The second part of the Protestants plea, and petition for preists and papists Being an historie of the holy preisthood, and sacrifice of the true Church of Christ. Inuincibly prouing them to be, the present sacrificing preisthood: prouing also the sacrifice of the Masse, vsed in the Catholike Roman church: and that these were promised, and foretold by the Prophets, instituted by Christ, and exercised by all his Apostles. Morouer that they haue euer from the first plantinge of Christianitie in this our Britanye, in the dayes of the Apostles, in euery age, and hundred of yeares, beene continued and preferued here. All for the most part, warranted by the writinges and testimonies of the best learned Protestant doctors, and antiquaries of England, and others.

THE FIRST CENTVRIE OR HVNDRED OF YEARES.

THE I. CHAPTER. Wherein is briefly made demonstration by the best learned protestant Antiquaries, and others of England, that Saint Peter the Apostle first preached the faith, and foun∣ded the Church of Christ in this our Britanie.

TO bringe vs vnto a more certayne, and vndoubted knowledge, of the first prea∣chers of christian Religion, in this king∣dome, the best learned protestant Antiqua∣ries wee haue, prescribe certayne Rules, and squares, to bee directed by to come vnto them, in their iudgment. Matth. Parker. an∣tiq. Britan. pag. 1. Godw. Conuers. of Brit. Ho∣linsh.

hist. of Engl. Mason. l. 2· c. 2. pag. 51. Theater of great Brit. l. 6. cap. 9. first they af∣firme, that the Britans receaued the faith, soone after the Ascension of our blessed Sa∣uiour, in the time of Tiberius, Caius Caligu∣la, or Claudius Emperor: and they build this their assertion cheifely vppon the words of S. Gildas. l. de Excid. & conq. Britan. c· 5.6. Who speaking of things done here in Bri∣tanie, either in the time of Caius, or Clau∣dius, addeth: Interea glaciali frigore rigent Insulae, indulget sua praecepta Christus. In the meane time while these things were doinge, Christ doth afford his precepts to this frozen Iland. In which place, hee rather meaneth the time of Claudius, then any other, as may easely appeare, to all iudiciall and e∣quall readers of that auncient Author in the place alleadged, needles to bee insisted vp∣pon, if wee will bee guided by our prote∣stant directors, because in their next Rules they shall make it euident.

It must needes in their opinion bee soe vnderstood. For they deliuer for a second Maxime, that this nation embraced, and was taught the Religion of Christ, by some one of the Apostles. Soe say their

Archbishop Parker. in antiq. Britan. Bal. in act. Pontif. Rom. in Gregor. 1. Cambd. in Brit. Fulke Answ. to a Romish. cath. pag. 40. Powel. annot. in l. 2. Giral. Cambr. Itiner. Cambr. c. 1. Holinsh. histor. of Eng. c. 21. pag. 102. Stowe histor. in Agricola. Stow. supr. Godwyn supr. their Bishops Bale, Godwyn, their doctors and Antiquaries, Cambden, Fulke, Powel, Holin∣shed. Stowe, the Theater writers and others, inclining to this opinion, and some of them plainely teaching, with diuers of the aun∣tient fathers, that the 12. Apostles deuided the world amongst them, to preach the ghospell in, assure vs, that to speake in their wordes, The holy Apostles beeing dispersed throughout the whole earth, did diuide the pro∣uinces amongst them, to preach the ghospell in; and it is deliuered plainely by sundry auntient writers, that Britanie fell in diuision, amongst the Apostles.

The third and laste generall Rule which these men assigne vnto vs, is, that mention is not made of any Apostle in any antiquitie to haue preached here, but onely of S. Peter S. Paul, and S. Symon Zelotes, none of all these alleadged protestants or any other, I reade doth speake of any other, and amonge

these one a protestant Bishop and Antiquarie writeth in these termes. Godwyn Conuers. of Britanie. cap. 1. pag. 2. I finde mention of three onely of the Apostles to haue beene in our Bri∣tanie, to wit, Peter and Paul, and Simon Cha∣nanaeus, called also Zelotes. For although some haue written that S. Iames preached in Ire∣land, and S. Philip in this next adioyninge Gallia Fraunce (which I haue at lardge re∣futed in other places) yett noe one historian to my remembrance, and reading, doth teach, that either of those twoe, or any of the rest, except those three before sett downe, were at any time in this Iland.

These Rules of Protestants thus supposed, and allowed, it will with a small labour, eui∣dently appeare vnto vs, by these men, and all antiquities, that the moste glorious Apostle Saint Peter was our first father, and teacher in Christ. For first concerning S. Paul, hee himselfe, and other scriptures, and these protestants alsoe confesse, hee was none of the 12. Apostles, by whō the world was soe diuided, and though miraculously called by god before, yett not properly an Apostle vntill in the 13. chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, v. 2. hee was soe ordeyned:

as our english protestants by their conferen∣ce of the first chapter and verse of S. Paules Epistle to the Romans. Rom. cap. 1. v. 1. are Interpretors hereof, when the other A∣postles had preached longe before, and o∣therwise alsoe executed their Apostolicke function.

Secondly it is euident by the same holy scriptures. Rom. 1. c. 1. act. cap. 27.28. many Antiquities, and these protestants themsel∣ues, soe clearely cōfessinge (Theater of great Brit. lib. 6. Godw. Conuers. Parker. antiq. Britan.) that S. Paul came not to Rome, nor any part neare Britanie, or these westerne nations, vntill many yeares after S. Peter was both come to Rome, and this kingdome of Britanie had receaued the faith of Christ, at the latest in the time of Claudius accor∣ding to these protestants by some Apostle as before, the first coming of S. Paul to any of these westerne Regions, beeing longe after in the time of Nero, to whome hee appea∣led from the Iewes, and Festus, and soe was brought prisoner to Rome and soe continued two yeares, not going from thence to any other place. Actor. c. 25. v. 10.11.12. cap. 27. & 28. v. 30.

That S. Symon Zelotes should bee the first Apostle that preached here, or was here at all, it is as vnprobable, or rather vnpossible by these protestants: for first diuers of them disable him euer to haue beene here, Stowe and Howes histor. in Agricola Holinsh. hist. of Engl. l. 4. c. 5. rather thinkinge, the place Britānia, where some haue thought hee prea∣ched to bee mistaken, and not to bee vnder∣stood of this nation, or that Simon which is supposed to haue beene here, was not S. Si∣mō the Apostle, but some other of that name, as S. Simon Leprosus, or Nathaniel, also by some named Simon, which preached in these westerne parts, namely in Fraunce, and not vnprobably here.

