greater alacrity then ever before she went up and down her house glorifying the Power of God Thus was the Empresse satisfied in that which she so earnestly desired 6. The substance of this relation given by Ruffinus is attested by the consent of severall other ancient Ecclesiasticall writers so that to doubt of it or impudently to deny the truth of it as the Lutheran Centuriators doe can be no other but an undeniable effect of malice against the Truth testified hereby to their confusion 7. The Pious Lady to declare her thankfullnes to God for so signall a favour was not content to build a magnificent Church to the Memory of our Saviours Passion but added another which was dedicated to the saving sign of the Crosse as Eusebius writes 8. And as touching the Crosse it self she took care that part of it should be sent to the Emperour and honourably layd up in his Palace the remainder she enclosed in a Boxe of silver and gave it to the Bishop of Ierusalem exhorting him that it might be there reserved as a Monument of our Salvation Thus Theodoret To which S. Paulinus adds That every year on the day of our Lords Resurrection it is produced by the Bishop and exposed to the peoples veneration the Bishop himself first performing that honour to it 9. Socrates further relates that Constantin assoon as he had received part of the Crosse beleiving that the Citty in which it was kept should be preserved in safety from all danger inclos'd it in a statue of his own which was placed in the Market place of Constantinople on a mighty Pillar of Porphyry This saith Eusebius seem'd to the most holy Emperour a firm bulwark of his Kingdom 10. Besides the Crosse there were found other Ensigns of our Saviours Passion which were not neglected by Helena to witt the Nailes which had not only touched our Lords Body as the Crosse did but peirced into his sacred flesh and sinews being bathed in his blood Part of which nayles saith Theodoret and S. Ambrose she took care should be artificially enclos'd within the Emperours helmet that therby his head might be preserved safe from his enemies weapons and part she mingled with the Iron of his horses bitt therby both to give a safe protection to him and likewise to fullfill an ancient Prophecy of Zacharias saying That which is on the horses bitt shall be holy to the Lord Omnipotent And a third nayle she cast into the Adriatick Sea during a horrible tempest by which meanes she saved her self and company from shipwrack Thus writes Gregory Bishop of Tours XVI CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Helenas piety to Religious Virgins 3. c. To Martyrs S. Lucianus the Magi c. 7.8 c. Place of her death Rome where a Church is built to the H. Crosse. 12.13 c. Constantins piety to his Mother Augusta 15.16 c. Her Memory celebrated in severall places Churches built to her honour in England 1. WITH such Acts of Piety devotion and liberality did Helena adorn her latter dayes a particular account of which belongs to the design of this History she being a Brittish Princesse For which reason we will prosecute the course of her life which seems to have ended the same year or in the beginning of the following 2. An example of her humility and devout respect to Virgins consecrated to Gods service by a profession of Chastity is related by Ruffinus in this manner The holy Virgins saith he which she found at Ierusalem she invited to dinner and entertain'd them with so great devotion and respect that she thought it a misbecoming thing that her Maids should attend on theÌ„ Therfore she herself being girt after the manner of a wayting maid sett meat on the Table gave them cupps to drink and powred water on their hands Thus she who was Empresse of the world and Mother of the Emperour esteem'd her self no better then a servant of the hand maids of Christ. 3. Eusebius likewise celebrates her wonderfull manificence shew'd through all her progresse in the Eastern Provinces For whither so ever she came she gave innumerable gifts both to whole citties and particular persons of all professions The poor she munificently supplied with all necessaries those who were condemn'd to working in mines or perpetuall imprisonment she sett at liberty the oppress'd she delivered from fraud and iniury and those which were banish'd she restored to their own countrey 4. At her return out of Palestina into Greece she passed by Drepanum a Town of Bithynia where reposed the Body of the glorious Martyr S. Lucianus Assoon as shee saw these holy Relicks lying so neglected without any mark of honour or reverence she in zeale to the honour of God and his Martyr caused a sumptuous Church to be built over them moreover enlarged the same place into a Citty which she compass'd with walls and bullwarks Which Citty her Son afterward call'd by his Mothers name Helenopolis and to make her name yet more celebrated by posterity the Sea there adioyning was called Helenopontus not because she was born there but because by her care and liberality the region there about formerly obscure became illustrious 5. We read moreover in severall ancient Monuments how this holy Empresse in her progresse through the East having been informed of the place where the Bodies of the three Magi or Wisemen which came to Bethlehem to adore our Saviour new born reposed brought them with her to her Son Constantin who reverently layd them in a Church of his new Citty from whence they were â—ranslated to Milan and afterward to Colen where now they are with great veneration celebrated 6. A more particular relation hereof we read in the Supplement of the Gallican Martyrologe made by Andrew de Saussay in these words At Colonia Agrippina in the Gallick Soyle is celebrated the Memory of the three holy Kings who on this day the Sixth of Ianuary adored our Lord in his cradle at Bethlehem The Bodies of these Saints were by the care and devotion of the Holy Empresse Helena brought out of the East to Constantinople where in the Temple of S. Sophia afterward more magnificently repaired by Iustinian they remained to the times of the Emperour Emanuël who bearing a great affection to Eustorgius Bishop of Milan by birth a Grecian at his earnest prayers bestowd on him those Sacred pledges Eustorgius presently conveyed them to Milan placing them in a Church of Religious Virgins But in the yeare eleaven hundred Sixty and fâ—wer the Emperour Frederick having by force reduced Milan to his obedience granted to his Chancellour Reynaldus Archbishop of Colen at his most earnest suit the same three Sacred Bodies which he transfer'd to Colen were he reposed them in the principall Church in which place they are to this day celebrated with great veneration 7. In such pious works did the Holy Empresse conclude her worldly pilgrimage The place of her death
