THE STATE OF CHURCH-Affairs In this Island of Great BRITAIN Under the Government of the ROMANS, AND BRITISH KINGS.  
LONDON, Printed by NAT. THOMPSON for the Author, and are to be Sold by the Booksellers of London, Anno MDCLXXXVII.   

THE STATE OF CHURCH AFFAIRS IN THIS ISLAND UNDER THE Romans and British KINGS Before the Coming of St. AUGUSTINE.  
THe Britain's, who were the first known Inhabitants of this Island, were led blindfold by their blind Guides the Druids into the most pernicious Idolatry, and by Them instructed in Rites and Ceremonies most horribly Impious and Inhuman, so as this Island at that time might be truly esteemed the School and Nursery of Devilish and Barbarous Mysteries, and the miserable Inhabitants no other than Bondslaves and Captives to Satan, the common enemy of mankind. Julius Caesar first discovered this our Island to the more Civilised World, and made some little Entrance into it, for the All-conquering Romans to proceed by Degrees in the more ample Conquest of it. It was indeed a Happy Conquest to those wretched Britain's, occasioning their Redemption from the Bondage of the Devil, and bringing in so great Knowledge and illustrious Light amongst them, that this our Island soon became the School of True Religion and Virtue, the Nursery of Saints, and Refuge of Persecuted Christians. This Entrance of Caesar's was before the Birth of our Blessed Saviour, which happened not until the 43d. year of Augustus, when Cunobelin is said to Reign, who is likewise said to be the Son of Cassibelaun, whose Seat was Camolodunum, now Maldon in Essex.  
The Romans made little advantage of this beginning of Caesar's, until the time of the Emperor Claudius, who by Aulus Plantius his General, Invaded this Island with a great Army, and soon after in his own Person, and by his said General prosecuted the War more vigorously; Insomuch, as not long after, Caractacus, a Prince Renowned amongst the Britain's, being perfidiously yet betrayed by some of them, was with his Wife and Daughter sent Prisoners to Rome, where his Noble and Generous Carriage was such, as procured wonder from his Spectaters, and obtained Favour, Respect and Compassion from the Emperor: By this time, through the dissension of the Britain's, the Romans got good footing in this Island, but met with a dismal check from Boadicea a British Queen, whom they provoked by their Cruelty and Avarice; who yet was at last crushed by the Invincible Power of the Romans.  
What little glimmering of Learning or Knowledge the Britain's in those days had, dropped only from the Lips of their Druids and Bards, they were Priests and Prophets to that bewildered People; by Them they were taught what Deities to Worship, and with what execrable Rites, they were to Worship them: Their Principal Gods were Belinus, Baal or Bel; Diana or the Moon; Camulus or Mars; Andate, or Adraste, whom Boadicea is Recorded to have invoked, when her last Battle was shaken by the Roman Forces, with a number more of petty Deities, which the Land of Egypt, (the very Fountain of Theology) never thought of; and yet Caractacus beforementioned, in gratitude for his release from Captivity, and Restitution to his Throne, consecrated a new Altar to his Royal Benefactor the Emperor of Rome, which he erected in Cama'odunum, with this Inscription, The Altar of Eternal Domination, and might indeed have greater Obligations to this his Mortal Deity, then to any of his Ancient (Falsely) called Gods, which he and the rest of the Britain's had so long Adored with Unmanly and Slavish Superstition, as they were directed by their blind Priests and Druids; For, they ordered both public and private Sacrifices, they dispensed Rewards and Punishments, determined all Controversies; and who ever refused to obey their Decrees, were forbidden to be present at the Sacrifices, and consequently were avoided and abandoned, as most Impious and detestable persons.  
Most of their Rites and Ceremonies were vain and foolish, such as they used in gathering of Mistletoe from the Oak, to which they ascribed great Virtue, but many of them Barbarous and Excerable; by which to Divine of future Events they would make their Altars flow with Humane Blood, and consult their Cruel Gods by searching into Entrails of Innocent Men; Insomuch as Claudius himself, (though a Heathen,) thought fit by rigorous Edicts to Interdict this Execrable Religion to his Romans, but could not weed it out of the Hearts of the Besotted Britain's. But what the Authority of the Roman Emperors could not effect, the Power of Almighty God soon brought to pass, sending a new Celestial Light to dissipate that more than Egyptian Darkness, wherein this our Country had been so long involved.  
This our Island, (though divided from the rest of the World,) yet perceived the bright Beams of the Sun of Righteousness to dawn in it, sooner than many other Countries nearer approaching to that place where this ever Blessed Sun arose. If we may believe our Ancient Gildas, This day Star sprung from on high, visited us soon after the ascension of our Saviour, toward the end of the Reign of Tiberius Caesar; by which this Ancient Historian might mean, at least, that about that time many zealous Apostolical persons were then in preparation for their Journey into Britain, though perhaps it might be before they could arrive hither; The Attestation of other Credible Writers to this of our Gildas, may induce us to believe without any violence to our Reason, that the Zeal of some Primitive Christians might very early carry them as far as this our Country, to divulge the Blessed Tidings of Salvation, than forthwith to be Preached indifferently to all Nations; and likely to be most welcome to them; Two great advantages these forward Missioners had for their Entrance into this Island, to which a way was opened bythe Roman Conquest.  
1st. The coming of St. Peter at that time from Antioch to Rome.  
2dly. The being of Caractacus with his Queen, Brethren and Family, and consequently a multitude of Attendants then at Rome. The former is attested by Eusebius and others, with the intent of St. Peter's coming thither, in pursuit of Simon Magus, and to take his Apostolical Chair in the Metropolis and principal City of the Roman Empire, from whence the Christian Doctrine might be the more easily dispersed over the whole World. The latter is confirmed by Learned Writers, and in particular that a Noble British Virgin, either Attendant to Caractacus, (or as some say, his Daughter,) became a Disciple to St. Peter, and by her Virtue and Christian Piety, proved a more Illustrious Ornament to our Country, than Caractacus himself by his Heroic Magnanimity; This Lady, it may seem, after Married Rufus a Noble Roman, and changed her British Name into Claudia Ruffina after the Roman Dialect, and was the same which Marshal so highly Celebrates in a short Epithalamium upon her Marriage, with one he calls Pudens, who by Tradition, is said to have Entertained St. Peter in his House, which was after erected into a Church: True it is, St. Paul in his 2d. Epistle to Timothy sent to him from Rome, (amongst other Salutations,) joins Pudens and Claudia. And a late Learned Writer hath demonstrated out of Antiquity, that this our Claudia Ruffina sprang from the Royal Blood of Britain, and was the Wife and Mother of Glorious Saints. And our Ancient Histories report that Timotheus the Eldest Son of Pudens, came into this our Island, and Converted many to the Faith, and at least disposed King Lucius to his succeeding Conversion; And the reason of such his coming hither might be, the Love and regard he had to his Mother a British Lady.  
It is pretended that Pomponia Graecina the Wife of Plantius General of the Army under Claudius in this Island, was a Christian and Devout Saint; but this may be doubtful, though it be clear by Tacitus, that she was Accused of a strange Religion forbidden by the Roman Laws, which might be the Christian Religion, to the knowledge whereof she might attain by her Acquaintance with Claudia Ruffina. But we have more unquestionable Records of one Mansuetus, Companion of St. Clemens, which Mansuetus was a Northern Britain, who went to Rome either with Adminius, a Prince of Britain, or Bericus a Nobleman thereof, or as Attendant upon Caractacus, where the said Mansuetus might be Converted by St. Peter, and be by him constituted Bishop of Toul in Lorraine, upon a Miracle by him done, in restoring to Life and Health a Son of the Governor of that City, whose said Son fell down from a high Tower; the effect of which Miracle was the Conversion of the said Governor, his whole Family, and a great number of his Citizens; Insomuch, as after the word had a free course, not only in that City, but in the Country thereabouts, Priests were Ordained, and a Church erected, and Consecrated to the Holy Trinity.  
About this time, one Beatus of this Island, was converted to the Christian Faith, and went to Rome for further instruction therein by S. Peter, and after became the Apostle of the Helvetians, and died amongst them, illustrious for his exemplary Piety, and great Miracles.  
Thus early did it please God to enlighten this our native Country with his Divine Truth, and to transform the Barbarous Inhabitants thereof into Apostles, and Messengers of Salvation to other Countries also. And as it appears by ancient Monuments, it pleased our good God to send his Prime Apostle S. Peter into this Island, to establish and confirm what other Persons (though of great Honour and Holiness) had begun, yet for want of the Episcopal Character could not establish Order and Government in this new planted Church, as the Apostles could, and did do.  
Unquestionable ancient Authors have Recorded, that when the World was divided by Lott amongst the Apostles; the West became the Portion of S. Peter, and that from Rome he came to Britain, and made a long abode there, constituting Churches, and ordaining Priests and Deacons; this Truth has been confirmed by many Holy and Primitive Popes, by many of our British and Saxon Kings, by the Vision of S. Peter to Edward the Confessor; Nay, our late King James the First of ever Blessed Memory, did not doubt in a public Audience, to affirm, that Rome was the Mother of all Churches. In what particular year this coming of S. Peter was, is not easy to determine; whether upon the Emperor Claudius' Edict to Banish all Jews from Rome, or in the beginning of Nero's Reign, is doubtful; But that he was absent from Rome when S. Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans, is more than probable, since he omitted S. Peter out of his Salutations. Certainly, a freer scope was allowed in this Island at that time for Divine Verities, than in other places.  
First, Because Nero's Persecution never extended hither.  
Secondly, For that the power of the Romans here was a little limited by the British Princes, who were at least civil to Christians.  
Thirdly, The great distance betwixt Rome and this Island, as may appear by the quiet and uninterupted solitude of Glastonbury, where was erected the first School of Contemplation, and which continued the glorious Habitation of a World of Saints, even to late years.  
It may be found in a very ancient Author, who Writes of Church Affairs, in the first Century, that he mentions the exaltation of the British Church under Nero, adding that many Churches were built in this Island by S. Peter; and it is agreed of on all hands, that the cruelty of Nero towards the Christians, drove S. Paul out of Rome, even as far Westward as Britain, where, though he was had in high Veneration, yet we never read that the Church here planted was called the Seat of St. Paul, but often the Chair of St. Peter; Insomuch as Gildas inveighing against some of the British Clergy in his time, tells them, They usurped the Chair of St. Peter with impure feet; Thereby intimating that the whole Ecclesiastical Order here, received their Original Priesthood by a right Succession from St. Peter. Howbeit our English Martyrology deservedly reckons St. Paul among the Apostles of Britain: And so was Aristobulus also, one of the 70 Disciples, and a Follower of St. Paul, Ordained a Bishop here, and here also died a Martyr in the second year of Nero, or at least a Confessor in his very Old Age, after he had spent some time in Solitude at Glastonbury, the common Retiring place of many Eminent Saints. It was certainly meant by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, when he Salutes the Household of Aristobulus, omitting him, being then absent in this Country, or in his Journey towards it.  
This progress had the Gospel in this Island before the Death of St. Peter or St. Paul, and was mightily advanced by the coming of Joseph of Arimathea and his Companions, about the end of Nero's Reign, making up the number of Twelve Persons with himself, one of which Twelve is said to be his Son of his own Name: The coming and Preaching of Joseph and his Companions hath been publicly alleged in several General Counsels by the English Orators, as an Argument of Precedence in those Counsels, taken from the early approach of the Gospel to this Nation; and further affirmed by other Ancient Records, and especially by that Illustrious Charter of King Henry the II. to the Abbey of Glastonbury, signifying his intention to Rebuild that Monastery, not long before Consumed by Fire; and to renew all the Privileges conferred on it by his Predecessors King William the I. and II. and by more Ancient Kings St. Edgar the Father of St. Edward, King Edmond and his Father, Edward and his Grandfather Alfred, by King Brithwald, Hentwyn, Baldred, Ina, the famous King Arthur, Cantred and many other Christian Kings; and even by Kenwalla a Pagan King of Britain: And further affirming, that he the said Henry the II. caused a diligent Inquisition to be made of the said Charters and Privileges, which were presented and Read in his Presence, all which he Confirmed and Renewed to the same Church, anciently styled, The Mother and Tomb of Saints, because it had been Built by the immediate Disciples of our Lord, and to him Dedicated, as Venerable Antiquity doth testify: All which considered, to deny so great a Blessing conferred on our Nation, must savour of Passion and un-excusable Partiality.  
The time and occasion of St. Joseph's Arrival here, and the particular Acts of him and his Companions, after so many years of change and alteration, cannot befully accountable: The time in all likelihood, was when Suetonius Paulinus was Praetor here, and when Policletus Favourite to Nero came hither with his Retinue; the occasion of his coming is less certain; Some writ that St. Joseph was sent hither by St. Philip the Apostle or Evangelist, grounding their opinion from Procalphius who speaks little to that purpose: Tradition informs us, that St. Joseph at his first coming Addressed himself to Arviragus, than King of the Britain's, and said to be the Founder of the University of Oxford, by the help of an Augur or Prophet named Olenus Calenus, from whom it was first called Calena: And although Arviragus did not submit to the Doctrine of St. Joseph, yet he gave him leave to publish it in Peace; so well was he prepared to the Entertainment of Divine Truth, by humane Education: Nay, he was also pleased to afford Joseph and his Companions a place of Retreat, not only commodious for their Devotions, but sufficient for their Sustenance; called by the Britain's the Glassey-Island, or Avallonia, in which certain Lands were allotted, both by Arviragus and his Son Marius, containing about 12 Hides for the Nourishment of those Godly persons; being the first of ground in this Island Dedicated to the Service of God, and after called Godney.  
The first thing these new Inhabitants undertook, was to build and Consecrate a Church for the Worship of God; which they Dedicated to the Honour of the most Blessed Virgin Mary: And as is affirmed amongst other things relating to Glastonbury Monastery, in an Epistle of St. Patrick, who died there, was Consecrated Miraculously by our Blessed Lord himself, to the Honour of his Mother: This wonderful Consecration is more fully declared by the Testimony of the Illustrious Bishop of St. David, the Extirpator of Pelagianisme out of Britain; as hath been Collected out of the Antiquities of Glastonbury by Williàm of Malmsbury, to this effect following. That St. David with other Bishops coming to Glastonbury, invited by the Sanctity of the place; resolved to Consecrate the Church there, formerly erected to the Honour of the Mother of God; and having provided all things necessary for that purpose, the night before his intended Ceremony; our Blessed Lord appeared to St. David in his sleep, and demanded the cause of his coming thither, which St. David forthwith declared; whereupon our Lord taking him by the Hand, told him, That he himself many years before had Dedicated the said Church to the Honour of his Mother, and that That Holy Ceremony was not to be Profaned by any man's repeating: And having said this, with his Finger pierced through the Bishop's Hand; telling him this should be a sign, that what himself had formerly Anticipated, ought not again to be Renewed; and withal promised him, that when the said Bishop the next day at the Canon of the Mass should pronounce the words, Per ipsum, & cum ipso, & in ipso●●, His Hand should be restored sound to him: The Bishop awaking, found his Hand pierced; and others saw and touched the Wound with great Admiration; and the Preparation for the Consecration was laid aside; and during the Celebration of Mass, the Bishop's Hand became Sound.  
The sum of what hath hitherto been here related, is repeated by St. Augustine the Convertor of our Nation in an Epistle of his to St. Gregory the Great, and by Copgrave in the Life of St. Joseph; and is further testified by an Ancient Inscription cut in Brass, fastened to a Pillar in the same Church, declaring in effect what hath been said already: This Inscription is recorded by Sir Henry Spelman in his Collection of Counsels, and yet by him pretended to be Fabulous.  
First, He doubts whether any Christian Churches were Erected so early. Which doubt is certainly groundless, unless he mean such Magnificent Structures as have been built since Christianity hath been publicly cherished and countenanced; but that even under the Harrows of Persecution the Christians made shift to Erect or Assign places to meet in, and perform the Rites and Duties of Religion, is Attested by all Ecclesiastical Histories.  
Secondly, If Churches were Built, yet they were not Encompassed with ground for Burial before St. Cuthbert 's time; Burial within Cities being forbidden by the Roman Laws. Sure this is a false conceit, for King Ethelbert and his Bishop St. Augustine before St. Cuthbert's days, were Buried in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul at Canterbury. Constantine the first Christian Emperor, was buried amongst the Relics and Bones of the Apostles and Martyrs: And as for the Roman Law forbidding Burials in Cities, it was antiquated long before this; however Glastonbury was no City, scarce a Village, rather a Desert far from Rome, and under the Dominion of British Princes, wellwishers to Christianity, and the simplicity thereof in those days.  
Thirdly, Dedication of Churches was not then in use: Doubtless many Ceremonies and Solemnities have been added by the Church, but as certainly the Houses, or Places which the most Primitive Christians assigned for the Worship of God, were by some Ceremonies Dedicated to that use; as by erecting a Title, fixing a Cross, etc. as the most ancient Records testify.  
But lastly, That which most displeases Sir Hen. is the Dedication of this Church to the Blessed Virgin, for he thinks such a kind of Devotion, was not thought of until many Ages after; but then he must forget the Tradition of Spain, attested in all their Liturgies, and many of their Councils, that from the first entrance of Christianity into that Kingdom, several Churches have been erected to the Honour of that Blessed Virgin; witness that most Famous Temple at Saragosa, called del pillar, Celebrated above 1000 years since, by St. Maximus Bishop of that City, in several Hymns by him composed, in Honour of that Venerable House, called Angelical, because the Pillar on which the Virgin's Statue was fixed, is thought to be brought thither by the Ministry of Angels.  
After the Death of Arviragus, Marius his Son succeeds him in the British Throne, resembling his Father, as in Courage, and other Princelike Virtues; so also in his kindness to these holy Strangers. This Marius is reported to have had a great Victory over the Picts, who were doubtlessly no other than the Northern Britain's then unconquered, and consequently uncivilised by the Romans, but who remaining in their Barbarous custom of painting their Bodies, got a new name of Picts.  
After the Death of this Marius, in the Reign of Coilus his Son, our St. Joseph is said to end his Labours and Mortality, in the 82 of our Lord, and second year of the Reign of the Emperor Titus. After the Death of Nero, Cruel to himself, his own Mother, the poor Christians, and indeed to all Mankind, and the barbarous extinguisher of those two most Glorious Lights then shining in the World St. Peter and St. Paul; the Family of the Caesars failing, four Emperors were set up and pulled down within the space of two years, Vespasian only excepted, who becoming Conqueror, at last settled the Empire and restored Peace; The Romans in Britain were unconcerned in these Broils, and were well affected to Vespasian, who by his Deputy Frontinus, placed a Legion in Caerleon.  
St. Joseph after a Solitary Life led at Glastonbury, where he seems to Institute a Monastical Profession with his said Companions, and such other Holy Persons as his and their Labours had Converted to the Faith, Died their about the said 82 year of our Lord's Incarnation, and was Buried at Glastonbury, as his Companions also were, in or near the Church Built by him; where since innumerable Converts and Christians have been Interred: It is thought the Body of this Renowned Saint was deposited in a Cave, over which a Chapel was after Built to his Honour, as this Epitaph there found imports.  
Ad Britones veni post quam Christum Sepelivi.  
Dorni requievi.  
His Relics not having been discovered, some Devout persons in the days of Edward the III. obtained leave to search for them: The Patent for that purpose is yet extant to this effect.  
That a supplication having been made by John Blome of London, wherein he affirms, that he had received a command from Heaven, diligently to seek till he could find the Body of the Noble Councillor Joseph of Arimathaea, which reposes in Christ within the limits of Glastonbury Monastery, and which for the Saint's Honour was to be discovered in those times. And for that it appeared by Ancient Records that his Body was there buried: The said King, if so, desirous to bestow due Honours to the Monument and Venerable Relics of him, who expressed so great Piety and Charity to our dying Redeemer, that he took his Body from the Cross, and placed it ina New Monument which he had built for himself, and hoping that by the revealing of his Holy Relics greater Grace and Favour should be showed by God to him and his Kingdom; did give and grant permission, as much as in him lay, to the said John Blome to dig where he should find it expedient within the precincts of the said Monastery, in order to the searching out of the said precious Relics, according to the Injunction and Revelation made unto him, provided he did it with the consent of the Abbot, and without prejudice to the Monastery. What was found upon this search doth not appear, but the Piety and Devotion of the King may be easily collected.  
The same Monuments which inform us of the Life, Death and Burial of St. Joseph at Glastonbury, as an unquestionable Tradition in all Ages, agreed unto by Britain's, Saxons, Danes and Normans; do likewise testify, That he brought with him into Britain two Silver Vessels filled with the Blood of our Saviour Christ, which were buried with him in his Tomb; Several Proofs hereof were extant even to the days of Queen Elizabeth; amongst others the Narration of William Good a Jesuit, who was born in the Reign of Henry the 8th. and bred up in his Childhood at Glastonbury, and affirms, That in his time certain Brass-plates were Engraven to perpetuate the memory of these things, as also Chapels, Grots, Crosses, Arms, and the observation of the Festival of St. Joseph on the sixth of the Calends of August, which remained as long as the Monks enjoyed the Charters of their Munificent and Royal Benefactors, but are now buried in the ruins of the place. He confesseth, never any Monk knew the certain place of this Saint's Sepulchre: The common report was, it was extremely deep under ground, somewhere in or about Hambdenhill; but when ever the Saints Body shall be found, multitudes would resort to it, invited with the great and innumerable Miracles which should be there wrought: He remembers, to have seen upon a Stone-Cross, which was demolished in Queen Elizabeth's days, a Plate of Brass, on which was written: That in the 30th. year after the Passion of our Lord, Joseph of Arimathaea with 11 or 12 Companions came into Britain, and were permitted by King Arvitagus to abide at Glaston then called Avallonia, like Solitary men; and that he brought with him two small Silver Vessels of the Sacred Blood and Water which flowed out of Christ's side after his death. And that a Cross was there Erected many years before, to show the length of the Chapel which St. Joseph built of wailed Rods of the most Holy Virgin, on the outside of the Wall of which Chapel were Engraven in Ancient Characters JESUS MARIA.  
There were then other Remarks and Footsteps of these Truths to be there found: Now that St. Joseph and Nicodemus also, with due veneration gathered the Blood of our Lord, which for many Ages was Piously Worshipped by Devout Christians both in the East and West, is testified by divers Ancient Histories and Martyrologies; and to this purpose it is remarkable what Matthew Paris hath related in the year of our Lord God 1247. Namely, That then the Master of the Temple and Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem sent a certain portion of the Blood of our Lord shed upon the Cross, in a most Beautiful Crystal Glass, by a Brother of the Temple; which Present was confirmed by the then Patriarch of Jerusalem, by Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and other Prelates and Noblemen then dwelling in the Holy-Land: The said Historian further declaring at large, With what Honour and Reverence this Holy Treasure was entertained by King Henry the III. and his whole Clergy and Nobility.  
And at the same time (to give satisfaction to doubting Minds,) Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, the Glory of that Age for Piety and Learning, affords us a large Narration of the Fact, to the effect following: That Joseph of Arimathaea a Noble Counsellor, and one of the Hearers of Jesus, or his Disciple rather, out of tender compassion, was very solicitous how his venerable Body might be preserved from the rage of the Jews; Howbeit, both He and Nicodemus and other rich men, though most cordial Lovers of Jesus, yet concealed their Affection for fear of their Estates; Nevertheless when Jesus was Crucify'd, Joseph went boldly to Pilate and begged the Body of Jesus, and by Pilate 's permission (notwithstanding the murmuring of the Jews) with all due Honour and Reverence took down the most Holy Body from the Cross, all mangled and bloody, and with a fine Linen-cloth Devoutly and carefully wiped the Sacred Wounds as yet moist and distilling, and having drawn the Nails out of the Wounds he wiped and cleansed them at the Cross, and then carrying the Body from Golgotha, he laid it in a new Tomb where never any body had been laid; and which was decently cut out of a Rock, as provided and intended for Joseph himself. But before our Saint would bury the Body, he washed it, for it was covered with Blood. First, in regard of his late Bloody-Sweat. Secondly, by reason of his Cruel Scourging. Thirdly, The pressing of a Crown of Thorns upon his Head. Fourthly, The Nails in his Hands and Feet. Lastly, The Soldier's Spear which did not only Wound, but open a wide passage into his side. Joseph also washed this Sacred Body in order to the Embalming of it: He washed it (saith Grosthead) with an intention and Religion's design to appropriate the same Blood to his own devout use, as a most precious Treasure and Medicine for his Soul: The Water tinctured with the Blood, he would not cast away, but kept it in a clean Vessel; and the pure Blood distilling from the Wounds of his Hands and Feet, he reserved with more Reverence; But above all, with more than ordinary Devotion and Holy Fear he received into a most precious Vessel, the Blood mixed with Water, which he carefully pressed out of his Right side; and which he judged to issue from his Heart; This he esteemed a Treasure invaluable, to be reserved for himself and his Successors: This was the Discourse, and these the Sentiments of that Venerable Prelate, upon the forementioned occasion.  
It may seem strange, that Joseph accounting this Blood so inestimable a Treasure, should yet ordain it to be put into the Grave with him, as it is said he did; He may be thought to do it, least in such a time when Paganism prevailed, the Holy Relic might be Profaned; and if Christianity ever came to be uppermost, Devout Christians might know whither to resort for it; or perhaps he might have the same design with the Emperor Constantine, who carefully collected the Relics of the Apostles, and after they were richly adorned, commanded they should be laid up in his Tomb; To the end (as Eusebius tells us) that being dead, he might be made partaker of the Prayers, which there in Honour of the Apostles should be offered unto God.  
After the death of S. Joseph, S. Phagan succeeded in the Prefecture of this Holy Place, and continued in it about 30 years, and under him and other his Successors, who enjoyed the Possessions bestowed upon them by the British Kings, a Monastical Conversation was upheld, until the Reign of King Lucius, at which time the public Preaching of the Gospel, was not only permitted, but encouraged: So as these Holy men in all likelihood were invited, and by Charity compelled to leave God for God, to forsake their Solitude, and employ their Devotion and Labours in Converting and Saving the Souls of others; by reason whereof, it is reported, that this place became Desolate; Howbeit, not long after, the memory of St. Joseph stirred up Devout Christians, to visit and enlarge the Church here Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, as the Fountain and Original of Christian Religion in this Island.  
A little before the death of St Joseph, Julius Agricola was sent Praetor into Britain in the last year of Vespasian, and was entertained with Opposition in Wales, which with extraordinary diligence he resisted, and made his Victory complete at the Isle of Anglesey, from whence Paulinus had lately been recalled by the Dreadful Rebellion of the forementioned unhappy Queen of the Trinobantes Boadicea. Agricola after took care to govern the Province in Peace, to restrain the Avarice of the Roman Soldiers, to defend the Natives from injuries, and by his Courtesy and Civility invited them to delight in Peace. Thereupon he encouraged them to conform to the Roman Fashion of Life, by building Houses, Temples, and Market-Places: He caused their Children to be instructed in Arts and good Literature, Applauding their Wits and Natural Endowments, so as thereby the Roman Tongue became Familiar to the Britain's, and the Roman Eloquence in request amongst them.  
In the third year of his Praetorship he Marched Northward, and wasted the Country as far as Tweed, and the Summer following he extended his Conquests as far as Bodotria, now Edinborough Frith, Eastward, and Glotta now the Frith of Dunbritton Westward, and strengthened the narrow space between them with Forts and Garrisons: So as the only Enemies remaining unconquered, were the Caledonian Britain's, at a Town thereabouts, now called Abercurven; an Ancient Structure is at this day extant, all of square Stones, which the inhabitants call Julius' Hoft, and fancy to have been built by Julius Caesar, but more probably was raised by this Julius Agricola, as a Monument of his Conquests.  
In the fifth year of his Expedition, he pierced into the Northwest Provinces toward Ireland, as if he had an intent to pass over thither; and indeed he is said to be invited over by a Petty Prince of that Island, who compelled by his Rebellious Subjects thereunto, made some Addresses unto him.  
The following year he spent in a March from Edinborough Northward, to sinned out the limits of the Country, the Romans as yet not knowing whether Britain were an Island or not; in which march of his, he caused his Navy to keep pace with his Land-Army, both for his Security and Supply, but to the great Terror of the poor Britain's, who to free themselves from this danger, attempted the ninth Legion, separated from the rest of the common Army, yet were defeated, but after under the Conduct of Galgacus, eminent both for Nobility and Courage, resolved to put all to the hazard of a Battle; and assembling all their Forces upon the mountain Grampus, after a Cruel and Bloody Fight, were entirely Defeated; This Battle was Fought in the last year of Agricola's Government: For in the beginning of the year following, which was the 5th. of Domitian's Reign, he returned to Rome; where (after some show of Honour,) he became the object of that Tyrant's Envy, and not long after the Sacrifice of his Cruelty.  
After the departure of Agricola, it doth not clearly appear who succeeded; some say Cneus Trebellius, others Salustius Lucullus, whom Domitian put to Death, because he framed new fashioned Lances, and called them after his own Name; this is all is mentioned in the Roman Histories during the remainder of Domitian's Reign and his two Successors Nerva and Trajan; little more is written concerning the state of Christianity in these times, here in Britain, save only that the Church of Britain, in the year of Grace 100 sent a Legation to St. Clement Bishop of Rome, desiring him to communicate unto them, the Order and Rites of Celebrating Divine Service; and it is delivered by Tradition, that St. Clement set down the Order of offering Sacrifice instituted by St. Peter, which was after used, with some Addition throughout the whole Western Church.  
In Trajan's time, Britain was divided only into two Provinces, called the first and second, greater and less, or the upper and lower Britain; the former contained the Southern part, as far as the River-Thames, first possessed by the Romans, the latter the Western Provinces, as Cornwall, Wales, etc. Toward the latter end of Trajan's Reign, some of the Britain's attempted to shake off the Roman yoke, but were neglected by the Emperor, engaged in other Affairs of more concern; It is not certain which of the Britain's made this attempt; Coelus is then said to be King of the Britain's, not perhaps the sole King, but most considerable for Power and Wealth, to whom the rest yielded Honour and some kind of Subjection, as some of the British Princes in former Ages are said to have done to Cassibelan; and as after in the time of the Heptarchy, to him who was styled Rex Anglorum: This King Coelus is described in History, to be a Prince of a Benign and Peaceable Nature, and well affected to the Romans, as having been trained and brought up amongst them from his tender years, and consequently not likely to join in any Rebellion against them. Now though Trajan had not leisure to reduce these Tumultuous Britain's, yet his Successor Adrian neglected them not, as may appear by several Coins, where on are Imprinted the British Army, with three Roman Soldiers, importing the three Legions in Britain, viz. the second called Augusta, the fourteenth called Victrix, and the twentyth called Victrix & Britanica; And this it seems was done to admonish the Britain's that this new Emperor was mindful of their Disorders, which about three years after he came himself in person to chastise; Julius Severus was now Praetor under Adrian, but did little, as to the suppressing the Tumults here, especially in the Southern parts, where Coelus was King. Howbeit Adrian in his third year began his Progress for the rectifying Disorders, composing Seditions, and restoring Discipline to his Armies every where; He began with Germany, from thence took a view of France, and the following year passed over into Britain, where his first Exploit was, to separate such as Peaceably lived in subjection to the Roman Empire, from such as refused to submit to its yoke.  
Now whereas the Northern Britain's since they were overthrown by Agricola, had broken through the Fortifications he had made in the narrow Isthmus between the Friths of Edinburgh and Dunbritton; yet Adrian thought not fit to hazard his Army, in repelling them within those former bounds, but contented himself to raise a Wall or Rampire more Southerly, which he continued the space of 80 Miles between Solway-Frith on the West, and Tinmouth on the East side of the Isle, it was made of Turf, and strengthened with Timber; and in after Ages was called, The Picts Wall, when that Northern Nation became to be termed Picts, as aforesaid.  
The next year Adrian was called out of Britain, to compose Sedition raised in Alexandria in Egypt: When Adrian was near thereabouts, the Jews and Gentiles were loud in their Complaints against the Christians in Palestine, from whence that Holy Religion sprang; the number of them was then great in that Country, by reason of the continual resort of Believers to that Sacred place from every quarter of the World, to celebrate the memory both of our Saviour's Actions and Passions there: Upon these Complaints, he renews the Persecution began by his Predecessor, and imagining that he could destroy Christian Religion, by a Malicious Defacing the Place where it began, he erected Idols of Devils in the most Sacred place of our Lord's Passion, Jupiter in Mount Calvary, Venus where the Cross had been fixed, Adonis at Bethlehem, conceiving the memory of the Christian Religion would be soon blotted out by the Worship of these Idols: And indeed this Holy Place lay in this desolation, until Helena the Mother of Constantine, thought it worth her Pains to search out the Cross, as is hereafter more fully related.  
The Learning, Patience and Constancy of the Christians, through the intercession of Noble and Considerable Persons on their behalf, caused Adrian at last to publish an Edict, that none should be punished for their Belief, if free from other Crimes.  
About the beginning of this Emperor's Reign, died our King Coelus, leaving for his Successor his Son Lucius, a Child of Ten years old, resembling his Father in Virtue, and consequently beloved of his Subjects; his Father's affection to the Romans, procured him a Roman Name derived from Light, the Britain's upon the same account called him Lever Maur, or a great Brightness, for the Joy he brought to the whole Kingdom, especially to his Father, being born to him in his Old Age, and 37th. year of his Reign; perhaps this Name foreshowed a greater Light of Divine Truth, which in this Prince's time, and by his care and procurement, was communicated to the whole Kingdom. This Blessing arrived not all at once, he did not presently quit the Superstition of his Fore fathers, though he continued his Father's Kindness to the Christians, his heart was to be prepared and cultivated by little and little for the Heavenly Seed, by many Dispensations of Providence hereafter occurring.  
Gildas and Nennius mention a Message sent to the Britain's by Pope Evaristus in the latter end of Trajan's Reign, exhorting them to the embracing of the Christian Faith; the advantage or occasion of this Message might be from mitigating that persecution of the Christians; therefore that Holy Bishop might lay hold of that opportunity to recommend a Religion, the Innocency whereof was approved by its greatest Persecutors: Nay, a late Germane Author, affirms, that our King Lucius obtained from Pope Alexander, the Successor of Evaristus, that the Christian Faith should be Preached in this Isle; which no doubt the Pope would easily grant, as may appear by the coming of S. Timotheus and S. Marcellus with others into Britain about this time, of whom more hereafter: Moreover, in the most Ancient Monuments of Burton-Abbey, we may find, That in the year of our Lord 149. nine Doctors and Scholars were Baptised at Granta or Cambridge; and it is confidently affirmed by Gildas, That the Christian Faith did from the beginning, entirely remain in Britain, until Dioclesian 's time, which was by him well observed, lest any should think the Religion brought in by the Apostles and their Disciples, had been utterly extinguished.  
To Adrian succeeded Antoninus Pius, who sent Lollius Vrbicus to repel the Encroaching Britain's, who soon drove them back within their former bounds; yet found work enough to compose the Differences and Dissensions which broke out afresh in the formerly subdued Provinces, between the brigants and Ordovices; these Tumults were of such danger and hazard, that the happy quieting them gave the addition of Britanicus to Antoninus.  
In the 19th. year of this Emperor, Pope Pius the first established by Decree the observation of Easter, or the Feast of our Lord's Resurrection upon a Sunday, in opposition to such Judaizing Christians, who pretending a Tradition from St. John the Evangelist, kept it precisely on the 14th. day of the first Moon in March. Our Ancient Ecclesiastical Monuments make mention about this time of one Marcellus, a Britain born, and a Zealous Preacher of the Faith in Britain, of whom our English Martyrology testifies, That he gathered into a Flock the remainder of those, who had been Converted by St. Joseph of Arimathaea and his Companions, confirming them in the same Faith. This St. Marcellus was afterwards ordained Bishop of Tongres and Triers, these two Cities being governed at that time by one Bishop: In the Annals of which Church we read, That Lucius King of Britain was made a Christian, and Baptised by this Marcellus a Teacher of the Inhabitants of Triers: Yet there are more Authentic Testimonies demonstrating, That he was Baptised by Fugatius and Damianus sent by Pope Eleutherius. This Holy Bishop Marcellus, was the first Britain who suffered Martyrdom out of this Island, as St. Alban was the first who suffered within it; his Sufferings were in a great Persecution raised by Marcus Aurelius the Successor of Antoninus.  
Together with Marcellus, there came from Rome another Illustrious Saint, of Noble Birth and Plentiful Fortunes, which yet he relinquished, that with the more freedom, he might Preach Christ Crucify'd: This Timotheus was the Son of Pudens, a Roman Senator, and of his Wife supposed to be the famous Claudia the British Lady forespoken of; He was also Brother of Novatus, as also of S. Pudentiana and Praxedes, whose memories are Anniversarily celebrated by the Catholic Church: His coming hither is a considerable proof that his Mother was a Britain: It may be collected out of the Ecclesiastical Offices, that Pudentiana a Virgin, with her Sister Praxedes the Daughters of Pudens, practising the Duties of Christian Religion, with admirable Piety, Sold her Patrimony, and distributed to the Poor the Money thence arising; giving herself wholly to Fasting and Prayer; by her Zeal and endeavours her whole Family consisting of 96. persons was Converted to the Faith, and Baptised by Pope Pius: And the public Sacrifices being forbidden by Antoninus, the Holy Pope Celebrated the Divine Mysteries, with other Christians in the House of Pudentiana, who afforded those Holy Persons all necessary Sustenance; and being thus employed in such Offices of Piety, she died the 14th. of the Calends of June, in the year of our Lord 161. and was buried in the Coemetery of Priscilla, in the Salarian way.  
Her Brother Novatus died the year following, concerning whose Death there is a Letter yet extant (from Pastor a Holy Priest) from Rome, to Timotheus then employed in his Apostolic Office in Britain, signifying unto him, That the venerable Virgin Praxedes was in great affliction for the death of her Sister Pudentiana; Pope Pius and many Honourable Christians came to comfort her, and amongst the rest her Brother Novatus, who, about two months after he departed from his Sister Praxedes fell sick, and was forthwith visited by the Holy Pope and Praxedes, as also by other godly persons to his great Comfort. That Novatus in the presence of those persons, declared his Will, and bequeathed all his Estate to Timotheus and Praxedes, and shortly after departed in the Lord. And by this Letter Pastor desired, To know of Timotheus how he would have the Estate of his Brother Novatus disposed, to the end, that what the said Timotheus directed might be observed therein.  
To which Letter Timotheus is said to give this Pious Answer, Presumed with Christian Charity; wherein, after a Salutation, savouring of the Holy simplicity of that Age, and desire to be recommended to the Memory and Intercession of the Holy Apostles, the Prelate of the Apostolic See, and all Saints, he signifies his desire, That what ever share was given to him by his Brother Novatus, should be at the dispose of his Holy Sister Praxedes, and the Holy Priest Pastor, to whom he returned his Answer: Which was after shown to Pope Pius, who gave thanks to the Father Almighty; and after, at the request of Praxedes Dedicated a Church in the Baths of Novatus at Rome in the Bricklayers-street, where the Holy Pope also constituted a Roman Title, and consecrated a Font for Baptism. Those Titles were for the most part signified by Crosses, and were first in the nature of particular Parishes, by Pope Evaristus assigned to the cure of particular Priests: The Baths which are here named from Novatus, have elsewhere their denomination from Timotheus, and were situated upon the mountain called Viminal: And in Truth the Christians privately resorted to this place for the celebration of their Divine Mysteries before any Church was Solemnly Consecrated there, as may be found in the Acts of Justin the Philosopher, who calls it the Timothean Bath: The same year that Novatus died, the Emperor Antoninus ended his Life, after him succeeded Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, jointly governing the Empire with equal Authority.  
In the second year of these Emperors, died the Holy Virgin Praxedes, the particulars of whose death are recorded by Pastor in this manner. Two years and 18 days after this Church was Dedicated, there was a great Persecution raised against Christians, to enforce them to Worship Idols, and many were Crowned with Martyrdom: Now the Holy Virgin Praxedes; fervent in the Holy Ghost, secretly concealed many good Christians in the said Title or Church, whose bodies she strengthened with Food, and their minds with Exhortations proceeding from God's spirit; Insomuch, as notice was given to Aurelius that Christian Assemblies were made in her House; he than sent his Officers thither, who laid hold on Symitrius a Priest and 22 persons more, all which the Cruel Emperor commanded to be put to Death in the same Title, without any Examination; their Bodies Praxedes took by night, and buried in the Coemetery of Priscilla; but soon after afflicted for the suffering of the Saints, with many Groans she Prayed that she might pass out of this Life; her Prayers found access unto our Lord Jesus, for in the 44th. day after the Martyrdom of the forementioned Saints, she went unto the Lord, and Pastor the Priest buried her Body in her Father's Coemetery of Priscilla upon the Salarian-way: This Persecution was begun at the Instigation of Heathen Philosophers, especially of the beastly Cynics, particularly of Crescence, that infamous Wretch mentioned with indignation by Justin Martyr.  
Thus much is delivered concerning the Holy Children of Pudens the Roman Senator, in the Acts of whom our Nation had an Interest, partly in regard their Mother was a British Lady, and that Timotheus was their Brother, who exercised his Apostolic Office in this Island, and no doubt had a great influence in disposing the mind of King Lucius towards the Christian Faith; of Timotheus little more is written, saving, that after the Death of his Sister Praxedes, he returned to Rome, where he became a Prey to those Sensual Philosophers, and ended his Life by Martyrdom with his worthy Companion Marcus, as appears by an Epistle of Pope Pius; wherein, amongst other things he declares, S. Timotheus and Marcus to have ended their Lives by a Happy Conflict; And he concludes his Letter to the Bishop unto whom it was directed, thus, Take care dear Brother that thou follow these Saints, in imitating their zeal, and freeing thyself from the Chains of this World: Make haste to obtain with the Holy Apostles the everlasting Palm of Victory, that Palm which St. Paul attained by a world of Sufferings, and St. Peter also, from whom the Cross itself could not take the love of Christ; Soter and Eleutherius Salute thee, Salute the Brethren who live with thee in our Lord: Cerinthus Satan's prime Minister, seduces many from the Faith; may the Grace of Christ dwell for ever in thy heart. We may see by this Epistle the Solicitude and Care of this Holy Pope for the Salvation of Souls, not in Rome only, but elsewhere; as also in another Epistle of his to Justus, wherein he recommends, The Decent Interring of the Bodies of Martyrs, and a due Veneration of their Relics.  
In the 18th. year of Marcus Aurelius and L. Verus, the Northern Province of the Ottadini, about Berwick broke out into Rebellion, for reducing of whom Calphurnius Agricola was sent into this Island, upon whose approach the Rebels quickly submitted: A little before this time Pius the first departed this Life, about the year of our Lord 166. and was succeeded by St. Annicetus, and him after 9 years succeeded St. Soter, who having for the space of five years filled the Chair of St. Peter, had for his Successor St. Eleutherius, in the year of our Lord 180. In whose third year our King Lucius, than an old man, after he had reigned 58 years, by God's Grace had his Youth renewed as an Eagle, and was born again by Baptism, and made an Heir of an everlasting Kingdom. It may seem strange perhaps he should hold out so long against the Power of Truth; But if we consider the tenaciousness of Humane Nature to inveterate Customs, so agreeable to Flesh and Blood, and the horrible Scandals and Prejudices then cast upon Christian Religion, it can appear no less than Miraculous, that a great King in his old Age should have the courage to submit his Crown and Sceptre to the Spiritual Sceptre of Christ's Kingdom. The Motives which might induce him hereunto, besides his long experience of the Innocence, Patience and Peaceable Dispositions of his Christian Subjects. May be  
First, The Powerful Preaching and Persuasion of many Apostolic Preachers, such as were St. Aristobulus, St. Marcellus, St. Timotheus, etc.  
Secondly, The Testimony of the Emperors themselves to the Christian Faith, and the Professors of it; though otherwise Enemies to it.  
Thirdly, The Testimony of God himself, in his miraculous rescue of the then reigning Emperor from unavoidable Ruin, by the Prayers of his Christian Soldiers.  
As to the Testimony of the Emperors, not such as Nero, Vitellius and Domitian, whose favour to Christians would have been disgraceful, but of Princes Venerable in the World for Prudence and Courage, yet zealous for their own Superstition, such as Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius; and what their Testimony of the Christians was, may be collected out of the Edict of Antoninus, as followeth.  
The Emperor Caesar, Titus, Aelius Hadrianus, Antoninus Pius, Angustus highest Priest, this 15th. time possessed of the Tribunitial Power, and this third time Consul Father of his Country. To the People of Asia Health; I am assured that the Gods will not permit those men to lie hid in obscurity, who refuse to pay due Honour and Worship to them, for they themselves will far more severely punish such, than you can. And you do not consider, that by Molesting and Tormenting those men, whom you call Impious, and charge as Enemies to the Gods, you do thereby the more confirm and increase their Religion; for to them it is a thing more desirable to be accused as Criminal, to lay down their Lives for their God, then to enjoy the present Life with worldly Contentment. Hence it is that by exposing their Lives in this manner, they obtain over you a more Glorious victory, then if they should perform whatever you require. Now as concerning the Earthquakes, which both in late times, and at this present also do happen; I judge very reasonable to give you some Admonition: Whensoever such Calamities befall you, ye are presently disheartened and in despair, you impute it strait to their Religion, as if it alone were the cause of all misfortunes happening to you: On the other side, whensoever any such Accident befalls them, they are thereby incited to a more constant and firm Trust in God: Whereas all that while, you either lose all knowledge of God, and utterly despise all Sacred Duties; not only refusing to pay the Worship and Service due to the Deity, but grievously vexing, and to death pursuing those who do observe and reverence him. Now several Magistrates and Governors of our Provinces, have heretofore written Letters to our most Holy and Deified Father Hadrian, to whom his Answer and Rescript was, That no further trouble should be given to those men, except they should be otherwise guilty of any Crime, or had a design prejudicial to the Roman Empire. Many also have written to me in their favour, to whom my Answer was, That I assented to the Ordinance and Will of my late Father; And my pleasure is, that if any shall hereafter offer any Injury or Vexation to any Christian, as a Christian, the person so persecuted, though found indeed to be a Christian, shall be presently Acquitted, and his Accuser undergo just and due punishment.  
This Edict, though directed particularly to Asia, yet had influence over the whole Roman World; and what could more advantageously recommend the Christian Religion, than what this Heathen Emperor here published of it; and certainly the Testimony of such an Enemy, who was of so great Authority, could not but impress mightily upon the Hearts of moderate Heathens, much more upon King Lucius, who from his Parents inherited a Spirit of kindness and liberality towards the Christians.  
But as for the Powerful Testimonies, which Almighty God himself at this time signally gave to all Mankind, by delivering not only the Roman Emperor, but the Empire itself from inevitable Destruction, by the Prayers of his Christian Servants. Let Dio a Roman Historian living in those times, and a bitter Enemy to the Christians, proclaim in his own words. The Emperor Marcus (saith he) after many Battles fought, and dangers undergone in Germany, in subduing the Marcomanni and Jaziges, was enforced to a new and sharp War against the Quadi, from which ensued a Victory happy to the Romans beyond their hope, obtained indeed by the miraculous favour of God; for the Romans in the midst of the Battle, being brought in extreme danger, were saved after a wonderful manner, and merely a special Divine assistance: They were narrowly enclosed on all sides by the Quadi, yet in places commodious fought valiantly; but the barbarous enemy craftily forbore to come to a general Engagement, hoping without that hazard, to see the Romans destroyed before their faces with extremity of Heat and Thirst, whom by their Multitudes they had shut so in, that they could come by no Water. Now the Romans brought to these extreme difficulties, and tormented with Wounds, Diseases, Thirst, and the burning Heat of the Sun, could neither Fight, nor draw off from the place, nor expect any remedy; when behold on a sudden there was a gathering together of many Clouds, from which descended great showers of Rain, to the great comfort and Refreshment of the Romans; who being thus encouraged by an unexpected assistance from Heaven, set upon their Enemies, (astonished at such a Miracle,) and forced them to flee; and seeing many of them in their flight killed with Lightning and Thunderbolts from Heaven, so as it was notorious to all the World, that this so great Deliverance and Victory was the work not of Men but God only. Now though Dio was by clear conviction enforced to the Confession of Divine Goodness, yet his malice and envy against the Christians provoked him to attribute this clear Miracle to Magic, or some false God, rather than to the true God of Christians: For he adds in the Conclusion of his Discourse, That the report than was, that a certain Egyptian Magician, called Arnuphis, then attending on the Emperor, did by Magical Arts invoke Mercury; especially that Deity who rules in the Air, and other Daemons, and by their assistance forcibly procured those showers.  
But Xiphilin the Abridger of Dio's History, evidently convinces this Imposture, showing first, that this Emperor was never addicted to the delusions of Magic, or affected to the Professors of such Arts; and afterwards declaring the true circumstances of the matter to this effect. Marcus (saith he) having in his Army one Legion, consisting of Soldiers which came from Armenia, and were all Worshippers of Christ, the Perfect of the Praetorian Bands came to him when he was in great fear, what would become of his Armies, and at a loss what course to take; and told him, there was nothing so difficult, but those who were called Christians could obtain from God; of which Profession, there was then in the Army one entire Legion: Marcus thus informed, desired the Christians to make Supplication to their God, in behalf of the Army; which as soon as they had done, God immediately granted their Prayers, and with the same Showers refreshed the Romans, and destroyed their Enemies: Marcus wonderfully astonished with these Events, by a public Edict honoured the Christians, and called that Legion, the Thundering Legion; as by an Epistle of that Emperor extant at this day may appear; and by the Apologies also of Apollinaris, St. Gregory Nissen, and Tertullian, etc. is made also manifest.  
The forementioned Epistle follows in these words. The Emperor Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, Augustus, etc. High Priest, in the 28th. year of our Tribunitial Power, and our third Consulship, Father of our Country, Proconsul to the Senate and People of Rome, sends Health; I have given you Information touching the greatness of our present Design and Resolution, and all the Occurences which successively happened to me in Germany, both in our Combats and Sieges. Truly when I was at Cornutum, our Scouts informed us, that there approached within the space of nine Miles, no fewer than 74 Ensigns of our Enemies; and the same thing did Pompeianus our General declare to us, which ourselves likewise saw. Now having in our Army only four Legions, the First, the Tenth, the Twin Legion, and that of the Ferentarii; and there being in our Enemy's Camp no sewer than 977000. when I compared our small Forces with the vast multitudes of our Barbarous Foes, I addressed my Prayers and Vows to our Roman Gods; But when I saw that was neglected by them, and that the Enemy began to over-charge us; I sent to call the Christians, which were not a few in our Army, whom both by Prayers and Threats also I urged to assist us, but Threats were neither needful, nor indeed seemly, as I perceived afterwards, when I found how Powerful they were: For they undertaking our Defence, did not take care to provide themselves Weapons, or to make use of Arms or Trumpets; for to put their trust in such things, is not acceptable to that God, whose Name, Cause and Honour they always carry in their Hearts. Therefore it is just, that we should acknowledge those to be safely protected by God, whom formerly we esteemed to be Impious, and Enemies to him. For having cast themselves Prostrate to the ground, they offered their Prayers, not only for Me, but for the whole Army, that some remedy might be sent us, to assuage the Hunger and Thirst with which we were tormented: For by the space of five days, we had Drank no Water, there being none left amongst us, nor means to procure any, we being closed round about with Mountains in the very heart of Germany: Now as soon as these Christians had cast themselves on the ground, and Addressed their Prayers to that God, of whom I was ignorant, immediately there fell from Heaven abundance of Rain, which to us was Cool and Refreshing; but to the Enemies, was accompanied with Hail in the likeness of Fire, and with Thunderbolts: Thus that God who cannot be overcome, or resisted, was in a wonderful manner Propitious to their Prayers and Supplications. For this reason, let us freely permit such as these to be what they Profess, Christians, lest we force them by their Prayers to obtain such Weapons against us from Heaven: My Judgement and Sentence therefore is, that none be questioned, or called into Judgement upon the Charge that he is a Christian; So that if any one be found to lay this as a Crime against any one, that he is a Christian, let it be made known to the person so accused, that he is to be presently dismissed and acquitted, in case no other Crime be objected against him; and let Him who accused such Christian, be Burnt Alive: Whosoever therefore professes himself a Christian, is hereby freed from any danger in that regard threatened against him: Neither let the Magistrate who governs the Province, endeavour to make him renounce his Profession, or any ways abridge his Liberty. And my Sentence moreover is, That this Edict be further Established by Decree of the Senate, and publicly exposed in the Common place of Trajan, that any one may Read it; let Vetrusius Pollio likewise Perfect of the City, take order that this Constitution be sent into all Provinces; neither let any one be prohibited to take a Copy, or make use of it, Farewell.  
The Emperor not content with so much advange to Celebrate the wonderful Power and Goodness of the true God by Edicts and Writings published to the whole World, proceeded to a yet more Illustrious Expression of his gratitude: And because Edicts were only in force for the present age, He, to Eternize the memory of so great a Deliverance, raised up, in a spacious place at Rome, a vast Pillar, on which was engraved the whole History, to be read in all future times.  
Certainly such a Confession of the Debility of the Roman Deities, and the Omnipotence of the True God Worshipped only by the Christians, made by the most Wise, Learned and Virtuous Emperor of the Romans, must needs have a strange influence on the minds of many men throughout the whole Empire, to incline them to conform themselves to his Judgement, though his Practice were otherwise, for Worldly respects; and indeed it produced a number of Christians, not only out of the Vulgar Rank, but of Honourable and Noted Persons; Insomuch, as Tertullian (a Christian Writer of the next Age,) declares to the Romans, That though they counted Christians as Externs, yet (saith he) we fill all your places, your Cities, Isles, Castles, Free-Towns, Camps, Tribes, Corporations, Palaces, Senates, etc. No wonder then if our British King Lucius prepared as aforesaid, and informed by Trebellius and Pertinax, principal Officers sent into Britain, not only of the said Miraculous Deliverance, but what numbers of the Roman Nobility and Senators had thereupon given up their Names to Christ: No wonder if Lucius thus convinced in Judgement, and not deterred by the Roman Civil Power, at last submitted his neck to the same easy yoke.  
As for our Bale's conceit that Trebellius and Pertinax were both Christians, and wrought upon Lucius; there is no ground in History for it: And as to the manner and order of this King's Conversion, it might have been more clearly published to the World, had not the Ancient History of Elevanus, who lived in the time of Pope Eleutherius, been lost; Nevertheless, what may be gleaned out of Primitive Records, as Relics of Ancient Tradition, shall not be omitted, especially if approved by modern Authors: Amongst the rest thus writes Bale, Lucius (as he conjectures) was scandalised at the meanness and poverty of Christ, as the Jews were: For though Christian Religion had for the space of more than 100 years been propagated in Britain, yet it seemed to be deprived of its due splendour, because hitherto Administered by simple, poor and contemptible persons, and wanted the Authority of the Empire to support it. Therefore as soon as the said King was informed by the Emperor's Lieutenants, that upon the ceasing of Persecution, many Illustrious Romans had embraced the Christian Faith, he then began to entertain a more worthy conceit of it; and now seriously comparing this Holy Faith, with what he had learned from his Druids, the Simplicity and Sanctity of the one, with the foul and barbarous Superstitions of the other, and considering the inestimable Promises of Eternal Glory and Happiness, proposed and assured in and by the Gospel, to any share whereof his own Priests never pretended the least claim, he grew weary of his former Errors, and was willing to be further instructed in those Verities, with a few Beams whereof he had been formerly Enlightened.  
And therefore though there wanted not such as had skill enough to satisfy this King, in the Truth of Christian Religion, especially Elvanus before mentioned, and Medwinus among the Belgae; yet the prudent King (by their advice, no doubt,) thought himself obliged to implore a greater Authority, for the Establishing a new Church, and settling the common Affairs of Religion amongst his Subjects. However, though in his neighbouring Kingdom of Gaul, many renowned and learned Bishops were then living, especially St. Iraeneus Bishop of Lions; yet to none of these had Lucius particular recourse, but sent two Messengers through that Nation, directing them to St. Eleutherius, a worthy Successor of St. Peter in the Apostolic Chair, which He, with the whole Christian World took to be the Fountain of all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction: This he might well learn from St. Iraeneus against Heresies; who declares, That every Church, and all Christians wherever dspersed, should have recourse to the Roman Church, by reason of its more Powersul Principality. Tertullian also, than an Eminent Priest, would have given the same advice, for thus he bespeaks his Readers, Who ever thou art, (saith he) who wouldst better employ thy Curiosity in the business of thy Salvation, take a view of the Principal Churches founded by the Apostles. If Italy be nearest to thee, thou mayest repair to Rome, from whence our Authority in afric is likewise derived; a Church it is happy in its constitution: To which the chief Apostles, together with their Blood, shed forth the whole Doctrine of Christianity. And as for St. Iraeneus, he gives a Catalogue of all the Bishops of Rome, to the time of Eleatherius, with whom he was Contemporary; and with his Catalogue, this Assertion. By making known the Faith of that chiefest and most Ancient Church of Rome, renowned throughout the whole World, founded and constituted by the most glorious Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, and by an uninterrupted Succession of Bishops derived to our times, we confound all those who any way either by an unlawful self-love, vain glory, blindness, or perversity of Opinion, make separated congregations professing other Doctrine.  
Therefore to Elutherius Pastor of this Church, King Lucius addressed himself to obtain Laws and Ordinances necessary for the constitution of a well ordered Church in this Kingdom; what his Message was, our Bishop Usher hath declared out of an Ancient Book belonging to the Monastery of Abingdon, namely, That King Lucius having heard the Fame of the Sanctity of Preachers at that time in Rome, sent his Messengers with public Letters in great Expedition, most devoutly and earnestly beseeching the venerable Pope Eleutherius, that by his Order and Will he might be made a Christian. It is true, the Bishop will by no means attribute this to the Primacy of the Roman Bishop, but to the Commerce and strict Alliance between the Conquered Britain's and that Imperial City; contrary to the plain Judgements of Irenaeus and Tertullian beforementioned, and the Traditionary practice of all Ages. In the Protestant Author of the British Antiquities, we may find who were this King's Messengers, namely Elvanus and Medwinus beforementioned, and what their Message was more particularly, viz. To request the Roman Bishop, that he would be pleased to direct his Legates, with order to Baptise him, being already endued with Christian Doctrine, and that they might bring the Roman Laws with them, according to which he might Order and Establish both the Ecclesiastical and Civil State of his Kingdom. The Pious Bishop Eleutherius, much more zealous to propagate the Divine Doctrine, than to Illustrate his own Fame, signified to the King his inexpressible joy for the gaining of so great a King to the Obedience of Christ, but for the Civil ordering of his Kingdom, thought his interessing himself therein, would be to little purpose; for those Laws were not necessary for the constitution of a Christian Commonwealth, and that by them many things were established, which ought not to be observed by those who profess the Christian Faith, etc.  
St. Bede mentioning these requests of the King to Pope Eleutherius, adds presently, That he obtained the effect of his Pious Petition, as to so much thereof as concerned his further instruction in Christian Religion; As may appear by the Pope's Answer, preserved to this day by Matthew of Westminster, as followeth; Your request to Us is, that we would transmit to you a Copy of the Roman and Imperial Laws, which it seems you desire to make use of in your Kingdom of Britain: But you must be informed, that the Roman Laws, and such as are Enacted by the Emperor, are not of such obligation, but they may be at any time rejected, which the Law of God in no Case must be. Now by the Divine Mercy you have of late submitted yourself in your Kingdom of Britain, to the Law and Faith of Christ, so that you have already with you both the Old and New Testament, out of Them therefore, by God's Inspiration, and with the common Council of your Kingdom collect and frame a Law, and by it (through the Divine assistance) govern your Kingdom of Britain. You are God's Deputy in your Kingdom, according as the Kingly Prophet says, The Earth is our Lords and the fullness of it, the round World and all that dwell in it: And again, the same Kingly Prophet saith, Thou hast loved Righteousness, and hated Iniquity, Therefore thy God hath Anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows; And again, Give thy Judgements to the King, and thy Justice, etc. He saith, thy Judgement, not the Judgement and Justice of Caesar, for the Christian Nations and People of your Kingdom, who live under your peaceable Protection, are the Children of God, under his care, who according to the Gospel, Protect them as a Hen, gathering her Chickens under her Wings, etc. The Nations therefore of your Kingdom are your People, which being hitherto divided, you ought to gather into one unanimous Congregation to the Obedience of the Faith and Law of Christ, constituting of them one Church, which you must Cherish, Maintain, Protect and Govern, that so you may Reign with Christ for ever, whose Deputy you are in the said Kingdom.  
Some modern Writers add, indeed some other passages incoherent and impertinent to it, most likely to be Fictitious, as perhaps the whole Epistle may be thought to be, did not the credit of Matthew of Mestminster somewhat support it: Be the Objections against it, or the Additions to it what they will, sure it is the Conversion of St. Lucius doth not much depend upon it. Doubtless, this, or some such like Answer was brought back by Elvanus and Medwinus, and with them came two other Holy men, Commissioned by Eleutherius, not only to Instruct and Baptise the King, and those who by his imitation embraced the Christian Faith, but to order and establish all Ecclesiastical Affairs in the Kingdom; the Names of those two Commissioners were Fugatius and Damianus, accounted well qualified for their Mission, and of the degree of Bishops or Preiates, that they might be able to Consecrate Churches, Erect Bishoprics, Dispense Orders, and the like.  
Concerning Elvanus and Medwinus good Authors write, that the first was Consecrated Bishop at Rome, and the other Preacher or Doctor of the Christian Faith; Though there be others, who upon little or no ground, suppose them only Cathecumen when they went thither, and consequently uncapable of such Preferment: Whereas it is very probable that they were eminent Preachers of the Christian Faith to King Lucius and others; and as appears by Ancient Monuments, they were Disciples of Joseph of Arimathaea, bred up at Glastonbury, full of Zeal to God's Glory according to knowledge, and accustomed to a Contemplative Life in Prayer and Mortification.  
Fugatius and Damianus admitted to the Presence of King Lucius, and acquainting him from whom they were sent, and upon what Errand; forthwith the King, and his whole Family, with many others, received Baptism, according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Roman Church: The name of the Queen to King Lucius is not recorded, but his Sister Baptised with him, in Ancient Records, is Named Emerita, of whose Holiness and Constancy in Martyrdom, more is to be said hereafter: As for the particular form this King was Baptised in, it was certainly done according to the Roman Church, conformable no doubt to the Ordinances of the Apostles, as St. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus and Tertullian, living all in or about that Age, do confidently Affirm, Now, though to the Essence of Baptism, nothing is more required than due matter, which is Water, a due form of Words, and a right intention of him who confers it: Yet even in these Primitive times, other Sacred and Ceremonious Rites were subjoined, the more effectually to apply and imprint the force and virtue of that Sacrament in the minds of the Receivers, as is most evident from Tradition, and the Writings of those times; and this by the prescription even of the Apostles themselves and their immediate Successors; But if not so, who can deny the Authority of the Church, as to the creating such Ceremonies as may make the Celebration of the Holy Sacraments more Solemn and August, especially considering what our Lord hath pronounced concerning his Church, He that heareth (or obeyeth) you, heareth me. Of these Additional Rites, the principal are these.  
First. The Arming the Baptised person with the Sign of the Cross.  
Secondly. The Anointing his Head with Holy Oil and Chrism.  
Thirdly. The Blessing of the Water designed for Baptism.  
Fourthly, The using of Exorcisms and Holy Prayers, to drive away the Enemy of Mankind.  
All these Rites were practised in the Primitive times, as may be proved by a cloud of Faithful Witnesses in several Ages, by constant Tradition, as St. Basil fully demonstrates. After the administration of Baptism to the King, those Holy men Fugatius and Damianus together with Elvanus and Medwinus wholly employed themselves in Preaching the Gospel of Christ, through all the Provinces of the Kingdom; in disputing against the Superstition of the Druids, and demonstrating the vanity of their Idols, and the abominableness of their Horrible Sacrifices: And being attended with the King's Authority and Zeal, they broke in pieces those Idols, and easily persuaded the Britain's to renounce their Ancient Superstitions: So that in a short space, the Christian Faith and Worship of the only true God, came generally to be had in Honour and Admiration. Matthew of Westminster adds, That these Blessed Teachers having in a great measure defaced Idolatry through all Britain, they Dedicated to the Honour of one God and his Saints, those Temples which had been founded to the Worship of many false Gods, filling them with Assemblies of Lawful Pastors. Saying further, That in divers Cities of the Kingdom they constituted, or at least designed 28 Bishops, subject to three Archbishops, or Metropolitan Sees, the prime whereof was London, to which Cornwall and all the Provinces on the South of Severn and Wales were actually subjected, or designed so to be. The Second was York, to which was laid Deira and Albania divided from Loegria, or the former part by the River Humber. The third, the City of Legions, which had Dominion over Cambria or Wales, severed from Loegria by the River Severn. This City was called Caerleon, and situate upon the River Osca or Vsk, as by the ruins there may appear: At the first indeed Bishops did not confine themselves to one place, but exercised their Pastoral Duties from one place to another, as they had occasion; but after their Flocks incrcasing, each Bishop was limited to his peculiar Flock, and seated themselves in the eminent Cities, then in number about 28. and consequently so many Bishops were ordained.  
We find in the Ancient Book belonging to the Monastery of Abingdon, to this effect, That Eleutherius sent his Missioners Faganus and Divianus, Learned and Holy men to King Lucius, who Baptised the King, and his People embracing the Christian Faith, destroyed Idols, and built Churches, and decreed that in those Cities, where formerly resided Arch-flamen, according to the Pagan Superstition, there Archbishops should be established, and where ordinary Flamens were, there Bishops should succeed, the chief Cities than were London, York and Caerleon, which became the Seats of three Archbishops. Possibly the Title of Flamens and Arch-flamen was given to these Druid Priests by the Romans, who might be distinguished amongst themselves by some other Name.  
The Names of these 28 Cities have been collected out of History. I. Cair Gumeguir, which perhaps is Norwich, by the Britain's called Cair Guntius, or perhaps rather Winwick in Lancashire, some say Winchester. II. Mincip or Municip, which is Verulam near St. Alban. III. Cair Lualid Luguballia, now Caerleil. iv Mediolanum at this day Meivod in Montgomery-shire. V Cair Colon or Colonia, now Colchester. VI Cair Ebranc, now York. VII. Cair Custeint near Carnarvan, by Antonine called Seguntium, and Cair Custeint, because Constantius the Father of Constantine was there buried, and his Body there found in the time of Edward the First after the Conquest, and by him Honourably Interred. VIII. Cair Caratauc, or Caradoc in the borders of Shropshire, between the Rivers Teindus and Colunus, where Caractacus was Defeated by Ostorius. IX. Cair Grant, now Cambridge upon the River Grant. X. Maucguid, Mancunium in Lancashire as some think, Manduessedum or Manchester in Warwickshire as others. XI. Cair Londein, or Cair Lud, now London. XII. Cair Guorthigirn in Radnorshire, where King Vortigern hid himself from Divine Justice, but could not escape it, but was Burnt by Lightning in and with that City. XIII. Cair Ceint now Canterbury, formerly Dorbernia. XIV. Cair Guorangon Branonium, now Worcester. XV. Cair Peris or Portcester, now Portsmouth. XVI. Cair Daun or Danus, now Doncaster in Yorkshire. XVII. Cair Legio of the 20th. Legion there quartered, now Chester. XVIII. Cair Guaricon, or Guarvinc of Guarth, a Garrison in the British Tongue, now Warwick. XIX. Cair Segesut, or the City of the Segontiaci, the first People of this Island, who yielded to Caesar, since called Silchester in Hampshire. XX. Cair Leon, from the second Legion, or Vsk, from the River; it was seated in Monmouthshire, and is now ruined. XXI. Cair Guent, or Venta Belgarum now Winchester. XXII. Cair Brito, now called Bristol. XXIII. Cair Lerion, by the Saxons Legecestria, now Leicester. XXIV. Cair Draiton, which Bishop Usher thinks to be that which is now called Draiton in Shropshire. XXV. Cair Pentavelcoit seated upon the River Ivel in Somersetshire, now Ilchester; yet the said Learned Bishop thinks it should be written Pensavelcoit, supposing it to be Pentsey in Sussex, where William the Conqueror first landed. XXVI. Cair Vervac, or Vriconium, now Wroxcester in Shropshire. XXVII. Calemion, or Calion, which Cambden takes to be Comelet in Somersetshire, where Roman Coins are frequently found, and where are the footsteps of a Camp. XXVIII. Cair Luitcoit, or Lindcoit, or Lindum, now Lincoln: These were the 28 Cities, perhaps not all extant in the days of King Lucius, at least under those Names, which were designed then for the Seats of Archbishops and Bishops; though perhaps some other might be designed for that purpose: And it may be the Name of Archbishops was not then used, yet the jurisdiction was alike, under the Name of Metropolitans, from the Metropolis, or most Eminent Cities. How many of these Cities were supplied with Bishops, is not certain, Records only mention, besides Elvanus Consecrated at Rome, Theanus only, a Britain and first Metropolitan Bishop of London, where our Devout King Lucius built a Church in Cornhill, Consecrated to St. Peter, the Truth whereof is manifested by an Inscription on an Ancient Table not long since hanging in the said Church, to this effect following, In the year of our Lord 179. Lucius the first Christian King of this Land, founded the first Church at London, namely the Church of St. Peter in Cornhill: He established there an Archepiscopal See, it was the prime Church of the Kingdom, and so continued for 400. years until the coming of St. Augustine the Apostle of England: Some make Theanus' Founder of this Church, assisted therein by Ciranus the Kings Cupbearer: How long Theanus governed in this See, is uncertain, however he was succeeded by St. Elvanus, though Malmsburiensis makes it doubtful in what place the Archepiscopal jurisdiction was fixed, during the time of the Britain's.  