Secondly these protestants which would haue vs thinke S. Simon the Apostle prea∣ched here (Menologie. Graec. in Nathan. Bar. in martyrol. Rom. 28. octob. Guliel. Eisengr. cen∣turie· 1. & alij.) refer his beeing here vntil the coming of S. Ioseph of Aramathia, coniec∣turinge that hee came with him, who came not hither vntil the yeare of Christ 63. when they graunt that Britanie had receaued the ghospell by an Apostle soe longe before, as is alreadie declared from them. Parker

Antiquit. pag. 3. Godwyn. Conuers. of Bri∣tanie pag. 10. Thirdly (to make all sure) Such as haue taught that one S. Symon did preach in a place called Britannia; Doroth. in Synops. Maenolog. Graec. 6. Id. Maij. doe al∣soe affirme, that the same S. Symon suffered martyrdome, and was crucified in the same place, and they keepe the feast of his mar∣tyrdome vpon the tenth day of May. When concerning S. Symon Zelōtes the Apostle, not onely the whole latine church, and all catholicks in the world, but Protestants al∣so, both of England, and all other nations, in their most publicke seruice bookes, and kalenders of their churches, receaued and allowed by their parlaments, and highest Rules in their Religion, which all of them ar bownde to obey, and followe, doe cele∣brate the festiuitie of S. Symon Zelotes the Apostle, vpon the 28. day of October, aboue fiue moneths after, and all iointly agree, in the historie of his life, and death, teaching hee neuer preached in any part of Europe, or neare our Britanye, and was martyred in Persia, diuers thousands of myles frō hence. Martyrolog. Rom. die 28. Octobr. Breuiar. & Miss. Rom. eod. die. Bed. in Martyr. eod. die.

Vsuard. & Ado eod. die. Protestant com. Booke and all their kalenders with their Bibles 28. of Octob.

Now there is noe other left to bee our first Apostle and Father in Christ but S. Peter, except some ignorant or willfull man, will alledge S. Ioseph of Aramathia, who though hee was noe Apostle, yett as some say, hee was sent hither out of Fraunce, by S. Philip one of the Apostles, and soe mediately the same S. Philip. though neuer here in parson, might bee our Apostle. I answere as before, that wee contend for the first Apostle, that either immediately by himselfe, or mediatly by his disciples, preached here, and founded our church, and not to exclude all Apostles in after times, from this kingdome, for I wil at leaste probably shew, that S. Paul was here, a little before his death in an other place; and there alsoe giue his due to S. Io∣seph, and his holy company, in a far more honorable degree, then any protestant, or other one writer yet to my reading hath per∣formed towards them; But S. Ioseph from whomsoeuer hee was sent, cominge hither but in the 63. of Christ, almost twenty yea∣res (as before) after this kingdome had re∣ceaued

the faith of Christ, neyther S. Ioseph, nor any of that holy fraternitie could bee the first preacher here.

And soe farr vnprobable or impossible it is, that by the Iudgment of our English pro∣testants, or others, S. Philip the Apostle should bee then in Fraunce to send S. Ioseph hither, that hee was many yares before cru∣cified, & soe dead by martyrdome in Phry∣gia at Hierapolis there, in Asia, as the com∣mon consent of antiquities, the whole-church of God, and the protestants of En∣gland, in the Rituall of their Religion, ge∣nerally vsed and allowed by them, and all other protestants doe wittnesse, and therfore keepe his festiuitie accordingly vppon the first day of May, in or about the 54. or 55. yeare of Christ, longe before S. Iosephs co∣minge into this part of the world. Bre. Rom. 1. Maij. Martyrolog. Rom. Bed. Vsuara. Ado 1. Maij. Chrysost. hom. de 12. Apost. Abd. lib. 10. Metaphrastes 14. Nou. Euseb. l. 4. c. 24. Ni∣ceph. lib. 1. ca. 39. Pet. de Natal. l. 4. c. 107. Antō. part. 1. tit. 6. ca. 11. Eisengr. contra. 1. Prot. Com. Booke and kalend. 1. Maij. Therfore of necessitie, both Catholiks and protestants must needs acknowledge, that S. Peter the

most worthie and blessed Apostle, was our first most happy father & master in Christ, which I haue made lardge demonstration of in other places, and will for particulars bee more euident in the next chapter, and this whole history: an historicall truth soe testi∣fied by many authors, that Syr William Cambden, whome others therein followe, the best antiquary of this nation, writeth in many editions, Quid ni crederemus? why should wee not beleeue them. Cambden in Bri∣tania in diuerse editionis Andree Chesnee l 3. hist. d' Angleterre. Budley pag. 171. Makinge S. Peters preachinge and foundinge the church of Christ here in Britanie a thinge soe certayne, that hee meruayleth any man of Iudgment can make doubt thereof. Ther∣fore I may boldly vse these wordes (and af∣firme them true) of a protestant Bishop in the name of the rest: Wee should accompt it a greate glory to deriue the pedigree of our spiri∣tuall linage, from soe noble, and excellent a fa∣ther as Saint Peter. Godwyn Conuers. of Bri∣tanie pag. 6.

THE II. CHAPTER. Where both the former is more manifestly de∣clared, and in particular farther proued by these protestants, & antiquities by them al∣lowed, what highest spirituall offices the same glorious Apostle, and his disciples per∣formed here.

TO proue more amply what hath beene said of S. Peters beeing and preachinge here, and to shewe what hee did for the first foundinge of our church: A protestant Archbishop from diuers authorities writeth: Whit gifts Answ. to the Admonition pag. 65. sect. 1. and def. of the Answ. pag. 318. The A∣postle Peter did in euery prouince appoint one Archbishop, whom all other Bishops of the same prouince should obey. An other with great priuiledge saith (Sutcliffe Subuers. pag. 3.) Pe∣ter preached in •…•…e place, but hee there ordeyned Bishops and teachers and founded churches. And to shew that all these and such benefits came to vs first from S. Peter and his holy see of Rome, among other Marcus Antonius de Dominis, now by the greate mercy of

God a penitent in the catholicke church, when hee was in profession a protestant in England (Marcus Anton, de Domin. de Re∣pub. christian. l. 4. cap. 10. with publick priui∣ledg in England) and a chosen champion for that Religion against the Pope by chei∣fest protestant authoritie in England, then testifieth: Est caput Roma quatenus ab ea dif∣fusum est euangelium in reliquas totius occi∣dentis ecclesias, & in multas orientis, atque in barbaras etiam extra Romanum Imperium na∣tiones. Rome is the head of the church, in so much as from it the ghospell was diffused in∣to the other churches of all the West, and into many of the East, and into barbarous nations also without the Romane Empire. And our. Soueraigne kings speach in parlam. 1. publickly protested of this church of Ro∣me: It is our mother church: and conse∣quently that it first brought vs forthe in spi∣rituall christian birth, as mothers doe their natural children to the world and that wee, except wee will turne bastardly vnnaturall and disobedient children, doe owe and must performe all dutie and obedience vnto it, our most holy mother in Christ. And to fur∣ther this our bounden dutie, the protestants

of England in their Theater. of the Emp. of greate Britante pag. 203 l. 6. c. 9. num. 5. will helpe vs foreward whoe write in this maner: That S. Peter the Apostle preached the word of life, in this Iland, as to other gentiles hee did, for whome God had chosen him, that from his mouth they might heare the ghospell, as himselfe alleadgeth, and that hee here founded churches, and ordeined preists and deacons, which is reported by Si∣mon Metaphrastes out of the greek Antiqui∣ties, and Gulielmus Eisingrenius in the first of his Centuries. Therfore this beeing writ∣ten by soe learned and holy a man as S. Si∣mon Metaphrastes was, and soe auntient a∣boue 700. yeares since, and out of such mo∣numents and Authorities of the Gretians, as in his time were honored with the Title of Antiquities, this alone might content vs in this matter, as it hath already the best lear∣ned protestant Antiquaries of this nation.