proceeded out of the same family S. Edilburga the naturall daughter of King Anna Saint Sedrido daughter to King Anna's wife Hereswida by another husband and Saint Eartongatha neice to them both being daughter to Earcombert King of Kent and his wife Saint Sexburga These three Holy Virgins though they dyed in severall years yet since Saint Beda ioyns them together we will here follow his example placing their Gests this year of Grace six hundred and sixty in which S. Sedrido according to our Martyrologe dyed 3. They all out of a desire of a more strict and perfect life went over into France by reason that as yet there were not in Brittany many Monasteries for Religious Virgins and there betook themselves to the Monastery of Saint Phara whom formerly Saint Columban had instructed in Piety and a love of Christian Perfection The relation which Saint Beda gives of them is as followeth 4. Eartongatha the daughter of King Earcombert and S. Sexburga was a Virgin of eminent vertues as became the offspring of such parents She spent her life in our Lords service in a Monastery of France built by the most illustrious Abbesse S. Phara in a place called Brige or Brye For at that time by reason there were not many Monasteries erected in Brittany it was the custome for many parents in this Island to send over their daughters into French Monasteries there to be instructed in piety and consecrated to our Lord especially in the Monasteries of Brige Cale or Chelles and Andilegum In the number of such noble Virgins so sent into France was Sedrido daughter of the wife of Anna King of the East-angles and likewise Edilburga a naturall daughter of the same King Both these Virgins for the merit of their vertues though strangers were constituted Abbesses of the Monastery of Brye now called Pharmonstier And hence may those Writers be corrected who place Saint Sedrido in the Monastery of Chelles which as yet was not built by the Holy Queen S. Bathildis 5. Therefore Andrew Saussay in his Martyrologe on the seaventh of December truly writes concerning Saint Phara and these Virgins after this manner The Father of Saint Phara being at last better advised built for her a Monastery in the forest of Brye in a place then called Eboriacum but afterwards it took the name of Pharmonstier from the said Holy Abbesse She being settled there by the odour of her Sanctity drew many other devout Virgins thither over whom she becoming a Mother excelled them more in Grace and vertue then in her preeminence and dignity And indeed so great was the some of her Sanctity that great numbers of Noble Virgins yea and Princesses out of all the Provinces of France yea Germany England and Ireland contended to be there received and to those being inflamed with Divine love she communicated her own vertues and Graces Among those devout Virgins the most renowned for Piety was Edilburga naturall daughter of Anna King of the East-angles who after the death of Saint Phara supplied her Office in the government of the Monastery and by the divine progresse of her life deserved to be inscribed in the number of Saints after her death Where succeeded her in the same Office her neece Saint Earthongatha daughter of Earcombert King of Kent a worthy branch and well beseeming so noble a Stock for she flourishing with eminent piety and vertue served our Lord there till her death in wonderfull purity both of body and Spirit 6. Our Martyrologe seems to make Saint Sedrido the immediate Abbesse of Pharmonstier after S Edilburga and after her S. Earthongatha is supposed to have succeeded though her name which is strange be there omitted And as touching S. Sedrido her commemoration in the French Martyrologe is on the tenth of Ianuary in these words On that day is celebrated the memory of S. Sethrida Virgin in the Monastery of S. Phara in the territory of Brye Who being an English Lady out of zâ—ale to Perfection came to the same Monastery where she professed a Religious state and having consummated the course of an Angelicall life upon earth departed to the heavenly society of Holy Virgins Her praises are written by venerable Beda 7. We must not here omitt what the same Saint Beda writes concerning S. Earthongata Many things are related very miraculous by the inhabitants of that territory concerning this Holy Virgin But we will onely mention breifly her death and the wonders succeeding it When the day approached in which she was to be called out of this world to eternall happines she went about the Monastery visiting the Celles of the Religious Virgins especially such as were more ancient and eminent for piety to whose prayers she humbly recommended her self not concealing from them that she was taught by revelation that her departure was at hand The manner of which revelation was sayd to be this She saw a great troop of men in white garments enter the Monastery and asking them what they sought for there their answer was That they were sent thither to receive and carry back with them a precious Medall of gold which came thither out of Kent Now on the same night toward the end whereof near break of day she passed from the darknes of this world to the heavenly Light many of the Monks whose lodgings were adioyning to the Monastery report that they heard distinctly a Melody of Angells singing and a noyse as it were of a great multitude entring the Monastery Whereupon going forth to see what the matter was they saw a wonderfull great Light from heaven in which that holy soule when delivered from the prison of her body was conducted to eternall ioyes They add many other wonders hapning the same night which we pursuing other matters leave to their relation 8. The Sacred body of the Virgin and Spouse of our Lord was buried in the Church of the Protomartyr S. Steven Three days after they having a mind to take up the Stone which covered her Sepulcher and raise it higher as they were busy about this a sweet odour of so wonderfull fragrancy evaporated from beneath that it seemd to the Religious men and Sisters there assisting as if a cellar full of precious bauâ—m was then opened Thus writes S. Beda touching S. Earthongata 9. And concerning S. Edilburga he addes Likewise S. Edilburga formerly mentioned the Aunt of S Earthongata by her Mother she likewise preserved the glory of perpetuall Virginity with great purity and perfection and of how eminent merits she was appeared yet more after her death In the time whilst she was Abbesse she began the building of a Church in the Monastery to the honour of all the Apostles where her desire was to be buried But death snatched her away before half the building was finished notwithstanding she was buried in the same place where she had desired After her death the Monks who had care of the Monastery employd their minds in other matters so
rich-man who had been a Pagan called Heâ—nger but was afterward converted and being baptized on the Feast of S. Peter and S. Paul was named Peter this man out of a great servour of Faith devotion and Humility himself took care of conducting a Cart loden with sand stones and other materials convenient for building the Monastery and in the way by the malice of the Devill an Enemy to all good works the said Peter fell from the Cart under the wheeles and was taken up dead having his head and other members greivously wounded in severall places By occasion of which there being assembled a great concourse of people who with greif beheld so sad a spectacle When preparation was making for his buriall the Holy Father S. Swibert with his devout Chaplain Willeic came to the place Where being informed of the manner of the death of the said Peter he having great coÌ„fidence in our Lords goodnes commanded the dead body to be carried to his Cell Which being done he in the presence of a great multitude expecting the issue with many sighs abundance of teares kneeling down powrd forth his prayers most earnestly to our Lord to restore to life the said Peter who was a servant of his Monastery And having a good space multiplied such prayers he rose and kissing the body immediatly the dead man revived and rose up perfectly whole insomuch as there was not left on his body the least marks of any wounds nor no settling of blood Which the people seeing with great ioy gave thanks to the Mercy of our Saviour 3. The fame of this wonderfull Miracle being spread in the Province many Neophytes were confirmed in Faith and Infidels converted which were regenerated by Baptism Now the same Peter lived a long time after in perfect health