Fugatius and Damianus after their three years successful Labours in this new Vineyard of our Lord, (as Historians witness,) returned to Rome, to give an account to St. Eleutherius, how affairs stood in Britain. As to this, Matthew of Westminster expresses himself most fully, affirming, That in the year of Grace 186. the Blessed Prelates, Fugatius and Damianus returned to Rome, and obtained from the Holy Pope Eleutherius, a confirmation of all they had done in Britain, and then came back again, accompanied with many others: By whose Instructions the British Nation being confirmed in the Faith of Christ, became Illustrious; the Names and Acts of these Holy men may be found in the History of our Gildas, concerning the Victory of Aurelius Ambrose.  
It was the practice of Christian Churches to have frequent recourse to the Chair of St. Peter, and about this very time the Church of Lions in France, sent Irenaeus to St. Eleutherius for the resolving of questions about Ecclesiastical Affairs, as St. Jerom witnesseth; and of the same Errand, before this time, went St. Beatus to Rome, as is beforementioned. This hath been frequently done in a due Subordination to the Supreme Tribunal of the Church, and for the preservation of Unity, the Centre whereof the Chair of St. Peter was ever accounted.  
When Fugatius and Damianus came back into Britain, they presented the King with a Crown Blessed by that Holy Pope, with many Divine Admonitions, more acceptable than the Crown, relating to the Government of his Civil State, and his Defence of Holy Church: It is said the Pope also prescribed the limits of his Kingdom so far Northerly, that some conjecture, that from thence it is, that so many of those Northern Provinces became subject to the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Church of York.  
Other Churches were afterwards built; as first at Westminster in the place of an Idol Temple consecrated to Apollo, which in the Reign of Antoninus Pius was by an Earthquake cast to the ground; This Church from the days of King Lucius, was designed for a Burying place of our Kings, as at this day, and after it was Re-edifyed by St. Edward the Confessor. A second Metropolitan Church was about this time erected in the City of York, esteemed in that Age the prime City and Church of Britain. The third Metropolitan Church was then also built at Landaff or Caerleon upon Vsk, in which City, (now ruined,) were three Noble Churches; one bearing the Title of the Holy Martyr Julius, Beautified with a Monastery of Virgin's Consecrated to God. A second founded by the Name of his Companion St. Aaron; And a third famous for being the Metropolitan See of all Cambria; although Dubritius is mentioned in History to be the first Archbishop of the Welsh Britain's; concerning the Church of Landaff, and the Superiority of it, something may be gathered out of the Protestation of Vrbanus before Calixtus the second, in the Council of Rheims. However, sure it is, that after the coming of St. Augustine the Monk, the Bishop of Landaff hath always been subject to the See of Canterbury.  
This King Lucius built another Church also at Dover, in Honour of our Blessed Saviour and his Glorious Mother, and some other Churches elsewhere: As this King showed himself Munificent in Building of Churches, so also was he Liberal in his Endowments and Privileges bestowed upon them, by transferring the Possessions of Idol-Temples to Christian Churches, and further Enriching them with more Lands and greater Immunities; so that some Malefactors might have refuge within their Precincts, which benefit of Sanctuary hath been continued and increased by most succeeding Princes; neither were the Revenues belonging to Pagan Temples inconsiderable, for that Religion was very costly; for it is certain, that the Pagan Flamens in London Sacrificed yearly 40000. Cows, 100000. Sheep, innumerable sorts of all Fowl, besides 30000. Savage Beasts, as Staggs, and other Beasts of the Forest. Besides all this, King Lucius in the 6th. year after his Conversion, Founded a Church and Monastery at Winchester, which he plentifully Endowed; it is said to be a Church of vast Dimensions, and Adorned with an Episcopal Palace, the Possessions of it extended 12. Miles round about the City: This Church was Dedicated to the Honour of our Saviour by Fugatius and Damianus, and Devotus a Monk by them Constituted the first Abbot; from this time, until the time of Dioclesian, the Monks here quietly served God; after the Rule and Order prescribed by St. Mark the Evangelist, and first Bishop of Alexandria, which Rule is thus described by Cassianus, saying, These Monks did not content themselves to retain the order of living, practised by the Primitive Christians, whereof we read in the Acts of the Apostles, That they had all things in common, accounted nothing their own, sold their Possessions and laid the price at the Apostles feet, to be divided amongst such as had need: But these Monks aspired to practices more sublime, for retiring them to the most secret places, they led a Life of unparallelled Abstinence and Austerity, in Reading of Holy Scripture day and night, in fervent Prayer, and continual Labour of their Hands, without regard of Food or Sustenance, save only that every second or third day they would receive some slender Sustenance for necessity, not for the satisfaction of their Appetite, and not then until after Sunset: The Light they spent in Labour or Holy Exercises, Darkness sufficed for the care of their Bodies. Under the Persecution of Dioclesian, this Holy Fraternity was dissipated, but not long after again restored, and their Church Consecrated by Constantius Bishop of Winchester, in the year of Grace 309. taking a new Name from St. Amphibolus, who with St. Alban was Crowned with Martyrdom; and by this Name Gildas calls it in his relation of the Sons of Mordred, Murdered by Constantine in this place. It suffered a second Eclipse, when the Infidel Saxons laid waste all Holy places in this Island; Howbeit not sooner did the Saxons embrace the Faith of Christ, but they repaired this Church and Monastery, after called de Hida, and restored it to greater Splendour and Magnificence than it had before; in which Splendour and Beauty it continued fortified by Charters of Kings and Bulls of Popes, until all Religious Houses were swallowed up by the sury and Avarice of Henry the VIII. So as St. Edward the Confessor in his Charter to the Monastery of Westminster proved a Prophet, who declared, The same Charter should continue in force, so long as the love of Christianity should remain in this Nation.  
Our Devout and Wise King Lucius, did not only endow Churches and Monasteries for the present Worship of God, but provided Seminaries of Learning and Piety, for the future increase thereof; the most Famous of which was the School and Monastery of Bangor in North-Wales: It is said to be the first College of Christian Philosophers, but is in some Authors mistaken, for another of that Name in Ulster, from whence proceeded the famous Bishop St. Malachias, whose Life is elegantly written by St. Bernard. However this famous Monastery, it seems, prospered so well for a long time, that at the coming of St. Augustine into England, more than 2000 Monks were found in it. This King was not only careful to plant and settle the Christian Faith within his own Kingdom, but as many Ancient and Credible Records testify, personally sowed the Seeds of Christianity in Germany and other Foreign parts, and as some say there ended his days, as his Virgin Sister and Martyr also did.  
Fugatius or Phaganus and Damianus being informed of St. Joseph and his Companion's retirement to Glastonbury, and their deaths there, visited the place, which they found reduced to little better than a Covert of Wild-Beasts, so little encouragement or countenance had the Christian Faith received; yet by Divine conduct, they discovered an Ancient Church built by St. Joseph and his Companions, and Consecrated as aforesaid, by God himself, they also found the Holy-Cross, with several Writings and other Tokens, declaring the place to have been formerly an Habitation of Christians, and receptable of those prime Disciples. They therefore added another Oratory built of Stone, Dedicated to the Honour of St. Peter and St. Paul, and on the Top of the Tor or Mountain, raised a Chapel to the Honour of St. Michael the Archangel; And lastly to continue the Service of God which had been interrupted, they established a succession of 12 Devout persons in memory of St. Joseph, and the first 12. which Succession continued till the coming of St. Patrick (the Apostle of Ireland) unto this place. These two Holy men made this place their Retirement for the space of nine years, and there died, and were buried, as is believed, about the year of our Lord 199. After the Death of Lucius, which happened in the 7th. year of Severus, none of the British Race were permitted to reign, but Legates from the Emperor, commanding the Roman Army. In the time of Commodus, little more of moment is mentioned concerning the British Affairs, save that in his time Vlpius Marcellus drove back the Caledonian Britain's, who had made Eruptions into the Roman Territories in Britain.  
The Conversion of Britain was so famous in the Church of God, that Origen takes notice of it; and the Faith of Christ spread itself even unto the Northern parts of this Island within two years after the Death of Lucius, insomuch as Tertullian, who lived about these times, cries out, That those Provinces of Britain, into which the Roman Armies were not able to pierce, yet willingly submitted to the Faith of our Blessed Saviour.  
Donaldus then King of those Northern quarters, rejected the Worship of Devils, embraced the Faith of Christ, and obtained of Pope Victor the 15th. after St. Peter, several Learned and Illustrious men to be sent into those Northern parts to Baptise himself, his Wife and Family, with many of his Nobility: Fulgentius a Kinsman of Lucius, was certainly the first who instilled the love of Christian Verities into the mind of Donaldus, and advised him to send to Victor for more perfect Instructions: By the conduct and Courage of this Fulgentius, Donaldus obtained a great Victory over the Romans: Severus himself was said to engage his own Presence and Authority, to repair this loss by a formidable Army; this great exploit of the Emperor obtained him and his Sons the Title of Britanicus: Fulgentius not long after ended his Life at York, than the Imperial City. Severus after this Victory built a new Wall, with frequent Towers, and a vast deep Trench, and then retired with his Army to York, but by the way was met and daunted with an Ethiopian Soldier, Coal-black and Crowned with Cypress, who told him, He had been all, and overcame all, and bid him, now be a God: This was an ill Omen, which, with others of like sort, are said to presage his Death, and indeed it followed soon after, in that City where he was with exquisite Ceremonies made a God, but his Ashes with Costly Odours were gathered into a precious Box, and with great veneration carried to Rome.  
It is observed that these Caledonian Britain's, used no Garments, but marked their Bodies with Pictures and Figures of Beasts, as their chief bravery, and from thence no doubt came to be called Picts, or a Painted People.  
In the fourth year of Antoninus Bassianus died Donaldus, who Coined Silver and Gold, marking it on the one side with the Figure of the Saving-Cross, on the other side with his own Face, thereby to propagate the memory of the Christian Faith, first embraced by him, among all the Kings of that Nation; he was buried in a field with Christian Ceremonies and Solemnities, the same field having been Consecrated with accustomed Prayers for the Burial of Christians. By this the present Inhabitants of Scotland may discern the difference between the Christianity of this their first Christened King, and that which they have lately chosen instead of it: He would not rest after Death, but in a place Consecrated by the Devotions of Holy Priests, who celebrated his Obsequies according to the Primitive Christian Usage, by making Oblations for him, and offering the most Holy Sacrifice for the Refreshment of his Soul, as St. Cyprian who lived not long after, describes the manner or Ancient Christian Burial, and justly chargeth Bishop Martialis, With Burying the Children of this Donaldus in the profane Sepulchers of the Heathen. Among other Ceremonies of Christian Burials, this was one, That a Cross was erected upon their Monuments.  
Young Amphibalus born at Caerleon upon Vsk, was from his tender years bred up in good Literature; and about this time instructed in the Christian Religion, afterwards he travelled to Rome, where he spent his time, principally in Reading and Understanding Holy Scriptures, and the Doctrine of Christian Religion, till the beginning of the Cruel Persecution raised by Dioclesian: This young man was ordained a Priest at Rome, and sent back by the Pope into Britain, and there became (as some say, Bishop of the Isle of Man.  
In the year of Grace 221. Pope Zephyrin died, and was succeeded by Calistus, in whose time, one Cadorus is said to be Bishop of London. The Emperor Alexander Severus, a Virtuous Prince, no Enemy to Christianity, which some conceive to have been professed by his Mother Mammaea, was in the 14th. year of his reign slain by the Treason of Julius Maximinus, who succeeded in his place: When Maximinus began his reign, Christian Religion flourished, not only in the Southern parts of Britain, but among the Caledonians also, where reigned Chrathilintus a Christian Prince, Successor of Donaldus, he was instructed by Amphibalus; returning about this time from Rome, (as some say.) At this time St. Pontianus Bishop of Rome governed the Church of God. Now the Tyrant Maximinus raising the sixth Persecution, sharpened it especially against Bishops and Teachers of the Christian Faith; by his command St. Pontianus suffered Martyrdom, being beaten to death with Clubs: To him succeeded St. Antherus a Grecian born, who the year following was likewise put to Death by the same Tyrant Maximinus, who was slain in his fourth year, and the Holy Pope Fabianus sat in the Chair of St. Peter; and about this time, while Gordianus the younger reigned, the Christian Church enjoyed great Tranquillity, in which calm the Bishops propagated the Faith, many Churches and Altars were erected, and no doubt in this Island; also Obinus Bishop of London, and Conanus his Successor, were careful to imitate the Zeal of other Bishops: Nonnius Philippus being Governor of Britain about this time, Gordianus being in his 6th. year was slain by the Treason of Julius Philippus, who succeeded him; Julius himself was also slain by his own Guards: Howbeit, before his death, by the Grace of God, he washed away his Sins by Baptisin and Pennance; he was persuaded to embrace Christianity by St. Pontianus, a man of high Dignity; yet because Philip was known to be guilty of many Crimes, he was not presently permitted to enter the Church, until he had modestly condeseended to place himself among the Penitent, and confessed his sins with Reverend fear, and Pious affection.  
Now though after the death of Lucius, no Britain generally was allowed the Name of King, yet several Princes of the British Blood exercised a Kingly jurisdiction, amongst the rest Coelus had that Title over the Trinobantes, Iceni and others, and was the Father of Helena, the Mother of Constantine the Great. She is said to be born in Colchester, the prime City of that Province, which in memory of the Holy Cross found by her, bears in its Arms, A Cross between four Crowns.  
Decius after the death of the two Philips, extended his rage to the Religion by them Professed; in whose time many Glorious Martyrs, amongst the rest St. Fabianus Bishop of Rome, who sealed the firmness of their Religion with their Blood, although some redeemed themselves from Sacrificing to Idols, obtained Libels, falsely declaring they had Sacrificed, and from those Libels were called Libellatici Lapsi, and Apostates, as they well deserved. When afterwards St. Cornelius possessed St. Peter's Chair, the Novatian Heresy arose, Novatus an African was the Author of it, who coming to Rome, linked himself with Novatianus, swelling with envy against the Election of St. Cornelius: They excluded the Libellatici and other Criminals from all hope of Pardon, though they submitted themselves to due Penance. Gildas calls this Novatus, A black Swine, who trod underfoot our Lord's Pearl. St. Augustine concerning the followers of Novatus, bids us, Beware of those, who deny the Church of God Power to forgive all sins, and will not understand how in St. Peter God hath established a Rock, and given the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to his Church. These are they which boast themselves to be Cathari, more pure than the Doctrine of Christ requires.  
Decius being betrayed and slain, was succeeded by Gallus and Volusianus, and by their Cruelty St. Lucius who succeeded St. Cornelius in the Roman See, was Crowned with Martyrdom; these Emperors were soon slain by their own Soldiers, and were succeeded by Valerianus and his Son Gallienus: In the beginning of whose reign, Stephanus the Successor of St. Lucius in the Apostolic See, instructed, Baptised and Ordained St. Mallo or Melanius, a glorious Ornament of our British Nation: He was sent out of Britain to Rome to pay the Emperor Tribute, where, hearing the Doctrine of the Holy Pope Stephen, he renounced Paganism, and became a Christian, and after Bishop of Roven in France. With St. Mallo were Baptised many others by this Pope: After he had Catechised them, and appointed a Fast, and examined their Faith: It is observable by how Stupendious a Miracle St. Mallo came to be designed Bishop of Roven; whilst on a certain day St. Stephen the Pope was celebrating Mass, both He and St. Mallo saw an Angel standing at the right side of the Altar, when Mass was finished, the Angel having a Crosier or Pastoral Staff in his hands, gave it to St. Mallo, saying, Receive this Staff, with which thoushalt govern the Inhabitants of the City of Roven; and though the Labours of a course of life yet unexperienced by thee, may prove burdensome, fear not yet to undertake it, for our Lord Jesus Christ will protect thee under the shadow of his wings: St. Mallo in his journey towards Roven at Auxerre in Gaul, having in his hand the Staff given him by the Angel, by his fervent Prayer restored to Health a man whose foot was cut in two pieces by an Axe: No sooner was St. Mallo arrived at Roven, but he began to Preach the Name of Christ to the Inhabitants, with such efficacy of Speech, and Power of Miracles, enforced by the Sanctity of his Life, that in short time he brought the whole City to the obedience of Christ. This great change is said to be wrought, especially at a time when most of the People were Assembled to perform an abominable Sacrifice to one of their false Deities; for St. Mallo coming amongst them, inflamed with a Heavenly Zeal, reproved their Stupidity, in Worshipping a Senseless Stock for a God: He calls upon the Name of Christ, makes the triumphant sign of the Cross, immediately down tumbles the Idol in the sight of them all, so that with the word of his mouth alone, he broke it in pieces, and by this means a great multitude thus astonished, received his instruction, embraced the Doctrine of Faith, and were Purified by the Water of Baptism.  
In the same place from whence this Saint thus expelled the Devil, he built a Church in Honour of the Holy Trinity, where the People Assembled every Sunday, and were instructed in the perfect Worship of God, where the unbloody Sacrifice was offered, and the means of attaining Salvation were Communicated: He also built there other Churches for the like Holy purposes; and having begotten many thousand Souls to Christ in the year of Grace 280. ended his Life and Labours, and departed to his Eternal rest.  
Valerian at first seeming to favour the Christians, raiseth afterwards the 8th. Persecution against them, wherein the Holy Pope S. Stephen was Crowned with Martyrdom; him succeeded St. Sixtus, the second of that Name, who in the same year tasted of the same Cup; and in Sixtus' place sat St. Dionysius. Valerian soon after was taken Prisoner by Sapores King of Persia, where he lived many years in Slavery, and died in great misery; his Son Gallienus succeeding him in the Empire, and yet never going about to redeem him; perhaps he wanted Power; for in his short reign, no fewer than 30 Tyrants assumed the Title of Emperor in several Provinces of the Roman World, after he had reigned about five years Luxuriously and Slothfully, he was slain by the Treachery of Claudius his next Successor, with his Brother and Children.  
This Claudius was highly esteemed of the Romans for his Courage, Wisdom and moral Virtues; yet was he a Persecutor of Christians. After his death his Brother Quintillus for some few days made a bustle as Emperor, but was soon slain by his Soldiers: Howbeit this misfortune of that Flavian Family, was in some sort recompensed, in that Crispus another Brother of Claudius, had a Daughter called Claudia, Mother to Constantius Chlorus, who established the Empire in his Family for many Generations.  
Of all the late Usurpers of the Roman Empire, there remained only two when Aurelianus came to be Emperor, Zenobia in the East Queen of Palmyrene, and Tetricus in the West; Aurelianus began with Zenobia, a Lady of Masculine Courage, yet with much difficulty he subdued her, and led her in Triumph to Rome, where she and her Offspring lived in a private, but Splended Estate. Then marched the Emperor against Tetricus, with whom also conspired the British Army, yet he afterwards surrendered himself to the Emperor, and was not only permitted to live, but entrusted with Government. In this Expedition, Aurelianus was accompanied with Constantius Chlorus, who here laid the foundation of bringing the Empire into his own Family; for by his Courage and Conduct in relieving Ausburg, and deseating the Germans who Besieged it, he gained such favour from the Emperor, that he was trusted with an Army into Britain, then unquiet and dis-affected; yet did Constantius so well prosper there, that he Married the British Lady St. Helenae, and laid the grounds of strange Revolutions, not only in his own Family, but in the Church of God; For now it was that the Glorious Emperor Constantine the Great was born, and Educated by his Holy Mother, at least in the love of Christianity, if not in the Profession of it; so as in a few years, the Catholic Church was by him, not only freed from Persecution, but made to triumph over Pagan Idolatry, and the Kingdom of Hell.  
Paulus Samosatenus having broached a most execrable Heresy, by which he denied the Divinity of the Son of God, was in a Synod of Eastern Bishops reduced from his Error; But upon his relapse was Excommunicated and Deposed from his Bishopric of Antioch: This Arch-Heretick refusing to relinquish his See, the Bishops gave an account of his Obstinacy to Dionysius Bishop of Rome, The Emperor Aurelianus was desired to pronounce Sentence therein, who in a manner like a Christian Decreed, That the possession of the said Bishopric, should be given to such, to whom the Bishop of Rome and other Western Bishops should assign it; And so Paulus was utterly expelled from his Church.  
Two Voyages of Constantius Chlorus are mentioned in Story; The first, in the fourth year of Aurelian's reign, he was then only a Senator, or Patrician, but sent with an Army to reclaim the Britain's, who were too apt to adhere to such Tyrants who Usurped the Empire, yet was with all quietness received as the Emperor's Lieutenant; his Voyage into Britain was prosperous, Victory rather expected him there, then accompanied him thither, he made himself welcome by his Mercy and Clemency, in forbearing to Insult over his Conquered Enemies, by his Justice in awarding restitution to such as were Pillaged, by his Providence in gaining the Affections of the Inhabitants, by giving liberty to the Captives, and forbearing to punish Offenders, and winning them to Repentance. He applied himself more particularly to Coelus beforenamed, and entering into a firm League with him, Espoused his Daughter Helena, not long after which Marriage Coelus died, and Constantius in the right of his Wife, became possessed of her Father's Principality. The year after this happy Marriage, and as a Blessed effect thereof, was born Constantine the Great; Great not only in subduing the Enemies of Rome, and reducing the Empire to a Peaceable and flourishing Estate, but also in destroying the Power of Satan, and advancing the Kingdom of God over prevailing Idolatry.  
That this great Emperor was born in this Island, is acknowledged and proved by the most credible Authors; the particular place of his Birth is more questioned, some say it was York, some London, but most think Colchester, where Helena and her Father usually resided; that Town being girt with a Wall at the Costs of Helena. Some Greek Authors will have Constantine to be born elsewhere; but their fancy therein hath been proved by the most Learned and Impartial Authors fond and improbable, especially by the Testimony of our Glorious Bishop St. Adelm, who lived not above 300. years after Constantine; and in his excellent Treatise of Virginity, expressly affirms, That St. Helena was a British Lady; And his Treatise, having been highly extolled by St. Bede, gives great advantage to our Assertion. However St. Helena hath been disgracefully spoken of by some Authors, as the Concubine, and not the Wife of Constantine, yet it may be easily proved that they constantly Co-habited as Man and Wife, in a Lawful and Chaste Marriage, by the uncontested Succession of Constantine their Son in the Empire, and by other undeniable Testimonies: And Barronius concludes, We are of necessity compelled to agree, that Helena was the Lawful Wife of Constantius: Insomuch as the Emperor Justinian made a Decree in her Honour, wherein he sets forth, How much she was Honoured by her Pious Son Constantine, and how much the Church of God hath been beholding to her, for finding our Blessed Saviour's Cross. True it is, that as some have cast imputations upon this Holy Woman, as to her Birth, and the Lawfulness of her Marriage; so some also have questioned the Integrity of her Religion: All which, notwithstanding her Birth, her Marriage, her Devotion, her Zeal and Piety in seasoning her Son in Christian Principles, are clearly attested by the sincerest and gravest Authors.  
Aurelianus whilst he lived, was an Inhuman adversary of God's Truth, and raised the ninth Persecution, Britain only remained free from Violence, under the moderate Government of Constantius, not averse from Christianity▪ After seven years' reign Aurelianus was slain by his own Soldiers; him Tacitus succeeded, who dying after six months; Probus renowned for Military Virtues was chosen; It is said the Senate wished him, and the Army chose him, and the People with Acclamations approved his Election: During his Reign, by the recalling of Constantius, many Troubles arose in Britain, especially from Bonosus of British extract. Probus after five years' reign, was slain by his own Army, and Carus Manlius Aurelius chosen in his stead, who created his two Sons Carinus and Numerianus Caesarus; Carus was killed by Lightning, Numerianus and Carinus by Treachery.  
Doclesian after the Death of Carus, was pronounced Emperor by the Army, and proved the Author of the last, but longest and most dreadful Persecution, that ever the Church of God suffered: Carinus being slain, Dioclesian assumed Maximianus as his Companion in the Empire; they conspired in a resolution to extirpate Christianity, and defend the Adoration of their Pagan Gods: There never was given a stronger proof of the Churches being founded upon a Rock, than the unsuccessfulness of the rage of these two Emperors against it: They had the whole Power of the World in their Hands, they were eminent for Valour, Wisdom and Policy, they governed the Empire above 20 years, employed all their time, without relaxation, in suppressing the Truth of Christ: They omitted no Temptations by Favours or Terrors, to withdraw the Servants of Jesus from Worshipping him, no Torments were wanting, public and private persons were Armed to destroy the poor Christians, not only singly, one by one, but whole Armies of them were Butchered together; to Disgrace the Christians, and to oppress them, was the ready way to Preferment; yet with all this the Christian Religion was so far from being destroyed, that it gained more Souls to Christ, than the Sermons of the Devoutest Preachers could do, in times of Peace; Insomuch, as these two vainglorious and malicious Princes, seeing all their endeavours against Christ to become fruitless, through Despair deposed themselves from the Government of the World, which they had undertaken principally in design to destroy the Truth of Christ.  
This Island of Britain divided from the World, and so exempted from Persecutions, yet smarted under the Cruelty of these Bloody Emperors, and by the Martyrdom of St. Albanus, St. Amphibalus, St. Julius, St. Aaron and their Associates, afforded a Glorious Example, of Conquering the World and Hell itself by Faith and Patience. By all circumstances these Holy Martyrs suffered about the beginning of Dioclesian's reign, in the year of our Lord 286. as St. Bede expressly testifies. Edicts for the persecution of the Christians were about this time first sent into Britain, which might perhaps occasion Amphibalus to return a second time into his Native Country, to Convert men in the Faith of Christ. He is said first to six at Verulam, in the House of Albanus, an eminent Citizen there, and descended of an Illustrious Roman Family, and the Emperor's Quaestor or Treasurer. He received St. Amphibalus, though a stranger to him, with great Kindness and Liberality; but understanding he was a Christian, privately questioned him How he could pass safely to that City through so many Regions of Gentiles? The question was pertinent, and thus answered by Amphibalus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, (saith he) preserved me safe from all dangers, and sent me into this Province for the Salvation of many, that by Preaching his Faith, I might prepare a People acceptable to him. Who is this Son of God, (replied Albanus?) Can God be said to be born, these are strange Speeches, which I never heard of before? I desire to know your Opinion of these matters? The Holy man answered, Our Faith teacheth us to acknowledge the Father to be God, and the Son also to be God, who in Infinite Mercy vouchsafed to take our flesh upon him, for the Salvation of Mankind, that he might redeem us by suffering Death. And then discoursed at large of the Birth, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Concluding, If you, O Albanus, will believe these things to be true, you will receive Power, by calling on the Name of Christ, to Cure any Infirm or Sick person. And the Truth is, I am come to this City on purpose to Preach to you, the healthful Doctrine of our Lord's Passion, because our merciful God will reward your kind Offices of Humanity and Hospitality, to which you frequently addict yourself, which is the inestimable recompense of Eternal Happiness. Then Albanus asked him, What Honour and Worship must I exhibit to Christ, in case I embrace the Faith? The other answered, Believe this, that our Lord Jesus, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost, is one God, and thou wilt have performed a work of high esteem in his sight. Then Albanus replied, What is all this; sure thou art mad, thou knowst not what thou sayest? no Humane understanding or Reason can apprehend these things: But be sure of this, that if the Inhabitants of this City come to know, thou mak●st such discourse of Christ, without delay they will put thee to a cruel death. For my own part I am very solicitous on thy behalf, for fear some mischief befall thee, before thou departest from hence. Having said this, he went away much disturbed: As for St. Amphibalus, he spent the night alone in watching and Prayer: The same night a wonderful Vision from Heaven was presented to Albanus sleeping; with which being awaked he went to his Guest, and said to him, Friend, if those things which thou told'st me lately concerning Christ be true; I pray thee, to tell me freely the meaning of my Dream.  
Me thought I saw a certain man come down from Heaven, and presently an innumerable multitude of men laid hold of him, and tormented him all the ways they could devise; they bond his Hands with Chains, they tore his Flesh most grievously with Whips, they hung him on a Tree, stretching his Hands across; he was quite naked, not having Shoes on his Feet; his Hands and Feet were fastened to the Wood with Nails, his side was pierced through with a Spear; and from his Wound, as it seemed to me, there flowed both Blood and Water; in his right Hand they put a Reed, and on his Head they put a Crown of Thorns: And after this barbarous Cruelty, they insult over him with despiteful Speeches, saying to him, Hail King of the Jews, if thou art the Son of God, come down from the Cross, and we will believe in thee: And although they continued a long while thus reviling him, the young man answered never a word, but at last cried out with a loud voice, and said, Father into thy Hands, I commend my Spirit: And so Expired; His lifeless Body was afterwards taken down from the Cross, the Blood issuing abundantly out of it: They than laid him in a Sepulchre of stone, sealing the Monument, and setting Guards to watch it: But than followed a wonderful thing, for the Bloodless Carcase returned to Life, and re-suming former strength, came out of the Sepulchre Sealed as aforesaid: I myself with my own Eyes, saw him how he risen again. Then came from Heaven certain men clothed with Vestments white as Snow, and taking the Man with them, returned from whence they came, attended by an infinite number of others in like Garments, which all the way ceased not to sing Praises, Blessing the Father. I not knowing who he was, with his Son, saying, Blessed be God the Father, with his only begotten Son. They expressed such wonderful joy, as nothing could be compared to it: These things I saw, with many others, which I neither will, or aught to declare; I beseech thee tell me what is signified by these things thus represented to me; fear not any danger to yourself, but speak freely?  
The Holy man Amphibalus having heard this, sensibly felt his Heart visited by our Lord with all joy, and presently taking out a Crucifix, which he had about him secretly, said to Albanus, Behold in this Figure and Image thou may'st manifestly perceive, the meaning and importance of thy last night's Vision; for the Man which came from Heaven is this Jesus my Lord, who refused not to undergo the punishment of the Cross, that by his Blood, he might free us from the guilt, which we had contracted, by the Transgression of our first Father Adam. Now these men which laid violent hands upon him, and so afflicted him, were his own People the Jews: For though they had a promise from God, that he would send unto them from Heaven his own Son; yet when He whom they so much, and so long expected, was come, they would not acknowledge him, to be the Author of their Salvation, but contradicted him in every thing; returned to him Evil for Good, and Hatred for his Love. And at last stirred up with extreme envy and malice against him, they broke out into such horrible Impiety, that they laid hold on him, Crucify'd and Murdered him. Thus it was that our Lord redeemed us with the price of his own Blood: Thus by Dying he became victorious over death; For being raised upon the Cross, he drew all to him; for descending voluntarily to the enclosures of Hell, he freed from captivity his own Servants detained there, and binding the Devil in everlasting Chains, he cast him into utter darkness.  
Then Albanus filled with wonder, broke out in these words, All that thou hast said of Christ is most true; for the last night I evidently perceived, and with mine own eyes saw, how Christ overcame the Devil, how he bond him, and thrust him down into the bottom of Hell, where the damnable wretch lies fast bound with Chains: So that knowing what hath been told by thee is true, from this moment I profess, I will be thy most obedient Disciple. Tell me therefore, for I know thou art Ignorant of nothing, how I must behave myself to the Father and Holy Ghost, now that I profess myself a servant of the Son? Amphibalus at this question, gave thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, for that Albanus of himself had the knowledge to pronounce those three Adorable Names, and bid him, believe firmly, and profess faithfully, that those three persons so expressed by him in their proper Names, are one only God. I believe, (saith St. Albanus) and my firm Faith is, that there is no other God, besides my Lord Jesus Christ, who for the Salvation of Mankind, took our Nature upon him, and suffered death upon the Cross. He, together with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, is one only God, and besides him there is no other. And having said this, he often cast himself Prostrate before the Crucifix, as if he had seen our Lord Jesus himself hanging on the Cross, earnestly begging Pardon for his sins: He often affectionately kissed his Saviour's feet and places of his Wounds, as if he had seen him Crucify'd; Tears with Blood flowed abundantly from his Eyes upon the venerable Cross, and these words from his mouth, I renounce the Devil, and detest all the Enemies of our Lord, to whom I wholly resign myself. Amphibalus then bade him be of good Courage, saying, Our Lord is with thee, whose Grace will never be wanting to thee: The saving Faith which others attain by the Ministry of men, thou hast learned by the Revelation of Christ himself; And therefore being assured of thy constancy, my purpose is to leave thee, and Travel further, that I may show the way of Truth to other Gentiles also.  
But Albanus prevailed with him, to stay a week longer, that he might be more perfectly instructed in the Faith by him. This Narration of St. Alban's Conversion, is attested by a very Ancient and Credible Author: We shall now proceed to the History of his glorious Martyrdom.  
He having been thus Instructed, Baptised and Confirmed in the Faith by Amphibalus, was at last contented with his departure, but exhorted him to take care of his safety; and in order thereunto, disguised him in his own Military Vestment, woven with Gold, that he might the more safely pass through the Soldiers: Early in the morning Amphibalus takes his slight Northward, conducted part of the way by Albanus; at last they parted with Tears, Amphibalus hastens into Wales. Albanus returns into the City, clothed with the Caracalla, or long Ecclesiastical Robe of Amphibalus, and now left alone made great haste in his journey to Immortality: All the enticements of the World became odious to him, he found no pleasure but in Prayers and Tears at the foot of our Lord's Cross; he burned with a desire to requite the Love of Christ by dying for him. His Domestics and Neighbours observing the wonderful change in his manner of Life, began to suspect, and quickly found out the true cause of it; so that in a short time he is publicly known for a Deserter of Heathenish Superstition, and therefore complained of unto, and convened before the Roman Magistrate, to whom a certain Gentile had discovered what ever passed between St. Albanus and St. Amphibalus; This Magistrate thus Incensed commanded they should both be brought before him; St. Amphibalus being departed, the Soldiers found only St. Albanus in his strange Habit, at his Prayers with naked feet before the Cross of our Lord, and asked him, where the Clerk was, whom he had entertained? He answered, That the Holy man was under the Protection of God, and feared not the Threats of Men: When they heard this, they laid hands on him, bound him with Chains, and violently drew him away, some pulling at his Garments, some at his Hair: He had still upon him the Vestment of his Master, knowing the sight of it was enough to make him odious; he carried also in his hand the Image of our Lord, that he might only appear a Servant of the Cross: Being come before the Judge, he was examined in many particulars, but all his Answer was, That he was Albanus, and a Christian; which he professed with great liberty of Speech: The Judge enquired of him, What became of the Clerk who was sent by one called Christ, to delude and seduce the People of this City. Had he not (saith the Judge) had a guilty Conscience, and been distrustful of his own Cause, this worthy Master of yours, would have freely presented himself before us, to defend both Himself and his Disciples; But by his own Carriage, he makes known the falseness and Fraudulence of his Doctrine, since he deserts thee, and is Cowardly run away from thee; whom, if his Cause had been good, he ought to have justified, though with hazard of his Life: So as I suppose thou now perceivest how silly a Fellow he was, who seduced thee into Errors, and brought thee by his idle suggestions into such a Frenzy, as not only to renounce all worldly Advantages, but to contemn the immortal Gods; the injury against whom, since we ought not to leave unpunished, my purpose was to have revenged it by the death of the profane Delinquent: But seeing humane frailty is such, that there is none, but are obnoxious to Error, thou mayest yet by Repentance escape the indignation of the Gods, and make them propitious to thee, if thou wilt now renounce this abominable Sect.  
Hereto Albanus Answered, It were a very easy matter to declare how vain and impertinent this long discourse of yours is; for if it had seemed good or agreeable to either of us; That Holy Clerk would not have failed to have been here: But I confess his stay here could not be pleasing to me, who well know how prone to mischief this People hath ever been: The Doctrine taught by that good man, I have hearty embraced, neither can I repent me of it; for the Faith which I profess will be proved to be Holy and Divine, by the Testimony of Sick and Infirm People, who by virtue thereof shall receive Health. I will no longer Sacrifice to your Gods, nor fear your Threats or Torments, being secure under the protection of my good Lord.  
This being said, at the command of the Judge, he was Cruelly Scourged by the Officers for refusing to Sacrifice; during which Torment, he lifted up his Eyes to our Lord, and with a cheerful countenance said, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech thee keep this mind and good resolution, which thou hast given me, firm and stable: My desire is, O my God, to offer up my Soul a whole  Sacrifice to thy Glory, and with my Blood to Seal thy Truth. But when the Officers were weary with tormenting him, the Holy man was thrust into a deep Dungeon, where he continued six Months. All the Elements soon bare witness of the injury done unto him; and from the time of his Apprehension to his Death, neither Rain nor Dew refreshed the Earth, the Winds were whist, and the Region thereabout parched with excessive Heat of the Sun, even in the nighttime the stifing heat was intolerable, neither Fields nor Trees produced any Fruit, so that the whole World fought in the quarrel of this just man against his Impious Enemies; insomuch as this excessive Heat and Drought, Heathens themselves took notice of, though they applied it to other purposes.  
The Infidel Judge expected that the Constancy of the Holy Martyr would have been broken and spent, by a tedious and painful Imprisonment; whereas on the contrary, his solitude, which gave him opportunity to unite himself to God by Prayer, increased and strengthened his Courage. The Author of his Life hath thus exemplifyed one of his Prayers, O Lord Jesus Christ, do not permit the Devil's malice so much to prevail, as by his cunning machinations, and this People's relenting, my suffering for thee may be hindered.  
Not long after being come out of Prison to suffer, and addressing his Speech to the unbelieving People, who flocked to see him, he told them, He was an irreconcilable Enemy of their False Gods, the works of men's Hands, unworthy of Honour, as having no Divinity, they themselves could not but observe, that these their Idols, neither See, Hear nor Understand any thing, and that it could be no other than detestable vanity to expect Life from them which have no Life, to pray to those who could not Hear, to expect safety or Happiness from them, which were not sensible of the least good to themselves: He therefore protests, that whoever Honours such dead Idols, must renounce all reason, for whom can be more desperately miscrable, than he who suffers himself to be enslaved to Puppets of his own fashioning. woe therefore to Idels, but greater Woe to their Adorers.  
From hence may easily be observed, that this Holy Martyr who thus earnestly inveighs against Idolatry, yet with great Devotion Venerates the Cross of our Lord, so far is the respect and Honour given by the Catholic Church to Sacred things from any taint of Idolatry: And Tertullian in his Apology for Christians, testifies, That although they Adored the Cross, yet Idols, and all their Ornaments were detested by them, and abominable unto them.  
When these invectives against Idols were uttered by St. Alban, Sentence of Death was pronounced against him, and he was led to Execution, to a place called Holmburst, a Plain clothed with all sorts of Flowers, a fit Theatre for so Glorious a Martyr: Albanus being thus led to his Death, came to a River, which with a swift Torrent ran between a Wall on the one side, and a Sandy-shore on the other, where the Holy Martyr was to be Beheaded; there he saw great multitudes of all Conditions, Ages and Sects, which no doubt by Divine instinct, were assembled to Honour his Death; and they so choked the passage of the Bridge, that before night they could not all have passed over: As for the Judge, he had no intention of any respect to the Martyr, but stayed behind in the City. St. Albanus therefore inflamed with a Devout desire of a speedy Martyrdom, approached near the River, and lifting up his Eyes with Prayer to God, the River became presently dry, so as the Water gave free way to the passengers, by the Prayer of the Martyr to this effect, O Lord Jesus Christ, from whose most Holy side, I myself, in a Vision, saw both Water and Blood to flow; I beseach thee, to cause these Waters to be diminished, and the flood to return back, that the People without prejudice or danger, may be present at my Sufferings. He had no sooner prayed thus, but the Channel was immediately dry, his Tears left no other water in the River, the Power of his Prayer emptied the Torrent and cleared a safe passage for the People.  
The Officer who conducted St. Alban to his Death, by the merits of the Holy Martyr obtained Eternal Happiness; for seeing the Miracles, he threw away his Sword, and casting himself at the Holy Martyr's feet, begged his pardon; which when the People saw, they laid hold on the Man, beat out his Teeth, and in a manner broke all his Bones. This Pagan Soldier thus of a Persecutor, changed into a Lover of the true Faith, and willing to die for and with St. Alban, the other Officers were at a stand and knew not what to do.  
It is further related, That the Holy Martyr ascending the Hill, the People at the top thereof, were tormented with extremity of Thirst; the Martyr kneeling down Prayed to God, The People might receive no harm by his occasion; Upon which broke presently forth a Fountain at his Feet, and with a rapid course flowed down the Hill, so that all the People's Thirst was satisfied. In the mean time another Executioner was appointed, who to his great Unhappiness discharged that Impious Office, and with his Sword cut off the Holy Martyr's Head kneeling in Prayer to God, and Kissing the Crucifix which he held in his Hand: And immediately, O wonderful! Almighty God by the sudden loss of this Executioners Eyes, testified the Holy Martyr's Innocence; for together with the Martyr's Head, those remorseless Eyes sell to the ground.  
With St. Alban the poor Converted Soldier was also Beheaded, who by Divine Instinct refused to put the Holy Confessor to Death; and doubtless, though this new Convert was not outwardly cleansed with the water of Baptism, yet being washed in the Laver of his own Blood, he became worthy to be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven. His Name is said to be Heraclius; of whom it is further reported, That being left half dead, by the People's Strokes, as aforesaid, and creeping on his hands and feet toward the Crowd, he was mocked by one of the Judges, And bid to address himself to his Patron Albanus, (than newly Executed) and Pray him to restore Soundness to his bruised Limbs; Run, (saith the Scoffing Judge) make haste, join thy Patron's Head to his Body; no doubt, thou wilt not fail of Health; Bury the dead Carcase, and thou may'st be sure, whilst it is in thy Hands it will afford a Cure. The Soldier replied, I do verily believe, that this blessed Saint by his merits, can restore unto me my perfect Health: So that what you speak in Derision, may in earnest be fulfilled to me. Having said this, he embraced the Martyr's Head, and adjoining it to the Body, became immediately sound. When the Infidels saw this, they were filled with Envy, and bound him with Chains, tearing his Body with several sorts of Tortures, and in the end cut off his Head.  
How acceptable to Almighty God these Martyrdoms were, was presently declared from Heaven in a wonderful manner; for behold, the night following their Sufferings, a Pillar of Light was seen to raise itself from the Grave of St. Alban up to Heaven, by which Angels ascended and descended, spending the whole night in Hymns and Praises to God, repeating also these words, The Illustrious Albanus is now a glorious Martyr of Christ. As Venantius in his Poem for that purpose Elegantly sets forth.  
Who this Author of St. Alban's Life was, is unknown, he was certainly of more Antiquity than St. Bede; his Book was found in the Monastery of St. Alban; and concerning the Persecution thus raised in Britain by Dioclesian, gives us this Account. That Almighty God, who is willing all men should be saved; to magnify his Mercy to this our Country, lest it should be enveloped in Darkness, was pleased to Enlighten it, with the shining Lamps of his Holy Martyrs; the places of whose Sufferings, and the Sepulchers of whose Bodies, might inflame us with Divine Love, were not an access to those places, denied us by our Barbarous Enemies; the place I mean, where repose the Bodies of St. Alban at Verulam, St. Aaron and Julian at Caerleon, and many others in several Quarters, who have stood up Courageously in our Lord's Army; of which the first St. Alban, after he had with much Charity, entertained in his House, and secured from danger the Holy Confessor St. Amphibalus, offered himself to persecution with wonderful Miracles, was in his Confession glorified by God, walked with thousands after him dryfoot over the River, while the waters stood as a Rock on both sides of them; by which wonder his designed Executioner from a Wolf became a Lamb, and valiantly received the Triumphant Palm of Martyrdom.  
It will not be amiss to show here, with what Piety and Reverence Christians in all Ages behaved themselves to ward the Ashes and Sacred Relics of our Holy Martyrs: The Persecuting Infidels knowing this well, used all manner of despite to these Holy Relics, endeavouring all they could to hid or consume them with Fire, and cast the Ashes before the wind. The Body of Sebastiano, who suffered soon after St. Alban, they cast into a common Sink, lest the Christians should make him their Martyr. And again, three years after the Precedent threatened St. Tharacus, That he would not dispatch him at once. but would make an end of him by piece-meal; and that the remainder of his Carcase should be devoured by Beasts: Tharacus bid him, Do what he did quickly; To whom the Precedent replied, Thou thinkest Villain, that after thy death silly Women shall Embalm thy Body with Rich Unguents and Spices, but I will destroy thee and thy Relics, least foolish Women should Honour thee so.  
And concerning the Martyr Andronicus, that Precedent who condemned him, Decreed, He should be consumed to Ashes, lest some of his Consorts, or foolish Women, should gather up any of them and preserve them, as if they were some precious or holy Thing: Yet for all this, when some Devout Christians endeavoured to find their Ashes by night, mingled and confounded with other Malefactors, three bright Torches, like Stars appeared over their Bodies, and conducted those Devout Christians to discover those Ashes and Relics, and decently to inter them. This was the practice of Christians in those days, but condemned by the Manicheans as Superstitious: St. Augustine confutes their Error, by distinguishing the Veneration due to Saints, which he calls Doulia, from the supreme Degree of Adoration due only to God, which he terms Latria.  
Our Gildas having thus related the Martyrdom of our Proto-Martyr St. Alban, shows what a change happened in Britain nine years after, when the fury of this Persecution ceased, For then (saith he) all the devout Soldiers of Christ, with joyful Eyes beheld and received the Calm and Lightsomness following so tedious a Winters-night. Then they began to restore demolished Churches, they new founded Sacred Temples, Consecrated to the Honour of Holy Martyrs; these they Adorn, and in them Celebrate public Festivities and Pure Sacrifices, as manifest Trophies after their Victory: This Happy change began soon after the Tyrants Carausius and Alectus were vanquished by Constantius, who in the year of Grace 292. was Created Caesar, and received the Government of Britain. Gregory the Great was not then the first who brought into Britain the Custom of Dedicating Churches to the Honour of Martyrs; for Germanus and Lupus, before the Entrance of the Saxons, came into this Island, there to root out the Pelagian Heresy, and found here Erected to the Honour of St. Alban, in the place where by shedding his Blood he so Triumphed, a Famous Church, which with great Devotion he Visited, and there paid his Thanks to God, for his Victory over the Pelagian Heresy: He opened the Holy Martyr's Sepulchre, and as an Honour to him, Reposed in it, several Relics of Apostles and Martyrs, which he brought over out of France with him; and because he would not departed, without the Holy Martyr's protection, he took a lump of Earth from the place where the Martyr's Blood was shed; and at his return into France, carried it to his own See, from whence the Veneration of St. Alban spread itself over all France, and after into Germany also.  
By a contest between the Monks of St. Alban and Ely, in Edward the Iis. time, it is put out of doubt, that the Body of this Holy Martyr was Buried at St. Alban; for the Monks of Ely contending before that King, that the said Martyr's Body lay among them; the King commanded his pretended Tomb there should be opened; which being done, nothing was found in it, but a course Hair-garment, sprinkled with Blood in the upper part of it, as fresh as if it had been lately shed, which Garment questionless was the Caracalla beforementioned: It is no wonder this poor Garment should with Veneration be preserved by these Monks of Ely, for God hath declared this to be acceptable to him by many Miracles, witness St. Gregory Nazianzen, who hath thus written, That a little portion of Dust, a particle of Bones, a little Hair, part of the Vestment, the sprinkled marks of a Martyr's Blood, aught to have as much Veneration as the whole Body: He adds further, That he had known where only the Name of a Martyr attributed to a place, had produced the same Virtue, that his whole Body would have done; and then he cries out, O wonful! the Memory alone of a Martyr is sufficient in my Opinion to confer Health.  
The first that here followed St. Alban in his rough way of Martyrdom, was St. Amphibalus, who first showed him the way to Heaven: The constancy of St. Alban, the Miracles before and after his Death stirred up divers, of those who were Spectators of his Death, or amazed with the wonders which accompanied it, to abandon their Idols, and seek out St. Amphibalus, that from his Lips the Doctrive of Christ might be instilled into their Hearts; To that purpose they undertook a journey into Wales, where they found him Preaching the Word of Life, to the people of that Region; to him they presented the Cross which he had given to his Disciple St. Alban, and which was sprinkled with his fresh Blood, and so was a manifest token of his late Martyrdom; and upon which St. Amphibalus, after he had given Thanks to God, made a Sermon of Christian Religion to his Auditors, in number about 1000 who having heard the Sermon embraced his Doctrine, and cheerfully received from his Sacred Hands, as a Seal of their Faith, the Holy Baptism: The departure of so great a Multitude from Verulam, raised so great an Animosity against those Deserters of their Religion and City in the Hearts of the Infidels, that they resolved to pursue them with Armed Forces, hoping to find Amphibalus in their Company, which they soon did, and took him in his usual Office of Preaching to his new Converts: Such was their rage, that without distinction of Sex or Age, they mercilessly put all their Countrymen to the Sword, Neighbours, murdering Neighbours; Friends, Friends; and Kinsmen, Kinsmen; and all of them rushing with violence upon Amphibalus, they check him, With deceiving the People, and teaching them to trample underfoot the Laws Imperial, and contemn the Gods, Of which Reproaches the Holy Man takes no notice, but with joy recommends the Souls of his Murdered Converts unto the living God.  
Where the place of this Slaughter was, is uncertain, some say amongst the Silureses, others say at Litchfield, lying in the way from Verulam towards Wales; wherever it was, St. Amphibalus was from thence driven on his bare feet, with his Arms straight bound, back again to Verulam; by the way, although thus Hampered, he had yet the Power to lose a Sick person from the bands of his Infirmity, Calling upon him for help, and declaring that he firmly believed, his Health should be restored unto him, if Amphibalus the Servant of the most high God, would vouchsafe to intercede for him in the Name of Christ. Which he soon did, and behold in the sight of them all the sick person immediately arose perfectly recovered.  
When the Holy man, after his tedious and painful journey, came to the Confines of Verulam, his Cruel Persecutors stripped him of his Garments, and fastening a Stake in the ground, they with a Sword ripped up his Belly, and tying the end of his Guts about the Stake, with Cruel Whipping, they forced the Holy Martyr to walk about it, and so enwrap it with his Bowels; and yet not content with this Cruelty, they Inhumanely mangled the rest of his Body with Knives and Lances. The man of God all this while stood with a cheerful Countenance, as if he had suffered nothing, the more he was tortured, the more constant he appeared; when the wonder was, he should remain yet alive: This constancy of his stirred up many of the Spectators to renounce their Idols, and submit to the Faith of Christ, beseeching the Holy man to Pray to God for them, that they might partake of Eternal Happiness, for the obtaining whereof, they were ready to lay down their lives: The chief Magistrate perceiving this, commands the Officers to put all these new Converts to Death, which they soon performed, to the number of about 1000 persons, whose Souls the Blessed Martyr in the midst of his Tortures recommended to our Lord.  
One of the Bystanders, louder than the rest, thus upbraided the man of God, O pitiless wretch, (said he) why hast thou deceived these simple People with thy fraudulent Specehes, withdrawing them from the Worship of the Gods; by thy persuasion we have lost our Friends and Parents: Although thou hast above measure incensed both Gods and Men, yet now at last by thy Repentance, thou may'st receive their Pardon and Favour: Signify thy repentance, by renouncing that impious Sect, which hitherto thou hast followed, and yet adore the Omnipotent Gods, which perhaps through Ignorance thou hast offended; which if thou wilt do, those all-powerful Deities, will restore to Life those whom thou hast Murdered. To whom the Holy man of God thus Answered, O Infidel, whilst thou endeavour'st to extol thy Gods, assure thyself thou offendest the True God; for it is Jesus Christ my Lord, who alone hath Power to raise, and give Life to the Dead: As for those whom ye Worship as Gods, and think them Powerful in Heaven, they now suffer horrible torments in Hell, with Adulterers,  persons, Slanderers, ●nd such as by their Reprobate actions here, rendered themselves like to Devils: And thou Pagan, and all such as worship Idols, except you renounce their Worship, and Convert yourselves to the Faith of Christ, will incur the same Punishments in Hell; But despair not of the Mercy of God, break off your evil ways, make haste to partake of the Grace of Baptism, by which all sins are forgiven, and Heaven is opened unto men, thereby becoming new Creatures, divested of their former wicked dispositions; For those who before Baptism by their sins were the Children of the Devil, become afterwards the Sons of God. Run therefore to this Grace for refuge, that you may escape everlasting Torments.  
Upon these Speeches the Infidels were so enraged that they laboured with all their force to dispatch the Holy Martyr with multitudes of Stones, who still remained unmoveable in Prayer, not stirring any way from the place where he stood: But the hour approaching wherein he was to surrender his victorious Spirit unto God; he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven, and saw our Lord Jesus standing at the right Hand of his Father, and also heard an Harmonious consort of Angels, amongst whom he spied his Beloved Disciple St. Alban, whose help and Prayer he invoked, that God might send his good Angel to meet and protect him from the accursed Fiend, who would be too ready to hinder his passage to Immortality. Forthwith two Angels appeared gloriously shining with Celestial Splendour, and a voice was heard by all the Company, uttering these words, Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt be in Paradise with thy Disciple: The Pagans stood amazed at this wonderful voice. And the Holy Angels took the Martyr's Soul shining with Brightness as white as Snow, and with Hymns and Praises carried it into Heaven, whilst in the mean time the more than Barbarous Infidels ceased not to overwhelm his Lifeless Body with Stones, which afterwards a Devout Christian privily took away, and carefully buried in Redbourn, about three Miles from Verulam; for as some Authors affirm, There remained for a long time in that Village, great Knives with which the Martyr was slain. And in the way betwixt It and Verulam, a Tree stood enclosed within walls, where it is thought the Post was fixed, to which the Holy Martyr was tied, and where his Bowels were torn out, or rather where his Body was buried, and that with such Secrecy, as until the year of Grace 1178. it could never be discovered.  
But in that year, (as Matthew of Westminster writes) the Blessed Martyr St. Alban was seen visibly to go out of the Church to him Dedicated, and came to an Inhabitant of St. Alban, whom he desired to follow him: The poor man seeing the brightness of the Martyr, was sore afraid, but yet followed him Northward; the very high way shone with the brightness of his Conductor: As they walked, the poor man asked, who he was? and was Answered, That he was St. Alban the first Martyr of Britain, and that he was now leading him to the Sepulchre of St. Amphibalus, by whose Preaching, he was Converted to our Lord, and so became a Martyr. They thus talked like Friends together, until St. Alban showed the man the place where Amphibalus was obscurely buried, that his bones might be removed Reverently to a more Decent place; The man took diligent notice of the place, by setting Stones in such Order there, that it might easily be found again; soon after the Sacred Body was translated to the Church of St. Alban, and many Miracles were there continually wrought, through the intercession of the Blessed Amphibalus, who suffered in the year of our Lord 287.  
Although the place of this Saint's Burial, was long obscured, yet as appears by Gildas, his memory was precious; for within ten years after he suffered, a Church was erected to his Honour; and in the year of our Lord 309. another Church was Consecrated to this Saint at Winchester, which being after Rebuilt by the Saxons, was Dedicated to St. Peter. When the Body of this Holy Man was discovered, other Bodies were found lying by it, conjectured to be those who suffered with him.  
Much about this time, two famous Martyrs, Julius and Aaron, beforementioned, Citizens of Caerleon, and Disciples of St. Amphibalus, are recorded to have suffered for the Faith of Christ. These two had a long time addicted themselves to the Holy Faith, and were also diligent in the study of Arts and Humane Learning, both at Rome and elsewhere: They suffered (saith St. Bede) with many others of both Sex's intoller able Torture, their Members being torn asunder with unheard of Cruelty; at last consummating a Glorious Martyrdom, their Souls were received into the joys of the Heavenly City. Their Memories were preserved and Honoured by Erecting Altars and Churches in their Names; each of them had a famous Church Erected to their Honour in Caerleon, for three Magnificent Churches are said to have been Built of Old time in that City; one of the Martyrs, St. Julius, adorned with a Choir and Convent of Religious Virgins; a second Dedicated to the Honour of his Companion St. Aaron, and Graced with a Noble Choir of Canons; the third was the Metropolitan Church of all Cambria, and was after Translated by the Holy Bishop St. David, with the concurrence of the Pope's Legate; and all this long before the coming of the Saxons: Besides these, the memory is Celebrated of two Noble Britain's, Disciples of St. Amphibalus, who suffered Martyrdom in the same Persecution of Dioclesian, their Names were Stephanus and Socrates, to whose Honour two Churches were built in the Province of the Silureses. To this time also is referred the Murdering of all the Monks in the Monastery of Winchester, built by King Lucius: During the rage of this Persecution in Britain, many Christians withdrew themselves from the fury of it, as Gildas reports; which, considering the frailty of Mankind, was not imprudently done; for it was thought fit, that such as had not the courage to sustain the weight of Martyrdom, might at least hold fast the Grace of Confession.  
This flight of Christians in Britain, gave occasion to the Persecutors to extend their rage upon Churches and Monasteries; all which by such their rage, were so utterly destroyed, that in this Island few marks remained of Christian Religion: This Desolation continued until the Happy return of Constantius, by whose Clemency, the Christian Faith and Worship flourished again in Britain, sooner than in other places, Which Mercy of God, (as Bede saith) was the rather extended towards the Britain's, because they only preserved among them their Primitive (Faith received in the days of King Lucius) entire and inviolate, until the reign of Dioclesian.  
The Tyranny of the Roman Empire against Christians, God was pleased to revenge, by permitting another Tyrant to rise against them in Britain, namely Carausius, a man Vigilant and Active both in Council and Execution, Employed by the Emperor to scour the Seas of Pirates. This Employment Carausius made use of, rather to Enrich himself, than Benefit the Empire: and thereby became so suspected, that the Emperor Maximianus commanded him to be put to Death; for the avoiding whereof, he assumed the Imperial Purple, and possessed himself of Britain. Maximianus prepared to oppose him, but his attempts proving vain, he was forced to make a Peace with Carausius; who after subdued the Caledonian Britain's, and raised a new Rampire to enclose them more Northward, than any had been before, with a Triumphal Arch in memory of his Victory: He governed here quietly, until the year 293. when Constantius made his Expedition against him.  
Now, though in the time of Carausius, Persecution against Christians abated, yet by the Rapine of his Soldiers, most of the Churches and Monasteries were destroyed or Spoiled, among the rest those of Winchester and Westminster; the latter Converted into a Temple of Apollo.  
In those days the Roman Empire on all sides was greatly shaken, both by open Invasions and Civil Dissensions; to appease which two new Caesars were chosen, Constantius, by Maximianus; and Galerius, by Dioclesian; in whom, notwithstanding the Supreme Authority and Majesty of the Empire resided; the better to strengthen this Association, Dioclesian gave his Daughter Valeria to Galerius, Maximianus his Daughter Theodora to Constantius, who thereupon was compelled to a Divorce from his former Wife Helena, so as she was after esteemed his Concubine, or at least his Wife, in the second or inferior place: However, this pretended Divorce did not it seems prejudice their Son Constantine, who born before in Marriage, enjoyed his right of Primogeniture, and succeeded his Father in the Empire, although he had other Sons by Theodora: How Helena was disposed of after this Divorce, is controverted; The best Opinion is, that she was placed at Triers, where Constantius built her a Magnificent Palace, and where she was Honoured with the Title of Augusta: In the mean time her Son Constantine was received into the Family of Dioclesian, and there remained Uninfected with the Vices of the Court, in great Favour with Dioclesian, highly Graced by him; and acceptable to all that saw him, for his Beauty, gracefulness and Modesty, especially to the best sort of Men for his Virtue and Piety.  
Constantius being Created Caesar, made an Expedition into Gaul, with intent to pass over into Britain against the Tyrant Carausius: In Gaul he took the Sea-Town Gessoriacum or Buloign, which the Tyrant had strongly Fortified: In the mean time Carausius was Murdered in Britain by a new Tyrant Alectus, General of the Forces of Carausius; Alectus to secure himself assumed, the Title of Emperor: Against him Constantius the year following sailed into Britain, and landed without opposition, though he was waylaid by a strong Fleet placed in the Isle of Wight, by Alectus. When he was landed, he set his Ships on Fire, and divided his Army; one part he led himself, the other he committed to the Conduct of Asclepiodorus, Perfect of the Praetorian Band: Alectus avoiding Constantius, chose to try his Fortune with Asclepiodorus, by whom he was easily defeated and slain: Howbeit a great part of his Army, consisting of Strangers, Franks and Battavians, seeing their Prince Dead, fled towards London, hoping to Enrich themselves by the Spoils of that City; But Constantius coming on them unawares, preserved the City, and cut those Rovers in pieces; if any escaped, they became Captive to the Londoners.  
By this return of Constantius, the poor oppressed Britain's, to their great joy, were freed from Slavery and shameful Indignities, and restored to the Roman Government, under a Prince of great Clemency, and Allied to them, by his Marriage with Helena, from whom they expected a Prince of their own Blood, young Constantine, then in Egypt with Dioclesian, where he gave Illustrious Marks of his Courage in Battles, being a very young man, and inclined to the Christian Faith; insomuch as Dioclesian began to envy him, fearing lest he should prove a destroyer of the Pagan Errors; and thereupon by subtlety designed his Death, but almighty God preserved him; the Tyrant no doubt, knew the young man had been nourished from his Infancy with Christian Milk, and with evil Eyes beheld what Cruelties were inflicted on the Christians: He was therefore watched and detained under strict Guards, and probably in danger of further mischief.  
About this time he took to Wise Minervina, by whom he had his Eldest Son Crispus. The clemency and countenance of Constantius, encouraged the Christians to repair, and new build Churches to the Honour of the Martyrs, and publicly to Celebrate the Divine Mysteries and Solemn Festivals, contrary to the Report of some Scottish Authors; For as Eusebius affirms, Of the four persons conjoined in the Government of the Roman World, Constantius only clavae to the living God, and was displeased with the practices of the other three; For whereas they wasted the Churches of God, and defiled their Provinces with the Innocent Blood of Christians; He on the contrary procured Tranquillity to his Subjects, and as an Indulgent Father allowed them the free exercise of the Christian Religion.  
Constantius after three years' abode in Britain, was obliged to pass over into Gaul to oppose a Germane Nation, which infested that Country; he was accompanied with a great number of Britain's, and with their help obtained a signal Victory.  
In the year 300. Stephanus the VII. Bishop of London is said to have ended his Life by Martyrdom; not that he was put to death for the Christian Religion, but for that the former Persecution he had suffered during the rage of Dioclesian, which made his Life miserable, and might perhaps hasten his Death.  
In the year 302. Constantius seems to have returned into Britain upon the Death of Asclepiodorus, whom he left his Precedent here: Still he establishes Peace in the Church here, whilst in all other Provinces, Rivers of Christian Blood were poured out with great inhumanity. The Bounty, Clemency and Piety of this Prince, rendered him Admired and Beloved throughout the whole Empire; the moderation of his Government, and Liberality, the mutual Affection between him and his Subjects, is declared by this illustrious Example.  
The Emperor Dioclesian having been informed, that Constantius by his negligence and profuse Liberality, had wasted his public Treasure, by Messengers sent on purpose, sharply reproved him for it. Constantius promised the Messengers in a few days to give them his Answer; and in the mean time gave notice throughout his Dominions, especially to the most wealthy of his Subjects, that he stood in great need of Money, and that they could never have a fit opportunity to testify their Affection and Duty to him: Hereupon, without any delay, and with great cheerfulness, each contended with other, who should send most; so that in short time his Treasure was filled with innumerable sums of Money. This being done, Constantius invites the Messengers to be Spectators of his Wealth, desiring them to tell the Emperor what they had seen: And when they were gone, the bountiful Emperor returned all that Mass of Treasure to the respective Owners, with an Affectionate resentment of their Duty and good Will to him.  
It is further related of him, That finding his Court and Family distracted into Faction by various Sects and Religions, he published an Edict, That whoever would continue in his Service, should conform himself to the Worship of the Roman Gods, for no other should stay in his Court; however they might enjoy their Liberty and Possessions, but they must avoid his presence. This Ordinance much troubled the Christians, especially those who ambitiously affected worldly Honour, for they preferring Mammon before God, relinquished their Profession, to conform themselves to Caesar's Religion: But several others, sincere and genuine Disciples of Christ, showed themselves willing rather to forsake their Princes, service than Gods; which being observed by Constantius, he chased from his Court all those faint-hearted Hypocritical Dissemblers, saying, They would never preserve their Fidelity to him, who had so basely betrayed their Faith to God; So that he preferred to Dignities, and committed the care of his safety to them, whom he found constant. From hence it came that the Britain's, who were generally Christians, became Guards both to Him and other Emperors, whom they usually encompassed with long Halberds.  
The Faithfulness of Christians, probably moved Constantius to forsake Idolatry, and willingly to acknowledge the only true God Governor of all the World, and firmly to establish his Authority by the Prayers and assistance of Holy men, and so he passed the remainder of his Life, with great Glory and Tranquillity. To this happy change, no doubt but St. Helena his Wife much contributed; so that his Court seemed little to differ from the form of a Church, in which the Ministers and Servants of God offered daily Prayers and Sacrifice for him.  
In the year of Grace 304. the Emperors Dioclesian, and Maximianus, after 20 years' Reign, weary of their fruitless Cruelty, deposed themselves from the Empire: Galerius succeeded in the Government of the Eastern, and Constantius of the Western Empire, especially in France and Britain, not affecting to heap up Treasure for himself, but to Enrich his Subjects.  
In the year 305. his young Son Constantine accompanied Galerius in his War against the Sarmatians, where he undertook a single Combat by the Emperor's Consent, with their chief Leader, whom by Divine assistance he overcame, and led Prisoner to the Emperor, and so obtained Glory by that, which perhaps was intended for his Destruction. This year, as is Credibly reported, St. Augulus Bishop of London, received the reward of his constant Confession, having been long persecuted for the Cause of Christ; to him succeeded Iltutus, or rather perhaps Restitutus, who assisted at the first Council, and subscribed his Name thereunto.  
The next year, Constantius after he had quieted the Picts or Northern Britain's, returned to York, and there being Old, was assaulted by his last Sickness: The absence of his Son Constantine, who was detained in manner of a Pledge by Galerius, much afflicted him, though he had other Sons with him by Theodora, which gave him little satisfaction, considering their want of Spirit and Courage. Constantine observed, how much he was both feared and envied, and in danger of mischief, whilst he remained in the Emperor's hands, and endeavoured to secure himself by flight; to contrive which, with the more security, he gave command that all the public Post-horses should be Killed, and by that means arrived in Britain, with so Prosperous a Voyage, as if he had been brought thither not by Post-horses, but mounted and flying in a Heavenly Chariot: Upon his approach to his Father, he was received by him with great joy, and devout Thanksgiving to God. The dying Emperor was now willing to embrace death, and bequeathed the Inheritance of the Empire to his belov'd and first born Son Constantine, and so with comfort departed this Life. He was buried in the City of York with Princelike Solemnity, and by the Heathenish Romans Deified with the Title of Divine. Cambden reports, That when the Houses of Monks there were in our Father's memory demolished, a Lamp was found burning in a little Vaulted Chapel, in which by Tradition, Constantius is thought to have been buried. The Ancients had doubtlessly an Art to maintain a flame for many Ages, by Gold dissolved into a kind of Oil. Then certainly Matthew of Westminster must be mistaken, who writes, that the Body of Constantius was found in another place, and from thence by the then Kings command, translated to Caernarvon, which must be understood of some other Constantius.  