But because allowance is giuen to the au∣thoritie which cannot be denyed, because it is the maner of Protestants to mynce autho∣rities, I will cite that holy auntient Father and Saint. S. Sim. Metaphr. 29. die Iunij. in his owne wordes which bee these. Romā re∣dijt,

ex qua venit Mediolanum, & Photicen quae sunt ciuitates in Continente. In quibus cum constituisset Episcopos & Presbyteros, venit in Britanniam. Quo in loco cum longo tempore fuis∣set moratus, & multas gentes non nominatas attraxisset ad fidem Christi, angelicam aspexit visionem, quae dicebat: Petre, instat tempus tua resolutionts, & oportet te ire Romam: in qua cum mortem per crucem sustinueris, recipies mercedem Iustitiae. Cum ergo propterea Deum glorificasset, & egisset gratias, & apud Britan∣nos mansisset dies aliquot, & verbo gratiae mul∣tos illuminasset, & ecclesias constituisset, e∣piscoposque & presbyteros & diaconos ordinas∣set, duodecimo anno Caesaris Neronis rursus Ro∣mam reuertitur. S. Peter by reuelation came to Hierusalem, at the death of the mother of God, then returning into Egipt, by Africk came againe to Rome. From whence hee came to Milane and Photice, which bee ci∣ties in the continēt: in which when hee had constituted Bishops, and preists, hee came into Britanie, where when hee had stayed a longe time, and drawne many nations not named, to the faith of Christ, hee had an Angelicall vision, which saide: ô Peter, the time of thy Resolution is at hande,

and thou must goe to Rome, in which when thou hast suffered death by the crosse, thou shalt receaue the reward of lustice. Therfore when hee had glorified God and giuen thankes for it, and remayned some dayes with the Britans and illuminated ma∣nie with the word of grace, and founded churches, & ordeyned both Bishops, priests, and deacons, hee returned againe to Rome in the twelueth years of the Emperor Nero.

Hitherto the very words of this learned Saint, soe precisely and particularly descri∣being the tyme and comming of that glori∣ous Apostle into this Iland, & staying here, with his returne to Rome againe, that as noe man except an infidell will or can deny it, no Author of antiquitie or credit auouching halfe so much for either S Paul or any other Apostle to haue beene here at all: soe except wee of Englād wil shew our selues the most vngratefull, & disobedient to that our first, and most glorious Pastor, and parent, of all nations in the world except Hierusalē, An∣tioch and Rome, wee ar most engaged to ho∣nor and reuerence this most glorious Apo∣stle & his Successors in his holy Sec: for nei∣ther

Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, or Bythinia, which hee himselfe particularly remembreth, 1. Pet. 1. v. 1. nor any other kingdome or nation mentioned in any Au∣thor of credit and Antiquitie, and to bee pa∣ralelled with him whom I haue cited, appro∣ued euen in this point with all Catholicks, and the moste iudicious indifferently myn∣ded and best learned protestants, can con∣stantly affirme and proue, that they had re∣ceaued such benefites and blessings from S. Peter, as this our Britanie, which to visitt hee went soe farr, stayed therein soe longe, and enritched as with soe many and vnans∣weareable graces and fauors: continuinge them soe longe, vntill he was admonished from heauē to returne from hence to Rome, as before his cominge thither, hee also was as Metaphrastes, die 29. Iunij. S. Leo serm. de Apostol. with others write, directed to come helpe vs in the west. And if wee will follow the Roman tradition. (Baron. annotat. in 9. Maij in Pudente. that) Domus Pudentis erat primum hospitium S. Petri Romae, the house of Pudens was the first lodging of S. Peter of Rome, wee are more strictly bound to Rome and Rome to vs, that beeinge the house of

our renowned christian contrywoman Lady Claudia, as our protestant writers tell vs. Matth. Parker antiq. Britan. pag. 2.3. God∣wyn Conuers. of Britanie. Cambd. in Britan. Theater of Brit. l. 6. Now lett vs enquire and sett downe in particular, soe neare as such a desolation and losse of Antiquities as En∣gland hath often suffered, will giue vs leaue, of this Archbishop and Bishops in particu∣lar, which S. Peter consecrated for vs, to found and begin the first hierarchicall order and Succession in our primatiue church of Britanie.

Many Authors both auntient and later writers and of these late times, both catho∣licks and protestants, ar witnesses that S. A∣ristobulus, one of the seauentie and two disciples of Christ our Lord, was Bishop of this our kingdome of Britanie. Doro∣thaeus Bishop of Tyrus. (Dorothaeus lib. de septuaginta duobus discipulis in Aristobulo.) And the Maenologe of the Greekes are plainely of this minde. The first in his booke intituled de septuaginta duobus disci∣pulis, of the seauentie two disciples, wri∣teth: Aristobulus ab Apostolo ad Romanos commemoratos Episcopus Britannia factus

est: Aristobulus one of the seauentie two disciples, of whom S Paul speaketh in his epistle to the Romans, was made Bishop of Britanie. And to putt vs out of doubt that hee did not mistake, naminge Britania for Bythinia, as a protestant writer would seeme to expounde him, when hee writeth: Doro∣theus saith, Aristobulus, whome the Apostle to the Romans remembreth, was made Bishop in Britanie, or Bithania. Stowe histor. titul. the Romans. in Agricola. I thinke this man will hardly finde any Bythania in the world: wee reade of Bethania often in the Gospels, and S. Iohn saith. cap. 11. v. 18. Bethany was nigh vnto Hierusalem about fifteene farlongs off, as our protestants translate and their note there vpon is: that is about towe miles. protest. annot. marginal. in c. 11.11. Io. v. 18. Which was too neare to Hierusalem, to bee a Bishops see, and the old prouinciall ma∣keth mention of noe such. And if by Bythania, hee ment the country Bythinia the Region of lesser Asia, against Thra∣cia, and next Troas, which was also som∣time called Bebrycia, after Mygdonia, and by S. Peter Bythinia in the Apostles time, and after, it is euident that Dorothaeus

ment it not, for in the next name which is S. Tyticus, hee saith, that hee was made. Bishop of Chalcedonia of Bith•…•…nia. Tyticus meminit & huius Paulus, primus Episcopus Chalcedoniae fuit, quae in Bithynia est. Doroth. supra in Tyticho. Therefore of necessitie by this Author and the rest foe affirming it, without doubt, or any exception, S. Aristo∣bulus needs must bee Bishop of this our king¦dome of Britanie, noe other place then of that name fitt for a Bishop in the knowne world to apply it vnto.

And thus testifieth the auntient Maeno∣loge of the greekes, with others, both catho∣licks and protestants of whome I haue here noted some. Maenolog. Graecor. die 15. martij: Baron. annot. in martyrol. Rom. eod. die. Ar∣nold. Mirman in Theatr. Conuers. gent. Auth. of the Exam. of the Calend. praefat. and in the 3. Conuers. Syr. Ed. Hoby counterf. pag. 48. Thom. Rogers vpon the Articles of Relig. arti∣cul. 36. pag. 197. Protest. Theater of Brit. l. 6. Cambden Belg. That this holy Bishop was ei∣ther consecrated here, or sent hither by S. Peter, wee may not question, beeing soe ge∣nerally confessed by protestants before, that noe other Apostle did, or then could per∣forme

that office. And if the Identitie of the name deceaueth vs not, this our holy Bishop or Archbishop, was Father in lawe to S. Pe∣ter, his wyues Father, and Brother to S Bar∣nabas the Apostle, sent into these west parts by S. Peter: for as Simon Metaphrastes wri∣teth. (S. Simon Metaphr. die 26. Iunij.) Accepit Petrus filiam Aristobuli fratris Barnabae Apo∣stoli, ex ea genuit filium vnum & vnam filiam. Peter maryed the daughter of Aristobulus Brother of Barnabas the Apostle, and had by her one sonne, and one daughter. Marty∣rolog. Rom. 15. Martij. Godw. And beeing called in the Romane Martyrologe as a pro∣testant Bishop truely telleth. Apostolorum dis∣cipulus the disciple of the Apostles. Conuers. of Brit. It wholy disableth him from beeing disciple to S. Paul, whoe alone of the Apo∣stles besides S. Peter was in this kingdome, for the scriptures themselues are wittnes. Actor. cap. 13. v. 2.3.4. that S. Paul was not an Apostle, vntill in the 13. chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, before which time by the protestants before, Britanie had recea∣ued the faith, and probably S. Aristobulus was then a Bishop, as many others of the 27. Disciples were. And many ar called the dis∣ciples

of the Apostles which were peculiarly the disciples of S. Peter, the cheife Apostle, as appeareth in diuers places of the same Authority. S. Aristo. Arch. of this our Britanie.