till the building of the Church was quite finished and after the Holy Bishop departed to our Lord. Notwithstanding this he did not reap that fruit which might reasonably be expected among that hard-hearted peogle for though many both of the common people and Nobles were converted yet the greatest part remained in their Infidelity XVI CHAP. i. 2. c. A fictitious pretended Synod of London introducing the Veneration of Images Which was in use from the beginning 1. FOR want of matter to furnish the year of Grace seaven hundred and twelve Bale the Apostate and the Centuriators of Magdeburg have invented a fiction of a certain Synod pretended to have been held at London decreâ—ing the introducing of Sacred Images into Churches veneration of them as if before this time either Images had not been seen in the Churches of Brittany or no respect had been given to them 2. This assertion of theirs Harpsfeild deservedly calls a false and sencelesse fable Yea Sir H. Spelman though no freind to Images acknowledges that the Centuriators report this without the least testimony of any ancient Writer And whereas the occasion of this fiction was taken from the Apparition of the most Blessed Virgin Mary to S. Egwin upon which he founded the Monastery of Evesham the same Sir H. Spelman confesses that neither in the Charter of King Coenred nor of S. Egwin neither likewise in the Letters of Pope Constantin nor in any other Monuments recorded by him any thing is to be found concerning the introduction or adoration of Images 3. He grants indeed that our Apostle Saint Augustin made use of the Crosse and Image of Christ because Saint Beda expressly affirms the same But he resolutly denyes that before these times the Saxons did ever adore the Crosse or Sacred Images Indeed if by Adoration he mean that worship is due only to God wee agree with him that neither then nor before or since the Saxons or any Catholick allowed it to the Crosse or Images as appears in the seaventh Occumenicall Synod But if he will by Adoration understand a worship or veneration Superiour to a Civill respect but infinitly beneath the Worship due to God it is most apparent that both S. Augustin and the Saxons after their Conversion did allow and practise Veneration to Crosses and Images 4. For S. Gregory who was S. Augustins Master expresly calls the Crosse Venerable Venerandam and commands that the Image of our Blessed Lady and the Crosse should be taken out of a Synagogue of the Iews with that veneration that becomes them And again I know saith he that you doe not therefore desire the Image of our Saviour to the end you may adore it as a God And wee likewise prostrate our selves before it but not not as before a Divinity Hence Peter Martyr treating of Images sayes concerning him Gregory the Roman Bishop was a Patron of Superstition for among his Prayers this is one Grant unto us O Lord that those who come to adore thy Holy Crosse may be freed from the chains of their sins Yea Bale himself the inventour of the forementioned fable acknowledges that Gregory admiâ—s of adoration of the Crosse Masses for the dead 5. Again Saint Beda praises Saint Oswald for erecting a Crosse and praying before it and moreover he addes To this day many devout persons are wont to cutt off slices from the wood of that most Holy Crosse which putting into water and giving that water to be drunk either by sick men or beasts they are presently restored to health All which particulars are manifest signs of a Religious Veneration Hence it is most apparent not only that the Saxons did from the beginning use the Crosse and Image of Christ and this Sir H. Spelman confesses but likewise religiously venerate them And that be ore the Saxons time the Christian Brittains did the same hath been upon severall occasions demonstrated in the former part of this History 6. As touching therefore this mentioned fictitious Synod of London wee will only add that which B. Parker writes What was decreed in that Synode is not come to light And whereas some Writers affirm that the worship and â—â—oration of Images was permitted by it how truly they affirm this I will not interpose my iudgment XVII CHAP. 1.2 c. Another pretended Synod censured 1. AFTER that Sir Henry Spelman had abated the authority of the foresaid Synod of London he adioyns another Synod which he affirms to have been celebrated under King Ina about these times and which he calls a great Councill of all Bishops and Princes Nobles Counts and aâ— Sage Counsellors and Senatours as likewise the Commons of the whole Kingdom which Council was assembled by the câ—mmand of King Ina. 2. Now what was transacted in this pretented Council he thus relates out of the Appendix Auctarium to the Laws of King Edward the Confessor King Ina took to wife a Lady named Guala for whose regard that countrey was named Wales which formerly had been called Cambria For the said King had two wives And with this his last wife he had possession of Wales Cornwall and
esteemd him as a Prophet Then began he with great diligence to root up their ill planted superstitions to disperse their long gathered wicked customes and to demolish their impious Idolatries Having thus purged their minds from errours he instructed them in all duties belonging to good Christians and by his works and example shewd them a pattern of all vertues and piety all which he confirm'd by frequent miracles 6. He chose for his place of Episcopall residence an habitation afterward call'd Wite-hern seated neer the Sea by which it is almost encompassed to which there was onely one passage toward the North. This place is seated saith Camden in the Province of the Novantes now call'd Galloway By the Latin Writers it is nam'd Candida casa from the colour of it and by the Saxons Wite-hern or white house Here it was that in the dayes of the younger Theodosius Ninianus erected his Episcopall See And here it is that Ptolomy places the Promontory call'd by him Leucopibia which seems to have been an erroneous transcribing of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or white houses 7. The summ of what hath been written is thus delivered by S. Beda The Southern Picts saith he forsaking the Errour of their Idolatry receiv'd the true Faith by the preaching 〈◊〉 most holy man and most reverend Bishop Ninias Ninianus who was by Nation a Brittain and had been regularly instructed in the Mysteries of the true Faith at Rome 8. Many years he spent in his Apostolicall Office for his death ensued not till thirty eight years after his first entrance He consecrated Bishops ordained Preists and divided the the whole countrey into certain Parishes as the Authour of his Life declares There remains more to be written of him which we will reserve till the time of his death And whereas his See was establish'd in the Province of Galloway which may seem to imply that he was a Scott we shall in due place demonstrate that in those dayes that Province was belonging to the Iurisdiction of the Brittains not Scotts XXII CHAP. 1. c. S. Regulus comes into the Pictish kingdom out of Greece with the Relicks of S. Andrew c. 6. c. Of the Culdei or Coli-Dei 1. THE Labours of S. Ninianus were no doubt much lightned by the arrivall thither of another Saint to wit S. Regulus who the year following by divine Inspiration came out of Achaia into the same countrey bringing with him the precious Relicks of the Apostle S. Andrew Whose story is thus sett down by Hector Boctius out of ancient Monuments 2. The holy man Regulus saith he as one night he watched at the Sacred monument of S. Andrew was admonished from heaven to take the bone of the holy Apostles arme three