustine's conversion be now deemed schismatical it being certain that the whole Island and particularly the Dominion of Wales was not thus converted by Augustine nor formerly by any sent from Rome or that observed the Roman Order as appears by the observation of Easter contrary ro the usage receiv'd at Rome but either by Joseph of Arimathea or Simon Zelotes as our Annals tell us most probably And this in the first place must needs be yielded by those that expect to receive any advantage by this argument But which is more if the Whole Island as well as the Dominion of Wales and the English as well as Brittish Sees may be equally proved to have had their conversion from Other hands and not from Rome it may seem worth while to shew this because it will fully stop the mouth of Rome as to this brag and quite remove all imputation and colour of Schism out of doors And the positive proofs for this may be rank'd under two heads 1 For a pure Conversion 2. a Mixt. By the first I mean a Conversion of the English Nation by men men of Brittish Extraction and Descent as well as Doctrine and Dissent to the Supremacy of Rome and its other errours that is by Brittains only without the assistance of any other Nation in this work By the second I mean a Conversion wrought by men of Brittish Principles Ordination Mission and equally opposite to the Roman way and order but of Different Extraction partly Brittish and partly of other Nations yea and of their own Touching the pure Brittish conversion of the English by the Ancient Brittains alone x Antiquitates Eccles Permultos Reges Anglo Saxonas conversos ante Augustinum nisi nostris externis fidem detrabamus p. 8. before the arrival of Monk Augustine little occurs in Bede but what he is forc'd now and then to drop and halâ—
e Bed l. 1. c. 26. Bertha had so prepar'd Luidhardus her Chaplain who attended her was well able to consummate and to Baptize the King whom he had no doubt instructed in the Faith before which he was far more qualified to do than Augustine was or could be having not the Tongue nor that guift of Miracle What came this Monk so many Miles hither for was it for the souls health of the Saxons and to Preach the Gospel to them in conjunction with the Brittains as he here pretends he should have us'd some likely means towards the attaining of this end better ingratiated himself with the Brittains than to pick quarrels about trifles and tonsures and inconsiderable Ceremonies against the General e Bed lib. 1. c. 28. Instructions of his Pope honoured them with his communion as did Bertha and Luidhardus hinder'd confederacies with Pagans against them as did f Antiyuitat p. 34. Palladius in Scotland or as Leland Roundly and solidly reproves this Italian Hypocrisie and zeal of him and his Pope in the judgement of the learned and eloquent f Antiyuitat p. 34. Arch-Bishop Parker supposed to be the Author of Antiquitates Ecclesiasticae debuerat Gregorius admonuisse Saxonas gentem perfidem ut si sincerè Christianismum admittere vellent Britanniae Imperium quod contra Sacramentum militiae per tyrannidem occupaverant justis Dominis as possessoribus restituerent Pope Gregory by his Augustine ought to have admonished the Saxons who were a perfidious Nation that if they intended to embrace the Christian Faith in sincerity and to any purpose they should restore the Scepter of Brittain to the right Lords and owners who had hir'd them for their service and defence from whom on the contrary they wrested it by force and perjury against the Faith and honour of Souldiers But Cressy objects quiet Possession for 4 or 5 descents fron Hengist as if Emrys or Aurelius Ambrosius and Vther Pendragon and Arthur as well as Young Vortimer had made no re-enties But this seemed as unsuccessful Divinity with Augustine as to desire the leave and liking of the Brittains to be Arch-Bishop of Canterbury over their heads or to be ordained and consecrated by the Brittish Bishops in order thereunto which he so far shunned that he went over Seas to France as far as Arles to g Bede lib. 1. c. 28. Etherius Arch-Bishop there to receive his consecration for Arch-Bishop of England and that saith Bede by the special directions of Pope Gregory which compar'd with the former passage of the same Pope concerning Brittain never having had a Pall from Rome and consequently never being Subject to or depending upon that See and their subsequent indefatigable Industry after Augustine's Plantation and succession was extinct of thrusting new Arch-Bishops from time to time and undervaluing all our Brittish consecrations manifestly proves the bottom of Romes design upon England that it was not Edification but Empire that was ever there aim though with the ruin of this Ancient Church if it could no other ways be compassed so Augustine had the face in a Synodical meeting of the Brittish Bishops near Worcester as before to require the Brittains to joyn with him assuming now to be an Arch-Bishop here against leave and Law and Canons to Preach the Gospel to the Saxons which was his pretext and Artifice to hook in their allowance and approbation of his unjust and Schismatical usurpation which subtile Proposal was difficult to be granted or denied but either with the Inconvenience of betraying their Church