And that this holy disciple of S. Peter, was not onely our Bishop, but Archbishop alsoe in Britanie, I haue warrant both of Catho∣licks and protestants to auouche it; First if wee examine either by Dorotheus or any whomsoeuer writing of the residēcies of the 72. disciples of Christ, wee shall hardly finde any amonge them, which had not the digni∣ty of that high callinge, yea hee relateth S. Aristobulus as a cheife amongst thē, & then beeing sent to this kingdome of Britanie soe greate & ample. And where as in other such kingdomes our protestants before assure vs, S. Peter ordeined an Archbishop, wee cānot doubt but in particular it was this his moste worthy disciple, as also the disciple of Christ, which first exercised by S. Peters assi∣gnement that Archie, and cheife pontificall order in this Iland.

Secondly, because wee reade it confidētly written, and from more auncient authoritie, that this holy disciple of S. Peter was not on∣ly our first Apostle, but here began and first

founded the hierarchical order, of our Brit∣tish church, a thinge proper to that highest spiritual callinge. Arnold. mirac. Theatro con∣uers. gentium in Britan. & Aristobulo. Britānia Straboni à Britone Rege nuncupata, primum A∣ristobulum, siue illū cuius meminit S. Paulus, quod Dorothaeo probatur, siue aliū vnū certe ex 72. discipulorum classe Apostolū est nata. Deinde Fugariū & Damianū, qui ordinem Hierarchicè Ecclesiae istic fundatae ab illo inchoatum consti∣tuerunt sanxerunt{que} more nimirum Apostolico. Britania so named by Strabo of Kinge Brito or Brutus, had for the first Apostle therof A∣ristobulus, either him, whome S. Paule remē∣breth, which Dorotheus approueth, or an o∣ther, surely one of the order of the 72. disci∣ples, after that Fugarius (Fugatius by others) and Damianus, whoe constituted & confir∣med by Apostolick maner the Hierarchical order begun by him of the church founded there. Where wee see S. Aristobulus, the first founder of the Hierarchicall order in this church of Britanie: a thinge which as al pro∣testāts against the puritans, maketh the pe∣culiar office of an Archbish. Whitgift answ. to the admonit. Bridges eccles. gouern. Bilson against the purit. Couel, Downam, Barlowe &c.

Thirdly, These protestants of England, especially the vniuersitie of Cambridge by their chosen champion Mr. Thomas Rogers for defence of their Articles of Religion of Protestants, writing (to vse his wordes) by the lawfull authoritie of the church of En∣gland, allowed to bee publicke. Thom. Ro∣gers booke of the faith of England pag. 1. doe playnely saie, that S. Aristobulus, was Archbishop in this our Britanie. Thus hee writeth in the name of English protestants and by their warrant. Rogers supra artic. 36.

pag. Albeit the Termes and Titles of Arch∣bishops we finde not, yet the superioritie which they enioye, and authoritie which Bishops and Archbishops doe exercise, in orderinge and consecratinge of Bishops, and ecclesiasticall ministers, is grounded vppon the word of God: for wee finde, that in the Apostles daies, how themselues both were in dignitie aboue the Euangelists, and the 70. disciples, and for authoritie both in and ouer the church, as twelue patriarches, saith Beza, and alsoe established an ecclesiasticall heerarchie. Hence came it, that bishop was of Hierusalem Iames; of Antioch Peter; of the Asian churches, Iohn; of Alexandria

marke; of Ephesus and all Asia, Timothie: of all Creete, Titus; of Philippos Epaphra∣ditus; of Corinth and Achaia, Apollos; of Athe•…•…s Dionisius: of Fraunce Crescens; of Britanie Aristobulus. Beza in act. Apost. 1.2.

D. Chrisosto. in Act. Homil. 33.2. Hieron. in Gal. Euseb. D. Hieron. ad Euagr. D. Hier. in 2. Tim. 1. Theod. arg. in epist. ad Tit. Theod. in epist. ad Phil. Euseb. lib. 2. Dorotheus in Apostol. Synops. Where we see S. Aristobu∣lus not onely ioyned in ranke, and dignitie of spirituall preeminence, with the Euange∣lists, and Apostles themselues, but with the generall authoritie of the protestant church of England, plainely declared to bee the first founder of ecclesiasticall hierarchie, and Archbishop of this our Britanie. And to giue euident testimonie, that in their iudge∣ment this nation of the west, both deriued the succession of the Bishops thereof from S. Peter and Aristobulus, and neuer wanted by such vntil these dayes, they thus conclude in this matter, supra pag. 197.198.

Finally from the Apostles dayes hetherto neuer wanted a succession of Bishops neither in the East, nor Weste churches, soe prouidēt hath the almightie beene for the augmenta∣tion

of his glorie, and people, by this kinde, and callinge of men. And thus much for the first Archbishop of Britany ordeyned by Saint Peter.

Now to come to speake of the Bishops hee consecrated and ordeyned for vs, although it is precisely proued before, that such there were: Episcopos ordinauit. S. Peter ordeyned Bishops here in Britanie for vs, and euery Archbishop which is cheife of Bishops, such as S. Aristobulus was vnto vs, doth necessa∣rily inferr, and proue some Bishops subordi∣nate, and vnder, els hee could not bee the cheife, and principall; for euery Archbishop inferreth necessarily some Bishops or Bishop vnder him their cheife in that callinge. Di∣uers Antiquities of Glastenbury, apud Cap∣grau. in S. Ioseph, affirme, that one of the holy company of Saint Ioseph of Aramathia, namly his sonne Iosephe was a Bishop, which if so it was, hee must needes bee subordinate to S. Aristobulus. And yett if I would sett downe vncertayne thinges, I might place our holy Bishoppe and marty S. Angulus, in or neare this time, with much more proba∣bilitie then some without any authoritie I can finde, referr him to the dayes of Diocle∣tian

his persecution: or say that S. Martine, to whome the christian Romans, builded & dedicated the church at Canterbury, was a British Bishop, and in this time; for that such a S. Martyne a Bishop there was about those dayes, there bee many testimonies, and that hee was consecrated by Romane authoritie; and soe aunciently to proue it probable, hee was a Britanie, that the auntient Manuscript of Radulphus de Diceto deane of London, or whosoeuer Author of Abbreuiatio chroni∣corum, saith, that it was builded in the time of kinge Lucius, for speaking of the time of that our first christian kinge, hee affirmeth. (Abbreuiatio chronicorum in Lucio. M. S) Tunc constructa est extra Cantuariam ecclesia Sancti Martini: then the church without Canter∣bury dedicated to S. Martyne, was builded. As diuers also were to S. Peter, our moste glorious Apostle. One I finde consecrated by S. Peter or his successor at Rome, which was both a Britanne, and liued and died a Bishop here in the time of S. Aristobulus, a Germane writer calleth him Achates, but I take not that to bee his name, hee was one of the happy companions of S. Beatus our noble contryman consecrated at Rome, of

whome I will speake more when I come to that glorious man, when I haue first entrea∣ted of the consecration of S. Mansuetus a renowned Bishop, borne in this Iland, con∣secrated by S. Peter himselfe.

