Delphinus Archbishop of Lions under whom he shaved his crown according to the custome of the Clergy Alfred gave him a Monastery in a place which is called Humpud one for learning virtue worthy thereof A Synod is call'd in the Monastery of Strensalt for the deciding of this question Wilfrid commanded by the King and Bishop spake thus in answer to the Scots and to Colman their chief Bishop The Easter by us observed we have seen so observed at Rome where the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul liv'd preacht suffered and are buried This manner we have seen in all Italy and France This we know to be observed in Afrike Asia Aegypt and Greece and throughout all Nations and tongues of the world where the Church of Christ taketh place except these few and others of like obstinacy the Picts Britans with whom these men do fondly contend against the whole world God forbid said Wilfrid that we should charge St. John For he in his observation kept the decrees of Moses law literally according as the whole Church followed yet in many things after the Jewish manner For the Apostles were not able upon the sudden to blot out all customes and rites of the law instituted by God himself This they were forced to bear for a time least the Jews that lived among the Gentiles might be offended Upon this consideration St. Paul did circumcise Timothy Now the light of the Gospel shining through the world it is not lawfull for any Christian to be circumcised Peter preaching his Gospel at Rome remembring that our Lord rose the first day after the Sabath understood the observation of Easter in such sort that he lookt for the rising of the Moon at Evening in the 14th day of her Age in the first moneth at the rising whereof at Evening if the morrow after were Sunday he began in that very Evening to observe the Feast of Easter as all we do to this day but if Sunday were not the next morrow after the 14day of the Change of the Moon but the 16 17 or any other untill the 21. he tarried for the Sunday and that Saturday before he began the holy solemnity of Easter And it was by the Nicene Councel not newly decreed but confirmed that this is the true observation of Easter and so of all Christians to be celebrated As for your Father and his followers I doe not think it was much prejudiciall against them as long as they had yet receiv'd no instruction to the contrary but I rather suppose seeing they willingly followed such commands as they knew they would also have conform'd themselves to the Catholike judgment if they had been so informed But you your companions if hearing the decrees of the See Apostolike or rather of the Universall Church and that also confirmed in holy Writ follow not the same you offend and sin undoubtedly For though your Fathers were holy men could these few prejudice the whole Church of Christ spread through the World and if your Father Columban were holy and mighty in miracles yet may he not be preferr'd before the most blessed Prince of the Apostles to whom our Lord said Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church and Hell gates shall not prevaile against her And to thee I will give the Keys of the kingdome of Heaven The King hearing this said Agree ye both in this that these words were principally spoken unto Peter and that unto him the Keys of the Kingdome of Heaven were given When both answered yes the King concluded saying I tell you I will not gainsay such a Porter as this is but as far as I know and am able I will endeavour in all points to obey his Ordinances least perhaps when I come to the doores of Heaven I finde none to open them to me having his displeasure who is so clearly proved to bear the Keys thereof Thus they all embraced the more perfect observance Chap. 26. Colman the Scottish Bishop seeing his Doctrine disproved departed for Scotland taking with him such as refused to accept of the Catholike observation of Easter and of the carrying of a round shaven Crown Cedda embraced the Catholike Tradition and Tuda was made Bishop of the Northern men wearing after the manner of that Countrey a shaven Crown and observing Easter after the Catholike manner In holy Island Eata a reverend Father once Abbot of Mailrose was made Abbot over the Monks Colman departing took with him some of the bones of Bishop Aidan part also he left in the Church where he was Bishop laying them up in the Vestry The same Chapter further Relates of the Monks of this Monastery how greatly they abstain'd from all pleasure if they