and Country and Christian communion by the Canons of the Church if they yeilded to joyn with him or having the odium of witholding the Gospel from the Saxon Pagans if they refus'd which is the true rise and State of this Infernal calumny rais'd again the Brittains of their denying to Preach the Gospel to the Saxons which induc'd the worthy and Reverend Author afore mention'd h Bed l. 2. c. 2 to conclude this meeting to have been contriv'd for a snare to get words of Indignation from them to provoke the Pagan Saxons to form a War against them to ruin the remainder of the Brittish Clergy in Wales and to cover the combination with Prophesie to Father the murder upon God to make it justice 3 And accordingly Ethelbert as Bede acknowledges h Bed l. 2. c. 2 provok'd Ethelfred King of Northumberland the chief Patron of Paganism and Enemy of the Christian Faith against them upon the score of the high words that passed between them and Augustine at that meeting and it is as easy to guess who informed and incensed his new convert King Ethelbert from his denunciation of War against them upon the place though in the form of Prophesie and Divine Revelation Si pacem cum fratribus accipere nollent bellum ab hostibus forent accepturi no small evidence with considering men i Antiquitates Ecclesiast p. 47. non conscius sed causa Belli p. 48. of this Apostles having a chief hand in the Barbarous ensuing murders and long and bloudy Wars and devastations that followed which he could so certainly fortell for these and other Saxon Kings coming with united forces against Brochwael Scythrawg Prince of Powys not so well provided for them and soon putting him to the rout at Legecestria saith Bede that is Westchester Wales being then larger than now it is and by the Brittains called Caerleon from a Roman Legion that quartered in that City sell in the next place upon the Monks that were with him in his Army and slew of them 1250. no more but fifty of them escaping Their assisting with their Prayers being made a pretence for this hostile usage by the Kings so saith Bede But the Norman Ancient M. S of Trivet in Spelman i Spelman Cnncil p. 112. saith that they were found in the City k Wheeloc not in c 2. l. 2. Bede and every one of them put to the Sword in cold bloud because they were Brittains the Latine copies of Bede add this to be done after the death of our Augustine but there is no such clause in any of the Saxon Manuscripts l Monachi pacem petentes crudeliter occisi H. Lhuid fragm Brit. p. 58. and Bishop Jewel finds Augustine's hand to several Charters signed some years after this Massacre committed in m M. Westm An. 603· 603. whereas our Augustine acording to our best Chronologers dyed not n Spelman Concil p. 93. till 613 so that He might well be present at the place of their slaughter o Jewel defense part 5. c 1. p. 438. If it was not according to some in 613. the same year that he dyed which was a bloudy Legacy encouraging their Executioners Whereby we have a tast of the Roman forgeries while they were masters of our Records and Manuscripts Nothing that seemed to make for their Church have they neglected to insert without either Art or Colour
half a word spoaken to any of our Gracious Princes by our Reverend Bishops in behalf of a long oppressed Church would make Wales also a full sharer in the Common liberty and benefit of the Reformation They being the first sufferers in Europe for their early opposition against the Supremacy and Superstitions of Rome several hundreds of years before Martyn Luther was born or heard off and therefore more fit to be considered notwithstanding former enmities who ever was in fault in a Protestant Church and a Polite and curious Nation that hath a fam'd regard for Antiquity in stones and marbles The visible and distinct Remnant of the Ancient Brittains in Wales whom Rome hath endeavoured these 1000 years to suppress and destroy in their fortunes and faith and fame and value and love with several of the English being the most Ancient standing and living Monument and Record against Popery in this our Western World Must that Ancient leaven that gain is godliness and Superiority hook or by crook over Ancienter Churches be retained with scandall for ever in the best of Reformed Churches Is there none that will speak but for themselves none against themselves and purse and pride for conscience Justice and the interest of Protestantism And yet I believe the Brittish Church had rather rest in Patience as they are than arrive at any deliverance or redress or liberty by any means unpeaceable or unamicable much less indirect Neither can their rights and Priviledges be further withheld from them without deserving and Incurring the Censures and Anathemaes of General Councils manifest and unanimous in their defence which if they are not to be regarded wherefore are they Read or Printed and not without some defiling approbation of a most unrighteous and an unconscionable Popish Sentence past against them and their Successors without cause and with as little colour against all faith and Truth and promise of Protection leaving them in the Lurch in the midst of their trust and submission against the use and Custom and Instinct and honour of all Patrons and Creatures whatsoever but his