This man, as many antiquities say, was na∣tione Scotus, by contry a Scot, of the north part of this kingedome, made Bishop by S. Peter, whose disciple hee was before, and sent into these parts, or consecrated by him here, and made Bishop of Tullū in Lorrayne. Tullenses habuere Apostolū, suaeque in Christum fidei pri∣mū Antistitem S. Mansuetum S. Petri Apostoli discipulum, S. Clementis Collegā origine Scotū, (Arnold. Merman. in Theatro Conuers. gentiū in Metensib.) The inhabitants of Tullum (saith Arnoldus Mermannius) bad for their Apostle and first Bishopp of their faith in Christ, S. Mansuetus a disciple of S. Peter the Apostle, the fellowe of S. Clement, a Scot by birth. An other citinge alsoe for Au∣thors Antonius Democarez, and Petrus de Natalibus, saith. (Guliel. Eiseng. centenar. 1. part. 1. dist. 3. pag. 56. Petrus de Natal. l. 11. c. vlt. Anton. Monchiacen. Democh. l. 2. de Miss. contr. Caluin. c. 33.) S. Mansuetus, natione Sco∣tus, ex nobili prognatus familia Simonis Bario∣n•…•…

Apostolorum Coryphaei discipulus, socius B. Clementis Episcopi Mettensis, à Petro Leuco∣rum in vrbe Tullensi primus Antistes consecra∣tus est anno Christi 49. Tiberio Claudio Cae∣sare Augusto. In the 49. yeare of Christ in the Empire of Claudius S. Mansuetus a Scot by contry, borne of a noble family, disciple of S Peter cheife of the Apostles, companiō of S. Clement Bishop of Metz, was By Pe∣ter consecrated the first Bishop in the citie of Tullum.

Mermennius, before cited saith, (in Thea∣tro conuers. gentium.) that Saint Clement whose companion this our contrye man Saint Mansuetus was, was Bishop of Metz in, or about the 40. yeare of Christ, in the •…•…yme of Caius Caligula Emperor: Metensibus fidei Religionisque Antistes fuit S. Clemens Romanus, anno & quod excurrit 40. Caio Ga∣ligula Imperatore, S. Petro pontifice maximo. But to admitt, that S. Mansuetus was not made Bishop by S. Peter vntill the 49. yeare of Christ, and was noe Bishop, but an assi∣stant of S. Clement, at his first sendeing by S. Peter of him to Metz, yett to haue a Bis∣hop of our nation, and consecrated and sent to forreyne parts by the cheife Apostle, is an

inuincible argument, that both S. Peter was the first founder and father of the Brittans birth and life in Christ, disposed of all spiri∣tuall affaires here, longe before the cominge of any other Apostle, either into this kinge∣dome or part of the world to conuert it, and left at that time diuers Bishops in this con∣trie, or fitt for that moste holy order: other∣wise hee would not haue sent S. Mansuetus of this contrie forth of Britanie, to execute that high dignitie in a straunge nation, such as Lorrayne, where Tullum is, then was, and still is, to this Iland. And this I may more boldly write, by a consequent and conclu∣ded leaue, and warrant from our Protestant Bishops, and other such Antiquaries, whoe in their greate Theater of Britanie giue vs diuers graunts, and Rules to leade vs, both to soe tymely a beeing of Saint Peter in this kingedome, & his disciples preaching here, & both claiming & exercising such power∣able iurisdiction and authoritie here, as I haue related from others. First they write in these words. (Theater of greate Britanie lib. 6. cap. 9. §. 5)

If Peter were here at all (which they graunted and is demonstrated by them be∣fore)

it was before euer he went to Rome, and the ghospell was preached here, be∣fore it was in Rome, if Peter were the first, as some hold, that preached there, both which may bee more probable. Againe thus they write (§ 7.) It hath passed with allowance amonge the learned Senate of our Antiquaries, that when Claudius began to bannish and persecute the Christians in Rome (which they think to bee before this time of S. Mansuetus beeing Bishop of Tul∣lum) many Romans and Britans beeing con¦uerted to the faith, fled thence into these re∣mote parts of the earth where they might & did, more freely enioy the libertie of their professions. And from this Sanctuarie of saluation, the sad lamenting Lady Pompo∣nia Graecina, the wife of Aulus Plantius, the first Lord lieutenant of Britanie brought that Religion, whereof she was accused and stood indited vppon life and deathe, which was noe other then the Christian

profession. And to interpret themselues more clearlye where (as they hould) this greate Lady the Lord Lieutenants wife was conuerted, thus they sett downe their marginall direction concerning this matter.

Aulus Plantius his wife became a christian in Britanie.

Now to assure vs how soone it was, that S. Peter and his disciples had made soe hap∣pie an entrance, and wrought soe glorious effects in this our kingdome, these very Pro∣testants tell vs. That Aulus Plantius was sent hither out of germany, with an army the se∣cond yeare of Claudius, which was (as some Protestants write) in the 44. yeare of Christ, by others the 45. and stayed here but a short time, returninge to Rome and triumphing there, for his victories ouer the Britans, in the yeare of Christ 49. and then in the yeare 50. Publius Ostorius Scapula was Propraetor here. (Theater supr. lib. 6. c. 6. pag. 193. Pro∣testants in Festis Regum an. Dom. 44. Claudij 3. Stowe and Howes histor. an. D. 45) By which accompt of these Protestants themselues, this lamentinge Lady Pomponia Graemia, by them here conuerted to the faith of Christ, and all her christian company, as chaunceth in such cases at soe greate parsonadges conuer∣sion, and many other christians of the Bri∣tans, which they say were then conuerted by those disciples of S. Peter, or by himselfe, (noe others then beeing here) must needes

bee conuerted before, or in the 49 yeare of the Incarnation of our Sauiour, in which as I proued before, our contryman S. Mansue∣tus, was ordeyned Bishop of Tullum by S. Peter, which was 14. yeares before the co∣minge of S Ioseph of Aramathia hither, by all antiquities, and diuers by the scriptures themselues, before S. Paul came to Rome or any westerne nation.

And if wee may beleeue the Protestant writers of the Theater, they make the co∣ming of S. Paul to Rome, longe after, wri∣ting in these wordes. (Theater of greate Bri∣tanie supr. l. 6. §. 7.) Paule came not to Rome till the tenth of Nero. When both by them and the scriptures, hee was a prisoner two yeares, and could not depart from Rome. Which maketh these Protestants reckoning 16. or 17. yeares after the conuersion of soe many in Britanie, and consecration of S. Mansuetus that holy Bishop by S. Peter. And to proue further vnto vs, not onely that these first christians of Britany were conuerted by S. Peter, but that others of this our nation, were euen at this time, consecrated preists, and Bishops alsoe by S. Peter, these Prote∣stant Bishops and others, hauing immediatly

spoken before of the conuersion of Lady Pomponia Graecina herein Britany in or be∣fore the 49. yeare of Christ, they proceede in these wordes.