took any money of rich men they presently gave it to the poore and the eminent and wealthy never came but to pray and hear the Word of God and those that came contented themselves with the religious mens simple fare looking for nothing above the ordinary The Rulers of the Church sought not to pamper the body but to save the soul whence it came to passe that even the Habit of Religious men was had in great Veneration so that when any of the Clergy or Religious came forth he was joyfully received of all as the Servant of God And if any were going a journey the people ran to them and with great reverence desired to have their blessing either by hand or mouth And when they made any Exhortation as they past by every man gladly hearkened unto them Upon Sundaies ordinarily the people went to Church or Cloisters not to eat and drink but to hear the Word of God and if any Priest came abroad into the Villages the Inhabitants would flock about him desiring of him some lesson or instruction The Clergy in those dayes seldome went abroad but to Preach to Christen to visite the sick or for the cure of Souls Neither would they in those daies take territories or possessiosn towards building of Monasteries but through earnest sute and almost forc't thereto Note here upon the departure of Colman that the Scots converted by Palladius An. 422. as was said B. 1. C. 13. did not disagree in Faith from those sent by St. Gregory and later Popes into England in any one of those points in which the Protestants now differ from the Roman Faith They disagreed not about the Mass about Prayer for the dead Prayer to Saints about the reall Presence or any such point All the disagreement was about the time of keeping Easter and the manner of Tonsure Whence it is evident that Rome in the points now in Controversie taught the very same this year 664 which it had taught the Scots by Palladius An. 423. And what it taught then it taught the Britans An. 156. as I noted above B. 2. C. 2. see that place see also the Preface Number 1. Chap. 27. Relates how divers English
Conformity to be held with that Church which is spread over the whole world Apostles sent all the world over by the Pope Recourse to the Pope in Ecclesiastical affairs Our English Authors say Mellitus his going was to obtain priviledges for Westminster Abbey then built Decrees of Councels to be follow'd as sure rules A Church dedicated to our Lady and all Martyrs which yet is to be seen at Rome and whether were brought saith Spondan the Reliques of many Martyrs from places without the City Persecutors of this Faith punished Saying of Mass Communion under one kinde S. Peter prince of the Apostles He owns his Successors the Popes deeds The miraculous effect of St. Peters apparition A Church in honour of our Lady St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Our Primats of England still work miracles A place it seems dedicated to the crowned Martyrs Authority of 〈◊〉 Bishops from the Pope Noâ—e Mr. Baâ—ter how unlike the Pope then seemed to Anâ—ichrist Our Primats invested with the Pall by the Pope The Nâ—â—thumbers miraculously converted Baptizing Intants Note Mr. Baâ—ter how unlike the Pope then seem'd to Antichriâ—t The Pope an enemy to Idol worship St. Peter stiled Prince of the Apostles and our Protector His blessing sent from the Pope The Pope still sollicitous to further our conversion St. Peter stiled chiefest and Prince of the Apostles and our Protector The Faith then taught commended from Heaven I would those of our Country would imitate this Prince Paulâ—â— knows what is in the Kings brâ—ast Altars of stone Monasteries Abbots Altars sacrifice Miracles wrought at certain places A Pall sent by the Pope who still investeth our Archbishops The Pope a true Father even to Kings Efficacy of Saints Prayers The Pope exerciseth his Supremacy in England The Pope doth this in the place of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Decrees of the Church to be followed Golden crosses and Chalices consecrated to the use of the Altar yet to be seen Our Church musick from Rome Yet Idolatry highly hated An. 642. Veneration of holy places and crosses Miracles hence ensuing The very chips of that Crosse work miracles untill this day Prayers and sacrifice for the Dead The Moss of the Cross works miracles upon one as yet living Monks Monasteries Religious different in habit Purity of dâ—ctrine from Rome Churches dedicated to Saints Monasteries Strict followers of onely scripture erre for many years