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.

2. Laurence.

SAint Augustine before his death had appointed to suc∣céede [ 611] him, one Laurence a Romaine borne, a very godly and well learned man. He tooke great paines not onely with his owne charge, but also in labouring to reduce the Britons of Wales, the Scots and Irishmen to one consent in matters of religion. It is likely his diligence might haue done good, but that he was disturbed by the death of that good king Ethelbert. Eadbald his sonne succeeded him in the king∣dome, who being a vitious yong man, was not ashamed to marrie the wife of his late deceased father. This and other enormities when Laurence like a good Iohn Baptist doubted not to reprehend him for, he first began to fall out with him, and afterwards, euen with Christian religion which awhile he seemed to like of well inough, but now at last vtterly re∣nounced. The people (as commonly it commeth to passe) fol∣lowing the example of their king, they likewise returned to the filthie vomite of their abominable idolatrie, although the Archbishop like a good Pastor ceased not by earnest exhorta∣tions and what other meanes possibly he might, to stay them from this horrible relapse. Perceiuing at last that his words did no good, but rather incited the king to a more desperate hatred of him and religion: He determined to follow Mellitus and Iustus into France, that (as anon you shall haue occasion to reade) were lately banished by the wicked sonnes of good

Sebert king of the East Saxons. The night before the day of his intended departure, he caused his bed to be made in the very church of his monasterie; where after many teares and sighes, he recommended vnto God the miserable state of his poore church and so sel sléepe. It seemed vnto him (saith Beda) that S. Peter came vnto him and first expostulated the mat∣ter with him, after chid and reprehended him sharply 〈◊〉〈◊〉 purposing to forsake the church committed vnto him, and lastly whipped his naked body so terribly, as when he wa∣ked, finding it more then a dreame all his body was gore blood. He went immediately vnto the king, shewing him his wounds, and togither related vnto him the occasion of them. This strooke such a terror into the king, as by and by he re∣nounced his idols put away his incestuous wife, caused him∣selfe to be baptised, and for a farther testimonie and assurance of his vnfained conuersion, builded a church in the monastery of S. Peter, and dedicated the same vnto the blessed Uirgine. Laurence very ioyful of this alteratiō, sent presently for Mel∣litus and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into France; who comming vnto him, one of them (Iustus) Bishop of Rochester he returned vnto his old charge, the other he retained with him hoping to finde meanes he also might be restored to his Sée againe. In the meane time, euen the same yéere that king Eadbald became a Christian, himselfe (I meane Laurence) died and was buried beside Augustine his predecessor.