(Theater of the Empire of great Britanie l. 6.8.9. B. Rhenan. in history of Germany. Pantaleon.) And much about these times, as B. Rhenanus in his history of Germany, Pantaleon, and others doe re∣porte, one Suetonius a noble mans sonne in Britanie, conuerted to the faith by the first planters of the ghospell in this Iland, and af∣ter his Baptisme called Beatus, was sent by the bretheren from hence, vnto Rome to bee better instructed, and further directed by Saint Peter himselfe. And returninge through Suitcerland, found such willingnes and flockinge of the people to heare, and re∣ceaue the doctrine of Christ, that hee there stayed, and built an oratory not far from the bake Thun, & neare the Towne called Vn∣derfewen, where in preachinge and prayers, hee employed his time to the day of his death, which happened in the yeare of gra∣ce 110.

Hitherto the words of our english Prote∣stants, of this glorious and renowned man, far exceeding that which they giue him here:

for as their Author Henricus Pantaleon. (de viris Illustr. Germaniae part. 1 p. 114 a German Protestant writeth plainely of him, that hee was, the Apostle of Heluetians. S. Beatus Hel∣uetiorum Apostolus. Which Title and name none but puritans of anie Religion will giue to any but Bishops, and none but such which onely haue power to consecrate preists, (without which a true church cannot bee) can either bee, or truely called their Apo∣stle. And that this holy Bishop of Britanie though hee staied most in Heluetia, yet that hee was principally sent to bee a Bishopp in Britanie by Saint Peter, it is euident by these Protestants before, testifyinge that hee was returning into Britanie, and soe chei∣fely directed by Saint Peter: (Pantal. su∣pra Stamph. lib. 7. de Sanct.) Which Pan∣taleon with Stamphius and others doe more plainely witnesse, saying. S. Beatus ille nobi∣libus parentibus natus ex Britannia, in pa∣triam rediens &c. S. Beatus borne of no∣ble parents in Britanie, returninge into his contry: and adding of him, omnia bo∣na pauperibus distribuit: hee distributed all his goods to the pore: must needes bee in Britanie, where of these his goods he was to

make distributor of them. And these Germā historians tel vs, that hee had an other com∣panion sent and directed with him, from Rome by S. Peter or his authoritie there, and beeinge alsoe a Britaine returned hither, beeing consecrated Preist or Bishop by the same authoritie, and at the same time.

So that wee see by these Protestants them∣selues, that soe longe as S. Peter liued, the Bi∣shops and Preists of Britanie were consecra∣ted by him in this contry, and in his absen∣ce hence went vnto Rome for their conse∣cration, and to bee directed by him. This o∣ther companion of S. Beatus, borne in this kingdome, and consecrated at Rome by S. Peter, and returninge hither, where for any thinge wee reade otherwise in histories, hee continued in preaching all his life, and died here, some Germane writers haue na∣med Achates. (Anonymus apud Beat. Rhenan. de Reb. German. l. 3. pag. 172. Rhen. supr.) Whether that was his true name or noe, it is not materiall to my purpose to question here: the historie it selfe in germany beeing soe certainely and generally receaued, that it is, and aunciently was published, printed, and painted in their churches there. Hac

historia non solum picta est in templis ac scripta, sed etiam typis expressa: of this historie men∣tion is made, especially of S. Beatus in the Romane Martyrologe, S. Beda, Vsuardus, Molanus, Gulielmus Eisengrenius, the An∣tiquities of Heluetia, and expressely in the auncient monuments of the church of Con∣stance, and others. (Martyrolog. Rom. 9. die Maij. Beda Vsuard. & Mol. ab. Guliel. Eis. cen∣tur. 2. part. 5. Annal. Helu Momment. Eccle-Constant. Baron annot. in Mart. Rom. 9. Maij.) neyther can wee thinke that these two holy Bishops or preists of this kingedome of our Britanie were singular in this, but that wee had more so consecrated, and directed from Rome besides them, and needed not Bis∣hops and pastors here, otherwise S. Beatus would not haue stayed moste of his time in Heluetia, forth of his contry, nor S. Peter his consercator and director, & our Apostle by these Protestants before, giuen allowāce vnto it.

Neyther had S. Beatus beene sent (the words of our Protestants and Pantaleon al∣soe) by the brethren from hence vnto Rome to bee better instructed and further directed by S. Peter himselfe. (Theater, and Pantal. supr.)

But that the Brethren and Christians here depended of Saint Peter, and accompted it both their dutie, and honor to this nation, to haue their spirituall Guides, Bishops, and Preists consecrated and directed by him, and his Apostolicque supreame power and commaunde, in Religious thinges.

Now lett vs returne to S. Peters beeinge here in Britanie; whereof I haue spoken be∣fore, how to supply all spiritual wants of this kingedome, and founde our church, in Bri∣tannia longe tempore fuit moratus, he stayed in Britanie a longe time, as the greeke anti∣quities remembred vnto vs by our Protestāts haue told vs: and to expresse his greate lo•…•…e, & care, to this & other western natiōs, more particularly comended to his chardge, this longe time was soe longe, and his loue to vs so greate, that as both S. Simō Metaphrastes, and Eusebius Pamphili in some booke not now, but in the time of Metaphrastes extāt, and by him constantly cited, say: S. Peter stayed at Rome, and in Britanie, and the cities of the west, three and twentie yeares. Eusebius Pamphili dicit Petrum viginti tres annos trās∣eg•…•…sse Romae, & in Britannia, & in ciuitatibus quae sunt in occidente. (Simon Metaphrastes

die 29. Iunij. Eusebius Pamph. apud eund. supr. Surius 29. Iunij.) allotinge onely as it seemeth the rest of the 25. yeares which is common∣lie said, the time of his beeing at Rome and these parts, to his Iorney in the east, at the time of the migration of the B. Virgin our Lady forth of this world. Which is confir∣med by some of our Protestant antiquaries of England in these words. This yeare 70. beinge the fourteenth yeare of Nero Bassus and Tuscus, beeing then Romane Consuls, the holy Apostle S. Peter hauinge accomplished his preachinge, in the west parts, returned to Rome, where hee preached agayne, as hee did before. (Ioh. Stow and Ed. Howes histor. titul. Romans in Iulius Agricola.)

And before his departure hence, as I haue allready remembred, besides S. Man∣suetus, S. Beatus and such as hee consecrated Bishops of our nation in forreyn places, or for them out of Britanie, hee ordeyned here, and for this kingedome Bishops, Preists & Deacons. Apud Britannos Episcopos, presbyteros & diaconos ordinauit. Who these Bishops in particular were, I reade noe man precisely to sett them downe, yett if wee will followe the antiquities of Glastenbury

saying that S. Iosophe the sonne of S. Ioseph of Aramathia was a Bishop, as both Catho∣licks and Protestants allowe them in other things: I craue pardon probably to write, that he was one of them which S. Peter con∣secrated here.