fingers and as many ioints of one of his feet and laying them up decently in a vessell to carry them to the Island Albion or Brittany seated in the utmost confines of the world because that in future times there would live a people which should give great veneration to the Apostle S. Andrew and by his intercession receive great graces and benefitts both earthly and heavenly through the Divine goodnes 3. In complyance with which admonition the holy man undertook that tedious iourney and was ioyfully received there for as it follows in the Narration The report of his arrivall with that sacred Treasure being spread through the Regions of the Picts inflamed the minds of many to see and venerate the holy Relicks of the glorious Apostle The people therfore flowd together from all quarters bringing gifts and Offrings to the holy Apostle There came likewise Hirgustus others call him Hungus their King being invited by the same of these things The Holy man Regulus receiv'd him with a Soline Procession in which Preists and Monks sung Hymns and praises to God The King falling prostrate on the ground with great veneration kiss'd the Sacred Relicks And when all Holy Rites were performed after the Christian manner of which the King was very observant he freely bestowd his Royall Palace to the honour of S. Andrew on Regulus and the Preists who were there to perform Divine service and not farr from them built another Church dedicated to the same Apostle 4. This is the place where in following ages the Scottish Arch-Bishops and Primats establish'd their Archiepiscopall See Which place saith Camden the Ancients call'd Regimont or Regulus his Mount where Vngus King of the Picts erected the principall Church of his Kingdom to this day call'd S. Andrews 5. Some modern Writers perhaps out of an aversion to Sacred Relicks doe professe a doubt of this Narration Yet it is certain that Pope Boniface the Eighth in an Epistle of his to King Edward the first writes in this manner Your Royall Highnes may please to understand that the Kingdom of Scotland was converted to the Vnity of the Catholick Faith by the Venerable Relicks of S. Andrew the Apostle such was the great goodnes of Almighty God 6. The forecited Hector Boetius describing the ornaments with which the pious King Hirgustus enrich'd his New built Church saith he adorned it with munificent gifts Patens Copes Chalices Basons Lavers c. framed of silver and gold and likewise with other precious furniture proper for Sacreduses placing in the same Preists to perform Divine service there 7. These Preists dedicated to Gods worship are the same which the Picts call'd Culdei or Colidei that is worshippers of God Some of these came with S. Regulus into Brittany For he living in Achaia was a Father and Teacher of many who were addicted to true piety And to those others from among the Picts and Brittains ioynd themselves leading a solitary life with such a fame of their Sanctity saith Buchanan that being dead their Cells were converted into Churches And from hence was derived the succeeding custom among the Scotts to call Temples Cells This sort of Monks was anciently call'd Culde◠and their Name and Institut remain'd till a later kind of Monks expell'd them But this last clause he writes with the spirit of a factious Presbyterian For not a later sort of Monks but such Apostats as himself enemies to the Divine Sacrifice celebrated by these contemners of Gods Saints were those who out of Scottland expell'd the Culdees or Religious servants of God 8. Notwithstanding if we speak of the prime originall of these Culdei we have already shewd that they began long before when by reason of the furious persecution rais'd by Diocletian a world of Christians retir'd themselves into desarts there with safety and vacancy to attend to God by Prayer and Religious austerities who therfore were call'd Colidei and corruptly Culdei 9. This digression we make upon occasion of the Gests of S. Regulus whom the English Martyrologe celebrates among the Saints on the twenty eighth of August where notwithstanding there is a mistake in placing his death in the year of Christ three
his aid the barbarous warlick Saxons prostituted it to their rapines and tyranny This Character we read of him in Malmsburiensis At that time Vortigern was King of Brittany a man voyd both of courage and counsell yea addicted wholly to carnall pleasure and the slave of almost all vices particularly of avarice pride and luxury He as we read in the Gests of the Brittains solicited and with the hope of making her a Queen deflourd his own daughter and of her gott a Son Who notwithstanding his incestous birth was by a miracle of Divine Grace a Saint his name being S. Faustus 3. His wife was a Lady equall to him in blood but most unlike in disposition By her he had three Sons Vortimer Catigern and Pascentius Whilst she lived he governed his Principality with moderation but after her death he loosed the rains to all vices For which having been reproved by S. Germanus and upon his impenitence in a Synod excommunicated he revenged himself by inflicting the fore mentioned iniuries and calumnies upon the Holy Bishop But in the end was severely punish'd by fire from heaven 4. Before his Election to the Vniversall Government of Brittany he was Prince of the Danmonij or as others write Consul of the Gevisses inhabitants of the South-western parts about Cornwall or South-wales Which Principality it seems he had governed well enough to be esteemd not unworthy to be preferr'd above his formerly fellow Princes though indeed that age the men of which Gildas calls atramentum aetatis the inke of their age afforded it seems so little choice that a Prince not absolutly vicious deserved reputation However this unworthy King is recorded a restorer of the Citty of Oxford We will awhile suspend a relation of the Gests of this unhappy King to the end we may interpose some affairs touching the Churches of Brittany at this time occurring XIV CHAP. 1.2 c S. Dubricius ordained Bishop of Landaff by S. Germanus The place of his Birth c. 1. AMong the actions beneficiall to Brittany done by Saint Germanus the election and consecration of Saint Dubricius to the Bishoprick of Landaff was deservedly reckoned This Dubricius say the Centuriatours of Magdeburg sirnamed Gainius Vagiensis from the place where he was born was peradventure the Son of a Monk by Euedila a Noble Virgin and grew afterward famous among tâ—e English Thus write they without all authority from antiquity desirous to faign one Example at least to be a president for their Master Luthers incest 2. But from more authentick Testimonieâ— it appears that Saint Dubricius was by nation a Brittain born in the Province of the Dimeta or West Wales he was sirnamed Gainius from the River which runs by the place where he was born His Fathers name is not mentioned among Authours his Mother was Euedila a woman of a clear fame for her vertues Thus write Bale Picts Powel and the Authour of his life in Capgrave 3. It is there moreover related how being a child care was taken to imbue his mind with litterature And having attained a few years more he made such proficiency in learning that not the ignorant only but such also as had acquired a good degree in knowledge repaired to him to encrease their skill among whom were Saint Theliaus Saint Sampson Saint Aidanus and others In the soile of his Nativity neer the River Vaga from whence he was called Vagiensis he chose a fitt seat for his own and his Disciples studies and there he spent many years in the charitable employment of communicating his learning to others Afterward having by command