M. Hardinge. The .11. Diuision.
Nowe concerninge the Latine tongue, whiche is the learned tongue of the VVeast. That the Latine Churche, or the VVeast Churche, for so it is called, had the Seruice in Latine, I graunte. The chiefe Regions, and Countries of the Latine Churche, within the foresaide sixe hundred yeeres, were these. Italie, Aphrike, Illyrike, bothe Pannonies, nowe called Hungarie, and Austria: Gal∣lia, nowe Fraunce: and Spaine: The Countries of Germanie, Pole, and Swethen, and those Northe partes receiued the faithe longe sithence. The Countries of Britaine here had receiued the Faithe in moste places, but were driuen from the open profession of it againe, by the cruel persecution of Diocletian the Emperour: at whiche persecution, S. Albane with many others suffered Martyrdome.
After that these Countries had beene instructed in the Faithe, as thinges grewe to perfection, they had their Seruice accordingely: no doubte suche as was vsed in the Churches, from whence their firste Apostles, and Preachers were sent. And bicause .73.* 1.1 the first Preachers of the Faithe came to these VVeast parties from Rome, directed some from S. Peter, some from Clement, some others afterwarde from other Bishoppes of that See Apostolike: they planted and set vp, in the Countries by them conuerted, the Seruice of the Churche of Rome, or some other very like, and that .74.* 1.2 in the Latine tongue onely, for ought that can be shewed to the contrary. VVherein I referre me onely to the firste sixe hundred yeeres. Nowe that suche Seruice was vnderstanded of those peoples, that spake and vnderstoode Latine, no man denieth. For to some Nations that was a natiue and a Mo∣ther tongue, as the Greeke was to the Graecians.