together Shaving of Monks Strict Fast on Wednesday and Friday among the Laity Miraculous reward of Alms Veneration of Relicks miraculously uncorrupt to this day The Apostle of the tumultuous sent from the Pope Transgressors of the Fast of forty dayes punished Vowed Nuns espoused to the heavenly bridegroom Such Nuns graced with the gift of Miraclâ—â— The Habitation of men separated from Women Vow'd 〈◊〉 dear 〈…〉 〈…〉 by 〈◊〉 Ouâ— Historyes say he was slain at Oswistry in Shâ—opshire the very â—ligh test 〈…〉 woâ—k 〈…〉 Strange Miracles by Râ—liks Miracles by Reliks Translation of Reliks 〈◊〉 to be held in 〈◊〉 vâ—neration by all faithfuâ—l This confirm'd from Heaven as is testiâ—ied by wittnesses yet living Abbesses The â—odgings of men apart from the Nunnery Exorcisms Relikâ—chase away the Devill Miracles at Saints Tombs The person yet alive saith Bede on whom the Miracle was dâ—â—e Power of Saints Prayers That speech God have mercy on their soules of what Antiquity Our unworthiness supplied by intercession of Saints Cures wrought by Relikes Water hallowed An. 644. Good works Satisfactory Daily prayers for the dead Hallowed Oile doth Miracles How authenticall this is A Miracle Translation of Reliks Altars Churches dedicated in the honour of the Prince of the Apostles Thus then they called St. Peter Miracles By Relikes Our Kings became Monks Monks graced with Visions How authentical this is Altars Miracles at Saints Tombs A prophesie of the ruine of such as converse with those who are excommunicated Antâ—quity of Godfathers Kings confide in the Prayers of religious men Lents forty days fast The laudable custome of fasting Monks Monasteries Religious rules Churches in honouâ— of our Lady Altars Intercession of Saints Vows made to God Nuns Monasteries perpetual Virginity God approveth this coutse of life Prayers of religious men in what esteem Dayly prayer for the dead The Fast of Lent Bishop Wilfrid instructed at Rome Clergy men wear shaven Crowns This Synod was at Whitby in Yorkeshire St. Peter and Paul lived preacht and suffered at Rome The strong plea of Tradition Errour then damnable when the Authority of the Church is rejected By the Prince of the Apostles Peter still understood Mat. 16. 18. The Roman Tradition preferr'd The Clergy weare shaven Crowns Abboâ—â— Monasteriâ—â— The distinct Habit of Râ—ligious and Clergie men I'heir blessings craved given by hand that is by the sign of the Crosse Works of Superogation vowed Canonicall Houres Vows of Austerity approved from heaven Lent The antiquity of the holy Feast of Christmass The Church of Rome the Catholike and Apostolike Church Still recourse unto Rome concerning 〈◊〉 Primaâ—â— The Pope Father even to Kings Peter twice here understood by the Prinâ—â— of the Apostles 〈…〉 Kings Crosses Reliques An Indulgence granted thereunto as to Medals say our Divines Abbotâ— Monks Nuns The Pope still invests our Primates Shaving of Clergy men Shaving of Clergy men Our Bishops Monks and of great sanctity The Cathedral at Leiâ—chfield now dedicated to St. Chad. Good works done out of hope of reward done with pure intention A prophetical vision Good works a preparation to death The blessing of men St. Peter still â—alled Prince of the Apostles Translation of Reliques Miracles by them Monks Pilgrimages to Rome The See Apostolike appoints out Primats Our Bishops still Monks Erconwald was first Abbâ—â— of Chertsey in Surrey Miracles Reliques Nuns They doe Miracles Their habitation seemed from men Virgins consecrared to Chrâ—st A prophetical Vision By patience we satisfie for our sins Good works the golden cords which life usup to heaven Holy Nuns We pray to Saints as to these who hear us Visions Abbesses Miracles Nuns Efficacy of prayers to Saints at their Reliques Monastical life prefer'd before Kingdomes Religious habit different from Sceular This King became a Monk in the Monastery of St. Peter and St Paul in London A prophetike Vision A Miracle very publike Our Kings turn Pilgrims Our Bishops Monks Godfathers Monks Our Faith confirmed from heaven Monks A prophetical Vision Masses Intercession of Saints approved from heaven Masses commanded by the Apostles Intercession of Saints avouched by the Apostles St. Peters Ecclesiasticall Tonsure Sacrifice Communion under one kinde Masses Yearly Feasts of Martyrs The Isle of Wight last converted Wilfrid their Apostle The faith of all the Bishops and Doctors of England The Antient English blessed Church received more than the first four Councells Abbots and Monks By prince of the Apostles still St. Peter understood Priviledges of Popes admitted in England Abbiâ—s How antient our Church Musick is above that of the Protestants Celebration of Feasts