of an Angel built a Church there he preached and taught the people wholesom Christian Doctrin Moreover by imposing his hands he often cured many infirmities insomuch as those which came to him sad and unsound returned joyfull and in health And therefore he was qualified fitt to be advanced by S. Germanus to the Degree of a Bishop 4. The period of his life is uncertain Yet certain it is that he lived to a very old age for many years after this he was transferr'd by Aurelius Ambrosius then raigning to the Arch-Bishoprick of Caër-Leon in the Province of Monmouth So that he will once more occurre in our History As for his Disciples Saint Theliaus Saint Iâ—tutus c. eminent Saints and Doctours which therefore could not likewise escape the calumnious pens of the Lutheran Centuriators we shall treat of them in the following age 5. But here we must not omitt what a learned French writer Andrew Saussay in his French Martyrologe relates of another famous Disciple of Saint Germanus named Saint Briocus a Brittain who was afterward Bishop in Armorica or lesser Brittany so illustrious for his Sanctity that the See of his Bishoprick is to this day from his name called S. Brieu a suffragan Bishoprick to Tours 6. Saint Briocus saith he was by countrey an Englishman he should have said a Brittain of the Province of Corticia descended of a Noble Stock He was by Saint Germanus of Auxeâ—â—e preaching the Orthodoxe Faith there brought out of Brittany into Gaule and here by him instructed happily in the Discipline of Piety After he had enriched his mind with saving Doctrins he returned into his Native countrey and there informed his parents in the true Faith which he likewise preached with great successe in the countrey about After this being desirous to employ our Lords Talent yet more copiously he came over into Armorica where having shed the beams of Evangelicall Light on the minds of his kinsman Conanus Count of Triguâ—er Trecorensem he afterward cleansed him with the Laver of Baptism Then assembling severall devout persons aspiring to the perfection of a Religious life he built a Monastery and there by the liberality of the said Count he layd the foundations of an Episcopall See and being consecrated Bishop by the Archbishop of Tours Metropolitan of that countrey he with an admirable splendour of vertue ad piety governed the said Diocese the space of thirty years Afterward making a journey to Angiers to furnish himself with Ecclesiasticall ornaments he there breathed forth his spotlesse soule From thence his Body was caried back and with great honour buried in the Church which himself had built where frequent miracles were wrought at his Relicks Thus as he gave his name to the Monastery Town and Mother-Church of that Diocese so he likewise afforded continuall protection to them 7. Certain Irish Historians would challenge S. Briocus to their countrey as having been born in the Territory of Cork But his having been a Disciple of Saint Germanus who had nothing to doe with Ireland proves him a Brittain And whereas Bishop Vther conjectures that the Master of Saint Briocus might have been another Saint Germanus Bishop of Paris who lived in the following age His living with Conanus and relation of kinred to him demonstrate him both a Brittain and more ancient then the
and admired a Prelate as Saint Gregory but moreover produced read approved and the observation of it enjoyned in a Roman Synod celebrated under the same Pope the year before Saint Augustin and his fellow Monks were directed by him in Mission to Brittany 8. This we read to have been done in the Great Bibliotheque of the Fathers quoted no doubt out of that Ancient Manuscript belonging to Saint Benedict's Monastery at Sublac mentioned by Baronius In which this Form of Confirmation of the said Rule by Saint Gregory in that Synod is found I Gregory Prelat of the Holy Roman Church have written the Life of Benedict and I have read the Rule which the Saint himself wrote with his own hand I have commended it and confirmed it in a holy Synod Moreover I command that through the severall parts of Italy and where the Latin tongue is read it be to the end of the world observed diligently by all those who shall come to the Grace of Conversion I doe likewise confirm the twelve Monasteries which the Saint hath built 9. No doubt therefore can be made but that Saint Augustin brought with him this Rule into Brittany which was observed in all the Monasteries there founded by him and his Successours This is confirmed by the universall constant and unquestioned Tradition of the English Churches and the Testimony of ancient Records in which there is not the least mention or suspicion that our first Missioners brought any other Rule besides this and evident proofs there are that in the next Age the Institut of Monks in their Convents was Benedictin yet not any where can the least foosteps or signs appear that any change had ever been made among them nor is any time assigned when they began to be Benedictins Whereas manifest proofs there are that in Brittany there were many other Monasteries among the Brittains and Scotts both before and long after Saint Augustins coming as at Banchor Hy c. of a different Institut and which refused to submitt to Saint Augustin either as Bishop or Abbot all which notwithstanding in after times submitted to the Institut of Saint Benedict and the times of such submission are recorded 10. Thus we read that in the Northern parts there were after this time many illustrious Monks as Aidan Finian Colman and others who came out of the Monastery of Hy and never had known the Rule of Saint Benedict which when they afterward knew would not forsake their ancient Institut And generally through the Northern parts till about the year seaven hundred Saint Benedicts Rule was not in use at which time S. Wilfrid brought it amongst them as himself professed in a publick Synod as will be shewed in due place 11. Likewise in the Kingdom of the Mercians though-after its first Conversion to the Faith by the endeavours of King Oswi there were many Monasteries yet among them the same Rule was little in use till the year of Grace seaven hundred and nine But then Pope Constantin in a letter to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury confirming the Monastery of Evesham addes this condition To the the end that there the Congregation of Monks may be reformed or ordred according to the Rule of their famous Father Benedict and continually serve our Lord Which Rule is not commonly known or observed in those parts And yet before that time severall Monasteries at Peterborough and elso where had been founded by the same S. Wilfrid 12. Hence appears that our Records doe testify when the Rule of Saint Benedict was introduced in the Kingdoms of the Northumbrians and Mercians But no Memoriall can any where be found to witnes where or when the same Rule was establish'd in any Monasteries in the Kingdom of Kent which notwithstanding did abound in Monasteries in all which for ought appears no other Institut prevailed but that this of Saint Benedict flourish'd there innumerable Proofes are extant Which is an invincible argument that it was at first brought in there with Christianity 13. Therefore as touching the reason alledged to the contrary by Baronius because Saint Augustin came out of the Monastery of Saint Andrew at Rome the Abbot wherof was a Monk taken out of the Convent of Saint Equitius in the Province of Valeria What proof can be brought that that Convent had not embraced the Institut and Rule of Saint Benedict or how ever that after his coming thither Saint Gregory had not impos'd that Rule