Holiness alone Withall hard usage is more tolerable from an Enemy than from a friend and from the corrupt Roman Church where tyrannical and ambitious principles are so openly professed and own'd than from a neighbouring Orthodox Church of Christ who suck'd the breasts of the Brittish or others at least who had been nurs'd and nourished by her Milk Neither was it the Intention or practice of the Roman Court that Churches should remain concluded for ever by any of its Sentences whether just or unjust as appears in the frequent contests heretofore between the Arch-Bishops of York and Canterbury for Primacy where after both parties were well spunged and squeezed by decrees and Sentences for each the right of precedency reverted after all where it ran before in its former Channell If a Pope predecessor exempted York from Canterbury upon a considerable feeling The Next Pope his Successor who had no share in that Boon is troubled in Conscience if well illuminated by a splendid present from the adverse side till Canterbury were righted and the Ghost of Austin appeas'd At last this Controversy was referr'd by the Pope to the pleasure and decision of our own Kings whose Original right to judge of this Cause was now remarkably estabished in the Crown by this concession and president from what motive soever it proceeded for it thwarted two of their chiefest fundamentalls their Profit and their Incommunicable Judicature of Church matters which they seldom quit where they have either cowardly or credulous Kings to deal with And so we find that the wise and valiant King Edward the third put an everlasting period to that Controversy under his great a Sr. Roger Twisden Histor Vindicat. p. 21 22. Seal As any of his Protestant Successors being better enlightned and Brittishly allyed may give due redress to the Ancient See of St. David in like manner if they please and also unite Canterbury to London as it was ever at first The Extinction of great and Ancient Sees being Sacriledge but their Translation from that place to this the undoubted right of Princes which is the third point That the Protestant Constitution and Confirmation of the Primacy of Canterbury is according to the b Photii Nomocanon Tit. 1. c. 20. Concil Eph. Can. 8. Concil in Trullo Can. 38. Concil Chalced. Can. 12. 17. Canons of the Universal Church as well as the Law of this Land which is sufficiently cleared before and hereafter and more at large and irrefragably by several great Writers of our Church particularly Dr. Hammond and Archbishop Bramhall to whom they are referred who have a mind to meet more Instances and Presidents on this point And our Romanists of any men should not except or regret at the Constitution of our chief Chairs by the Authority of our lawful and Brittish Kings whose first power and footing here was by the aid and assistance of Conquerours and Invaders to the wrong of this Church For though the Pope first pointed out London who had the same right to dispose of the Crown as of the Chaire yet the Influence of King Ethelbert settled the Primacy at Canterbury as some of the Norman Kings wrested that of St. David to it by meer force and power If therefore they believe in behalf of themselves that Kings may constitute or translate Metropolitan Sees against old Right and Canons much more may they do the same with Right and Canons of their side For lawful Kings in their own Territories succeed in that power which was given or restor'd by General Councils to Christian Emperours to make what Alteration and translations of Sees and Primacies as they should see cause The Emperours and Metropolitans both agreeing and consenting that before any new Metropolitan See should be alter'd that the Mother Church should be satisfied and understand from his Majesty under his hand that he was not surpriz'd or sollicited or misled by others in what he did as well might be the Case of Canterbury in its Confirmation by our English Kings in the darkness of Popery before the Reformation but that he did it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his own accord and choice and for a just and convenient cause either out of respect to the Dignity of the new place or City or out of particular honour to the personal vertue and merits of its present Prelate or for some publick benefit and advantage to the Church in general as Balsamon Notes on the 38 Canon of the General Council in Trullo whereby it appears that it is still in the power and Authority of the Kings of Great Brittain to settle continue or translate this Primacy by their Laws to what place they please and to restore the same to London where it formerly was if by any just cause they shall be mov'd thereunto Either 1. out of respect to the 6th Canon of the great and venerable Council of