First, because as is graunted, before S. Aristobulus our Archbishop, vnto whom S. Ioseph, whether Bishop or noe, was subiect, was ordeyned by S. Peter. Secondly because S. Ioseph is named a Bishop, and yet in pro∣bable iudgmēt none when hee came hither, with his Father S. Ioseph, for by the same and all other antiquities and histories of that matter, S. Ioseph his Father noe Bishop, was the Abbot or Superior of all that company, yet neither Catholick nor Protestant will easily instance that Bishops, by order and Sacrament Superiors, were or might bee In∣feriors or subiects to any of Inferior degree.

Secondlie there is noe possibilitie by any authoritie, that I finde at all, to surmise that S. Ioseph was a Bishop before his cominge hither, but the wordes of the antiquitie which say of him: that Iesus consecrated him Bishop before in the citie Sarath: Quem Domi∣nus Iesus prius in ciuitate Sarath, in Episcopum

consecrauit. (Antiquit. Glast. apud Capgrau. in S. Ioseph ab Aramathia.) Which noe Pro∣testant will or may by their Religion say, was a true and reall consecration, but ra∣ther propheticall, what should bee done, by orderly consecration after. For this vision was longe after Christs Ascension into hea∣uen, where all Protestants of England euer since, imprison him to keepe him from being present in the B. Sacrament of the altar.

Thirdlie they and all others generally de∣nie such extraordinary proceedings, where an ordinary and vniuersall order, as in this case is appointed by Christ himselfe. Wher∣fore S. Paul himselfe that vessell of Election, and extraordinary Apostle, though miracu∣lously conuerted, chosen, and called, yett bee neither was actually a christian without externall baptisme, nor a Bishop but by Im∣position of hands, and ordinary consecra∣tion. And wee reade of S. Sampson, our holy Archbishop of yorke, that before hee was a Bishop, S. Peter, S. Iames, and S. Iohn appeared vnto him saying: (Io. Capgrau. in S. Sampsone Episc. & Confessore.) Our Lord Ie∣sus Christ hath chosen thee for a Bishop, and sent vs to consecrate thee: whom when they had

consecrated with benediction, they disappeared out of his sight. Nocte quadam vidit se densissi∣mis candidatorum turmis circundari: & tres Episcopos vestibus aureis ornatos, cum illo eccle∣siam ingredientes orare, cuius vnus illorum ab ipso inquisitus, qui esset, ait. Ego sum Petrus Christi Apostolus, & hic frater Domini Iaco∣bus, & Euangelista Ioannes. Dominus Iesus Christus te sibi in praesulem elegit, & te conse∣crare nos misit. Quē cùm benedictione consecras∣sent, ab eius oculis elapsisunt. And yett nei∣ther S. Sampson nor any other tooke this for a reall consecration, but onely figuratiue of that which was after to bee done by the ho∣lie externall rite of the church of Christ; vntill as wee reade in the same history, our holy Archbishop S. Dubricius vpon the ap∣parition and message of an Angell did truely and really, externally consecrate him a Bishop: nec multo post Angelus Domini beato Dubricio apparens, Sampsonem ordinari Episcopum praece∣pit. (Capgr. supr.) Soe I might exemplifie in many such cases, only propheticall and figu∣ratiue, what should afterward bee done, and not what was then effected.

Therfore if S. Ioseph was a Bishop as that antiquitie persuadeth, by that figuratiue vi∣sion,

& not cōsecrated before hee came into Britanie, as is shewed before, & wee reade of no other which at that time made, & conse∣crated Bishops but S Peter, I may probably at the leaste affirme, that S. Iosephe was one of them which S. Peter at his departure hēce, (S. Iosephe beeing certainely here at that time) was consecrated Bishop by Saint Peter here in Britanie. And when I finde both Ca∣tholicks and Protestants affirme, (Martyrol. Angl. 7. die Februarij. Drekin Almin. an. 1620. 7. Feb. with others.) that S. Angulus was our Bishop of London & martyr, and yet noe hi∣storiā, Catholick or Protestāt, putteth him in the nūber of them which were Bishops there after the time of K. Lucius, but quite leaue him out of that catalogue, as appeareth by our Protestants Harrison, Godwyne, Stowe & others which with al diligēce they could, haue collected the auncient Bishops of Lon∣don, I must needs drawe him to an higher time then that of kinge Lucius was, before which noe consecration of Bishops in Brita∣ny was, or is so memorable as this by S. Peter the Apostle (Harris. de script. of Brit Godw. Ca∣talog. of Bishop in London 1. Stowe and Howe. l. hist. Lucius Iocelin of Furnes l. de Episc. Brit.

And to end here the Relation of S. Peters proceedings in Britanie, wee haue clearly, deduced, with the allowance of our best En∣glish Protestant Antiquaries, and other Au∣thors by them approued; That S. Peter Prin∣ce of the Apostles, was our first Father in Christ, and renowned Apostle, both imme∣diately by himselfe, and his holy disciples; That hee performed here all cheife and emi∣nent pastorall duties and offices, when our Emperors with our Lieutenants here, as also all our Kings were pagan Infidels; That hee ordeyned and consecrated for vs Bishops, preists, and other clergie men, and founded churches to the honor & Religion of Christ, and the honor of his blessed Mother S. Mary the Virgin, (few other christian Saints then deceased) as that of Glastenbury not soe de∣dicated without his approbation, beeing cheife in such affaires. Hee consecrated o∣ther Britans out of this nation, exemptinge them from the pagan seruice of those such remembred princes, hee sent them by autho∣ritie to preach the ghospell, in other contries, hee or his disciples conuerted Pomponia Graecina the Lord Lieutenants wife of Bri∣tanie, as these Protestants haue proued, and

many in the like case, their husbands conti∣nuing in their infidelitie, and contradiction, and many husbands and children, the wiues and parents not allowinge, as seruants in respect of their Lords and masters, and Sub∣iects in regard of soueraignes.

I, a Catholick Preist, now demaund of the best learned Protestāts Bishops of England, whether these proceedings and prerogati∣ues in that moste glorious Apostle, and his worthie disciples, our first Masters in Christ, were not as greate and ample, as the renow∣ned Preists and Catholicks of this kinge∣dome now attribute, and giue to the Popes of Rome his Apostolicke Successors? Wee whoe haue reade moste, and suffered much for this cause, cannot see the difference, or finde instance of disparitie, except in num∣ber of parsons, lesse or greater quantities of groundes, and some improportions in such thinges, which make noe essentiall diuersi∣tie, for otherwise wee haue beene told by the best learned Protestants with others, that S. Peter and his disciples did manifest∣lie and directly transfer and chaunge those parsons, places, and propertie of thinges of this our Britanie from a temporall, to al spi∣rituall

vse, from the commande (except in temporall dutie) of the present Emperors, Lieutenants, Kings and Soueraignes aliena∣ted from Christiā Religion, to the cōmande of Christ, his Religion, our moste holy Apostle and his disciples, by his authoritie soe directinge.

THE III. CHAPTER. How in the rest of this first Hundred yeares of Christ after Saint Peter, The Aposto∣licke See of Rome, still continued and ex∣ercised this supreame spirituall power in Britanie.