so much magnified by himself on that Monastery whereof he was founder 14. In those days the difference between Religious Instituts was not so considerable as to cause any great difficulty in the changes They all intended the same thing and generally proceeded the same wayes to their End It was not then in Gods Church as it is now Where severall Orders of Religious persons are instituted of severall Spirits some rigorously confined to solitude others permitted freely to exercise Spirituall Works of Charity in the world Some forbidden to begg others forbidden to accept of any thing but dayly Alms Some obliged to great externall austerities in their Habits dyet c. Others more exercised with internall Mortifications Some destined to preach or Write others only to pray Some to procure Charities for the Redemption of Christian Captives others to attend on hospitalls and sick persons c. 15. These things considered it may with full assurance be concluded that Saint Gregories Monks and Missioners were no other but Benedictins although they did not usually call themselves by that Title till a controversy arising in the following age between them and other Monks of a former Brittish Institut they were obliged for distinctions sake to assume that Name 16. And wheras many of our Modern Protestant Writers will needs have the Brittish Monks to have been of the Aegyptian or Asiatick Institut Not any Records can be produced to testify that ever any Aegyptian or Asiatick came into Brittany to establish their Orders here Or that any Brittain travelled into those Countreys to acquaint himself with their manner of Religious Conversation Certain it is that generally the great Masters and Teachers both of Faith and Monasticall Discipline in Brittany came from Rome From thence came S. Fugatius and S. Damianus and after them S. Patrick and S. Ninian c. And therfore we may conclude that as they were there instructed in the purity of Christian Doctrines so likewise in the institut of Monasticall observations Yet it is not denyed but that they might from thence also furnish themselves with Books treating of the Egyptian or Syrian Instituts touching Monasticall Discipline which in practise they might be willing to imitate such as are severall peices of S. Hierom or Cassians Institutions c. But this will not argue that they were Disciples of the Eastern Fathers in Religious observances and much lesse in the Doctrinâ— of Christian Religion and Discipline it self But it is time that we attend the Holy Monk S. Augustin and his companions in
midway between the Church of Saint Martin and the walls of the Citty In this Temple after it had been purified from its former Superstitions and the Idol cast out S. Augustin consecrated to the honour of S. Pancratiâ—â— 3. Concerning which Church Sir H. Spelman in his Councils furnishes us with this Extrait out of an ancient Manuscript of the foundation of S. Augustins Monastery in Canterbury Augustin being ordaind Bishop returned into England and was received by the King and peoâ—ple with all becoming solemnity and by the same Kings grant obtaind an Episcopall See in the Citty of Canterbury which was the Primatial Church of the English Nation The pious King himself undertaking the Patronage of that Church did triumph through ioy constituting him the President of his Metropolis whom before he had received as a poore stranger Neither did he onely make him a Spirituall Watchman over his Citty but his whole Dominions also translating the throne of his Kingdom into a Pontificall Seat and his Royal Court into a Church of Christ. 4. Yea moreover to shew that he had putt off the old man with his acts and putt on the New by the wholesom advice of the blessed Bishop he caused that Idol-temple seated Eastward from the Citty between the Church of S. Martin and the walls in which he had oft according to the rite of his Superstition sacrifised to Devills and not to God to be purged from the pollutions of Paganism and having broken in peices the Idol which was in it he changed it into an Ecclesiasticall Synagogue and caused it to be consecrated by the name of S. Pancratius Martyr And this was the first Church dedicated by our Patriark and prime Prelat S. Augustin 5. Now it was very convenient and suitable to reason that the blessed child Pancratius who at Rome the Mistresse of the world was honoured as a famous Martyr should especially be venerated by the English since that certain English Children exposed to sale in Rome by their beauty and brightnes had moved Saint Gregory then an Abbot in the Monastery of S. Andrew built by himself to associate those English children with Angels 6. After this narration there follows in the same Manuscript a relation of a prodigy caused by the Devill enraged against Saint Augustin for eiecting him out of his possession Whilst the blessed Bishop S Augustin saith that Authour was celebrating Masse the first time in the same Church the Enemy of mankind envying the purity of the English Nation likely to be much encreased by the child Saint Pancratius and out of rage to see himself expelled from a place possessed by him so long a time he endeavoured all he could to destroy that Church to the ground A rent in the Eastern wall of it plainly seen to this day which he made with his nayles is a sufficient witnes of his rage By which is evident that the Masse is not hated by Calvinists alone 7. King Ethelberts liberality ended not here for as the same Authour writes Saint Augustin obtained of him after this a certain portion of land adjoyning in which the King built a Church to the honour of the Apostles S Peter and S. Paul to be as it were a perpetuall munition and Safe-guard for himself and his whole kingdom and instituted therin a Convent of Monks to serve God for ever over whom was canonically chosen and placed Abbot a Monk called Peter one of S. Augustins companions sent thither from the See Apostolick But between the foundation and endowment of this Monastery there intervened six years saith Sir H. Spelman as appears by the Charters of that Foundation 8. In this Church saith S. Beda the Bodies of S. Augustin and his Successours the Arch-bishops of Canterbury as likewise of the Kings of Kent were designed to be buried Notwithstanding this Church was not consecrated by S. Augustin but by his Successour S. Laurentius And the first Abbot of the Monastery was Peter a Preist 9. S. Augustin also by the liberality and assistance of the King obtaind another Church in the same Citty which as he was informed had been built by the ancient Christians in the time of the Romans This Church he consecrated to the glory of our Lord and Saviour and adioyning thereto he fixed an habitation for himself Successours where he lived with such Clerks as he had brought with him out of France who performed all the Ecclesiasticall Offices in the Church For a Monastery was not instituted in that Church till the age following And though these Latter Monks contended with the other for antiquity yet they lost their cause For as the Authour of the forementioned Manuscript observes in all the authenticall Priviledges granted by Popes to the Monastery of S. Peter and S. Paul we find this clause inserted As in the infancy of Christianity in England this was the first wherein Monasticall Instituts were observed So we decree that it with all belonging to it remain for ever free from all service undisturbed by all secular noyse and tumults and exempted from all Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction and burdens 10. Moreover the Church of S. Martin without the walls of the Citty eastward in which the Queen before had