as before in Lhoegr under Normans with g Cambden Fitz Hamon in Deheubarth or Southwales and very often in Northwales in the like manner The h In not ad pag. praeced Gwalh of the Ancient and blind-side of our English or Modern Brittains lying most in their Schisms and unâ—eaceable Divisions to the advantage of Rome against them both heretofore and to this day The utmost Impression Julius Caesar could make here was through the help of Mal-contents The Conquest by Claudius was by a general division watch'd and espyed and fomented by Roman Art as appears from Tacitus Olim regibus parebant nunc per Principes factionibus studiis trahuntur nec aliud adversus validissimas gentes utilius quam quod in Commune non consulunt ita dum singuli pugnant Vincuntur Vniversi They were formerly entire under Kings and then not to be approach'd but now they stand divided into factions and parties under Petty Princes And nothing prov'd more for the Roman advantage against so powerful a Nation but their divisions and neglect of Publick Union and Councils for while each fought apart they were all Conquered in the end But neither Brittains nor any other could be compar'd to the Romans for success for Courage and Spirit they well might Aeneas his Character and greater Fathers well fitted them Disce puer virtutem ex me verosques labores fortunam ex aliis The Brittains can better boast of their Innocence and abstinence from wronging than of Conquest and Dominion over others and for personal valour they appear not inferiour to any Roman of them all man for man yea well nigh their Women who in Roman History are Recorded to Lead and Fight and fall under the Roman a Tacit. Ann. l. 14. Miles ne Mulierum quidem neci temperabat Cambd. p. 36. Eagles in defence of their Liberties and virtues without disparagement to Roman manhood vincendum vel cadendum id b Ibid. mulieri destinatum viverent viri servirent They were resolv'd to Conquer or dye let others live if they would and be slaves and the like temper in publick danger of Towns and Cities besieged occurrs in latter times that in some part the breed of the Cooks may be measur'd by the Hens But two Instances remarkably prove our old Brittains to be no way Inferiour to the old Romans in point of Valour Their long and stout defence before their Reduction in the time of Caractacus the fame of their Legions in Roman Musters after they were reduc'd Helvicus miss-leads his Readers when he relates Caractacus to be brought Prisoner to Rome before the time of Caligula for it was not till about the 11th year of Claudius or the 51th of Christ for the War began in the second the year that Pudens and Ruffina appear'd at Rome for the Gospel whither she and her Friends might then well resort though not to visit Caractacus who was not yet taken yet in the attendance of his Father Cynvelyn or Cynobelinus who there was c Histor Brit. educated And he very probably was mis-lead herein by the Scottish History who would make Caractacus to be of that Country but though Galgacus were and he not a Scotch-man either but a d Caledion plur Brit. duri Caledonian 1. hardy Brittain most manifest it is that Caractacus his Portion and Principality was in the South part of this Isle for he was Prince of the Silures and Ordovices who according to Cambdem and all Geography were South 〈◊〉 and north-North-Wales and Cornwal very probâ—â—â—y â—â—â—â—â—of the one might be deriv'd from Isel-Wyr or Low-Countrey men and the other Gwyr-ychaf at Dow … ly or High-Countrey men upon the River Dee North-Wales being more high and Mountainous than South-Wales and were also and are call'd by other names as the one Gwynedh i. Albion from its Snowdon Alps and the other Deheubarth or Dextral part from its Southern Situation The Brittains after the manner of the East terming the South Deheu or to the right as the East it self with them is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or before which furthers proves a nearer cognation between the Brittans and the East than between other Europeans And the Silures might well comprehend Cornwal also because alike in Tribe with the other two or Caesar's Aborigines and the adjoyning Islands of Syllies prove as much being so call'd according to Solinus a Cambden from the Silures Neither was Powys probably or middle Wales call'd Paradwys Cymru or the Paradice of Wales out of his Dominion whose chief Cities were Westchester or Caer-Leon and Salop or Shrewsbury in the Brittish Amwythig and Pengwern for thereabouts he received his last defeat where the works are to be seen and his name retain'd upon them to this day as before Which Territory he maintain'd without other assistance against Claudius Caesar and his great and Renoun'd Commanders A. Plautius and Flavius and Titus Vespasian Father and Son both Emperours afterwards c. for nine years so here is in a manner three Emperours against one Prince and the whole World United against one Kingdom divided b Vetus miles multâ praeliorum experientiâ c. apud Camden p. 36. experienced Veterans against fresh-men not so much us'd to War Neither was their Conquest cheap as Suetonius would make it no favourer of Claudius â—ut dear and bloudy as appears from Tacitus Agricâ—la's Son-in-Law Governour here shortly after and therefore better inform'd c Idem p. 31. ex tacit Claudii Plautii ductu tricies cum hoste conflixit Vespasianus That Vespasian had Engag'd in Person in two and thirty fights against them and in one with much ado Rescu'd c Idem p. 31. ex tacit from their hands by the high valour of his Son Titus and how is it to be conceived that either could express such valour so often unless their had been correlative valour on the other side as often to put to it Nor is it to be believ'd that such great Generals would