1. c. 4. did not pretend any cause of division from Augustines Doctrine about Mass use of the Crosse and Images worship of Saints and Relicks or any other point wherein we and Protestants differ A demonstrative argument that none of these things brought in by Augustine were contrary to what was delivered to the Britans not a full hundred years after the Apostles time So that as long as Augustines Religion was kept in England the Apostles Religion was kept Chap. 3. Augustine ordain'd two Bishops Mellitus Justus Mellitus he sent to preach to the Province of the East Saxons whose chief City is London As soon as the Province by Mellitus preaching had receiv'd the word of Truth King Ethelbert built St. Pauls Church in London where Mellitus and his successors ever after were to hold their Bishops Seat Justus was ordain'd by him Bishop of Rochester in Kent where Ethelbert built St. Andrew the Apostles Church After this the dearly beloved Father in God Augustine dyed and his body was laid by the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Canterbury which after it was finisht was brought in and honourably buried in the North-part thereof where also were interred the bodies of all the Archbishops following as long as there was room This Church hath an Altar in it dedicated to the honour of St. Gregory Pope at which Altar every Saturday the Commemoration of these departed Bishops is celebrated by the Priest of the place Upon St. Augustines Tomb is written Here resteth Augustine the first Archbishop of Canterbury who being sent hither by blessed Gregory Bishop and by working of Miracles supported by God brought King Ethelbert and his People from Idolatry to the Faith of Christ He dyed the 26. of May CHAP. 4. Laurence succeeded him in the Bishoprick whom Augustine yet living ordain'd least after his death the State of the Church rude as yet and newly converted might have wavered and faln if it had lackt a Pastour and guide never so little Wherein he followed the example of the first Pastour of the Church the most blessed Prince of the Apostles Peter who having laid at Rome the foundation of Christs Church consecrated Clement his Coadjutor and Successor Laurence seeing the ground-work of his Church to enlarge which was well and throughly laid endeavoured to raise the same to a perfect height by frequent exhortations and continual example of pious works He earnestly laboured as a true Shepheard not onely for the modern Church of the English but also for the Church of the old Inhabitants of Britany and Scots in Ireland whose profession as soon as hâ— knew to be lesse Ecclesiastical and not well ordered in many points especially about Easter they not celebrating it in due time He wrote unto them beseeching them to receive and keep the society of Catholike observance with the Church of Christ spread over the whole world To our dearest brethren the Bishops and Abbots in Scotland Laurence Mellitus c. When the See Apostolike according to the usuall manner of sending to all parts of the world directed us hither to preach the word of God We c. About this time Mellitus Bishop of London went to Rome for advice of the Apostolike Pope Boniface and for necessary causes of the English Church This Pope call'd a Councel of Bishops to appoint some order concerning the life of Monks Mellitus sate among them to the end that what there was legally decreed he confirming might bring with him to the English Church as precepts and rules to be observed He brought also letters from the Pope to Laurence Archbishop to the Clergy and the King This Pope cleansed the Temple Pantheon converting it into a Church in honour of our Lady and the Martyrs Chap. 5. In the year 613. Ethelbert King of Kent after he had raigned six and fifty years entred into eternal blisse the one and twentieth year after he had receiv'd the Faith and was interr'd in St. Martins Porch within the Church of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul Edbald his son much harm'd the tender sprigs of the Church but Gods scourge was not wanting for both an unclean spirit and a frâ—nzie possest him Moreover the death of Sabereth King of the East Saxons and Nephew to Ethelbert much encreased the persecution of the Church who going hence to the everlasting kingdome left three sons who all fell to