IT is a question, not onely amonge Catho∣licks (but some Protestants also) whether S. Linus & Cletus were Popes after S. Peter, or onely Suffragan Bishops, as soe ordeyned by him at the first. And Pope Leo the second an holy Saint, with there nowned of our Hi∣storians to omitt others, S. Marianus & Flo∣rentius Wigorniensis, say plainely: Si Petrus Apostolorum princeps adiutoris sibi asciuit Li∣num & Cletum, non tamen pontificij potestatem cis tradidit, sed Clementi successori suo. If Peter

Prince of the Apostles, did take Linus and Cletus to bee his Adiutors, yett hee gaue not them the Papall power, but to Clement his successor. And Linus and Cletus did no∣thinge by their owne Lawes and power as popes, but only soe much as was commaun∣ded them by S. Peter. (S. Leo 2. in epist. decre∣tal. Marian. Scot. lib. 2. aetat. 6. Florent. Wigor. in Siluan. & Otho Consul. Robert. Barns in vit. Port. Rom. in Linum.) Therfore to omitt doubtfull and vncertaine thinges, and to come next to S. Clement whoe moste cer∣tainely by all Cathololicks and Protestants was Pope of Rome nominated by S. Peter: (though Baronius and others whom he al∣leageth are of opinion that S. Clement yeel∣ded his right, and did not exercise the office of supreame pastour til after Linus and Cle∣tus, yet who in S. Peters life him were his Coadiutors & after his death his successors before S. Clemēt, (to 1. Annal. p. 742.743.744.745.) before any other: by this Pope, Doctors were sent into the west (as our Protestants tell vs (Margin. annot. vppon Matth. Westin. an. 94. Matth. Westm supr.) in greate numbers, as S. Denis, Nicasius, Taurinus, Trophimus, Paulus Narbonensis, Saturninus, Martialis, Gratianus,

Iulianus, Lucianus, Firminus, Photinus all Bishops, & they add S. Regulus. Whome al∣though they setle thē with their Bishopricks in Fraunce, yett it proueth the power & spi∣rituall commaund of that holy pope, to haue extended it selfe aswell to this kingdome, one and the same reason beeing for, and a∣gainst them both.

But wee finde diuers Authorities both late and auncient to induce vs, to consent that some of these named holy Bishops, sent at this time, by S. Clement, were sent by him into this kingdome of Britanie, namely S. Taurinus and S. Nicasius: and that S. Tauri∣nus was Archbishop or Bishop of yorke. A∣monge others, William Harrison a Prote∣stant historian. (In descript. of Britanie. pag. 23. Chronolog. ibid. an. 141.) produceth an Antiquitie that soe affirmeth: whereuppon hee writeth in this maner: Whether Taurinus Bishop ouer the congregation at yorke, were one of the nyne schollers of Grantha Cambridge spoken of in the chronicles of Burton, I doe not certainely finde. But certayne it is, that Wal∣terus Rollewink in his history fasciculus tem∣porum. (an. 94.) saith. S. Taurinus was Episco∣pus Eboracensis, Bishop of yorke, which is here

in Britanie: and soe not Ebroicensis in Fraunce, where the same or an other of that name was Bishop about the same time And an other late writer. (Harris Theatrum. l. 1.) in his manuscript history, alleadging both S. Antoninus and diuers others, saith: diuers haue written that both S. Nicasius and Tauri∣nus were here in Britanie, and for S. Taurinus, S. Antoninus saith, that S. Taurinus: filiam Lu∣cij Regis Britanniae à morte suscitauit. S. Tau∣rinus did raise from death the daughter of Lu∣cius, Kinge of Britanie. (S. Antonin. hist. part. 1. titul. 6. cap.) Which directly proueth, that S. Taurinus was here in out Britanie, & this Kinge Lucius for certaine, was eyther hee that liued to receaue the faith of Christ pu∣blickly in the time of Pope Eleutherius, be∣ginning his reigne in the yeare of Christ 124 (Matt. Westm. an. 124.) or Lucius Ante∣nous the Romane praefect in Britanie called there vppon. Rex Britanniae, Kinge of Bri∣tanie, as well hee might, prescribinge lawes vnto vs in Britanie as Hector Boethius. (Sce∣tor. hist. l. 5. fol. 76.77.78.) with others witt∣nesse: and was resident at yorke in the time of the Emperor Adrian, when and where S. Taurinus is supposed to haue beene Bishop

and wrought this miracle. For S. Anacasius beeing sent hither by S. Clement, they which teach soe. (Harris supr.) produce the french histories that hee preached to the Bri∣tans, which in that time were onely those of this kingdome, the little Britanie in Fraunce then and longe after named Armorica, and not Britannia.

And yett to omitt others, Arnoldus Mer∣mannus in his Theater of the conuersion of nations, (§. Britones.) saith, that amonge other people, S. Anacasius beeing delegated thither an Apostle by S. Clement, did instruct and informe in the faith the Britans, and all the waste of the Ocean Sea. Britones, Norman∣dos, Rhotomagenses, Picardos, omnemque Ma∣ris Oceani tractum instruxit, formauitque fide S. Nicasius à S. Clemente illuc Apostolus dele∣gatus. And to putt vs out of doubt, that S. Clement did take vppon him the spirituall chardge of this our Britanie, as well as of Fraunce and other places, the same Au∣thor from others testifieth, that our Arch∣bishop S Aristobulus whoe as Eisingrenius saith, had beene a Bishop from anno Chri∣sti the 39 the 39 yeare of Christ, was yett our Apostle in Britanie aliue in the yeare of

Christ 99. S. Clement then Pope. Et quod excurrit 99. Clemente Pontifice Maximo, Do∣mitiano Imperatore. (Guliel. Eis•…•…ng. centen. 1. part. 1. dist. 7. fol. 67. Arnold. Mermman. Theater conuers. gent. in Albione) And wee haue vett in England an old manuscript, a short historicall relation. (M. S. antiq. pr. Stores in Exordium) Of the publicke Masse, and church seruice, of the Britans, and French men, from the Apostles time, written before the vnion of the Britans with S. Augustines mission, by S. Gregorie, and written by a Brittish Author, testifying that the publicke church seruice and Masse, both of the french and Brittans was carried vp to Rome to S. Clement, to bee examined and approued by him then Pope, which hee ac∣cordingly performed by his papall power, & this Masse was euer after vsed both in Fraū∣ce, and this our kingedome of Britanie.

Soe that moste euident it is, by those few Antiquities left vnto vs, that in the time of S. Clement whoe was Pope in the later end of the first, & beginninge of the second hundred yeare of Christ, this our church of Britanie was wholly in spiritual thinges, de∣pendant and subordinate to the church and

Popes of Rome: and thus much of the first age and hundred yeare, from the birth of Christ. When here and of this nation there were yett liuinge many Bishops consecrated by S. Peter, and the Romane Papall authori∣tie: S. Aristobulus, Mansuetus, Beatus, and probably S. Iosephe, Taurinus, Nicasius, Angu∣lus, and others: for to add to the former, S. Anacletus saith in his Epistle, approued by our Protestants of England, our contryman S. Marianus and others. (Rob. Barns in vita pont. Rom. in Anacl. Mar. Scot. l. 2. de aetat. 6. col. 250. Florent. Wigorn. in Domit.) that the prouinces where Archbishops were, were diuided by the Apostles and S. Clement his predecessor, ab Apostolis & Beato Clemente praecessore no∣stro, ipsa Prouincia diuisio renouata est. (Some do make Clitus and Anaclitus alone, and make him praedecessour to S. Clement see. Baro. to. 1.) Therefore most euident it is that S. Clement tooke vppon him and exercised, this su∣preame Papall and spirituall power in this kingedome.