Now, notwithstanding Constantius had Sons by Theodora, yet passing them all by, he left the Empire to his Eldest Son Constantine only, and his disposal therein was Ratified by the Suffrages and Acclamations of the Army: Howbeit, such was the moderation and prudent caution of Constantine, that he contented himself with the Title of Caesar, refusing that of Augustus or Emperor; Insomuch, as when the Soldiers, with great Affection would have cast on him the Imperial Purple, he set Spurs to his Horse, and fled from them. In truth he had reason for this Caution, for though Dioclesian and Maximianus had relinquished the administration of the Empire; yet had they by Counsels and Authority, a great influence upon the State, for by them Galerius, Maximinus and Severus, were chosen Caesar's and Successors, who had possession of Italy and the Eastern Empire, so as Constantine being young, and at so great distance, might well think it dangerous, without their consent, to assume the Supreme Authority.  
His first attempt therefore was, to gain the Affection and Consent of Maximianus, from whom his Father had received the Purple Robe, and who had then a Daughter Marriageable, called Fausta; Her Constantine demands in Marriage, presuming the Empire should be her Dowry. In the mean time, he finished his Father's Victories in Britain, and was therein assisted by King Erocas, by whose Counsels he was much guided; afterward he passed over with a great Army into France, and there suppressed two Barbarous Princes, who filled the Country with Faction, inciting the Gauls to Rebellion. Then he began to treat with Maxentius, who a year before hearing of the death of Constantius, possessed himself of Rome, and usurped the Title of Emperor, by the help of the Praetorian Soldiers, and upon the hopes that Maximianus, whose Daughter he had Married, would favour him in his Ambition, the conceit whereof made him slight all motions of Concord with Constantine.  
Howbeit, Maximinian having heard of the Noble Victories and Exploits of Constantine, bestowed his Daughter Fausta upon him, and with Her the Imperial Purple. But soon after this Marriage, Maximinianus discovers his Treacherous intention to repossess himself of the Empire, which he had voluntarily resigned, and bound himself by Solemn Oath in the Capital, never to resume. This intention he first made known to his Daughter Fausta before the Marriage; in pursuance whereof he Solicits the Armies, with Promises of great Rewards to stick to him: All these Designs Fausta reveals to Constantine, and withal, informs him, That the intended Marriage, was but to make him secure, that her Father might the sooner deprive him of the Empire, and perhaps of his Life also. This intention of Maximinian soon appears, for he forthwith publicly assumes the Name and Authority of Emperor, at Arles, from whence retiring to Marseilles, he was there Besieged by Constantine, and soon made his Prisoner, and afterward Executed upon himself the just vengeance of Perjury and Treason, for he strangled himself with a Halter; such a deserved and ignominious end had this Tyrant, who defiled the Western Empire with the Blood of so many Christians. Constantine thus Victorious, prosecuted his Victories in Germany, where he built a Bridge over the Rhine, and subdued several Rebellious Nations.  
He had, as is said, several Noble Britain's in his Army with him, amongst which three Uncles of his Mother Helena are Named, Johelin, Traer and Marius. At this time, although Constantine were not a Christian, yet he afforded the Christians the like Peace which they enjoyed under his Father; Monasteries were Replenished and Built, those of Abingdon and Winchester being the principal; the first whereof was speedily Finished, and Consecrated to the memory of St. Amphibalus; and for the space of 200 years prospered, till the time of Cerdicus the West Saxon, who then destroying the Monks, turned it into a Temple of Idolatry. As for that in Abingdon, if the Chronicle of that place may be Credited, Constantine himself in his younger days had his Education there. To this Monastery belonged 500 Monks, who got their living by their Labour abroad, but every Sunday resorted to their Monastery to perform their Devotions, sixty more were constantly Resident, attending in the Recital of Psalms and Christian Sacrifices.  
It was now that Almighty God in revenge of the Innocent Blood of the Christians shed by the Tyrant Galerius, visited him with an inward and Incurable Rottenness, whereof he died, having for a long time consumed him by piece-meal with great Stench and Torment; neither could he appease the wrath of God, although, but too late, he acknowledged the Justice of God, and sent out Edicts in favour of the Christians. Thus ended the furious Persecution first raised by Dioclesian.  
There yet remained four persons who Supremely and Independently governed their several Provinces; Constantine in Gaul and Britain, Maxentius in Italy and afric, Maximinus in the East, and Licinius in the Pannonia, Greece, Illyrium and Thrace; all which Provinces in a short time became united under the Monarchy of Constantine.  
The 112th. year of Christ was now come, Prosperous to the Church of God: Happy was it for Christians that Maxentius refused agreement with Constantine, such were the manifold Vices, Oppressions, Murders, Adulteries and great Enormities of Maxentius, that Constantine was in a manner enforced, not only for his own safety, but the general good of Mankind to free the World of such a Monster, odious not only to Christians, but to Pagans also, to conclude a War against the Tyrant, though stronger than himself, Constantine therefore had recourse to Divine assistance; but such a multitude of Gods were Worshipped in the World, that he was uncertain, to which of them he should Address himself: After serious consideration, calling to mind how former Emperors had been abused to their own ruin, by false Oracles, Incantations and Inhuman Sacrifices offered to their Heathen Gods, he resolves to put his Confidence in that only true God, which his Mother Helena Worshipped all her Life, and his Father Constantius towards his end: To that God he offered Zealous and Devout Prayers, That he would discover to him, who he was, and how he would be Worshipped, and would protect him in his present condition of danger. His Devotion was not in vain, for by a stupendious Miracle, in the sight of the whole Army, God declared his acceptance of his Supplicants Prayers, for he saw over the Sun, then beginning to decline, the Sign of the Cross in Heaven, figured by a resplendent light, together with these words inscribed, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, By this be Victorious; Which Spectacle caused great admiration, both to himself and his Army. Artemius, one of the Spectators, afterwards relates this Miracle to Julian the Apostate, and Vouches many of his then present Soldiers for Spectators, and further Witnesses thereof, some writers add, That many Angels were seen with this Apparition, who encouraged constantine, and promised him Victory by that Sign; and that he himself saw an Armed Horseman, who bore in his Hands the sign of the Cross as an Ensign. The Christians in Constantine's Army were Encouraged by this Celestial Vision, but the Pagans looked upon it as a Fatal and Ominous Sign, until the succeeding Victory proved it otherwise: Nay at first the good Emperor himself, was in great doubt what this strange Vision should Portend, until at night our Lord appeared to him in his Sleep, bearing the same Sign with him, and commanded Constantine, To cause a Draught or Copy thereof to be framed, and to be made use of by him, as a Guard and Protection in all his Battles. Accordingly Constantine instructed his most cunning Workmen to make a Banner in imitation thereof, Adorned with Gold and Precious Stones, which he perpetually had carried before him in his Army: He caused likewise innumerable representations of the Cross to be fixed in several public and Private places, especially in several parts of his own Palace, where it was for the most part framed of Gold, Jewels and Precious Stones. No wonder then if the veneration of the Holy Cross, every day more and more increased amongst Christians, a practice used from the most Primitive times, and now Authorised by our Lord himself from Heaven, as it hath been sure confirmed by innumerable Miracles wrought in several Ages by it.  
Constantine encouraged by this Promise of Divine assistance, and Armed with this Glorious Sign of the Cross, makes towards Italy, Conquers several Nations, reduces several Cities, and overcomes all Resistance; and having cleared all the Provinces behind him, marches Courageously to Rome itself; where the Tyrant for more than six years had exercised all manner of Wickedness. He had not Courage to Issue out of the City, or oppose Constantine's Progress, stupefied with his Lusts, and affrighted with Prodigies, and the Divination of his Soothsayers: But when Constantine approached the City, Maxentius was enforced to draw out his Army, consisting of 17000 Foot, and 1800. Horse; these numerous Forces he ranged beyond the Milvian Bridge, so that they were shut out of the City by the River. The Tyrant used this Stratagem also, he caused the Bridge to be so framed, that at his pleasure he might dissolve it: Constantine having ranged his Army on the other side, himself with great Courage gave the onset; by which he immediately broke his Enemy's Ranks, so as little resistance was made, except by the Praetorian Soldiers, who having Created Maxentius Emperor, expected no Pardon, and covered the ground with the dead Bodies: Those who endeavoured flight, found it unsuccessful, being hindered by the straitness of the Bridge; the slaughter was exceeding great, there being no other way to avoid the Sword, but plunging into the River, wherein great multitudes were swallowed. The Tyrant himself casting off the marks of Authority, adventured into Tiber, and being hurried down the Stream was drowned; his Body being cast upon the shore, the People found, and cut off his Head, which with great Joy and Triumph, they carried up and down the City fastened to a Pole.  
It is affirmed, that since Rome was built, never was a day Celebrated with greater or more universal Joy, than the day whereon Constantine Triumphed for this Victory: His Triumphant Chariot, was attended not with Conquered Princes or Generals but with the Nobility of Rome, freed from Dungeons and Chains; Rome did not indeed Enrich herself with Spoils of Enemies, but ceased to be the Spoil of an Inhuman Tyrant. However this Pious Emperor, would have this common Joy and Applause, ascribed not to himself, but to God only, by virtue of the Holy Cross, to whom only he gave the Praise and Honour of this Victory: At his Triumphal entrance into the City, he caused the Cross to be carried before his Army, that Rome might see by what Arms, she had been freed from Slavery; he also enjoined the People and Senate to Prostrate themselves before that Triumphant Sign, and to Adore the Name of Christ, who had Ennobled the same.  
It is therefore a narrow conceit of some, who will not acknowledge that the Cross was ever Honoured or Venerated by this Emperor, or his Command, when it is most manifest by undeniable Testimony; for it is well known, that Constantine Dedicated a Church to the Honour of the Holy Cross. This Honour of the Cross Prudentius thus sounds forth.  Vex illum Crucis summus Dominator Adorat. 
And not only so, but the said Emperor signifies his will that all the World should also do so. This Prince also, further to Honour this Sign of our Salvation, causeth his Statue to be set up in Rome, holding a Cross in the right Hand with this Inscription. By this saving Sign, the Emblem of Fortitude, I delivered your City from the yoke of Tyranny; and having given perfect Liberty to the Senate and People of Rome, I restored them to their Ancient Greatness and Splendour. There was another Inscription Engraven in Stone by the Decree of the Senate of like purport with the former, wherein the Victory is ascribed, contrary to the Roman custom, to one True God, and not to the many Gods there Adored.  
After this signal Victory, Constantine sent for Licinius the Emperor to Milan, and there gave him to Wife his Sister Constantia, and procured an Edict from him for free Liberty to profess the Christian Religion: what belonged to Churches, was restored unto them. Both Constantine and Lacinius join in their request to Maximinus the Eastern Emperor, to grant the like freedom within his Dominions; to which request Maximinus with much unwillingness yielded: Matthew of Westminster affirms, That about this time Constantine chose into the Senate his three Uncles beforementioned, which might perhaps give occasion to Julian the Apostate, afterwards to darken the memory of this Glorious Emperor, as a perverter of the Ancient Roman Laws, in being the first who Adorned Barbarous Strangers with Consular Robes.  
In the year of Grace 314. Silvester succeeded Melchiades in the Popedom. It was this Melchiades who ordained, that of the Oblations offered by the People in the Church, the Bishop or Priest should Consecrate Loaves of Bread, cut into small parcels, and kept in a pure Vessel, that after the Solemnity of Mass, such as had not Communicated, should partake of them on all Sundays and Feasts. These Morsels of Bread thus Blessed, were called Eulogia, and intended to be Symbols of unity in Faith and Charity, and were made of common Bread. This year whilst Constantine fought prosperously against the Germans, a certain King of the Gevissi in the Western part of Britain called Octavius, made an Insurrection against the Proconsul, whom Constantine had entrusted with the Government of the Country; against whom the Emperor sent his Uncle Traer, who landing about Portsmouth, soon took it; Octavius having notice thereof, comes against Traer with strong Forces, and put him to flight, but in a second Battle in Westmoreland, Octavius is totally vanquished, and put to flight into Albania to King Humbert for Succour. The alteration of Government in Britain might well occasion this Rebellion of Octavius, in regard the Britain's were now governed by a Vicar of the Perfect of Gaul, where Constantine made his usual abode, and was disquieted more by the Faction of Schismatics, than any other Commotions, so as Constantine was enforced to procure a General Assembly, or Synod at Arles, for composing the Sedition raised by the Donatists, to which Synod the British Bishops were called, and the proceed thereof are as follows.  
Although Persecution was somewhat abated, yet the Enemies of Christians to give them still disturbance, endeavoured to divide them into Factions. The first public Infamous Scene, of which scandal was Carthage in afric, the occasion this. Caecilianus Archdeacon of the place, had reprehended Lucilla a Spanish woman living in that City, for that before receiving the Holy Sacrament, she had with Veneration kissed the Head of a certain person, esteemed by her a Martyr, but not acknowledged for such by the Bishop: The Woman being Wealthy and Powerful, studied revenge against Caecilianus, who was newly chosen Bishop; and required restitution of certain Vessels of Silver and Gold belonging to the Church, which in the late Persecution, had by his Predecessor been recommended to the Fidelity of some Elders of that City. They to avoid restoring of these Vessels, joined themselves to the Faction of Botrus and Celesius, who had ambitiously sought after the said Bishopric, but were rejected: This repulse incited them to question the Election of Caecilianus; Lucilla betook herself to this Faction, who withdrew themselves from the Communion of their Bishop, and by means whereof a most horrible Schism was raised in afric, the flame whereof could not be extinguished in many Ages.  
These Factious persons invited to Carthage several African Bishops, who were convicted to be Traditors, such as for fear of Persecution had delivered up to Heathen Magistrates, the Books and Vessels belonging to the Church, of which Bishops the principal was Secundus Primate of Numidia; they were in all 17. and kept their Assemblies at Carthage separate from Caecilianus; and presumed Sacrilegiously to ordain another Bishop of Carthage, one Majorinus, who had been Lectorer formerly to Caecilianus, and was now a Domestic of Lucilla. These Bishops, though they were themselves manifest Traditors, yet questioned the Ordination of Caecilianus, because he received it from Felix, and others, whom they falsely accused of their own Crime. They further wrongfully charge Caecilianus, with denying necessary Provision to several Martyrs in Prison. Notwithstanding all which Calumnies, he was acknowledged Lawful Bishop, by the Bishop of Rome, and all other Catholic Bishops.  
Now though this Schism was chief forged by Botrus and Celesius, with the said Elders and Lucilla, and increased by Secundus and other Traditor Bishops, yet it took its Name from Donatus who succeeded Majorinus in the Schism, and not from that Donatus, who being Bishop of Casae nigrae, by the instigation of Lucilla withdrew himself from the Communion of Caecilianus, and was condemned by Pope Melchiades. This unhappy Schism gained such strength in a short space, that in three years, joining themselves unto other Traditor Bishops, and drawing into their Communion most of the Numidians, they assembled a Council of no fewer than 270. Bishops, who continued together 75 days, and repeating their former Constitutions, made a Decree in favour of the Traditors. When Constantine had overcome Maxentius, the Donatists obtained Letters from Anulinus Governor of afric, to write Letters to the Emperor in Gaul, full of Calumnious Accusation against Caecilianus; and some of these Schismatical Bishops made a Voyage to the Emperor, whom they requested, to appoint some Judges of their Cause; He gave them this Answer with indignation, You require a Secular Judgement from me, who myself expect the Judgement of Christ. Yet at last, with extreme importunity, they wrested from him for their Judges Materinus Bishop of Colonia Aggrippina, Rhetitius Bishop of Austim, and Marius Bishop of Arles: Howbeit, soon after considering the Authority of the Roman Bishop, he commanded both Parties to attend the said Judges at Rome, that the difference might be debated and concluded before Melchiades, to whom the Emperor wrote, to the end that the Contestants might receive their Judgement from Him, and the other Judges; As you know (saith he) the Holy Law of God requires a Synod; Therefore being Assembled at Rome, the result of it was, that Donatus Bishop of Casaenigrae was condemned, and Caecilianus acquitted: From this Judgement they impudently appealed to the Emperor, who cried out, O the rabid impudence of these men's fury; they have presumed to interpose an Appeal, as the custom is among Heathens in Secular Causes: Yet after all this, the Donatists were so shameless, as to boast that Constantine had given Judgement for them; and to deprave the Judgement of Pope Melchiades, they traduce him for a Traditor.  
Still they continue their Tumults in Africa, and principally direct their malice against Felix, who ordained Caecilianus, and whom they accused of being a Traditor; Constantine left the determination of this difference to Aelianus Proconsul of Africa, who detecting many Lies and Frauds of the Donatists, legally pronounced the Innocence of Felix: Yet once more they Appealed to the Emperor, to whose Court many of their Bishops repaired, complaining that many of their most weighty Allegations had not been taken into consideration by Aelianus. Whereupon as St. Augustine saith, not daring to become a Judge, of a Judgement given by the Bishop of Rome, he referred the matter to a Synod of all the Western Bishops, appointed to meet at the City of Arles, whose Charges were defrayed by the Emperor's order: In this Council 200. Bishops met, who in the first place re-examined the Cause of Felix, and declared him guiltless of the Crime of Traditor: And this Cause being determined, they thought fit to frame several Canons touching Ecclesiastical Discipline, to be observed throughout the whole Church.  
First they Ordained, That the Feast of Easter should in all Churches be Celebrated upon the same day, in opposition to the Quarto decimani, who observed it according to the Jewish custom, upon the 14th. day of the first Moon in March, which practice began to prevail more and more in the East: To this Canon the British Bishops then of this Council subscribed. Another Canon of this Council is worthy consideration, namely, That all such should be removed from the Order of the Clergy, who in time of Persecution, had delivered up to the Pagans the Holy Scriptures, or the Lords Vessels deputed for the Christian Sacrifice, as by the 20th. Canon of this Council appears, which commands, That a place to offer Sacrifice, should be afforded to a Stranger Bishop, with Vessels for that purpose; And thereupon Restitutus a British Bishop, who subscribed to that Council, did there offer Sacrifice accordingly. Some pretend a Canon in this Council, That Deacons in their Ordination, protesting their resolution to Marry, might lawfully do it. If any such Canon be foisted into late Copies, giving Deacons any such privilege; yet seeing Priests were not therein mentioned, it is strongly employed, that they were forbidden Marriage.  
At the conclusion of this Synod, a Letter was written in the Name of the whole Assembly to Pope Silvester, Desiring his Care and Diligence in the Observation of their Decrees in all Churches: The British Subscribers to this Council were these that follow, Eborius Bishop of York, Restitutus beforenamed Bishop of London, famous in the year of Grace 350. the third Adelfus Bishop of Camolodunum, or Maldon. About this time a public Disputation was held before the Emperor and his Mother Helena, between some Christian Bishops, whereof Pope Silvester was chief, and twelve Scribes and Pharisees, principal Masters amongst the Jews; in which conflict the Holy Pope by Scriptures and Miracles, so confirmed the Faith, that he obtained a Noble Victory; insomuch as the Jews fell into a slat Rebellion against the Emperor; But being suppressed, were carried up and down, with their Ears cut off, as stigmatised Slaves, that all men might be Witnesses of their Crime, and deterred from the like presumption: Some impute the said Disputation to Helena, as if she were a favourer of the Jews, and no Christian before her Son's Conversion, and so only by his Example, contrary to the Truth of all Authentic Story. It may indeed be true, that her Piety was much increased by the Apparition of the Holy Cross to her Son: Howbeit, there is no doubt but she was a sincere Christian long before, whatever Aspersions may be cast upon her, by ill-willers.  
In the year 317. Licinius forgetful of his Covenant with Constantine, began a Persecution against the Christians, and a War against Constantine, who after two Battles obtained a complete Victory, accompanied with the Death of Licinius. This success, Constantine himself, under God, attributed to his Sacred Ensign of the Cross; whereof Licinius was so afraid, that he commanded his Soldiers, not so much as to look toward it; for it was observed, that whoever bore that Ensign, could never be Wounded, the Darts cast by the Enemy still remaining fixed to the Staff supporting the Cross: And now Constantine betook himself to Enrich and Adorn the Church, and confer Immunities upon Churchmen, he published a Law that all Clerks and Clergymen, should be excused from all Civil Offices and Duties, that by the ill-will or malice of any they might not be withdrawn from the Service of God. Nay, (saith Sozomen) by this Emperor's Decree, if any Clergyman were called into Judgement by Civil Magistrates, they might Appeal to the Judgement of Bishops, whose Sentence was to be Ratified, as if pronounced by the Emperor himself.  
Moreover, whereas the Roman Laws were severe against Celibacy, so as Unmarried persons were incapable of Inheritances; Constantine considering how prejudicial this was to Christian Religion, wherein many professed Virginity and Single lives, preferring the Love of Christian Philosophy and Perfection, before the Sensual Pleasures of Matrimony, and Consecrating themselves both Soul and Body to the Service of God, in a Poor and Chaste Life; for that reason, utterly abolished those Ancient Laws, showing withal great Honour and Admiration to the Convents of Consecrated Virgins. And if we will believe Sozomen, He so far privileged all persons Male or Female, who Consecrated themselves to Virginity, that though they were under Age, yet they should have Power to dispose of their Estates by Will, contrary to the custom of the Romans. He further also ordained, That a measure of Wheat should yearly be given to Widows, and those who observed a Virgin Life, (two thirds whereof Julian the Apostate not long after took from them) He commanded public rest on the Lord's day, and prescribed a form of Prayer on that day for all persons, especially his Soldiers: Part whereof was in these words, We acknowledge thee, the only God, we profess thee our Sovereign King; we invoke thee our Helper, by thee we obtain Victories, and vanquish our Enemies; we acknowledge that from Thee we have obtained present Felicity, and hope to obtain future: We bescech thee many years to preserve safe and victorious Constantine our Emperor, with his Pious Children. He likewise in memory of our Saviour's Cross and Passion, ordained, That upon Fridays, some time should be spent in Prayers to God. Lastly, He not only Enriched the Church by his own Bounty, but by a Law opened the Purses of others to Endow it, by giving Licence to all persons to bequeath what they thought sit to the Church.  
By one Action indeed he stained the Purity of his Faith, for being at Sardis, and having notice, that his Palace at Rome was struck with Lightning, an Ominous Sign to the Pagan Romans, and by their Ancient Laws to be averted by many Superstitious Lustrations; he condescended to the importunity of the Magistrates to Consult the soothsayers, what the meaning of it might be; but commanded them to abstain from Domestical Sacrifices. This unlawful compliance of the Emperor, turned to the prejudice of the Christians; for by colour thereof, (at the instigation of the soothsayers) the Heathen Magistrates would compel the Christians to join in the public Expiatory Sacrifices, so as many chose rather to leave the City; and amongst the rest, the Holy Pope Silvester. Constantine informed hereof, publishes an Edict, That if any should go about to compel any Christian to Celebrate Heathenish Lustrations, he should, (if a mean person,) be publicly beaten with Clubs; if otherwise, he should be grievously Fined.  
In the year 324. after our Saviour's Incarnation, according to the Tradition of the Western Church, confirmed by many Proofs; Constantine received Baptism at Rome by the Hands of Pope Silvester; upon this occasion, Constantine had rashly put to death Licinius his Sister's Son, falsely accused of a design to Rebel; and Crispus his own Son, adorned with many Virtues, and famous for many Victories, yet accused by Fausta his Mother-in-Law, to have attemptod her Chastity; which accusation appearing after to be false, and invented by Fausta maliciously, because the young man would not yield to her Lust; she was by Constantine's order stifled in a Hot Bath. After which Crimes and Calamities, as appears by the second General Council of Nice: Almighty God struck Constantine with a Leprosy: anxious to find a remedy; the Soothsayers told him, The only way to be restored, was by a Bath of Infant's Blood: This detestable Medicine being abhorred by Constantine, God was pleased to instruct him by a Vision of St. Peter and St. Paul, in his sleep, That it would be a certain remedy for him to receive Baptism at the hands of the Pope; Which he did accordingly with great Solemnity: In the place where he was Baptised, he Erected a Magnificent Chapel; wherein was a Font of Porphyry covered with Silver, and over it hung a Phiale of Pure Gold, wherein yearly 200 l. of Balsam was Burned; on the brink of the Font, was placed a Lamb of pure Gold, weighing 30 l. and pouring forth water into the Font: At the right side of the Lamb stood the Statue of our Saviour, all of pure Silver, weighing 170 l. On the left side was placed St. John Baptist, holding a Scroul, whereon was written, Behold the Lamb of God, Behold him who takes away the sins of the World, etc. The Emperor according to the Church's custom, being for seven days, clothed in White, Consecrated each of the said days with some Signal act of Piety. On the first day he published a Law, That Christ is the true Lord, who cleansed him from his Leprosy, and whom he commanded to be Adored through the whole Empire, On the second day he Decreed, Severe Punishments on those who by Word or Deed should Dishonour him. On the third day he Decreed Like Penalties against those who should Persecute or Molest any Christians. On the fourth day, He conferred on the Roman Churches Imperial Privileges. On the fifth day, He granted Immunities to all other Churches. On the sixth and seventh, he added many other Gists to Ecclesiastical Persons. And the day after he appeared in public, perfectly cleansed from his Sins and Leprosy, and coming to the Confession of St. Peter, He took his Diadem from his Head, and putting off his Impertal Robes, with a Spade opened the Earth for a Foundation of a new Church; and in Honour of the 12 Apostles, carried on his Shoulders 12 Baskets of Earth; and with great joy receiving the Bishop into his Chariot, he returned to his Palace.  
After all this, he extended his Munificence to God's Church all the Empire over; and sent Letters to the Eastern Bishops, encouraging them to Build Churches, supplying them out of his public Treasure; which Churches he caused to be Consecrated to the Honour of the Apostles and Martyrs, whose solemn Feasts he commanded to be observed even by the Pagans with Honour and Veneration.  
And as for the Christians they repaired thither with great Zeal, and as Supplicants there, demanded the intercession of those Martyrs; a practice then used, not only by the meaner sort, but by persons of the highest rank also: As St. Chrysostom witnesses, He who wears the Imperial Robe (saith he) comes hither, he embraces the Sepulchers of the Martyrs, and laying aside all haughtiness and pride, stands before them in the Posture of a Supplicant, beseeching them to intercede on his behalf.  
This so public and zealous Profession of a new Religion, rendered Constantine displeasing to some of the Senate, who could not with Patience endure the decay of their Ancient Superstition: For this cause he grew weary of Rome, and made a Progress into the Eastern Provinces; where he established a new seat of the Empire at Byzantium, after from his Name called Constantinople; and this he did the rather to compose the Tumults raised by the Blasphemous Heresy of Arius, who denied the Divinity of the Son of God; affirming, That time was, when he was not; though he was first of all Creatures: In which Heresy, not a few Bishops joined with him to the great disturbance and scandal of the Christian Church; Alexander Bishop of Alexandria, first admonished, then Excommunicated Arius. Constantine by Exhortations and Letters treated with both of them, for the composing of their differences; but finding no means available, caused a Council of the whole Church to be assembled at Nicaea in Bythinia, consisting of 318 Bishops, who desided the Controversy, from Scripture and Tradition, determining, That the Son was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Consubstantial with the Father.  
It is observable; with what Meekness, Charity and Respectfulness the Pious Emperor behaved himself towards the Bishops; how he refused to judge of their Recriminations, how he fortified the Determinations of the Synod by his Authority, commanding submission thereunto; and how he banished the Arch-Heretick Arius. In this Council was further Order made, For the universal Observation of Easter, upon the first Sunday following the 14th. day of the first Moon after the Vernal Equinox; for the better finding out of which, it was recommended to the care of the Patriarch of Alexandria, every year to give notice to the Bishop of Rome, upon what day Easter was to be observed, and this was to be communicated unto all remoter Churches; and during Mass on the Epiphany, a Deacon with a loud voice declared the following Easter, whereby Lent, and all other movable Feasts, were regulated: And accordingly the British Churches also were guided, until recourse from Rome was interrupted by Domestic Broils, and the invasion of the Saxons; and when by such interruption the Britain's varied from the Western Churches, they kept not Easter as the quarto decimani, precisely upon the 14th. day of the Moon, after the Jewish mode; But if that 14th. day happened upon a Sunday, they did not defer the Observation until the Sunday following, as other Catholic Christian Churches used to do.  
Soon after this Council of Nice, Helena the Mother of Constantine being near 80. years old, had the Courage to undertake a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to visit the Holy places sanctified by our Lords Actions and Sufferings, and to Adore his Footsteps: to which tedious Journey she is said to be incited by Divine Admonition: The Sepulchre of our Lord she most ardently desired to see, which the flagitious Impiety of the Pagans, had endeavoured to hid from the World, so that it cost incredible Labour to remove that vast heap of Earth, wherewith it had been covered; on the top whereof a Temple to Venus was Erected: But the place being cleansed, Constantine caused a most Magnificent Temple to be Erected upon it: Besides which, his Mother began the building of two other Sumptuous Churches, one at Bethlehem where our Lord was born, another on Mount Olivet, where he ascended into Heaven, both which, after her Death, were finished by her Son.  
In the Mount was yet extant the Impression of our Lords Feet, which this Devout Empress Honoured with due Veneration: The Prophet Zacharias long before Prophesied, saying, And in that day his feet shall stand upon the Mount Olivet over-against Jerusalem to the East: And St. Jerom testifies, That the same footsteps of our Lord imprinted on the ground, were shown in his time, so as though the Earth were continually taken away by the Devotion of Christians, yet these Holy footsteps did receive and retain their former state. Sulpitius Severus relates a strange story, namely, That the place where our Lords feet at his Ascension stood, could not be continued to the rest of the Pavement about it, for whensoever Marble was laid on it, the Earth refused to receive it, casting the Stones oft times upwards in the Faces of those which applied them; and the footsteps of our Lord there seen, are a lasting Monument, that the Dust there had been trod on by our Saviour. To this Beda adds, That whereas the Temple built over this place, consisted of three Stories, the uppermost whereof were Vaulted with Arches; that which was the lowest and most inward, could by no Art or Labour be closed with a Vault.  
The Holy Empress was now in earnest quest of the Holy Cross on which our Lord perfected the Redemption of Mankind, by the Apparition of which her Son had been lately drawn to Faith and Baptism: A Rumour there was, that it was still extant, and hid up in some of those Holy places, but where to find it was the difficulty; several places thereabout were digged, but all in vain; at last the Religious Lady was by a Celestial Admonition informed where it lay. Whereupon causing all the Rubbish to be removed, she found under ground three Crosses in a confused order, whereby her joy was diminished, by the uncertainty which was the true one; there was also found with them the Title which had been written by Pilate in Greek, Latin and Hebrew Letters; but being separated, gave no token to discern which was our Lord's Cross: In this doubtfulness, the only remedy was by Prayer to beg a Divine Testimony: At the same time, there was in the City a Woman of quality, who lay Sick of a Grievous Disease, ready to Expire; Macarius Bishop of Jerusalem seeing the Empress so solicitous to discover the true Cross, commanded that all-three should be brought, not doubting but that God would discover the true one; and being entered with the Empress into the Sick Woman's Chamber, Prayed, That God would be pleased to show unto them, which of those three Crosses was employed to glorify our Lord, and which for the punishments of the Malefactors, and that this discovery might be made by the restoring of the Woman half dead, upon the touches of the True Cross. The first and second were applied without any avail or effect; but as soon as the third was applied unto her, she opened her Eyes, and risen up in perfect Health, and went about her House with great alacrity, Praising and Glorifying the Power of God.  
And thus was the Empress satisfied in her longing desire, by the Attestation of many Ecclesiastical Writers, so as in memory of this saving sign, she Dedicated a peculiar Church; and for the Cross itself thus found, she sent part of it to the Emperor, to be Honourably bestowed in his Palace; the remainder she enclosed in a Box of Silver, and gave it to the Bishop of Jerusalem, to be reserved as a Monument of our Salvation; and for many years after, upon the day of our Lord's Resurrection, it was produced with Veneration by the Bishop, and exposed also to the People to be by them likewise Venerated. That part which was sent to Constantine, he enclosed in a Statue of his own, which was placed on a mighty Pillar of Porphyry in the Marketplace of Constantinople, and was by him esteemed as a mighty Bulwark of his Empire: The Nails which pierced our Saviour's Sacred flesh, were artificially enclosed in the Emperor's Helmet, as a Guard for his Head. One of them indeed in a great Tempest the Empress threw into the Adriatic Sea, and by that means, as is presumed, saved herself and Company from Shipwreck.  
Our Helena being a British Princess, drawing near the end of her Life, increased in her Zeal and Piety; her Humility and Devout respect to Holy Virgin's Consecrated to the Service of God, appeared by this example, That she invited some of them to Dinner, and thought it not enough that her Maids should attend upon them, but girding herself after the manner of a waiting Maid, set Meat upon the Table, gave them Drink, and poured Water on their Hands: Thus, though an Empress, she esteemed herself no better than a a Servant and Handmaid of Christ and his Virgins: In all her Progress through the Eastern Provinces, she largely expressed her wonderful Munificence, giving innumerable Gifts, not only to particular Persons, but to whole Cities; she largely relieved the Poor, such as were condemned to work in Mines, or perpetual Imprisonment, she set at liberty, the Oppressed she delivered from fraud and injury, and the Banished she restored to their own Country.  
In her return out of Palestine into Greece, she passed by Drepanum in Bythinia, where reposed the Body of the Glorious Martyr Lucianus; as soon as she saw his Relics neglected, without any mark of Honour or Reverence, she caused a Sumptuous Church to be Built over them, and enlarged the place into a City with Walls and Bulwarks, called by her Son after her Name Helenopolis. Moreover, this Holy Empress in her Progress through the East, having been informed where the Bodies of the three Wise men who came to Bethlehem to Adore our newborn Saviour, reposed, brought them with her to her Son Constantine, who Reverently laid them in the chief Church of his new City, from whence they were translated to Milan, and from thence to Colen, where they now are Celebrated with great Veneration. In such Pious Works did this Holy Empress conclude her Worldly Pilgrimage.  
It is most probable she Deceased at Rome, Aged above 80 years, and was there Honourably Interred; her occasion of returning thither, was after the laudable custom of Christians in those days to visit the Sepulchers of the two chief Apostles: She brought with her to Rome a part of the Holy Cross, which, with great Veneration she placed in a Church there Built at her Request by her Son, called by the Title of the Holy Cross. It is reported, She spent her last days in great Devotion, and approaching to her Death, after her receiving the Sacraments of the Church, she was comforted with a Vision of our Lord Jesus, encompassed with a multitude of Angels, and holding his Cross, shining with inexpressible Brightness. Eusebius testisies, That her Son Constantine with all humble respect attended her in her Sickness, and was present at her Death; having received many Devout Exhortations, and the Benediction of a Parent from her: Such was the Emperor's Piety and Respect to his Mother, that she is said, To have reigned as Empress with him, to be styled Augusta, to be transferred into the Flavian Family; so that many Golden Coins were made and stamped with her Image.  
After her Death, her Son Constantine built unto her Honour a Magnificent Sepulchre or Mausoleum, where in a Tomb of Porphyry he laid her Blessed Body, situate in the Highway, called Lavicana, between two Lawrel-Trees, her Body afterwards, if we will believe the Gallican Martyrology, was removed into a Monastery in France, and there continued Illustrious by many Miracles. In the Church of the Holy Cross at Rome, Anciently called, The Church of St. Helena; an Illustrious Monument was Erected in memory of her, and the like is to be seen in Naples.  
This Island wherein this Noble Empress was born, hath not been ungrateful to her Memory. The Monuments of her and all others raised by the Britain's, have been consumed by Age; but even the Saxons, when once Converted to Christianity, left many Monuments and Expresses of their Devout respect to this British Lady, by Consecrating Churches in memory of her, witness Hellenstone in Berkshire, and several Churches Dedicated in this Saints Name in London, and many other places.  
Constantine continues his Zeal against Pagan Idolatry, and made severe Laws against Heathenish Sacrifices, overthrowing the most Celebrated of the Idol-Temples; neither was he wanting to establish the Church's Peace, by publishing severe Edicts against all sorts of Heretics and their Assemblies, mingled with such persuasive Exhortations, that many of them acknowledging their Errors, returned to the Communion of the Catholic Church: Yet this Holy Emperor being seduced by the Craft of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia, the Pillar of the Arrian Faction, he began to be displeased with St. Athanasius then Bishop of Alexandria. His Sister Constantia checked him at her Death with his Severity to the Arrians, whom she accounted Innocent persons; upon this the Emperor wrote a threatening Letter to Athanasius, enjoining him to receive Arrius; but being after informed, that this Arrius still persisted in his Heresy, and without any Repentance opposed the Council of Nice, the good Emperor no longer insisted upon his Reception; and not only stuck to Athanasius against the Miletians, but turned his Anger against the said Eusebius, his chiefest Enemy, whom he banished with other Confederate Bishops from their Sees; though soon after, upon the Inauguration of his new City Constantinople, as objects of his Clemency, he thought fit to restore them.  
This City is said to be Consecrated to our Lord and his Immaculate Mother, with the offering of the unbloody Sacrifice and Prayers; and then a Statue was erected for Constantine in a public place upon a Pillar of Porphyry, holding in his right Hand a Golden Apple, on which was placed the Holy Cross, with this Inscription, To thee, O Christ, our Lord, I commend this City. Eusebius writes, That Constantine adorned his new City, especially with Magnisicent Churches, Consecrated to Holy Martyrs, the chief whereof were St. Moscus, St. Agathonicus, St. Mennas and St. Acatius. One Church he built in a place there formerly Dedicated to Vesta, and called it St. Michael, from an Apparition of that Holy Archangel: In which, by virtue of the Holy Cross there erected, many Miracles are said to have been wrought; one of which I cannot omit, viz. That a Soldier of the Emperor's Guards, Probianus by Name, afflicted with grievous Torments in his feet, not only received ease in that place, but was also honoured with a wonderful and Divine Vision. He was converted to Christianity, and thoroughly satisfied with all points of that Religion; yet he could never be persuaded that the Holy Cross could be any wise instrumental to the Salvation of mankind: Being thus persuaded, the Image of the Cross was presented to him in a Vision, as it was usually set on the Altar of that Church; and in the same Vision it was declared to him manifestly, that what thing soever had been performed either by Angels or Holy men, for the public or private profit of men, since Christ was Crucified, were not rightly performed, but by Virtue of the Saving Cross.  
Constantine was not wanting richly to Endow the Churches he had built, he caused Copies of the Holy Scriptures to be Curiously writ in Parchments, richly adorned, which he dispersed and placed in his said Churches; he encourages the Professors of all Arts and Sciences, so as Learning flourished in his City; he endeavoured to make it equal with old Rome, by placing Senators there with the same Honour and Authority, and many of them Professors of Christianity.  
In the midst of this Serene Calm, a sharp storm sell upon the good Athanasius, principal Defender of the Nicene Faith; for the restless malice of the Arrians, pricked them on to accuse him falsely, Of breaking a Chalice, of Murder, of Enchantments with his dead Hand, of Adultery by Violence, etc. His Cause was examined in a Synod of Bishops assembled at Tyre, by whom, to the great astonishment of Conslantine, the good Athanasius, though in all particulars his Innocency was evidently declared, was yet unjustly condemned; and by the importunity of Constantius the Emperor's Son, infected with that Poisonous Arrian Heresy, banished into the West, or rather advisd to withdraw himself, to avoid the impetuous clamour of the Arrians against him: For he retired to Triers in France, where by the Emperor's order, he wanted nothing. Now that this was not consented unto by Constantine, as in any wise wavering in the Faith, may appear by this following Relation, Constantine desiring to be satisfied what the Opinion of Arrius truly was, asked him, whether he did approve the Decrees of the Nicene Council: He presently with a cheerful countenance, answered, That he approved them: The Emperor not satisfied with this Affirmation, urged him to confirm it by an Oath; to which likewise he complied; But all this was impious Craft and subtlety; for whilst he made this Profession and Oath, he had in his bosom a Paper containing his Heresy, and swore from his Heart he believed what he had written, referring still to that Paper; Constantine never the less warned him, that if his Faith were true and Orthodox, he had sworn well; but if otherwise, God (said he) may condemn thee for thy Perjury. However Constantine being deluded with this Equivocation, sent to the Pishop of Alexandria to receive the Hypocrite into Communion: But we shall presently see how God discovered miraculously the Impiousness of Arrius, and true Faith of Constantine.  
For Alexander Bishop of Constantinople, not willing to admit the Arch-Heretick, but solicitous for the True Faith, more than for his Bishopric, which some threat ned to deprive him of; lay prostrate several days and nights before his Altar, and prayed to God, that if the Opinion of Arrius were true, he might die before the day of Disputation came; But in case the Faith which he professed were true, then that Arrius, the Author of all those Calamities, might suffer just punishment for his Impiety: Which Prayer it seems was soon heard; for Arrius in his way to the Church, using many vain and boasting Babble, was on a sudden forc'd to retire to a common Privy to ease himself; where, as is written of Judas, he fell on his Face to the ground and burst asunder in the middle, and was in that manner deprived both of Life and Communion: This struck the Eusebian Faction with wonderful Terror and consternation, the Fame whereof soon spread itself over the whole World, and confirmed the Emperor's Faith, and the Nicene Decrees.  
This year died the Holy Pope Marcus, Successor of Silvester, and in his stead Julius succeeded in the last year of our Renowned Emperor, one of whose last Acts of Devotion, was the building of a most Magnificent Temple at Constantinople in Honour of all the Apostles, that he might Eternize their memory among all Nations. In this Temple, he placed twelve Honorary Repositories, which should be as so many Pillars, in memory of the twelve Apostles, and caused his own Tomb to be placed in the midst of them, enclosed on each side with six of them, having an opinion, That their memory would procure much profit to his Soul, by being so made partaker of their Prayers, which would there be offered in Honour of the Apostles. As many other British and Saxons Kings, in erecting Churches and Monasterres have since done, for the Redemption of their Souls; and so expressed themselves in several Charters of their Foundation.  
This Emperor it seems so Happily enjoyed his faculties and strength of Reason, in such perfection, that till the extremity of his Age, he still continued to write Orations, and to Minister Advice to his Friends, well becoming a good Christian. He also published good Laws, expedient for Humane Society; and not long before his Death, he recited a Funeral Oration in the usual place, wherein he Discoursed, Of the Immortality of Souls, of the Rewards of Pious men, and the Miseries of such who lived ungodly lives. This he pronounced with such Gravity and Constancy, that one of his Domestic Servants (a Pagan) and pretender to Wisdom, being asked what he thought of the Emperor's Oration, Answered, though with some unwillingness, That the things spoken seemed to be true, especially commending that part of the Oration which decried a multitude of Gods. It is said, that a Comet of an unusual bigness, appeared in the Heavens, as portending his death; for he soon after fell into some Distemper, which enforced him to use Hot Baths; and being removed to his Mother's City Helenopolis in Bythinia, he continued some considerable time, in the Church Consecrated to the Holy Martyr St. Lucianus, there offering his Prayers and public Vows to God; and there considering his last day, he fell humbly upon his Knees in this Church, confessing his sins, and craving pardon for them; and than it was that he first became worthy to receive Absolution by imposition of Hands and Prayer, in imitation of the Saving Laver of Baptism: After these and such like Holy Mysteries were performed, he was clothed with Kingly Robes, shining bright as the Light, and then laid in a Bed of a most pure Whiteness; his Imperial Purple he rejected, and never made use of it afterwards: Then with a clear distinct voice he Prayed, and gave Thanks to God, declaring, He was now assured of Happiness and Immortality, being made partaker of Divine Light. With great detestation he bewailed the miserable state of Pagans, in that they were deprived of all Divine Blessings. To his great Officers who stood about him, and deplored their unhappiness in the loss of such an Emperor, wishing him a long Life; he answered, That he had now attained true Life indeed, and he himself understood his own Happiness, and therefore he longed for his departure to God. And having made his Will, and given Honourable Pensions to the Inhabitants of his new City, and left his Empire as a Patrimony to his Children; during the Solemnity of Pentecost, he departed this Life in Glory and Renown.  
The universal Mourning and Sorrow of his People, and the Solemnities of his Funeral are set forth at large by many Authors: Great multitudes of the People, with the Priests, ceased not to pour forth their Prayers to God with Tears and Groaning for the Soul of their departed Emperor; his memory was also so precious amongst the Britain's, that they built Temples in Honour of him, one whereof still remains of his Name in North-Wales, which was erected after they were driven by the Saxons into those quarters.  
Constantine at his death, divided the Roman Empire amongst his three Sons, so that his Eldest Son Constantine enjoyed Gaul, Spain, Britain, and all the Conquered Countries on this side the Alps. Constantius his second Son, only present at his Father's Death, possessed himself of the Eastern Regions and Egypt. And the youngest Son Constans had the Government of Italy and afric.  
Now as touching the second Constantine, within whose Jurisdiction our Country is comprised: His Reign was short, not lasting full four years; sure it is He and his Brother Constans stuck close to the Catholic Faith Established in the Nicene Council, so as all the Western Churches were by their means secured from the infection of Heresy, which miscrably defaced the Eastern parts, in regard Constantius there suffered himself to be perverted by the Arrian Heretics: Constantine the younger, in proof of his Orthodoxy, and in performance of his Father's Will, restored Athanasius from his banishment at Triers, where he had continued above two years, to his Church at Alexandria; his banishment was the easier to him, in regard he was sent thither by Constantine the Father in order to his safety, and entertained there with all Honour and Liberality by Constantine the Son, whose constant residence was in Gaul, and who governed Britain by a Deputy, never coming thither himself.  
In the 4th. year of his Reign, he passed over into Italy, upon what design is uncertain; However he was soon there traitorously slain by his Brother's Soldiers, if not by his Order. By the Death of this Constantine, the whole Western Empire became the Dominion of Constans, who placed Vetranio as his Lieutenant in Britain, where after a few years, he usurped the Title of Emperor. About this time there flourished in Britain a Holy Bishop of great fame, called St. Gudwall, who was born of Noble Parents, and largely communicated to others those Treasures of Heavenly Wisdom, which he had been gathering from his youth; his Instructions Enlightened many, so as they were enabled to inflame others with Divine Love, the Odour of his Holy Conversation declaring in him the operations of Heavenly Grace, was pleasant to all both Clergy and Laity: The Patrimony he received from his Parents, was very ample; yet despising worldly Riches, he gave it all to the Church: And perceiving his Pastoral Office, engaged him in Worldly Cares and Solicitudes, and willing to disburden himself thereof; he recommends his Church to a worthy Successor, and retires himself into a Monastery within his own Diocese, where he led a perfect Monastical, or rather Angelical Life: His Monastery was placed near the Sea, in a Bay where-of the Holy man observing a certain vast Rock, or Promontory shooting forth, retired thither, that he might attend on God without interruption; into which place he gathered to him about the number of 180. Disciples. It is reported, That the place being too straight for so many, the Blessed man having recourse to God, in whose Power and Goodness he placed his confidence, when the Sea at low ebb had left the shore for a great space, with a Rod which he had in his Hands, made impressions in several places of the Sands, and commanded the waters in the Name of Christ, not to pass those bounds, upon which the Sea was observed to restrain its own violence and swelling, insomuch, as to this day, it hath never presumed to pass those prescribed limits.  
Thus the Holy man is said to bid adieu to all his Friends, to the Vanities of this World, and to all obstacles to Perfection, Mortifying all his Sensual Desires; and yet not contented, resolved to leave his Native Country, and accompanied with his Brethren, landed in a Province of Belgic Gaul, inhabited by a People called the Morini, to whom he Preached the Christian Faith, instructing many in the Perfection of a Holy Life. About those parts there then lived a Prince called Mevorus, at or near a place called at this day Cormon: This Prince professed Christianity, and having notice of the arrival of St. Gudwall within his Confines, kindly received him. Mevorus and his Wife were much stricken in years, and had no Children; St. Gudwall in a Dream appeared to the Matron, and promised her she should have a Son, which should be called Simeon: Mevorus being informed by his Wife of this her Dream, promised that this Son when born, with all his Hereditary Possessions, should be assigned to the Church and Monastery which this Holy Bishop and Hermit, with the Treasure of Mevorus was then building, probably near Ipre, where a Village called Ghelwelt seems to afford some Marks of St. Gudwall's Name.  
The Son thus Promised, soon after was born, and called Simeon, brought up in Learning by St. Gudwall, made a Monk, and his Possessions conferred on the Monastery. It is said this Holy Bishop, after all his Labours, rested in our Lord about the year of Christ 403. It is written, that before his death an Angel of our Lord appeared to him with a Pleasant Countenance, saying, O worthy Soldier of God, may the joy of our Lord always increase in thee, and his Peace continually remain with thee; be prepared, for e'er long God will call thee out of this World, and thou shalt meet thy Heavenly King with a Palm of Victory: This Celestial Messenger stayed a good space, filling his Soul with Spiritual Sweetness, known only to God.  
After this another Angel appeared to him, and said, I am Michael the Archangel, sent to thee from our Lord, to acquaint thee, That the hour of thy departure is at hand; for after ten days, thou shalt joyfully issue out of thy fleshly Prison, and escape out of the Dungeon of this World, and with unspeakable gladness thou shalt meet thy Heavenly King, into whose presence we will bear thee; he will receive thee with Glory, and enrol thee among the Courtiers and Citizens of his Kingdom. Some say the Mother and Sisters of this Holy man were present and assisting at his Death, invited thither by the Fame of his Miracles, and after his departure carried his Body back with them into Britain; But when the Pagan Saxons demolished Christian Sepulchers here, it was transported again into Flanders: The place of his Burial here, is said to be the Isle of Plet, or Plecit, where it remained many years, Illustrious by many Miracles, until it was transported to the place aforesaid; where not being entertained with due Honour, it was by a Noble Marquis named Arnulphus, after by God's appointment, removed to the Monastery of ●landinium in Gaunt, together with the precious Relics of the famous Confessor Bertulphus, when Clotharius reigned in France; his Body is yet carried in Procession yearly, and each Procession renowned by Miracles.  
In the year of our Lord 342. great Commotions arose in Gaul by the coming in of the Franks, which were soon suppressed; but Britain following the motions of Gaul, and being in disorder, Constans was enforced to pass over thither in the Winter Season, and by his unlooked for presence there, soon frighted the Rebellious Islanders into Obedience.  
Four years after this, an unhappy Schism was like to break forth between the Eastern and Western Churches; for the Eastern Bishops of the Faction of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia, chief Pillar of the Arrians, had condemned St. Athanasius in two Synods at Tyre and Antioch: On the contrary Julius, Bishop of Rome, in a Synod of Italian Bishops received him into his Communion, notwithstanding the intercession of the Orientals, who sent their Decree of Condemnation to Rome. To prevent this Schism, Constans being Orthodox, solicited his Brother Constantius to join with him in caling a General Council, thereby to preserve entirely the Heritage of their Father's Piety, by which he had subdued many barbarous Nations, destroyed Tyrants, and established the Empire.  
Hereupon a Synod was Assembled at Sardica in Illyrium, to which came out of the Western Empire about 300. Bishops, and out of the East 76. only. Some of the Western Bishops came out of Britain; Restitutus Bishop of London was certainly one, who before at the Council of Nice, consented to the Faith of the Consubstantiality of the Son of God. It will not be therefore impertinent to say something of this great Council, that the Conformity of the British Churches in those days, to the Faith and Discipline of the Catholic Church, may the better appear. This Synod first established the Faith of the Nicene Council, next declared the Innocence of Athanasius and other Orthodox Bishops persecuted by the Arrian Faction, and the Condemnation of their Adversaries and other Eastern Bishops, who deserted the Synod, and made a Schismatical Assembly at Philopolis, and in it published contradictory Decrees.  
This Synod, as to matters of Discipline, Decreed this especially, That Appeals be made in Case of Contention, to St. Peter 's Chair, ultimately to be determined by the Pope, or such as he should appoint in that behalf. Now it is certain, that the Donatists not long after, in Envy to the See of Rome, endeavoured to suppress the Acts of this famous Synod as much as they could, as St. Augustine testifies: The Decrees of this Synod were after confirmed by the Council in Trullo. Another Decree was made, To restrain the Appeals of Deacons sent by their Bishops to the Emperor's Court, appointing them to present their Petitions to the Bishop of the Roman Church, to be by him examined whether just or not  
This Synod being dissolved, the Emperor Constans used his utmost diligence and Authority for the Execution of these Decrees; his chiefest care was about the Restitution of St. Athanasius, whose return the Factious Bishops of the East opposed: Constans wrote to his Brother for his Restitution, mingling Threats, if he were not complied with, insomuch, as that Constantius advised with many Eastern Bishops about it: Who resolved him, It was better to allow of Athanasius, then hazard a Civil War.  
The year following, Athanasius returned into the East, and was at first received by Constantius with some Kindness, and permitted to return to his See at Alexandria. But the year following the Arrian Bishops becoming boundless in their Power and Malice by the death of the Orthodox Emperor Constans, who by the Conspiracy of Magnentius Chrestius and Marcellinus was traitorously slain, at Helena a Town in France: It is said he had a Prediction, That he should die in his Grandmothers' Lap. His death was greatly bewailed by St. Athanasius, who foresaw the danger was like to ensue unto the Catholic Faith by the loss of Constans, and the evil of the sole remaining Emperor, who was yet at present, very much encumbered by two Tyrants, the one was Vetranio, who had once governed in Britain, and was after Proclaimed Emperor in Illyricum, but was soon deposed by Constantius, who yet not only spared his Life, but suffered him to spend the remainder of his Life in Retirement full of Pleasure and Abundance. The other Tyrant was Magnentius, who took the Title of Emperor at Augustodunum in France, and held it three years, and then after the loss of a Battle, was forced to kill himself.  
After this Victory, Constantius would be called the Emperor of the whole World, and assumed the Impious Title of his Eternity; and then extended all his Pride and Power to oppress the Catholic Faith, and establish the Arrian Heresy even in the Western Churches also; commanding a Council to be Assembled at Arles in France, where he extorted the Suffrages of the Bishops, in favour of his Heresy, and condemnation of St. Athanasius, drawing in the Legate of Pope Liberius, who had newly succeeded Julius. Howbeit Liberius more than once solicited the Emperor by Legates and Epistles on the behalf of St. Athanasius; complaining, That the Suffrages of Bishops were mercenarily sold according to the Prince's inclination.  
Whereupon Constantius perceiving the endeavours of Liberius rendered the Sentences of his packed Synods invalid, sought to win him by Promises and Favours to his Party; that proving ineffectual, he sent for him; when Liberius was come to him, he stoutly protested, He would suffer any thing, rather than being a Christian, to become an Arrian: At which the Emperor being offended, sent him into Banishment to Beraea a City of Thrace; whereto he cheerfully submitted, rejecting 500 Crowns which the Emperor sent for his Maintenance: In his place was substituted a certain Roman Priest called Felix, one, who though in judgement a Catholic, yet complied with the Arrians.  
Liberius wanting constancy, and weary of his Banishment, after two years returned from it, with as much Infamy, as he had submitted to it with glory, yielding at last to the condemnation of St. Athanasius, and subscribing to a Confession of Faith framed in a Synod at Sirmium; wherein, though there was nothing Haeretical, yet the word Consubstantiality being left out, his subscription to it was scandalous, and argued an unlawful compliance with the Arrians. After all this returning again to Rome, he breaks off all Communion with the Arrians, and joins himself in Communion with Athanasius, to whom he thus writes, Our Confession beloved Athanasius, is that the Word is the Son of God, being according to his Nature begotten of God his Father, not created; he is God, his Father's Colleague in his Empire, and obtains an endless Kingdom for infinite Ages, Amen.  
Whilst Constantius in the West thus afflicted the Catholic Church and Faith, Gratian Father of Valentinian afterwards Emperor, was Propraetor of Britain: He was raised from a vile Original to this high degree for his Courage and Virtue; in his younger Age, he is said to have been a Seller of Ropes, such was his strength, that five Soldiers were not able to wrest a Rope out of his Hands; for his favouring Magnentius, he was deprived both of Office and Estate. Martinus succeeded him in his Propraetorship of Britain, who governed this Island with great Justice and Kindness to the Britain's, his Government was shortened upon this unhappy occasion; Constantius being a Prince very Suspicious, employed Officers to search out such as were practising against him; One Paul a Notary was very much esteemed of him, for his Malicious Sagacity in such matters, and therefore sent by him into Britain, to bring over in Chains such Soldiers as had intermeddled in the Conspiracy of Magnentius; Paul executed this Authority with such Cruelty and Injustice, that the Propraetor, to prevent the Miseries of so many Innocents', first intercedes by way of Entreaty, and being therein unsuccessful, protested he would leave the Province, rather than behold such Oppression. This Paul for his Subtlety called Catena; being thus thwarted in his Cruelty, Craftily involves the Propraetor himself in a Suspicion of the same Gild and Treason, so as he presumes to seize upon him, and put him in Fetters with the rest: Martinus betakes himself to his Sword in defence of himself, and therewith wounds Paul, but not Mortally; and thereupon turns his Sword upon his own Breast, and so died lamented of all men.  
In the year of our Lord 359. the Church of God was exposed to great danger and infamy by the Council of Ariminum then Assembled by the Authority of the Arrian Emperor Constantius, with design to abolish the Faith of the Consubstantiality of the Son of God. He commanded his Praefect Taurus, That when the Bishops were met together, he should not permit them to departed, till they had all consented in one Faith: It is said, that out of Illyricum, Italy, afric, Spain and Gaul, and out of Britain also, under the notion of Gaul, he gathered together more than 400 Bishops: The Emperor commanded allowance of Necessaries to these Bishops; but those of Gaul and Britain refused it, as an unseemly thing, and chose rather at their own Costs to maintain themselves, Three only out of Britain excepted, who being destitute of Subsistence out of their own Sees, made some use of the Emperor's Liberality, and perhaps were not to be dispraised for it. These Bishops being assembled, were prescribed what they should do by the Emperor's Letters, and severely enjoined to determine nothing which might touch the Eastern Bishops; and when they had finished their Decrees, they were to send them to Court by two Bishops.  
In these Letters it is observed, that he Subscribes himself Constantine, not Constantius: Notwithstanding all which, the Holy Bishops Courageously performed their Duties, for they confirmed the Nicene Creed, forbidding any addition or diminution thereof; and protesting, They would never departed from the Faith which they had received from God the Father by the Prophets and our Lord Jesus Christ, which the Holy Spirit taught in the Gospels, according as was delivered by Tradition of the Father's succeeding the Apostles to the times when this Controversy was debated at Nicaea, against an Heresy which then arose. All the Catholic Bishops in the Synod, unanimously subscribed to this definition, wherein it is observable, that although it was grounded on the Holy Scriptures, yet those Scriptures were interpreted by the successive Tradition of the Church: Whereas, what the Faction of the Arrians separately Decreed; according to the practice of other Heretics, agreed only with the bare words of Scripture by themselves interpreted.  
For as Athanasius writes, in a Creed made by them, They profess the Son of God to be like the Father who begat him, whose Generation, according to the Scriptures, no man knows but the Father only. As for the word Substance, it being simply set down by the Fathers, not understood by the People, and occasioning great Scandal, in as much as it is not expressly contained in the Scriptures, they Decreed that it should be quite abolished; and that for the future no mention should be made of the Substance of God, because the Holy Scriptures never mention the Substance of the Father and the Son; but they say, That the Son is in all things like the Father, as the Scriptures in their judgement teach.  
Now when the Arrian Bishops, of whom Valens and Vrsacius were chief, saw that they could not impose upon the Western Bishops, they separated themselves from the rest of the Council, and were thereupon pronounced by the unanimous Suffrages of the Orthodox Bishops to be Heretics, and excluded from the Communion of the Church; which done, the Council by common Letter informed the Emperor of all these things. And whereas the Arrian Bishops to induce the Catholics to comply with them, argued, That Peace and Unity would be restored to the Church, in case Catholics should relinquish that one word Substance. They therefore in their said Letter inserted, That it was not as Valens and Ursacius affirmed, that Peace would follow, by the subversion of things just and true; but that rather more contention would arise, both at Rome and other Cities: They therefore Prayed, that the Council might be dissolved, considering the Poverty, Age and Infirmity of many Bishops in it.  
Constantius thus frustrated in his design of introducing his Arrian misbelief into the Western Churches, broke forth into open Tyranny; some of the Catholic Bishops he shut up in Prison, others he afflicted with Famine and all manner of despightful usuage, not suffering any to departed, until they had subscribed a form of Faith; wherein, though nothing Heretical was expressed, yet the True Faith was at least dissembled; consequently the Arrian Faction prevailed in Power, through the whole Empire. Constantius creates Gallus his Uncle's Son Caesar, and three years after Beheads him for his Cruelties and enormous Crimes, and the next year assumes into the same Dignity and Succession of the Empire, Julian, younger Brother to Gallus, called the Apostate; Him he sent into Gaul to repress the Eruptions of the Franks.  
In the fourth year of his Government, troubles arising in Britain, by the Excursions of the Picts and Scots; he sent over Lupicinus to compose them, who in the midst of Winter went with his Army to London, but could not perform any considerable Exploit against his Enemies; for that Julian, who was proclaimed Emperor by his Army, was jealous of him, lest he should hinder his proceed; and therefore recalled Lupicinus, and sent Gumobarius in his place, to be General of the British Army, who did little worthy of memory; for notwithstanding any thing he could do, the Scots a (barbarous People,) first mentioned about this time, coming out of Ireland, rooted themselves so firmly in the Northern parts of this Isle, that they established a Kingdom there to themselves and their Posterity to this day.  
It is written, that when N●le obtained the Monarchy of Ireland, which was in the time of this Constanttus; the six Sons of Mured King of Ulster, passing over with a considerable Fleet, possessed themselves of the Northern parts of Britain; and it is likely that the Eldest of those six Sons, was that Reuda mentioned by Beda, and his People from him called Dalreudini. They at first possessed themselves of a Corner of this Island, but after encroaching upon the Picts, enlarged their Seats; until at last, about the time when the Kingdom of Northumberland was in a manner ruined by Civil Contentions, and the Incursions of the Danes, they almost wholly consumed the Picts, and destroyed their name and memory, introducing to those Northern parts the name of Scotland.  
It is not likely that Arrianism ever took any great footing in this Island, for when St. Hilary was banished into Phrigia by the false suggestions of Saturninus the Arrian Bishop of Arles, he wrote Letters to the British Bishops, especially to the Aged Restitutus Bishop of London; Congratulating and Commending their firmness in the Faith, that notwithstanding the attempts of Saturninus to infect them, yet their constancy was famous over all the Empire; insomuch, as some of the Eastern Bishops became thereby ashamed of their Heresy. Howbeit, about this time this Restitutus being full of years, died, and is worthily counted amongst the Illustrious British Writers, and many Letters to St. Hilary are reckoned to be of his writing.  
A further proof of the Orthodoxy of the British Church was St. Kebius, Surnamed Corinius, Son of Solomon Duke of Cornwall, who took a Journey into Gaul to St. Hilary, after his return from Exile, to be by him instructed more perfectly in the Catholic Faith: Copgrave in the Life of this Saint, says, That he abode several years with S. Hillary, improving himself in Learning and Sanctity; whereunto God gave Testimony, by conferring on him the Grace of Miracles, so that he gave Sight to the Blind, Cleansed the Leprous, Cured those which were Dumb, Healed the sick of the Palsy, and those who were possessed with Devils. Afterwards being admonished thereunto by an Angel, having been Consecrated Bishop by St. Hilary, he returned into his own Country, and placed his See in the Isle of Anglesey; and by his good Example and sound Doctrine, instructed the Northern People of Wales.  
It is He who was requested to take the Principality of Cornwall, but refused to accept of any Worldly Authority; and not long after, he is said, To descend with ten Monks, who were his Disciples, into a Meadow of King Ethelic, pitching his Tents there; wherewith, when the King was acquainted, he went with Company to cast these Monks out of his Country; by the way he fell from his Horse, which died immediately, and both He and his Followers were stricken with blindness: Thereupon the King prostrates himself before St. Kebius, devoting himself to God and the Saint, by whose Prayers they were all presently Healed. After this the King gave to the man of God two Churches, and he giving the King his Benediction, retired to Menevia, afterwards called St. David's; from whence he sailed into Ireland, and having built a Church remained there four years: Very probable it is, that this St. Kebius, was that British Priest who Baptised the Irish St. Albeus; for in his Life written by Bishop Usher: It is related, That Lachanus gave the Holy Child to certain Britain's, who carefully brought him up, and gave him the Name of Albeus, because he was found alive under a Rock, the Grace of God being with him. Not long after this, St. Kebius came into those parts, sent thither by the See Apostolic, many years before St. Patrick, to sow the Faith of Christ there; but the Irish being Pagans, he was received by few: He than went into Munster, where he found this Holy Child Albeus, Praying in the open Air, with his Eyes raised up towards Heaven, that the true Faith might be revealed unto him, and saying, His desire was to know the Creator of all things, and to believe in him who made Heaven and Earth; and declaring that the Elements could not be made without a skilful Workmaster, nor be produced by any man: These things being heard by this Holy Priest, he not only saluted, but instructed this Holy Child, Baptising him, and continuing the same Name of Albeus to him. Several other Persons were Converted, and Baptised by him, as Meclarus and Kiaxanus, who proved eminent for Sanctity, and were after exalted to Episcopal Dignity, before the arrival of St. Patrick.  
After some years' abode in Ireland, the Holy Bishop Kebius returned to his See in Anglesey, where he died in the year of Grace 370. The place of his Burial seems to be in Denbighshire; for in the Story of St. Winefred, we read, That she was buried near the Sepulchers of Chebaeus and Senanus, called Gwetherns; Which Chebaeus was certainly our Kebius, whose memory remains still, (saith Cambden in Anglesey;) where the Promontory called Holyhead, is by the Natives named Caer Gubi, from Kebius a Disciple of St. Hilary, whose memory is also there preserved by another Promontory called Hilary-point.  
The same year in which St. Kebius repaired to St. Hilary, then newly returned from banishment, was illustrious for the Birth of the great Apostle of Ireland St. Patrick, as most Authentic Authors agree; the place of his Birth is agreed to be in Britain by the Irish themselves. He is said to be born in Pembrokeshire, of Calphurnius and his Wife Conchessa, Sister or Sister's Daughter to St. Martin Bishop of Tours. After this Birth Calphurnius became a Priest or Deacon, and professed Continency, as many others did.  
Now Constantius dying of a  in Cilicia, Julian having been created Caesar succeeded him in the Empire, which he polluted by his infamous Apostasy: He was from his Infancy bred in the Profession of Christianity, and inscribed in the Ecclesiastical degree of a Lectorour; but being of an inconstant curious disposition, and unfortunately becoming acquainted with Pagan Philosophers and Magicians, he was by them perverted; and though during the Life of Constantius, he dissembled his change, yet being in possession of the Empire, he publicly declared his defection from Christianity, and an implacable hatred of it, with a resolution to employ all the Power of Earth and Hell for its destruction: The first proof hereof he gave, in taking away that famous Labarum, or Imperial Ensign of the Cross, which in his Predecessors times, had given them assured Victories: In place whereof, he restored the Images of Heathen Gods or Devils, with the representation of Eagles, Vultures, Minotaurs, etc. which the Soldiers were commanded to Adore.  
All the Monuments of the Holy Cross he endeavoured to abolish, insomuch as he caused a Representation of Constantinople to be digged up, on the top whereof Constantine had fixed the Cross, to denote the Felicity of his new City. He usually objected to Christians by way of Ignominy, That they left off to Adore and Worship the Ancilia which Jupiter let fall from Heaven, as a pledge of his Protection of their City; instead of which they Adored the Wood of the Cross, painting Images thereof in their Forcheads, and before their Doors. Thus scoffing Julian censures the Rites of the Ancient Church, and of the Faithful in his time, for their Veneration of that Blessed Instrument of our Redemption: All other Sacred Images and Statues erected in memory of Divine Benefits, together with the Relics of Saints and Martyrs, this Apostate endeavoured to abolish; in particular, he caused that Miraculous Statue of our Saviour to be thrown down, which the devout Woman who had been Cured of her Bloody-Issue, had raised at Caesarea Philippi; and in the place thereof erected his own, which not long after was divided in the midst, and the upper-half thereof thrown all black to the ground, where it remained so for a long time.  
