A catalogue of the bishops of England, since the first planting of Christian religion in this island together with a briefe history of their liues and memorable actions, so neere as can be gathered out of antiquity. By F.G. subdeane of Exceter.

1. Aidanus.

THe noble & vertuous Prince 〈◊〉〈◊〉, hauing attained the kingdome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Northumberland the yéere 634. and desirous that his countrimen and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should not onely be gouerned by the sword for their temporall good, but also directed by the word and prea∣ching of the gospell to the euerlasting saluation of their soules, he sent his Embassador vnto his neighbours the Scots (amongst whom were then many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and well learned preachers) requesting them to send vnto him some good man that might instruct his people in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and feare of Christ. To this his most reasonable request, they quickly condiscended; and sent vnto him first a man, that do∣ing his best endeuour a while amongst them, and perceauing he could do no good, returned shortly into his owne country againe, complaining that they were a barbarous and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 people, amongst whom he had bene, and such as he thought he could not spend his time worse, then in séeking to instruct them, that séemed, neither desirous nor capable of knowledge. They that sent him, very sory for this tidings, and consulting amongst themselues what course were now to be taken, it chanced one of them named Aidanus to vse these words. It séemeth to me (quoth he) that this our brother dealt somewhat to roughly with his vnlearned auditors, not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them first with the milke of gentle words, and easie do∣ctrine, according to the councell of the Apostle, vntill such time as they were enabled to digest stronger meat: And this I take to be the cause of the ill successe his preaching had a∣mongst them. All the rest of the company thought it very probable which he had said, and these his (words occasioning them to remember, besides his learning and godlines, his no∣table

discretion and knowen wisedome, they agréed all, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no man was so likely to amend that fault, as he that had so quickly found and discerned it in the other, and so with one consent ordained him Bishop of Northumbers. This Aidanus an humble minded man, a louer of silence and pouerty (saith William Malmesbury) auoiding of purpose the pomp and frequency of Yorke, chose for his See a little Island called Lindisfarne (now Holy Island) where he and diuers of his successors much deale lead their liues. He was Bishop seuenteene yéeres, during which time, he neglected no duety of a good Pastor, trauelling vp and downe the countrey euen on foote to preach the Gospel, giuing whatsoeuer he could get vn∣to the poore, and by the example of his owne abstinency, cha∣stity, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and all manner of Episcopall vertues, instru∣cting, aswell, as by word and doctrine. He departed this life nt August 31. an. 651. for griefe (as it is to be thought) of the death of king Oswald that was traiterously slaine 12. daies before. Beda maketh report of diuers mira∣cles to be done by him, which who so desireth to read, shal find them and many things more concerning him Eccl. hist. lib. 3. c. 3. 5. 1415. 16. and 17.