Idolatry These Princes seeing the Bishop in the Church after he had said Mass giving to the people the Sacrament said unto him Why doest thou not give us also of that white bread To whom he answered If you will be washt in that wholesome Font wherein your Father was you may also eat of this blessed bread but if you contemn the laver of life you may not tastâ— the bread of life Hereupon the King commanded Mellitus and all his company to depart the Realm so he and Justus went over into France Chap. 6. Laurence the Archbishop being now ready to forsake Britany and follow Mellitus and Justus commanded the night before he was to go that his bed should be laid in the Saints Peter and Paulâ— Church where after many prayers and tears powr'd out to God for the State of the Church the blessed Prince of the Apostles appearing in his sleep unto him scourged him a good while and with Apostolicall Authority asked him Why he meant to forsake the flock which he himself had committed unto him and to what Shepheard running now away he would leave the sheep of Christ beset with ravening Wolves By these stripes and the words of St. Peter Laurence the servant of God imboldned came and presented himself to the King and throwing open his garment shew'd him how pittifully he had been beaten When the King all amazed demanded who durst inflict such stripes upon a man of his dignity when he understood it was for his salvation and that by the Apostle of Christ he became afraid and abandoning the worship of Idols and his unlawfull wedlock embraced the Faith of Christ and was baptized promoting the good of the Church to the utmost of his power He call'd home Mellitus and Justus commanding them to return to their Churches and instruct their flock Thus the King with all his Subjects from that day that he was converted submitted himself to the Precepts of God He built a Church in honour of our Lady the blessed Mother of God within the Abbey of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles which Mellitus hollowed Chap. 7. Relates How the holy Archbishop Laurence departing hence to heaven his body was buried in the Abbey-Church of St. Peter the Apostle Mellitus of London succeeded in the See of Canterbury the third after Augustine who by birth was noble but nobler by his singular virtue It chanced that the City of Canterbury was set on fire and great part consum'd and the raging flames drew nigh
See for Paulin at whose request he built a large Cathedral enclosing that of Wood where he had been Baptiz'd Paulin henceforth preacht the word of God continually and they believ'd him and were Christ'ned And the fervour of Faith and desire of holy Baptism was so great that he was staid at Court 36. dayes busied in catechizing and instructing the people in the Faith of Christ In the Countrey of the Deiri he baptiz'd in the floud Swale for as yet there could not be built Oratories Fonts or Baptisteries Yet was there built a great Church in the planes called Downs which the Pagans that slew King Edwin burnt but the Altar escaped the fire being of stone and is kept in the Monastery of the reverend Abbot Trumvulse Chap. 15. King Edwins zeal and devotion was so great towards the Christian Faith that he perswaded Carpwell King of the East English to leave the vain superstition of Idols and with his whole Realm to embrace the true Faith and receive the Sacrament of Christs Church King Redwalls Carpwels Father was Christned before in Kent but he was quickly seduced again by his Wife He seem'd to serve both Christ and his false Gods for in one Temple he erected an Altar for the Sacrifice of Christ and another for his Idols Felix Bishop and a holy Preacher being sent by Honorius Archbishop to preach the Word of God to the East-English found plenty of fruit and encrease of Believers for he brought the whole Province unto the Faith Chap. 16. Relates How Paulin the Bishop preaching the word of God in the Province of Lindesi bulit a Church in the chief City where every year some miraculous Cures were wrought Chap. 17. Relates How Honorius Bonifacius his Successor was Bishop of Rome and sate in the See Apostolick who understanding that the King of Northumberland and all his Subjects were converted to the Faith by Paulinus his preaching sent him a Pall and Letters also to King Edwin exhorting him to go forward in the true Faith To the most Puissant and his most vertuous Son in our Lord Edwin King Honorius servant of the servants of God What are we better able to offer to God than