This Impious Emperor consulting an Oracle at Daphne near Antioch, and perceiving the Devil in it to remain mute, save only that he was able to declare, That the Body of the Holy Martyr Babylas, hindered his Speech; Caused the Sacred Body to be removed into the City, which was done by the Christians with great Solemnity, in Singing Psalms, especially such as derided Idolary; which so incensed the Cruel Emperor, that he caused many of them to be Tormented; Howbeit, by the intercession of the Holy Martyr, their Torments were miraculously Converted, and melted into Pleasure.  
A War against the Persians interrupted his rage against the Christians, whose Extirpation he threatened at his return from that Expedition. In the heat of this War, Libanius a Heathen Sophister, in derision of our Saviour, Asked a Christian, what the Carpenter's Son was then doing, who answered, He is preparing a Cousin for Julian. The event made the words Prophetical, for the wicked Emperor received from an unknown hand a Wound Mortal to himself, but Healthful to all the World besides: In his place the Army chose Jovian Emperor, which Honour he refused, professing, That being a Christian, he neither would, nor could govern an Army poisoned with Heathenish Idolatry: Whereupon all the Army cried out, That they also were Christians: So that it seems the two years' Reign of Julian, could not extirpate the good Seed sown in their Roman Hearts.  
Jovian thus chosen, restored the Christian Faith, reducing the Church to its former Splendour: He published a Law, by which, In all Cities a proportion of Wheat was contributed to Sacred Virgins by Vow Consecrated to God: Another which inflicted Death on any who should Ravish, or but attempt their Chastity. There is extant an Epistle of St. Athanasius, in answer of one from this Emperor to him, wherein, He desired the Judgement of the Saints, who among the divided Sects of Christians retained the Orthodox Faith. Several Nations are mentioned in this Epistle, as constantly Persevering in the Faith of our Saviour's Divinity established in the Council of Nice; and amongst the rest, St. Athanasius makes an Honourable mention of the British Churches. This Pious Emperor enjoyed his Sovereignty but one year, and Valentinian equally Orthodox was his Successor, yet unhappily he made his Brother Valens Partner in his Empire; He, infected with the Arrian Heresy, proved Impiously Zealous in the promoting of it.  
In the first year of Valentinian's Reign, the barbarous Nations on all sides of the Roman Empire, as if universally excited by a Trumpet, broke their limits, amongst the rest the Picts, Saxons, Scots and Attacotti vexed the Britain's with incessant Calamities: Who the Picts and Scots were, hath been before-declared; the Saxons as yet infested the Seashores, but who the Attacotti were, St. Jerom tells us, They were (saith he) a Savage People upon the Northern Mountains of Scotland, who neglecting Beefs and other Cattle fed themselves with Humane Flesh as their principal Delicacies, living without Law or Government; and who had promiscuous Wives and hildrens in common; These were easily induced to join with the Scots and Picts against the Civil Britain's.  
The Emperor (Valentinian to suppress these Incursions,) leaving his Brother Valens to govern in the East, made an Expedition into Gaul, where, having composed great Troubles, he met with very ill News from Britain; so as he sent one of his Principal Officers to remedy those Disorders there; at last more horrible Rumours increasing, he made choice of Theodosius to go General thither, a Man Famous for many Martial Exploits; who attended with Courageous Legions, prosecuted the Expedition with a Noble Confidence: The Saxons not only Infested the British Coasts, but made an impression even to London; To remedy which injuries, the vigilant General Theodosius being landed near Sandwich in Kent, with his Cohorts, marched straight to London, and dividing his Army into several Squadrons, set upon the straggling Enemies loaden with Spoils, and dispersing them, Rescued the Prisoners with the Cattle and other Prey, which he restored to the miserable Natives; except some small part of it, that was bestowed upon his wearied Soldiers: He than entered the City in Triumph, and was joyfully received by the People recovered from their Misery by his Valour; while he stayed there, having intimation that so many fierce Nations could not be better suppressed than by subtlety; to divide them therefore, he published Edicts, promising Pardon to such as would submit: Those which came in, he dispersed into Quarters severally, well providing for them, which encouraged many more to submit.  
He sent to the Emperor, that Civilis might be sent over as his Deputy-Governour in Britain, and Dulcitius as his Lieutenant in Martial Affairs, and well skilled therein: And two years after he marched Northward, and put to flight several Nations, who invaded the Roman Provinces, and restored Peace to many Cities which had been vexed with many troubles: There was then in Britain one Valentinus a Pannonian, banished into Britain for great Crimes, who had like to have circumvented Theodosius by Treason after all his Conquests; for this Valentinus being of an ambitious and turbulent Spirit, solicited many of the Soldiers to Conspire against him; But this design being discovered, the good General, contented himself with the Death of Valentinus and his nearest Associates, lest by searching too far into the Conspiracy, he might stir up a Mutiny in his Army. This danger escaped, he so successfully prosecuted the War, that he recovered all the Provinces from the Enemies, and secured them by strong Garrisons, and a particular Governor.  
So that now, so much of Britain as was under the Roman Dominion, became divided into five Provinces; The first called Britania prima, containing all the Southern parts from the Sea and Thames to the Severn; the second, Britania secunda, comprehending all Wales; the third called Flavia Caesariensis (probably from the Son of this Theodosius, afterwards Emperor of the Flavian Family) embracing all the Regions to the River Humber; the fourth called Maxima Caesariensis, reaching from Humber to the River Tine: Lastly, Theodosius having repelled the Picts and Scots out of all the Provinces beyond Tine, as far as Dunbritton and Edinburgh, called the fifth Province Valentia, wherein a Roman Legion Wintered to repress the Incursions of the Scots.  
Theodosius having thus Happily settled Britain, was two years after recalled by the Emperor to Rome, and made General of the Horse; as also Honoured with a Statue of Brass by the Senate, and at last by his eminent Exploits, recommended his Son to the Empire.  
The year after the departure of Theodosius from this Island, our Ecclesiastical Monuments Commemorate St. Ninias his Journey to Rome, there to be instructed in the Orthodox Faith; and whither it is probable he attended Theodosius: Which Faith afterwards, with great efficacy, he communicated to his Countrymen. This Ninias was born in Britain of a Princely Stock in Cumberland, who then had its peculiar King; his Father was a Christian: In Childhood he was Sober, sparing of his Tongue, diligent in Reading, Grave in Conversation, careful to subject the Flesh to the Spirit; He also showed great Devotion to Churches: At the last, by a forcible instinct of God's Spirit, despising the World and Carnal Affections, he Travelled into Italy, and so to Rome, and there addressed himself to Pope Damasus and declared the Cause of his Journey; whereupon the Holy Bishop appointed him Teachers in the wholesome sense of Scriptures, by whom he was instructed in true Wisdom, to the Comfort and Profit of others.  
To this time is referred the memory of St. Augulus, born in London, Bishop and Martyr; as also of St. Moses, said also to be born in Britain, Famous for many Miracles; who, after a Solitary Life in the Desert, was made Bishop of the Saracens; and after he had Converted many of that Nation to the Orthodox Faith, he there died in Peace.  
To Valentinian succeeded his Son Gratian, who nine years before had been named Augustus by his Father, and about six days after his younger Brother Valentinian was saluted Emperor by the Soldiers, with the Consent of Gratian. And now the Picts and Scots began to make Incursions into Britain again, in one of which they led Captive with them the Child of Calphurnius, Socher called afterwards Patrick in the 16th. year of his Age, whom they Sold to a Nobleman in the Northern parts of Ireland, called Milchu; he Employed the Holy Youth in keeping his Swine, to be tried betimes in the Furnace of Affliction; for six years the Devout Youth spent in this Slavery; in which time, nevertheless God wrought great Miracles by him. St. Patrick's Employment withdrawing him from Conversation of men, afforded him the more space to attend upon God: He is said to address his Prayers to God a hundred times a day, and as often by night; to his Prayers he added Fasting for the Mortification of his Senses, with these two wings he mounted to such Perfection, that he enjoyed a frequent Conversation of Angels; insomuch, as an Angel called Victor frequently visited him, and told him, He did well to Fast, and that e'er long he should return into his Country. Let no man wonder at this unusual Name of an Angel, for as St. Gregory observes, Angels are designed by particular Names, to signify their particular Virtucs and Operations; And this of Victor might intimate to St. Patrick, that first he should Conquer his own Tribulations, and then the Power of the Devil in that Idolatrous Nation.  
The Patience and Virtues of this Young man, moved the goodness of God, to free him from this Captivity; for after six years, Patrick by notice from an Angel, found under a Turf, a sum of Gold, by which he redeemed himself from his Slavery, and returned to his Parents and Country, which he gloriously Illustrated with the admirable Sanctity of his Life.  
About this time Valens the Arrian Emperor suffered a severe Punishment for his Persecution of the Orthodox Faith; for the Goths and Hunns, fierce Northern Nations, entering into Thrace, put the Eastern Empire in great danger; Valens thereupon required Aid of Gratian, who came on with the Holy Sign of the Cross, in the Name of the true God to his Assistance; but Valens not staying his coming, out of envy, lest he should partake any glory in the Victory, would needs hazard Battle alone with the Barbarians, by whom his Army was discomfited and himself wounded with a Dart, and flying with his chief Officers into a House, his pursuing Enemies set it on fire, which consumed him and his Company: In his place the Emperor Gratian and Valentinian, unwilling to leave the West, assumed Theodosius, the worthy Son of that famous Theodosius who settled Britain and repressed its Enemies into a part of the Empire, and committed to him the care of defending the Eastern Regions against the insulting Goths.  
At this time Flavius Clemens Maximus, descended probably of the Imperial Family of Constantine, challenged part in the Empire, or at least made himself King instead of Governor of Britain, and indeed exercised Tyranny against the Empire; some say he was born in Britain, for Gildas calls him, A sprig of the British Plantation; however surely he was a Prince of admirable Valour and Conduct: The Scottish Writers confess him successful against the Scots, and that he slew their King Eugenius, and drove their chiefest Nobles into Norway and Ireland, over which he had a kind of Dominion, although in Truth it is believed Ireland was hardly ever attempted by Roman Armies.  
Thus Maximus having subdued both Scots and Picts, and thereby achieved great Glory, being vexed at the promotion of the younger Theodosius to the Empire, began to incense the Soldiers against the Emperor, and received from them the Imperial Purple: Had he not attained this Title against his Oath and Fidelity, he was a Prince so Just and Courageous, he might have been thought worthy to have been Emperor.  
Being thus advanced, he passed over into Gaul, which passage proved fatal to this Island, from whence he transported, not only the Roman Armies, but the flower also of the British youth, which never returned, so as Britain, thus despoiled of Military Forces, became exposed to the miserable and cruel Incursions of their Northern Enemies, the Scots and Picts: Maximus attended with so great a force, quickly subdued both Gaul and Spain, and by a Treasonable Stratagem slew the Emperor Gratian at Lions, and marched strait into Italy against Valentinian.  
It seems now was the time when Britain became infected with Heresy and greedy of Novelties; the occasion might be, the severe dealing of Maximus in Gaul against the Arch-Heretick Priscillian and his Companions Justantius and Tiberianus: These Heretics revived a new Heresy out of the dregs of the Ancient Gnostics and Manichees, which at first infected Spain, then attempted Italy, and being there rejected by Pope Damasus at Rome, and by St. Ambrose at Milan: The Infection began to spread in Gaul; Complaint being made to Maximus by the Gallican Bishops, a Synod was Assembled at Bordeaux, by which Justantius was Deposed; Priscilian Appealed to the Emperor, who at the instigation of some Bishops, became severe against the Heretics; but by the intercession of St. Martin grew more mild, abstaining from shedding of Blood; yet afterward Priscilian Convicted of Magic, and many filthy Doctrines and Practices, As Praying Naked in a meeting of Women at night, etc. was Condemned with other his Associates, to lose his Head, only Justantius is said to be banished to the Isle of Silly, with Tiberianus.  
The Teachers of this Impure Heresy being placed so near the Confines of Britain, no wonder if Doctrines favouring the Inclinations of corrupt Nature, did quickly insinuate into unwary Minds, affected with Novelties. And indeed this Scandalously severe judgement, hitherto unpractised in the Church, was so far from cutting off the Heresy, that it rather gave strength; for his followers Honoured him as a Holy man, and Worshipped him as a Martyr.  
The Emperor Maximus, for that Title Theodosius allowed him after the Death of Gratian, was so zealous in defence of the Catholic Faith, that he wrote an efficacious Letter in the behalf of St. Ambrose to the Emperor Valentinian, (who by the instigation of his Mother Justina, persecuted the Holy Bishop,) and denounced War against him, unless he would desist from his unjust persecution. Maximus with his Wife also, had a great respect for the Blessed Bishop of Tours St. Martin; some have thought this Lady, (who so much Honoured St. Martin,) was of British Extract, and the rather therefore is she here mentioned.  
After this, Maximus not content with so large a Portion of Empire in Gaul, Spain and Britain, marched with his Army into Italy, at whose approach Valentinian fled into Illyricum, and then learned by experience, how unhappy he was in following his Mother's advice against the Holy Bishop St. Ambrose.  
There is a Letter extant written by Maximus to Siricius who succeeded Damasus, wherein he professeth the Orthodox Faith, wherein he was Baptised, and soon after Proclaimed Emperor; and in this Letter he inveighs against the Priscillianites, whom he calls Manichces, Whose abominable Doctrines and Crimes were so Enormous, even by their own Confession, in judgement, that Modesty forbids the further relation of them.  
Theodosius solicited by Valentinian, whose Sister Galla he had Married, came with an Army into the West, preparing himself for the War by Earnest Prayerand Fasting; and having heard of a certain Monk in the Deserts of Egypt, a Servant of God, who had the Spirit of Prophecy, sent to him, and received from him an assurance of Victory, which he soon obtained against Maximus, who only wanted a good Cause; thus Conquered he was brought before Theodosius, who had a mind to pity him, to prevent which, the Soldiers removed him from the Emperor's Presence, and slew him, and so expiated the death of the Innocent Gratian, whom his Son Victor soon followed to the Grave, after he had been made Caesar.  
It will afford us a clear prospect of the judgement and practice of the Ancient Church, if somewhat be shortly related from the Mouth and Pen of St. Augustine, which happened about two years before he was Converted and Baptised by St. Ambrose; Who being under the severe Persecution of Justina the Arrian Empress, it pleased God in a Vision then to discover to that Holy Bishop, the place wherein the Bodies of the Martyrs Protasius and Gervasius reposed, and had been there preserved incorrupt for many years, by which discovery the rage of this Empress was much restrained. For these Holy Bodies being with due Honour translated to the Ambrosian Church, not only many vexed with unclean Spirits, were healed, but a Citizen of Milan who had been blind many years, hearing the noise and acclamations of the People, desired to be led to the said Church, and there obtained leave with his Handkerchief to touch the Coffin of those Martyrs, and wiping his Eyes with the said Handkerchief, they were immediately opened, so as he saw clearly, to the joy and astonishment of the Beholders and whole City; and although the fame hereof did nat heal the Empress fully of her Spiritual Blindness, yet it allayed her fury against the Holy Bisohp. St. Augustine himself then at Milan gives a large testimony of these Miracles, as also doth St. Ambrose himself, who further also declares, That the Devils themselves upon this occasion cast out, confessed it to be done by the Power and Virtue of the Martyrs, which they were not able to resist, but to their excessive torment.  
Not long after this, St. Augustine is said to have returned to his own Country in afric, but by the way at Ostia, to have lost his Blessed Mother Monica, of whom in his Confessions he writes, That when the day of her Dissolution was at hand, she made it her request that Commemoration should be made of her at God's Altar, from whence she knew the Holy Sacrifice and Victim was dispensed, and by which she hoped to blot out the Handwriting against her, and joyfully to Triumph over the Devil.  
After the death of Maximus, Theodosius left Valentinian Emperor of the West, adding to his Government Gaul, Britain and Spain infested with Tyrants: But before he entrusted him with this great Charge, the Pious Emperor Theodosius instructed him in the Orthodox Faith, which he the more easily did, in regard Justina Valentinian's Mother, was then lately dead: The year following broke forth an Heresy, since renewed by Luther, Justifying such as renounced their Monastical Profession, and approving the Incestuous Embraces of Consecrated Nuns: Jovinian an Apostate Monk, was the Author of this Heresy, and publicly was declared an Heretic for it by Pope Siricius. St. Hierom, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine wrote against this Heresy in particular, St. Hierom terms it, Venomous Doctrine in three respects.  
First, For that it affirms, Virgins, Widows and Married Women, being Baptised to be of the same merit, in case they differ not in other works.  
Secondly, That those who with a complete Faith have been Regenerated by Baptism, cannot afterwards be subverted by the Devil.  
Thirdly, That there is no difference in point of Merit, between Fasting from Meats, and receiving them with Thanksgiving.  
Siricius in his Epistle to the Church of Milan gives this Character of Jovinian, That he was an Imitator of the Devil, an Enemy of Chastity, a Teacher of Luxury, a hater of Abstinence, and lover of Gluttony. In opposition to which Doctrine, a Synod is assembled by the same Holy Pope, wherein is declared, That the Vows of Marriage are not to be disparaged, yet greater Honour is to be attributed to the Spiritual Marriage of Virgins: That Jovinian 's opinion was contrary to the Christian Law, and Tradition of the Church; and therefore Jovinian and all his Complices were condemned of Heresy and Blasphemy by this Synod, and by their Sentence cast out of the Church.  
And St. Ambrose in a Synodical Answer of the Church of Milan to the Pope, tells him, That those Heretics who then fled to Milan, were avoided by all, as if they had been infected with the Plague, and thrust out of the City like Vagabonds. And St. Augustin reciting the Positions of this Heresy, concludes, That Holy Church had most Fruitfully and Courageously resisted this Monster. And in truth it was soon extinguished; neither doth this Heresy ever appear to have crept into this Island in those times, so precious and Venerable was Virginity, especially here, that Fasting and Abstinence were frequently used, and Seminaries of Chastity in great numbers Erected and Plentifully Endowed.  
The young Emperor Valentinian, after a troublesome reign of four years, was slain near I yons; before his death he desired Baptism, but lived not to obtain it. After his Death the Tyrant Eugenius invaded the Western Empire: He pretended to be a Christian, but was indeed addicted to Heathenish Superstitions; he was soon slain by Theodosius, who prepared himself to encounter this Tyrant; not so much by Force of Arms, as with Prayer and Fasting: He kept watch rather in the Church than the Camp, lying prostrate, in the Company both of his Priests and People, before the Monuments of the Apostles and Martyrs covered with Sackcloth, and begging Divine assistance. The General employed in this Expedition was Stilico, called out of Britain, after he had freed the Country from the incursions of Scots and Picts, and planted a Roman Legion to secure the Northern Borders.  
The Holy young man St. Ninian before mentioned, about this time, showed forth the Glorious Fruits of his Pious Education under the Holy Popes Damasus and Siricius. for he then was newly Consecrated Bishop, and sent back into his own Country, to Preach the Saving Truths of Christ's Gospel to the rude Nation of the Southern Picts, seated between Cumberland and the Bay of Dunbritton: This man of God in his return from Rome, was desirous to visit the Glorious Bishop St. Martin at Tours, by whom he was Honourably received, and very much esteemed, as a person of extraordinary Sanctity, and like to prove a Happy Instrument of Salvation to many: Being dismissed by St. Martin, he arrived at the place where he designed to settle, and there found a great concourse of People, who it seems had notice of his return, and readily received him with great Joy and Devotion, as a great Prophet. He first began to root up their ill planted Superstitions, to disperse their long gathered wicked Customs, and to demolish their impious Idolatries; and having so purged their minds from Error, he instructed them in all the Duties belonging to good Christians, and by his works and example, showed them a pattern of all Virtue and Piety, confirming all by frequent Miracles: He chose for his seat of Episcopal residence, a place afterward called Witehern seated near the Sea, by which almost encompassed, it hath only one passage to it toward the North, and as (saith Cambden) Is in the Province of the Novantes, now called Galloway: This Episcopal Seat by the Latin Writers, is named Candida Casa, or the White-house, and was here Erected by Ninianus in the time of this Theodosius. And thus as St. Bede also confirms, The Southern Picts received the true Faith by the Preaching of this Holy man.  
Many years he spent in his Apostolical Office, for his death ensued not, till 38 years, after his first entrance: He Consecrated Bishops, ordained Priests dividing the Country into Parishes. More will be said of him hereafter, when his Death is to be related; observing this only by the way, that Galloway at that time belonged to the jurisdiction of the Britain's, not of the Scots.  
The Labours of St. Ninianus, were no doubt much eased by the Arrival of another Saint, who by Divine inspiration came thither out of Achaia, bringing with him the precious Relics of the Apostle St. Andrew. This Saint named St. Regulus, as Hector Boetius relates, Watching one night at the Monument of St. Andrew, was admonished from Heaven to take off the Holy Apostles Arm, three Fingers, and as many Joints of one of his Feet, and laying them Decently in a Vessel, to carry them to the Island of Albion or Britain, seated in the Confines of the World; because in future times, there would live a People, which would give great Veneration to that Apostle, and by his Intercession receive great Graces and Benefits, both Earthly and Heavenly through the Divine goodness. In compliance with which admonition, the Holy man undertook that tedious Journey: The Report of his arrival with that Sacred Treasure, being spread through the Regions of the Picts, inflamed the minds of many to see and venerate those Holy Relics, Insomuch that (as Boetius relates) the People flocked together from all quarters, bringing Gifts and Offerings to the Holy Apostle.  
Hergustus or Hungas their King, invited with the fame of these things, came also to visit this Holy man Regulus, who received him with a Solemn Procession, in which Priests and Monks Sang Hymns and Praises to God. The King (as the same Author writes) falling Prostrate on the the ground, with great veneration kissed the Sacred Relics; and when all the Holy Rites were performed after the Christian manner, he freely bestowed his Royal Palace, to the Honour of St. Andrew upon Regulus and the Priests with him; and also built a Church not far from thence, Dedicated to the same Apostle, for the performance of Divine Service: This is the place, where in followiug Ages the Primates of Scotland established their Archepiscopal See. Which place (saith Cambden) the Ancients called Regimont, or Regulus his Mount, where Ungus King of the Picts built the principal Church of his Kingdom, called to this day St. Andrews.  
Boetius describes the Ornaments, with which this Pious King Enriched this his new built Church, viz. Pattens, Copes, Chalices, Basins, Lavers, etc. framed of Silver and Gold: Some modern Writers question the Truth of this Story, out of an aversion perhaps to Sacred Relics; However Pope Boniface the VIII. in an Epistle to Edward the I. writes plainly thus, Your Royal Highness may please to understand, that the Kingdom of Scotland was Converted to the Unity of the Catholic Faith by the venerable Relics of St. Andrew the Apostle: Such (saith he) was the great goodness of Almighty God. The Picts called the Priests which came with St. Regulus Coldei or Colidei, Worshippers of God; To these others from among the Picts and Britain's joined themselves, leading a Solitary life; With such fame of their Sanctity (saith Buchanan) that being dead, their Cells were Converted to Churches: Although in Truth, if we speak of the prime Original of these Coldei, they began in the times of Persecution under Dioclesian. The Gests of this St. Regulus are Celebrated in the English Martyrology, which some mistake only as to the time of his death.  
In the year of Grace 395. the Glorious Emperor Theodosius died, for whose Soul St. Ambrose Devoutly Prayed, the Prince Honorius assisting at the Altar. He left the Eastern Regions to his Eldest Son Arcadius, the Western to his youngest Honorius of tender years, under the Tuition of Stilico, whose Daughter he had Married; Stilico not content with this Honour, attempted to Establish his own Son, and to that end permitted Barbarous Nations to waste the Empire, which were at last the ruin of it.  
In the iv year of Honorius, Pope Siricius died, to whom succeeded Anastasius, Aman (saith St. Hierom) of rich Poverty and Apostolic Solicitude; He mainly opposed the Error of Origen, then creeping into Rome, and made an Edict, directed especially to the Vicar of Britain, That although he utterly forbade the Offering of Pagan Sacrifices, yet his pleasure was, that the Ornaments of public Works, though representing Pagan Superstititions, should be preserved. This Island at this time, seems to sit at ease; secured from the Violence of its Northern Enemies by a Roman Legion quartered in the Borders, and governed by Marcus a Roman General, sent thither by Honorius: The Poet Claudian in his Panegyric to Stilico, gives testimony of this then Peaceable estate.  
But alas this Calm lasted but a little while, for the Troubles arising in Italy, occasioned the Forces which defended Britain to be called home; and these troubles were caused by the Invasion of Alaricus King of the Goths, to which Stilico gave some stop, vanquishing the Goths in a Battle to their utter ruin; if Stilico to promote his Ambition's designs, had not permitted them to retire back into Pannonia, that he might continue in possession of the Emperor's Forces: And indeed upon a second Invasion of these Barbarous Enemies, another Battle was fought by Stilico, who once more overcame them; and to this Battle the Roman Legions which defended Britain were drawn from thence.  
About these time's Pope Anastasius dying, Innocentius first of that Name succeeded, a sincere oppugner of Pelagianism; the founder of which Heresy, Pelagius is said to be Born in Britain, and therefore termed the British Serpent, St. Hierom takes him to be a Scot, others affirm him to be Abbot of the famous Monastery of Bangor, where 201 Monks, got their Living by the Labour of their Hands. Certain it is he was a Monk, for St. Augustine tells us, This Heresy was not invented by Bishops or Priests, but by a Monk; And as St. Isidore assures us, By a stupid vain straggling Monk, Incorrigible, smelling Feasts, and Fawning on Magistrates for their good Cheer, having taken up his Graceless Heresy, in his Old and almost doting Age: He taught, that man might be saved by his Merits without Grace. That every one is directed by his own Natural freewill to the attaining of Justice; That Infants are born without Original sin, and as Innocent as Adam before his Fall; that they are Baptised, not that they should be free from sin, but that by Adoption, they may be admitted into the Kingdom of God; and that although they were not Baptised, yet they should enjoy an Eternal and Happy Life, though excluded from the Kingdom of God.  
These Heresies began to appear in public about the years 404, and 405. notice thereof being taken by Pope Innocentius: Pelagius prepared a Letter of Purgation, presented to Zosimus Successor of Innocentius: His Doctrines being every where reproved, he Appealed to the Judgement of a Lawful Synod, but one of the Bishops appointed to Accuse him falling sick, and so not able to appear at Lidda, where the Synod was Assembled; Pelagius gave such Cautelous Answers to the Proposals of the Bishops there present, that he escaped Censure, and was accounted Orthodox: Howbeit, at the same time his prime Disciple Caelestius was Condemned for his Heresies at Carthage, in a Synod there held; from which he Appealed to the Roman See, but not daring to pursue his Appeal, he fled into Asia, where by fraud he obtained the degree of a Priest.  
These Errors were afterwards condemned at a Synod held at Milevis in Numidia, and both Condemnations were approved by Pope Innocentius, who Excommunicated as well Pelagius as Caelestius; yet so as upon their revoking their Errors, they might be restored to Catholic Communion: Nevertheless their Heresies still spreading, the African Bishops of both Counsels, deputed St. Augustine to confute them, which Charge he performed to his great Renown.  
Both these Heretics cloaked their Doctrines in Ambiguity of words and endeavoured to surprise the Popes by a dissembled submission to their Judgements; but their fraud being detected, and their Tergiversations at last discovered, Pope Zosimus again Condemned their Doctrine, and Excommunicated their Persons; which Sentence was Solemnly pronounced by Sixtus a Roman Priest, not long after Pope, whom the Pelagians esteemed their Patron, but without cause.  
Now this Heresy having been Proscribed by so many Synods, and more than once by the Roman See; the Emperor Honorius published an Imperial Sanction, by which he not only Banished Caelestius and Pelagius out of Rome, but ordained, That the Teachers thereof should incur the same Punishment. Notwithstanding all this care, yet inregard this so execrable an Heresy, favoured the Corruption of Nature, and Humane Pride, and Sensuality; it continued in many Countries, especially in Britain, so as the Churches of Gaul thought fit to send two Eminent Bishops thither.  
At the same time another Infamous Heretic Vigilantius, infected Gaul also; St. Hierom would rather have him called Dormilantius, for that being full of an unclean Spirit, he went about to Combat against the Spirit of Christ, by teaching, That the Sepulchers of Martyrs were not to be venerated,, and condemning the Devout Vigils Celebrated before the Festivals of God's Saints: He likewise with Jovinian, Declaimed against Fasting, preferred Riches before voluntary Poverty, and Marriage before Virginity; which Errors, saith St. Jerom, Were detested by the whole Catholic World.  
In the year of Grace 406. the Picts and Scots wasted the Confines of Britain; Marcus was then Governor, whom on a sudden the Army Saluted Emperor; but the inconstant Soldiers finding his Incapacity, as suddenly deposed him, and chose Gratianus born in this Island: Him also within four Months they slew; which being divulged abroad, Scots, Norwegians and Danes marched Cross the Island, wasting all with Fire and Sword.  
In this extremity the British Army proclaimed a Soldier called Constantine Emperor, not for merit, but the fancy of his Name, as if the present ruins could not be repaired but by another Constantine: Geoffrey of Monmouth tells another Story of the Election of this Constantine, as if he had been Brother to a King of Armorica or Little-Britain of British Extract; this indeed is little better than a mere Fiction.  
For first this Constantine, as Bede witnesseth, was chosen, Ex infima Militia, out of the lowest rank of the Army.  
Secondly, He directed Messengers to Honorius, to excuse himself, as compelled by the Soldiers to accept the Title.  
Howbeit this Constantine passes over into Gaul, where gathering an Army, he subdued all the Regions on this side the Cottian Alps, and then accounted his possession of the Empire secure; So as he drew his Son Constans out of his Monastical Solitude, and created him Caesar: He placed the seat of his Empire at Arles, planted Guards upon the River Rhine, and broke the Forces of the Vandals and other Nations, who had wasted those Provinces: Constans proved successful in Spain, and for his good success there, was pronounced Emperor by his Father, to whom he repaired, leaving Gerontius General in Spain; but the year following Constans was sent back into Spain, attended by Justus a famous Captain; which so offended Gerontius, that he took sides with the Barbarous Soldiers in Gaul, so as Constantine could not repress them; which caused both in Gaul and Britain a Revolt from the Roman dependence; although some Authors insinuate, That Honorius himself by his Letters exhorted the Britain's to shift for themselves: Gerontius hereupon assumes the Title of Emperor, and Invests Maximus, whom he left in Spain, with the same Purple: Afterwards he marcheth against Constantine, whom he Besieged at Arles.  
Honorius sent an Army into those parts, upon the approach whereof, the Soldiers of Gerontius forsook him, and the remaining Spaniards attempt to kill him, setting the House on fire in which he was; whereupon having first killed his Wife, he kills himself. Constantine afterwards having been Besieged, and past hope of Relief, devests himself of the Imperial Purple, and flying for refuge to a Church, was there Consecrated a Monk, and after slain with his Son Julian in his passage to Italy: A year before whose death, Rome was sacked by the Goths, and not only the Immense Wealth of that City, but the Ornaments of Churches also became a Prey to the Barbarous Soldiers.  
About this time mention is made of Melorus a young British Martyr: He was the Son of Metianus Duke of Cornwall, dispossessed of his Dukedom, and slain by Rinaldus his Brother. Melorus at his Father's Death was not above seven years old: The Cruel Uncle to secure himself in his unlawful possession, designs the death of the Child; a whole Synod of Bishops there Assembled intercede for the Life of it, so as the Tyrant contented himself with the cutting off the Child's Right-hand and Left-foot; in place whereof were framed a Hand of Silver and Foot of Brass. Melorus thus maimed, was Educated in a Monastery of Cornwall, till he was fourteen years Old, spending his time in Reading Holy Scripture, and every day growing in Innocence, Virtue and Piety. Rinaldus at last by many Gifts and Promises, tempted the Child's Guardian to cut off his Head, which he sent to Rinaldus; the Messenger who carried it, by the just judgement of God, fell from the Castlewall with the Head in his Hands, and broke his own Neck. It is said, That the Child's Nurse coming to the place where the Body lay, there she saw a Vision of Angels and Heavenly Lights shining with unspeakable Brightness.  
The Body was after Buried in a Decent place, but the day following found above ground; three several times it was Buried, and still the same accident happened: By common advice therefore the Body was laid upon a Cart, to which were fastened too young Bulls never used to the yoke: These were permitted to go at liberty without any Leader, whether God's Providence should direct them: The Bulls becoming Tame, carried the Body to a certain place, and then stood still; but the Company attending the Cart not liking the place, as not fit for the Child's Burial, used all means by forcing the Wheels and otherwise, to drive the Cart further, but found it so fixed by Divine Power, that it could be no means be moved, and therefore giving Thanks to God, buried the Sacred Body with great Solemnity in that place: And thither many Devout people repairing, and imploring the Martyr's help and intercession in their Afflictions and Infirmities, have frequently with Joy obtained their desired remedy: The Head of the Martyr was carried as aforesaid to Rinaldus, who handled the same, but died miserably three days after; he being thus dead the Bishops and Clergy carried the Head and Buried it with the Body. The Coffer wherein these Sacred Relics lay, some time after were carried through several places to Ambrosbury, and their laid upon an Altar, where the Saint and his Relics were in a special manner Venerated, as Bishop Usher affirms; This Ambrosbury is situate in Wiltshire, not far from Winchester.  
Britain not forsaking its obedience to the Roman Empire, was now governed by Victorinus, a man grateful to the Britain's, but formidable to the Picts and Scots; but he being too soon recalled and the Roman Legion with him, the poor Britain's became immediately exposed to the Cruelty of their Barbarous Enemies. Bonifacius succeeded Zosimus in the Apostolic Chair, who is said by Prosper, To make use not only of Apostolic but of Imperial Edicts also, for the suppressing the Pelagians, the Affronters of Divine Grace. In the time of this Boniface, this Island was poisoned with their Presumptuous Doctrines, especially by Agricola the Son of a Bishop: Yet were there then several Bishops full of Piety and Learning, who opposed this Heresy, the most Famous whereof, was Fastidius Priscus Archbishop of London, a man skilful in Holy Scriptures, and a zealous Preacher of Divine Truth, Illustrious in Holy Conversation, and Famous for his Sharpness of Judgement and Elocution; it is not certain when he died, or when it was that Voadinus succeeded him in that Bishopric.  
As Britain was now infected with the Suggestions of Heretics, so was it infested with the Incursions of the Scots, Picts and Norwegians: In which necessity saith Gildas, The poor Britain's sent humble Petitions to Rome for assistance, vowing their Eternal subjection to the Roman Empire, so as their Cruel Enemies might be repelled: In compliance with which Request, a Legion well Supplied was sent, which soon drove the Barbarous Nations out of the Borders, and freed the Britain's from vexation and slavery: Who the Roman General was under whom this Victory was gained is not mentioned; probably it was Chrysanthus the Son of Marcianus, afterwards Bishop of Constantinople, as Socrates seems to intimate: Whoever was General, both he and the Legion were soon recalled; But before their departure (saith Gildas) they gave order to the Britain's to raise a Wall between the two Seas Glotta and Bodotria, to restrain the Enemies and defend Themselves: It began toward the West, about two Miles from a Monastery called Aebercurnig, in a place named in British Penvahel, or Penvelton, and going Eastward it endeth near the City of Aciluth; from this word Penvahel, Cambden infers, that the Picts were a British Nation, for in Welsh at this day Pengual signifies, The Head of a Rampire: But so useless was this ill built Wall most part of Turf, that before it was finished the Scots and Picts broke in again, as Gildas observes, Like ravenous Woolves enraged with hunger, on all sides encompassing the Sheep-fold in the absence of the Shepherd; so they with Oars and Full-blown Sails invaded the Island, broke into the Borders, and laid all waste in their way, mowing down and treading underfoot the wretched Britain's like ripe Corn.  
They therefore again send Messengers in a deplorable manner, with rend Garment and Ashes on their Heads, to implore Aid from the Romans; endeavouring like fearful Chickens to shroud themselves under their Mother's Wings: They earnestly beg the rescue of their miserable Country, and the freeing the Roman Name from the contempt of Foreign Nations: This woeful Petition was addressed to the Famous Roman General Aetius Praefect of Gaul, under whom Britain was also subject: He moved with Pity sent Forces under the Conduct of Gallio a Citizen in Ravenna, who once more Conquered the Enemies; but having done this, declares the Emperor's pleasure to the Britain's, That for the future they must rely upon their own strength, and expect no more assistance from Rome; which at so great a distance, and amidst so many Distractions, could not attend to so remote a Province. He advised them to exercise themselves in Military Affairs, to Build Fortifications in Convenient places, especially towards the Sea, and to strengthen their Cities with Walls. This was the last Farewell of the Romans to the discouraged Britain's; however, before they went, they joined with the Britain's in Repairing the Wall, which they made stronger than formerly, both by public and Private Expenses.   

THE Church History Under the BRITISH KINGS.  
THe Romans having thus forsaken this Island, two Kingdoms seem to have gained a firm establishment in the Northern parts thereof, those I mean of the Picts and Scots; for though other Kings and Princes are mentioned in other parts, yet were they subject to the Romans, and in a manner under their Allegiance: The Picts being indeed no other than the remainder of the Unconquered Britain's, were so disturbed by the Romans, that they could not before this time, come to any Settlement: As for the Scots, they were at the best but Auxiliaries to the Picts mingled with them in all their Invasions, and often by the Romans driven back into Ireland from whence they came. Now being rid of the Romans, these Scots fixed their Habitations, and Erected a Kingdom in the Northern Coasts of Britain, under Fergusius their King: Of these two Nations and Kingdoms, the principal in this Age was that of the Picts, who possessed the Provinces about Edinburgh confining to the Wall, Anciently called the Picts Wall; the Scots inhabiting the Provinces next to Ireland, but after turning their Arms against the Picts, they utterly destroyed their Kingdom and Name, and gave to the whole Country, the Appellation of Scotland.  
In the year of Grace 423. the Emperor Honorius died, in whose place succeeded Valentinian the III. and in the Eastern Empire Reigned the younger Theodosius: The same year died Pope Bonifacius, and after him was chosen Pope Caelestinus, to whom our Islands of Britain and Ireland have an Eternal Obligation, for by him they were preserved from Error, and effectually Converted to, or Confirmed in the Christian Faith: By him St. Palladius was sent to the Scots, whom he freed from their Barbarous Idolatry. By him St. Patrick was directed an Apostolic Teacher into Ireland, where he wrought the like effect; and by him St. Germanus and St. Lupus, two Holy and Learned Bishops of Gaul, were employed to Cure Britain of the Pestilent Infection of Pelagianism there spread by Agricola.  
Now since Patricius the great Apostle of Ireland, did both begin and end his days in Britain, it will be little or no Excursion here to insert some of his Principal Gests: He Conversed here in Britain, by his Holy example inviting his Countrymen to the imitation of his Virtue and Piety. St. Germanus and Lupus encouraged him to go into Ireland, and that especially upon this occasion. On a day St. Patrick in his sleep saw a man coming to him out of Ireland, with many Letters in his Hand, one of which he gave to the Saint, who read it. In the beginning of it was written, This is the voice of the Inhabitants of Ireland: As soon as St. Patrick had read these words. He heard the voices of many Infants, crying to him, as out of their Mother's wombs in several Provinces of Ireland; Holy Father, come and converse amongst us: St. Patrick having heard this, felt great Compunction in his Heart, but could read no more of the Letter: As soon as he awaked, he gave Thanks to God, being assured by this Vision, that our Lord had called him to be an Instrument of the Salvation of those who thus cried unto him: It is written, That St. Patrick hereupon ask Council of our Lord touching this Affair, and by the means of the Angel Victor, received this Divine Oracle: That forsaking his Country and Parents, he should pass over into Gaul, there to be more perfectly instructed in the Christian Doctrine and Discipline.  
Palladius sent into Britain by Pope Celestine, being as yet but a Deacon, sound the Civiller part, formerly under the Roman Jurisdiction, defiled with Heresy, and the Northern parts under the Scots, wholly buried in the mists of Paganism: Of this he sent notice to the Pope, who recalled him, to advise of Remedies for both these mischiefs: To oppose the Pelagian Heresy, he directed Germanus and Lupus; to rescue the Northern parts of the Island from Paganism, he sent back Palladius, after he had exalted him to an Episcopal Degree, as his Legate, and Apostle of the Scottish Nation, as Prosper more at large relates: It is said that Palladius attempted the Conversion of the Irish, but in vain, so that the British Scots were the peculiar objects of his care and endeavours; and this appears the more clearly, for that Servanus and Tervanus, the two principal Disciples of Palladius, are reckoned among the Learned Teachers of Britain, of whom the former was sent to instruct the Inhabitants of the Orcadeses, and the other to the Picts, over whom he was created Archbishop, and as some say succeeded St. Ninianus.  
The labours both of Servanus and Tervanus were very prosperous; but Palladius is thought not to have lived above a year after he was made Bishop. Soon after the first Voyage of Palladius into Britain, the People thereof being neither willing to receive that perverse Doctrine which Blasphemed the Grace of Christ, nor able to refute the Subtleties of those who maintained it; by common advice, craved assistance from the Gallican Bishops, who in a Synod for that purpose assembled, made choice of St. Germanus and St. Lupus, one Bishop of Auxerre, and the other of Troy's, to pass over into Britain, to confirm the Faith of Celestial Grace. All which was done, as appears by Prosper, with the Consent and by the Direction of Pope Celestine: Germanus was born at Auxerre, descended from Illustrious Parents, brought up in good Literature; wherein he so advanced himself, that he became an Ornament to his Country; and that nothing might be wanting to the perfecting of his Learning; after he had frequented the Gallican Schools, where he was taught the Liberal Sciences, he went to Rome, where he enriched his Mind with the perfect knowledge of the Imperial Laws: At his return he was made Governor of the City and Territories of Auxerre the place of his Nativity.  
While he was Governor there, Amator the Bishop of that City, a Holy man, preparing himself in the Church to perform his Office, and perceiving Germanus their Perfect, entering with a Body and Mind composed to Modesty and Piety; commanded immediately that the Doors should be fast Locked: And then accompanied with many of the Clergy and Nobility, laid hold on Germanus, and devoutly calling on the Name of the Lord, cut off his Hair, and divesting him of his Secular Ornaments, respectfully clothed him with a Religious Habit; and said thus to him, Now my Dear Brother, it is our Duty to be diligent in preserving this Honour committed to thee, without stain: For as soon as I am dead, Almighty God commits to thee the Pastoral Charge of this City: Amator shortly after died, in whose place Germanus succeeded, about the year of Grace 418. From the first day in which he undertook the Episcopal Office, to the end of his Life, he never used Wine, Vinegar, Oil, nor so much as Salt to give a Relish to his Meat: At his Refections, he first took Ashes into his Mouth, and after that Barley-bread, and this so slender and ungrateful Diet, he never used till toward Sunset sometimes; and as is said he would Fast half a Week, yea seven whole days, without any satisfaction given to his craving Stomach; his Bed was hard Board's covered over with Ashes, and to prevent any profound sleep, he would admit no Pillow under his Head: He spent indeed whole nights in continual Sighing, and incessantly watered his hard Couch with his Tears: He was a zealous observer of Hospitality, and when ever any poor, or Strangers, came to him, he would prepare for them a Plentiful Feast, while himself Fasted; yea with his own Hands he would wash their Feet, Kissing and sometimes Bedewing them with showers of Tears. He built a Monastery, into which he oft retired feeding and refreshing his Mind there with the wonderful sweetness of Celestial Contemplation.  
St. Lupus was born at Toul, a City of the Leuci, of a Noble Family, after his Father's death he was sent to School, and there embued in the study of Rhetoric, he Married the Sister of St. Hilarius Bishop of Arles; she was inflamed with the Love of Chastity from her youth: Hence it was that after seven years spent in Marriage, by Divine Inspiration both of them exhorted one another to a state of Conversion; Lupus by a strong impulse from Heaven was moved to visit the Blessed St. Honoratus, first Abbot of the Famous Monastery of Lerins, to whose Discipline he humbly submitted himself in continual Watch, Fast and Mortifications, and intending to Sell his Possessions, and distribute the Money to the Poor, he was on a sudden compelled to take upon him the Bishopric of Troy's, where he behaved himself so well, that he was styled the Father of Fathers, Bishop of Bishops, and a second Jacob of his Age.  
These two Holy men, under the conduct of our Lord, took upon them to be the Apostolic Reformers of the British Churches, their Humility and Austerity of Life, had a proper and specific Virtue to oppose the Pride and Sensuality of the Pelagian Heretics. What befell them at Sea, would not be omitted.  
At first their Ship was carried with favourable Winds from the  Coasts, till they came into the midst of the Sea, where no Land could be discovered, but presently after the fury of a whole Legion of Devils, envying their design for the Salvation of Souls, is said to have assailed them; dangers appear on every side, Storms are raised, Darkness covers the Heavens, and that Darkness becomes more terrible, by the fearful swelling of the Sea, and rage of the Air, no longer are the Sails able to sustain the fury of the Winds, nor the Boat able to resist the Mountains of Waters dashing against it, so that the Ship was carried forward rather by their Prayers, than the skill or force of the Mariners: The prime Pilot St. Germanus was then securely composed in sleep, and the Ship ready to sink, so that St. Lupus and the Company were fain to awake the Old man; who was only able to withstand the fury of the enraged Elements. He not at all astonished at the danger, Addresses his Prayers to our Lord, and his Threats to the unruly Ocean; To the raging storm he opposes the cause of Religion, which invited them to that Voyage; and presently with a little quantity of Oil, which he Blessed in the Name of the Holy Trinity, and then sprinkled upon the Waves, he overcame their fury: His Colleague he admonished, the rest he encouraged, so that with one breath and clamour Prayers were poured forth to our Lord, and immediately the Divine Virtue showed itself present, the Infernal Enemies were dissipated, a calm tranquillity ensued, the Winds and Waves became serviceable to the Voyage, and all things concurred to their safe Arrival in a quiet and secure Haven: Several examples of the like effects, wrought by common Oil, Blessed in this manner, may be found in several Authors.  
These two Holy men being Landed, great multitudes from several quarters met to receive them, having as is said, been informed of their coming, by the Predictions of Wicked Spirits, who were affrighted thereat, and declared openly their tampering by Tempests and otherwise, to hinder the Passage of these Holy Men; and that by their Power and Sanctity, they had at last been vanquished and disappointed: These Venerable Bishops soon filled the whole Island with their Fame, Preaching and Miracles; they were so overpressed with multitudes resorting to them, that they Preached God's Word, not only in Churches, but in Lanes and Highways, whereby Catholics were confirmed in the Faith, and those who had been depraved reduced to the Church: The Authority of their Holiness, the Eminence of their Learning, the wonder of their Miracles, gave them the esteem and Honour of Apostles, and reduced the whole Island to the acknowledgement of their Doctrine: The promoters of the contrary persuasion, crept into dark Holes, vexed as the wicked Spirits were, to see the People freed from their Snares: Yet at last after long study and meditation, they presumed to enter into a Dispute with these Apostolic men.  
The Pelagians are said to come Pompously attended by their flattering Disciples, and rather chose to run the hazard of a conflict, than by their Silence confess they had an ill Cause: Infinite numbers were assembled, with their Wives and Children, to hear this Dispute: The Disputants stood on each side, of much different condition; on the one side was placed Divine Authority, on the other Humane presumption, here Orthodox Faith, there Perfidious Error; here Christ was Author, there Pelagius: The Holy Bishops gave free scope of disputing to the Pelagians, who vainly spent the time, and tired the Auditory with empty Verbal Discourses: But after them the Venerable Bishops poured forth the torrent of their Eloquence, accompanied with Evangelical thunder, with their own Discourses, Texts of Divine Scripture, the word of God giving witness to their Assertions: And thus vanity became convinced, and Perfidiousness confuted; so as the Heretics by their inability to reply, acknowledged their guilt; and the People standing by as Judges, could scarce contain their Hands from violence towards them, and with Clamours resounded the Victory.  
Immediately a Tribune of the Army with his Wife, leading in their hands their young Daughter about ten years Old, being Blind, came into the midst of the Assembly, and presented their blind Child to the Bishops, desiring their help for her Cure: They had formerly offered her in vain to the adverse Party; who likewise stricken with a guilty Conscience, join with the Parents in their entreaties to the Holy Prelates in behalf of the Child: They perceiving the expectation of the People, and the Conviction of their Adversaries, address themselves to God by short Prayer: Then St. Germanus full of the Holy Ghost, invoked the Blessed Trinity, and taking from his Neck a little Box full of Holy Relics, in the sight of the whole Multitude, he applied it to the Eyes of the young Maid, which immediately losing their former Darkness, were filled with a new Light from Heaven: At this so apparent Miracle the Parents rejoice, and the People tremble: After this day all men's minds were so clearly purged from this impious Heresy, that with thirsting desire they received the Doctrine of these Holy Bishops.  
Perverse Heresy thus repelled, and the Authors of it confuted; the Holy Bishops repaired to the Sepulchre of St. Albanus, intending to give Thanks to God by his intercession, and having with them Relics of all the Apostles and divers Martyrs; after Prayer made, commanded the Sepulchre to be opened, and there with great Reverence laid up those precious Gifts; thinking it convenient that the same Repository should contain the Members of many Saints, out of divers Regions, whom Heaven had received and Crowned for the equality of their Merits: St. German then caused to be digged up from the place where the Blessed Martyr St. Alban had shed his Blood, a Mass of dried Earth, which he intended to take with him; in which were then extant Marks of the Martyr's death, and the Paleness of his Persecutors: These things being thus performed, an innumerable multitude, is said to be that day Converted to our Lord: The little Box of Sacred Relics, it is reported, after St. Germane death, came to the Hands of the Empress (Galla Placidia) as Heir only of his Benediction.  
The malicious Enemy of mankind, busy to entrap the Holy Bishop St. German in some mischief, found out the means by a casual Fall, to put his Foot out of Joint: Now while by reason of this Infirmity he was constrained to abide in a certain Lodging, a Fire happened to break out in some Houses not far from it, which being covered with Thatch, were quickly devoured, and the Fire driven forward by Wind, soon approached to his Lodging, whereupon a great concourse of People came to the Venerable Bishop in a great fright, intending to take him in their Arms, and carry him out of danger; but he reprehended them, and refused to remove, having a firm Faith that no evil should happen to him: The multitude then despairing of his Safety, endeavour to stop the Progress of the flames: Howbeit Almighty God to exalt his own Power, and his Servants Faith, so ordered that whatever the People endeavoured to preserve was consumed, only the place where the sick Saint lay was preserved, for the flames, as if afraid to touch him, flew quite over his lodging; though on each side of it, they raged with violence, but left it untouched: The multitude seeing this rejoiced, and were well pleased that their Labours and Endeavours had been overmastered by Divine Power.  
Whilst this Holy man lay there, he was watched and attended by a numberless multitude, some seeking Health for their Souls, some for there Bodies: The wonderful Miracles which our Lord wrought by his Servant, were so many, they can scarce be recounted; he being infirm himself, gave Health and Strength to others, neither would he suffer any remedy to be applied to his Infirmity; but on a certain night, he saw a person standing before him in White Garments, who stretching forth his Hand, seemed to raise him up from his Couch, commanding him to stand firmly; after which his pain passed away, and his strength was so restored, that the day following he confidently undertook to pursue his journey.  
At this time the Picts and Saxons with joint Forces made War upon the Britain's, who were therefore drawn together in a Body; but being distrustful of their Ability to resist such Powerful Enemies, they humbly implore the assistance of these Godly Bishops, which they cheerfully promised, and hastening into the British Army, so increased the Courage and Resolution of the Britain's, as if a new Army had been joined unto them; so as our Lord himself by the Ministry of these his Captains, seemed to be General of the Army: It was now the Holy time of Lent, which the presence of these Holy Bishops caused to be observed with the greater Devotion, and their daily Preaching invited many to partake of the Sacrament of Baptism. A Church was thereupon prepared against the Solemnity of Easter; and though the place was no other than open Fields, yet it was ordered, as if it had been in a City: The Army went in Procession, moistened with the waters of Baptism, and being inflam'd with the fervour of Holy Faith, they contemned the Guard of outward Weapons, and expected a more sure Protection from Heaven.  
This Posture of the British Army came to the Enemy's knowledge, who not doubting of Victory against Unarmed People, with great cheerfulness hastened to set upon them: The Britain's had notice of their march, and as soon as the Solemn Feast of our Lord's Resurrection was past, the greater part of the Army being newly Baptised, betook themselves to theirs Arms, and prepared for Battle: St. German being their General, he made choice of a Band of Light Armed men, and takes a view of the Country round about, observing also a Valley compassed with Mountains directly in the Enemy's way, he leads part of the Army into that Valley. The fierce Enemies approaching, and being discovered by those who lay in Ambush; St. German their Leader gave order to all his Soldiers, That with loud clamour they should repeat the words by him pronounced; And immediately while the Enemies thought to fall on, presuming they had not been discovered; the Holy Bishop three times cried out aloud Allelujah, whereupon the rest of the Army with one voice Thundered out likewise Allelujah, the noise whereof was Terrible, multiplied and increased by the Echo from the Mountains round about.  
The sound alone of this Sacred Word, sufficed to terrify the Enemy's Army, which fell a trembling, as if not the Rocks only, but Heaven itself had fallen on their Heads, insomuch as they all betook themselves to a general flight in all haste, casting away their Weapons, and glad to escape with their Naked Bodies: Great numbers of them in their Headlong flight were swallowed up by a River, through which a little before they had marched with confidence and leisure enough: The main body of the British Army without striking one stroke, was a cheerful Spectator of the Vengeance of Almighty God, to whom only they gave the Glory of the Victory.  
The Holy Bishops indeed Triumphed, to see the Enemies defeated without Bloodshed; they Triumphed for a Victory obtained, not by Arms, but Faith only: And having thus every way settled this Rich Island in Security, both from the Pelagians and Saxons, they prepared themselves for their return, to the great Grief of the whole Nation. The place of this unbloody Battle, is said to be a Town called Mold in Flintshire, where is a Field called from St. German, in the British Tongue Maesgarmon; there is also the little River allen which runs hard by, wherein probably the Picts and Saxons were drowned; besides, the place being near the Sea, it lay fit to set on board the Saxon Armies; St. Gregory the great in expounding the words of Job, makes mention of this Allelujah resounded thus by the Britain's.  
The Blessings conferred on this Island, were in some degree recompensed by their safe and prosperous return, which they are said to have ascribed to the Intercession of our Tutelar Saint and Protomartyr Alban: Their absence from home and residence here in Britain, was little more than the space of a year, in which time many wonderful things were wrought by them; during the time that St. Germanus remained in Britain.  
St. Patrick then 68 years of Age, inseparably adhered to him, having learned from him many instructions in Christian Doctrine and Discipline, and received many examples of Virtue and Piety for imitation: By him likewise he was encouraged to undertake the Conversion of the Irish Nation, but with all admonished, To expect a Commission from the See of Rome to execute that Apostolic Office. For which purpose he accompanied St. Germanus to Gaul, from whence the next year he went to Rome, being desirous to have his Journey into Ireland confirmed by Authority from Pope Caelestinus.  
St. Patrick took with him a Priest named Sergetius, a Devout Servant of our Lord, as a Companion in his Travels; when he came to Rome, he committed himself to the Praebends of the Roman Church, to be the more perfectly instructed in their Institutes: He repaired also to the Holy Pope Caelestinus, and humbly casting himself at his feet, besought him, To employ his care for the Conversion of the Pagan Irish Nation; The Petition was very acceptable to the Pope, who changed this Holy man's Name, from Magonius to Patricius, as Prophesying, That he should be the Father of many Souls: His Name thus changed, he was promoted to Episcopal Dignity, and then directed to his Voyage into Ireland: St. Patrick himself in one of his Epistles, transcribed out of a Copy in the Abbey of Glastonbury, which Epistle is mentioned here before, makes all this clear: Together with the Episcopal degree, the Pope bestowed on St. Patrick 12 years' Indulgence.  
He was accompanied in his Legation with 20 Eminent Persons for his assistance, one of which was Sergetius before mentioned: He diverted in his return to his Instructor St. Germanus, from whose Liberality he received Chalices, Priestly Vestments and store of Books, with many other things proper for his Ministry. Long before St. Patrick came into Ireland, by the Magicians and Pagan Prophets there, intimation was given of his coming; their Prophcy was to this effect, That a man would come thither with his Wood, whose Table should be placed in the Eastern side of his House, and some persons standing behind, together with others from the Table, will Sing, and the Congregation will Answer them, saying, AMEN. When this man comes, he will destroy our Gods, subvert our Temples, destroy Princes which resist him, and his Doctrine shall remain and prevail here for ever. With such words these blind Prophets incensed both the Prince and People against St. Patricius.  
They composed a certain Rhyme, importing, That a Head of Art and Skill, with his Crooked Staff would come, from that hour every House shall be bored through the Top: He will chant an abomination from his Table at the forepart of the House; and his whole Family will answer, So be it, So be it. The meaning of this dark Rhyme is, That the Master of Wisdom would come with the Sign of the Cross, by which the hearts of all men would feel Compunction, and from the Altar of the Holy Mysteries he would Convert Souls unto Christ, so as all Christian People should Answer, Amen. And then our Pagan Kingdom shall fall; as in truth it afterwards did: This piece of Wood is by most taken for the Cross, others affirm it to signify, A certain wonderful Staff which St. Patrick before his Journey received from a Holy Hermit, and was called the Staff of Jesus. The Author of St. Patrick's Life, relates the Story of the Staff to this effect.  
That St. Patrick by Divine Revelation passed over to a certain Solitary Hermit, living in an Island of the Tyrrhen Sea, whose Name was Justus, a man of a Holy Life and great Fame; this man of God gave to St. Patrick the forementioned Staff, affirming seriously, That he had received it immediately from the Hand of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had appeared to him. There were other men in the same Island at some aistance, who also led Solitary Lives: Some of these St. Patrick observed to be very Fresh and Youthful, others very Decrepit and Old, were the Children of them who appeared so Youthful; at which the Saint being astonished, and enquiring the occasion of so great a Miracle, was thus Answered, We from our Childhood, by Divine Grace, have been much addicted to Works of Mercy, our doors stood ever open to Travellers, demanding Meat or Lodging: On a certain night it happened, that a Stranger with a Staff in his Hand was Entertained by us, and used with all the Courtesy we could; the morning he gave us his Benediction, telling us he was Jesus Christ, and saying to us, You have oft hitherto ministered unto my Members, and this night Entertained me in my own Person; this said, He gave the Staff in his Hand to a man of God, our Father both Spiritually and Carnally, commanding him to keep it, Till in succeeding times a stranger named Patrick should come to visit him, and then to give it to that Stranger; and having said this, he ascended up into Heaven. From that day, those Hermits told St. Patrick, They had remained in the same state of Youthful Comeliness and Vigour; whereas their Children, who were then little Infants, were, as he saw, become decrepit Old men. This Story of St. Patrick and his Staff, is reported by Jocelinus Author of his Life. Now what Credit soever this Story may find in the minds of the Readers, certain it is, that a Staff believed to have belonged to St. Patrick, and named the Staff of Jesus, was for many Ages in great Veneration among the Irish. And St. Bernard in the Life of St. Malachias an Irish Bishop, mentions and describes this Staff, and the great esteem it had in that Nation; and if we will believe Giraldus Cambrensis, It was the Vulgar Opinion, that with this Staff, St. Patrick cast out of the Island all Venomous Beasts.  
He seems to have entered into Ireland in the year 432. as Bishop Usher computes. The Inhabitants of the Country having advice of his Landing, flocked to him from all Parts, especially the common People came joyfully to him, as if he had been of their own Nation: He had indeed many Qualities which invited their good Will towards him: He was of a Comely Personage, very Civil in Conversation, and though extremely Grave, yet without Morosity: Besides this, he spoke Irish perfectly, and from his Youth had informed himself of their Natural Dispositions, so as he presently became one of them: But God was the principal cause of conciliating their Affections to him, and by his special Grace great multitudes in a short time yielded their Assent and Obedience to his Christian Doctrine.  
For St. Patrick like a good Shepherd, carefully watched over his new flock, informing them daily in all Duties of Piety, convincing the Pagans of their Errors, and confounding the Magicians which opposed him. The Conversion of one Irishman is specially taken notice of, whose Name was Dicon, whom St. Patrick gained, as he was passing through his Land, to submit to the Doctrine of our Lord; and of a Wolf in a wonderful manner changed him into a Lamb; For Dicon coming suddenly with Weapons, intended to have killed St. Patrick and his Companions; but as soon as he saw his face, he was pricked in his Heart; our Lord immediately turning his Thoughts, so as he meekly led him to his House, where the Holy Bishop resided sometime, Preaching to him the Faith of Christ so effectually, that he became the first of all the Island, who believed with all his Family.  
Nevertheless another Ancient Author cited by Bishop Usher, mentions the Conversion of one Sinel, as the first of all, his words are, St. Patrick sent by Pope Caelestinus landed at the mouth of the River Dee, but an impious Count called Nathi, who formerly had resisted St. Palladius, contradicted St. Patrick and his Doctrine: However Sinel the Son of Finchado, by the Preaching of St. Patrick, believed in Almighty God: and was the first among the Irish Scots who was Baptised by the Holy Bishop, upon whom and his Seed St. Patrick bestowed his Benediction. By which it appears that St. Patrick first landed in the Province of Leinster, and from thence went to Ulster, where, having Converted Dicon, he obtained a Field called Sabbul, two Miles distant from the City of Down. His particular Journeys, Laborious Preaching, Pious Actions, and Admirable Miracles, are Copiously related by the Ecclesiastical Writers of Ireland. It is said that Carantacus or Cernac, thirty years before the Birth of St. David, began to Preach the Gospel in Ireland: He was a Britain born, Son of Keredec, Prince of the Province of Cardigan; (Cereticae Regionis) Amongst many other Children Keredic had this Carantac, a Child of good Disposition, beginning early to do those things, which he thought pleasing to God.  
In those days the Scots grievously vexed Britain, so that his Father unable to sustain the weight and troubles of Government, would have resigned the Province to Carantac; but he loving the Celestial King, more than an Earthly Kingdom, fled away; and having bought a Wallet and Staff of a poor man, by God's Conduct was brought to a Pleasant place, where he reposing himself built an Oratory, and spent his time in the Praises of God: At last he passed over into Ireland, invited by his Affection to St. Patrick; when he came thither it was agreed between them, that one of them should travel Preaching the Gospel toward the Right Hand, and the other towards the Left: In their company many Ecclesiastical persons attended them, and they all agreed to meet once a year at an appointed place: Where ever this Holy man Carantac went, an Angel of our Lord in the likeness of a Dove accompanied him, and changed his Name into Cernach, being an Irish Appellation; All along his Voyage he wrought great Miracles, for the Confirmation of the Faith he Preached, Healing many thousand of their Diseases. The grace at first given to the Apostles, is said to have been plentifully bestowed on him; He was counted an admirable Soldier and Champion of Christ, a Spiritual and Devout Abbot, refusing to Preach Saving Truth unto none: He spent many years in that Island, where he brought an incredible number to wash away their sins by Penance, by day and night offering innumerable Prayers to God; and having Converted many People to our Lord, who wrought many Miracles by him; He at last returned to his Native Country, where he retired to his former Cave, accompanied with many Disciples: There having built a Church, he determined to abide; but not long after being admonished by a Voice from Heaven, he returned into Ireland; where, in a good Old Age, and full of good Works, he rested in Peace, and was buried in his own City, from him called Cherach.  
I shall here add the Gests of another British Saint, and Companion of St. Patrick into Ireland, called Luman, Son of Gollitus a Britain, and Nephew to St. Patrick by his Sister Tigridia: He was the Founder of the Church of Trim in Ireland; the occasion and manner whereof is thus related by Bishop Usher. St. Luman came to the Ford of Truim, which runs before the Castle of Fiedilmed Son of Loiguor: And early in the morning Froitchern Son of Fiedilmed, found him Preaching the Gospel of Christ, who wondering at the Doctrine taught by him, presently believed, and was Baptised in Christ by Luman, at a Fountain arising in the same place, and stayed with him until his Mother who sought after him came to the same place: She was overjoyed at the sight of the Holy man, because she also came out of Britain, and being instructed by him likewise believed; and returning Home, told her Husband what had happened to herself and her Son: Fiedelmed was much joyed at the arrival of Luman, because his Mother called Schotnoesa, had been the Daughter of a British Prince. Fiedilmed therefore went to him, and Saluted him in the British Language, questioning him in particular touching his Descent and Doctrine, who answered, That his Name was Luman a Britain, a Christian, and Disciple of the Holy Bishop S. Patrick, sent, as he said, by God to Convert the Inhabitants of that Country to the Faith of Christ, and Baptise them; Fiedilmed immediately believed with his whole Family, and offered him and St. Patrick his whole Territory with his Son. Fiedilmed removed his Habitation beyond the River Boindeo, but Luman with Froitchern, stayed at the Ford of Truim, till St. Patrick came thither, where they jointly erected a Church, about 12 years, before the Church of Armagh (Attimachae) was founded; the beginning of which Archepiscopal Church, the Annals of Ulster ascribe to the year of Grace 444.  
We may now not unfitly treat of St. Benignus, as his Story may be found in the Antiquities of Glastonbury, The Venerable Bishop St. Patrick Preaching the Gospel through the Provinces of Ireland, came to a plain called Brey or Breg very Spacious and Beautiful, with which being delighted, he determined there to Celebrate the Feast of Easter, then at hand: His first Acquaintance and Familiarity in that Province, was with a man whom he had newly Converted to the Faith, with him St. Patrick Lodged: This man had a Young Child called Beonna, who bore a tender Affection to the Saint, he would often play with him, and Kiss his Foot; the Child would not sleep, but when he lay with the Holy Bishop: He therefore Prophetically perceiving the great Grace, which the Divine Bounty would confer upon the Child, vouchsafed to take him to his Bed, and gave him the Name of Benignus. When the Holy Bishop was ready to proceed in his Journey, the Child with Pitiful cries, begged to go along with him, so as the Bishop was forced to receive him into his Wagon, and Prophesied, that he should be his Successor in the Bishopric, which accordingly came to pass. This was the first Solemnity of Easter which the Holy Bishop Celebrated in Ireland, and he did it by imitating the Son of God, who at his last Supper with his Disciples, Consecrated his Body and Blood for the Redemption of Mankind: The day before this great Feast of our Lord's Resurrection, St. Patrick, according to an Ecclesiastical Rite, as Probus observes then in use, Kindled the Holy fire, the Flame whereof shone brightly about the place. According to the custom of that Country, it was, it seems, Unlawful for any to Light a Fire, before it was kindled in the King's Palace: The King whose Name was Logorius, perceiving the brightness of the Flame, in great indignation threatened Death to him who had infringed that custom in his Kingdom: His Magicians about him, to incense him further, told the King, That the Fire which had so been kindled against Law, unless presently extinguished, would never cease to the World's end, but obscure all the Fires which they kindled according to their custom; and that the man who lighted it, would be the destruction of his Kingdom.  
While St. Patrick with great success thus laboured in the Gospel, Britain was Illustrated with the Memory of another great St. Winwaloc, the Son of a Noble Person, called Fracan, Cousin-German of a British Prince named Coton. This St. Winwaloc is said to have been from his Childhood inflamed with an earnest desire of Heavenly things, to despise Worldly Allurements, and to live to God only; wherefore he besought his Parents, that he might be commended to the care of a certain Religious man, to be by him embued in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and Documents of Piety, his request being obtained, he made wonderful progress in Virtue and Holiness under that Religious man's Discipline; insomuch, that when he was but seven years Old, he became an example of all Piety and Goodness: In process of time having undertaken a Monastical Profession, Divine Graces shone more brightly in him, so as he became withal enriched with the Gift of Prophecy. Many Miracles God wrought by him, in performance whereof; having a firm Faith, he made use only of the Sign of the Cross, and Oil which had been Blessed: Among which Miracles, the most stupendious was, His raising a Young man to Life.  