have come out for Fame and Honour against any mean or ordinary Enemie as our Great Ruperts are not imployed upon a Virginia expedition or against a King Philip and so it appear'd in the sence of all the Provinces when this invincible Prince was overpowr'd and his Wife and Daughter taken and himself betrayed into their hands for Triumph by his Neighbour Q. Cartismandua ut fermè adversa sunt intuta As in adversity it is hard to find whom we may trust a Tacit. saith the Historian b Idem Ann. lib. 12. Vnde fama ejus evecta insulas proximas Provincias pervagata per Italiam quoque celebrabatur avebantque visere quis ille qui tot per annos opes Romanas sprevisset Ne Romae quidem ignobile Caractaci nomen erat The name of Cradoc was famous at Rome and Italy and over all the Neighbouring Provinces who flock'd and long'd to see what manner of man he was that for so
General Council regulates the Controversie about Easter for Peace and Unity against great traditions p. 16â— The Brittains left their Eastern observation of Easter in submission to the Council of Arles and Nice p. 164. 166. The difference between Rome and Brittain about Easter at Augustine's entrance was Astronomical not Doctrinal like our stiâ—o novo veteri saving that the Monk and his party pretended the Golden Number to have been a tradition of St. Peter p. 167. The like Ignorance Parallel'd in a modern Enthusiaâ—â— p. 168. Rome justifies the old Church of Brittain to have been Orthodox throughout because it had no more to except against it in Doctrine but this Easter difference p. 169. The Brittish Church took the 7 Churches of Asia for her Pattern in the first division of her Sees according to some of the Heathen Flamins and Archflamins according to others not so probable p. 170 All holy and good Bishops were Successors of St. Peter and all Carnal and corrupt Successors of Judas in the Brittish estimation p. 171. An account of several Ancient Customes and Traditions of the Brittish Church differing from the Roman and agreeing with the Catholick Church And Rome condemned in her Clergy and Laity in General Councils for not observing some of them 172. Of Wednesday and Friday in the Holy Week and their Brittish names and Grawys or Leâ—t ibid. Of their Plygains or solemn Carolls on Christs Nativity befor break of day still continued p. 173. What honour they had for the Cross how they Prayed for the dead their great beliefs of the Immortality of the Soul and detestation of lying ibid. Of their Eremites and Nunneries Their Monks followed the Rule of Aegypt and the East p. 173 174. Their Clergy might marry p. 174. Their Bishops were chosen by Clergy and people their Archbishops by their Kings and Synods and Parliaments p. 169 And never sought to Rome for Palls or Ordinations p. 175 They differed from Rome in their Tonsuâ—es if they had any at all p. 174. Their singular esteem of Episcopal blessing or Confirmation p. 174. 175. Their resort to the East and Jerusalem whithâ—r St. Helena went and Pelagius and St. David and Teâ—law and Paternus and the three last ordained Bishops by that Patriarch p. 176 177. The Antient Greek Fathers are Records of our Brittish Ecclesiastical Antiquities why p. 177 178. The Homilitical customes of the Brittish Church p. 178. Their respect and Loyalty to their Princes whom yet they reprov'd for their scandals and of the Brittish Valour for their Countrey and from what Principle and a Passage from K. Henry 2d to the Emperour of Constantinople concerning them p. 178 179 180. The respect of Brittish Princes and Gentry towards their Clergy p. 181 182. Of the Brittish Charity in Commerce with one another with an account of Syberw q. d. ys berw valdâ— Scaturiens Effluens and ansyberw wherein they plac'd all practical Religion and irreligion to this day and of their Cymortha's prohibited by King Henry 4th what they were with application to some of our Brittish Gentry p. 182 â—83 seqq The present Church of England profesies the same with the Ancient Brittish the people are more the same Nation than Italians are Old Romans p. 186. The Romanists have no colour to impute Schism to the Brittish Church nor to ask where was our Religion before Luther p. 187. The character of the false Apostles agrees with Modern Rome p. 189 190 198. Communion with the Church of Rome when best unsuccessful to Brittain p. 190 191. The Romanists shook off the Greek Exarchs their lawful Governours by unlawful means and blame us for doing the same to unlawful Governours by lawful means 192 193. The Brittains more offended with the Romanists their fellow Christians for Robbing them of their Sees than with the Pagan Saxons who rob'd them of their Countrey p. 193 194. SECT VIII Monk Augustine's Learning and Principles and Elocution for his Work and his Cases of Conscience sent to Rome whether a woman being with Child might be Baptiz'd c. p 195. seq Of his direction to purifie Idol Temples with Holy Water and the consequences of this errour p 197. His Elocution p. 201 His method of Propagation combination with Heathens against Christians false Miracles Massacres p 203 219. seq London averse to him and his followers why p. 205 206. His Miracles and his Companions p. 207 209. His exceptions against the Brittains 209 210. The Calumny rais'd