performed her Devotions he made an Episcopall See in which he placed a Suffragan Bishop Corepiscopum who was alwayes to remain at home or at the Archiepiscopall Palace within the Citty and supplied the place of the Arch-bishop when he was to attend the King or to be absent upon occasion of Visitations or other affaires At such times he celebrated Solemnities in the Metropolitan Church after which he returned home He being a Monk had power to call Monks to his assistance He performed the Office of Arch-deacon and summoned ordered and corrected such Clergy-men as pertained to the Arch-bishop but those Clergy-men which lived in the Mannâ—rs pertaining to the Monks were corrected by the Priour of the Church otherwise called the Dean The same Suffragan Bishop likewise conferred the Minour Orders in the Arch-bishops absence Yet we doe not find that ever he was summoned to Councills or subscribed in them This custom continued till the beginning of King William the Conquerours raign At which time the last of such Suffragan Bishops was Godwin who dying in the fourth year of his raign S. Lanfranc then Arch-bishop refused to substitute another in his place alledging that two Bishops must not be in one Citty whereas his See was out of the Citty Therefore instead of a Suffragan Bishop he constituted one of his Clarks Arch-deacon For which he was by many condemned Though in that age generally through the Church those Corepiscopi were suffred to expire because it was found that they took too much upon themselves so as to consecrate Holy Oyles to ordain Preists c. insomuch as for humbling them many Decrees had been made in Councills c. VII CHAP. 1.2 c. Ten thousand baptized by S. Augustin by the
him into prison intending the day following to putt him secretly to death for being under the dominion of the French who were Christians they durst not kill him openly 4. As for Werenfrid and my self Marcellin we followed him to the prison weeping Which the Holy Preist Swibert observing with a chearfull countenance he comforted us and exhorted us to stand constantly for the Faith of Christ and not to fear death for his cause 5. Now the following night towards morning as Saint Swibert was praying and we weepâ—ing an Angell of our Lord appeard to him in the prison with great splendour and said to him Servant of the true God fear not for our Lord is with thee Having said this in the presence of the Keepers who stood amazed he sett him at liberty commanding him to preach Christ constantly every where to the Pagans After this the Angell ascended to heaven and the Holy man came and kneeling down devoutly related to us what had hapned whereupon we with great fervour gave thanks to God for this Angelicall Visitation and consolation 6. The Pagans and specially the Idoll-Preists the next day hearing that he had been thus delivered began to perceive the impotency of their Idols and extolled the power of Christ. As for the Holy man he with great courage preached the Gospell to them to their great astonishment and converted many of them to Christ and no man had the boldnes to lay hands on him 7. Assoon as he had performed his Ministery there he returned with us to Vtrecht where he declared to our Brethren all things which had hapned to him at Duerstat at the hearing whereof they wept for ioy and unanimously blessed God for his goodnes After which he departed into severall villages and towns in Friseland Holland and Teisterband publickly and constantly preaching the Gospell oâ— Christ to all and though thereby he suffred in many places great persecutions from the Pagans which he endured with patience and ioy yet being always sustained by Divine assistance he brought great multitudes to the knowledge and obedience of Christ. 8. Toward the end of the same year being attended by Werenfrid and my selfe he went into the Eastern coast of the Principality of Holland where there was a town a mile distant from Vtrecht toward the South called Haganstein At which time there hapned a famous solemnity of the Pagans whereto were assembled great multituds of them to perform detestable sacrifices incense and Rites to their false Gods The Holy man then went boldly into the midst among them crying aloud O yee men if you have any reason left in you draw near and hearken to mee I am a Messenger sent to you from the most high God c. And with a long Oration recorded by Marcellinus an car-wittnes he declared to them the Truth of Christs Doctrine and vanity of their Idoll-worship Moreover his preaching was confirmed by a following miracle for he restored sight to a man well known to them all whose name was Giselbert and who had been born blind After which succeeded a notable conversion of many Pagans of the blind mans acquaintance who were witnesses of the Miracle 9 Now the Brethren seing so manifest an assistance of God thought fitt to chuse amongst them all two persons to be ordained Bishopâ— to witt Swibert and Willebrord The former they sent into England to S. Wilfrid Bishop of the Mercians by whom he was consecrated Bishop this same year As for Saint Willebrord he was sent to Rome where he was by Pope Sergius ordained Arch-bishop of Vtrecht and the whole Province of Friseland as shall be declared What speciall Diocese was allotted to Saint Swibert does not appear yet in a particular manner he is named the Apostle of Teisterband Westphalia and the Boructuarians as the companion of his labours Marcellin hath informed us And the reason why he was directed into Brittany to Saint Wilfrid for his ordination and not to the Arch-bishop Brithwald seems to be because as hath been declared a Legatin Power had been conferred by the Pope on the Arch-bishop of the Northumberâ— which Power was not taken from him by his unjust exile Or else because these Holy Missioners being come out of that Kingdom acknowledged a particular relation to and dependance on S. Wilfrid IX CHAP. 1.2 The Gests of Saint Swibert being a Bishop 3.4 c. His miraculous raising to Life a person who had been drowned and the Successe of that Miracle 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred ninety six S. Willebrord was consecrated Arch-bishop of Vtrecht hy Pope Sergius but returned not to his Province and companions till the year following In the mean time Saint Swibert having dispatched a shorter voyage into Brittany came back this year and gloririously biâ—â—â—â—arged â—arged his Episcopall function God assisting his labours with the Gift of most stupendious Miracles faithfully related by the companion of his Travells S. Marcellinus as followeth 2. The most holy Prelat Swibert having been exalted to the Pontificall Dignity and consecrated by S. Wilfrid after he had saluted his kindred freinds he together with his attendants and companions returned to the Work of the Gospell and arrived at Wiltenburg or Vtrecht some what more then a year before S. Willebrord was come back from Rome He was received by the Brethren and New Converts with great honour and ioy He adorned his Episcopall Degree with all the vertues becoming it living afterward in yet greater perfection of Humility Meeknes Simplicity and piety The Work of preaching the Gospell he constantly fullfilld travelling through the Villages and towns not on horseback but as the Apostles were wont to doe on foot Thus he passed through all the quarters of Friseland Holland and especially the County of Teisterband converting great multitudes to the Faith of Christ and diligently extirpating Idolatry Thus by his assiduous preaching and exhortations he reduced in a manner the whole County of Teisterband to the beleif of the Gospell and there in many places he built new Churches and elsewhere consecrated Idoll-Temples to Christian Churches Thus in Zanduic near Tâ—el a Church was erected to the honour of the Holy Martyr S. Vincent another in Arkel to the honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God and a third in Hornaer to the honour of S. Denys Areopagite with many others 3. Now how in the Dedication of one of those Churches he raised to life a young man who had been drownd is at large described by the same devout and most faithfull Writer whose relation though diffused will very well deserve a place in this our History 4. The Divine Providence did so order saith he that whilst on the eighth day before the Calends of October this same year Saint Swibert was dedicating a Church in Malsen a Village seated neer the River Lighen in the Country of Teisterband a certain young man named Splinter of Adingyn Son of a person cheif in authority at Duerstat being out