At this time the Glory of the most Holy Prelate St. Patrick was famous in God's Church, who like a bright Star Illustrated all Ireland; and the report of his admirable Virtues, kindled in St. Winwaloc so great an affection towards him, that he endeavoured to pass over to him, and be subject to his direction in Piety. Behold, while the Holy man's thoughts were busied about this design; St. Patrick in a Vision presented himself to him, with an Angelical Brightness, and a Golden Diadem on his Head, telling him, He was the same Patrick whom he so earnestly desired to Visit: But (saith he) to prevent a dangerous Journey by Sea and Land, our Lord hath sent me to thee, to fulfil thy desire, so as thou mayst enjoy both my Sight and Conversation: He further told St. Winwaloc, That he should be a Guide and Director of many in Spiritual Warfare: for which end he gave him many wholesome Instructions: Exhorting him to desire from his Master some Companions, and with them to remove to another place. No sooner was this Vision vanished, but St. Winwaloc went to the Cell wherein the Father of the Monastery was, attending on Divine Meditation, to whom St. Winwaloc declared the Vision; whereupon the Father told him with a joyful Countenance, That he had been Honoured with a Divine Visitation and Revelation, and forthwith he assigned the Saint eleven Disciples, such as were most fervent in God's Service: With these he passed over into a certain Island, and for the space of three years, there led an Hermetical Life; but the place being exposed to Violent Tempests, and incommodious for its Barrenness, St. Winwaloc Prayed God to direct him to a more Convenient Habitation, God heard his Prayers, and showed him a place near the Sea, but there being no Ship ready, the Saint is said to have renewed his Prayers; which done, He bade his Companions be Courageous and firm in Faith, saying to them, As you see me lead this Brother by the Hand, so do every one of you take his next Fellows Hand and follow one another: Then invoking the Name of our Lord, with his Pastoral Staff he struck the Sea, upon which it pleased God to repeat the Miracle of the Red-Sea, For the Sea opened a Passage for them; so that taking one another by the Hand, and himself marching in the Front, they all walked securely over the dry Sands, the Waters on both sides standing like Walls; and as they passed thus, they sang to our Lord a Hymn of Praise and Joyfulness.  
It is said this Saint from the 20th. year of his Age to his Death, was never seen to sit in the Church; never exceeded Moderation in any thing, never was dejected with Sadness, nor dissolved in Mirth; never Angry or Turbulent, but Kind and Affable to all: He repeated the Psalms every day; sometimes standing with his Arms stretched out in figure of a Cross, and sometimes falling on his Knees: From the time that he began to build his Habitation, he never used any Woollen or Linen Garment, but what was made of Goat Skins only: In his Bed he neither had Feathers or ; instead of Feathers, he strewed under him Nutshells; and instead of Blankets, he covered himself with Sand mingled with Pebbles; two great Stones were his Pillows; day and night he wore the same Garments: Wheaten Bread he never Eat; a small proportion of Barley Bread contented him, wherewith was mingled an equal measure of Ashes: He took his Refection once only in two, sometimes in three days; his other Diet was a mixture of Meal and Cabbage without any Fat; upon Saturdays and Sundays, he would add a little Cheese Sodd in water; and at Easter a few small Fishes: It was his usual custom daily to visit a Church about a Mile distant from his Monasteries, attended by a Deacon named Egbin, and there to offer Sacrifices to God for the Living and Dead: Such was his diligence and Devotion at the Holy Altar, that he is said to have there merited the reward of everlasting Happiness.  
One day an Angel is said to have appeared unto him, saying, Reverend Father, the Heavenly Citizens desire thee for their Companion, and soon shalt thou be delivered from thy painful Exercises. After this he presently called his Brethren together, and bade them prepare, For (saith he) as soon as I have Sung Mass, and Communicated the Body and Blood of our Lord, at the sixth hour of the day, our Lord will receive me out of this Mortal Body: And so having Celebrated Mass, as he stood at the Altar between two Monks which sustained him on each side, and was Singing with his Brethren, he rendered his Soul to God, as untouched by Corporal Sickness, as it was free from any Carnal stains. Some say his Body was translated from his Monastery at Tauriacum, and laid in the Blandin Monastery at Gaunt: Others contend that his Sacred Relics repose at Monstrueil, where they likewise show his Chasuble, Alb, and Stole; and there is a Church Dedicated to his memory, in French called St. Waley: Now though St. Winwaloc died out of Britain, yet there are not there wanting Monuments of his Memory and Sanctity; a Town there is in Shropshire called after his Name, Wenlock, and so was named in the Saxons time, where the Holy Virgin Milburga founded a Monastery for Religious Virgins, as may hereafter be declared.  
The forementioned Deacon Egbin or Ethbin, is also renowned for his Sanctity, he over-lived his Master, and went over into Ireland, where, in a Wood called Neeten he built a Monastery in which he lived and died: He was as is above-noted, chosen by St. Winwalock to attend him daily to the little Church beforementioned. Going one day thither together, one met them veiled in the Figure of a miserable Leper, with a lamentable voice beging their assistance; Ethbin with great Compassion and Charity Embraced and Kissed the Leper, the same also at his monition did St. Winwaloc: Our Lord accepted their Office of Charity with great Kindness, for he delights to be cherished in his poor Members; therefore he was pleased to give each of them a present reward of their unfeigned Charity; for flying from their Embraces, our Lord immediately in a Cloud with great Glory, and with Gracious words assured them, that their Names were already written in the Book of Life, and that with his Saints they should be partakers of his Kingdom. This most Happy assurance Ethbin ascribed to the Merits of St. Winwaloc, esteeming vilely of himself; and on the other side St. Winwaloc, moved with the same Humility and Charity, cast the Merit on Ethbin.  
This year 432. is remarkable for the Happy Death of St. Ninianus beforementioned: This Holy man wonderful for Miracles, and Illustrious for many Virtues, at last approached to the Happy day, in which God Graciously called him out of this Mortal Life: So as being perfect in Grace and Piety, and mature in Age, he Happily mounted to Heaven; his Body was buried in the Church Dedicated to St. Martin, built by himself from the Foundation: The Centurioators add this to his Story, That he was a Venedocian, Teacher of Christian Verities, of a desert more than ordinary; To his Old Age he largely communicated the Talon, wherewith God had entrusted him, among the Britain's, Scots and Southern Picts. He was a man Assiduous in Reading the Holy Scripture, Merciful to Orphans, Widows and the Poor; Illustrious in Miracles and Sanctity: By his Pious Industry the Nation of the Picts, first of all relinquishing their Idolatry, embraced the true Faith of Christ: He was the first Bishop of Candida Casa, and died among the Picts in the Province of Galloway.  
I may further observe, that he was very Devout in giving Respect and Veneration to God's Saints, in whose Honour he built Churches, and in particular to the Honour of S. Martin, who died about 30 years before him: The example of St. Ninian, was imitated by the British Church near the same Age; for when St. Augustine the Monk came into Britain to Convert the Saxons, He found (saith St. Bede) in the City of Canterbury a Church Dedicated to the Honour of St. Martin, which had been built in the times of the Romans. St. Ninian before he died, divided the Provinces of the Picts into Parishes, he Ordained Priests there, and Consecrated Bishops, by the Authority of the Roman Bishop, from whom he received his Mission.  
He being famous for Miracles, it may not be amiss to reckon up one. In the Region of the Picts, there was a Prince named Tudwal, a man of a proud and high Spirit; he contemning the Admonitions of this man of God, and derogating from his Doctrine and Life, resisted him openly: Being one day more than ordinarily troublesome and rude; God the supreme Judge, would not any longer suffer the injuries offered to his Holy Servant, to pass unrevenged, but struck this proud man with an intolerable pain in his Head, by the violence whereof those lofty Eyes of his became utterly Blind; so that he who had before impugned the Light of Divine Truth, deservedly lost this Worlds Light. But upon better consideration he sent a Message to the Holy Bishop, humbly beseeching him, in imitation of our Lord's Benignity, to return to him good for evil, and love for hatred: The Venerable Bishop hereupon, first sharply reproved the Prince, and then touching him, imprinted on his Eyes the Sign of the Cross; when immediately his pains ceased, and his Blindness was dissipated. Afterwards this Prince highly Honoured the Holy Bishop, and readily granted whatsoever he asked of him.  
Our Countryman Alcuinus, in an Epistle not Printed, but now extant in Bishop Ushers Antiquities; Testifies the great Fame which this Holy Bishop had, for Sanctity and Miracles. This Epistle is directed to the Religious Priest, then living at Candida Casa. While Alcuinus lived, this following Miracle happened to a Devout Priest Celebrating Mass at this Saint's Monument, named Plegils, he frequently Solemnised Mass at the Body of St. Ninian; and living a Holy and Virtuous Life, began frequently to beseech our Lord, That he would please to show visibly to him, the Nature and Verity of the Body and Blood of Christ, in the most Blessed Sacrament: This Prayer he made, not for want of Faith, in the Truth of the Mystery, but out of an Affection of Devotion and Piety: For the Author saith, That to his great Consolation, our Lord appeared to him in the Sacrament in the form of a young Child.  
Three years after the death of St. Ninianus, St. Germanus was once more invited into Britain, to perfect the good Work which he had formerly began, in rooting out of the Pelagian Heresy, there spreading itself again, the Relation whereof we must borrow from the Learned Priest Constantius, a Writer of those times, and of most perfect Integrity and Sincerity. By a Message from Britain addressed to St. German, he was advertised that that Pestilent Heresy began to enlarge itself there, and entreated him once more to come over, and maintain the Cause of Divine Grace: The Holy Bishop readily complied with this Petition, being delighted to spend his strength in the Service of Christ: There was joined to him for his Companion Severus Bishop of Triers, a person of Consummate Sanctity: In the mean time three Infernal Spirits flying through the whole Island, foretold the return of St. Germanus, being forced so to do against their Will: Insomuch as one Elaphius, a Principal person of the Country, without any other notice hastened to meet the Holy Bishops: His Son went with him, upon whom, from the flower of his Youth, a lamentable Infirmity had seized, for all his Members were withered, and the Hamm of his Leg was so drawn together, that by reason of the dryness of his Thigh he could not set his Foot upon the ground; Elaphius was attended by almost the whole Province: As soon as they were met together, an Episcopal Benediction was conferred on the People, and the Words of Truth Preached to them. St. Germanus perceived that the generality of the People persevered constant in the Doctrine which he left among them, and that the fault lay upon a few busy persons, who were presently condemned. As for Elaphius, he humbly kneeling kissed the Bishop's Hands, presenting to him his Lame Son, so miserable a Spectacle, that he moved compassion in all, especially in the Holy Bishop's mind; St. German therefore presently commanded the young man to sit down, then handled his contracted Ham, and with his right Hand stroked all the infirm Members; immediately perfect Health and Strength attended that wholesome Touch; the withered Members recovered their natural Moisture, and his Sinews their Office and Agility. Thus in the sight of all, the young man was restored to his Father, as if he had been new made; the People are astonished at this Miracle, and the Catholic Faith is perfectly confirmed in their minds.  
The Holy Bishop spent his time in Preaching up and down, and the Hearers were every where Converted or Confirmed: So that by a Universal Consent, the Authors of the Perverse Doctrine, were brought before the Holy Bishops, and then banished out of the Island, and the Orthodox Faith remained uncorrupted; and all things being thus well composed, the Holy Bishops returned with a Prosperous Voyage.  
Howbeit, during his stay here, St. German is recorded to have called a Synod, and taking notice that many Churches wanted Pastors, by which means the People became wavering in their Faith; by common advice he selected Learned and Pious men, whom he ordained Bishops, and placed in several Churches: In particular, over all the Britain's; toward the Southern parts, he promoted the Blessed man Dubricius an Eminent Doctor, to be Archbishop, who was made choice of by King Mouricus and the whole Diocese: They constituted his Archepiscopal See at Landaff with the King's Consent, where a Church was Built, and Dedicated to the Honour of the prime Apostle St. Peter. That an Archepiscopal See was here thus planted, may be some mistake; for when that See was transplanted to Caerleon, an Archepiscopal See indeed was Established there; so that it may rather seem that only an Episcopal See was Erected at Landaff by Mouricus, who is said to be Son of Theodoric Prince of Morgannia, or Glamorganshire; which Prince, as Bishop Godwin relates, Resigned his Principality, and embraced a Monastical or Hermitical Life: But after, when the Saxons invaded the Land, he was drawn out of his Cell, to be Leader of an Army, and Courageously rushing among the Enemies, received a Mortal Wound, for which Merit he was Enrolled in the number of Martyrs.  
St. German's next care, after Ordaining Bishops, was to Visit the Schools, the Sources of Learning; and he is said to have Studied, or rather Taught for sometime in Oxford, and Established good Orders there, concerning which we may find an Illustrious Testimony of our Learned Countryman Asserius, who lived about 800. years since, and treating of the Controversy between the Students of Oxford and Grimbaldus, whom King Alfred had called out of France to govern that University, affirms, That the Scholars proved by unquestionable Testimonies of Ancient Annals, that the Orders and Institutes of that place, which Grimbaldus sought to change, had been Established by Pious and Learned men, As Gildas, Melkin, Nemri, Kentigern and others, who all grew Old in their Studies there, and Administered all things in Peace and Concord, affirm, They further showed, that St. Germanus came to Oxford, and abode there half a year, approving wonderfully their Orders and Institutions: Whether this be not a later Addition to Asserius, is suspected by some.  
It will not be amiss a little to inquire, what Doctrines were taught by St. Germanus to whom this Country of ours, was so much beholding: For by this enquiry it may appear whether St. Augustine the Monk sent by St. Gregory the Great in the following Age to Convert the Saxons, taught them a Religion differing from that which St. Germane professed; we need go no further in this enquiry then to Mr. Selden, well known to be Learned in Antiquity: The sixth Chapter of this Treatise, called, Analecta Anglo-Britanica, touching the Practices of Ecclesiastical Discipline wherewith Germanus and Lupus Bishops, embued the Britain's, may easily satisfy us in this particular; where he tells us, That Germanus Bishop of Auxerre, and Lupus Bishop of Troy's in Gaul came into Britain to restore Christian Religion depraved by the Heresy of Pelagius and Errors of Pagans: The Doctrines (saith he) taught by them, as the Fame is, which also Giraldus Cambrensis testifies, were as followeth.  
First, Of every Loaf of Bread set before them, one Corner they gave to the Poor.  
Secondly, They sat three together at Dinner in memory of the Trinity.  
Thirdly, If any met a Religious Monk or Clergyman in the way, or any one in a Religious Habit, he would presently lay aside his Weapons, and with a low inclination of his Head, demand his Benediction.  
Fourthly, Generally all the People earnestly demanded Episcopal Confirmation, and Inunction with Holy Chrism, by which the Holy Ghost is conferred.  
Fifthly, They sometime bestowed the Tithe of all their Substance, Cattle and Sheep, either when they Married, or undertook some long Pilgrimage, or by the Churches Order submitted to some extraordinary Penance for their Sins: This they call the great Tithes, and two parts thereof they bestowed on the Church where they were Baptised; the third they gave to the Bishop of the Diocese.  
Sixthly, Beyond all other External Labours of Mortification, they were most Devoted to Pilgrimages undertaken to Rome, to Visit the Monuments of the Apostles.  
Seventhly, Beyond any other Nation they expressed a Devout Reverence to Churches and Churchmen, to Relics of Saints, to Portable Bells, Sacred Books, and the Holy Cross; and this Devotion hath been rewarded with greater Peace, than any other Churches enjoyed.  
Eightly, Entire security was observed in regard of Beasts seeding not only in the Churchyards, but beyond them through all Grounds enclosed with Ditches, which Bishops design for observation of Peace and Indemnity: And greater Churches, to which Antiquity always afforded greater Reverence, have power to grant and enjoin the observation of such Peace and Security for Cattle, whilst in the Morning they go, and at Evening they Return from their Pastures.  
This Peace is preserved so inviolable, that if any one should incur the Mortal Indignation of his Prince, and seek Refuge in a Church, he may enjoy the Fruit of this Peace, both for his Person and Goods: Though indeed from such large Immunities beyond the Ancient Canons, (which in such cases allow safety of Life to a man's Body) occasion of great Abuses have been taken: Scarce any one of these Christian practices, but was allowed by St. Augustine. Yet is St. Augustine by some in those days condemned, and St. German Absolved.  
Our Ancestors indeed to testify their high esteem of the Venerable Bishop St. German's Sanctity, approved by Miracles; after his Death built Chapels and Churches to his Honour; on one of which Cambden thus writes, In Cornwall, near the River Liver, there is a Village named from St. German, to which, during the Danish Tumults, the Episcopal See of that Province was transferred, out of fear, as to a place more remote and secure: There a Church had been Erected, and Consecrated to the Honour of St. Germanus, who Extirpated the Pellagian Heresy arising a new among the Britain's. In Yorkshire likewise a famous Monastery was Consecrated to him: The River Owse Waters Selby a Town well Peopled; there King William the I. Founded a Church in memory of St. German, who is said, To have wounded to Death the many Headed Hydra of Pelagianism, often quelled, and often reviving again: The Abbots of this Monastery, and of St. Mary's at York, were the only Northern Abbots, which had Seats in Parliament.  
The memory of St. German is also much Celebrated among the Silureses in North-wales; for from him a part of Radnor-shire is called Guarthenian; for as Nennius relates, Vortimer the Son of Vortigern, to satisfy for injuries done by his Father to St. German, Dedicates that part of the Country to him, where he had been chief wronged, in memory whereof it took the name of Guartheny; which in the British Language, signifies, A Calumny justly retorted.  
Hitherto since the Romans relinquished their care of Britain, the Provinces of the Island had been governed by Petty-Princes, Independent one of another: But in the year 438. by reason of the frequent inroads of their Cruel Enemies the Picts and Scots, by common agreement of the Provinces, a general Captain of the whole Nation was chosen, after the manner of their Ancestors in the days of Julius Caesar, and the Kingdom established in that Captain's Line: The choice unhappily fell upon Vortigern, born for the destruction of his Country; He was a man void both of Courage and Council, addicted wholly to Carnal Pleasures, the Slave of most Vices, especially of Avarice, Pride and Luxury: He solicited, and with the hopes of making her a Queen, Deflowered his own Daughter, and of her got a Son, who by Miracle, notwithstanding his Incestuous Birth, through Divine Grace became a Saint, and was named St. Sanctus. The Wife of Vortigern, was equal to him in Birth, but unlike in Disposition; by her he had three Sons, Vortimer, Catigern and Pascentius: While she lived he governed with Moderation; but after her Death he loosed the Reins to all wickedness: For which being reproved by St. German, and in a Synod Excommunicated, he Revenged himself, by inflicting the forementioned Injuries and Calumnies upon the Holy Bishop: Before his Election to the Universal Government of Britain, he was Prince of the Danmonii, or as others writ, Consul of the Gevissei Inhabitants of the South-Western parts about Cornwall or South-Wales; which Principality it seems he had governed well enough, to be preferred before his fellow Princes: Though indeed the men of that Age, which Gildas terms, Atramentum aetatis, afforded so little choice, that a Prince not Profligately Vicious, might deserve some Reputation. However, this unworthy King is recorded a Restorer of the City of Oxford.  
To leave him a while, we may take notice, that among the Benefactions conferred by St. German on Britain, the Election and Consecration of St. Dubritius to the Bishopric of Landaff was not the least: This Dubritius was by Nation a Britain, born in the Province of the Dunetae, or West-Wales; He was Surnamed Gainius, from a River which runs by the place where he was born; His Mother's Name was Evedila, famous for her Virtues; and being a Child, had his mind embued with good Literature, so as in few years he made such proficiency in Learning, that not the Ignorant only, but such as had acquired a good degree in Knowledge, repaired to him, to increase their Skill, among whom were St. Theliaus. St. Samson and St. Aidanus: In the Soil of his Nativity, near the River Vaga, he chose a fit Seat, for his own and his Disciples Studies, and there he spent many years in the Charitable Communication of his Learning to others. Afterwards having by the command of an Angel built a Church there, he Preached, and Taught the people wholesome Christian Doctrine, and by imposing his Hands, he often Cured many Infirmities; and being thus qualified, he was advanced by St. German to the degree of a Bishop: He lived to a very Old Age for many years after this, he was Translated by Aurelius Ambrose to the Archbishopric of Caerleon in the Province of Monmouth, so as he will once more occur in our History; in the mean time we must not omit to say something of another Disciple of St. German, named St. Briocus a Britain, afterwards a Bishop in Armorica, so famous that the See of his Bishopric, Suffragan to Tours, is to this day from his Name called St. Brieu: He was descended of a Noble Stock, and brought by St. Germane out of Britain into Gaul, and by him there instructed in the Discipline of Piety: being enriched with such saving Doctrine, he returned into his own Country, and there informed his Parents in the true Faith, which he likewise Preached with great success in the Country about. After (desirous to employ our Lords Talents more Copiously,) he came over into Armorica, where having shed the Beams of Evangelical Light, into the mind of his Kinsman Cenanus Count of Triguier, he afterwards cleansed him in the Laver of Baptism; then assembling several devout persons, aspiring to the Perfection of a Religious Life, he built a Monastery, and there by the Liberality of the said Count, he laid the Foundation of an Episcopal See: And being Consecrated Bishop by the Archbishop of Tours; He, with an admirable Splendour of Virtue and Piety, governed the said Diocese the space of 30 years: Not long after, being in a Journey, he breathed forth his spotless Soul; his Body was carried back to the Church which himself had built; and there with great Honour Interred, and frequent Miracles are said to be wrought at his Relics: Thus, as he gave his Name to the Monastery, Town and Mother-Church of that Diocese, so he also afforded continual Protection to them.  
In the year of Grace 439. St. Patrick had spent 8 years in Ireland, and then returned into Britain, having fixed his Episcopal Chair at Armagh; after that, he is said to repair to the Apostolic See, to ratify his Proceed, as he was advised by an Angel of our Lord: After his return from thence, he retired to the Monastery of Glastonbury, and there ended his days, as St. Fugatius and Damianus before him had done. What were his special Exercises after such his Retirement, is recorded in History, viz. Attendance upon Prayer, Fasting and Purity of Life, instituting Rules for a Monastical Profession in Glastonbury, amongst such Religious men, as were there Successors of St. Joseph of Arimathaea: These St. Patrick reduced from an Eremetical to a Caenobitical course of Life, giving them Institutes which he had received from his Uncle St. Martin of Tours; who long since had clothed him with the Monastical Habit, which was a White Cowle of the natural colour of the Wool, over his other Garments, by which Purity and Innocence were denoted. This fashion was instituted by the British and Irish Monks, before the coming of St. Augustine; who, to distinguish himself from them, assumed a Black Cowle, so as his Successors were styled Black Monks.  
In Glastonbury it was, where St. Patrick wrote his Famous Chart beforementioned, wherein he particularly describes the Isle then called Ynswitrin, where was an Ancient Chapel Consecrated to the Honour of the most Blessed Virgin; where he found 12 Hermits Successors of the Disciples of St. Phaganus and Diruvianus, in which Chart was contained, That they had received from Pope Eleutherius ten years Indulgence; and that by a Revelation from our Lord, they had built a Church to the Honour of St. Michael the Archangel: How likewise it was signified to St. Patrick, by a Vision, That he was to Honour the Blessed Archangel in that place, for the certainty of which Vision, his Lefthand Withered, and was not restored, till he had acquainted his Brethren, with what he had seen. This Chart St. Patrick left with two Devout Irish Monks Arnulphus and Ogmar his Companions, who resolved to attend on that Chapel.  
The Holy Bishop further relates, That he conferred an Indulgence of 100 days on those who by cutting down Wood cleared a Passage for the Devout Visitants of the Chapel, Consecrated by our Lord himself to the Honour of his most Blessed Mother. At his return from Rome, St. Patrick brought with him some Relics of the Holy Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, and of St. Stephen the Blessed Deacon and Martyr, with a Linen-cloth, sprinkled with the Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which Holy Relics were reserved there behind the Altar of St. Patrick: These Relics are said to have been brought from Jerusalem by Eudocia the Wife of Theodosius, and laid up in the Church of St. Laurence the Martyr, and there Piously Venerated by Devout Christians. St. Patrick is reported after his return from Rome, to have Founded many Monasteries, which he filled with Religious men, who willingly fubmitted themselves to the form of a Religious Life, then prescribed unto them. He is said, To have foretell many Unfortunate, and many Prosperous things, which should bef all Britain; particularly the Sanctity of St. David, then enclosed in his Mother's Womb; By all which is confirmed St. Patrick's long abode in Britain after he had Converted the Irish Nation.  
Among the British Disciples of St. Patrick, the memory of St. Bachiarus, whom some affirm to be the same with Marcaeus or Morthaeus, is Celebrated. He addicted himself to the Study of good Literature at Caerleon; and became an Excellent Poet and Mathematician, in the Studies whereof in his younger years he entirely employed himself; but afterwards he had the Character of a man excellently versed in Christian Philosophy; for the preservation of his Integrity and Chastity, he is said, To have forsaken his Country, and undertaken a long Pilgrimage; The Britain's instructed by Germanus, accounting Pilgrimages, especially to Rome, amongst the works of Piety: This Holy man might likewise absent himself from his Country, in regard the Enormous Vices then and there reigning, could not but afflict his Righteous Soul, and give him cause to fear the Miseries soon ensuing, and desire a Happy opportunity of imploring the Divine assistance, for the relief of his afflicted Country. Yet he wanted not Detractours, who charged him with Levity and Vanity, or worse; so as he was forced to declare by writing, That he undertook those Travels for the Love of God, his own Soul, and his Distressed Country. He directed this his Defence especially to St. Leo the first Pope of that Name, as the common Father of all Christians: There is also extant a Learned and Elegant Epistle of his written on this occasion.  
He had heard that a certain Priest by the Devil's suggestion had violated a Consecrated Virgin, for which he was cast out of the Church without hope of being restored: The Holy man was deeply afflicted both for the Enormity of the Crime, and Severity of the Punishment; whereupon he wrote the said Epistle, replenished as well with Divine Learning as Compassionate Charity: This Epistle he gave to a Priest called Januarius; him he entreats and strongly Evinces for the Restitution of the Offender, showing, That in the most fruitful Field of God's Church, there grew Herbs Medicinal to every Wound: Then addressing his Speech to the Guilty Priest, He powerfully exhorts him to Penance in an enclosed Monastery, there to expiate his Crime by Fasting and Prayer, and to beg the Intercession of the Saints on his behalf; and fearing lest he should accumulate his sin by joining Marriage to his Incest; he terrifies him, by showing, The abominable Excess of Marrying one, who was Espoused and Consecrated to our Lord, when she took the Veil of her Religious Profession: By which, as in a Mirror, the state of Ecclesiastical Discipline, in those times, and the inviolableness of Caelebacy and Religious Vows, may be seen. He lived to a very Old Age, dying in the year 460. or as some say, long after that.  
In these times the Vandals by their Incursions and numerous Armies grievously oppressed the Roman Empire; and upon this opportunity the Scots and Picts broke their limits, and wasted the Provinces of Britain, which had been subject to the Romans, this happened in the 8th. year of Vortigern's Reign. The next year they continued their Invasion with such extreme violence, that after much Bloodshed, the Britain's sostned with Luxury, addressed their humble and Passionate Petition to the Romans; In these lamentable Expressions recorded by Gildas. To Aetius third time Consul: The Groans of the Britain's; Our Barbarous Enemies drive us to the Sea, the Sea beats us back upon our Barbarous Enemies: Between these two, we are exposed either to be Slain by the Sword, or Drowned; to avoid both, we find no remedy. These Letters availed nothing, the Romans had enough to do to secure their own Empire, so as the Britain's wanting Hearts and Arms, became daily a Prey to their Enemies. With this Calamity, saith St. Bede, another more terrible was joined, The extremity of Famine, forcing many of them, to render themselves Slaves to their Enemies for Bread; Only a few by these miseries being taught the Wisdom to seek Aid from Heaven, retired into accessible Mountains and Caves; from whence they look Courage, oftentimes with good success to set upon their Enemies, buisy in heaping Spoils, and drive them back into their own quarters: But no sooner were they freed from their Enemies, and that the Island began to abound with Provisions, but their Luxury also abounded, accompanied with all sorts of Vice, especially hatred of Divine Truth, and Cruelty one towards another, etc.  
The Patience of the all-good God being wearied, by a People to be prevailed with, neither in Prosperity nor Adversity, brought upon them Enemies far more Savage and Barbarous than either the Picts or Scots, or rather so besotted the Reprobate Britain's, that they themselves invited new Enemies from a remote Country, to Consume them, the Saxons, Angles and Jutes, Nations of Germany, Terrible for their undaunted Courage and Agility, formidable even to the Romans, because most sudden and Violent in their Erterprises, esteemed the most Warlike Nations among the Germans for strength of Body, Courage of Mind, and Patience in suffering Corporal Labours and Incommodities. Before we relate these dismal Tragedies, some more special occurrences happening about the same time, and relating to Ecclesiastical Affairs, require first a dispatch.  
St. Patrick, though for his particular Consolation, he had retired himself into the secure repose of a Monastery, was yet resolved, when any Emergent pressing necessity of God's Church required his Care and Presence, he would quit the Office of Mary sitting at our Lords Feet, and exchange it for that of Martha 's Ministry, in attending, and providing supply to his necessities in his Members: And indeed some Disorders in his new-Founded Irish Church broke forth, which after ten years quiet repose, drew him from his Solitude: What this Disturbance was, is not known particularly, yet may it perhaps be picked out of some one or more of those Canons or Decrees which in a Synod, at his return into Ireland by him Assembled, were constituted: These Decrees for many Ages lay concealed, and negligently exposed to Dust and Moths, but have of late by the Industry of Sir Henry Spelman, rescued and restored to Light, though in several places defaced: Some of them we shall here select, for the discovery of the Ecclesiastical Discipline practised in those times; It was there ordained, That if any Ecclesiastical person, from the Doorkeeper to the Priest, shall not for Decency wear a Tunick, and have his Hair cut after the Roman manner, or shall permit his Wife to go abroad Unveiled, he should be separated from the Communion. That a Monk and Consecrated Virgin, shall not abide in the same Lodging, nor Travel in the same Chariot: That if a Monk shall neglect the Divine Office, or wear long Hair, he shall be Excommunicate. That the Alms of Excommunicate Persons or Pagans, shall not be received. That if any Christian shall be guilty of Manslaughter, Fornication, or consulting Soothsayers, he shall perform Penance for each Crime, the space of a year: And he that is guilty of Stealing, half a year, of which 20 days he shall eat Bread only, and be withal obliged to Restitution: That if any Christian shall believe Spirits may be presented in a Glass, he shall be Anathematised, etc. That if any Consecrated Virginshall Marry, she shall be Excommunicated, till she be Converted, and forsake her Adulteries; which having done, she is to perform due Penance, after which they are not to live in the same House or Town. That if any Priest shall build a Church, he must not offer Sacrifice in it, before it be Consecrated by the Bishop. That if a Clergyman be Excommunicated, he must say his Prayers alone, and not in the same House with his Brethren; neither must he presume to Offer or Consecrate till he be Absolved: That a Bishop may not Ordain in another Bishop's Diocese without his Consent, only upon Sundays he may offer Sacrifice. That a Clerk coming from Britain into Ireland without a Testimonial, be not suffered to Minister.  
There is no mention made of this, or any other Irish Synod in any Author, except only the Authors of St. Patrick's Life, where this general Passage may be found. The most Holy Bishop St. Patrick, together with three other Bishops, and many Clarks, came to a Fountain called Debach, which flows from the side of Crochon toward the East, there to Celebrate a Synod touching Ecclesiastical Affairs, and they sat near the Fountain; when behold two Daughters of King Legaren came early in the morning, to wash in the same Fountain, as Women there usually did; and there found the Holy Synod with St. Patrick near the Fountain. The Inscription of this Synod runs thus, Thanks be given to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Patricius, Auxilius and Isserninus to the Priests, Deacons and whole Clergy, Health: It is better we should premonish those who are negligent, then blame things just; for Solomon saith, It isbetter to Reprove then to be Angry: The Tenor of our Definition gins thus, If any Captive, etc.  
Another Holy Bishop and Disciple of St. Patrick is once more to be Commemorated, St. Albeus, who when he heard that St. Patrick had Converted to our Lord Engus King of Munster (Momonensium) and was with him in the Royal City Cassel, came to Salute them: Now the King and St. Patrick joyfully received him: And the Holy man Reverently Entertained his Master St. Patrick, for he was very Humble. After which this King Engus and St. Patrick ordained, that the Archepiscopal See of all Munster, should be for ever placed in the City and Chair of St. Albeus. The Conversion of King Engus was after this manner: When St. Patrick had Sown the Faith of Christ in Lemster, he Prosecuted his way to the limits of Munster; where the King with great Joy met him, having an earnest desire to Believe and be Baptised, and with much Reverence conducted him to his Royal City Cassel, and having been instructed, Believed, and received Baptism. Three years after this, St. Patrick Consecrated St. Benignus Archbishop of Armagh, and there quitting his Solicitude for others, returned into Britain, to his much desired Solitude of Glastonbury, where he ended his days.  
His Successor St. Benignus, after seven years spent in Care of his Province, Thirsting after Solitude, and willing to see his Beloved Master, and desirous also to receive from him a most perfect Rule of Monastical Discipline, by the Admonition of an Angel came to Glastonbury; and there demanded of St. Patrick, What place he should make choice of to live in Union with God alone, divided from Humane Society? St. Patrick's answer was, That he should pursue Happily his well begun purpose, saying, Go my beloved Brother, and take only your Staff with you; and when you shall be arrived at the place appointed by God for your Repose, wheresoever it be, having fixed your Staff in the ground, you shall see it flourish, and grow Green, there know you must make your abode. Both of them being thus comforted with mutual Discourses, St. Benignus accompanied only with a Youth named Pincius, began his Journey through Woody and Moorish places; but as soon, as he was arrived at an Island, where he saw a Solitary place, and which he judged sit for his Habitation, he presently fixed his Staff in the ground, which without delay wonderfully grew Green, and brought forth Leaves: There therefore St. Benignus resolved to abide until Death in the Service of God alone: And for many years after the same Tree, as a witness and sign of the Blessed man's Sanctity, remained flourishing with Green Boughs, over his Oratory. Now though that Solitary place, separated from Worldly Conversation, was very proper for the attending God in Divine concerns; yet one Incommodity it had, that no Water was near, so that young Pincius was compelled every day to fetch Water almost three Miles off: Whence it came to pass, that partly through Weariness, but principally through suggestions of wicked Spirits, he grew disheartened, which the Holy man perceiving, ofttimes endeavoured to Comfort and Encourage him. At last taking compassion of his Labours, he Prostrating himself on the ground, Humbly and Hearty besought our Lord, to open for his Servant a Spring of Water, which might sufficiently supply his Necessities: After which, admonished by an Angelic Vision, he gave his Staff to young Pincius, commanding him to go to a certain place, full of Reeds, and their striking the ground with his Staff, he should without doubt find water, so earnestly desired by them: The Child obeyed, went to the place, and in the Name of the Blessed Trinity struck the ground three times, making three Holes in it, with the end of the Staff, which he had no sooner done, but immediately a Fountain gushed forth, from whence to this day a Brook, and that no small one is supplied, being not only productive of Fish, but Sanative also of many Infirmities.  
This Island is said to have the Name of Ferramere: Bishop Usher seems to agree that this Holy Bishop four years before his Death, came into Britain, and relinquished his Arch Episcopal See, for his retirement as aforesaid. He is supposed to have ended his Life about the year of Christ 455. And 630 years after, His Sacred Body was translated to Glastonbury by the direction and care of Thurston then Abbot.  
The Example of St. Patrick and St. Benignus, was imitated by many other Irish Saints, who, to enjoy perfect vacancy from Worldly Affairs, retired into Britain, to Consecrate themselves unto God in a Life of Austerity and Contemplation; Cornwall was the Province to which they most frequently betook themselves: In so much as Cambden had just ground to say, That the People of Cornwall have always born such Veneration to the Irish Saints that retired thither, that almost all the Towns in that Province, have been Consecrated to their Memory: There is St. Buriens Dedicated to an Irish Religious Woman of that Name; to the Church whereof King Ethelstan in the year 936. gave privilege of Sanctuary: There is the Town of St. Jies, so called from St. Jia, a Woman of singular Sanctity. who came thither from Ireland: There is St. Colomb, so named from an Irish Saint Columba: There is St. Merven, St. Erben, St. Eval, St. Wen, St. Enedor, and many other places, all which took their Names from Irish Saints: But one special Irish Saint is there Venerated, called St. Piran, by the Irish St. Kiacan, concerning whom Bishop Usher writes, That he hearing that in Rome Christian Religion was most purely taught, and Faithfully practised, forsook Ireland and Travelled thither, where being arrived, he was instructed in the Christian Faith, and Baptised; and there he remained 20 years, reading Divine Scriptures, and learning Ecclesiastical Rules with all diligence. He adds further, That at Rome he was ordained Bishop, and sent into Ireland 30 years before St. Patrick: So that by some Irish Writers he is called the first born of their Saints: Howbeit in the Roman Martyrology, St. Patrick is said to be the first, who Preached Christ in Ireland; probable it is that this Saint was one of the first 12 Bishops Consecrated by St. Patrick to propagate the Faith first Preached in Ireland by him, and was by his Example, as many others were, so inflamed with Divine Love, that they forsook all Worldly things, and led an Hermetical Life; for it is Reported that St. Piran, calling his Disciples together, and other People, told them, It was the Divine Will that he should forsake Ireland, and go into Cornwall, there to expect the end of his days; And having thus dismissed them, he sailed into Cornwall, where he built a Mansion for himself; and after many Miracles which God had there wrought by him, an Infirmity of Body seized upon him, of which Languishing, he called his Brethren together, whom he Copiously instructed in the concerns of God's Kingdom, and commanded his Grave to be made ready; which done, he went down into it, and there rendered up his Soul to God, which, with great Glory was received into Heaven. His Sacred Body Reposes in Cornwall towards the Northern Sea, 15 Miles from Padstow or Petrockstow, and 25 Miles from Mousehole; Cambden mentions a Chapel Dedicated to St. Piran, seated in a Sandy place, He was (saith he) a Holy man, which came from Ireland; and if we may believe the Legend, fed ten Irish Kings and their Armies, with his three Cows, raised to Life dead Men and dead Pigs, and in that place divested himself of his Mortality.  
During the Reign of the Infamous King Vortigern, when the Britain's were so Effeminated with Vice; that being unable to resist the Tyranny of their Neighbours, they called in from a remote Country more Cruel Tyrants: God to blot out the shame and Cowardice of the former Armies, raised another British Army of Virgins, conducted by a Royal and Saintly Virgin St. Ursula. Some assign this story to former times, but for many very considerable reasons, it will suit with no other times than we are now upon, viz. When Attila King of the Huns, truly Surnamed Gods scourge, wasted Italy and the Western Regions, with Germany and Gaul, burning the City of Metz, Massacring Priests before the Holy Altars; insomuch as we read, That the Holy Bishop St. Lupus was led Captive by Attila from Troy's to the Rhine. Now whereas in the Gests of these Holy Virgins, mention is made of the Tyrant Maximus; it cannot be intended of that Maximus who slew the Emperor Gratian, but of a younger Maximus, descended perhaps from the stock of the former, and who also invaded the Empire, after the death of Valentinian.  
And indeed if we consider the then present state of Britain, the Martyrdom of these Virgins cannot so properly be ascribed to any other times then to this, when the poor Britain's were distressed on every side, as well by their Revolted Friends the Saxons, as by their Enemies the Scots and Picts; It was then but lately that Vortigern had called in the former against the latter, and Hengist with his Brother Horsa at first Fought successfully against them: But soon after those Valiant Captains despising their Friends for their Vices and Cowardice, they wrought upon the Luxury of Vortigern, seeking to entrap him with the Beautiful Rowena, Daughter of the Deceitful Hengist. Vortigern thus ensnared, bought Rowena at no less price than the whole Province of Kent.  
Then the Saxons begin to pick a quarrel with their Benefactors, and making Peace with the Picts and Scots, turn their Arms against the poor Britain's, threatening to lay the whole Island waste; which Threats they soon Executed with all Inhumanity, and in a dismal manner, took revenge of all the Crimes committed by the Britain's against God and his Religion, by them professed: During these Miseries and Troubles, a world of Britain's of both Sexes, forsook their Country, forsaken by God, and fled into strange Regions, whilst others submitted to perpetual slavery under the Saxons. Gildas expresseth this Calamity thus, saying, That very many passed over Sea, with grievous Howling and Lamentation; and in their Voyage, jointly with Mournful Voices, repeated these Words of the Psalmist, Thou hast, O Lord, given us up as Sheep to be devoured, and hast dispersed us among the Nations: This Complaint suits best with the weaker Sex, especially those Virgin Martyrs whose Relics were dispersed among all the Nations of Christendom: Having thus settled the time of their Martyrdom; Without all Controversy they were all Britain's, though some Writers, would have them to be Irish, without any solid reason.  
The constant opinion is, that they were no less in number then 11000. This appears by the Hymn used in the Church of Colen, for the Celebration of their memory: The cause why so many Virgins departed into Foreign parts, is thus related by Trihemius, though he err in point of time.  
The number of Soldiers (saith he) which under their Captain Conanus, went out of Britain into Armorica, was 30000 Fighting-men, and 100000 Plebeibians to Till the ground; of these many were unmarried: Now Conanus and his Company being Christians, would not take Wives of the Idolatrous Pagans: At that time there was a Prince in that part of Britain which is opposite to Armorica, named Dionatus a prudent man, who succeeded his Brother Caradoc in that Principality. He had a Daughter named Ursula, the most Beautiful amongst all the Virgins of Britain, and withal very Devout to our Lord.  
Conanus the ninth Prince of Armorica sent Letters to this Dionatus Prince of Cornwall, entreating him to send her for his Wife, and with her a certain number of Virgins, to be Espoused to his Soldiers according to their qualities. Dionatus at this request of Conanus, gathered out of all the Provinces of Britain 11000 Maids of Noble Blood, and of Inferior fort 60000 Women, partly Maids, and partly such as had been Married; all these he commanded to be Transported for the purpose aforesaid: These are said to be ordered, and distributed into Ranks under several Leaders.  
Of the 11000 Virgins, St. Ursula was Queen, and Captain-General, over the whole Army; to her were joined four other Virgins, who had also a General command; their Names were Pinnosa, Cordula, Eleutheria and Florentia: Under these were appointed eleven others, each of which was to govern a 1000  
This story hath been so corrupted with Prodigious Fictions, that the very Truth of it would have been questioned, if not lost, had not Revelation and extraordinary Providence rescued and preserved it. True it is, that neither Gildas or Bede make any express mention of this Story, the first aiming chief to inveigh against the Vices of the Britain's; the latter, to relate the Affairs of the Saxons; yet both of them give us some intimations of this matter, and St. Bede twice expressly mentions the Celebration of the memory of these 11000 Virgin Martyrs, suffering for their Faith and Chastity at Colen. The plain and simple Narration of their Gests is this.  
In the year of our Lord 453. St. Ursula and her forementioned Companions for the purposes before rehearsed, sailed out of their Port in Britain toward Armorica; but were so driven, and disturbed in their course, by contrary Winds and Tempests, that they were forced to shelter themselves at the entrance of the Rhine into the Sea: At this time infinite numbers of Hunns, Gepids' and Russians, and other Barbarous Nations of the North, by Land and Sea vexed both Germany and Gaul. By God's special Providence, who intended to match these Holy Virgins to a Spouse incomparably better than their parents had designed for them; in the same station where they took Harbour, a great Navy of those Savage Pirates lay floating, so that there was no possibility to escape them: The poor Virgins are soon seized on by those Pirates, who were mingled with many of the old Enemies of Britain, the Picts; for the chief Captains of this Fleet were Gaunus a Hun, and Melga a Pict. Being thus become Captives, they were in Boats conveyed up the Rhine as far as Colen; when they were arrived there, and encompassed with innumerable multitudes of Savages, hating Christian Religion, and Brutish in their Sensual Lusts, both the Faith and Chastity of these Holy Virgins were at once assaulted; so as no means either by Allurements or Threats were left un-attempted to expugn their Chaste Breasts. In this extremity St. Ursula with flaming words, exhorts her Companions, to contemn Death, and to Sacrifice their Chaste Souls and Bodies to their Celestial Bride groom, and willingly to follow him who called them to receive Eternal Crowns of Glory. She tells them, Though their Enemies be never so many, strange, and Cruel, yet they should be unconquerable; unless they would willingly yield up the Victory: With these Exhortations the minds of these Holy Virgins became so full of Courage, that they think their Executioners delay their Death too long; insomuch, as amongst so vast a multitude of tender Maids, not one single person was found, which either out of Hope or Fear, yielded to the Wills of the Barbarous Soldiers.  
They all willingly offer their Necks and Breasts to the Enemy's Swords, which with unheard of Cruelty were Employed to exterminate from the Earth so many immaculate Souls, who by a Miraculous care of Almighty God, would not suffer any Violation in their Bodies: Only one there was among them, who though she would not yield, yet through a Natural fear of Death, sought by hiding herself to avoid it: Her Name was Cordula; yet she the next morning came to the place where her Companions Bodies lay Massacred, and condemning her former Cowardliness, willingly offered herself to her Persecutors, professing publicly her Faith and Chastity; so as though she came late to receive her Crown, yet her Courage seemed now greater, in that she opposed herself single, to an innumerable multitude of Savage Enemies.  
Her memory is thus particularly Celebrated in the Roman Martyrology, the day following the Martyrdom of St. Ursula and the rest; such a Sacrifice as this had never before, nor hath since been offered to God by his Church. We read of St. Agnes, St. Katherine and St. Lucia, with a few other Miraculous examples of Courage and Chastity in tender Virgins; but they were single persons, neither is it un-usual with God, to show the Power of his Grace, in some particular Favourite of his, to exalt the Faith, and confound unbelievers: There have likewise been recorded Illustrious Examples of multitudes of men, who have freely without resistance suffered Martyrdom, as the Thebaean Legion, etc. But such Courage in men, especially in Soldiers, who daily look death in the face, is not very extraordinary: Whereas here we find, a far more numerous Army, consisting of Young Timorous, tender Virgins, offering themselves to innumerable Swords; not one single Soul yields to the Flatteries or fury of their Enemies, one only delays her Suffering, the space of one single night; and then animated as it were, with the united Spirits of all her Companions, next day solicits the fury of innumerable Enemies, against herself alone, and joyfully triumphing over the rage of Men, and Hell, is joyfully received amongst her Companions.  
The fame of these Virgin's Courage, was no sooner spread abroad in the World, but all Countries and Churches became suitors to be Enriched with a portion of their Sacred Relics, which have been since dispersed through Germany, Gaul, Italy, Britain, yea Asia, afric, and of late India itself, to the sulfilling of St. Vrsula's Canticle. Thou, O God, hast given us as Sheep to be devoured, and hast dispersed us among the Nations. Not above ten years after this Glorious Martyrdom, about the year of Grace 463. Solinus Archbishop of Colen, in Reverence to the memory of the Holy Virgins, enclosed with Walls the Sacred place of their Martyrdom, in which was Erected a Church Consecrated to their Chief Captain St. Ursula, which remains to this day; by the access of which place, the City of Colen was much enlarged: He took out of the ground, as carefully as he could their Sacred Bones, which he again Reverently buried in Chests Hewn out of stone: Neither did Britain long delay to testify her Veneration of those her Blessed Children, for Cambden treating of Maidenhead, hath this Observation, The Thames (saith he) winds back to a little Town formerly called Southlington, afterward Maidenhead, from the Superstitious Reverence there given to the Head, of I know not what Holy Virgin; one of the 11000. British Martyrs, which under the conduct of St. Ursula, returning from Rome into their Country were Martyred by Attila, called the scourge of God, near Colen in Germany.  
I shall only here set down the Names of such of these Virgins, as have escaped Oblivion, and adjoin the Churches where many of them are Venerated, in regard their Holy Relics there repose: St. Ursula divided her Innocent Army into several Squadrons; first she gave a general Authority over all under her, to these Virgins St. Cordula, St. Eleutheria, St. Florentia and St. Pinnosa; next she assigned the Care and Inspection to each of these, viz. St. Benedicta, St. Benigna, St. Carpophora, St. Celindes, St. Clementia, St. Columba, St. Laeta, St. Lucia, St. Odilia, St. Sapientia, and St. Sibylla; other particular Virgin's Names are recorded, St. Agnes, St. Antonina, St. Areaphila, St. Babraria, St. Baldina, St. Candida, St. Caradumea, St. Christina, St. Columbina, St. Corona, St. Cunera, St. Deodata, St. Flora, St. Florina, St. Florentina, St. Gratia, St. Honorata, St. Honoria St. Hostia, St. Languida, St. Margarita, St. Margaria, St. Oliva, St. Pampheta, St. Pamefrides', St. Pavia, St. Paulina, St. Pharanina, St. Pisona, St. Sambaria, St. Sancta, St. Semibaria, St. Terentia and St. Valeria. The Body of St. Ursula is still preserved at Colen, but her Head was translated to Paris, where the Illustrious College of Sorbon acknowledge her their Patroness: At St. Denis in France there is a Commemoration of Panefredis, Secunda, Gemibaria, Florina and Valeria, whose Relics Repose there: At Hue in Germany is Celebrated the Translation of St Odilia, famous for frequent Miracles: The Monastery of Marcian in Flanders, possesses some part of the Body of St. Cordula: The Monastery of Good-hope, belonging to the Premonstratenses, enjoys the Relics of St. Terentia, St. Marguarita, St. Baldina, St. Sambaria and St. Margaria, Translated thither when Reinaldus was Archbishop of Colen: The Monastery of St. Martin in Tourney Glories in the Bodies of St. Honour at a and Florina, and some part of the Relics of St. Ursula: The Monastery of St. Amand in Pabula, preserves the Bodies of three of those Virgins, whose Names are unknown: At Andain in Arduenna, repose the Bodies of St. Grata, St. Hostia and St. Areaphila: An Hospital in Tourney possesses St. Languida; at Arras, the Bodies of St. Beata and St. Sancta are said to repose in the Cathedral Church; four of these Holy Virgins are Celebrated in the Monastery of St. Bertini in St. Aumar: At the Church of St. Salvius, the Relics of St. Pavia and St. Caradumea are Venerated: The Norbertines at Vicorne possess the Bodies of St. Corona, St. Pharanina, St. Babcaria, St. Margarita, and another of the same Name St. Benedicta, St. Cordula, St. Sambaria, St. Deodata, St. Pampheta, St. Christiana: The Canons of Tongres Venerate the Heads of St. Pannosa and St. Oliva: The Nuns of Mays Venerate the Relics of St. Paulina, St. Florentina, and Eight other of the said Holy Virgins: In the Town of Rheune, in the Diocese of Vtrecht, is Celebrated the memory of St. Cunera, who it is said, was a while concealed by a certain Noble Matron, but being discovered had her neck broken: But the Belgic Writers say, She was by a Nobleman in Compassion taken from the rest, and conveyed to his House, where his Lady stirred up with Jealousy, Murdered her, and hid her Body in the Stable; into which the Lords Horses at his return, would by no means enter, by reason whereof the Murder was discovered: The Nuns of St. Belian Honour the Body of St. Honoria, Translated thither long since: At Pobletum in Catalonia rests the Body of St. Columbina: And at Dertosa are Venerated the Relics of St. Candida: In all the Religious Houses of the Jesuits throughout all Portugal, some part of the Bodies of these Virgin Martyrs are Reverently reposed; and the Feast of St. Ursula after a particular manner Solemnised over all that Kingdom.  
Lastly A Father of the same Society named F. Gomez, carried with him into the East-Indies the Head of one of those Virgins, by whose Intercession the Ship and Passengers escaped from, otherwise unavoidable dangers.  
To conclude this Story, with the observation of a Learned Writer upon it, How great a measure of Christian Fortitude (saith he) hath been implanted in the Hearts of the Women of that Northern Island, since the time that St. Eleutherius Bishop of Rome sent into Britain St. Fugatius and St. Damianus; may be evidently seen by this one Example: For, from all Antiquity of the Church through the whole World, cannot be produced an example, equalling the Virtue and Courage of these Holy Kirgin-Martyrs.  
The purpose of Almighty God began now to appear to root out the Incorrigible Britain's, and in their room plant the Saxons, who were at first more numerous than their Companions, either the Jutes or the Angli; and from them, having prevailed, this Country was called Saxonia transmarina, though after it took its denomination from the Angli, who became numerous and Powerful: The Saxons were a Nation derived from the Sacae, a Powerful People of Asia, who disburthening themselves by sending Colonies abroad, settled in the Coasts of Germany toward the Northern Sea, from the Rhine as far as Denmark, so as their Territories were Anciently much larger than the Duchy of Saxony: The Angli came out of a Region called Anglia, situate between the Saxons and the Jutes; their Capital City in the Saxon Tongue, is called Sleswick, and by the Danes Haitby; from these the greatest part of Britain is called England: From these also came their prime Captains, Hengist and Horsa, and in truth the precise Seat of our Progentiors the Angli, is a small Province in Denmark, at this time called Angel: The Jutes or Goots were Anciently seated on the Northern Coast of the Cimbrian Chersonesus, called by the Danes to this day Jutland: They were probably derived from the Gutti, placed by Ptolemy in Scandia, and their seat is still called Gothland; yet are they not the same Goths or Geteses, who, with their Victories heretofore measured all Europe; for their Habitation was near the Euxine Sea: In what particular Provinces of Britain these Jutes seated themselves, it doth not appear, nor is there any mention of any Principality they had in this Island, as the Saxons and Angli had, to whom the Jutes were rather to be accounted Accessaries in mingled Companies; though some think, they possessed themselves of the Kingdom of the South Saxons and the Isle of Wight.  
They are all generally comprehended under the Title of Saxons, and are described to be of the most Robustious Bodies, and most Agile of all the Germans: Witchindus the Monk, treating of them, saith, The Franks wondered to see such men of Tall Stature, Invincible Courage, of unwonted Habits, wearing their long Hair spread over their Shoulders and Arms; but especially they admired their undaunted Courage: They wore short Coats, and were Armed with long Lances, and their Posture was to lean upon their Shields, having great Daggers behind upon their Reins. Impatient were they of any Scorn or Dishonour; insomuch, as when Symmachus being Consul at Rome, had prepared great numbers of them to Fight as Gladiators for the Entertainment of the People, the night before they were to be brought upon the Theatre, 24 of them without any Ropes strangled themselves.  
Their principal Exercise and Skill was in Piracy, in small Flat-bottomed Boats, so nimble and manageable, that with them they vexed the Coasts of Gaul, Spain and Britain; so as the Romans were obliged all along the Coasts to appoint Soldiers and Officers, for their Guards, who were called, Counts of the Saxon Coasts.  
Their Religion is thus described, viz. That in a Temple of theirs, called in their Language Vbsola, adorned with Gold throughout, the People Adore the Statues of three Gods; the most Powerful, they call Thor, who is placed in the midst, and on each side are set the Statues of Woden and Fricca: Thor they conceived to preside in the Air, to send Thunders, Lightnings, Showers and Serene Seasons, and to govern the Fruits of the Earth. Woden signifies Valiant, he disposes of Wars, and administers Courage to them against their Enemies; Fricca bestows Peace and Pleasure on men; to her Statue is adjoined a huge Priapus. Woden they Carved in Arms, as the Romans did Mars; and Thor with a Sceptre, answering Jupiter: From these three Deities they named three days of the Week; from Woden, whom some interpret to be Mercury, Wednesday took its Appellation; from Thor, Thursday, from Fricca or Frea, supposed to be the Wife of Woden, Friday; Tuesday had its Name from Tuisco, Founder of the Germane Nation, who thence are Named Tuitsch or Dutch: The Month of April they usually called Easter Month, the Solemnity of our Lord's Resurrection, usually falling on that Month: To Woden they usually offered Humane Sacrifices chosen from their Captives.  
Yet among all these Abominations, those Ancient Saxons had some qualities very commendable, especially their Chastity; Tacitus hath observed, That their Marriages were severe, and such Christ exactly observed amongst them; that they were almost the only Barbarians, who contented themselves with single Wives, their Wives are confined to their Houses, kept from the sight of impure Spectacles, and provocations of Intemperate Feasts: Salvian also hath Honoured the Saxons for their Chastity, though he blames them for their Cruelty. And after that time St. Boniface writes thus of them, That in old Saxony, where was no knowledge of Christ; if either a Maid or Wife be guilty of Adultery, they force her to strangle herself, and then burn her Body; or else, after they have cut off her Garment to the Waste, the Chaste Matrons whip her out of their Confines; and there fresh Women meet her with Whips, or prick her with Knives; and thus they use her till they have killed her.  
Upon this Foundation of Chastity the Saxon Churches amongst us continued stable for many Ages: Hence were derived so many numberless swarms of Virgins, and Religious men, despising all Carnal Temptations and Pleasures: In no Nation or Church such frequent Examples have been afforded of Princes; willingly and by Vow abstaining from Lawful and Matrimonial Pleasures; of Virgins willingly exposing their Lives to preserve their Purity; yea Disfiguring themselves, for their appearing Odious to those who otherwise would have violated their Chastities: But now alas Chastity is not so much esteemed.  
It will not here be amiss to take a view of the Britain's of that Age, that we may see, God did not forsake them, till they had filled up the measure of their sins by all manner of Impieties: A more convincing witness whereof cannot be found then their own British Historian Gildas, who seems to have his Pen directed by God, on purpose to write, like another Jeremias, the heavy Judgements inflicted on his Country; and the more heavy Crimes, from Heaven exacting those Judgements: The whole Nation generally, is by him acknowledged guilty of all manner of Vices, joined with extreme Ingratitude to God; for whereas after the Incursions of the Picts and, Scots there ensued such wonderful Plenty of all things, as no former Age coul parallel; the Britain's turned this into wantonness, abounding more than ever, in all manner of Uncleanness and Luxury; which Filthiness was accompanied with hatred of the Truth; so that if any one in Conversation, showed any sign of a Christian Life, the general hatred of the Britain's soon pursued him: From this contempt of Divine Benignity, God sought reclaim them, by his scourges of Pestilence and Famine, by which such multitudes perished, that the Living were not able to bury the Dead. Princes (saith Gildas) were Anointed, but not by our Lord, for those were made choice of to reign, who were most Eminent for their Cruelty, and presently after Murdered by their Anointers, and others more Fierce and Savage were Elected.  
By the way we may hence perceive, that in those Ancient times, the Solemn Ceremony of Anointing Kings was in use: This is also confirmed by St. Gregory, who declares, That in his time, what Prince soever was raised to the height of Royal Dignity, received the Sacrament of Unction. The manner how this Unction was administered, is still extant in the Book called Ordo Romanus: Selden indeed will needs have this passage in Gildas to be taken Metaphorically, contrary to the constant succeeding Practice among the Saxons: To show what little hopes our Historian had of any amendment amongst the Britain's; he further chargeth the ecclesiastics of those times, who should have been Correctors of others, to have been yet more corrupt than the Laity: For, (saith he) those Enormous sins were not only committed by Secular men, but by Gods own flock and the Pastors thereof: Those who ought to have been Examples of Piety to the People, were most of them, dissolved with Wine, and all manner of Excess: Animosities, Contentions, Envy against one another, tore them into Factions; Insomuch, as Gildas Compiled a particular Treatise, called, The Correction of the Clergy, which he gins thus, Britain has Priests, but many of them Impudent; It has Clergymen, but great numbers of them Covetous Oppressors, Deceitful Pastors, or rather Wolves to destroy the Souls of their flock, having no regard to the Spiritual good of their People; but only seeking to fill their own Bellies: They possess the Houses of the Church for Lucre's sake only: If they teach the People, they render that Instruction fruitless, by their ill Example: They seldom Sacrifice, and more seldom approach the Altars with Pure Hearts, etc. He further chargeth the Clergy with Simony, Purchasing Live and Bishoprics with Money, of the then Ruling Tyrants, etc.  
Hence we may plainly perceive, why the Nation was delivered over to the Sword; and the Barbarous Nations which came for its Punishment, were for their reward called to embrace the Christian Faith: Neither was Britain alone thus punished, but all the Provinces of Europe, were made Desolate by innumerable Armies of Barbarous People from the North; and the Church of God so afflicted, as if our Lord had cast off all care of his flock: But if we consider consequents, we shall find that the Catholic Church, thereby received a great increase both in the number of Professors, and the Zeal of their Profession; for though those Barbarous Nations for a while Persecuted the Church, yet e'er long our Lord subdued their Minds, and those strong Natural Passions of theirs were employed in advancing God's Church; insomuch, as the Apostles time and Primitive Age could scarce afford such Heroical Examples of Christian Zeal, Magnanimity and Contempt of the World, as those Barbarous People once Converted did: So Healthful is the Severity of God towards his People.  
Many Historians accuse the Cowardly Sloth of King Vortigern, as if he weary of the Troubles of War, chose rather with his Money to Hire Stipendiary Strangers, than to train up his own Subjects to resist his Enemies; and therefore invited the Saxons to Fight for the Britain's: But as Beda saith, This was done by the common advice of the Nation; For a meeting was assembled, wherein it was thought best by all, as well as by the King, to demand Aid of the Saxons: Which resolution, doubtless was ordered by Divine Providence, to punish the Impious Britain's, as the event declares; for Gildas reflecting on the madness of this Consultation, thus exclaims, O the profound Blindness of the Britain's minds! O the Stupidity of their Senses! These Saxons at whose Names they trembled, when they were absent, are now by the foolish Princes, invited to live in their own Houses, so senseless was their Council: How senseless soever it was, Ambassadors were sent into Germany, men of the highest repute, and such as might most worthily represent their Country: Witchindus thus describes the order of this Embassage. Fame (saith he) loudly proclaiming the Prosperous Victories of the Saxons, the Britain's sent Messengers to them to beg their assistance, who did it in these words, viz. O Noble Saxons, our miserable Countrymen the Britain's, wearied and even consumed with the frequent Incursions of their Enemies; having heard of your glorious Victories, have sent us humbly to implore your Aid; in recompense whereof, they offer to you a Province Spacious and Abounding with all things: We have hither to lived Happily under the Protection of the Romans; after them, we know no Nation better than yourselves, to whom we may have recourse; we therefore desire to shelter ourselves under the Wings of your Courage, etc. It may be doubted whether this Oration were delivered in so submiss a stile, for they were sent to hire the Saxons with a large Stipend, not to yield up the Country to them. However, sure it is, the Saxons in their Answer, assured the Britain's, They would be Faithful Friends to them, ready always to assist them in their Necessities, and to do them all Offices of Kindness. With which Answer the Ambassadors returned home well satisfied, and were joyfully received by their Countrymen: This satisfactory Message was returned in the year of our Lord 448. and the year following an Army of Saxons under their chief Conductors Hengist and Horsa, landed in Britain; whose coming Gildas in his Angry stile thus describes, mingling with it a Prophecy among the Saxons, relating to it: Then (saith he) a drove of Whelps rushing out of the Barbarous Lionesses, came hither in three Ships with full sails, and an ominous Course; encouraged by a Prophecy certainly believed among them, that for the space of 300 years, they should Possess the Country; toward which they directed the Prow of their Ships, and that in half of that time, they should often lay it waste: They first fastened their terrible Nails, by order of the unhappy Tyrant Vortigern, on the Eastern part of the Island, with a pretence to defend, but with an intent to subdue the Country: There may be some shadow of Truth in this Prophecy, for the Saxons for 300 years may be said to be Possessors of the Island, under the Title of Saxony beyond the Sea.  
After the Angli gave their own Name to it: Besides, after 150 years, by the coming of St. Augustine, they became Christians; and of Wasters of the Country, became more Gentle and Civil Inhabitants thereof: They first possessed themselves of the Ille of Thanet in Kent, and there first landed at a place called Wipped-fleet, from Wipped a Saxon Commander there, after slain: They being thus landed, about the year of our Lord 450. the Scots and Picts invaded Britain with a mighty Army, wasting the Provinces as they came along: Vortigern gathers his Soldiers and Auxiliary Saxons together, and marched beyond the River Humber; when they came to a Battle, the Britain's had little need to Fight, for the Saxons Combated with such Courage, that the Enemies, formerly accustomed to Victory, soon turned their backs, and fled: Vortigern therefore having by their Valour obtained the Victory, increased his Liberality to them, and gave to Hengist their Captain great Possessions in Lyndsey, part of Lincolnshire, sufficient to maintain him and his Soldiers. Huntingdon will needs have this Battle at Stanford in the Southern parts of the same Shire; adding, That the Picts and Scots had marched so far without opposition; and that they were only Armed, and Fought with Darts and Lances; but the Saxons with Battleaxes and long Swords, whose force and weight their Enemies not being able to sustain, were soon put to flight.  
Now as touching the Land thus given to Hengist, Cambden gives us this Relation out of our Annals: Hengist having subdued the Picts, besides large Possessions conferred on him in other places, requested Vortigern to bestow upon him in that Province, so much ground as he could encompass with an Oxes-Hide, which being obtained, he cut it into Thongs extremely Thinn, and with it encompassed a great Territory, in the midst of which he built a Castle; which by the Name perpetuates the memory thereof; for it is called Thong-Castle: As Carthage for many Ages remained a witness of Dido's Fraud; for by thesame slight she obtained the Seat where she built that City; so does this Castle, still offer to our memories the Simplicity of the Britain's, and Craft of the Saxons; such a gift could not satisfy the Ambition of Hengist, whose aim was to be Master of the whole Island. The subtle man therefore presuming of the King's Friendship and easiness, thus addressed to him, My Lord the King, you see how your Enemies disquiet you on all sides; if you please, therefore we will send into our Country, for the increase of our numbers with new Recruits. The King commanded him to do so without delay, that he might be freed from the fear of his Enemies: Hengist sends Messengers accordingly, who quickly returned with 18 Ships laden with Soldiers; and not with Soldiers only, but with a fair Lady, the Daughter of Hengist, whose Beauty and Flatteries so bewitched the King, that to please her, he betrayed both his Faith and Kingdom. Malmsburiensis reports this Rowena the Daughter of Hengist, To be for Beauty the Miracle of Nature, admired by all that looked on her.  
Hengist commands a Magnificent Feast to be provided for the Entertainment of his newly arrived Soldiers, to which the King is Invited: He appoints his Daughter to perform the Office of Cupbearer to the King, that he might surfeit his Eyes with her Beauty. The design took effect, for the King being a Slave to Beauty, was presently wounded with the Gracefulness of the Maid's looks, and the Elegancy of her Gestures nourishing in his mind a hope to enjoy her: Without delay he demands her for his Wife. The Crafty Father pretends such a Marriage would be too mean for so great a Prince, but with great importunity, yields his unwilling willing consent; to reward which, and for a Dowry to his Daughter, the King gives him the whole Province of Kent, some writers say, This Feast and Marriage were Celebrated at Thong-Castle, where Rowena was instructed by her Father to Drink a Health to Vortigern after the Germane manner: However, certain it is, that besides the infinite Damage to the Kingdom by Alienating so considerable a Member as Kent, so convenient for the harbouring of new Forces: this Marriage was in a high degree Pernicious, because the King had another Wife, and for that being a Christian, he had joined himself to a Pagan Idolatress.  
Presently after this unhappy Marriage, the Voyage and Martyrdom of St. Ursula and her Companions happened, whose Heroical Constancy, might help to wipe out that stain, which the Lust of this King had cast upon the Nation: Hengist having thus Prostituted his Daughter to the King, who Prostituted his Country to Hengist; the Saxons began to swell with ambitious Thoughts, and knowing the Nation generaily disapproved the King's Marriage, and cooled in Affection and Duty to him, began to pick quarrels with him, and contemned him for his Vices: They therefore sought occasions of War against the Britain's, whom God had ordained to be punished for their Crimes; so that Hengist boldly required of his Son-in-Law the King, a more Plentiful supply of Provisions, otherwise he would renounce the League between them, and lay waste the whole Island; which Threats were presently attended with dismal Effects: For the Saxons entering a League with the Picts, gathered an innumerable Army, which, without resistance, spoiled the whole Country.  