against the Brittains of denying the Gospel to the Saxons confuted p. 210. seq And how the snare was laid p. 225. Of Gavel kind or Gavel Kent the Tenure of Kent p. 217. Of Christ-Church Canterbury an Old Church of the Brittains and Bede's partiality in concealing the Conversion of Kentish Saxons by Brittish Clergy p. 218. Who were permitted after the first storm was over to continue in England till Augustine's Arrival p. 215. Romanists Schismatics here unavoidably p. 220 221. An account of the reason of Augustine's unnatural Combination with Heathens against Christians in a Brittish Proverb p. 221 222. There was no need of Augustine's coming hither p. 223. What had been his duty p. 224. Empire and profit was Rome's design here not Religion p. 225 223. The Monks of Bangor murder'd by Augustine's procurement p. 226. seq The Brittish Princes reveng'd their deaths p. 228. The effects of an Idol set up in the heart in Christ's stead p. 229. The English cannot take Augustine for their Apostle why p 230 203. SECT IX The Gospel from its first planting never failâ—d in Wales Cornwall Cumberland Scotland p. 232 423. Conquerours destroy the Nobles and Gentry not the Communalty p. 233 The Trunk and body of the Nation was alwayes Brittish under Roman Saxon and Norman Conquerours Ibid. The Montâ—ossian Family of Brittish descent p. 234 How several parts were yielded to the Saxons upon terms p. 235. 236. 237. A Brittish Church in England under the Saxons p. 238. 239 c The Brittish tongue preserved amongst the Communalty in Wales upon the score of the Gospel p. 240 243. A Proposal of charity â—or Brittish Servants in London p. 243 244. The Saxons forward to Unite with the Brittains by Intermarriages p. 244. seqq Why more of Brittish extraction in England than of any other p. 247. more discernible in the nobility and Royal bloud p. 248 249. Invasions compared to inundations and feavers how p. 249. 250 English can succeed in Brittish rights and exemptions as well as Goths and Vandals in St. Peter's Roman Chair p. 251 252. How the English are bound in Honour as well as interest to defend the old Brittish rights p. 252. and especially our Princes p. 253. The precedent discourse summed in the words of an Anonymous writer p. 254. Some Learned men conceived not the English so safe from the pretences of Rome about their faith as the Brittains in Wales but without ground p. 254. 255 A great or most part of the English Nation converted to
Theon out of York and London Congersbury or Wells being a member of the Brittish Arch-Bishoprick of London and barring thereby the title of Occupancy which was Augustine's beatifical aim and giving edge to the Canons of General Councels against him for this forcible entrance neither is it at all improbable that the Brittains should affect here to mingle Rights and Protections by Intermarriages with the Saxons after they became Christian who were so culpably forward to be unequally yok'd before and be inclin'd to relinquish all notes of destinction apace the old style of Easter and their Brittish names and dialect and change Lhoid into Grey and Winn into White c. which signifie the same and though some sturdily retain'd their Brittish names of Dunne and d ee and Gough and Moyle and Trever yet others chang'd perhaps Trewen Trevechan Trene widh c. into Whittington Littleton Newton c. of the same signification for their convenience as upon like imitation now in Wales Powell Prichard Progers Jones c. are become standing Sirnames of Families which before with the old Brittains were but the Christian names of the Fathers ap Howel ap Risiart Roger Joan c. yea perhaps to disown all alliance with the Brittains in Wales standing out in War partly for security to themselves as the heard forsake a Deer that is pursued or Courtiers a fallen favorite partly out of modable conformity to the prevailing party as in a great part of Devonshire or Duffneint and Cornwall which are old Brittish Territories where it is freshly known the same Ancient people remain but their Language much worne out and giving place to another like as in little Bittain the whole entire Countrey are old Brittains whether some old Legions of Maximus settled there under c Several Dukes of Brittain were afterward so called Conâ—n Merriadoc d Hist Brit. Galsr as saith the Brittish Histories or new exiles forc'd thither as elsewhere by the Saxons e Usher 421. 422. as the Learned Primate guesses because he meets no mention in Authors of them abiding there till the Invasion of Gallia by the French which is near Cotemporary to that of Lhoegr by the Saxons though it is hard to imagine how they should win their Country from others who failed to defend their own But though they be undoubted Brittains in their origen yet now there is little or no difference between them and the meer French in appearance especially on that side of the Country towards France or High Brittain where the Brittish Language is wholy forgot and extinguished as amongst the Brittains of Lhoegr So in Gallia or France it self though the old Inhabitants the Gaules or Galli seem quite consumed every Mothers Son since the modern French or Franci out of Germany invaded their Land chang'd and suppressed their Language Names and Laws yet nothing is more evident