generally all the Romans gave praise to God for this wonderfull deliverance of his Servant But the Conspiratours not being able to execute their malice any further against the Pope went to vomite their rage upon the house of Albin which they lacked and utterly demolished 4. The fame of this prodigious Miracle was in a short time spread through all Christendom And Winegise Duke of Spoleto accompanied by the Embassadours of King Charles came to Rome and from thence conveyed the Pope to Spoleto From whence afterward he went into France to King Charles by whom he was with all honour and kindnes received and during all his voyage the high wayes were filled with devout people which with great ioy and devotion congratulated with him for the goodnes which God had so wonderfully shewed to him and to the whole Church in his regard 5 King Charles assoon as he was informed of this barbarous cruelty executed on this good Pope wrote a Letter to Saint Alcuin demanding his advice what became him to doe in such a coniuncture To whom Saint Alcuin answerd that it was his duty as being supreme Governour of Gods people an avenger of crimes a comforter of the afflicted and an exalter of such as are good to punish severely those examples of extreme impiety committed at Rome where formerly piety did most flourish but where of late wicked men through the blindnes of their hearts pluck out the eyes of their own head c. And accordingly King Charles shortly after conducted Pope Leo to Rome where the crimes falsly imputed to him by his enemies were cleared but what became of the two forementioned Assassins we doe not read 6. Another Epistle likewise King Charles wrote to the same Saint Alcuin in which he declared to him the miraculous recovery of the same Pope to whom God by his Divine operation had restored his sight and speech To which Saint Alcuin answerd that it was the duty and obligation of all good Christians to reioyce in such Clemency of the Divine Protection and to praise the name of our God who never forsakes such as putt their trust sincerely in him And whereas the said King had invited him to quitt for some time the smoaky lodgings of his Monastery at Tours to accompany him in his voyage to the golden palaces at Rome Saint Alcuin excused himself saying that the sight of swords and armour would doe more harm to his eyes then the smoaky chambers at Tours and that he should more serve his Maiesty by dayly praying for him in his Monastery then attending him in his â—edious iourney too burdensom to his weak infirm body 1.2 Succession of Bishops 3.4 c. Edilbert Pren King of Kent subdued by Kenulf the Mercian King 6. The Monastery of Winchelcomb 1 A Thelard returning from Rome seems to have brought with him the Archiepiscopall Pall for Eanbald Arch-bishop of York who this year received it and thereby was instated in the plenitude of his Pontificall power The first exercise whereof was expressed in the Ordination and consecration of Eadred to the See of Hagustald who succeeded to Ethelbert In which ordination he was assisted by Higbald Bishop of Lindesfarn and the solemnity was performed at a place called Wodford Dudda likewise the Bishop of Winchester dying in his place was substituted Kinebert 2. The year following Eathored Bishop of Worcester in the Kingdom of the Mercians dying in his room succeeded Denebert And about the same time the Church of Shirborn also being deprived of its Pastour Denefrid received Wibert for his Successour 3. At the same time Edilbert sirnamed Pren after he had raigned two years in Kent taking the boldnes to provoke the Mercians much exceeding him in power was taken prisoner by them and was for some time held captive in chains But afterwards being sett free by his enemies his own Subiects refused to admitt him so that it is uncertain how and where he ended his life 4. But Hoveden recounts this calamity of King Edilbert Pren more tragically At this time saith he Kenulf King of the Mercians with all his forces united invaded the Province of Kent which he wasted most terribly almost to the destruction of the inhabitants During which invasion Edilbert King of Kent was taken prisoner whose eyes the Mercian King commanded to be plucked out and his hands cutt off for his former pride and treachery Then he adioyned that Kingdom to his own putting the crown thereof upon his head and the Scepter in his hands 5. Such inhumanity as this seems much disagreeing from the mercifull nature of this good King Therefore the Narration of Mathew of Westminster is far more credible In the year of Grace seaven hundred ninety eight says he Kinulf King of the Mercians in a hostile manner wasted the Province of Kent and took prisoner Edilbert sirnamed Pren who was much inferiour to him in power whom he caried in a triumphant manner bound in chains to his own kingdom But not long after when he caused a Church lately founded by him at Winchelcomb to be dedicated on the day of the Consecration he took the chains from off the captive King before the Altar and dismissed him free There was then present Cuthred whom in the place of Edilbert he had made Governour of Kent The Church sounded with acclamations and the streets with the Kings praises and because in a meeting of thirteen Bishops and ten Dukes assembled for that Solemnity he refused to none the marks of his liberality so that all went home much richer then they came For besides Presents of inestimable valew in rich garments choice horses and other furniture which he gave to his Nobles to every particular man then present he gave a pound of silver to every Preist a Mark of gold to every Monk a peice of money So that not one person there present fayled to partake of his bounty And he enriched the Monastery with so large possessions that in this age it seems incredible 6. In the Annals of this Monastery of Winchelcomb is recorded the Charter of this King confirmed in a Synod at which were present two other Kings his Tributaries Cuthred King of Kent and Sired King of the East-Saxons in which he signifies that his intention was that his body should be buried in the same Church But this Charter was of a later date because it is subscribed by Wulfred Arch-bishop of Canterbury who succeeded six years after this to Athelard In the same Annals likewise is declared that at the first building of this Monastery three hundred Monks were placed in it What particular Maunors the King gave to them is unknown by reason all the ancient Records were burnt in the time of King Steven XVIII CHAP. 1.2 A Synod at Bacanceld against Vsurpers of Church revenews and for restitution of the Rights of the See of Canterbury 3. Another Synod of the Archâ—bishoprick York 1. A Little after Athelard was returned