Thus a flame kindled by the hands of these Pagans, proved a just revenge of the Crimes of this Nation; which Crimes were the less Pardonable, because committed by those who professed themselves the People of the True God: No wonder was it, that the Saxons met with so little resistance, seeing the King's Marriage with an Infidel Lady, his Divorce from his Lawful Queen, and the delivering up so considerable a part of his Kingdom to Strangers, had raised high Discontents against him among his Subjects: However, by common consent, they besought him to take Pity on his Country, ready to Perish, at least not to neglect his Faith and the Church of God, in danger to be destroyed by Heathen Miscreants; which if it should happen by his default, and that the Diabolical Worship of Idols should prevail against God's true Religion, it would be punished, by his own and his People's Eternal Misery.  
The Bishops and Clergy repeated these Admonitions to him, but all in vain: wherefore, Vortigern became deserted of all his Subjects, and the Nobility by unanimous consent, raised into his Throne his Son Vortimer. No writers affirm that Vortigern was Deposed, but Deserted by his Subjects, as a Prince given up to his Pleasures, and therefore incapable to resist the Ambitious Designs of Hengist; against whom the whole Nation was resolved to join all their Forces to expel him out of the Kingdom. Vortimer was an earnest Incendiary of the War against these Saxons, being resolved to endure their Boldness and Ambition no longer: And for this reason most of the Britain's followed him; not that the Nobles deprived Vortigern of his Royal Authority, or Created Vortimer King; as a late Calvinistical Writer insinuates: However this Change could not but work Divisions in the Kingdom, for Vortigern for the space of sixteen years, having had possession of the Kingdom, could not want some Adherents to take his part; so as those Divisions could not but give too great advantage to the Progress of the Ambitious Saxons.  
Vortimer being thus exalted, either as Associate with his Father in the Throne, or as General of the British Forces; hastened to give proof of his countrymen's good advice in their Election of him; and taking notice of the Craft and Ambition of the Saxons, studied how to drive them out of the Nation, vehemently urging his Father to attempt it; so that an Army was soon raised, this happened the seventh year after their first entrance: Great preparations were made on both sides; at last they came to a Battle, which was fought in the Fields of Eglestirpe, now called Alesford, a Town in Kent washed by the River Medway: On the Britain's side were three chief Captains, who led each a third part of the Army; Ambrose Aurelianus led the first Division, Vortimer the second, and Catigern a younger Brother of Vortimer led the third: The Saxon Army was Conducted by Hengist and Horsa: In the beginning of the Battle, Horsa set upon the Army of Catigern with such Vigour, that it was disperssed like Dust before the Wind, and Catigern the King's Son was slain; but his Brother Vortimer a Prince of admirable Courage, falling side-ways into Horsa's Squadrons, routed them, and killed Horsa, the most Valorous of the Saxons; the remainder of his Forces fled to Hengist, who then was Fight with Invincible Courage against Ambrose, so as the whole weight of the Combat lay upon Hengist, who being Assaulted, and brought into great straits, by the Accession of Vortimer's Forces, after he had a good while sustained the impression of the whole British Army, was at last overcome, and compelled to fly, which he had never done before.  
Yet this Victory cost the Britain's dear, for great numbers of them were slain; nay some Authors affirm, That Hengist obtained the Victory: The Body of Horsa was Buried at a place not far from the Battle, in memory of him called Horstead; Catigern's Body is supposed to have been Buried at Aylsford, by the Saxons called Eglesford, by the Britain's Saisseneag-Haibail, because the Saxons were there overcome. To testify which Victory, there still remain four great Stones standing upright, after the manner of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, which from Catigern are vulgarly and imperfectly called Keith-cotyhouse. Horsa thus dead, the Saxons exalted Hengist to the Title of the King of Kent. The same year he is reported to have Fought three Battles against the Britain's; but being unable to resist the Valour of Vortimer, he was forced to retire into the Isle of Thanet, where he was daily Assaulted with British Ships: At last the Saxons leaving their Wives and Children in Thanet, returned to Germany, to call in greater Forces.  
The year after, died the Glorious King Vortimer, the fourth year after he was assumed to the Participation of the Regal Authority. Some Writers affirm, He died a Natural Death; others say, He died by Poison, administered to him by his Mother-in-Law Rowena, into whose mind the Devil suggested, to cause a Servant of his to give him Poison; which he having drunk, and perceiving the approach of Death, he divided his Treasures among his Soldiers, earnestly exhorting them to Fight Courageously for their Country. Moreover, He commanded a Pyramid of Brass to be made, and placed in the Haven where the Saxons usually landed, upon which Pyramid his Body should be laid; that the Enemies seeing the Body of so Valorous a Prince, might be frighted back into their own Country. More probable it is, that he intended his Statue should be placed on the Pyramid; for being a Christian Prince, he was Decently and Solemnly Buried after the Christian manner: And it is said, He was Buried in the City of the Trinobantes, now London, and with him was Buried the Crown and Glory of the British Nation. Beside his Courage, he is said to be Eminent in other Virtues, especially Piety; and some say, In his War against the Saxons, he bore in his Ensign the Image of our Lord Jesus Christ; To which Devotion of his, we may impute his Victories, or at least to his Pious and Charitable care in restoring the Churches destroyed by the Saxons.  
The year after Vortimer's death, Hengist returned out of Germany with greater Forces, and took a firmer possession of his Kentish Kingdom, and for the better Establishment of his Family therein, joined his Son Aesca with him in the Regal Power. To oppose them the Britain's invade his Country with a great Army; consisting of four great Bodies, Conducted by four Valiant Captains; but when the Conflict was begun at Creganford, the Britain's found themselves too weak for the Saxons; which were new Recruited with great numbers of chosen Robustious Soldiers, who with their Swords and Battleaxes, cleft asunder the Bodies of the Britain's: Yet did they not give ground, till their four Captains were slain; but afterwards were so terrified, that they fled as far as London, and never after had the Courage to bring an Army into Kent again, so that Hengist and his Son quietly enjoyed that Kingdom, fixing their Palace at Canterbury: Thus began this new Kingdom of Kent in the eighth year after the Arrival of the Saxons in Britain.  
It is not probable that this exalting of Vortimer, was any Deposal of his Father; for Vortimer being Dead, his Father continued King, and for a while gave proof of his Courage in repressing the Ambition and Violence of Hengist, though after he returned to his former Licentious Slothfulness.  
Now during these Wars, Hengist is recorded to have exercised extreme Cruelty in all places where his Armies came, and especially in Kent, against Priests and Holy Virgins, great numbers of which he caused to be Massacred, Demolishing Churches, and Profaning Altars. Among the Victims of his Barbarous Cruelty, the memory of Voadinus Archbishop of London only remains in our English Martyrology; who being a man of great Sanctity, reproved Vortigern, for repudiating his Lawful Wife, and Marrying an Infidel; which so inflamed Hengist with rage, that he commanded the Holy Bishop with many other Priests and Religious men to be slain; Gildas declares, That great numbers of Bishops and Priests were Massacred by this Saxon King: And St. Bede relates more particularly the Rapines, Cruelties and Devastations of this Impious King, wherewith he miserably filled the whole Island.  
The year of Grace 461. is noted with an Act of most Perfidious Cruelty; perpetrated by this Barbarous Prince: His Ambition was not satisfied with the Kingdom of Kent, so as he resolved to enlarge his bounds in Britain by any means; and finding that by exercise of War, the British Courage increased; he therefore turned his Thoughts, to invent some Stratagem for the compassing his Designs. He insinuates himself into the minds of Vortigern and his Nobility, as if he were desirous of Peace and Amity with them, which if they would grant, he would turn his Arms against the Picts and Scots, and drive them out of the Island; quickly did he obtain belief from the easy Nature of Vortigern; whereupon a meeting is appointed between the Britain's and Saxons, with this caution, that each King should be attended with 300 only, and those unarmed; and at this meeting they were to treat of the Conditions of Peace: The place appointed for this Fatal Assembly, was a Plain near Sorbiodunum, or Old Salisbury, a City seated in the Province of the Belgae; wherein remains a Monument of a Dire Tragedy; for both sides being met, a great Feast was prepared for the Britain's, at which the Articles of Agreement were to be ratified, by mutual Promises and Oaths: Towards the end of this Feast, when they were dissolved in Wine, Hengist on a sudden, called aloud, To Arms, which was the Watchword agreed among the Saxons, who immediately drew out short Swords, concealed under their , and quickly slew their Unarmed Guests the Britain's: Howbeit, which is remarkable, Eldol the Valiant Consul or Governor of Gloucester, snatching up a stake, by Chance lying near, with it slew seventy of the Treacherous Saxons. A Monument of this Barbarous Tragedy, not long after raised by the Britain's, continues to this day, and is Vulgarly called stonehenge, Upon Salisbury-Plain; where, in a space of ground compassed with a Ditch, are placed, as in a threefold Crown, Stones of an incredible vastness, some of them 28 foot in height, and 7 in breadth; over many of which, other great Stones are placed ; Cambden believes, That this Monument was raised, in memory of this Treachery by Ambrose Aurelianus, or his Brother Vterpendragon, by the help and Art of Merlin the famous Magician; though others deliver, that it was a Magnificent Sepulchre, raised for Ambrose himself slain near this place, from whom the Town of Ambresbury-not far distant took its Name.  
In this Slaughter the Saxons took Vortigern Prisoner, and the year following bound him with Chains, threatening Death, unless he would deliver up 38 of his Cities and Strong-holds: Vortigern to save his Life, quickly yielded to their demands; which being confirmed by Oath, they gave him his Liberty: And first they seized upon the City of London, than York and Lincoln, and then Winchester: All which adjoining Provinces they wasted, killing the Inhabitants: They Levelled with the ground all Churches, and Buildings belonging to Ecclesiastical Persons, killed the Priests near the Altars, burned all Books of Holy Scripture, and heaped Earth on the Sepulchers of Martyrs: Religious men to escape their fury, were said to fly into Deserts, Woods and Rocks, carrying with them the Relics of Saints. And as for Vortigern, seeing this horrible destruction, he retired into the North part of Wales, and there enclosed himself in a Town called Genorium. Now the three Provinces, with which Vortigern redeemed his Life, are with more probability expressed by Malmsburiensis in this manner. Of old, (saith he) the Eastern and Southern Saxons, with the Eastern Angli, were Subjects to the King of Kent; for those Provinces Hengist the first King of Kent obtained of Vortigern, not by open War, but Treachery: And in truth those People beforementioned, did at last obtain for their Habitation five Counties, Essex, Sussex, Surrey, Norfolk and Suffolk, the Inhabitants whereof in the Romans time, were the Trinobantes, Regni, & Ireni: The same year wherein Britain became thus dismembered, God recompensed that loss to the British Church, by the Birth of St. David, one of the greatest Lights that ever the Church enjoyed, as well for his Sanctity of Life, as Vigour of Authority, and Zeal in suppressing Heresy, with the Exaltation of Ecclesiastical Discipline. His Birth was attended with several Wonders, denoting his Eminency: For St. Patrick, before his going into Ireland, being in the Valley of Rosma, in the Province of Dimetae, (Northwest-Wales) meditating on his Mission into that Island, had a Revelation by an Angel, That after 30 years, a Child should be born in that Province, which should give a great Lustre to that Country. To this Prophecy regard was had, in this Collect, repeated Anniversarily in the Ancient Church of Sarum on St. David's Feast, O God, Who by an Angel didst foretell the Nativity of thy Blessed Confessor St. David 30 years before he was born, Grant unto us we beseech thee, that Celebrating his memory, we may by his intercession attain to joys everlasting. Thirty years being finished after the said prediction, the King of the Region called Ceretica travelling to Dunetia, met by the way a Religious Virgin named Nonnita of great Beauty, which he Lusting after, by Violence Deflowered; she hereby Conceived a Son, but neither before nor after had ever knowledge of any man; but persevering in Chastity both of Mind and Body, and sustaining herself only with Bread and Water, from the time of her Conception, led a most Holy Life.  
The King thus Father of St. David, is called Xanthus, and his Mother by some named Melaria: The eminent Sanctity of this Child, the Fruit of his Holy Mothers Fasting Chastity and Prayer, was by another Divine Oracle foretell, a little before his Birth: For when Gildas Albanius was from the Pulpit teaching a great Congregation, on the sudden he became dumb and un-able to speak, but afterwards broke forth into these words; A Holy Woman called Nonnita, now present in this Church, is great with Child, and shall shortly be brought to Bed of a Son, full replenished with Grace: It was in regard to him that I was hindered from speaking, by a Divine Power restraining my Tongue. This Child shall be of so Eminent Sanctity, that none in these our parts are comparable to him; I will surrender this Region to him, who will from his Infancy by degrees increase in Grace and Sanctity: An Angel God's Messenger hath revealed this unto me. This Holy Child not long after born, was Baptised by Albeus Bishop of Munster, who at that time by Divine Providence arrived there, at a place called Portcleu: During his Childhood, he was Educated at a place named the Old Bush, by the Cambrians Henmenen; and by the Latines Menevia; he grew every day replenished with Grace, and being of a perspicacious wit, proceeded in the Study of Learning, far beyond all other Children of his Age: This Child after, became the first Bishop of Menevia, to which place he translated the Bishopric of caerleon, and which from him was called St. David's, for his Learning, Sanctity and Miracles, worthily Celebrated by the British Church.  
Whilst Vortigern lurked Ingloriously in the Mountains of Wales, busy in building a Castle for his Security; the middle Provinces of Britain, lest un-guarded, were exposed to the fury of the Saxons: This Castle had the Name of Genorium, afterward of Caer Vortigern: It is placed (saith Cambden) in a vast Solitude, fearful for the Horror of Mountains, and narrow turn of the passage to it: To this place Vortigern the Plague of his Country, withdrew himself, to seek refuge for his own person, and there spent his time in consulting Soothsayers, especially his Magician Merlin: Hereupon the Britain's thus deserted by their King, were compelled to seek one abroad, and therefore send Messengers into the lesser Britain beyond Sea, to Aurelius Ambrose and his Brother Vterpendragon, who for fear of Vortigern were retired thither. Them they beseech to return into their own Country, that having expelled the Saxons and their hated King Vortigern, they might receive the Crown of Britain. These Brothers now of ripe Age, prosecute their Journey accordingly, attended with Ships and Armed Soldiers: All Authors speak of Ambrose, as a Modest Prince, who alone of the Roman race, had remained alive, after so great a Tempest of Wars and Changes, in which his Parents, who had worn the Royal Purple were slain: It may be presumed, that he was the Son of Constantine, who about 50 years before, pretended to the Roman Empire, and in that attempt was slain in Gaul, for that Constantine had other Children besides Constans, who is said to be his Eldest Son when Vortigern was chosen; this Ambrose was a Competitor with him for the Crown, and failing therein, was compelled to quit his Right and Country, and to retire himself into little Britain; from whence notwithstanding, in the Generous Vortimer's time, he returned; and Fought for him Valiantly against the Saxons, as is beforementioned, but after his Death it seems, retired to his former refuge: The return of these Princes, wrought a greater dread in Vortigern, than the Saxons.  
I shall omit the Fable of the two Dragons coming out of the Lake, and how the Red Dragon was destroyed by the White, and proceed to the Gests of our Aurelius, quickly set upon by the Saxons after his Landing.  
For King Hengist and his Son Esca, in the 17th. year after the first coming of the Saxons, and in the year of Grace 465. gathered an Invincible Army: On the other side the Britain's uniting all their Forces, opposed them with an Army gallantly ranged into twelve Bodies: The Battle was fought near the famous Port of Rochborow; the Fight continued long, and with little advantage; until at last, Hengist having slain the twelve Leaders, forced the Britain's to fly, but himself lost great numbers of his Soldiers and Principal Officers; amongst the rest a great Prince of his Nation, called Whipped, in memory of whom the place of the Battle took the Name of Whippedstede: So that the Saxons themselves bewailed this Victory, neither did they after that time, take the confidence to enter into the Britain's Border, nor the Britain's to Invade Kent.  
The year following produced no Wars from the Saxons, so as Aurelius Ambrose had leisure to convert his Arms against the Author of all those present miseries, the unhappy King Vortigern: He marches therefore to the Castle Genorium, and Besieges it, but found the King so strongly Fortified there, that by no force or cunning he could expugn it. At last by Fire, whether coming from Heaven, or cast in by Ambrose, is uncertain, both the King and his Castle were consumed, so as his Body was never after seen: Vortigern thus removed, the whole Power of the Kingdom was devolved upon Ambrose by the Unanimous Consent of the whole Nation: For which purpose (saith Sir Henry Spelman,) a Council or Assembly was called about the Mountains of Erir in North-wales, by which he was exalted to the Royal Dignity: In the year 465, or in the year following.  
How Happy this change was, will appear by what follows; for Ambrose, as soon as he was placed in the Throne, employed himself in repairing Churches, which had been ruined: He was indeed a Prince, Magnificent in his Gifts, Sedulous in the Worship of God, averse from Flatteries, a Valiant Soldier, and very Skilful in Commanding an Army; and for these Virtues was famous in far distant Regions, and being so renowned a Prince, he may possibly be the same Ambrose mentioned by Eugypius in the Life of St. Severine, wherein he intimates, That the Holy Bishop finding favour from Odoacer, whose Reign in Italy, he had foretell, requested the King to free a person called Ambrose from Banishment: And truly Baronius citing this passage, is of the same opinion; several years passed after Ambrose attained the Throne, either in Peace, or without any considerable War between the Britain's and Saxons.  
During this calm, St. Patrick who many years before returned out of Ireland, died in his Solitary retreat at Glastonbury; in the Antiquities whereof we may find, That after the Death of Vortigern, Aurelius Ambrose reigned; and than it was that St. Patrick the Apostle of Ireland, and first Abbot of Avallonia; after he instructed his Brethren in Regular Discipline, and competently enriched that Monastery with Possessions, procured from Kings and Princes, yielded to nature in the 39th. year after his return to that Island, and was buried in the Old Church on the Right-hand of the Altar, by direction of an Angel, a great flame in the sight of all, breaking forth in the same place. The Irish Writers will needs have it, that St. Patrick's Body reposes in the Church of Down-Patrick in Ireland; on whose side St. Bernard seems to be, in his Life of St. Malachias, where he intimates, That St. Patrick 's Body rests in the See of Armagh, accompanied with those of St. Columbanus and St. Bridget: The difference may easily be decided, for no doubt but some considerable Relics of his Sacred Body at the request of the Irish, have been deposited at Down aforesaid; a world of Examples of the like Error being extant in Ecclesiastical History.  
The space of eight years being complete after the Battle of Whippedsflet: Hengist took up Arms against the Britain's, and once more discomfited them, carrying away immense Spoils: The Truth is, in these days sometime the Britain's, and sometime their Enemies had the Victory, so that Hengist perceiving, that with those Forces which he had, he could make little progress against so Valiant a Captain as Ambrose, nor hardly maintain the Provinces given to him by Vortigern, sent for new and greater Supplies out of Germany; whereupon a famous Saxon called Ella with his three Sons Cymen, Pleting and Cissa, and a numerous Army took Sea, and by the direction of Hengist bent their course towards Sussex, and landed at Cymen-Shore, so called from Ella's  Son.  
Now while the Saxons were landing, the Britain's raised a loud Cry, at which a World of People repaired to them from the places adjacent; and strait a Combat began; the Saxons, men of great Stature and Courage received the Britain's Politicly, and they as Imprudently set upon their Enemies; for coming in lose Companies, one after another, they were easily slain by the Saxons, who kept themselves together in close Bodies: So as the Britain's, who still came in to Aid their Countrymen, were suddenly discouraged, by the noise they heard of the former's Defeat. They were all therefore put to flight, as far as a Wood called Andredsleige, so as the Saxons possessed themselves of the Sea-coast of Sussex, every day by little and little enlarging their limits, until the ninth year after their coming.  
In which ninth year, whilst Ella and his company boldly entered further into the Country; the Princes and Nobles of the Britain's met in Arms at a place called Mercredeburn, and Fought against the Saxons: The Victory was doubtful, for on both sides the Armies were much impaired and broken. So as each of them retired back to their own quarters; Matthew of Westminster saith, That Ella and his Sons were forced to forsake the Field; and fearing his strength not enough, to make good his present Conquests, much less to enlarge them, sent into Germany for new Supplies; which being arrived, he continued his Progress in gaining more Territories, till he established a new Kingdom of South-Saxons: Now while Aurelius Ambrose employed his Forces in repressing those Southern-Saxons; Hengist having left his Kingdom of Kent well guarded, took a Journey into the Northern Provinces, where joining with the Picts and Scots, he took many Cities and Towns before the Britain's could oppose him; and for Security of his Conquests, he built many Castles and Strong-holds, but demolished all Churches wheresoever he came. King Ambrose being informed hereof, with great Courage, as in God's Cause, marched after him, and beholding as he passed on his Journey, the Towns laid waste, and the lamentable ruins of the Churches, with the Miseries of the poor People, he could not, as is said, refrain from Weeping: Whereupon by Vow, He promised Almighty God, that if he Would render him Victorious over the Saxons, all the ruin'd Churches he would rebuild and restore. How this Pious Vow was approved by God, let the success demonstrate; Ambrose now resolved to provoke the Saxons to a Combat, found Hengist with his Forces beyond Humber; who intended to set upon the Britain's in a Field called Maisbely, through which Ambrose was to pass, whom he hoped to find unprovided: But the British King had notice of this design, and prevented it: However the two Armies met in good order, and a fierce Battle began between them, much Blood was shed on both sides: At last Hengist perceiving his Army to give ground, and the Britain's to prevail, fled to a Town named Cair-conan, now Cuningsbury; but considering the weakness of that Town, he betook himself to the Swords and Spears of his Soldiers, Ambrose pursued him, and by the way put all the Saxons he found to the Sword; and having obtained a great Victory, gave devout Praise and Glory to the God of Heaven: Hengist indeed Fortified his Camp the best he could near the said Town, but in a few days, was forced to come to a Battle before his Camp, which proved fatal to him and his, for the greatest part of his Army was cut in pieces, and himself taken Prisoner, and Beheaded by the Britain's. This Battle was Fought on the bank of the River Don.  
The manner how Hengist was taken, is thus related, The Valorous Duke or Consul of Gloucester, Eldoll, was very desirous to cope with Hengist, and therefore with the Forces under his command furiously piercing into the Enemy's Squadrons, found him at last, and laying hold on the forepart of his Helmet, with main force drew him within his own Troops; saying, God hath at last fulfilled my desire; He it is who hath given us the Victory: Upon this the Saxons fled, Octa the Son of Hengist, to York; Esca, and not a few with him, betook themselves to the City of Acluid: After this Victory Ambrose took the City Caerconan, which he entered Triumphantly: Then Ambrose calling his Captains together, commanded them to Decree what should become of Hengist; whereupon Eldad Bishop of Gloucester and Brother of Eldol, imposed Silence on them all, and gnashing his Teeth for rage, told them, Though all there present, had a desire to set him free, I myself would cut him in pieces: Why (saith he) do you delay, O Effeminate Britain's; did not Samuel a Prophet having taken the King of Amalec Prisoner in Battle, cut him in pieces, one Limb after another, saying, As thou hast made many Mother's Childless, so will I make thy Mother Childless this day: Do you therefore deal in the same manner with this Barbarous King, who is another Agag, and hath deprived a world of British Mothers of their Children. When Eldad had thus said, He drew his Sword, and leading Hengist out of the City, cut off his Head, sending his wretched Soul to Hell.  
Whether this Speech or Action became a Christian Bishop, I must leave to Graver Judgements: Ambrose thus Triumphing, was not unmindful of his Vow, but took care to repair the Houses of God, which had been lately destroyed, and placing in them Priests and other Clergymen, he reduced the Divine Service to its Pristine order; and where ever he found any Idols or Temples of False Gods, he defaced them utterly out of the memory of men He Studiously observed Justice and Peace, especially as to Ecclesiastical persons, on whom he liberally conferred Revenues, enjoining them to Pray for the King, and state of God's Church. Hengist thus dead, his Son Aesca, by Bede, named Oisc, succeeded in the Kingdom of Kent, and from him, his Successors were called Oisckings: what became of his Brother Otta, who was said to fly to York, can no where be found in any Ancient Writer, and therefore little Credit is to be given to what is reported of him by some late Writers; That Ambrose should bestow upon him the Province of Galloway in Scotland, which was not in his disposal.  
The same year wherein Hengist was slain, the Holy Virgin St. Bridget came out of Ireland into Britain, to obtain some Relics of her Dear and Honoured Patron St. Patrick, whose Disciple she had been, and a great admirer of his Sanctity: She stayed here some years in a small Island near Glastonbury, called Bekery, where was an Oratory Consecrated to the Honour of St. Mary Magdalen; afterward, leaving behind her Scrip Chain Bell, and other Vestments of her own wearing, which for the memory of her Sanctity were there reposed; she returned to Ireland; where, not long after she rested in our Lord, and was Buried in the City of Down: Concerning her we may thus read in the Martyrologies, This day (the first of February) is Celebrated the memory of the Blessed Virgin St. Bridget, who in Testimony of her Virginity, having touched the Wood of an Altar, it became presently green. She is said to have outlived St. Patrick only 30 years.  
In the English Martyrology there is a Commemoration of a British Martyr, called St. Sophia's, whose death is assigned to the 490 year of our Lord, He was the Son of Guilleicus, Prince of the Ordovices or North-Wales, and undertook a Monastical Profession in a Monastery Built by himself in the same Province: He had such Devotion to our Lord's Passion, that he made three Pilgrimages to Jerusalem to visit the Marks and Footsteps of it: A great Veneration also he had for Rome, and those places which had been Consecrated by the Blood of the two Princes of the Apostles. Being at Rome, he was by the Bishop thereof, Consecrated Bishop of Beneventum, which See he governed with Prudence and Sanctity, till at last he was slain by an Impious Pagan, at the Holy Altar, while he was Celebrating the Mystery of our Redemption.  
No less famous at this time was the Holy British Virgin St. Keyna; Illustrious she was for her Birth, being the Daughter of Braganus, Prince of that Province in Wales, which from him was called Brecknokshire; but more Illustrious for her Zeal to preserve her Chastity, for which she was called in the British Tongue Keynvayre, that is, Keyna the Virgin: This Prince Braganus, or Brachanus, is said to have had twelve Sons, and as many Daughters by his Lady called Macella Daughter of Theodoric Son of Tethphalt Prince of Garthmatrin, afterward named Brecknock; their first born Son was St. Canoc, of whom more hereafter; their eldest Daughter was Gladus, Mother of Cadocus by St. Gunley a Holy King of the Southern Britain's; their second Daughter was Melaria or Nonita, the Mother of the Holy Archbishop St. David; mention will be made hereafter of Almedha another of their Daughters: As for St. Keyna, when she came to ripe years, many Noble persons sought her in Marriage, but she utterly refused that state, having Consecrated her Virginity to our Lord by a perpetual Vow; at length she determined to forsake her Country, and find out some Desert place where she might attend to Contemplation; wherefore directing her Journey beyond Severn, and coming to certain Woody places; She requested the Prince of that Country, that she might be permitted to serve God in that Solitude: The Prince was willing to grant her request, only he told her, The place did so swarm with Serpents, that neither Men nor Beasts could inhabit in it; To which she replied, That her Trust was fixed in the Name and Assistance of Almighty God, and therefore she doubted not to drive all that Poisonous brood out of that Region: Hereupon the place was readily granted to the Holy Virgin, who prostrating herself to God in fervent Prayer, obtained of him to change all the Serpents and Vipers there into Stones; so as to this day the Stones in that Region, resemble the Wind of Serpents, through all the Fields and Villages; as if they had been so framed by the Hand of the Engraver: Cambden gives some account of this Miracle: On the Western Banks of Avon (saith he) is seen the Town of Cainsham, some are of Opinion that it was named so, from Keyna, a most Holy British Virgin; who according to the Credulous persuasion of former Ages, is believed to have turned Serpents into Stones, for that such like Miracles of sporting Nature, are there sometimes found in the Quarries. I myself (saith he) saw a Stone brought from thence representing a Serpent rolled up into a Spire: The Head of it stuck out in the outward Surface, and the end of the Tail terminated in the Centre. Many years having been spent by this Holy Virgin in this Solitary place, and the fame of her Sanctity every where divulged, many Oratories also built by her; her Nephew St. Cadoc performing a Pilgrimage to the Mount of St. Michael, met there with his Blessed Aunt St. Keyna to his great joy, and would have had her back to her own Country; but the Inhabitants of that Region would not permit it.  
Howbeit, afterwards by the Admonition of an Angel, the Holy Maid returned to the place of her Nativity; where on the Top of a Hillock, seated at the foot of a high Mountain, she made a little Habitation for herself; and by her Prayers to God, obtained a Spring there out of the Earth; which by the Merits of the Holy Virgin afforded help in divers Infirmities. One night when the time of her Consummation approached, by the Revelation of the Holy Ghost, she saw in a Vision, as it were a Fiery Pillar, the Base whereof was fixed in her Bed, which was no other than a Pavement strewed over with a few Branches of Trees. In this Vision two Angels appeared to her, one of which approaching respectfully to her, seemed to take off the Sackcloth wherewith she was covered, and instead thereof, to put on her a Smock of Fine-linnen, over that a Tunick of Purple; and last of all a Mantle all woven with Gold, and then bid her prepare herself to come with them, that they might lead her into her Heavenly Father's Kingdom. Hereupon she wept with excessive joy, and endeavouring to follow the Angels, awaked, and found her Body inflamed with a Fever, by which she perceived her end was near: Sending therefore for her Nephew St. Cadoc, she said thus to him; This is the place above all others beloved by me, here my memory shall be perpetuated: This place I will often visit in Spirit, if it may be, and I am sure it shall be permitted; for our Lord hath granted me this place as an Inheritance: The time will come when this place shall be inhabited by a sinful People, which notwithstanding, I will violently root out of this seat. My Tomb shall lie a long time unknown, till the coming of other People, whom by my Prayers I shall bring hither; them will I protect and defend, and the Name of our Lord shall in this place be Blessed for ever. After this, her Soul being ready to departed out of her Body, she saw standing before her, a Troop of Heavenly Angels, ready with joy to receive her Soul, and to transport it safe from her Spiritual Enemies: She had no sooner related this Comfortable Vision to the standers by, but her Blessed Soul was freed from the Prison of her Body: In this her Dissolution her face smiled, and was all of a Rosy colour; and from her Sacred Virgin Body, so sweet a Fragrancy proceeded, that those who were present thought themselves in the joys of Paradise: St. Cadocus Buried her in her own Country, where for many years, she had led a most Holy Mortified Life, very acceptable to God.  
To the Gests of this Holy Virgin St. Keyna, we may here adjoin what is reported of her Sister Almedha, and her Brother St. Cadocus: Many Churches are dispersed through several Provinces of Cambria, Illustrated by the Names of the Children of Braganus; of these, one is seated in the top of a certain Hill in the Region of Brecknock, not far distant from the principal Castle of Aberhoden, which is called the Church of St. Almedha; who rejecting the Marriage of an Earthly Prince, and Espousing herself to the Eternal King, Consummated her Life by a Triumphant Martyrdom: The place of her Solemnity, is yearly Celebrated the first of August, whereto great numbers of Devout People from far distant parts, used to Assemble, and by the Merits of that Holy Virgin, receive their desired Health from divers Infirmities: One special thing happening usually in the Solemnity of this Blessed Virgin, seems very remarkable: For you may there oftentimes see Youngmen and Maids sometimes in the Church, sometimes in the Churchyard, and sometimes while they are Dancing in an even ground encompassing it, to fall down on a sudden to the ground; at first they lie quiet, as if they were wrapped in an Ecstasy; but presently they will leap up, as if possessed with a Frenzy, and with both their Hands and Feet before the People, they will represent whatsoever Servile work, they unlawfully performed upon Feast days of the Church; one will walk as if holding the Blow, another as if driving Oxen with a Goad, and both of them in the mean time Singing some rude Tune, as if to ease their Toil; one will act the Trade of a Shoemaker, another of a Tanner; a third, of one which were Spinning: Here you may see a Maid busily Weaving, and expressing all the Postures usual in that work: After all which being brought with Offerings to the Altar, you would be astonished to see how suddenly they will return to their Senses again. Hereby, through God's Mercy, who rejoiceth rather in the Conversion, than Destruction of sinners; it is certain, that very many have been corrected and induced to observe the Holy Feasts with great Devotion.  
Touching their Brother Cadoc, the Fame of his Sanctity was most eminent among the Silureses, his Name is consigned in our English Martyrology, on the 11th. of February; and that he flourished in all Virtues in the year of Christ 492. To him in all probability is to be referred that which is reported of the Wreath (Torquis) of St. Canauc: The Inhabitants of that Country esteem this Wreath, to be a precious Relic, and of wonderful Virtue; insomuch, As when any one is to give a Testimony by Oath, if that Wreath be placed in sight, he dares not presume to commit Perjury.  
In the same year mention is made of the Martyrdom of a King of Brecknock, called Clitanc, or Clintanc, a Prince very observant of Peace and Justice among his Subjects; who became a Martyr adorned with a Celestial Crown, for his Virtues and Merits, especially his Chastity and Purity from Carnal Delectations.  
In the year 491. is most aptly placed the beginning of the Kingdom of the South-Saxons; which as it began more early than most of the rest, so did it soon fail, and was the last that embraced the Christian Faith: Ella had a long time held the Kingdom of Sussex in great Power: He received great Recruits out of Germany; so that being confident of his Forces, in the third year after the death of Hengist, he laid Siege to the City of Andredecester; the Britain's gathered infinite numbers to raise this Siege, and both day and night, vexed the Besiegers with Ambushes and Incursions; but they, nothing discouraged, gave continual Assaults on the City, and in every Assault the Britain's set on their backs, throwing Arrows and Darts upon them, so as they were forced to give over the Assault, and turn their Forces against the Britain's, who being more nimble, quickly run into the Woods; and when the Saxons return to the Walls, they also return upon their backs: By this means the Saxons were extremely harassed, and great slaughters made of them; till at last the Saxons were compelled to divide their Army into two parts, and to employ one part in expugning the City, while the other was in readiness to Fight with the Britain's from without: Then indeed the Besieged weakened with Famine, could no longer resist the Saxons, by whom they were all consumed with the Sword; moreover, in revenge of the great losses sustained by the Saxons during this Siege, they demolished the City, so as it was never built again: There only remains the mark of a place where once a Noble City had been seated. We find mention made of a Provost of a Company of Soldiers under the Count of the Saxon-shore, placed at Anderida, as the Romans called it, to defend the Coasts from Saxon Rovers: There is left now no footsteps of this great City, only a great Forest, called by the Saxons Andraedwald, and by the Britain's Lord Andred; which being Antently seated near where the said City of Anderida stood, continues the name of it.  
About this time Ambrose is said to have come to the Mount of Ambri, near Caer Carec, now Salisbury, where Hengist Treacherously slaughtered so many Princes, for whom he intended to raise a Famous Monument. There also he is said to have constituted two Metropolitans, St. Samson at York, and St. Dubritius at Caerleon. The second year after the Erection of the Kingdom of South-Saxons, was Illustrious for a great Victory obtained by the Britain's against the Saxons at the Hill Badonicus, as Bede writes, The Britain's conducted by their famous King Ambrose, took Courage, and provoking the Victorious Saxons to Combat, by the Divine Favour, obtained a Victory over them; after which sometimes the Britain's, sometimes the Saxons prevailed, until the Saxons were Besieged in the Mountain Badonicus, and a great slaughter was made of them: Polydore Virgil will have this mountain between Yorkshire and the Bishopric of Durham; but Cambden with greater probability, makes the Territory of the Ancient City of Bath, the Scene of this Battle and Victory. By the Britain's it was called Caer Badon: The City (saith he) was Besieged by the Saxons, but by the coming of the Warlike Prince Arthur, they were forced to retire to the Mountain Badonicus, where, after a long and desperate Fight, they were overcome, and great numbers of them slain: This Mountain seems to be that which is now called Bannesdown, at the foot whereof is seated a little Village, called Bathstone, where to this day are seen Rampires and Trenches, the marks of a Camp. This Victory is principally to be ascribed to Ambrose, under whom the said Arthur his Nephew, Son to his Brother Vterpendragon, was indeed a principal Officer, and is said often to have repressed the Haughty Saxons, swelling with the Pride of their Conquests. This is that Arthur, of whom the Britain's, have wrote so many trissing Fables: A Prince worthy to be magnified by the Truth of History, and not to be made the subject of idle Dreams; since by his own admirable Courage he sustained his declining Country, and incited the Heartless Britain's to reassume their Courage.  
One thing is remarkable in this Prince, that in the Siege of this Mountain Badonicus; confiding in the Protection of our Blessed Lady, whose Image he carried Sowed to his Arms, he put to flight and slew 900 Saxons: His custom was to make use of these Spiritual Arms; and as Huntingdon affirms, In a Combat near the Castle of Guinton, he carried the same Image on his Shoulders, and by the power of our Lord Jesus and his Holy Mother Mary, that whole day the Saxons fled before him. Florilegus writes, That Prince Arthur 's Shield, on which the Image of our Lady was Painted, was named Pridwen; and that in a certain Battle, he drawing ferth his Sword, Caliburn, invoked the Name of the Blessed Virgin, and with great Violence piercing into the midst of the Enemies, at one Blow he slew whomsoever he touched with it; nor gave he over, till he had slain 840. of his Enemies with his Sword alone.  
About this time there was a wonderful Apparition of the Glorious Archangel St. Michael on the Mountain Garganus in Calabria, the memory whereof is Celebrated Anniversarily by the Catholic Church on the 8th. of May: We here make mention of it, because a Holy Bishop born in this Island of Saxon Parents, St. Richard by Name, was present at the Consecration of a Church built in memory of this Apparition: This Bishop was the first of the Angli or Saxons recorded in Ecclesiastical Monuments, to have been gained to Christ, soon after their entrance into Britain, and before any open Hostility broke forth between the Nations: He was born of Illustrious Parents, and in the year of Grace 455. his Innocence and Piety appeared in his tender years, and in that Age he was averse from Luxury and Wantonness, diligent in reading the Scriptures, conversing chief with men of Learning and Virtue; by which he not only gained Love from his Parents, but Veneration from his Companions and Strangers: But because the following War; and the Idolatrous Rites of his Countrymen, furious Enemies of that Religion, to which our Lord had called him, were a hindrance to his Progress in Piety: While he was intent upon his Devotions, the Glorious Apostle St Peter appeared to him in his sleep, commanding him, in the Name of Almighty God, To take a Journey into Apulia, there to Preach the word of God to the Andrians; and that he should not apprehend the length of the way or menaces of the Infidels, because our Lord would be present to assist him: St. Richard thus awaked from sleep, immediately risen, and casting himself before a Crucifix, gave humble thanks to God, and St. Peter for this Visitation: The day following, he forsook his Brethren, and taking his leave of his Dearest Friends; notwithstanding their importunity to detain him, began his Journey; and being arrived at Rome, he addressed himself to the Holy Pope Gelasius, and declared what had been in his Vision imposed upon him by the Holy Apostle; begging his Permission and Blessing, to go for Andria, there to fulfil his Ministry: Gelasius hearing this, greatly rejoiced, and observing the Venerable Aspect of St. Richard, with his Gravity, ordained him Bishop of Andria; commanding him wheresoever he went, to Preach the Gospel of Christ; and and so Kissing him, gave him his Benediction. St. Richard accordingly throughout his Journey Preached the Word of God, and by many Miracles and Cures of the Sick, Converted many to the Faith and Worship of God. At length he arrived at Andria, where, before the Gate of the City he saw a Blindman, and a Woman, Bowed, and Contracted together, both which begged an Alms of him. He began to expound the Word of God to them, and perceiving the Blind man Attentive to him, he said, If thou wilt believe in Jesus Christ, and be Baptised, thou shalt receive thy sight; The Blind man answered, I believe in Jesus Christ whom thou Preachest, and beg that I may be Baptised: Whereupon the Holy man, with his Hands making the Sign of the Cross upon the Blind-man's Eyes, he immediately received his Sight: And casting away the Staves which had helped him in walking, he gave Thanks to God and St. Richard, by whom he had been Enlightened. As for the Woman, when she saw the Miracle, she likewise was Cnoverted; so as St. Richard perceiving her Faith, took her by the Hand; whereupon she risen up straight, and walking, cried out with a loud voice, There is only one most high God, who by his good Servant hath made me whole: At these Acclamations of the Woman, the greatest part of the City met together, and attending to the Holy Bishops Preaching, were in short time Converted; God by him working many Miracles; so as the said Converts, having broken down all their Idols, were Baptised by him.  
Not long after which, followed the Apparition of St. Michael to the People of Siponto, who commanded them to Erect a Chapel there to his Name: This they signified to their Bishop Laurentius, and He to Pope Gelasius, desiring his advice, what was to be done; His Answer was, That being willed by the Blessed Archangel, a Church should forthwith be built, and that it should be performed by the Holy Bishops Laurentius of Siponto, Sabinus of Cannusium, Pelagius of Salapia, Roger of Caunae and Richard of Andria. Upon this the two Holy Bishops last mentioned, took their Journey to Siponto on foot, with daily Fasting, toilsome Labours, and incommodity from the burning heat of the Sun; which incommodity, upon their Prayers, was miraculously remedied, by the flying of a mighty Eagle over their Heads, which shadowed them during their whole Journey: At their Arrival they performed what they came for, as we may read in the public Office of that Church: The Death of this Holy Bishop is Commemorated in the Martyrology yearly on the 9th. of April.  
In the year of Grace 494. A third Noble Germane came into Britain, named Cerdic, a man of a High Spirit and Noble Descent, as proceeding from the Stock of Woden: Hearing of two Kingdoms already Erected in Britain; he resolved to venture for a share in his countrymen's Achievements. For that purpose, with his Son Cenric, and five Ships, he landed at a place after called Cerdic-shore, and the same day was met by multitudes of Britain's, who Fought with him: The Saxons having ranged their Forces in order, stood  before their Ships: The Britain's boldly set upon them, and then retired, but were not pursued by the Enemy; for they were resolved not to quit their place: The Fight continued, the Britain's sometimes Charging, then retiring, till night severed them; and after the Britain's perceiving the fierceness of those new come Strangers, departed; yet so, that neither side could boast of Victory; only this advantage the Saxons had, that they took possession of their Enemy's Shore, and by little and little enlarged their Conquests along the Sea Coasts: Their landing was in the Province of the Iceni, comprehending Suffolk and Norfolk; but there they settled not, for marching through the Island, they came into the Western parts, where, in time they Erected the new and Powerful Kingdom of the West Saxons.  
The Island thus dismembered by Barbarous Enemies; yet sustained greater Damage by Civil Dissensions, raised by Pascentius a Son of the late King Vortigern, who, after the Death of his Father, perceiving the Minds of the Britain's inclined to Ambrose, fled into Germany; where he remained several years, endeavouring to gather Forces sufficient to restore him to the Throne of his Ancestors; at length about the year 496. he came with a Powerful and well furnished Army, and landed in the Northern parts of the Island, with intent to revenge his own and his Father's injuries upon Ambrose. Upon news hereof, Ambrose marches speedily to meet him, they came to a Battle, wherein Pascentius was overcome and forced to fly into the Country of the Scots, where, he recruited his Army, and returned once more to try his Fortune against the Britain's. But hearing that Ambrose lay sick at Winchester, he thought it better to work his revenge by Treason, then open force: Therefore by Gifts and Promises he hired a certain Saxon called Eopa, to fain himself a Physician and a Britain; who under this feigned show, and with a pretence of great Piety and Affection to the King, being admitted, mingled Poison in a Potion administered to him, of which Ambrose presently died, in the 31th. year of his Reign; But Pascentius did not long enjoy the fruits of his Treason: For Vterpendragon, Brother to the dead Ambrose, and General of his Armies, marching against Pascentius, obtained a Signal Victory against him, and in a Battle slew him and his Captains that came with him.  
The year following Uter came to Winchester, and calling an Assembly of the Clergy and People of the Kingdom, took upon him the Crown of Britain, which is said to have been set upon his Head by the Holy Bishop Dubritius. Uter then calling to mind a great Comet which had appeared the year before, darting forth only one Beam, at the end whereof was seen a Globe of Fire, shaped like a Dragon; out of whose Mouth proceeded two Beams, one reaching to Gaul, and the other shooting towards Ireland, which ended in seven less Beams: For this reason he commanded two Dragons to be made of Gold like to that which had appeared; one of them he gave in Oblation to the Church in Winchester, the other he carried with him, placing it in every Combat in his Ensign; and from that time he was called in the British Language Vtherpendragon: And hence it is, that to this day our Kings, in their Warlike Expeditions, carry the like Ensign. Uter had no sooner put on his Crown, but he was forced to exchange it for a Head-piece; for Esca the Successor of Hengist and his Son Octa, attended with a mighty Army of Saxons, Invaded the Northern Provinces of Britain, and destroyed all the Munitions between Albany and York. At last when they attempted the Siege of the City of Alcluid, Vterpendragon came upon them with all the strength of the Country, and entered Battle against them. The Saxons manfully resisted, and in the end compelled the Britain's to fly as far as a Mountain called Danet, which they seized upon as a place of refuge; being so dismayed, that they scarce knew what they did, but at last they resolved upon a prudent Exploit, which was, Courageously to set upon the Enemies by night: This Design they executed Prosperously, for the Saxons being thus unexpectedly invaded, scarce endured any Combat at all, but were utterly routed, and Esca and Octa were taken Prisoners, whom the King carried with him to London, where he caused them to be kept safe: About this time Arthur became of ripe Age.  
The year of Grace 500 in our Ecclesiastical Monuments, is remarkable for the Death of St. Cadoc the Holy Abbot, Son of Gunleus Prince of the Southern Britain's, and Gladus Daughter of Braghan: The Father of St. Cadoc, Gunleus by Divine Vocation growing weary of the World, built a Church, where he began to live in great Abstinence and Purity of Conversation: His Clothing was Sackcloth, his Diet Barley-Bread mingled with Ashes, and his Drink Water, he usually risen at midnight, and to abate Carnal Desires, cast himself into Cold-water; He received nothing from any, but sustained himself with the Labour of his Hands. This retirement of St. Cadoc's Father, began while he was a Child, who when he came to years of Discretion, chose rather to imitate his Father's Devotion, then to be exposed to the Temptations and Vicissitudes of the World in the enjoyment of his Principality: He had for his Master and Director in the way of Piety, a Learned and Holy man, famous in that Age, called Tathai, who lived a Solitary Life, in all Austerity among the mountains of South-wales, till he was invited by Caradoc Prince of that Province to live Coenobitically, and to institute youngmen in Learning and Piety, at a City called Venta Silurum in the Province of Monmouth; which Region from that City was by the Britain's called Guent, the City being then an Academy Dedicated to the Studies of Literature, over which St. Tathai was Precedent; and exercising that Office with great commendation, built there a Church,: Under so worthy a Master, St. Cadoc made wonderful Progress in Virtue and Piety, and himself became a Guide in Spiritual Life, and a Father of the Monks: For that purpose he built a Monastery, which was called Lancarvan, from an admirable accident in the building of it, wherein this Holy Father employed wild Hearts, which became familiar, obedient and serviceable to him: Thus both the Father and the Son contemning the World, lived in it to God only, and died Happily. As for Gunleus the Father, when the end of his days approached, he sent to St. Dubricius, who had been Bishop of Landaff, and to his Son Cadoc, desiring the Charity of a Visit from them; who came and comforted him, and after he had received the Holy Communion, for a Viaticum and defence of his Soul, he departed to our Lord: He was Honourably buried, and at his Sepulchre, Angels have been often seen, and Sick persons of all Infirmities resorting thither, and imploring his Intercession, have been Healed, Glorifying God in his Saint: The day of his Consummation in our Martyrology, is Celebrated yearly the 29th. of March; concerning his Son Cadoc it is related, That he daily sustained 100 Ecclesiastical persons, as many Widows, and as many other poor People, beside Strangers, which frequently visited him. For though he was an Abbot, and had many Monks under his Government; yet he reserved a Portion of his Father's Principality, to be Charitably distributed to such as had need. Neither was this Charity of his any transgression of his Monastical Profession, which forbids Propriety in Temporal goods, because he only exercised a Pious Procuration, as he did in other Goods of his Monastery: He died in the Province of the Ordovices, and was there held in high Veneration: For Harpsfield testifies, That a Church was Erected to his Honour among the Danmonii, at a place called Corinia, which to this day conserveses his memory: In the Ancient Martyrology he is Commemorated on the 24th. of February: In that Martyrology also the Names of other British Saints are recorded, who died about the year of Grace 500 Among the rest St. Dogmael, or as the Britain's call him, St. Tegivel, Illustrious for his great Virtues, Sanctity and Miracles. A famous Abbey in Pembrokshire took its Name from him. The memory is there also preserved of St. Bernach Abbot, a man of admirable Sanctity, who in Devotion made a Journey to Rome, and from thence returning into Britain, filled all places with the fame of his Piety and Miracles. The same year a famous Irish Saint and Martyr called Finguar, is recorded to have died: He was the Son of Cliton a Prince in Ireland, who for Contemplation's sake, is said to have retired into Cornwall, where, with many others he was slain by Theoderick a Prince of that Country: His Life is found written by St. Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury.  
Aesca the Son of Hengist, who had been taken Prisoner by Uter, and confined in London, made his escape out of Prison, and returned to his Kingdom of Kent, where, he after remained quietly. As for Cerdic, being not able to establish a Kingdom in the Western parts, he sent into Germany for new Supplies; whereupon the year following, Port a Germane Captain with his two Sons Bleda and Magla in two great Ships furnished with Soldiers landed at a Haven from him called Portsmouth. Upon his landing, the British Governor with a great multitude boldly set upon the Saxons, but without Order, and so were soon defeated: This same year, while the Saxons made a Progress in the Southern and more Fertile parts of Britain, the Scots in the North laid a Foundation of their new Kingdom at the foot of the Mountain Grampius, which was called the Kingdom of Albany. Fergus the Son of Eric of the Seed of Chonare, with a Nation called the Dalreudins from Reuda, who first conducted them out of Ireland, and first also took upon him to be King of Albany, from Brun Albain to the Irish Sea, where the following Kings of the Seed of Fergus, to Alpin the Son of Eochal, reigned.  
As from Ireland many Holy men sought a retreat for their Devotion in Britain; so in these tumultuous times upon the same motive, some were induced to retire out of Britain into Ireland: Bishop Usher exemplifies St. Petroc, who born in Britain, lived in Ireland, to whose Care and Instruction a Youth of seven years of Age, called Coemgen or Kegnius was there committed. Saint Petroc was by Nation a Cambrian, not a Cimbrian, as in the Gallican Martyrology is mistaken, born of Princely Parents in Wales, and in his Infancy did so well imitate the Faith and Virtues of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles, that his Name may seem to have been given him by Divine Inspiration, as if God had destined him to be a Rock on which the Church of Britain should be built. When the Prince his Father was dead, the Nobles of the Country, with the consent of the whole People, were desirous he should succeed in the Royalty: But he neglecting worldly Pomp, assumed with him 60 Companions, and with them entered into a Monastery, and there undertook a Monastical Profession: After some time there spent, he went into Ireland, where for the space of 20 years, he addicted himself to the Study of good Learning and the Holy Scriptures; great part of which time St. Coemegen was under his Tuition. Now having in this space of time heaped up a great Treasure of Learning, under the most perfect Teachers of that Island, he returned into Britain, and in the Province of Corinia or Cornwall, intended to employ all that Treasure for the Benefit of others. And to show that he had not deserted his Religious Profession, he built a Monastery in a Town toward the Severnshore, in those days called Loderic and Laffenac; afterwards from him, Petrocstow, now more contractedly Padstow: At this time the Saxons under Cerdic had possessed themselves of that Province, and when the Saint with his Disciples had landed and left their Ship, certain Reapers then at work, spoke rudely and bitterly to them; and among other taunting Speeches, required them, That their Conductor St. Petroc, should for the asswaging of their Thirst, cause a Spring of fresh Water to issue out of a Rock there adjoining. This was said either in Derision of them, being Strangers, or for a Trial, whether their Sanctity was answerable to their Profession: Hereupon St. Petroc, who never refused what was in his Power, addressed his Prayers to our Merciful Lord, and with his Staff smiting the Rock, immediately there gushed forth a Spring of clear sweet water, which is said to flow there at this day: The Barbarous Pagan's utterly ignorant of Christian Religion, were astonished at this Miracle. And when the Holy Servant of God asked them, Whether there were any in that Province, who Professed the Christian Faith, They directed him to a Holy man called Samson, Who, they told him, led a Solitary Life, and exercised himself in Corporal Labours, Fasting, Watching and Prayers, sustaining himself daily with a small Portion of Barley Bread, This is that Samson, who succeeded St. David in the See of Menevia, and after was Bishop of Dole in lesser Britain, of whom more hereafter.  
After 30 years' abode in this Solitude, wherein he is said to have instructed Credan, Medan and Dathan three of his Principal Disciples, Illustrious for their Learning and Piety; he left his Monastery of Loderic, and undertook a Foreign Pilgrimage to Rome, and so to Jerusalem, from whence, he is said to have proceeded as far as India, and to have spent seven years, in the exercises of a Contemplative Life in a certain unknown Island of the Eastern Ocean; from which tedious Voyage, he at last returned home, and with 12 Companions retired himself into a dry and barren Solitude: His death in our Ecclesiastical Monuments, is referred to the year of Grace 564. and he was buried at Padstow; in which Town was Anciently placed an Episcopal See, which was after translated to Bodmin, in regard the Body of the Saint was at first meanly Buried at Padstow, and afterward transferred and Honourably reposed at Bodmin: But his Relics did not always rest at Bodmin, for as Roger Hoveden saith, Martin a Canon Regular of the Church of Bodmin, by stealth took away the Body of St. Petroc, and fled with it to the Abbey of St. Meven in Britain the less: Which Theft being discovered, Roger, Pryor of that Cathedral Church, with the Ancient Canons of the Chapter, addressed themselves to King Henry the Father, (for his Son was then likewise King) and from him they obtained a strict command to the Abbot and Convent of St. Meven, without delay to restore St. Petroc 's Body to the Pryour of Bodmin, which if they refused, the King gave order to Roland of Dinant the Governor of little Britain, to take away the Sacred Body by force: As soon as the Abbot of Meven heard hereof, he restored the Body entire, Swearing withal upon the Holy Gospels, and the Relics of certain Saints, that it was the very same Body unchanged and unimpaired. The reason why the Covent of Meven were so desirous of the Relics of St. Petroc, was, because St. Meven the Patron of that Monastery was born in Great Britain, and (as many other Saints did,) fled into the less Britain, and with great Veneration was Honoured in the Territory of St. Malo, where Judicael a Prince of that less Britain descended from this of ours, built the said Monastery.  
All Authors agree, that the year 508. was fatal to the Britain's for the loss of a great Battle; wherein either their Valiant King, or General of his Army was slain; The Name of the Party mentioned to be slain, makes the confusion. The Noble Historian Ethelward expressly affirms, That Cerdic and his Son Cenric slew Natanleod King of the Britain's. Mat. Paris indeed affirms, That Uther was then sick, and Natanleod his General. Bishop Usher may decide this Controversy, who affirms, That Uther in the British Language was called Natanleod, but after for his Valiant Acts, obtained the Surname of Uter, which in British signifies Terrible or Admirable; Therefore his Son and Successor Arthur was called Mab Uther, which signifies the Son of a terrible Prince, because from his Childhood he was Fierce and Cruel; Arthur being out of the British Language interpreted a Terrible Bear, or an Iron-wall, which breaks the Lion's Jaws. Henry of Huntingdon thus describes this Battle; Nazaleod (saith he, so he calls Natanleod,) was a Prince of great Fame, and withal of great Pride, of whom the Province was called Nazaleoli, which after had the Name of Certicks-ford: He gathered an Army out of all Britain; and Certic with his Son to enable themselves to encounter him, had in so great danger obtained Aid from Aesca King of Kent, and Ella the Potent King of the South-Saxons, as likewise from Port and his Son lately arrived; which Forces were divided into two main Bodies, one led by Certic, the other by his Son Cenric. When the Battle was joined, King Nazaleod, perceiving the right Wing of the Enemies, conducted by Certic, was much stronger than the other, he turned all his Forces against it, willing to destroy that which was Strongest. He set upon it therefore with such Violence, that he broke quite through them, threw down their Ensign, forced Certic to fly, and made a great Slaughter of his Army in a short time: But Cenric, who conducted the left Wing, seeing his Father's Army routed, rushed vehemently on the backs of the Britain's, whilst they pursued their Enemies flying; by this means the Combat became furious, insomuch as King Nazaleod was slain, and the Britain's forced to fly, of whom there fell 5000. and the rest saved themselves by their swiftness. Thus the Saxons obtained a great Victory, so that for some years they were not disturbed by the Britain's; and the rather, for that great multitudes of Valiant Soldiers, came out of Germany to join with them. This famous Battle fought in Hampshire, the Province of the Belgae, between the entire Forces of all the Saxons and Britain's, as it were for the Mastery, had utterly ruined the British State, had Uter left behind him a Successor of a Courage less Heroical, than his Son Arthur that renowned Prince, whose glorious Exploits are now to be related.  
The Gests of this Son and Successor of Uter, are clouded by such mists of Fables, that the Truth of his Story can hardly be related, not for want, but the excess of matter recorded of him, and that by Writers, who out of a desire to magnify his Fame, by their impudent Lies have almost extinguished his memory, and rendered him to Posterity a mere Romantic Phantasm. That there was such a Prince as Arthur, and that he was Illustrious by many Victories over the Saxons in defence of his Country, cannot reasonably be questioned; But as to his Exploits abroad, his Round-Table and feigned Knights, we may well leave them to be justified by the Dreaming Bards of that Age: True it is, that Malbranc a Learned French Antiquary, misled by a wrong transcribed passage out of Gildas, will needs confound Arthur with Aurelius Ambrose, as if Uter had been the Father and not the Brother of Aurelius: Whereas our Ancient and most Prudent Historians agree, that without doubt Arthur was the Son of Uter, and Nephew of Ambrose, and succeeded his Father, slain by the Saxons in the Throne of Britain: Some say, he was begotten of Igerna Wife of Gorlois Duke of Cornwall, whose affection Uter obtained, being transformed by the skill of Merlin into the shape of her Husband: But the Virtues, Piety and Courage of this renowned Prince, recompensed by God himself with wonderful success, seem not to suit with a Birth so infamous. A more sober account is given of him, in the Antiquities of Glastonbury, where we may find, That Uterpendragon the Brother of Aurelius Ambrose dying by Poison, after the coming of Cerdic the West Saxon, his Son Arthur a Youth of 15 years, began to reign over the Britain's, his Mother's Name was Igerna; born he was in a Castle of Cornwall, called Tintagel. In this Narration, no aspersion is cast upon his Birth, but rather an Embelishment of it; for it seems to affirm him descended from a Nephew of St. Joseph of Arimathaea called Hellanis: Whether he were no more than 15 years of Age when his Father died may be a question, in regard mention is made of his Noble Exploits in the time of Ambrose: Arthur was not present in the Army when his Father Uther was slain, being then employed to oppose the Irruption of the Picts: For which reason perhaps no mention is made of him in the Saxon Annals, the design of which was only to relate the encounters between them and the Britain's: Neglecting in the mean time what intervened between the Britain's and Picts.  
Now at this time lived a King of the Picts, by some Writers called Navus, by others Can, Happy in a Fruitful Offspring; for he had 24. Children, the Eldest named Howel or Huel, a Prince of Invincible Courage, who would by no means acknowledge subjection to the Britain's; into which Faction he drew all the rest of his Brethren, except only St. Gildas, Surnamed Albanius, who bore a particular Affection to Prince Arthur: This Huel being of a restless Spirit, made frequent inroads into Britain, as may be found in the Life of St. Gildas; and so Cruelly wasted the Country, that the British King sent Prince Arthur with a numerous Army, who began a furious War with the young Pict, and after divers Defeats and Pursuits, slew him in the Island Minau. This War of Arthur's with the Picts, giving occasion to mention this St. Gildas, it will not be unseasonable to relate his Gests, and the rather, that in course of Story, he be distinguished from another Gildas his Contemporary, styled Sapiens or Historicus, and the younger of the two, of whom more hereafter.  
These two are not seldom confounded together by Ancient Writers, by reason they agreed in Name and many good Qualities: Howbeit this Elder Gildas, as we read in his Life, Was the Son of Con King of Albania; and being in his Childhood of an excellent Disposition, was carefully instructed, and did wonderfully profit in good Literature. After he was sent into Gaul, for the increase of his knowledge; where, having abode seven years, he returned into Britain, furnished not with Learning only, but abundance of Books also. The report of his Eminent Learning drew many to him from all quarters, to suck instruction from him. But he took more care to enrich himself with Virtue and Piety than Knowledge; and indeed none was to be found in all those Regions comparable to him in Assiduous Prayers, Fasting, Sackcloth and Mortifications: He wholly abstained from Flesh, contenting himself with Barley-bread and Herbs, with which he mixed Ashes, to abate the Pleasure he might take in the taste of his Food. His Drink was pure Water from the Fountain: He would ordinarily at midnight plunge himself in the River for Mortification, and spend the rest of the night in Prayer, by which Austerities he became so lean, as if he had been in a Consumption. Whatever was bestowed on him by rich-men, he presently distributed amongst the poor: His Charity drew him into Ireland, where the Gospel of Christ was not so well settled, and there he spent many years in instructing that Nation; but being informed, that in the more Northern parts of his own Country, Gentilism was generally professed, and that those few Christians who lived there, were Poisoned with many Heresies, he returned thither; and being thorough furnished with the Armour of God, he demonstrated to the Pagans, that the supposed Deities Worshipped by them, were nothing but the Inventions of Impious men: And to the Heretics, that what they held, was contrary to Divine Truth revealed to God's Church, by which means he is said to have brought the Pagans to destroy their Idols and Profane Temples, to receive Baptism, and erect Churches: The Heretics also he reduced into the bosom of the Catholic Church: Now to make his Preaching more effectual; our Lord was pleased to give him a Plentiful Grace in Healing the Sick, giving Sight to the Blind, Curing the Deaf, Cleansing the Leprous, etc. So that his Preaching confirmed by frequent Miracles, spread the true Faith through all those Provinces, to the glory of God and the inexpressible joy of St. Gildas. After this employment, some say he took a Journey to Rome, others more probably; that being invited by the Holy Abbot St. Cadocus, he presided over the Studies of many young Scholars in the Academy of Lancarvan, where he continued only one year, leaving there a Book of the four Evangelists transcribed by himself: St. Gildas having ended the year of his Presidentship, and his Scholars retiring from their Studies, withdrew himself into a certain Island, as St. Cadocus did into another, the Islands were Ronech and Echni; while St. Gildas continued there in Prayer and Mortification, certain Pirates from the Isles of Orkney robbed him of his Utensils, and carried Captive away some of those which attended him, for which cause in great affliction he passed over to Glastonbury.  
At this time Melvas a British Prince reigned in the Province of Somerset, called by the Britain's Gladarhaf: This Melvas had stolen away Guinivera, wife to King Arthur, concealing her in the Isle of Glastonbury, esteemed most secure, both for the Fenny Situation, and Religion of the place: Hereupon King Arthur assembled a mighty Army out of Cornwall and Devonshire, and encompassed the Island: The two Kings being ready to join Battle, the Abbot of Glastonbury, attended by St. Gildas and all the Clergy, came between the two Armies, and by persuasion induced Melvas to restore the Queen to her Husband, which being performed, Peace ensued, and both the Kings bestowed great Possessions and Immunities on the Monastery: After which St. Gildas, with the Abbot's permission, retired again to an Hermetical Solitude on the bank of the River Axus near Glastonbury; where he built a Church, Consecrating it to the Blessed Trinity, and there spent his time in Prayer, Fasting and other Austerities; His Sanctity was so exemplary, that many came from the farthest part of Britain to visit him, and take Spiritual Council from him: He than fell into a Sickness, and knowing that his Death approached, he called to him the Abbot of Glastonbury, and requested of him, That his Body might be buried in the Church of that Monastery; which was readily granted: So the Holy man dying the 4th. day before the Calends of February, many saw an Angelical Splendour about his Sacred Body, which yielded a most Pleasant Odour. And after a solemn Recommendation of his Soul with many Tears of the Religious, his Sacred Body was carried with great Honour to the Church, and there buried in the midst of the Pavement of the Ancient Church, in the year of Grace 512. What hath been here related, agrees with the Ancient Monuments of Glastonbury, where this Holy man is styled Historicus, neque Insulsus, neque Infacetus, and most particulars of his Life are with a large Character of him, confirmed in the Gallican Martyrology, where is also added, That he being during his Childhood sent into France, was recommended to the Instructions of Iltutus, a Disciple of St. Germane; and that his Voyage into Ireland, was to root out many Heresies sprung up amongst the late Converted Christians, and to reform many Vices and unlawful Customs; and that the Heresy most opposed by him in the Northern parts of Britain, was Pelagianism: What is there said of his going over to Little Britain in his old Age, and his being buried in the Church of Vannes, contradicts our British Authors; but it is probable, that when the Saxons infested our Western Provinces, his Sacred Relics might be translated, and reposed in the great Church of Vannes, where he is to this day Venerated as Patron of that City. Many mistakes have fallen out by consounding this St. Gildas, with two others, one Confessor and Abbot of Bangor, and another the Historian Surnamed Badonicus: Howbeit the precise Territory where this Gildas Albanius was born, may be collected out of Ancient Manuscripts quoted by Bishop Usher, which relate, That the Blessed St. Gildas was born in the most fruitful Region called Arecluta, His Father's name was Caun, a most Noble and Catholic person: This Region Arecluta, a part of Britain, took its Name from the River Clut, by which the greatest part thereof is Watered, and is now called Argyle, Argathelia: And Clut before that Glotea, and Cluida was Northward, the bounds of the British Provinces under the Roman jurisdiction, beyond which lived the Caledonians, etc.  
In the sixth year after the Battle where Uther was slain, new Supplies came out of Germany to the Saxons. For Stuff and Whitgar Nephews of Cerdic landed with three Ships at Certic-shore: The Britain's early in the morning in very good order ranged their Armies against them. The Sun then arising, cast its beams upon the British Armour, and reflecting thence, partly from the Mountains, and partly from the Valleys below, struck a great Terror into the Saxons; But when they came to Fight, the Britain's were quickly defeated, because God despised them: By this Victory the Saxons gained a great extent of Land, and Cerdic became so Terrible, that he marched whither he pleased without control.  
The year following, Ella King of the South-Saxons dying, his Son Cissa succeeded; whilst Ella lived, though his Territories were narrow, yet was he for his Courage esteemed the most potent of all the Saxon Princes; insomuch as the Princes, Nobles and Military Officers of the Angli had a great dependence on him: But this lasted not long, for it was shortly after transferred on Cerdic the West-Saxon, whose Kingdom, though not yet begun, yet had its foundation from this Victory: Cissa being of a milder Spirit, contented himself with his own little Kingdom, without extending his Power further. He employed his time in exercises of Peace, especially Building and Fortifying of Cities: In two of which he left the memory of his own Name Chichester and Cisbury, as our Cambden relates, adding, That this Cissa, with his Father Ella and Brother Cimen, landed in a Port of that Province, called therefore Cimenshore.  