by Historical character than that the Nation is still the same though the name and dress be alter'd and what by the nature of the Air and what by Inter-marriages with one another and what by Divine mercy relieving right owners at last on the one hand and vengeance on the other cutting off the lives and lines of men of bloud and violence the French are still the same Old Gauls of whom f M. Florus lib 2 c. 4. Florus his character about 2000 years ago is found true to this day primus impetus major quam virorum sequens minor quam faeminarum above men at first assault below women at rally Neither have our modern French the zeal and humour of the old Franci after liberty from whence they had that name In like manner in several Counties of Wales especially amongst several of the Gentry all is alter'd since the time of Henry the seventh who broke the middle wall of Partition and united in himself both Nations into one and the Councel settled in the marches not only in taking new and single Sirnames after the English manner instead of their Ancient and Brittish stile compounded of Progenitours as the modern Christian names of Europe's Grandees are with friends and Patrons which us'd to puzzle the English Judges of that Court in their Circuits and occasion a mistake of one man for 3 or 4 but in the total disuse of the Brittish tongue and using the English instead in several of their Families whether to follow the English as many of the English do the French or to avoid the burden and Inconvenience of being singular and distinct in so small a number against so great a body as is now the English Nation or because of their Intermarriages with the English in civility to their consorts which example of theirs were stronger than any Law to abolish and destroy the Brittish tongue forever but that it is mainly preserv'd upon the score of Religion in Pulpits between the Clergy and communalty who have a great and dear esteem of the Gospel Preached and are they that chiefly support the tongue and retain the Customs and Traditions and Principles and proverbs of their Ancestors and some novel Popish rites besides which have crept in amongst them as their praying at cross ways before their Corps which are tolerated by their guides least they should be unsettled and scandalized in their more Ancient and Catholick observations by abrupt disuse till by knowledge they come to leave them off of their own accord Neither are the Gentry of Wales the less Brittains as neither the old Brittains in Lhoegr for conforming daily to the English manner nor the French less Gauls for the loss of their Gallic tongue as the Brittish Language is in like danger to be wholly worn out also as was said unless the Chiefs of the Nation our Princes or Senate out of Generous filial honour to Antiquity and Truth think it fit and expedient and for the glory of the Nation which is ambitious of recovering as by some secret instinct the old Name of Great Brittain to give some support and life to the Language of Great Brittain likewise not yet incurable or exstinct A Language so Ancient and venerable in the first professing the true Religion immediately and all along from the Resurrection and in the first opposing of false Religion and Popish abuses above a 1000 years ago the mother-tongue of Lucius and Constantine the Great the first Princes of the Christian Church so useful to the Antiquities not only of our Btittish Isles but the greatest part of Europe that Forreigners have Printed our Dictionaries as the Origen of Gallic Antiquities under other names out of learned ambition Oriental in its Grammar copious as the Greek for compositions as elegant the more old as is the English the more new it is For the Rule and structure of its Poesies and the Awen or inspiration of its Poets hardly to be parallel'd in any Nation whatsoever that Augustus could not be more divertis'd with Horace c. than our Princes and Gentry were in ample manner
with there Prydydhion Or at least that some worthy Wellwisher to the Brittish Nation would oblige thousands of grateful hearts and God himself by so good a work in commiserating the Spiritual condition of men and Maid-servants resorting hither from Wales for service who for several years while they are to learn the English tongue and to be able to keep pace with the volubility of Pulpits which learners of other Languages find to be too quick for the ear in the most stayed delivery are for that time in the condition of the Deaf Born without they had a Church built and assign'd as other Nations have for a morning Family service and Instruction which others that well understand the English would however resort with gladness to out of imbred delight and satisfaction to speak to their God in their own tongue and both might easily be effected with little or no charge to the friend of the Brittains but the procuring by his interest or Authority publick rule and countenance for the same And on the other hand we find the English not wanting or tardy even in times of former Hostilities to unite and incorporate the Brittains with themselves by all manner of Civility consistent with their ends of dominion For in the North beyond Humber where the Saxons did most settle and overflow g Hist Brit. l. 6. c. 13. perswading