by persisting in good works to worship and render him deserved praises We exhort you dearly beloved Son with Fatherly affection c. A little after he writeth Read St. Gregorie's your Apostles works and set his doctrine ever before your eyes that his prayers may advance your kingdome and people and represent you irreprehensible unto the Almighty We have provided those things which you wisht might be ordained for your Priests We have two Palls for the Primats Honorius and Paulinus commanding that when one of them is called out of this life the surviver substitute by this our Authority another in his place Chap. 18. About this time died Justus Archbishop and Honorius succeeding was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury by Pauline He was the Fifth after St. Augustine to whom Pope Honorius sent a Pall ordaining that when either the Bishop of Canterbury or Yorke died the surviver should have power to Consecrate another in the place of the deceased that so they should not need to travell and toile by Sea and Land to Rome as often as an Archbishop was to be ordained The Copy of the Popes letter to Honorius Labour in preaching the Gospel and follow the rule and steps of your Head and Master blessed Gregory c. As for the priviledges of your Churches we have not delay'd to grant you such things as We thought fit And now We in the place of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles grant unto you Authority c. Here followeth the grant specified in the beginning of this Chapter Dated An. 633. Chap. 19. Pope Honorius sent letters to the Scots whom he understood to erre in the observation of Easter exhorting them that they would not esteem their small number wiser than the Churches of Christ either antient or newly converted in celebrating any other Easter than after the common account and according to the Uniform Decrees of all the Bishops of the world assembled in Councel Chap. 20. Relates How King Edwin was slain his Army defeated his Kingdomes over-run by Penda the Idolater and Carduëlla so that there was no safety but in flight Then Bishop Paulin return'd to Kent bringing with him a fair golden Cross and Chalice consecrated to the use of the Altar which are to be seen in the Cathedral of Canterbury There he govern'd the See of Rochester and left his Pall which he had receiv'd from the Pope of Rome James the Deacon left by Paulin at York set up a School for Church Musick according to the fashion of Rome and Diocess of Canterbury The Third Book Chap. 1. RElates how the Kings Osrich and Eandfrid fell to Idolatry whereupon they deserved not to be accounted to our Kings but their years are numbred to holy King Oswald next following Chap. 2. The place is shew'd untill this day and had in great veneration where Oswald who slew Carduëlla before the battell set up the signe of the holy Cross beseeching God humbly on his knees to succour them in their distress Having with his own hands set up the Crosse he said to the Army Let us all kneâ—l down and pray the Almighty to help us In the place where he made his prayer many miraculous Cures are known to be done in token of his Faith Untill this day many doe usually cut chips from the wood of that holy Cross which casting into water and giving the sick thereof both men and beasts to drink or sprinkling them therewith they are restored to health The place is called Heavenfield signifying that in that place a heavenly memorial should be set up and heavenly miracles be wrought even till our daies The Religious of Hagulsden Church for a long time have us'd to come every year upon the Eve and Day that King Oswald was slain to keep Dirges for his soul and in the morning after Psalms solemnly to offer for him the Sacrifice of the holy Oblation By continuance of this custome the place is become more holy and is now honored by all for the Church dedicated in the same place We shal relate one of many miracles wrought at this Crosse One of the Religious of Hagulsden by name Bothelmus who liveth yet when by chance going on the Ice by a fall broke his Arm in so much that he could not lift it to his mouth prayed one of the brethren to bring him a piece of that blessed wood saying that by Gods grace he might finde help thereby He did so giving the party some of the Moss wherewith the wood was covered which putting into his bosome in the night he found himself soon after whole and sound Chap. 3. Relates how Aidan the Bishop being sent from the Scots to King Oswald the King himself became