The year wherein Cerdic obtained the last mentioned Victory, is famous for the Birth of the renowned British Bishop St. Kontigern; the strangeness of which, since it is Celebrated by many Ancient Writers, is not here to be omitted. His Mother is said to be Thenis the Daughter of Loath King of Pictland, and Anna the Daughter of Vterpendragon, and consequently he was the Nephew of King Arthur. Who was the Father of St. Kentigern is not certainly known, some suppose him to be Eugenius the Third King of the Scots. John of Tinmouth an Ancient Historian thus relates his Original, A certain King in the Northern parts of Britain, who was a Pagan, begot of his Wife a very Beautiful Daughter; she having been a frequent hearer of Sermons preached by the Servants of God, obtained the Grace to believe his Truth, and renounce the Worshipping of Idols; and though she had not yet been Purified with the Sacrament of Baptism; yet she was diligent in observing Gods Commandments with an Humble and Devout mind, being much given to Prayer and , and other Duties of Ecclesiastical Discipline, as much as the fear of offending her Father would permit. She bore so great a Devotion to the fruitful Virginity and Integrity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that moved with a Womanish presumption, she begged of our Lord that she might in some measure imitate her in her Conception and Birth: At length, as she thought, she obtained her desire, for she found herself with Child. Now it is not to be conceived that this happened without the Embraces of a man; notwithstanding who this man was, or in what manner, and when this was done, she oft Protested, and with Oaths confirmed it, that she was utterly ignorant. Her Father perceiving this, and not being able either by fair Speeches or Threaten to wrest from her, who was the Father of the Child; for she seriously Protested, that she had never suffered the unlawful Embraces of any man: Hereupon in a great rage determined to execute upon her the Law of the Country; which was, That whatsoever young Maid should be found with Child by Fornication in her Father's House, should be thrown Headlong from the top of a high Mountain, and the person who corrupted her should lose his Head: In conformity to this Law, the young Woman was placed on the highest part of a mountain in that Country called Dunpelder, from thence to be thrown down and torn in pieces: She therefore with deep Sighs, looking up to Heaven, implored the Mercy and Help of her Redeemer with many Tears; after this she was cast down, but by the fall was neither bruised, nor received the least harm, but sliding down easily and slowly, came safe to the bottom: The Pagans there present, ascribed this deliverance to the Magical Enchantments of the Christians, and therefore with the King's Consent, they carried her several Miles into the Sea, and there left her in a small Boat made of Leather without any Oars, and destitute of all Humane help: But it seems he who commands the Winds and the Seas was her Protector; for by his Power the Boat was carried strait to a far distant Haven, with greater swiftness than either Oars or Sails could have driven her. Being there arrived, the young Lady soon after at a place called Collenros, was delivered without the assistance of a Midwife, of a Son: This Collenroes probably is the same which St. Bede calls Coludi, and Ptolemy Colania in the Province of Louden: The next morning St. Servanus came to the place, and seeing the desolate Mother with her Infant, said, My Beloved Child, Blessed art thou who art come in the Name of the Lord: He took them into his care, nourished and Baptised them, calling the Mother Thanen, and the Child Kentigern, that is, Cheif-Lord. The Child being of a towardly Disposition, profited, much in Learning and Virtue, and was Beloved of St. Servanus beyond all his Companions, and called Munhu, as he is still named among the Scots: So as they who affirm his Birth to have been at St. Asaph in Flintshire, are much mistaken; which mistake perhaps ariseth from his being afterwards Bishop there. However, after 25 years, we shall find him Consecrated Bishop of Glasco, and then more is to be said of him.  
The continual Troubles raised by the Saxons, would not permit King Arthur to Solemnize his Coronation, till eight years after his Father's death: But in the year of Grace 516. the Ceremony was Magnificently performed in a General Assembly of Bishops and Nobles at Caerleon; St. Dubritius Bishop of that City setting the Crown on his Head. After which the Holy Bishop retired into a certain Island in North-wales called by the Britain's Enhly, and by the English Berdsey, which Island (saith Cambden) Was inhabited by so many Saints, that beside Dubritius and Merlin the Caledonian no fewer than 20000 Holy men were Buried there, as Records inform us. Concerning this Island (saith Bishop Usher) It was called by the Britain's, The Rome of Britain; for the distance of it, the difficulty of Passage, the Sanctity and Security of it, since 20000 Saints are there Venerated as Martyrs, and since it is on all sides encompassed with the Sea. By which may be collected what esteem the Britain's then had of Rome, and what agreement in Religion there was between them.  
At this time the Saxons invited more of their Countrymen out of Germany: And under the conduct of Colgrin, they subdued all that part of Britain, which lies from Humber to the Sea of Cathanes; whereof, when King Arthur was informed, he marched with an Army towards York, which was then held by the Saxons. Colgrin met him with a great multitude near the River Douglas in Lancashire; but coming to a Battle, Colgrin was put to flight, and pursued by King Arthur to York. Baldulph the Brother of Colgrin at that time lay with some Forces toward the Sea, expecting the coming of the Saxons. He intended to make an Irruption by night into King Arthur's Army; but the King being admonished thereof by Spies, sent Cador Duke of Cornwall with 600 Horse, and 3000 Foot, to intercept the Saxons; which Forces setting on the Saxons unexpectedly, killed a great number of them, and put the rest to flight. King Arthur closely Besieged York; during which Siege, a famous Germane Captain called Cheldric arrived in Albania with 700 Boats. These great succours frighted the Britain's from their Siege, so as the King retired with his Army to London, from whence he sent Messengers to his Nephew Hoel King of Little-Britain, to inform him of the Calamity of this Island. Hoel to secure his Uncle, landed shortly after with 15000 men at the Haven of Hamon, where he was with great Joy and Honour received by King Arthur: Encouraged with these new Forces, he obtained the next year two famous Victories against the Saxons; the former near the River Bassas, the latter in the Wood Chelidon, both in Lincolnshire, near Lincoln the chief City. No fewer than 6000 of the Saxons were slain, the rest fled into the Wood or Forest of Caledon, and were pursued by King Arthur, and there Immured by great Trees cut down, and laid athwart, so as they were thereby reduced to such extreme Famine, that they begged leave to departed the Realm, leaving all their Spoils behind them: By this Exploit the Saxons were driven out of the middle part of Britain: Howbeit in the Western part they so prevailed, that Cerdicus there established a Kingdom.  
Another Victory this Heroic King is said to have obtained, though the time be not mentioned, against these Barbarous Enemies near the Castle called Guinnion. In which Battle the King carried upon his Shoulders the Image of the Blessed Virgin-mother of God, and all that day by the Virtue and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and St. Marry his Mother, compelled the Saxons to fly, after many had perished with a great slaughter; the succeeding Exploits of this King follow after.  
Whilst most of the Provinces of that part of Britain, which is since called England, were thus miserably disquieted, the parts thereof since called Wales, enjoyed good repose, and were made Illustrious by great numbers of Saints, who flourished there; as St. Dubritius, St. Samson, St. David, St. Thelian, St. Kined, St. Paternus, St. Daniel, St. Justinian and others, some of these have been already mentioned, and more of their Gests will follow: As for St. Daniel, he is reported by Bishop Usher, to have built a College or Monastery of the Apostolic Order for the Sacred Exercises of Learned and Pious men in Arvonia, the Country of the Venedati, not far from the straight where men pass into the Isle of Anglesey out of Wales: Which College, was by the Founder called the Port or Haven; It was built in the year of our Lord 516. In the same place, not long after Malgo Conan built a City, which for the Beautiful Situation of it, he called Bancor or Bangor; after it was the seat of a Bishop, wherein this St. Daniel was the first who sat: So that Bishop Goodwin is mistaken, in affirming, that no Bishop had been there before the Norman Conquest. This City of Bangor was a place distinct from the famous Monastery of that Name: There was indeed a Monastery in both places; but this was seated in Arvonia, now Caernarvan, upon the River Menai, dividing it from Anglesey, whereas the other was in Flintshire. This was Erected by St. Daniel, that was extant long before, in the Infancy of Christianity under King Lucius, as hath been shown: In both of them there lived Monks Apostolici Ordinis, because in imitation of the Apostles they practised self Abnegation, and a renouncing of Temporal Possessions. This Holy man Daniel was joined with St. Dubritius and St. David in confuting and condemning the Pelagian Heresy, for which purpose he was present in the Synod of Brevi; he died in the year of Grace 544. in which year also St. David died, and he was buried in the Isle of Berdsey, called to this day in the Welsh Tongue Yrugan mil Saint. There was at this time two other Saints, who Illustrated Britain with their Miracles and Sanctity, St. Justinian and St. Pattern; the first took his Original from a Noble Family in Little Britain, where, having spent his Youth in Learning, he received the Order of Priesthood, and by Divine Oracle was commanded to forsake his Country: Whereupon with certain Companions he adventured to Sea in a Boat covered with Leather, Praying earnestly to God, That he would so direct their course, that they might come to a Solitude, Commodious for the Exercise of a Spiritual Life: At length they landed in a Province called Cormer, where they abode a certain time; in which many repaired to the Holy man, to partake of his Instructions: Not long after he received a second Command from God to relinquish that place. Thereupon entering his Boat, and committing himself to the Sea and Winds, he landed in an Island, then called Lemeney, in which Honorius a Devout Son of King Thefrianc then lived a Mortified Holy Life, having preferred Poverty, and a free Attendance upon God, before all Worldly Conveniences: By him St. Justinian was received with all Benignity, and offered the same Mansion, wherein he might without distraction, gain Souls to our Lord: But this offer St. Justinian would not accept, but upon condition that the Sister of St. Honorius and a Maid attending on her, might no longer abide in the same Island: This scrupulousness was derided by some Misbelievers, but complied with by St. Honorius, who sent his Sister to another place, that he might enjoy the Instruction and Conversation of the Holy man: After this many repaired to him to be Instructed in the Christian Faith and Piety, who returned sufficiently Enlightened; both to find the way of Salvation themselves, and to teach it to others. Now when the fame of so great a Saint came to the knowledge of St. David; He sent for him, and received him with great Honour, making choice of him for his Confessor, and under God the chief Director of his Soul, and granted to him and his Brethren convenient Mansions, both in the Island and adjoining Continent, such as they themselves had chosen: It is said the malice and envy of the Devil interrupted and disturbed the Devout and Mortified Life of this Holy man by frequent Illusions, and suggesting scandalous Lies concerning him; But in the end the Enemy of Manking finding himself vanquished by the Saint, and that neither by violent Assaults, nor by malicious Suggestions, he could withdraw him from the Service of God; he attempted other guileful Arts and Machinations, by infusing the Poison of his Malice into the Hearts of three of the Holy man's Servants; for they being reproved by him for their Idleness, were soon inflamed with fury against him; insomuch, as rushing all upon him, they threw him to the ground, and cruelly cut off his Head: Where the Sacred Head fell, a Fountain of pure Water presently flowed, by Drinking of which in following times, many have been Miraculously restored to Health: But in truth greater Miracles succeeded his Death, for it is constantly affirmed, That the Body of the Blessed Martyr presently arose, and taking the Head between the two Arms, went down to the Seashore, and walking thence on the Sea, passed over to the Port called by his Name; and being arrived at a place where a Church is now built to his memory, it fell down, and was there buried by St. David with Spiritual Hymns and Canticles: In which Church our Lord hath frequently vouchsafed to attest the Sanctity of his Servant by many Miracles. The name of this Island now is Ramsey, it lies in sight of Menevia, the Episcopal seat of St. David, and opposite to it. And it is affirmed by Cambden, To be famous for the death of of a Holy man called Justinian, who coming from Little Britain, lived a Solitary Life, but was at last Murdered by his Servants, and inscribed in the Catalogue of Martyrs.  
The Sanctity of St. Dubritius and St. David, etc. Drew into Britain from Foreign parts also St. Paternus a Devout young man, in the year of Grace 516. (saith Bishop Usher) together with 847 Monks which accompanied him. These fixed themselves in a place called Mauritania, where St. Pattern built a Church and Monastery, in which he placed the Monks under a Provost and Dean: The Name Mauritania seems to be a mistake, for the Church within the Province of the Dimetae or West-Wales, was Dedicated to the Honour of St. Paternus; after the Pronunciation of the Britain's, is called lan Pattern Maur, from which last word, Mauritania may creep in: The Monastery here built by St. Paternus, sent abroad many Colonies of Religious Persons into the Province Ceretica, now Cardiganshire: As for the Church he called Mauritania or lan Pattern Maur, it was an Episcopal See, wherein St. Paternus himself first sat, whose memory, both as an Abbot and a Bishop, hath been long since Celebrated by a famous Poet Venantius Fortunatus: After 21 years spent by St. Paternus in governing this See, from him called Paternensis; He was by Prince Caradoc, recalled into his Native Country Little Britain, and made Bishop of Vannes, having left in his former Bishopric Kinock his Successor: There was also another St. Paternus a Bishop in France, many of whose Gests have been ascribed to the former, so as some doubt is made which of those subscribed the Synod of Paris, assembled in the year of Grace 569.  
About this time died St. Darerca Sister of St. Patrick, and born in Britain, from whence she repaired to her Brother in Ireland; she was also called Monynni, and by some confounded with St. Moduenna, of whom more hereafter. St. Darerca was a Married Woman, and by two Husbands enriched the Church with a numerous and Holy offspring; by her Husband Conis, she is said to have brought forth three Children, Mel, Rioch and Menni, all which accompanied St. Patrick in his Journeys and Preaching, and were in several places exalted to the Episcopal Function: Of St. Rioch we read, That he was by Nation a Britain, near Kinsman to the Holy Bishop St. Patrick; and a Deacon when he attended him into Ireland, and that in Beauty and Comeliness of Body, he excelled all others of that Nation. But the Beauty of his Soul was much more valuable: He seems to have been Ordained Bishop by St. Patrick, and to have fixed his seat in a small Island, which according to St. Bede is situated at some distance from the Western Coasts of Ireland, and is called the Isle of Whitecalfe; where St. Coleman afterwards built a Monastery, and is promiscuously Inhabited by English and Scots: St. Dererca had many other Sons famous for their Sanctity, but we shall now take notice only of two more Illustrious than the rest; the first Sechnallus, in Latin, Secundinus, who wrote the Alphabetical Hymn in Praise of St. Patrick. The others name was Auxilius, who was by St. Patrick ordained Bishop of Leimster (Laginensium) and after many Miracles wrought by him, ended his Holy Life in Cealusalli, his own City, seated in the Plains of Leimster.  
In the year of Grace 519. a British Synod was assembled; upon this occasion. The detestable Heresy of the Pelagians extinguished by St. Germanus and St. Lupus, began to Spring again, to the hazard of the Catholic Faith. The Bishops and Abbots of Cambria met in Cardiganshire, divers Noblemen and other Lay-people were present out of the whole Country; many Sermons and Exhortations were made in the public Audience to confute the said Heresy: Howbeit, the People were generally so infected therewith, that no reasons or persuasions could prevail with them to return into the Path of Right Faith: At length therefore Paulin, a Bishop with whom St. David in his youth had been Educated, earnestly persuaded the Fathers to send for St. David in the Name of the Synod, who was lately Consecrated Bishop by the Patriarch, and was a Discreet and Eloquent man, to afford his assistance to God's Church now in great danger, but could not prevail with him to forsake his Contemplations, until at last two Holy men, Daniel and Dubritius by their Authority brought him with them to the Synod. And then all the Fathers there Assembled, enjoined St. David to Preach. He commanded a Child, which had lately been restored to Life by him, to spread a Napkin under his feet, and standing upon it, he began to expound the Gospel and the Law to the Auditory: All the while he continued his Oration, a Snow-white Dove descending from Heaven, sat upon his Shoulders, and the Earth on which he stood, raised itself under him, till it became a Hill, from whence his Voice like a Trumpet was clearly heard and understood by all both far and near: On the top of which Hill a Church was afterwards built, which remains to this day: When the Sermon was finished, so Powerfully did Divine Grace Cooperate; that the Heresy soon vanished and was extinguished: And the Holy Bishop St. David, by the general Election and Acclamation both of Clergy and People, was exalted to be the Archbishop of all Cambria. By the Confusions of those times, the Decrees of this and other Synods are unhappily lost; by which we might have been informed of the State of the than British Church; yet something of it may be collected out of the Author of St. David's Life, who tells us, That Heresy being thus expelled, all the Churches of Britain, received their Order and Rule, from the Authority of the Roman Church; By which we may see the mistake of some Modern Writers, who will needs affirm that the British Church before the Conversion of the Saxons, in their Faith and Discipline, were squared after the Model of the Eastern Church. This Synod Spelman calls Panbritanicum; and soon after it, Monasteries were built in several places, and this Holy Bishop St. David became the chief Protector of them, and withal a Preacher of such esteem, that all men received a Rule and Form of Holy living from him. This expedient the Holy Spirit suggested to the Ancient Fathers, namely the Building of Monasteries, thereby to promote and fortify the Catholic Faith; for out of them still proceeded some to instruct Believers in Faith and Holiness of Life. But another Spirit suggested Dioclesian, the Infidel Saxons, and some Zealots of late days, to destroy Monasteries, as a sure means to destroy Faith and Holiness also. It may not here be unprofitable to describe the form of a Monastic Life instituted by St. David; who having built a Monastery near Menevia, in a place called Rosma, or the Rosey Valley, gave this strict Rule of Monastical Profession, That every Monk should labour daily with his Hands for the common good of the Monastery. For Idleness corrupts the Thoughts and Minds of men. The Monks there were not to take Gifts or Possessions from unjust persons, and detested Riches; they had no care to ease their Labours by use of Oxen or Cattle, for every one to himself and his Brethren was instead of Riches and Oxen. They never conversed together by talking, but when necessity required, but each one performed the labour enjoined him, joining thereto Prayer or Holy Meditations on Divine things. And having finished their Country work, they returned to the Monastery, where they spent the remainder of the day till Even, in Reading or Writing: At Even upon the sounding of a Bell, they all left their work and repaired to Church, where they remained till the Stars appeared, and then went all together to their Refection, eating sparingly, and not to satiety; their Food was Bread, with Roots or Herbs seasoned with Salt, and they quenched their Thirst mith a mixture of Water and Milk: Supper being ended, they continued three hours in Watching, Prayers and Genuflexions. As long as they were in the Church, it was not permitted to any to Slumber, Sneeze or Spit. After this they went to their Rest, and at Cock-crowing, they risen and continued at Prayers till day appeared. All their inward temptations and thoughts they discovered to their Superior, and from him they demanded permission in all things, even when they were urged to the necessities of Nature. Their Clothing was of the Skins of Beasts: Whosoever desired to join himself in their Holy Conversation, he was obliged to remain 10 days at the door of the Monastery as a Reprobate, unworthy to be admitted into their Society, and there be exposed to Opprobious scorns: But if all that time he Patiently suffered all Mortifications, he was received by the Religious Senior, who had care of the Gate, whom he served, and by whom he was instructed; in which condition he remained a long time, exercised in painful Labours, and grievous Mortifications; and so at last was admitted to the Fellowship of the Brethren. Cambden makes mention of this Synod, saying, Llandevibrevi, or the Church of St. David near the River Brevi, was built in memory of St. David Bishop of Menevia, in the place where He, during the sitting of a full Synod, confuted and repressed the Pelagian Heresy reviving in Britain, by the Holy Scriptures and, Miracles; For, as the Fame is, the Earth on which he Preached, swelled up under his feet till it became a Hill. This Synod it seems was celebrated, not in House or Town, but in the open Fields, as afterwards St. Augustine the Monk held a Council in a place, from thence called Augustine's Oak; and as Anciently Theophilus Assembled a Synod in the Cause of Athanasius, in a place called, Ad Quercum, at the Oak. Now whereas in this Synod were Assembled many great Saints and Holy Bishops, the Lights of the British Churches, as St. Dubritius, St. Daniel, St. David, St. Telian, and St. Paulin, of whom some mention hath been made already, it will not be amiss, here to subjoin a summary of their respective Gests; lest if they should be set down particularly, there would be such intermixture as might perhaps confound the Readers memory, especially considering the wonderful length of time which most of them lived. Concerning St. Daniel, enough hath been said. We shall here begin with St. Dubritius, who was born in the Province of the Demetae, or West-wales, Surnamed he was Guainius, from the River Guain, near which he was born; his Father's Name is not mentioned, but his Mother was called Euedyla, a Woman of wonderful Virtue and Piety; during his Childhood, he was committed to the care of Teachers, to be instructed in Learning suitable to that Age: In his riper years he made such Progress in Science, that very many, not only among the Ignorant, but the more skilful also, repaired to him for Instructions. Amongst which were St. Thelian, St Samson, St. Aidan, and others: He made choice of a place near the River Vaga, proper to receive the great number of Scholars, which came to him; and there directed their Studies. In the same place having built a Church by the direction of an Angel, he there taught the People, and by imposing his Hands, Cured frequently the Sick of divers Infirmities; so that they which came to him Feeble, and full of Anguish, returned Joyful, and in Perfect Health: He was taken from his Employment of Teaching by St. German in his second Voyage to Britain, and with the consent of King Mauricus and all the Clergy, Consecrated Bishop of Llandaff, as hath been said in the year of Grace 436. by which account, since he outlived the said Synod of Brevi; it is plain, the length of his Life was wonderful, for at that time he had been a Bishop more than 80 years.  
In the year 492. Aurelius Ambrose coming to the Mountains of Ambri, near to Caer Carec, now Salisbury, where the British Princes Traitorously Murdered by Hengist, lay, appointed Pastors to two Metropolitan Churches, granting York to the Illustrious St. Samson, and Caerleon to Dubritius, the latter vacant by the Death of Threminius; Geoffry of Monmouth adds, That he was Primate of Britain, and Legate of the Apostolic See; Which Dignity it seems was annexed to that Church by St. German, from the Authority, which in his Mission hither he received from Rome. In the year 516 He Solemnly Crowned King Arthur; after which being very Aged, as hath been said, he relinquished his See, and retired into the Isle of Berdsey to prepare for his Death; from which repose notwithstanding, his Zeal to the Catholic Faith, drew him to the Synod of Brevy, St. David being his Successor as aforesaid: Three years after, full of Sanctity and Age, he gave up his Soul into the Hands of his Creator, in the said Isle of Berdsey, where, among a multitude of Saints, he chose his place of Burial, and there his Sacred Body reposed, until the year of Grace 1120. at which time it was translated from thence with great Honour by Vrbanus Bishop of Landaff, and buried in the Cathedral Church on the North-side of the Altar of our Blessed Lady: At which time the whole Country of Glamorgan was afflicted with a great Drougth, no Rain having there fallen for many Weeks; but when these Holy Relics were translated, great store of Rain sell, to the comfort of the Inhabitants.  
One of the most Illustrious Disciples of St. Dubritius was St. Thelian, descended of a Noble British Family,  the Centurioators of Magdeburg have malignantly wrote of him. From his Infancy he was addicted to Devotion, Prayer, and contempt of Secular Pleasures; and being come to his riper Age, he was for his Wisdom and Piety Surnamed Helias, because with his Doctrine he Enlightened the Hearts of the Faithful, as the Sun doth the World. He was instructed in the Holy Scriptures by St. Dubritius, till he was enabled to clear the most difficult places therein. Then having heard the fame of a certain wise man called Paulinus, he went to him to confer with him of the most abstruse Mysteries of God's Word; by this means he contracted Friendship with St. David, a man of great Perfection in Sanctity; insomuch as their Hearts were so firmly knit together by Charity and the Grace of God's Holy Spirit, that in all things they had but one Will: When St. Dubritius was translated from Landaff to the Metropolitan Church of Caerleon, St. Thalian succeeded him in Landaff, wherein he sat many years; For, it is said, he died not until the coming of St. Augustine into Britain, by whom his Successor St. Oudoceus was Consecrated: When a certain Infection, called the Yellow Plague infested Britain, raging against Men and Beasts, by Divine Admonition he departed into a far Country, accompanied with many Disciples, where he abode, till by the same Authority he was recalled: Neither did he cease day or night by daily Prayer and Fasting to Pacify God's Wrath; and then gathering together all his Devout Companions, returned; and all his Life after exercised Supreme Jurisdiction over all the Churches in the Western Britain: He died at last, being replenished with all Virtues in a good Old Age. Many Miracles are recorded to be done by him, both before and after his Death: One of them only which Bishop Godwin thought not fit to pass over, is this, After he was dead, the Inhabitants of three several places contended earnestly, which of them should enjoy his Body: Those of Penualum, where his Ancestors had been Buried, those of Lantelio vaur where he died; and those of Landaff among whom he had been Bishop. When therefore no agreement could be made amongst them, there appeared presently three Bodies, so like to one another, that three Eggs resemble not more perfectly: Whereupon each of those People took one of them, and so ended the Controversy: But by frequent Miracles at his Tomb in Landaff, it appeared that the Inhabitants thereof possessed the true Body.  
Now whereas mention is made of Paulinus, said to be Instructor to Thelian, and who sent for St. David to the Synod of Brevi: His true Name seems to be Paulens, of whom we find it thus written, That St. David, as soon as he was promoted to Priesthood, went to Paulens a Disciple of St. Germane; and that in a certain Island he led a Holy Life acceptable to God, and that St. David lived with him many years, and followed his Instructions. Paulens at last by extreme pains in his Eyes, lost the use of them: Whereupon calling his Disciples together, he desired that one after another, they would look upon his Eyes, and say a Prayer or Benediction on them: But receiving no benefit thereby, David said to him, Father command me not to look you in the face, for ten years are past since I studied the Scriptures with you, and in all that time I never had the boldness to look you in the face; Paulens admiring his Humility, said, Since it is so, it will suffice, if by touching mine Eyes thou pronounce a Benediction on them; Presently therefore, as soon as he had touched them, Sight was restored to them.  
The same year wherein the Synod of Brevi was Celebrated, Cerdic began the Kingdom of the Westsaxons, That is (saith Huntingdon) in the seventy first year after the first coming of the Saxons, in the reign of the Emperor Justin the Elder. This Cerdic is said to be Crowned with Pagan Ceremonies at Winchester, in a place which once had been the Church of the true God, but which these Barbarous Heathens had changed into a Temple of Dagon, after they had slain all the Monks who served God there. The raising of this new Kingdom, disproves the Fictions of Geffrey of Monmouth, concerning the great and frequent Victories of King Arthur in these days. It is likely to be more true, which Huntingdon expressly declares, namely, That this year a terrible Battle was fought between Cerdic and the Britain's, and that on both sides the Captains Fought Magnanimously till Even; but then the Saxons got the Victory, which would have been more Bloody to the Britain's, had not the darkness hindered the Pursuit: After this the Fame of Cerdic and his Son Kenric was largely spread through the whole land; and from that day began the Kingdom of the Westsaxons, which having swallowed all the other Principalities, remains to our times. Many Battles are said to have been Fought between King Arthur and this Cerdic, wherein, sometimes one, sometimes the other had the better; But at last King Arthur grew weary, and contenting himself with an Oath of Fidelity from Cerdic, gave him the Provinces of Hampshire and Somerset. Some Authors affirm a League to have been made between them, wherein a special Privilege was provided for Cornwall to be permitted upon an Annual Tribute, the free exercise of Christian Religion: Which Indulgence seems to be proved by the great number of Saints, which in those and the following times flourished in that Province; whereas scarce any can be found in other parts of Britain subject to the Saxons: And in truth it is very like that great multitudes of Britain's flying from the fury of the Saxons, betook themselves to Cornwall and Wales, as places most distant and more defenceable, and where they might expect better Conditions, and more advantage of resisting their new Masters, then in other parts; for no doubt this Kingdom of the Westsaxons was made up of more Provinces than Hampshire or Somerset, so that Cerdic had good footing in Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, to which shortly after was added the Isle of Wight, bestowed by Cerdic on his late arrived Kinsmen Stuffa and Whitgar, who destroyed the British Inhabitants there at Whitgarburg, so called from Whitgar, but now contractedly Caresburg. While Cerdic was busy in establishing his new Kingdom, in the year 520. Colgrin, Baldulf and Cheldric, whom King Arthur had lately subdued at York, and forced to abjure the land; returning, landed at Totness, from whence passing through Cerdic's Dominions, they came to the City of Bath and Besieged it. King Arthur hearing thereof, caused the Hostages which they had left to be Hanged; and gathering a mighty Army, came to raise the Siege; where the Armies being joined, he calling on the Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose Image he wore over his Armour, slew great numbers of his Enemies, and amongst the rest, Colgrin and his Brother Baldulf, which Cheldric perceiving, fled, and was pursued by Cador the Duke of Cornwall to the Isle of Thanet, and there slain by him, the rest being forced to yield. King Arthur, as may be remembered, obtained a Battle before he was King near Bath at the Mountain Badonicus; now this is likely to be another defeat given by King Arthur to the Saxons, and the City of Bath being in the utmost extremity Westward of Cerdic's Kingdom, it might at this time have been in the possession of the Britain's. As for King Arthur's invoking the assistance of our Blessed Lady in the Fight, it was a Devotion generally practised by the Church in this Age. For two years before, there having been Assembled two Counsels in the East, one at Jerusalem, and the other at Constantinople, the Synod at Jerusalem wrote to the Bishops of the other Council thus, We beseech you most Holy Bishops, to Pray with us to our Lord for these things, for the Necessities of God's Priests ought to be common; make your Supplications likewise with us to the most Holy and Glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God, that she would intercede for the Peace of the Catholic Church, and for the Victory and long Life of our most Excellent and Pious Emperor; The like practice we find elsewhere, of which many Examples may be given: The next year King Arthur was called into the Northern parts to assist Prince Howel, who three years before was come out of Little Britain to his Aid, and was now Besieged by the Picts and Scots in the City called Acluid, wherein he lay Sick. Upon King Arthur's approach, the Enemies retired to a place called Mureif whither he pursued them; but they escaping by night, fled to a Lake called Lumoney: Whereupon King Arthur gathering many Ships together, encompassed the Island, and in 15 days brought them to such extreme Famine, that many thousands of them Perished: In which utmost danger the Bishops of that Region came Barefoot to the King with Tears, beseeching him, To take pity of that miserable People, and to give them some small portion of that Country, to inhabit under the yoke of perpetual Servitude. The King thus mollified with the Tears of the Bishops, pardoned his Enemies, and granted their request; Hence it is, that some Writers ground the subjection of Scotland to the Crown of Britain, and particularly Walsingham; but certainly better grounds may be found of it than this. Whereas it is said, that certain Pictish and Scotish Bishops were Supplicants to this King for their Distressed Countrymen; it hath been already demonstrated that the Province of the Picts, where the City of Acluid is seated, had many years before received the Christian Faith by the Preaching of St. Ninianus; but who were his Successors is hard to conjecture. In the Annals of Ireland, mention is made of a certain Bishop called Nennion, who is said to have flourished in Britain about the year 520. and to have had his seat in a place called the great Monastery: This man probably was the Successor of St. Ninianus, and that great Monastery the same with Candida Casa, where the Monument of that Apostolic Bishop was, which by reason of frequent Miracles wrought there, invited great numbers of Devout men to embrace a Caenobitical Life: Of this Bishop Nennion we read in the Life of St. Finanus, That he having been in his Childhood instructed by St. Coleman, was afterward recommended to the care of Nennion, when he came into Ireland, and returned with Nennion into Scotland, and there Learned of him the Rules of a Monastical Life at his See, called the great Monastery. Finanus there also studied the Holy Scriptures, and by invoking the Name of Christ, is said to have wrought many Miracles. And having been thus instructed by Nennion, he took a Journey to the See Apostolic, there to supply his defects in saving knowledge; seven years he continued at Rome, daily advancing in Sacred Science, and then ascended to the degree of Priesthood. This Nennion in probability, was one of those who interceded with King Arthur, and about the same time that St. Finanus lived under his Discipline.  
I shall pass by the Death of Guenevera King Arthur's Wife, and his second Marriage with great Solemnities at the sametime, with the Prodigious Victories ascribed to him by some of our Writers in Foreign parts, and proceed to other transactions more probable occurring in his time.  
In the year 527. two new Kingdoms were Erected in Britain, without any disturbance from King Arthur, in the Eastern Provinces of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, the Kingdom of the East-Angles was Established, and in Midlesex and Essex the Kingdom of the East-Saxons: Which of these Kingdoms were first Erected, is uncertain; but both without doubt much about the same time. The first King of the East-Saxons, is believed to be Erkenwin the Son of Offa, and the Kingdom of the East-Angles, is thought to begin under Vffa, from whom the succeeding Kings were Anciently called Vffing: The year following the Isle of Wight, by the Britain's called Guith, which signifies a divorce or renting asunder, and by the Saxons Witland, was Conquered by King Cerdic, and given to his Nephews Stuffa and Whitgar: But while Cerdic busied himself about the Invasion of the Isle of Wight, St. David Bishop of Menevia Assembled a Provincial Synod, called the Synod of Victory, wherein all the Clergy of Wales or Cambria met together, and confirmed the former Decrees of the Synod of Brevy, and added new ones for the Church's benefit; from which two Synods all the Churches of Cambria received their Ecclesiastical Orders, which also were confirmed by the Authority of the Roman Church: These Decrees were committed to Writing with his own hand, and reserved in his own Church, the Copies thereof being communicated to other Churches in that Province, all which with many other Treasures of that Noble Library furnished by him, have been lost, partly by Age and Negligence, but principally by the Incursions of Pirates, who, from the Isles of Orkney, every Summer used to waste the Seacoasts of Cambria: This loss indeed is to be deplored, since by those Records we might have perfectly understood the state of the British Churches: However, we are assured that those Churches were regulated according to the Roman, and practised the same both in Doctrine and Discipline, and consequently, that St. Augustine sent after to Convert the Saxons, brought no Novelties with him, since St. Gregory who sent him, was exalted to St. Peter's Chair, not above 60 years after this Synod. It is written in the Life of St. Kined, That when St. David had published his Edicts for assembling this Universal Council of Cambria, he humbly invited St. Kined to it; who excused his not coming, in regard, that for his sins, he was become distorted and crooked in his Body; and was besides unable to undertake such a Journey: Whereupon it is said, that St. Kined by the Prayers of St. David, was restored to Heath and straightness; and by his own Prayers reduced again to his Infirmity and Crookedness. Whether this were so or no, certain it is, that this St. Kined filled Britain with the fame of his Sanctity: He lived a Solitary Anachoretical Life in the Province now called Glamorganshire; probably in the same place where yet remains a Chapel, called St. Keneth's Chapel, left as a Monument of his Sanctity, as Cambden witnesses. The Celebrating this Synod, is the last public Action we find recorded of St. David. He would not accept of Metropolitical Jurisdiction, but upon condition, that he might transfer the See from Caerleon to Menevia, a place of Remoteness and Solitude; and in the Neighbourhood of many Saints and Religious Persons in the Islands and Territory adjoining, and therefore most acceptable to him: Which Translation was approved by King Arthur and the Synod not then dissolved: This Menevia is seated in the Province of the Dimetae, now Pembrokeshire, adjoining to the most remote Province of Britain, where the Soil is Stony and Barren, neither Clothed with Wood, nor interlaced with Rivers, nor adorned with Meadows, but exposed to the Sun and Winds; yet with this Penury the Ancient Saints and Bishops were best contented, accounting the remoteness from Worldly Tumults and noise, to recompense sufficiently all such Incommodities. This Menevia, or as the Britain's called it Menew, was in memory of this Holy Bishop named by the Converted Saxons, David Minster, and by the Britain's, Twy Davy, that is, David's House, and at this day, St. david's: The Bishop whereof, was for many Ages the Metropolitan of Cambria, but at length became subject to Canterbury: Notwithstanding the Inhabitants of Wales since the Norman Conquest commenced a Suit against the Archbishop of Canterbury for their former Right and Independance, but the Cause was judged against them. The Pastoral care and Zeal of St. David in maintaining the Catholic Faith against Heresies, especially against Pelagianism, and Ecclesiastical Discipline against Vices and Disorders, was signally approved, and manifested in the Synod of Victory, Assembled by him ten years after his Consecration: Neither was this his Pastoral care confined to his own Province, but extended itself abroad also, even to Ireland, from whence he was often visited and consulted by Devout men. In those days it was a frequent custom amongst the Irishmen to go in Pilgrimage, and their Devotion was to visit the Monuments of the Apostles in Rome: Amongst the rest, one Barro, an Abbot in the Province of Cork, went thither, and in his return, passed by Menevia, where he stayed for the accommodation of a Ship and Wind. And indeed it was the practice of Devout Irishmen, either in their going or returning, to seek the Conversation of the Holy Bishop David, whose Name like a precious fragrant Ointment, was spread all abroad: It appears by Bishop usher's Catalogue, that Irish Saints were to be sorted into several Orders, according to the times wherein they lived.  
The first Order, Was of such as lived either Contemporaries with St. Patrick, or presently after him.  
The second Order, Contained such Saints as lived about this Age; such as were St. Finanus, called by the Irish, Fin, and by the Britain's Gain or Win, St. Brendon, etc.  
It is said the Saints of the second Order received the right Order of Celebrating Mass out of Britain, from Holy men there living, as St. David, St. Gildas and St. Doc: Moreover, St. David sent over some of his Disciples into Ireland, who grew famous for their Learning and Sanctity, of whom the most Illustrious was St. Aedan, called by the Irish St. Madoc. After he grew renowned for his Piety and Miracles, he built at length a Monastery near the City of Fernes, where having collected a great number of Devout Brethren; he Consecrated himself to the Service of God, living according to the form and rule which he had received from his Pious Father St. David, the same which was observed by the Monks in Egypt. This St. Aedan was afterwards Bishop of Fernes and Metropolitan of Leinster while St. David lived, whom he used to consult in Affairs of difficulty. After many years spent by the Holy Bishop David in the exercise of all Christian Virtues, it pleased Almighty God in love to him, and just anger to the Ungrateful Britain's, to translate this burning and shining Light from Earth to Heaven, there to shine in Glory to all Eternity: According to the best account. He died in the year of Grace 544. having lived 82 years, though some writers affirm him to have lived much longer. It is said, That when the hour of his Dissolution approached, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, saying, The day so much desired by thee, is now at hand; prepare thyself, for on the Calends of March, our Lord Jesus Christ, attended with a multitude of Angels, will come to meet thee; Whereupon the Holy man of God said, O Lord dismiss now thy Servant in Peace: The Brethren who assisted him, having heard the sound of these words, but not well understanding the sense, fell Prostrate to the ground in great fear: Then the Holy Bishop cried with a loud voice, Lord Jesus Christ receive my Spirit: Upon this the Brethren poured forth loud Complaints, but he assuaged their sorrow with mild and comfortable words, exhorting them to be constant in their good profession, and unanimously to bear to the end that yoke which they had undergone, and to observe and fulfil whatever they had seen or heard from him; and from that hour, to the day of his death, he remained in the Church, exhorting and encouraging them. But when the hour of his departure was come, our Lord Jesus Christ vouchsafed his presence, as he had promised by his Angel, to the infinite Consolation of the Holy Father; who at the Heavenly sight, exalted in Spirit, cried out, O my Lord take me after thee; With which words in our Lord's company, he gave up his Spirit to God, upon the Calends forementioned; and being associated to a troop of Angels, mounted up to Heaven with them. The Death of this Holy Bishop, is said to have been divulged by an Angel, and in an Instant spread through all Britain and Ireland. That this was so, seems to be confirmed by a passage in the Life of St. Kentigern, of whom it is said, That having one day continued his Prayers with more than ordinary Devotion, his face seemed as on fire, the sight whereof filled the bystanders with great amazement; when Prayers were ended, the Saint began to lament bitterly, and when his Disciples demanded a reason of his sorrow, he sat a while silent, and at last said, My dear Children, know for certain that the Holy Bishop David, the Glory of Britain, the Father of his Country, is this day dead, he has escaped out of the Prison of his Body, and is flown to Heaven: Believe me, I myself have seen a multitude of Angels conducting him into the Joy of our Lord; and our Lord himself at the Entrance of Paradise, hath Crowned him with Glory and Honour. Know also, that Britain, which is deprived of so great a Light, will a long time mourn for the Absence of such a Patron, who opposed himself to the Sword of our Lord when it was half drawn out, for the destruction of that Nation, in revenge of their Sins and Impenitence: Now will God deliver up Britain to a strange Nation which know him not, and Pagans shall enjoy the land of its Inhabitants: Christian Religion shall be utterly dissipated in it, till the time prefixed by God be ended. But after that, it shall through the Mercies of our Lord, be restored to its former state; yea to a far better and more Happy. St. David was Buried in his own Church of Menevia, which he had loved above all Monasteries of his Diocese; because St. Patrick, who had Prophesied of his Nativity, had been Founder of it: And also indeed he was buried there by the command of Malgo King of the Venedatae: But after 500 years he was Solemnly Canonised by Pope Calixtus the second. This Church at first was Dedicated to St. Andrew, but after took St. David for its Patron, and the whole Diocese was thence called St. David's. The memory of his Sanctity was so precious, that within a few years after his Death, the visiting of his Church proved a great Devotion of those times; St. Oudoceus Successor of St. Thelian in the Bishopric of Landaff, after a Pilgrimage to visit the Monuments of the Holy Apostles at Rome, made another to this Church of St. David; and after, when any one had a desire to go in Devotion to Rome, and was hindered by dangers or difficulties, he might equal the merit of such a Pilgrimage by twice visiting this Church of St. David; perhaps as a compensation allowed by the Pope: St. Kinoc or Cenac was St. David's Successor, translated thither from the See of St. Pattern; of whom, and other Successors in the See of St. David little is found: To keep the story of this worthy Bishop entire, some interruption may be observed to have been made in the order of Time. It is therefore requisite to return to its due course.  
In the year of Grace 532. Otta King of Kent died, leaving his Son Irmeric Successor in his Kingdom, who was Illustrious for nothing more, than that he was the Father of Ethelbert the first Christian King among the Saxons. Two years after died also Cerdic King of the Westsaxons, in the 16th. year of his Reign; to whom succeeded his Son Kenric in all his Dominions except the Isle of Wight, which he left to his Sister's Son Whitgar, whom he loved especially for his Military Skill. The great Commotions in Britain, and Cruelty of the Saxons, compelled many to seek the means of serving God abroad; amongst whom was a Holy Priest called John, who retired to Tours in France, there to live in Prayers and Solitude; but after his Death his Sanctity by the good pleasure of God was made known by a Miracle, thus related by that famous Bishop St. Gregory of Tours. Not far from the Church of Caion (saith he) rests the Body of a Priest named John, by Nation a Britain; who living here with great Devotion and Sanctity, Our Lord was pleased by him Miraculously to restore many to Health: The better to attend his Divine love, he avoided the sight of men, confining himself to a little Cell or Oratory, over against the Church of Caion; where, in a little Orchard, cultivated by himself, he had planted a few Laurel Trees, which now are so increased, that the Boughs of them being drawn together Arch-wise, do afford a very pleasing shade; under those Laurels his custom was to sit Reading or Writing: After his Death, among the said Trees there was one which through Age was quite Withered; He who had the care of these Trees, digged up the root of the dry Tree, and of the Body of it hewed out a Bench, upon which he used to sit: After he had made such use of this seat above two years, thought of remorse came into his Heart; I believe (saith the Holy Bishop) by Divine Inspiration, which forced the man to say; Alas! Sinner that I am, why do I for my Convenience make use of a seat, framed of the Tree, which so Holy a Priest Planted with his own Hand: Whereupon he presently digs a hole and puts the seat into it, having cut off the Feet which supported it, and then covered it with Earth: The very next Spring this dry Bench sprouted forth into Green Branches, and prospered so well, that at this day there are proceeded from it several young Trees of great height; and which every year, by our Lord's Blessing, sprout forth more and more. About this time died St. Morchus, or St. Mocchaeus a British Priest: In the beginning of the Saxon Troubles, he forsook his Country, and passed over to Lugh or Louth in Ireland, a pleasant place: St. Patrick had formerly had a resolution to build a Church there, but was commanded by an Angel to consign that place to this Morchus, shortly to come thither and end his days there in great Sanctity, as he did accordingly: He was often times visited by St. Patrick, whose Disciple he became, and took the care of 12 Lepers recommended to him by St. Patrick. He Prophesied of the Holy man Columba, and was after Consecrated Bishop of Louth by St. Patrick: As for the relation of his living 300 years as a punishment inflicted on him by St. Patrick, it is justly rejected; so also of his succeeding St. Patrick in the See of Armagh, for good Records put it out of doubt that St. Benignus was by him designed for that succession.  
In the year 539. St. Kentigern being no more than 25 years of Age, was Consecrated Bishop of Glascow: As for his wonderful Birth, it hath already been related, and how his Mother was preserved by Servanus: He so much profited under the instruction of Servanus, that he became his dearly beloved Disciple; afterwards he went to Glasco, where he lived alone in great Abstinence, until the King and Clergy of the Region, now called galway, with other Christians there, which were but few, chose him for their Pastor and Bishop, notwithstanding the utmost resistance he could make. They sent for one single Bishop out of Ireland, whom they caused to Consecrate St. Kentigern after the then usual custom among the Britain's and Scots; for at that time a practice had got footing, to use no other Ceremony in the Consecration of a Bishop, but only the infusion of Sacred Chrism on their Heads, with Invocation of the Holy Spirit, Benediction, and Imposition of Hands: For these Islanders, removed as it were out of the World, by the continual Invasion of Pagans, were become ignorant in the Ecclesiastical Canons: For which cause the Law of the Church condescended to them, and admitted an excuse in this regard, so as Ecclesiastical Censure did not touch them; notwithstanding, as is hereafter mentioned, St. Kentigern made ample satisfaction for this defect: His Diocese extended itself, according to the limits of the Kingdom of Cumbria, from the famous Wall formerly built to secure the Britain's, reaching from Sea to Sea as far as the River Ford, or Scotish-Sea. The defects in this Consecration were,  
First, His Age, for at a Council held then not long before, a Decree was made, That no Metropolitan should presume to Ordain any one Bishop, before he arrived to 30 years, the Age of a perfect man; lest he should through Youth, incur some Error.  
Secondly, The first Nicene Council ordered, That if any one were made a Bishop, without the Judgement and Consent of the Metropolitan, he was forbidden to exercise his Episcopal Function; And in this Ordination of St. Kentigern, there was no consent of the Metropolitan, nor so much as concurrence of any Neighbouring Bishop.  
Thirdly, The first Canon of the Apostles, confirmed by many Counsels, enjoins, That every Bishop should be Ordained by at least two or three Bishops: Whereas St. Kentigern was Consecrated by one single Bishop, who was a Stranger of a Foreign Nation.  
Fourthly, In the Consecration of Bishops, the Ancient Fathers for the Dignity of that Degree, ordained many Rites to be observed, beside such as belong to the Essence of that Sacrament, As Anointing the Head with Chrism, with Invocation of the Holy Spirit, Signing the Person with the Sign of the Cross, Impositionof Hands; Together with several other Rites adjoined for the Adorning the House of God, the defect whereof did not vitiate the Sacrament, but the Person only.  
Now in all these Points some Defects there were in the Ordination of St. Kentigern, which when he afterwards called to mind, caused great unquietness and remorse in him; a Custom introduced among Britain's, to ordain thus imperfectly, crept in since the Disturbances made by the Saxons, so as the Ecclesiastical Canons were either forgotten, or rendered unpracticable, for that there were no Metropolitans, or at such distance, that they could not be had, most places wanting not only Bishops, but Inhabitants; and it is probable in the present case the very Chrism was furnished out of Ireland. It therefore is manifest, that these Disorders were , because unavoidable: But in Peaceable times the practice was otherwise, and the Canons were duly observed, and the British Faith unblemished. And by this we may see, that the Britain's in their Ordinations before St. Gregory's time, conformed themselves to the Roman Church, and not to the Eastern, as some would collect; for in truth no Eastern Church can be found, which neglected any of these Ceremonies. However, to be sure the Britain's in their Discipline established by Counsels, demanded a Confirmation from the See Apostolic: And this appears by the Demeanour of St. Kentigern himself; for being after afflicted in mind, for those Defects in his Ordination, he sought not Council from any Metropolitan, but from the Supreme Bishop in Rome, to whom the custody of Ecclesiastical Canons was committed, and who had Authority to enjoin the observation of them, and punish, and regulate the neglect: Therefore St. Kentigern, as we find recorded, went several times to Rome, where he candidly laid open his Life, his Election, Consecration, and all the circumstances of it to St. Gregory the special Apostle of the English: Upon which the Holy Pope perceiving, that he was a sincere man of God, confirmed his Consecration, knowing it came from God. Moreover, at the earnest request of St. Kentigern, though with some unwillingness, he condescended to supply those small defects, which were in his Consecration, and so dismissed him to the work of his Ministry enjoined him by the Holy-Ghost. So that it appears nothing essentially necessary in this Consecration was omitted, because the Holy Pope supplied the defects merely upon importunity. The greatest fault the Holy Bishop could impute to himself, was his being Consecrated by one only Bishop against the express Canon of a General Council; though indeed considering the danger and unquietness of the times, if the words of the Canon were transgressed, yet the intent was not, as not obliging to Impossibilities: And this sense of the Canon appears by the Resolution of St. Gregory to St. Augustine: That he being the only Bishop in the Church of the Angli, might himself alone ordain other Bishops. It is said of this St. Kentigern, That during the whole course of his Life, his custom was to eat only every third day, and sometimes every fourth; his food was Bread, Milk, Cheese and Butter: He always abstained from Flesh and Wine, or any other Drink which could Distemper. Next his skin he wore a very rough Hair-cloath, and over that a Garment made of Goatskins, together with a close Cowle, and his uppermost clothing was a white Albe. He always wore a Stole, and carried a Pastoral Staff or Crosier, not Spherical, Gilded or set with precious Stones, but of simple Wood, bowing back at the Top; and in his Hand he ever held a Book, thus was he always in readiness to exercise his Function, whenever necessity or reason required: He lay in a stone Chest made hollow like a Bier; under his Head lay a stone, and under his body were cast Cinders and Cilice of Hair; in which posture with some unwillingness, he admitted a short sleep; after which he would plunge himself into Cold Water, and so recite the whole Psalter: This practice neither Snow nor Rain interrupted, nor any thing but Sickness, or Journeying: He fix'd his Episcopal See in the City of Glasco, where he also ordained a great Congregation of Religious men, who lived according to the form of the Primitive Church, in community of all things: The Infidels in his Diocese, he converted to the Faith, Apostates and Heretics by his sound Doctrine he reduced to the bosom of our Holy Mother the Church. He every where threw down Idols and Images of Devils, and built some Churches: He distinguished Parishes by their certain bounds: He was always travelling to gain Souls to God; never riding, but in imitation of the Apostles, always going on foot; And because he would not eat his Bread in Idleness, his custom was to labour with his hands in Agriculture.  
About this time our famous King Arthur, upon some unknown occasion Abroad, left the Administration of his Kingdom to his Nephew Mordred, Son of Loath King of the Picts by his Sister; Mordred in the Absence of his Uncle, invades his Throne, upon pretence King Arthur was a Bastard, and born out of Lawful Marriage: To this Treason the Traitor adds the Crime of Incest, violently taking his Uncle's Wife Queen Guenhumara: And to strengthen himself, he entered into a Confederacy with the King of the Westsaxons, to whom he yielded up several Provinces. This infamous Crime soon brings King Arthur back into Britain, inflamed with rage against his abominable Kinsman. Mordred was prepared to hinder his landing, where a Cruel Battle was fought between them, in which Auguselus' King of Albania, and Walwan another Nephew of King Arthur were slain; notwithstanding which, at last King Arthur with infinite difficulty landed, and renewing the Fight, made a great slaughter of his Enemies, compelling Mordred to fly to Winchester, whither he was pursued by King Arthur; where in a second Battle, after much Bloodshed, he was again put to flight toward Cornwall: But King Arthur not ceasing to follow, at last overtook him near the River Camblan, where Mordred having ranged his Forces, in a desperate fury rushed amongst his Enemies, resolved rather to die, than once more to show his back to them. In this Combat, which continued almost a whole day, after horrible Bloodshed on both sides, King Arthur with the Courage and fury of a Lion, rushed into the Troop where he knew Mordred was, and making way with his Sword, at last with horrible slaughter dispersed the Enemies: There fell the Traitor Mordred, and with him several Saxon Commanders, Elaphius, Egbrith and Bruning and many thousands with them: But this Victory cost King Arthur his Life, for in the Combat he received a Mortal Wound, and was conveyed by the Charity of a Kinswoman of his, a Noble Matron called Morganis, into the Island of Avallonia, now Glastonbury, which gave occasion to the foolish British Bards to invent the Story, Of Morganis a Fairy Goddess, who carried the Body of King Arthur into Avallonia by Magic skill, with promise to Cure his Wounds, and that he should return with his former Strength and Courage to govern the Britain's; Who for many Ages expected his return, as foolishly as the coming of the Messiah is looked for by the Jews. When Guenhumara heard of her Husband's return, she fled to the City of Caerleon, and there took the Habit of a Religious Woman among the Nuns in the Monastery of St. Julius the Martyr: The true reason why King Arthur would be carried to the Monastery of Glastonbury doubtless was, partly to prepare himself more perfectly for Death in the company, and by the assistance of the Holy Monks there; and that after his death he might be buried among such a world of Saints as reposed there from the beginning of Christianity: The like we read of Constantine, who for the like purpose was buried in like manner, That he might have the Prayers of such as in succeeding Ages should come to visit those Monuments: King Arthur before his death gave to that Monastery, Brent, March, Poulden and other Lands besides, which the Pagan Angli took away; but after being Converted to the Faith, restored with Advantage. King Arthur appointed for his Successor a Kinsman of his called Constantine, and having recommended himself to the Prayers of the Monks, he died Happily, and after a Christian manner was buried with a Cross. His conveyance to Glastonbury was it seems by his own Order, and done with all Secrecy, and by like order his Death and place of Burial studiously concealed. For, (says Matthew Paris) the King dying, was desirous to be hidden, lest his Enemies should insult, and his Friends be molested at so great a Calamity. Hence it is that Histories relate little or nothing of his Death and Burial; Insomuch, as the British Nation out of their Affection to him, contend that he is still alive; upon which occasion the Prophecy was invented and fathered upon Merlin, That he should appear and reign once more.  
It seems in the year of Grace 1142. the Sepulchre of King Arthur could no where be found; whereas the Sepulchre of his Heroic Nephew Walwin had then lately been found in the time of King William near the Sea-coast, and was 14 Foot long: But a while after, in the time of Henry the II. by the industry of certain Devout persons King Arthur's Monument was found, and the expectation of his return thereby vanished among the Welsh People: The manner how it was found, is set forth by many Authors; one of which affirms, That the Abbot who found it, showed him the Cross which lay over King Arthur 's Body, the Characters whereof he read: But we may receive the most Authentic account of this from the great Table of Glastonbury, framed on purpose to preserve the memory of this Invention, wherein it is thus written, In this Island Avallonia, or rather this Tomb of Saints at Glastonbury; do rest King Arthur, the flower of the Kings of Britain, and Guenhavera his Queen, who after their Decease were Honourably Buried near the Old Church, between two Stone Pyramids, heretofore Nobly Engraven; and in the same place have their Bodies rested for many years, to wit, 628. years, until the time of Henry de Soili, who after the burning of the said Church, was Abbot there: This Abbot after many admonitions by several persons, commanded men to dig between the said Pyramids: They digged exceeding deep, and at last found a very great Bier of Wood shut close up, which, with their Instruments they opened, and within it discovered the King's Body, and a Cross of Lead, one whole side whereof was filled with this Inscription, Here lies Buried the famous King Arthur in the Island of Avallonia: Then they opened the Tomb of the Queen, and the Hairs of her Head were spread over her Body, and seemed as if she had been but lately buried; but as soon as they touched them, they fell all into Dust. The Abbot then and Convent with great Joy, and exceeding Honour, transferred their Bodies from thence, and placed them in a double Monument of Stone Nobly Engraven on the one side in the great Church, to wit, The King's Body by itself at the Head of the Tomb, and the Queens on the East-side. These Testimonies are enough to declare the unreasonableness of some late assertions, that there never was any such man; That many foolish stories pass concerning him, cannot be denied; but that it may be collected from St. Bede, that there never was any such man, is a mistake; all that he says, is, That Ambrose Aurelius a Modest man, was the only person of the Roman Stock, who over-lived the Miseries of the Britain's, at the time when the Saxons raised such Tragedies in the Island; He denies not that he had Sons and grandchildren: On the contrary, Gildas expressly affirms, That the Offspring of Ambrose in the times when he wrote, did degenerate from the Virtue of their Ancestors: It cannot therefore be denied, that such a Prince governed the Britain's as King Arthur, that he reigned about 33 years, that he died in the 70th. year of his Age, and was buried after the Christian manner, as was sufficiently testified by the Cross over his Tomb; which Cross was from the beginning esteemed through the whole Church, an assured Badge of Christianity: The first degree of Apostasy declared by Julian, was the casting away the Sign of the Cross, which saith St. Cyril, Is the prime and  Foundation of the Faith professed by Christians, and with which Athanasius, hath in every Age triumphed over all Superstition and Idolatry: Whereas of late the Cross itself is now accounted Superstitious. Before we come to show how far the Successor of King Arthur degenerated from him, something must be said of two famous men of that Age, St. Iltutus, and St. Samson; the former died during the reign of that Heroical King: He was the Son of a Noble Soldier named Rican, his Mother was called Rieneguilida, Daughter to a Prince of Little-Britain. In his Childhood he was instructed in Learning, but arriving to more years, he applied himself to Martial Affairs; and hearing of the Magnanimity of his Kinsman King Arthur, he went to visit him; after he applied himself to the Prince of Glamorganshire, of whom he became so highly esteemed, that he advanced him to the highest condition in that State next himself: After this he was Counselled and persuaded by St. Cadocus to forsake the Secular Habit and Profession, and to Consecrate the remainder of his Life to the Service of God, that he might the more assuredly obtain Eternal Rewards and Happiness. Iltutus submitting to the Council of the Holy man, relinquished the World, and retiring to a commodious Mansion, lived there some time a Solitary and Devout Life: Then he had recourse to St. Dubritius Bishop of Landaff, from whom he received the Tonsure and Crown, Badges of a Religious Profession; And thus with the Consent of his Wife vowed perpetual Chastity, which she also observed: How the Centurioators of Magdeburg have contradicted themselves in the relation of this Saint, must be referred to their Writings: Sure it is the memory of his Learning and Sanctity, is preserved to this day in Glamorganshire, where there is a Town and Church called Llanlivit, or Llaniltut, (not far from Llancarvan the habitation of St. Cadocus,) where St. Iltutus diligently Preached Gods word, and instituted a College of Scholars, which he instructed in Learning and Piety; amongst whom the most Illustrious was the forenamed St. Samson, who by his Master's direction embraced also a Religious profession, of whom more presently.  
It is said of this St. Iltutus, that he was the Disciple of St. Germanus, and had the Spirit of Prophecy: As for his Disciple St. Samson, he was born in South-wales of Noble Parents, after they had lived long Childless; his Father's Name was Amon, and his Mother's Anne: He was instructed in Humane knowledge, Integrity of Life, and a Monastical Institution by St. Iltutus, and lived in a Monastery built by a Holy man called Piro, in an Island not far distant from the Monastery of St. Iltutus, and there is said to had led a perfect and Angelical Life, Amiable in his Conversation, Vigilant in Prayer, and Persevering in good Works. Not long after by the Death of Piro, this Holy man Samson was unanimously chosen Abbot: Four years after his Election, by the permission of St. Dubritius, he went into Ireland, but his stay was not long there, for he was present at the Council of Brevi: He was after ordained an Archbishop in Britain, but it cannot be assigned of what place, only it is without doubt reported, that St. Samson a British Archbishop went over into Little Britain, and carried with him the Pall, Ensign of his Dignity: Great dispute hath risen whether this St. Samson were Archbishop of York or Menevia; the debate seems to have been concluded to the advantage of Menevia, wherein St. Samson is supposed to have succeeded Kinocus, who was next to St. David.  
Now the Church of Menevia enjoying all the Privileges of the Church of Caerleon, must needs be Metropolitan, and consequently the Archbishop thereof wore a Pall, which he probably carried over with him to Dole in Little Britain in the year of Grace 566. when the whole Province of Menevia was almost depopulated by a raging Pestilential Disease; to avoid which, by the importunity of his Friends, he undertook that Voyage. Being arrived there, he was admitted into great Favour by Childebert King of France, and with his Licence and Contribution Founded a Monastery there, where he led a Holy Life, employed in Divine Meditation; and by his Pious Example and Admonitions, directed many Disciples in the same way. St. Samson in this Voyage took with him a Companion of suitable Holiness, called St. Conaid, by the French vulgarly St. Mein, said to be the Son of a Noble Britain, living near Caer Guent, and recommended to the care of St. Samson. One special Miracle is recorded to have been wrought by St. Mein, viz. That by his Prayers a Fountain sprang forth in a dry Soil, very effectual for Curing several Diseases, Especially the Scurvy, there called the Disease of St. Mein: After St. Samson had spent some years in the Monastery of Dole, the Bishop of that City dying, he was Elected in his place, and made use of his Pall there, from whence his Successor in Dole, assumed the Honour of wearing a Pall, and consequently challenging Archepiscopal Jurisdiction, and an exemption from the Metropolitan of Tours. This continued till the days of Innocent the III. and all that time the See of St. David's, though owned the Prime Church of Wales, yet abstained from the Pall; for which cause Eugenius the III. under King Henry the I. subjected it to the See of Canterbury in the year of our Lord 1148. 33 years St. Sampsom with admirable Sanctity administered that Bishopric, and in the year 599. received his Eternal Reward: His Body by reason of the frequent Incursions of the Danes and Normans, was removed from Dole to Orleans, where it was received with such Reverence, that a Church was built on purpose to keep it, which to this day is Dedicated to his Honour; although destitute of that Sacred Pledge, which among many other Bodies of Saints, was Impiously burned by those professed Enemies of Sacred things, the Huguenots in the last Age, who seized on that City: Some part of his Relics was with great Veneration reposed in the Abbey of Middleton in Dorsetshire, which was built by King Ethelstan in expiation of being at least accessary to the Murder of his Brother Edwin in the year 934. His Successor in the See of Dole was his Kinsman and Companion in his Voyage. St. Magbore another Kinsman of St. Samson, called St. Maclovius or St. Malo, otherwise St. Mainutus, was famous at that time. He, during the Tempest in Britain, by the reason of Mordred, passed likewise into Little Britain, the common refuge of Devout men in those times: He was born in Britain, his Father's Name was Went. His Mother was called Derwella or Darwalla, being 60 years of Age when she was delivered of him in the Valley of Elan Carvan in Glamorganshire. In the same place than lived a Holy man, called St Brenden, Abbot of the Monastery of Elan Carvan, by whom this Infant thus wonderfully born was Baptised, and after Educated in all Virtue and Piety: From his Childhood he is reported to have shined Gloriously by innumerable Miracles, which accompanied him all his Life-time: Our Learned Cambden affirms, That the constant Tradition was, that he was after made a Bishop of a City in the Province of the Iceni, now Huntingdonshire, called Durosipons, after Gormoncester from Gormon or Guthrum the Dane, to whom becoming a Christian, King Alfred gave those Provinces. St. Malo upon occasion of the troubles at that time, went into Little Britain also, where he lived in great Sanctity and contemning his own Glory, retired privily into a Bodering Island, where in his Eremetical manner of living, he expressed an Angelical Purity. But the brightness of the Divine Splendour discovered this Light, which endeavoured to conceal itself. For when the Inhabitants of the Island, understood that a stranger excelling in the Gift of Preaching, and Power of Divine Miracles hid himself there from the Conversation of men, they in common Assembly came, and drawing him by force out of his Solitude, chose him for their Pastor, and inviting the neighbouring Bishops, placed him in the Pontifical Chair of Aleth, and partly by entreaties and partly by force, compelled him to be their Bishop. The Saint being thus exalted, shed forth abundantly the Beams of that Divine Grace wherewith he was replenished, illustrating men's Souls with the true knowledge of God, inflaming them with his love, and affording both Admonitions and Examples of all Virtues; to which he added a great efficacy, by wonderful Operations and Miracles: Insomuch, as since the Apostles times, we read not of any one, who wrought greater wonders than he. For with his word he calmed Tempests, he restored three dead persons to Life, to the Blind he gave Sight, by the sprinkling of Holy Water he expelled Devils and quenched the Poison of Serpents: Neither did he resemble those Princes of our Faith in working of Miracles only, but in Patience also, to the trial whereof he was often put; for he was Assaulted by certain Impious persons, and suffered many Calamities for Religion and Justice, so as at last he was violently thrust out of his Episcopal Throne and Diocese with seven other Devout persons, his most especial Companions, who imitated him in Purity of living. Yet did he bear this heavy Cross after our Lord with a Courageous mind. Attended with these Holy men St. Mahutus fled into Aquitain, and in the City of Xaintes was most kindly entertained and Fatherly assisted by St. Leontius Archbishop of Bourdeaux and Metropolitan of Xaintes, who there accommodated him with a convenient Habitation for serving God: St. Leontius bore a tender affection to him, Admiring and Reverencing the Divine Grace which he observed in him, esteeming him as sent from Heaven to assist him in his Pastoral Charge; for which reason in all his Visitations, he took him for his Companion, entreating his Counsels and Prayers. Howbeit the man of God, though he were so despitefully and unjustly exiled, was not unmindful of his Flock, but forgetting all Injuries, daily invoked our Lord's Clemency for the Conversion of that stubborn People: The Divine Majesty condescended to his Prayers, and by an Angel did acquaint him, That his Flock was Penitent, and desired his return; that he should repair to them, and restore to Health that Region which was grievously afflicted with the Scourges of Divine Severity; that he should restore plenty to the barren Earth, bestow his Benediction on the Inhabitants. And lastly, Returning to Xaintes, that there he should be divested of corruptible Flesh, and his Soul ascend to Eternal Felicity. As soon as he was come back, he was received with more than ordinary respect, but presently after died full of Days and Sanctity, and was buried by Leontius in Aquitain: Now though the Inhabitants of Aleth were deprived of the Sacred Relics of their prime Prelate, whom they had treated so injuriously; yet the name of Blessed Maclovius remains, never to be blotted out, adorning and defending that City to this day with his Celestial Benefits and Glorious Perfection. Howbeit the Episcopal See does not now remain at Aleth, but is removed to an Island two Miles distant from thence, Anciently called Aaron, where a City new built is in memory of their Holy Prelate and Patron, called St. Malo, and Vrbs Macloviensis. It is said that St. Mahutus with his seven Disciples in Devotion visited Rome, where he redeemed many Infidel Captives; and having instructed them in the true Faith, Baptised them.  
Saint Brendan his Spiritual Father and Instructor, though no Britain by Birth, is not to be denied some place in this History: He came out of Ireland, to visit the Holy man St. Gildas Albanius in Britain: He was also Superior in the Monastery of Lancarvan, where he Baptised St. Maclovius, and returning into Ireland, where he was made an Abbot, there died Happily in the year of Grace 571. The death of this Blessed man, is said to be revealed to St. Columba, who declared, That he saw the Heavens on a sudden opened, and a Choir of Angels descending to meet St. Brendan 's Soul, by whose incomparable Splendour, the whole World was that night Enlightened: St. Brendan thus called to Heaven, enjoyed on Earth also an Eternal Monument of his Name and Sanctity: For in the Isle of Orkney, a Town and Church were built and called from his Name, the reason was, because his Sacred Body was thither translated.  
In this Age flourished a Holy British Abbot called St. Doc, of whom is written, That when St. Canic, of whom the Province of Kilkenny took its Name, was grown to an Age of capable knowledge, being desirous of instruction, he passed over into Britain to a Religious man called Doc, and under him studied diligently, and was taught both Learning and Piety: This St. Doc was one of the three Holy Britain's from whom the Irish learned the form and Rites of Celebrating Mass: The other two were St. David and St. Gildas.  