King Vortigerne it was for his better defence and safeguard against his Northern enemies the Lords and Gentry that did resist as having most to lose fared the worst by it but the rest or the Brittish Communalty had fair and alluring conditions given them as before and intermarried altogether g Hist Britt l. 6. c. 13. But in the South or West Saxon Kingdom where they were the Major part for Poll no doubt they lived in a far milder Aire and kinder usage as appears by that West Saxon h Spelm. Con. 129. Leges R. Edward Confess apud Lambard p. 148. Constitution in Sir H. Spelman attributed to King Ina about the Intermarriadges between the English and the Brittains who used the like policy towards the Danes i Not. in Faedus Aluredi Guthruni apud Lambardum though their enemies Vniversi Angli qui tunc temporis extiterunt uxores suas ceperunt de Britonum genere Britones uxores suas de illustri sanguine genere Anglorum hoc est de genere Saxonum hoc enim factum fuit per commune concilium assensum omnium Episcoporum Principum procerum comitum omnium sapientum seniorum populorum totius Regni per praeceptum Regis Inae praedicti Ita fuerunt tunc temporis per universum Regnum Brittanniae duo in carne una gens una populus unus miseratione divinâ All the English universally in those dayes married their Wives out of Brittish Families and the Brittains in like manner their Wives out of the Noble Bloud of the English or Saxons For this was done by the Common Council and the assent of all the Bishops and Princes Peers Earles and all the Wisemen and Elders and people of the whole Kingdom and by the Commandment of King Ina aforesaid so then over all the Kingdom of Brittain they were two in one flesh one Nation and one people by Gods mercy But the authentickness and truth of this Constitution is doubted by that Learned Knight not that it could be supposed that either the Brittains or Mr. Lambard were the Inventors of it but that it supposes King Ina to have married King Cadwaladr's Daughter and Heire of Brittain whom Malmesbury mentions to have had but one Wife and with her and by her perswasions to have ended his dayes at Rome in the Armes of the Apostles as then they were imposed upon yet confesses that Humphrey Lhuyd that great Antiquary and Herald averrs Ina to be Cadwaladr's Son others his Granchild and the Brittish names of the Kings immediatly succeeding Ina Cedwalla Centwin Escivin Cenwalch is some argument of affinity in use between them but this Western Constitution seems rather to refer to the time of k G. Malmsb de Gestis Angl. lib. 2. c. 1. Egbert who was Regis Inae de Fratre Inigildo abnepos King Ina's great Nephew by his Brother Ingild who first reduc'd by his Armes the rest of the Saxon Heptarchyes under himself as one Monarch over all for then saith the Constitution which proves it to have been made when as one Kingdom it was to have but one name deinde universi vocaverunt Regnum Anglorum quod antea vocatum fuit Regnum Brittaniae then all agreed it should be thenceforth called England which before was called Brittain as being his own right now not so much by Conquest wherein his numerous intermingled Brittains were not the least serviceable to him as by descent and title from the Brittish Kings the former Rightful Proprietors So naturally all right Titles usurped and invaded for a time long to return to their Right owners as a stone to its Center when the force that held it in the Aire is nigh expir'd And so this decree for Inter-marriadges was in further acknowledgment and corroboration of the right title to extinguish enmity and distance and to unite the people in one Brittish bloud Or if there was never any such decree or Law then the least that can be imagin'd is that it was some prophecy far exceeding Merlin's for event and perspicuity that got into their Rolls and Registers For what is there more plain and manifest than that the three parts of Great Brittain the Alban-Brittains or the Scots and Loegrian or Locrine-Brittains or the English and the Cambro-Brittains or the Welsh who alone ever surviv'd visibly distinct are all soderd and united into one and the same Nation by Marriadges and Bloud and name and Government And that therefore in all probability considering the Attributes of God his Justice and mercy and that prophetical Aphorisme of our Saviour All they that take the Sword shall perish with the Sword Mat. 26.52 Rev. 13.10 and the Brittish Tradition Twylh y cyllilh hirion a dhial ar y Saeson Treachery and long Knives apace will bring down vengeance on the Saxon race and the shortness of the Lives and Lines of Conquerors and bloudy men Psal 55.24 and how ready God is to have done correcting and to burn the Rod when the Child amends If all mens Cards and Pedigree throughout this Isle were known or confess'd that there would be found over all the Nation more than an hundred to one that were of Brittish extraction to any that were pure Norman or Dane or Saxon or Roman or descended either from their Martial Leaders or or Females of their Camp And further touching the Brittains of Wales apart which no doubt were the chief Gentry and Nobility and the military part of the Loegrian Brittains driven out of their Seats and Lands by the Saxons as the †Buchanan Rege 86. p. 211. H Luyd