After the death of King Arthur, Constantine according to his designation, succeeded him in the Government of Britain: He was the Son of Cador Duke of Cornwall, and Kinsman to the King: His sufficiency to discharge that employment for the Benefit of his Country, was enough approved by the choice of his glorious Predecessor: But Almighty God having fixed a period to the British Monarchy, permitted many Factions to arise, and many Pretendants to the Principality, the opposing of whom hindered Constantine from advancing the common profit and safety of the Kingdom: Moreover, Ambition and Revenge had such a Power over him, that they invited him to commit Crimes, which hastened the ruin of his Country. Hence it is that Gildas calls him the Tyrant of Danmonia, Tyrant in regard of his Cruelty, and Tyrant of that Province, because at that time several others had invaded each one their several Principalities, and for the maintaining of their unjust Usurpations, filled the whole Nation with all manner of Impieties; which gave occasion to the same Gildas to publish a Passionate Invective against the Vices of the whole British Nation, which had universally deprived the Inhabitants of all states and conditions, an exceeding few excepted; who overseeing the unavoidable destruction of the Nation, withdrew themselves from public Affairs, and in solitude deplored the sins of others, by great Pennances and Austerities, procuring Indulgence to their own Souls. In former times (saith Gildas) our King's public Officers, private Persons, Bishops and other ecclesiastics, every one kept their Order, and performed the Duties belonging to them; But when they were dead, there succeeded a Generation, utterly ignorant of the former Virtues, among whom all the Rules of Truth and Justice were so shaken and subverted, that no footsteps, nor so much as the least Monument of those Virtues appeared in any of the said Orders. Constantine at his first Ascension into his Throne, bound himself by a Solemn Oath, to govern Justly, and to use his utmost endeavours to defend his Subjects from Injuries and Oppressions, and the Commonwealth from the violence of its Enemies. And yet the year following, we find him charged with Perjury, and the violation of his Faith, by his Barbarous Cruelty and Sacrilegious Profanation of God's House; For the two Sons of Mordred rising up in Arms against him, to revenge their Father's death, joined in Confederacy with the Saxons, and fought many Battles with him; but at last being compelled to fly, Constantine pursued them, and one of them he slew before the Altar of St. Amphibalus his Church in Winchester; the other who had hid himself in a Convent of Monks, he Condemned to a Cruel death in London: For this Sacrilegious Inhumanity, Gildas in his too free stile, calls Constantine, The Tyrannical Whelp of the Lioness of Danmonia; an infringer of the dreadful Sacrament of an Oath, by which he bond himself before God and all his Saints; to abstain from all Injustice and Treachery to his Subjects; notwithstanding which, in the very bosom both of their Carnal Mother, and Spiritual Mother the Church, near the most Holy Altar, he had torn the Bowels of two Royal Youths, though covered with the Vestments of a Holy Abbot, whilst they stretched forth their Hands, not armed with Swords to resist, but to implore help from God and his Altar; and yet he most Barbarously shed their Blood; which, with a Purple die stained the seat of the Ecclesiastical Sacrifice, and the Sacred Palls which covered it. To this Invective, the same Author adjoins most pressing Exhortations to Constantine, That he would do suitable Penance for these horrible Crimes; that if possible he might avoid the dark inextricable Torrents of Eternal fire, in which otherwise he must for ever be rolled and roasted. By these Expressions, it should seem, these two Sons of Mordred, were not so much to be blamed for their rising, all Circumstances considered: Probable it is, that these, or such like Exhortations wrought a good effect upon Constantine; for though some writ that he was slain by Conan, who succeeded in the Kingdom, yet others tell another Story, viz. That after a short reign, having been deprived of his Wife and Children, be grew weary of his Kingdom, and privily stealing from his Friends, went into Ireland, and there for the love of Christ, laboured unknown like a poor Servant in a Mill; but afterward by persuasion of a Monk, to whom he discovered his condition, he was induced to shave his Head, and Consecrate himself to a Religious Life in a Monastery, where he is said to live with such Piety and Devotion, that he became a pattern of all Virtues to the rest of the Monks. That at last by the Prelate of that place he was sent in Mission to the Scots, to instruct that Nation in the Doctrine of Christ, where he suffered Martyrdom by the hands of some Impious persons: Some Ages after he became Venerated as a Saint, and by Authority of succeeding Bishops, Temples were Dedicated to his Honour, which yet remain in that Nation. To confirm this, we read in the Life of St. David, That when St. David 's Holiness was spread abroad, several Princes forsaking their Kingdoms, retired to his Monastery: And that Constantine King of the Cornish-men, or Danmonii, forsaking his Throne, became a Monk there, and after some time spent in the Service of God, at last went into a far distant Country, where he built a Monastery.  
Now it will be time to relate the great Affliction and Persecution which befell the famous and Holy Bishop St. Kentigern in the second year of Constantine. Certain Sons of Belial, Kinsmen to King Mark, rose against the Saint, conspiring his death; whereupon being admonished by Divine Revelation, he departed, directing his Journey to Menevia, where the Holy Bishop David flourished with all Virtues; near Gaerleon he Converted many to the Faith, and built a Church: Being come to St. David, he abode with him some time, and received from the Prince of that Region Cathwallam, a place commodious for a Monastery; which having Erected at Egla (Elwy) he fixed there an Episcopal See: Near that place there was a Nobleman, which often threatened, and endeavoured to expel him from thence, whom God therefore smote with Blindness; but upon the Holy Bishop's Prayers, his Sight was restored, for which he became ever after Helper and Protector to the Bishop: There were Assembled in that Monastery, no fewer than 945 Brethren, who all lived under Monastical Discipline, serving God with great Abstinence, of which number 300. who were Illiterate, he appointed to Tilling the Ground, and Guard of the Cattle out of the Monastery; other 300. he assigned for preparing Nourishment, and performing other necessary Works within the Monastery; and 365. who were Learned, he deputed to the Celebrating Divine Offices daily: Not any of which, without great necessity, would he permit to go out of the Monastery, but ordained them to attend there continually, as in God's Sanctuary: And this part of the Convent he divided so into Troops and Companies, that when one had finished the Service of God in the Church, another presently entered, and began it again; which being ended, a third without any delay entered: By this means Prayers were offered in that Church without intermission, and the Praises of God were always in their Mouths. Among these there was one named Asaph, more especially Illustrious for his Descent and Form, who from his Childhood shone brightly, both by Virtues and Miracles, and daily endeavoured to imitate his Master in all Sanctity and Abstinence: To him this man of God bore ever after a particular Affection, and committed the care of the Monastery to his Prudence, and at last appointed him his Successor in the Bishopric: As touching the forementioned Nobleman who opposed this Holy Bishop, it is written to this effect, That St. Kentigern at first built a Church of Wood and Lime, but after he renewed it of Stone, although he was therein much hindered and molested by a Prince named Malgo or Maglocun, whose dwelling was six Miles thence at Deganwy; but after being assuaged, he permitted him to place there an Episcopal See, on which he bestowed both ample Possessions and Privileges, as he did also upon the Monastery. The See is by some called Elguy or Llanelwy, so named from the River Elwy, over which it is seated; St. Kentigern being the first Bishop thereof: But in succeeding times it was called St. Asaph, from the next succeeding Bishop. Of this Prince Malgo more hereafter.  
St. Kentigern's Life was prolonged, till after St. Augustine the Monks coming into Britain; yet because his future Actions, do not much relate to the general Affairs of the British Churches, we may well in this place sum up the remainder of his Life: He remained in Cambria seventeen years, exercising most perfectly the Functions both of an Abbot, and after of a Bishop at Elwy, till in the end he was recalled to his first Bishopric at Glasco in this admirable manner: After that all his Enemies in Cambria had been consumed by divers Calamities and Diseases, the Inhahitants of that Region from whence he had been so long Exiled, through his Absence, had forsaken the way of the Lord, which he had taught them, and were returned to their Idolatry, like Dogs to their Vomit; which Apostasy of theirs it pleased God to puntsh by a grievous Famine, the Earth, the Sea, and all the Elements refusing their accustomed aid and comfort to them: But at length our Lord was pleased to raise up a good King in that Region named Rederech, who had been Baptised by some of the Disciples of St. Patrick, and who was very desirous to restore the Faith of Christ in his Kingdom; for which purpose he directed Messengers with Letters to St. Kentigern, wherein he acquainted the Saint, That the men who sought his Life were dead, and besought him, that he would no longer be absent from his flock, for which he was obliged to Sacrifice his Life; St. Kentigern having received the Message, prepared for his return, and having appointed St. Asaph his Successor in the Bishopric of Elwy, he attended with 600 of his Brethren, took his Journey to the Region of the Cambrians, and was met by the Devout King, and great numbers of his People, giving Thanks to God for his Presence, upon whom the Holy man pronounced a solemn Benediction: After this he cried with a loud voice. In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I command all those who envy the Salvation of men, and resist the Preaching of God's word, to departed presently from hence, that they may be no hindrance to those who shall believe: Having said thus, immediately in the sight of all, an innumerable multitude of wicked Spirits horrible to behold, both for their Stature and Shapes, fled away from the Company, which caused a wonderful Fear and trembling in them: But the Holy man, encouraged and comforted them, letting them see visibly who they were in whom they had believed, and by whom they had been induced to Adore dumb Idols, or the Elements which were Creatures appointed by God for their Use and Service: And for Woden, whom by the Seduction of the Saxons they esteemed their principal God: And to whose Honour they Consecrated the fourth day of the Week, he showed that he was no better than a Mortal man, who had been King of the Saxons, and Ancestor to several Nations; that his Body was then dissolved into Dust, and his Soul tormented in Hell fire for ever. When he had said this, with other Speeches in explanation of the Christian Faith: The ground on which he sat in a plain Field called Holdelin, swelled up under him in the sight of them all, so as it grew to a reasonable high Hill, and so remains (as is said) to this day: All the People seeing these wonders, after they were instructed in the Faith, received Baptism, and thus by his Doctrine he freed the Nation of the Picts from Idolatry and Heresy: He Converted likewise the Country of Albania, therein building many Churches, and Founding many Monasteries: Whilst St. Kentigern lived among the Picts, St. Columba, by the English called Columkill, hearing in his Monastery in the Isle of Hylas, the Fame of this Holy Bishop, came with a great Troop of his Disciples to visit him, and was met by him with the like multitude; which they divided on each side into three Companies: The First of Young men; The Second such as were of Perfect Age; And the Third Venerable Old men: All which on the way towards one another, Sang Spiritual Songs; and when St. Columba came in sight of the Bishop, turning himself to his Disciples, he said, I see a Pillar of Fire, as it were a Golden Crown, in the third Choir descending upon the Bishop, and casting a Celestial Splendour about him: Then the two Holy men approaching to one another with great fervour of Affection, gave, and received mutual Kisses and Embraces: The King of the Picts is said to be present at the meeting; and afterwards St. Columba going to a Monastery joining to the Castle of Caledonia built by Convallus, there instructed the Caledonians in the Faith; the Horesti also, and other Neighbouring Nations: In the same place was afterwards Erected a Church Dedicated to St. Columba, and Plentifully endowed by the following Kings of the Scots; which Church being an Episcopal See, was vulgarly called Dunkeld: Yet it may be likely that the Author of this Relation concerning the Church of Dunkeld may be mistaken, confounding the Actions of two Saints, both named Columba; for it is certain that St. Columba, who was first Bishop of Dunkeld, flourished almost a 100 years after this time, and to him it was that St. Cuthbert being then a Child was recommended; which mistake is Pardonable, because, as Bishop Usher observes, There were in Ireland almost 20 several men of the Name Columba.  
In the year of Grace 593. St. Kentigern out of Britain, and a Bishop called Alban out of Ireland went to Rome to visit Pope Gregory the Great; saith Bishop Usher: And as it may be probably guessed at, from a consideration of the state of the Church in those times, upon this special occasion: The famous Council of Chalcedon having condemned Eutyches and his Doctrine, which confounded the two Natures in Christ, was rejected by a Faction of the Eutychians, called Acephali, because it seemed to them to favour the contrary Heresy of the Nestorians, formerly condemned, who acknowledged not only two Natures, but two persons in our Lord. The grounds on which the Acephali charged the Council, was  
First, Because it seemed to approve an Epistle of Ibas Bishop of Edessa.  
And Secondly, The Writings of Theodorus Bishop of Mopsuestia full of Blasphemous passages savouring of Nestorianism.  
Thirdly, Because it had received into Communion Theodoret Bishop of Cyrrhus, who had written sharply against the 12 Capita of St. Cyril.  
Hereupon the Emperor Justinian being desirous to repress the Acephali, who had raised great Commotions in Egypt and the East, by the Advice of Theodorus Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, a secret Favourite of the Acephali published a large Edict, called tria Capitula, in which he proscribed Ibas, Theodius; and Theodoret, procuring likewise a Condemnation of their Writings as Heretical from the Bishops of the East. Notwithstanding Menas Bishop of Constantinople, in his Subscription to the Emperor's Decrees, added this Condition, If these things were approved by the Bishop of Rome: So as Justinian perceiving, that without the Sentence of the Pope, his attempts would be inneffectual, called Vigilius, than Bishop of Rome, from thence to Constantinople: Who at his departure was seriously admonished by the Churches of Rome, afric, Sardinia, Greece and Illyricum, That he should by no means consent to any Novelty, nor suffer any prejudice to the Council of Chalcedon: In compliance with whom, by Letters to Menas, He freely reprehended their Condemnation of the three Bishops, desiring Justinian to recall his Decree, and when he came to Constantinople, he suspended from his Communion the Bishops which had subscribed the said Condemnation: And yet five Months after, at the request of the Empress Theodora, he restored them to his Communion: And though he would not subscribe to the Emperor's Decree, by his consent, the whole Cause was discussed in a Synod of 70 Bishops at Constantinople; and when the Suffrages of the Bishops were brought to him, he wrote a Decree, which he sent to Menas, in which also he confirmed the tria Capitula; Howbeit, this Condescension of Vigilius to avoid a rent in the Eastern Churches, was ill taken in the West; insomuch, as the Bishops of Africa, Illyricum and Dalmatia, withdrew themselves from his Communion, and Facundus, who defended their Cause, called him a Prevaricator: Upon which Vigilius endeavoured to persuade the Emperor in the presence of Menas and other Eastern Bishops, That whatever had passed on either side, should be rescinded, and that a Synod should be assembled, to which particularly the African and Illyrian Bishops, who had been scandalised should be called. But they being unwilling to obey, Vigilius was dealt withal, That in Case the Western Bishops would not comply; he joining with the Greeks should condemn the three Bishops: Which he utterly refusing, the Emperor's Decree was notwithstanding published: And when Vigilius, together with Dacius Bishop of Milan, threatened the Grecian Bishops with Excommunication, in case they consented to the Decree; The Emperor was so incensed, that Vigilius was forced to sly for refuge into St. Peter's Church; from which Sanctuary, when the Emperor's Officer endeavoured to draw him, he was repelled by a Tumult of the People: But many injuries being still offered to Vigilius, he fled by night to Chalcedon, into the Church of St. Euphremia. But the constancy of Vigilius procured this effect, That laying aside the Imperial Edicts, the discussion of the whole Cause should be reserved to a Synod, which the Pope desired to have Celebrated in Italy; but the Grecians refusing, it was agreed that an equal number of Western Bishops should be summoned to Constantinople; which agreement notwithstanding, the Emperor summoned all the rest of the Eastern Patriarches: Thus a Council of Eastern Bishops only met, at which Vigilius refused to be present, not esteeming it Canonical, in regard the Western Bishops were absent, who were most concerned in the affair. However, after 20 days respite obtained, Vigilius sent a writing to the Emperor, which he called a Constitutum, wherein he at large gave his judgement of the Tria Capitula, telling him, That as to the Blasphemies of Theodorus, he did abhor them; but in imitation of the Council of Ephesus, would spare his Name. Again, that it would be superfluous to cast any infamy on the Writings of Theodoret against St. Cyril; since St. Cyril himself, and the Council of Chalcedon, had required no other satisfaction from him, but only to pronounce Anathema, against Nestorius, which he did: And as for the Epistle of Ibas, no discussion should be made of it, after the Council of Chalcedon. This Constitutum the Emperor, contrary to his Promise, reserved to himself; but withal acquainted the Synod, with Vigilius his mind concerning the Tria Capitula, which he had oftentimes both by words and writing expressed; the Synod proceeded to a condemnation of them, complaining withal, That the Pope would not afford his presence to them: After this definition of the Bishops in the Council, the Pope being in extreme Anguish, because he saw how the Western Bishops would be offended, and that the Scandal would be the greater, because the Emperor had not sent his Constitutum to the Council, utterly refused his Consent or Approbation of their Definition; for which refusal, he was by the Emperor sent into Banishment with other Bishops. His Banishment continued not long, for six months after the Synods Definition, Vigilius sent a Decretal Epistle to Entychius Successor to Menas, in which he condemned the Tria Capitula, and professed Communion with all those who embracing the four Councils of the Church had condemned the same, (meaning thereby the last Council, which he would not Name:) This Decree of Vigilius, was by the Grecians referred among the Acts of the Council, by virtue whereof it became a Lawful Ecumenical Council: This end being given to this unnecessary Controversy; all the Western Churches, excepting only the Bishops of Istria, Venice and Liguria, consented to it: But these Churches being under the Dominion of the Longobardi, broke into an open Schism, which continued till the time of St. Gregory the Great.  
Besides them, we find no other Church unsatisfied, except Ireland only; To the Bishop whereof St. Gregory, a year before St. Kentigern's Journey to Rome, wrote an Epistle in Answer to one of theirs, who had charged the Roman See, with injuring the Council of Chalcedon, by condemning the Tria Capitula: But St. Gregory informed them, That this Controversy did not at all touch the Faith of the Church, but the Persons only of two or three Bishops: That the Authority of the Council of Chalcedon was entire, both with those who oppugned, and those who defended the Tria Capitula, and therefore none could have just cause to make a rent in the Church, upon so trifling a quarrel. This answer of the Pope's seems to give satisfaction to the Irish, for several Epistles afterwards past from him to them, as unanimous Brethren, instructing them touching the Rites in Baptism, and whether it were to be administered to those who returned from the Nestorian Heresy, etc. This Controversy was hotly agitated when St. Kentigern went to Rome, and perhaps it might be a considerable motive of his Journey; especially in regard an Irish Bishop called Albanus, went thither at the same time. And although the British Churches are not where taxed for partaking with those who were divided from the Roman See; yet it might well become the Zeal of so Holy a Bishop as St. Kentigern to inform himself truly of the state of such a Controversy, as hath been therefore the more at large set down.  
The man of God St. Kentigern, after his return from Rome, being worn away with Age, for he was 85 years old, had his Nerves so dissolved, that he was forced to sustain his Jaws by tying a linen Ribbon about his Head which came under his Chin, that with the less trouble he might pronounce his Words: This dissolution of his Nerves was promised him a little before his Death, to the end, that since his whole Life had been a continual Martyrdom by the good pleasure of our Lord, his Death might be milder and easier, then that of other men ordinarily. At length calling together his Disciples, he earnestly exhorted them, To continue their observance of the Duties of their Holy Religion, their mutual Charity, Peace, Hospitality, their diligence in Reading and Prayer. He bequeathed to them earnest and efficacious Precepts, firmly to obey the Decrees of the Holy Fathers, and constitutions of the Holy Roman Church: After which exhortation, he departed to our Lord. The Fame of his Sanctity soon after his Death was every where spread by a World of Miracles, as many Authors relate.  
Constantine beforementioned being dead, or removed, Aurelius Conanus his Nephew, a Young man of extraordinary worth and well deserving the Crown, as some report, succeeded him: His only fault was, that he was given to Civil Contentions: He cast into Prison his Uncle, to whom the Crown of Right belonged, and Murdered two of his Sons, who stood in his way to the Kingdom; which Ambition and Cruelty perhaps occasioned some of our Historians to charge him with the Murder of Constantine his Predecessor: Gildas also accuses him of many horrid Crimes, for which he denounces to him a short reign and endless miseries. Matthew of Westminster allows him 30 years' rule; but true Chronology, not above four; in the third whereof, while the British Provinces consumed themselves in Civil Contentions, a new and Powerful Kingdom of the Saxons was established in the Northern parts, called the Kingdom of Northumber's; in this manner Hengist in the beginning of his reign in Kent, sent his Brother Otha into those Northern parts, with his Son Ebusa, men of great Courage, Experience and Nobility, as deriving their Descent from Woden, who had three Sons, Weldege, Withlege and Beldege; from the Eldest descended the Kings of Kent, from the Second the Kings of the Mercians, and from the Third the Kings of the Westsaxons and Northumber's, whose first King Ida, reckoned himself the Tenth from Woden: Now Otha and Ebussa the first Saxons which brought an Army into those Northern parts, fought many Battles with the Inhabitants; and having Conquered those which resisted them, took the rest into their Protection; notwithstanding, they and their Successors for many years contented themselves with the Titles of Governors or Dukes, acknowledging a Submission unto, and Dependence upon the Kings of Kent; but in the 99th. year after their first arrival, they assumed the Title and Dignity of Kings; the first of which was called Ida; others affirm, that the Region of Northumber's was divided into two parts. That which was more Northern, extending itself from the Bay of Edinburgh to the Picts Wall, inhabited by the Bernicians; the other reaching from the Picts Wall to the River Humber, was held by the Deiri, so that the whole Kingdom of the Northumber's Anciently contained the Provinces of the Picts; Laudon, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, York and Lancaster. This may appear by the Lives of several Saints, said to have lived in the Kingdom of the Northumbrians. This Division is said to have been made by Ida, who leaving his Son to govern the Deiri, fixed his own habitation among the Bernicians.  
Aurelius Conanus dying in the fourth year of his reign, Vortipor Prince of the Dimetae succeeded him: By Gildas he is Styled, A Tyrant, who in his Old Age ascended the Throne by Civil Discords, being a wicked Son of a good Prince, defiled by many Parricides and Adulteries; who thinking to rid himself of his Lawful Wife, wallowed in Lust with her Impudent Daughter, and thereupon he exhorts him by a timely Repentance to avert God's Judgements. His reign likewise lasting only four years, his Throne was Invaded by Malgo Conanus, or Maglocunus, a Prince no less Vicious than his Predecessor, for he is said to have Murdered his Uncle, Prince of Venedocia, called Catwallain, with the greatest part of his Nobility. This is the same Maglocunus, who afforded to St. Kentigern a place for a Church and Monastery, and after being tormented with a remorse for his Parricides, he relinquished the World and retired into a Monastery, where he undertook a Monastical Profession: But the Sparks of Ambition thus covered, broke forth again into a flame; so that quitting his Solitude, he returned to all his former Crimes, and became an Insular Dragon, depressing other Tyrants, and by strengthening himself with their Power, became the greatest Tyrant.  
In the second year of his reign, a great Battle was Fought between the Britain's and Kenric King of the Westsaxons, near Sorbiodunum, or Salisbury; in which Combat, after much Bloodshed, the Britain's were at last forced to fly: Four years after the Britain's Thirsting to avenge themselves of this Defeat, gathered together all their best Forces, against whom Cenric with his Son Ceaulin Marched: The Armies met in the Province of the Dobuni or Oxfordshire at Banbury: The Britain's divided their Armies into nine Bodies, three of which they placed in the Front, three in the midst, and three in the Rear: The Saxons, though inferior in numbers, yet exceeded them in Stature and Length, and Fought all in one Body: The Combat was Bloody, continuing till night, doubtful it was, which had the better: After which, many Battles passed between them, wherein for the most part, the Victory fell to the Westsaxons; while the Britain's and Saxons contended in the West, the Picts beyond the Frith of Edinburgh, made Bridius their King, who was Nephew to Loath their former King.  
In the ninth year of Bridius St. Columba came out of Ireland into Britain, being the year of Grace 565. The year following died the Tyrant Maglocunus, after whom Careticus took upon him to sustain the State of Britain, every day more and more falling to ruin; but with ill success; for besides, that God had fixed a Period to that State, this Prince proved no better than his Predecessors, but like them stained with all Vices. Gildas seems to give a shameful Character to several Princes, by his manner of writing, most of them seem to have reigned in several Provinces at the same time: For besides this Bridius, he directs the point of his sharp Style against one named Lunegasla, by interpretation the Yellow Lion, whom he accuses of all sorts of Crimes, Impiety against God, and Savage Cruelty to his Subjects, repudiating his Lawful Wife, and violating his Sister, who after Widowhood, had vowed Chastity to God; and by many injuries afflicting Holy men and Priests, who ceased not to offer up their Sighs and Prayers for him: Gildas therefore exhorts him, To change his Life, that he might reap the benefit of their Prayers, who had Power to bind in Heaven, what they had bound in this World, and to lose such as were Penitent. Now by the Impieties of these Princes, the Reader may observe the Justice of God's severity against so wicked a Nation, from which he took the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ, and bestowed it upon a People which brought forth better fruits: Yet out of this Dunghill of Vices some Pearls were to be gathered; for here we find the Wise Gildas commending a perpetual vow of Chastity, made not only by Virgins, but by Widows also; the infringing of which Vow he bitterly inveighs against, and acknowledgeth in God's Priests a Power of retaining and absolving Sinners not by way of Declaration only, but of Authority and Jurisdiction also.  
In the year 559. died Ida King of the Northumbrians, to whom succeeded his Son Alla, whose Empire extended both over the Deiri and Bernicians; yet were there in some of those Provinces British Princes, who called themselves Kings, though in Dependence on him: Such as Morken King of the Cumbrians, which Dependant Princes had upon Treaty a promissive Authority in their peculiar Provinces.  
This Age affords an example of the Zeal and Authority of a Holy Bishop exercised Synodically, and of a Princes Devout submission to this Authority: The Bishop's name was St. Oudoceus, Son of Anaumeda, Sister of St. Thelian, and Budit a Prince of Little Britain: This Saint Oudoceus from his Infancy was addicted to Piety, assiduous in Fasting, Watching and Prayer for an everlasting reward: In Devotion he Visited the Monuments of St. Peter at Rome, and at his return he went to the place of St. David, and from thence he diverted to the Church of St. Thelian, taking with him certain Relics, which during his Pilgrimages he had obtained: Afterward he succeeded St. Thelian in the Bishopric of Landaff, imitating him in his Doctrine, Virtue and Miracles: As for the Prince submitting to the Authority of this Holy man, his Name was Mouric Son of Theodoric Prince of Glamorganshire; who being weary of Worldly Vanities, undertook a Monastical Profession, and served Almighty God in Solitude, having transferred his Principality on his Son Mouric; into which he was no sooner entered, but the Saxons broke into his Country, and began to waste it. Whereupon the Inhabitants repaired to their former Prince Theoderic, whom they even compelled to quit his Desert; and to be their General in the War: He full of Divine Courage encountered the Infidel Enemies, whom he put to flight at Tintern near the River Vaga: But having received a Mortal Wound in the Combat, he returned homeward, and gave Charge to his Son Mouric, That in what place soever he should end his Life, he should there build a Church to God, and a Sepulchre for himself: And so not having passed five Miles, at a place where Vaga and Severn met, he gave up his Spirit. There did his Son Mouric Erect a Church, wherein he laid his Father's Body, whom Posterity Venerated as a Saint, calling the place from his Name Merther Tendric, at this day more contractedly Merthern: In the same place is seated (saith Bishop Godwin) the House and Possessions of the Bishop of Landaff; Adding, That Mouric first of his own accord gave to that Church a Farm called Mochros, lying on the Banks of the River Vaga, together with the Porthasseg and the Church of Gurvid: And after for the expiation of a Murder, committed by him on a person called Cynetu, contrary to a League by Oath contracted between them, he added other Possessions: He had two Sons Arthruis and Frior, and by Arthruis a Grandchild called Morcant: This is that Prince Mouric, and this the Crime against which Bishop Oudoceus exercised his Spiritual Authority, as appears by the Acts of a Synod of Landaff, lately rescued from Darkness and Worms, by our diligent Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman, where is declared by that Synod assembled by St. Oudoceus third Bishop of Landaff, That in the year of Grace 560. Mouric King of Glamorgan, for his Perfidious Murdering of Cynetu was Excommunicated: King Mauric and Cynetu met together at Landaff, and in the presence of St. Oudoceus, Swore before the Relics of Saints there before them, that they would observe a firm Peace between them; some space after this Solemn Oath, King Mauric by Treachery slew Cynetu: Whereupon Bishop Oudoceus called together all ecclesiastics from the mouth of Taratyrenguy to Tivy, together with three Abbots, Cousin Abbot of the Valley of Garben, Cargen Abbot of Ildute, and Sulgen Abbot of Docquini, and in a full Synod, did Excommunicate King Mouric, for the Murder, by him committed, and for Perjury in transgressing the Covenant made in his presence, and on the Altar of St. Peter the Apostle, and of St. Dubritius and St. Thelian; moreover, inclining the Crosses toward the ground, he interdicted the Countries of Mauric, and so dismissed the King: The Christian Communion also Cursed the King with his Progeny, the whole Synod confirming it, saying, Let his days be few, his Children Orphans, and his Wife a Widow: The King remaining with his whole Region the space of two years, and more, thus Excommunicated: After being sensible of the Perdition of his own Soul, and the damnation of his whole Kingdom, he could no longer sustain so dreadful an Excommunication, but humbly begged Pardon at Landaff of Bishop Oudoceus; who therefore in the presence of three Abbots imposed on him the yoke of Penance, proportionable to the quality and heinousness of his Crimes; the King all the while humbly inclining his Head, and shedding Tears abundantly; His Penance was to satisfy God, By Fasting, Prayers and Alms; King Mauric undertook the yoke of Penance, and for the Redemption of his own Soul, and the Soul of Cynetu, he gave to the Church of Landaff and the Bishops thereof, four Villages, with their entire liberty, free from all service forever; with Common through his Country for the Inhabitants of those Villages, in all Fields, Woods, Pastures and Waters: These four Villages contain 24 Modii of Land: The first is called Kirgracnauc, the second Nantavo; the third a Village beyond Kadava, where Cynetu was slain; the fourth a Village beyond Nadava, called Gudberdh. This was the form of the first Synod of Landaff, out of which we may collect much of the Religion and Discipline of that Age: The same Bishop Oudoceus, for very like causes Assembled two Synods more extant in Sir Henry Spelman, the occasions whereof, and proceed wherein, here briefly follow: King Morcant and his Uncle Frioc, in the presence of St. Oudoceus and the three forenamed Abbots at the Poduim, or Church of St. Ildutus, took their Oaths at the Holy Altar, on which were placed the Relics of Saints, That they would observe Peace and Amity together without any guile; adding, That if either of them, should Kill or commit Treachery against the other, he should not redeem his Crime by Money or Lands, but should be obliged to quit his Kingdom, and spend his whole Life in Foreign Pilgrimages: A good while after which Covenant made, Morcant by the instigation of the Devil slew his Uncle, but soon after came to the Holy Bishop Oudoceus, and humbly craved Pardon for his Homicide and Perjury: The Bishop thereupon Assembled a Synod at the Monastery of the Vale of Carban, to which came all the Clergy, and King Morcant also, with the principal persons of Glamorganshire: The Synod unwilling to be deprived of their Natural Lord, gave judgement, that the King should redeem his Pilgrimage with Alms, Prayers and Fasting; which Penance the King laying his Hands on the four Gospels and Relics of Saints undertook to perform; promising withal, that ever after he would in all things mercifully execute Justice. The Penance finished, and the King restored to Christian Communion; he presently proclaimed the Churches of Catoc, Ildut and Docunni free from all Regal Service. Thus was the second Synod: The third was Assembled many years after upon this occasion, A certain British Prince named Guidnerth, in a Contention for the Principality slew his Brother Mercheen; for which he was Excommunicated by St. Oudoceus in a full Synod; in testimony of which Excommunication the Crosses were taken down, and the Cymbals were turned; thus he remained excluded from Christian Communion for the space of three years; at the end of which, demanding Pardon, he was sent into the lesser Britain to St. Samson Archbishop of Dole, from him to receive judgement and suitable Penance: This was done, partly because of the great Amity between these Bishops, but chief because the same Language being spoken in both Countries, he would the more freely discover his fault, and require Indulgence for the same: This Voyage was undertaken by Guidnerth, who having obtained Absolution, he returned with Letters Sealed by St. Samson before the year was ended; but because he had not according to his Injunction remained a whole year in Exile, the Bishop would not take off his Excommunication; presently after St. Oudoceus died, to whom Berthguin succeeded in the Bishopric of Landaff: To him King Morcant and Guidnerth made an earnest request, to take off the said Excommunication, and to raise again from the Earth the Crosses and Cymbals with the Holy Relics: Whereupon, after a promise made by Guidnerth, to make satisfaction for his Crime by Fasting, Prayers and Alms, he was at last with great Devotion and many Tears shed, Absolved by the Bishop: After which Guidnerth, to testify his Gratitude, gave to the Church of Landaff these Lands Lanu, Catigual and Tye, with all the Woods and Seacoasts, etc. Bishop Godwin affirms this third Synod to be Celebrated by another Bishop of Landaff, and that Guidnerth the Fratricide gave Lancadwallader, now called Bishton or Bishopston to the Church of Landaff; Which Manor, (he saith) is the only Manor that is left to that See.  
The Author of the Life of St. Oudoceus relates, That he quitted his Pastoral Cure, and built a Monastery near the River Weigh; and there Assembling a great multitude of Brethren, spent the remainder of his Life, which lasted many years, in wonderful Abstinence and Sanctity; So as it may seem this third Synod was not held in his days. We often have had occasion to draw Testimonies from our famous Historian Gildas, Sir-named Badonicus and Sapiens, called also the Younger Gildas, to distinguish him from Gildas Albanius beforementioned.  
Now because we are come beyond the times of those Princes, who have been painted out by him in their foul colours, it will be necessary to say what may be found of this our Younger Gildas: By his own Testimony, he was born in the same year, when the great Battle was Fought at the Mountain called Badonicus between the Britain's and Saxons in the time of Aurelius Ambrose; to which Mountains the Saxons retiring, were Besieged by the Britain's, and after in a Battle discomfited; this happened in the year of Grace 493. forty years after the first entrance of the Saxons into Britain. This Gildas is affirmed by the Author of his Life, To be the Disciple of Iltutus, and leaving him to have gone into Ireland, He remained four years under the Discipline and Instruction of St. Iltutus; and having passed through the Schools of many Learned Teachers in Ireland, and like a diligent Bee collected the Juice of divers Flowers, he laid it up carefully in the Hive of our Mother the Church, to the end he might in opportune season, pour forth the Mellifluous Doctrine of the Gospel to his own Countrymen, and thereby draw them out of Misery to Eternal Joys, and like a good Servant, restore unto his Lord the Talon entrusted with him. In this Island (saith Bishop Usher) there flourished in this Age the Schools of Armagh, wherein the Elder Gildas presided, when he Piously laboured in Cultivating the minds of the Irish; in which employment probably this our Younger Gildas succeeded him; and here not only collected sweet Juice, but got a sharp sting also; which he after darted forth against the Vices of his own Country: However in Ireland he restored Discipline to the Ecclesiastical Order; he gathered many Congregations of Monks, and mercifully delivered many Captives from the slavery of Pagans. After his return into Britain, it seems he found small comfort or encouragement to pour forth the Honey which he had gathered in Ireland, for he found in this Island, such Calamities and Confusions their reigning; such a Contention of wickedness and misery, which should exceed the other; that almost his whole employment was to bewail the approaching destruction of his Country, and by publishing the Crimes, especially of the Rulers, as well in Church as State, to justify the Severity of God, being in truth beneath their demerits and provocations: Howbeit, he was by a double invitation from Ireland, interrupted in his sad Thoughts, and withdrawn from beholding such mournful Spectacles, as every where in Britain offered themselves to his Eyes. The first Message about the year of our Lord 562. came from persons of quality in Ireland, who sent an Epistle to him; at the same time he received an Epistle also from St. Columba, whom he very much esteemed for his Sanctity. The second Message or invitation was directed to him from a King in Ireland named Ammeric, who requested this our Gildas, To come to him, promising that if he would undertake the Journey, and restore to good Order the ecclesiastics of his Kingdom, wherein generally the Catholic Faith was decayed, both himself and his Subjects would in all things be Obedient to him. St. Gildas hearing this, like a Valiant Soldier throughly furnished with Celestial Arms, presently went into Ireland, there to Preach the Gospel of Christ: Being come thither, he was presented to the King by some Noble persons who were acquainted with him. The King gave him many gifts, and entreated him to stay some time, and restore Order to that Region, because the Inhabitants had in a manner lost the Christian Faith: St. Gildas as thereupon Travelling through all the Provinces of Ireland, restored Churches, instructed the Clergy in the true Faith and Worship of the Holy Trinity, Cured those who had been Poisoned with Heresy, and expelled all Teachers of Error; So that by his zeal and diligence, Truth became again to flourish in the Country: After this the Holy man built many Monasteries in the Country, and instructed the Children of the Nobility in Learning and Piety; and to win the greater number to the service of God, he himself became a Monk, and brought to the same Profession very many, as well of the Nobility, as others; and also he compassionately freed many poor Christians from the slavery of Infidels, and so became a second Apostle to Ireland, repairing the ruins of that Faith, which St. Patrick first Preached amongst them. Now whereas it is said, that the first Epistle to St. Gildas was brought by Faithful men, it is very probable, that the Holy Abbot Komgall was one of those Faithful men. How long St. Gildas abode in Ireland is uncertain, but it is certain, that the great work he there performed, could not be completed in a short time, and yet that he returned into Britain, where he died in a good Old Age, in the Monastery of Banchor, after he had lived ninety years. What Bishop Usher refers to the former St. Gildas may reasonably be applied to this latter, namely, that St. Brendan the Son of Finloga in the year of our Lord 562. came into Britain to visit the Holy old man Gildas, famous for his Wisdom, this our latter Gildas at that time being above 70. years old.  
In the year of Grace 561. Irmeric King of Kent died, after he had reigned 30. years, leaving behind him a Son and Daughter; his Son and Successors Name was Ethelbert, his Daughters Ricula: This is that famous Ethelbert, who, according to his Name was the Glory and Splendour of this Nation, who had the first Prerogative among the Saxons, of receiving and propagating the Christian Faith. Some disposition thereunto, began it seems in his Father's time, who permitted at least a private exercise of Christian Religion: Thirty years of Ethelberts reign were never the less spent, before it was openly professed; during which time he was frequently exercised in War; wherein at first he sustained great losses, which after he repaired by many Victories, with which he much enlarged the limits of his Dominions. In the third year of his reign St. Columba by occasion of Civil Wars, was compelled to quit Ireland, and come into Britain, as Adelmannus who wrote his Life relates in this manner. Some time after the Civil War at Culedrebene, when Dermitius Son of Kerbail was Monarch of Ireland, and all business was determined before the King's Tribunal; it happened so, that St. Columba was obliged to appear before him, to challenge a certain Freeman who had been made Captive; and when the Cause being pleaded before the King, an unjust Sentence had been pronounced by him; the man of God risen up with great indignation, and before all there present, told the unrighteous King, That from that moment, he should never see his face more, till God the just judge shall have diminished his Kingdom for his Injustice; for (saith he) as thou hast despised me here before thy Nobles by an unjust Judgement, so shall the Eternal God despise thee, before thine enemies in the day of War. And having said thus, he presently took Horse, smiting him with his Whip, so as the Blood issued from him: This being observed by the King's Councillors present, they wondered at it, and humbly entreated the King to comply with the Holy man's request, lest God should dissipate his Kingdom according to the man of Gods threatening: But the King filled with fury would not understand, that he might do right; but swore, he would take revenge of the Kingdred of St. Columba, and make them all slaves. And in pursuance of his Oath, he gathered a mighty Army, 23000 of Horse, Foot and Chariots, and with it marched to the Confines of that Country whither St. Columba went; with resolution utterly to extirpate the Inhabitants: When therefore the People of Conal heard of the Kings coming, they likewise assembled the number of 3000. resolving to Fight manfully in defence of their Country, being in so great danger, and placing all their hope in God alone. St. Columba risen very early, and being full of God's Spirit, encouraged them, and with a loud voice, which sounded terribly through the whole Army, he said to them, Fear nothing, God himself shall Fight for you, as he did with Moses against the Egyptians at the red Sea; not any of you shall suffer the least harm, for our Lord's wrath is inflamed, against the proud King's Army: So that if one only person shall in the Name of God, give the Assault, He alone by the Power of God, shall put them to slight. Be Courageous therefore, not a man of you shall fall in this Combat. When he had spoken this, which his Army believed as an assurance from Heaven; a few of his Soldiers, the same moment with wonderful Courage, rushed upon their Enemies, who expected them not: And at the same time, an Angel of God armed like a Soldier, and in the shape of a man, of an incredible high Stature, appeared in the King's Camp: His Aspect was so terrible, that the Soldiers Hearts utterly failed them, and instead of resisting their Enemies, fell one upon another, in haste to fly away; and such a confusion there was of Chariots and Horses, that they killed one another: So that a handful of men, without any loss, defeated a great Army, taking many Prisoners. After this wonderful victory, the man of God addressed his Speech to a youngman named Scandalan, with a Prophetic voice, saying, My Son, this day will procure for me a tedious Pilgrimage, in a strange Country, where I must live from my Friends many years; but say nothing of what I tell thee, till the event show the truth of my words. After this St. Columba went to St. Finian, or St. Findbar, a Bishop to receive condign Penance from him because of so much Bloodshed in the said War; and it is said an Angel of God went with him, shining with wonderful brightness, but was visible to none but St. Finian: The Penance enjoined by this Holy Bishop to St. Columba was, That by Preaching and Example, he should bring as many Souls to Heaven, as by occasion of that War, were sunk to Hell: After which Sentence, St. Columba with great joy declared, That the judgement pronounced against him was equal and just: Howbeit this Holy man's Troubles did not end thus, for he was censured in a Synod of Bishops, to abstain from the Communion, though not without the dissent of many in it; insomuch as great contentions and disputes arose among the Clergy; for the composing whereof, St. Columba himself sent a Letter to St. Gildas. St. Columba wearied with these Ecclesiastical contentions, resolved to quit his Native Country; but not permitted to choose his place of Exile, he by a Messenger consulted the Holy man St. Brendan Abbot of Birre, to whom God had given the Spirit of Council and Discretion: who after he had lifted his Eyes and Heart to Heaven, commanded to dig under the feet of the Messenger, where was found a stone, on which was Engraven only the letter I, whereupon he bade the Messenger to tell his Master, That he must go to an Island called I or Hylas, where he should find employment for his Zeal, and be the cause of bringing many Souls to Heaven. But Hector Boetius assigns another cause of his going into that Country, saying, The fame of the great Devotion and Piety of Conal King of the Picts drew St. Columba out of Ireland into Britain, attended with a multitude of his Disciples, where he became the Father and Director of many Monasteries. This Island falsely named in some Copies, was at last called jona: In some Copies also this St. Columba is confounded with that St. Columbanus, who being also an Irish man, founded several Monasteries in France and Italy; by the Britain's St. Columba is usually called St. Columkill, for the great number of Cells, which he built in Britain. The Author of his Life, after he had extolled him for many Virtues and Austerities, relates a Prophecy of him to this effect, That a certain Disciple of St. Patrick named Macceus, foretold of him, that in latter times should be born one called Columba, who should illustrate the Age wherein he should live, and be highly favoured of God: He should descend from Noble Parents, and in the 45th. year of his Age should pass over out of Ireland into Britain, where he should live a Stranger in Exile for Christ. S. Bede relates, That in the 565. year of our Lord, when Justinus the Son of Justinian governed the Roman Empire, there came out of Ireland a certain Priest and Abbot called Columba, with an intention to Preach the word of God to the Northern Picts, whoare separated from the Southern Region by vast and horrible Mountains. For as for the Picts dwelling on the South of those Mountains, they had many years before renounced their Idolatry, and embraced the Christian Faith, as their Tradition is, by the Preaching of Nynias, a most Reverend and Holy Bishop born in Britain, who had been Regularly instructed in the Mysteries of Divine Truth at Rome: The seat of whose Bishopric dignified with a Church Dedicated to St. Martin, where the said Holy Bishop with many other Saints doth rest, is now in the possession of the Angli: The place pertaining to the Province of the Bernicians, is ordinarily called Candida Casa, or White-House, because a Church was there built of Hewn-stone, a way of Building not practised by the Britain's.  
Now Columba came into Britain in the 9th. year of the reign of Bridius the Son of Meilochon, the most Powerful King of the Picts, and by his Preaching and Example, Converted that Nation to the Faith of Christ; so that for a reward he received the Island Hylas or jona for the Possession of a Monastery: The Isle is but small, of about five Families: His Successors long held it, himself was buried in it, being 70 years of Age, after he had spent above 32 years in it. This Holy man before his coming into Britain, had Founded a Monastery of great Note in Ireland, named in that Tongue Dearmach, or the Field of Oakes, for the abundance of them there growing; and from these two Monasteries of Hylas and Dearmach many others were propagated in Ireland and Britain by his Disciples. Among all which, notwithstanding the Monastery of Hylas, in which his Sacred Body resided, had the Pre-eminence and chief Authority: Now the said Island is usually governed by an Abbot who is a Priest, to whose Jurisdiction the whole Province, and even Bishops themselves, by a custom no where else practised, aught to be subject according to the example of their first Teacher S Columba, who was only a Priest and Monk, and no Bishop: Of whose Life and Say, many strange things are extant, compiled by his Disciples, but what manner of man soever he was, sure we are he left Successors famous for their great Continency, Divine Love, and Regular Institution: The Companions to St. Columba, are said to be twelve, who came with him into Albion, eminently endued with the Doctrine of Christ, and adorned with great Sanctity; their Names were Bathemius and Cominus, afterwards Superiors over Monasteries, and no mean Ornaments of the Christian Church among the Scots: Also Cibthacus and Ethernau Nephews to St. Columba and Priests: Moreover Domitius, Rutius and Fethuo, men Illustrious for their Descent, but more for their Piety: Lastly, Scandalaus, Eglodeus, Totaveus, Moteser and Gallan: These men after Travelled through the Region of the Scots and Pict, and by their labour in Teaching, Disputing and Writing, imbued both those Nations with virtuous Manners and true Religion. The Scotish Writers add one Companion more to St. Columba; namely St. Constantine formerly King of the Britain's, who repenting his Crimes sharply reproved by Gildas, became a Monk, and went with St. Columba into Scotland, where he Preached the Faith to the Scots and Picts: He built a Monastery in Govane near the River Cluid, which he governed as Abbot: He is said to have Converted to the Faith the whole Province of Kentire, where he likewise died a Martyr, and was buried in his Monastery in Govan.  
The King who bestowed the Isle of Hylas upon St. Columba, and by the eminence of his Piety drew him thither, is said to be St. Comgal or Conval King of Dalrieda. At the same time, not far from St. Columba, lived St. Kentigern, lately returned to his Bishopric of Glasco; to whom no doubt St. Columba was an Officious assistant in his Apostolic Office. Of the Solemn meeting of these two Saints, with their Disciples, we have already spoken: That there was a perfect agreement between these two Saints and their Disciples, is no doubt, and between them and St. Augustine also, except in one Rite or Ceremony, about the time of keeping Easter: Upon which inconsiderable difference, some would infer that the British Churches received their Faith from the Eastern Churches, and not from Rome: St. Columba having spent more than 30 years, in this Place and Service, he impatiently begged of God to end his Pilgrimage; after his Prayer ended, he saw in a Vision, certain Angels approaching to him, to conduct his Soul to Heaven, which sight was so joyful to him, that his Disciples took notice of it: But this sight was soon turned into sorrow, for the Angels told him, That upon the Prayers of the Pictish Churches, God had added four years more to his Life: At last in the year of Grace 597. the same year St. Angustine came into Britain, this Holy man died, and his Holy body was buried in the Monastery of Hylas, from whence it was after translated, or a great part of it into Ireland, and reposed in the Church of Dun-Patrick, by an Inscription on his Monument it is signified, That in that one Tomb three Saints, St. Patrick, St. Bridget and St. Columba did repose.  
Hitherto the Saxon Princes had employed their Forces to the destruction of the Britain's, but now finding little resistance from them, turned their Arms against one another: For three years after the coming of St. Columba into Britain, Ceaulin and Cutha moved a Civil war against Ethelbert, which Ethelbert the rather entered into, because the Power of Ceaulin so much increased, that he took upon him the Title of Monarch: Hereupon Ethelbert a Valiant Young Prince, mindful of the Glory of his Ancestors, who had always enjoyed a Pre-eminence above other Princes, resolved to keep it: And raising an Army, marched with it into the Province of the Regni or Surry; where passing unwarily over a little River called Wandalis, he was rudely repulsed by Ceaulin; but endeavouring again to march forward, the Armies met at a Village called Wibbandun, now Wimbledon, where he was with a great slaughter of his men compelled to fly back into Kent, having lost his two chief Captains Oslaf and Kneban: Where this Battle was fought, still remains as a Monument of it, a Rampire raised in a round form, as encompassing a Camp, called Knebensbury: Ethelbert after his loss, sought to strengthen himself by a Friendship and Confederacy with the Neighbouring Powerful Kingdom of the Franks; to make which Confederacy more lasting, he desired to confirm it by Marriage, which he effected: This Kingdom heretofore was called Gaul, but afterwards the Franks, a Germane Nation under their King Pharamont invading it, and possessing the greatest part of it, changed the Name from Gaul to France: The Successors of Pharamont for several Generations were Pagans, till by St. Remigius Bishop of Rheims in the year of Grace 499. King Clodoveus was Converted to the Christian Faith, and with him the greatest part of his Kingdom, which Faith ever after continued and increased there: This Kingdom of the Franks was at that time governed by four King's Sons of Clotharius; a Daughter of one of which Kings Elthelbert Married, named Berta, Gregory calls her Aldiberga, to whom he attributes the Conversion of the the Saxons: Her Parents, not without some difficulty, delivered their Christian Daughter to the Bed of a Pagan, but had an engagement from Ethelbert to allow Her and her Family an entire freedom in Religion; and so the Marriage was concluded. The Lady was accompanied into Britain by a Prudent and Devout Bishop, called Lethardus, who is Styled, The Percursor to St. Augustine, and one who opened the door to Christianity here: There were then in Doroberni or Canterbury several Churches, which had been built by Christians many Ages before, in the times of the Romans, and were not utterly demolished by the Saxons; amongst which the Queen made choice of that which had been Dedicated to the Honour of St. Martin, and stood Eastward of the City: The Author of Life of this Bishop Lethardus, tells us, what Devotions this Queen performed in this Church, viz. That she and her Family frequented the Sacraments of Masses and Prayers, in the Celebrating whereof, the Blessed Bishop Lethardus was President, or chief Priest: The saying or singing of Masses, were the Solemn Devotion of the Church in those times, as appears by the Counsels of Orleans and Tours Celebrated in these very times; insomuch as St. Columba by Revelation, knowing the death of St. Brendan in Ireland, Celebrated a Solemn Mass for his Soul.  
In the year of Grace 571. Cuthulf the Brother of King Ceaulin fought with the Britain's at Bedanford now Bedford; and having obtained the Victory, he took from them four Royal Cities, Linganburgh, a place now unknown, Egelsburgh now Ailesburgh in Buckinghamshire; Bensingtun or Benson in Oxfordshire, and also Egnesham now unknown: After which Victory Cuthulf departed this life. In the year 575. the Kingdom of the East-Angles was Erected, in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely; the Name of the first King was Offa, from whom his Successors and Subjects were called Vffing: Some place Kings in this Region before Offa's time; if such were, they seem to be Dependant and upon Courtesy, as after they were again Beneficiarii sometimes of the Kentish Kings, sometimes of the Mercians: Two years after the beginning of Offa's reign, was fought a Battle fatal to the Britain's, by which they were expelled almost out of all the fertile Plains of this Island, and driven to the Mountains of Wales. The Britain's had hitherto defended themselves in their Cities of Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath; but this year Ceaulin after an overthrow given in Battle, expugned those three Cities and forced the Britain's to retire into mountains and Woods: This Battle (saith Cambden) was fought at a place called Deorham, after which the City of Bath was given up to the Saxons; And in this Battle, it is said, three Christian Kings of the Britain's were slain, whose Names were Comagil, Candigan and Faringmagil, so that Ceaulin became so terrible to the Britain's, that all places hastened to render themselves to their Power: Nevertheless the Britain's after seven years' rest, again attempted another Combat with the Saxons, at a place called Fedhanlea, where on both sides they fought with horrible fury: Insomuch as Cuthwin the Son of Ceaulin being oppressed with multitudes, was slain: But Ceaulin having repaired his Army, the Soldiers whereof bound themselves by Oath not to fly, at last in Battle vanquished the Conquering Britain's, and pursuing them, too many Provinces and innumerable Spoils.  
In the year of Grace 585. the Kingdom of the Mercians took beginning under their first King Croeda or Crida, though its foundation might be laid sooner: This Crida reckoned himself the tenth in Descent from Woden the Idol Deity of the Saxons: And whereas the others possessed themselves of the outward parts of Britain, this Crida pierced into the Bowels of it, by little and little possessing himself of all the Provinces towards the North, confined with the Rivers Humber and Mersey, on the South with the Thames, on the East with Severn and Deva, on the West with the Germane Ocean: The Britain's themselves by a voluntary Session made Crida's way very easy to his new erected Throne, in which he as yet sat contented with the inferior title of Governor or Duke: For the Saxons being now dispersed through all the parts of Britain, and every day gaining more strength, became intolerably burdensome to the poor Britain's; and being Infidels, published Laws extremely prejudicial to Christian Religion: Whereupon by agreement between the Clergy and other British Inhabitants, hitherto mixed with the Saxons, they resolved to quit the Country, and to retire, some to the Mountains of Wales, some into Cornwall, others to Little Britain and other Christian Regions: Then it was, to wit, in the year of our Lord 586. that the Archprelates Theonus Bishop of London and Thadioc or Theodoc of York, seeing all their Churches levelled with the ground, attended with many ecclesiastics, fled into Wales, and carried with them the Sacred Relics of Saints, lest by an irruption of the Barbarous Saxons, the Sacred Bones of so many and so great Saints, should be destroyed. So that the Provinces of Loegria and Northumbria were utterly deprived of Christian Congregations: Upon the Bodies of some Saints reverently hid in Monuments, great heaps of Earth were cast, lest they should be obnoxious to the contumelious scorn of Insidels; for the Kings of the Angli and Saxons, as they were very Powerful in Arms, so were they malicious Pagans, thirsting after nothing more than the disgrace of Christ, and the Subversion of his Worship, wherever they subdued a Country, if any Church were left untouched they turned it into a Temple of their Profane Idols; with their Impious Sacrifices polluting the Altars of the true God.  
Concerning this Theonus Archbishop of London, he was formerly Bishop of Gloucester, and from thence translated to London in the year 553. and in the year 586. with his whole Clergy fled, as is said, into his own Country. Afterwards the Metropolitical Dignity was transferred to Canterbury from London, as shall hereafter be declared. And never after the departure of Theodoc, do we read of any other Archbishop of York, till by the Conversion of Edwin Son of Alla King of the Northumbrians, St. Paulinus was there Consecrated Archbishop: By the Secession and flight of the British Clergy and other Inhabitants, there remained the miserable Relics of the Britain's in three Provinces only, namely, in Cornwall, stretching forth itself like a Horn into the Sea, in South-Wales and North-wales; with these narrow limits they were forced to be content; nevertheless they never departed from the true Faith of Christ: One thing there is indeed for which they are justly to be reprehended, the mortal hatred which they long did bear to the English Nation who expelled them, was so, as they would less communicate with them, then with Dogs: So mistaken are they which will needs think, that the Saxons were instructed in Christianity by the Britain's, and not by St. Augustine from Rome.  
The Saxons were no sooner in a secure Possession of this Island, but Almighty God, so disposed the effects of his Divine Providence, as to prepare the way of their Conversion to him, in order to their eternal Happiness; as if an earthly Kingdom, had not been a reward answerable to their merits in destroying an ungrateful People, abandoned to all Impiety. The instrument of this Felicity now approaching, was the Blessed man St. Gregory, than a private Priest, though soon after a most worthy Successor of St. Peter in the Apostolic Chair at Rome: Upon this Happy occasion, a number of young English Youths were brought to Rome, and there exposed to the public Market to be Sold; Gregory excited by a zealous Affection to propagate the Name of Christ, and moved with a tender compassion towards those Children, with whose Beautiful Features and amiableness he was affected; and understanding that the Nation from whence they came, was destitute of the knowledge of Christ, took a resolution to sow amongst them, the Divine Seed of Christian Faith: And being after exalted to the Pontificate, in order to the effecting of his design, sent St. Augustine the Monk, to lay the foundation of a Christian Church in this Island, joining with him other Auxiliaries and Devout Companions of his Labours: Bishop Parker seems to doubt this Story, because of the improbability that the Saxons should Sell their Children; whereas Tacitus recounting the Manners of the Ancient Germans; affirms, They would out of greediness of gaining in Dice playing, even set their own liberty at stake: And Malmburiensis says, It was a familiar and almost a natural inbred custom among them to sell their Children; which unhappy custom continued many Ages in our Nation: Insomuch, as in the days of our King Henry the Second, by the Testimony of Giraldus Cambrensis, A Synod at Armagh in Ireland, was fain to make a Decree, for redeeming of such English Youths as had been sold for slaves in that Island: And before that time, among the Laws of Inas King of the Westsaxons, there is more than one Decree which under great Penalties, forbidden this unnatural Traffic.  
Lastly, St. Gregory himself in his Epistle to Candidus his Procurator in France, gives him order, To redeem such English Children, as he met with sold for Slaves in that Kingdom, and to send them to Rome, to be there instructed in the Christian Faith: In truth, almost all Ancient Writers agree in the story, though some differ about the time, some ascribing it to the time of Pope Benedict, but most, and that most truly, to the latter end of Pope Pelagius St. Gregory's immediate Predecessor: St. Beda thus delivers the true Circumstances of this Story, and tells us, That by Tradition from their Ancestors it was brought to them, that St. Gregory took so much care for the Salvation of our Nation; that on a day when great variety of Merchandise was brought into the Market at Rome by Foreign Merchants; St. Gregory especially took notice of three young Children of a pure Complexion, Beautiful looks, and Hairs Gracefully ordered, and enquired out of what Country they came; and being told, they came from the Island of Britain, where the Inhabitants generally are so Comely; asked whether they were Christians or Pagans, and being told they were Pagans, Sighed, saying, Alas! what pity is it, that the Prince of Darkness should possess men of such bright Countenances; and that persons so amiable in their Looks, should have Souls devoid of inward Grace: Then he asked what was the Name of their particular Nation, to whom was answered, That they were called Angli, Well may they be so called (said he) for they have Angelic Countenances suitable to such who shall be Coheirs with Angels. He further asked how the Province is called from whence they came, the Answer was, that they were Inhabitants of the Province called Deiri, said he, importing they should be delivered from the Ire of God, (de ira dei eruti,) and called to partake of his Mercy: His last question was, How the King of that Nation was called, and being told Awl, in allusion to that name, he presently replied, Allelujah must be Sung in those parts to the Praise of God who created all things: After which Discourse he went to Pelagius then Bishop of the Roman and Apostolic See (himself not being then Pope) and humbly entreated him to send into Britain some Ministers of God's word to Convert that Nation to Christ; adding, That he himself was ready to be employed with God's assistance in such a work, if his Holiness thought fit: But his offer could not be taken, for the Romans would not permit his Absence so far from the City. Notwithstanding a while after, when hewas exalted to the Popedom, he brought to perfection what was so long, and so earnestly desired by him, sending indeed other persons to Preach the Gospel there, but making their Preaching much more effectual, by his Counsels, Exhortations and Prayers: By which relation it is confirmed, that this did not happen in the time of Benedict; for a good while passed after Pope Benedict's death before St. Gregory was Perfect of the City; after which it was, that he undertook a Monastical Profession, in a Monastery built by himself, Ad clivum scauris, from whence he was called to be Archdeacon of the Roman Church, than sent Nuncio to Constantinople; At his return from thence, he afforded our English Youths so much Grace and Favour: But though Alla King of the Deiri, by the Selling of the said Children gave occasion of bringing of Christianity to the Angli, yet was not he so happy to hear any thing of it himself, for the Divine Election regarded his Son Edwin who succeeded him, not immediately, but after the death of Edelric, whose Reign was short and inconsiderable; save only, that in his first year St. Columban, after he had spent many years in the Monastery of Banchor in Ireland, came over into Britain with twelve Companions, and from thence went into France: He was not above 20 years of Age when he undertook this Journey, and yet was so Courteously received in France by Childebert, that he gave him choice of any place for his abode: Whereupon He, and his Companions entering into a Desert place, found a ruinous piece of ground encompassed with old Walls, but watered with warm Springs, and of old called Luxovium, and there fixed their abode. While St. Columban lived thereabout, he was Instructor to the Holy Virgin Phara, said to be a British Nun, and Niece to the Saint himself, but of this Nun more perhaps hereafter.  
In the year 590. a War broke out between the Picts and Scots, Aidan or Edan Crowned King by St. Columba at Hylas, then enjoyed the Principality over the Scots; the cause of this War was the same, which raised so much Contention between the Britain's and Saxons; for the Scots out of Ireland were invited by the Picts, to assist them against the Britain's, as the Saxons were by the Britain's, to assist them against the Picts and Scots; and these Irish Picts imitating the Saxons, soon grew Insolent; and being supplied with new Aids, at last obtained a Kingdom, and then rooted out the very Name of Picts; St. Columba, though far distant in his Isle of Hylas or jova, had a strange prospect of a great Battle then fought between these Scots and Picts, for calling his Brethren together to Prayer, he Kneeling down said, Let us now Pray fervently for this People and their King Aidan, for at this very hour the Battle against their Enemies gins: A little while after, rising up, and looking towards Heaven, he said, Now are the Barbarous Enemies put to flight, and the Victory is given to Aidan, though dearly purchased, for of his Army 303. are slain. Ecclesiastical Stories are not without Examples of God's Pleasure in revealing to his Servants things thus happening in parts remote.  
This same year died Cissa King of the South-Saxons, and his Kingdom devolved to Ceaulin King of the Westsaxons, yet so as Edelwalch Son of Cissa enjoyed the Title of King, as Homager to Ceaulin; and this year also was chief Illustrated by the advancement of St. Gregory to the Popedom; who immediately after the death of Pelagius was with wonderful Applause of all Degrees and Orders in Rome, placed in St. Peter's Chair, to the great benefit of the whole Church, and the incomparable Felicity of our For his admirable Gests, among which, the most Illustrious was the Conversion of our Ancestors; he was deservedly called St. Gregory the Great, and the Apostle of England: The year following Britain affords a memorable Example of the Instability of Worldly Greatness and Power, in the person of the hitherto Prosperous King of the Westsaxons Ceaulin; who after all his Conquests, was at last overcome in Fight, and expelled his Kingdom and Life also; for such was the general hatred all men bare to him, that they unanimously conspired his destruction: A Battle was fought between him on the one side, and the Saxons and Britain's on the other side in Wiltshire, at a place called Wansdike, fabulously reported to have been made by the Devil upon a Wednesday, taking its Name from Woden or Mercury the Saxon Idol: The cause of raising this Rampire seems to be, the separation of the Kingdom of the Mercians from the Westsaxons: Near to this is seated a Village called Wadensbury, and here Ceaulin Fight this Battle, was utterly broken, and soon after died: After his death Cealric his Brother's Son, possessed the Kingdom of the Westsaxons; but being much inferior in Courage to his Predecessors, did not inherit that extent of Power which Ceaulin had exercised over the other Saxon Princes: This opportunity was not omitted by Ethelbert, King of Kent, and next in Power to Ceaulin; who, without much hazard obtained the Pre-eminence; by means whereof a freer way was opened to communicate Christian Truths, to several Provinces of the Kingdom; after they were embraced by Ethelbert, as they soon were.  
St. Gregory in the third year after he was Pope, by his Wisdom and Authority restored the Churches of Ireland to Catholic Unity, from which they had been separated, by a quarrel about the tria Capitula spoken of before: His Epistle unto them concerning that subject is extant, by which they received full satisfaction: For presently after, several of their Bishops, and other Devout persons, undertook Pilgrimages to Rome, to express their Duty to the Supreme Bishop. There is another Epistle of the same Holy Pope, in Answer to certain doubts and questions, which the Irish had proposed to him, touching the Rites and manner of Baptism: But however the state of the Irish Churches then was, the Churches of Britain are declared at this time, free from any stain, either of Schism or Error in Doctrine.  
In the year of Grace 593. Edelric King of the Northumbrians died, whom succeeded Ethelsred the Cruel: At first he vigorously defended his own Dominions, then unjustly invaded the bounds of others, and every where sought occasions of exalting his Glory: Many Combats were undertaken by him Prudently, and executed Gallantly, for neither would he be restrained by Sloth, nor by his Courage pricked on to Temerity; about the same time Redwald came to the Kingdom of the East-Angles: But fatal indeed was this year in the Death of our Saxon Princes, for Crida King or Duke of the Mercians now ended his Life, to whom succeeded his Son Wibba or Wippa, who after also dying, left behind him three Illustrious Children, Penda, Kenwalch and Sexburga: About this time also died the Virtuous Queen Ingoberga, and received the reward of her Patience; she had been the Wife of Childebert King of the Franks, and after she had brought him a Daughter, was unworthily repudiated by him. Her memory challenges a place in this History, as mother to Birtha or Aldiberga Queen of Kent, whose Piety and Endeavours so disposed the Heart of her Husband Ethelbert, that it was ready to receive the Christian Faith, soon after tendered unto him by St. Augustine: And now behold the Sun of Righteousness began to dawn again upon this Island, and dispel the Darkness of Idolatry and Superstition, and now a new Seed of Pious Princes, Immaculate Virgins, Devout Monks, and a multitude of all sorts, excelling in Christian Virtues and Graces sprung up, and flourished, to the admiration of all Christian Churches; so as even from this time our Island began to deserve the Title of the Isle of Saints: It will be needful to give you a prospect at one view, how the Provinces were divided, and what Princes Ruled in each.  
It is agreed on all hands, that this Daystar of Christianity, began to shine among the Saxons in the year of Grace 590. for then the Apostolic Messengers from Rome received their Mission from the most worthy Successor of St. Peter St. Gregory the Great, in the seventh year of his Pontificate, and began their Journey toward our Island, though they did not arrive here till the year following: At this time the Saxon Heptarchy was established in Britain, and all the Provinces thereof were entirely under the Dominion of the Angli and Saxons, except the Northern Kingdom of the Picts and Scots; the Western parts in Cambria and Cornwall were not yet wholly subdued by the Saxons: The Kings governing the Heptarchy, their Names and Provinces are as follows, Ethelbert was then in the 35th. year of his reign; He was the Son of Irmeric, Son of Otha, Son of Eska, Son of Hengist, this Kingdom contained Kent as now bounded: Next over the South-Saxons; which Kingdom comprised Sussex and Surrey, reigned Eldwalch the Son of Cissa, the Son of Ella, who first established this Kingdom; this was the seventh year of Eldwalch his reign: Thirdly, the King of the Westsaxons under Celric in his first year, as Nephew to Ceaulin, who founded this Kingdom in the year of Grace 519. within his Dominions were comprehended Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Somersetshire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire and part of Cornwall: Next over the East-Saxons, Sebert was in the first year of his reign, he was the Son of Sledda Son of Erkenwin; who in the year of Grace 527. established that Kingdom, containing Essex, Middlesex, and so much of Hartfordshire as is under the Bishop of London's Jurisdiction, whose Diocese is Adequate to that Kingdom: After this was the Kingdom of the Northumber's, to which belongeth whatever lieth between Humber and Edinburgh: It was sometime divided into two Kingdoms of Bernicia and Deiri; Bernicia contained Northumberland with the South of Scotland to Edinburgh: The Deiri consisted of part of Lancashire, with the entire Counties of York, Durham, Westmoreland and Cumberland: The whole Kingdom at this time was governed by Ethelfrid in the fourth year of his reign; who was the Son of Alla Son of Ida, who founded that Kingdom in the year of Grace 547. After this in the year 575. the Kingdom of the East-Angles was founded, containing Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, with the Isle of Ely and some part of Bedfordshire: At this time Redwald had been King four year, he was the Son of Titillus Son of Vffa, esteemed the first King and Founder of the said Kingdom in the year of our Lord 575. The last, though largest, was the Kingdom of Mercia, so called for that it is seated in the middle of the Island; It was the Marches or limits on which the other Kingdoms did border: It comprehended the the whole Counties of Lincoln, Northampton, Rutland, Huntingdon, Buckingham, Oxford, Worcester, Warwick, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Gloucester, Stafford, Chester, part of Lancashire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and part of Bedfordshire: At this time when St. Augustine was sent by Pope Gregory, to the Conversion of the Saxons, Wibba the Son of Crida was King or chief Governor of Mercia, which Crida laid the Foundation of it, in the year of our Lord 585.  
These were the Saxon Kings, and these their limits, when Almighty God sent his Apostolical Missioners to Convert the Blind Saxons to the Christian Faith: Yet were these limits in continual motion, as the success of Princes proved good or bad: And among these Kings, commonly one was most Puissant, overruling the rest, who styled himself King of the English Nation: which Supereminence Ethelbert King of Kent at this time enjoyed, to whom the Word of Life was first offered, and by him thankfully accepted: Thus stood the state of Christianity in this Island, under the Government of the Romans and British Kings: In what a different state it now is, may easily be discerned by the Judicious Reader;  
Fiat Voluntas Dei.  
FINIS.   


Jesus is condemned to die.